Sunday, July 30, 2006

The Silver Spoon of Solomon Snow by Kaye Umansky

Umansky, Kaye.
THE SILVER SPOON OF SOLOMON SNOW
Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 5.2
ISBN 0763627925

“Dumped…foundling…” and to think he’d never guessed any of it before! Young Solomon had been brought up in the sleepy little village of Boring , by an uncouth couple known as Ma and Pa Scubbins. He always knew there was something different about himself. He had a certain gentility and sensitivity that distinguished him somehow from the slovenly washer woman and her ne’er do well, hard-drinking husband. Nevertheless, he dutifully carried out his many assigned tasks, which included pick up and delivery of customers’ “unmentionables”. That is, until the day he learned that he was actually left on the Scubbins’ doorstep as an infant, with a silver spoon in his mouth! As he sets out to find this silver spoon and the loving parents who left him with it, Solomon is joined in his quest by an irritable redhead named Prudence, a coquettish “Infant Prodigy” with a lisp, and a very cheerful young chimney sweep. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Tiger by Jeffrey Stone

Stone, Jeffrey S.
TIGER
New York : Random, 2005.
IL 5-8
ISBN 0375830715


Set in 17th century China, the first of the Five Ancestors series follows five young monks who are schooled in various forms of kung fu. The young monks live at the Cangzhen Temple with thier revered Grandmaster who has taught them the animal kung fu. But a former student has left the temple and vowed to kill the Grandmaster. When Ying returns, the Grandmaster successfully protects the brothers but the temple is destroyed and valuable scrolls are stolen. Young Fu, a twelve year old monk who has mastered tiger kung fu is separated from his brothers but will do anything to retrieve the scrolls and extract revenge on Ying.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco by Janice Repka

Repka, Janice.
THE STUPENDOUS DODGEBALL FIASCO
New York : Dutton Children's Books, 2004.
IL 3-6, RL 4.7
ISBN 0525473467

I was having lunch one day at the cafĂ© at the Hardingtown City Hall when I saw a skinny kid reading a law book. Turns out that it was Phillip Stanislaw -- the kid who sued a student from his school for being slammed in the face with a dodgeball. Phillip has had a different sort of life. He comes from a circus family. His father is Leo Laugh-a-Lot and his mother is Matilda the Fat Lady. Well, I don’t have to tell you that to Phillip, dodgeball is no laughing matter! It takes one courageous kid to take on the Unofficial Dodgeball Capital of the World. You can find out all about Phillip Stanislaw by reading “The Stupendous Dodgeball Fiasco”. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Magyk by Angie Sage

Sage, Angie.
MAGYKNew York : Katherine Tegan Books, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 6.1
ISBN 0060577320

Click When the seventh son of a seventh son is born, you know you have a magical read ahead. In these pages we find a hidden princess chased by an evil Hunter with a silver bullet in his gun. An Ordinary wizard and an Extra Ordinary Wizard are helping the princess hide. A poor soldier boy whose only name is Boy 412, must decide whether to help the Hunter or the hunted princess. Witches, boggarts, and ghosts roam through the pages of this exciting first book in the Septimus Heap series. This fantasy offers clever twists and turns of plot, surprising characters, and humorous spells. Magyk is a thick book but, magically, a quick read. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Monday, July 10, 2006

Crooked River by Shelley Pearsall

Pearsall, Shelley.
CROOKED RIVER
New York : Random House, 2005.
IL 3-6, RL 6.2
ISBN 0375923896

In 1812, Ohio was the frontier where settlers were trying to establish homesteads. The settlers were frightened of the Indians and determined to keep the “heathens” away. When a trapper is murdered, the men of the village capture an Indian and chain him in the attic of Rebecca’s house.Rebecca and her older sister are expected to take care of Amik.At first, Rebecca is anxious but she soon starts to like him and exchanges small gifts with him.Rebecca comes up with a plan to free Amik before he is hung, but the ending is even more spectacular than she had planned.(New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Saturday, July 8, 2006

The Ghost's Grave by Peg Kehret

Kehret, Peg.
THE GHOST'S GRAVE
New York : Dutton Children's Books, 2005.
IL 5-8, RL 5.6
ISBN 0525461620

Willie just wanted his leg bones to be buried with the rest of him. Josh just wanted to help the old ghost out. Digging in the old cemetery, Josh finds more than just bones. This summer is getting creepy! Who is keeping watch on the graveyard? Who knows what Josh found there? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Monday, July 3, 2006

The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn

Hahn, Mary Downing.
THE OLD WILLIS PLACE : A GHOST STORY
New York : Clarion Books, 2004.
IL 5-8, RL 6.2
ISBN 0618430180

Dianna and her younger brother, Georgie, roam the grounds of the Old Willis Place. Bound by strict rules, the two never dare to leave the premises or reveal themselves to anyone. As they watch from the shadows of the woods, another caretaker moves into the caretaker’s house. Many have come and gone, but this time it’s different. This one has a daughter Dianna’s age. As Dianna longs for the companionship of a girl her own age, she struggles with taking care of her younger brother and knowing the rules. They must never reveal themselves. What are they afraid of? What harm could it really do? (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)

Saturday, July 1, 2006

Stumptown Kid by Carol Gorman

Gorman, Carol.
STUMPTOWN KID
Atlanta : Peachtree, 2005
IL 3-6, RL 4.4
ISBN 1561453374

Wouldn’t it be great to have a professional baseball player give you personal pointers on your pitching style and batting technique? Twelve year old Charlie Nebraska isn’t the best baseball player in his town, but if professional Luther Peale helps him, Charlie knows he’ll get a lot better. Luther has even offered to coachCharlie’s team. It sounds like a perfect situation but there is a problem. This is the 1950’s and Luther is a black man and a stranger to the small Nebraska town. Not only that, but Luther has a secret. This is an exciting story about a boy fighting his family and neighbors for what he believes is right, even if doing so puts him in danger. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face 2007)