Treasure Chest of Books

Pillbugs by Donna Schaffer

2011-06-29T21:07:00.001-05:00

Title/Series: Pillbugs

Author: Donna Schaffer

Pages: 24 pages

Copyright Date: 1999

Reading Level: 3^rd grade

Interest Level: 1^st to 4^th grade

Summary: This nonfiction book gives information about the pillbug. You will learn about the pillbug’s life cycle, mating, food, and habitat. The book includes many full page, color close-up pictures of pillbugs. This is a great book for a child who loves to learn about animals.

Educational: Great – nonfiction book, glossary, access to more information (websites, book suggestions)

Content: Good – text gives a lot of information, pictures and diagrams help to make these ideas clear

Message: Average – tells us about the life of an animal

Jump! by Scott M. Fischer

2011-04-16T23:16:00.001-05:00

Title/Series: Jump!

Author: Scott M. Fischer

Pages: 32 pages

Copyright Date: 2010

Reading Level: Read-Aloud

Interest Level: PreK- K

Summary: It all starts with a bug, with a bug. This rhythmic tale shows an animal sleeping which is then woken up by a larger animal. The smaller animal JUUMMPS! The predator animal then sleeps and a new larger animal will make its prey jump. This story would be fun for a little one to read the “jump” page while they themselves jump.

Educational: Great– bold rhyming words, multiple predictable patterns

Content: Average – illustrations are full of action

Message: Poor– larger animals have power over those smaller than them, you may be attacked when you’re sleeping

Tip: If you go to Amazon.com and look at the reviews for Jump!, there will be one by the author Scott M. Fischer. He includes a video of himself reading/singing the entire book to a group of children. This is a good way to make the book fun for your little one.

Please Sy Please, Grumpy Bunny! by Justine Korman Fontes

2011-04-16T22:37:00.002-05:00

Title/Series: Please Say Please, Grumpy Bunny!

Author: Justine Korman Fontes

Pages: 32 pages

Copyright Date: 2007

Reading Level: 2^ndgrade

Interest Level: Pre K – 3^rd grade

Summary: Can a word really be magical? When Hopper decides to win the “please day” game, strange things begins to happen. Join Hopper as he learns about the magic of the word please.

Educational: Average– practicing to get better at saying please

Content: Average – short chapters (more like an older child’s book), large color pictures

Message: Great– shows the reason for using the word please with examples children can relate with, being a good sport

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss

2011-01-11T16:26:00.002-06:00

Title/Series: One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Author: Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)

Pages: 63 pages

Copyright Date: 1960

Reading Level: 1^st grade

Interest Level: K – 2^nd grade

Summary: This classic rhyming story tells about the activities of the characters in Seuss’s world. Each few pages has a new character and what fun action it’s involved with.

Educational: Good– rhyming words (poem format), color words, counting, opposites, counting by 2’s, phonics

Content: Good – imaginative illustrations and ideas, short mini stories (poems)

Message: Poor– there are many funny things to enjoy

No T. Rex in the Library by Toni Buzzeo

2011-01-11T11:11:00.002-06:00

Title/Series: No T.Rex in the Library

Author: Toni Buzzeo

Pages: 32 pages

Copyright Date: 2010

Reading Level: 3^rd grade

Interest Level: Pre K– 2^nd grade

Summary: Tess goes to the library with her mother on Tuesday morning and displays beastie behavior. While in time-out, Tess goes on an adventure with a T. Rex from a book. The T. Rex shows Tess how out of control her beastie behavior has been.

Educational: Average– vocabulary words (orcas, synchronized, stampede)

Content: Average – colorful illustrations with details, varied sentence and word placement on each page

Message: Average– respect books and do not use beastie behavior

On Hanukkah by Cathy Goldberg Fishman

2010-12-07T17:12:00.001-06:00

Title/Series: On Hanukkah

Author: Cathy Goldberg Fishman

Copyright Date: 1998

Reading Level: 5^th grade

Interest Level: K – 6^th grade

Summary: Join a Jewish family as they celebrate a traditional Hanukkah. Every day that a candle is lit on the menorah a tradition is shared. This book teaches the history behind the holiday as well as modern family traditions. We watch the family hang their Hanukkah quilt, make potato latkes, and play dreidel.

Educational: Good– teaches the history behind the holiday, introduces many vocabulary words, includes a glossary

Content: Good – shows the holiday in an interesting way, colorful illustrations

Message: Good– teaches the reason behind Hanukkah and how to celebrate this holiday

The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett

2010-12-03T15:10:00.001-06:00

Title/Series: The Wild Christmas Reindeer

Author: Jan Brett

Pages: 30 pages

Copyright Date: 1990

Reading Level: 4^th grade

Interest Level: K – 4^th grade

Summary: This is the first Christmas that Teeka will get the reindeer ready to fly on Christmas Eve. When Teeka is strong and firm with the reindeer, everything goes wrong! Will Teeka be able to get Santa’s reindeer ready to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve?

Educational: Average –Teeka learns that it is better to be patient than push and yell

Content: Excellent – magical pictures, boarder pictures show the elves working in Santa’s workshop, meaningful story that contains the Christmas spirit

Message: Average – teamwork and patience is important

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

2010-12-03T15:04:00.000-06:00

Title/Series: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Author: Barbara Robinson

Pages: 81 pages

Copyright Date: 1972

Reading Level: 5^th grade

Interest Level: 3^rd – 6^th grade

Summary: The annual Christmas pageant is changing this year. The worst kids in history, the Herdmans, will be involved and learning the Christmas story this year. When the Herdmans become the lead roles in the pageant, things really get interesting. It will be amazing if the town can put together the pageant this year.

Educational: poor –introduces bad ideas that kids may not think of on their own (burning down building, stealing from church, blackmailing peers), teaches the Christmas story

Content: poor– includes the word “hell”, tells how mom forces dad to watch his children in the pageant, Mrs. Herdman avoiding her children, describes the Christmas story including King Herod, the end of the book shows the Herdman children beginning to change for the better

Message: Good – take time to really think about the Christmas story and what it means

A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman

2010-11-24T08:16:00.001-06:00

Title/Series: A Plump and Perky Turkey

Author: Teresa Bateman

Pages: 31 pages

Copyright Date: 2001

Reading Level: 3^rd grade

Interest Level: K – 6^th grade

Summary: Where are all the turkeys? The people in Squawk Valley need a turkey for their Thanksgiving meal, but the turkeys are getting smart and disappearing in the fall. The town decides to try to trick a turkey into coming into town for a job as a turkey model. Who will be smarter, the turkey or the citizens of Squawk Valley?

Educational: Average– rhyming words

Content: Good – illustrations are very enticing with lots of bold colors and action on each page, fun Thanksgiving story

Message: Average– use teamwork to solve a problem

Thanksgiving Mice! by Bethany Roberts

2010-11-22T12:44:00.000-06:00

Title/Series: Thanksgiving Mice!

Author: Bethany Roberts

Pages: 32 pages

Copyright Date: 2001

Reading Level: 1^st grade

Interest Level: Preschool – 3^rd grade

Summary: It’s Thanksgiving time and the mice are putting on a play! The mice start with preparing for their two act play “The Story of Thanksgiving”. We then enjoy the play with the mice’s animal friends.

Educational: Good –shows a brief history of Thanksgiving including the vocabulary words England, Pilgrim, Mayflower, and Plymouth Rock

Content: Good – colorful pictures, the story told as a play makes the book interesting

Message: Average – Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate

Words Are Not for Hurting by Elizabeth Verdick

2010-11-17T10:56:00.000-06:00

Title/Series: Words Are Not for Hurting

Author: Elizabeth Verdick

Pages: 24 pages

Copyright Date: 2004

Reading Level: Board Book Version

Interest Level: Baby - Preschool

Summary: We all use many words each day. This book shows the different kinds of words we use such as loud and soft. It also shows what hurtful words do and what you can do to stop the hurtful words. The last two pages give good tips on how to use this book in starting a positive discussion with a child. The ideas suggested are age appropriate for the baby to preschool audience.

Educational: Excellent– the entire “Best Behavior” series promotes positive character building

Content: Excellent– words are simple yet powerful, vivid illustrations, great parent discussion and behavior tips

Message: Excellent– not only points out the problem with hurtful words but also gives positive ideas (what to do instead, what to do if you didn’t stop words), promotes good character traits without preaching the skills

Note: The entire board book series “Best Behavior” promotes and teaches positive behavior in an easy to understand way to young children. It gives the child options on how to improve their mistakes. This board book series is intended for the age range baby through preschool. The parent and caregiver tips in the back of the book are intended for this age range. For older children, many titles in the board book series are also available in a more in depth paperback version. These paperback books are approximately 40 pages long and aimed at children 4 to 7 years old. They include the same powerful language and options on what to do if mistakes happen. These books also include parent and caregiver tips. The tips are geared more towards children ages 4 – 7.

Board Book Version (baby-preschool)

Paperback Version (ages 4-7)

Rainbow Magic - The Fun Day Fairies - #2 Tara the Tuesday Fairy by Daisy Meadows

2010-11-17T10:20:00.001-06:00

Title/Series: Rainbow Magic – The Fun Day Fairies - #2 Tara the Tuesday Fairy

Author: Daisy Meadows

Pages: 67 pages

Copyright Date: 2006

Reading Level: 3^rd grade

Interest Level: K- 2^nd grade

Summary: Jack Frost has stolen the magical Tuesday Fun Flag from Fairyland! It’s Field Day at school and everyone is miserable without the Fun Flag. Can Rachel and Kristy help the fairy Tara find the Fun Flag in time to save Field Day?

Educational: Average– solve one riddle

Content: Average – story moves quickly

Message: Poor– teaches that magic is needed to have a good day instead of creating a positive outlook, teaches that misplacing something can ruin a celebration (medals and certificates are misplaced in the beginning of the day)

All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon

2010-11-17T09:31:00.003-06:00

Title/Series: All the World

Author: Liz Garton Scanlon

Pages: 40 pages

Copyright Date: 2009

Reading Level: 2^nd grade

Interest Level: PreK- 2^nd grade

Summary: A small community of family and friends show active illustrations of many things to enjoy in the world. The characters enjoy the little things at a beach, meal time, and family time.

Educational: Average– rhyming words, shows words that are related (body, shoulder, arm, hand)

Content: Average – illustrations are beautiful and full of action

Message: Good– appreciate all of the small and large things in life

The Boxcar Children #123 The Amazing Mystery Show Created by Gertrude Chandler Warner

2010-11-16T21:52:00.001-06:00

Title/Series: The Boxcar Children # 123 The Amazing Mystery Show

Created By: Gertrude Chandler Warner

Pages: 111 pages

Copyright Date: 2010

Reading Level: 3^rd grade

Interest Level: 3^rd – 5^th grade

Summary: Join the four Alden children as they work together to win on the TV show “The Amazing Mystery Show”. They travel to Philadelphia to solve clues which lead them to gold coins. Something seems fishy when their map has been tampered with and Benny’s special pink cup goes missing! Will they be able to overcome someone misleading them and still win the show?

Educational: Great –teaches the history of Philadelphia (historical landmarks, Betsy Ross), shows using small clues to come to a good conclusion

Content: Good – easy to read fun mystery series

Message: Good – working together can accomplish large tasks

Chronicles of Ancient Darkness - #1 Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

2010-11-15T14:16:00.000-06:00

Title/Series: Chronicles of Ancient Darkness - #1 Wolf Brother

Author: Michelle Paver

Pages: 320 pages

Copyright Date: 2004

Reading Level: 5^th grade

Interest Level: 6^th – 8^th grade

Summary: Six thousand years ago, twelve year old Torak is suddenly alone when his father dies. Torak is now on his own with an impossible mission to complete. He must find the Mountain of the World Spirit to stop the evil demon bear from destroying the world. Torak bonds with a wolf cub who will be his guide to the Mountain or death.

Educational: Good – well researched information on the lives of people 6,000 years ago

Content: Good – the action makes the reader want to keep reading, theme of being respectful to nature

Message: Average– courage and resourcefulness are useful throughout life

Samuel Eaton's Day by Kate Waters

2010-11-14T14:04:00.001-06:00

Title/Series: Samuel Eaton’s Day – A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy

Author: Kate Waters

Pages: 39 pages

Copyright Date: 1993

Reading Level: 3^rd grade

Interest Level: 2^nd -4^th grade

Summary: This historical fiction book tells the story of the pilgrim Samuel Eaton’s first rye harvest with his father. If Samuel Eaton can prove that he is a good worker, he will be able to help with all of the harvest! The day begins with getting dressed with his garters and doublet. Before Samuel even begins to harvest he has fetched water, set his snare, and gathered firewood! Will Samuel have the strength to do well with his first rye harvest?

Educational: Great– This book does an excellent job of describing and showing the life of a pilgrim boy. The photographs of the Plimoth Plantation and everyday life of pilgrims really shows how life was during the seventeenth century. The story is also excellent as it tells details of what a day would be like for a pilgrim boy. It describes things such as clothing, meals, chores, family, and traditions. This story would be a good addition to a discussion on Thanksgiving.

Content: Good – teaches about the life of children in the seventeenth century, but also tells a good story of a boy becoming a man

Message: Average– shows the benefit of hard work

Sara Morton's Day by Kate Waters shows the day in the life of a pilgrim girl. This story also includes excellent photographs with a detailed story.

Rainbow Magic - The Music Faries - #4 Danni the Drum Fairy by Daisy Meadows

2010-11-14T13:37:00.000-06:00

Title/Series: Rainbow Magic – The Music Fairies - #4 Danni the Drum Fairy

Author: Daisy Meadows

Pages: 64 pages

Reading Level: 3^rd grade

Interest Level: K – 3^rd grade

Summary: Jack Frost has stolen the Music Fairies’ magical instruments. Music in fairyland and the human world is out of tune! Rachel and Kristy need to act fast to help the magic fairy Danni find her drum set. If they are careful, maybe fairyland and its magic can be kept secret. Will they be able to get the fairy drums back from Jack Frost’s goblins?

Educational: Average– vocabulary words (dainty, harmonious)

Content: Average – magic fairy makes the story fun, good read out loud for younger children

Message: Average– work together to solve problems

Junie B., First Grader #26 Aloha-ha-ha! by Barbara Park

2010-11-05T20:29:00.002-05:00

Title/Series: Junie B., First Grader #26 Aloha-ha-ha!

Author: Barbara Park

Pages: 119 pages

Reading Level: 2^nd grade

Interest Level: 3^rd – 5^th grade

Summary: Junie B. and her family are going to Hawaii! Throughout the trip, Junie B gets ready to share the adventures with her first grade classroom by using the camera and photo journal that her teacher Mr. Scary gave her. The trip starts out rough when Junie B. has trouble with the grouchy ladies on the plane. Next, the parrot inner-tube squeezes the life out of Junie B.. The jellyfish attack made another bad picture for the journal. Will Junie B. have a great or horrible vacation photo journal to share with her first grade class?

Educational: Poor – poor grammar, poor spelling, explains idea of photo captions

Note: The Junie B. Jones series as a whole is not the best reading material for young minds. If your child is a reluctant reader, any book that interests them is fine to read. The important thing for a beginning reader to do is read anything from a cereal box to a great novel. If your child is already an interested reader though, this series should be avoided. Children learn vocabulary, grammar, and spelling through reading. Throughout the Junie B. Jones series bad spelling and grammar is used. The Junie B. First Grader books do not have as many spelling errors as the Junie B. Jones books, although they do have many grammar errors. This seems funny to the advanced reader, but can be confusing to a beginning reader.

Content: Average – shows what not to do in a structured setting such as a classroom or airplane (example if the teacher isn’t looking at you, stand up and shout), teaches about Hawaii

Message: Good – give new things a chance

Babymouse #8 - Puppy Love by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

2010-11-05T19:16:00.001-05:00

Title/Series: Babymouse #8 -Puppy Love

Author: Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Pages: 91 pages

Reading Level: 3^rd grade

Interest Level: 2^nd -6^th grade

Summary: Babymouse has had five pet fish who have all died suddenly, so she wants to get an animal she can touch and play with. All of the animals that Babymouse tries to keep as pets keep disappearing! Babymouse doesn’t know what is wrong. She really wants a dog, but mom doesn’t want to keep spending money on disappearing pets. What will happen when Babymouse tries to keep a stray dog as a pet?

Educational: Average– has a brief daydream of Charlotte’s Web while Babymouse imagines a pig as a pet

Content: Good – the funny illustrations and text will make reluctant readers want to read more(graphic novel which means it looks similar to a comic book), the text inside the pictures will help children read all of the items on the page (this is a good skill for reading nonfiction books)

Note: Graphic novel series, such as the Babymouse series, are great for motivating reluctant readers.

Message: Average– owners of pets must be responsible to keep their pet happy and safe

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

2010-11-05T15:21:00.001-05:00

Title/Series: Bridge to Terabithia

Author: Katherine Paterson

Pages: 128 pages

Copyright Date: 1977

Reading Level: 6^th grade

Interest Level: 4^th – 7^th grade

Summary: This classic children’s book begins with a fifth grade boy who dreams of winning the school yard races. He practices so that he will win, but the unexpected life twist of a new girl in the school changes his victory. As the boy Jess becomes friends with Leslie, the new girl in school, he discovers an imaginary world. Together Jess and Leslie create a magic world of their own, Terabithia. Through their friendship they conquer bullies, family issues, and even loss.

Educational: Average– an essay written by Leslie shows the power of words

Content: Good – this book covers the topics of bullying successfully (shows why someone may bully and what a victim can do), the other strong idea in the book is loss (the topic of a child dying could be hard for younger readers – this would be a good discussion starter on death), imaginary world makes the story exciting for readers

Caution- This book contains language which may be inappropriate for young readers. The word hell is used repeatedly throughout the book. In the beginning of the book, it is used as a swear word. As the book continues the word hell is used to describe the afterlife. A discussion on the use of this word may help the child understand why the word is being used so frequently.

Other words that are inappropriate for younger children such as teats , pervert, and bosomy also appear throughout Bridge to Terabithia.

Message: Good – deals with how to move past a great loss at a young age.

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

2010-10-29T09:53:00.003-05:00

Title/Series: Princess Academy

Author: Shannon Hale

Pages: 320 pages

Reading Level: 5^th grade

Interest Level: 6^th – 8^th grade

Summary: Fourteen year old Miri is the main character of this Newberry-honor book. Miri wants to work in the stone quarry like others in her Mount Eskel village, but is not allowed due to her small size. A royal decree means that all eligible girls must attend an academy which will prepare them to become princesses. One lucky girl will then be chosen to become the prince’s bride. Will tiny Miri be able to save her classmates from danger and become a royal princess?

Educational: Good – economic ideas of supply and demand, power of knowledge

Content: Good – many twists and turns, friendships, teamwork

Message: Good – empowerment and leadership

Bubbles, Bubbles by Kathi Appelt

2010-10-29T09:32:00.000-05:00

Title/Series: Bubbles, Bubbles

Author: Kathi Appelt

Reading Level: 2^nd grade

Interest Level: Kindergarten to 2^nd grade

Summary: This fun story about bath time has both fun words and rhyming words. It makes the idea of making bubbles while taking a bath fun.

Educational: Good – rhyming words, repeating words

Content: Average – good story for those who are reluctant bathers

Message: Average – shows that bath time can be fun

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

2010-10-28T14:40:00.007-05:00

Title/Series: Dear Mr. Henshaw

Author: Beverly Cleary

Pages: 134 pages

Reading Level: 5^th grade

Interest Level: 4^th – 6^th grade

Summary: Second grader Leigh Botts adores a book about dog training by author Mr. Boyd Henshaw. To fulfill a school assignment, Leigh writes to Mr. Henshaw and tells him how much he "licked" his book.
At first, Leigh resents the replies he gets from his idol, but gradually he answers Mr. Henshaw's questions, which are really only to encourage Leigh to put pencil to paper. Four years later, Leigh is in the sixth grade and is still writing to Mr. Henshaw, and he never imagines that he'd reveal so much of himself and his life to the author:
Dear Mr. Henshaw, I am sorry I was rude in my last letter . . . Maybe I was mad about other things, like Dad forgetting to send his child-support payment . . . ." Gradually not only his spelling and writing improve, but also his feelings about life, as Mr. Henshaw inspires Leigh to keep a journal.
This Newbery Award-winning book by veteran author Beverly Cleary traces the inner life of a sometimes lonely and often troubled boy during that all-important but painful transition into adolescence, and she does so with grace and humor.

Educational: Good – shows that getting ideas down on paper are important no matter how well you write, idea of writing in a journal, personal letter format

Content: Good – the troubled character shows that everyone has problems but that we must find ways to solve our problems

Message: Good – just like the character, the reader has control over how to feel about life