Just in time for Groundhog's Day

Reviewer: Gretchen Schroeder Date: 1/31/2010

Title: Groundhog Weather School 

Author: Joan Holub, Illustrated: Kristin Sorra
Publisher: G.P. Putnam 's Sons, 2009
This book is in the Woodlynde Library

1. Why I picked up this book.
What librarian, or lower school teacher can resist a book on Groundhogs this time of year. Seriously, this looked like it would fill a much needed gap between a juvenile non fiction title and a "Groundhog meets (choose your character) Adventure".

2. Why I finished this book.
This fiction book has a very appetizing mix of the imagined and the factual. It just the right length and the student/teacher premise is perfect for the classroom. The illustrations strike just the right note, neither to sweet, nor too serious. The nearly graphic novel format uses both visual pacing and dialogue to drive the story forward, and the mixed media approach will keep kids visually engaged.

3. Who I would give this book to, and why. 
I would give this to any elementary school child who wants to know more about Groundhog Day, and groundhogs. I also recommend it for any lower through middle school classroom. (Though you can't have it this year, I'm using it in the library!)

"Calamity Jack" a sequal worthy of its predicessor

Reviewer: Gretchen Schroeder Date: 1/31/2010
Title: Calamity Jack 
Author: Shannon & Dean Hale, Illustrated: Nathan Hale
Publisher: Bloomsury, 2010
This book is in the Woodlynde Library

1. Why I picked up this book.
I can't keep its predecessor, Rapunzel's Revenge on the shelf, and it seems to be a graphic novel that is equally popular with boys, girls and adults who love fantasy.

2. Why I finished this book.
This is a wonderful re-imagining of characters from traditional fantasy worlds. In this installment, Jack of beanstalk fame, joins with his friends to redeem himself and rescue his mother, after accidentally killing a giant and starting a war. Details like the giants sharing recipe tips while riding the elevator, made these re-imagined imaginary characters both believable and somehow human. The inclusion of some of my favorite characters, like the Jabberwok as the giant's guard dog and pixies as show girls makes this a fun and literate romp through fantasy land.

3. Who I would give this book to, and why. 
I would give this book to any reader of fantasy literature, middle school or higher, especially graphic novel readers. The high adventure in this story makes it appealing to many boys, and the strong female characters, especially Rapunzel, gives it solid girl appeal. Adults who love Marvel's Fables series will find this a youth appropriate introduction to the alternate fantasy universe.

A wonderful new biography for all ages

Reviewer: Gretchen Schroeder Date: 1/31/2010

Title: Noah Webster: weaver of words
Author: Pegi Deitz Shea, Illustrator: Monica Vachula
Publisher: Calkins Creek 2009
This book is in the Woodlynde Library

1. Why I picked up this book.
I was drawn to this Juvenile Biography by the beautiful artwork on the cover, but what School Librarian could resist a biography about a man whose life was all about words and education!

2. Why I finished this book.
While at times I felt humbled by the magnitude of what Noah Webster achieved in his time, the multitude of fascinating facts and achievements kept me wondering what I would learn next. The beautiful illustrations helped form the complete image of the man as he moved from one stage of his life to the next, and the frequent "fact boxes" pointed out bits of information that supplement the story.

This book also contains several pages of back matter including an Afterword, a chronology, and a bibliography that includes primary sources and web links.

3. Who I would give this book to, and why.
Every Social Studies and English teacher I can find, this book is a perfect teaching tool. Not only because it documents the achievements of Noah Webster, but because who he was and what he did was so much a part of when he lived.

Refresh Refresh, a different take on war

Reviewer: Gretchen Schroeder Date: 1/31/2010
Title: Refresh Refresh 
Author: Danica Novgorodoff, Benjamin Percy, James Ponsoldt
Publisher: First Second, 2009 
Available in Woodlynde Library

1. Why I picked up this book.
I picked up this graphic novel partly because of some of the buzz it has gotten in the young adult graphic novel world, and partly due to the challenge of the front cover.

2. Why I finished this book.
I can't say that I loved this book with its raw storyline and equally raw drawing style. However, its compelling story line of a group of High School boys who all share the fact that their fathers are away at war, kept me engaged, and questioning why there weren't more books like this for teens, portraying the effects of modern warfare on those left behind.

3. Who I would give this book to, and why.
Almost any of our High School level boys. Some mature content would keep it out of the hands of younger students. I suspect only a few girls would find this book appealing, especially without some guidance.

Kick off

O.K. I will admit that I am trying to kick start things here. But as a school librarian, I do a lot of reading anyway.
With a new shipment of books landing on my desk on Friday, it made things a little easier: So following with be posted reviews for four very different books.
Gretchen

Welcome to the Woodlynde 10-10-10 Book Challenge

This challenge is set by the Woodlynde School's Librarian, to encourage the faculty to model good reading habits to their students. The challenge is voluntary!
The ultimate goal is for the faculty to read as many books as possible by 10/10/2010. Participants may take on the further challenge to Read 25 books by 10/10/2010; roughly 3 books a month in a little over 8 months. Participants are urged to post reviews of their books using:

Our 3Q Review
The reviews would be brief and in the following format:
The book's statistics; title, author, and publisher

• Why I picked this book up?
• Why I finished this book?
• Who would I give this book to and why?

A template for the review is available from the librarian!