Mom Read It

Julia’s House for Lost Creatures is an adorable look at friends and sharing responsibilities.

Posted on June 24, 2014June 24, 2014 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Julia’s House for Lost Creatures, by Ben Hatke (:01 First Second, Sept. 2014). $17.99, ISBN: 9781596438668

Admittedly, I’m a Ben Hatke fan thanks to the Zita the Spacegirl series; when when I saw that he had a picture book coming out, I jumped to review it. I knew it was going to be adorable as well as fun, and I was right – Julia’s House for Lost Creatures is a sweet look at friendship, individuality, and sharing responsibility.

Julia’s house comes to a quiet, seaside area and decides to settle in. At first, Julia enjoys the warm fire, toast, and tea, but soon realizes it’s just too quiet. So she posts a sign that states the house is for “Lost Creatures”, and in no time, goblins, trolls, ghosts, and more homeless or lost creatures show up. Everyone’s happy at first, but Julia becomes frustrated by everyone’s refusal to make a mess and leave it for Julia to clean up. When the noise reaches critical mass, Julia sequesters herself in her workshop, only to emerge with a solution that will make everyone happy.

The book delivers several sweet, but important messages – Julia offers her home to misfits of all sorts; all “lost creatures” are welcome there. It’s not an exclusive club, or a place allowing only certain types. It appeals to anyone – or anything – that’s been shut out somewhere else. And it brings home the point that everyone pitches in to make their home a happy place. Julia creates a chore chart, so all of the creatures know exactly what to do. I love these messages and I love Hatke’s art, done in watercolor for this book. It lends a soft quality to the art that makes the story even sweeter, more dreamlike. There are few, short sentences per page, making this a great read-aloud candidate. The font is usually black and fairly low-key, unless Hatke wants to make a point; then, the font is large and takes on the character of the sound, whether it’s Julia’s exclamation or the sounds of a house that needs some help.

This book is due out in September of this year, and I can’t wait to get it on my library’s shelves. I’ve already got a storytime planned around it!

Teen, Tween Reads

Summer Reading for Tweens and Teens! Refeatured Reviews!

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Rosemary Kiladitis

The New York Summer Reading Lists for Tweens and Teens Summer Reading look pretty fantastic this year. I’ve read a few of the books on the list, so I thought I’d reshare those reviews to get you started.

The City of Ember is a great beginning to a hugely popular series. Imagine a post-apocalyptic society that went underground to survive. They live off the meager light produced by generators. But after so long underground, the power is going out in Ember. There’s been rumor that there’s a way out… who will be brave enough to uncover the truth about Ember?

Icefall is an amazing book that I was lucky enough to read when I was on the Cybils Awards panel a couple of years ago. A Viking warrior king’s children are sequestered away while their father is at war. A storm encloses their stronghold in ice, and they learn that there’s a traitor in their midst.

Zita the Spacegirl is a graphic novel series that I’ve evangelized from day one. I love the story, I love the art, and most importantly, I love the character. Zita is a spunky Earth girl who finds herself in space on an adventure. Her adventure continues in Legends of Zita the Spacegirl and Return of Zita the Spacegirl – don’t miss out on this series.

In Darkness won the Michael L. Printz Award in 2013, with good reason. This taut story of a young Haitian gang member trapped in the rubble of a hospital in the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake is compulsively readable, equally parts fascinating and brutal.

Preschool Reads, Toddler Reads

Summer Reading is Here! Refeatured kids’ reviews to get you started!

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Rosemary Kiladitis

It’s that time – Summer Reading Time! My library is taking part in the Fizz, Boom, Read! Summer Reading program, and I’ve got reading logs and bulletin boards ready to go. I’m super excited, because I also have two storytimes! On Fridays in July, I’ll begin my Toddler storytime and my Picture Book storytime, so I’ve been getting my storytime plans together and taking a lot of inspiration from some great sites on the web (Storytime Katie and Hushlander are great blogs with great ideas)!

In the meantime, I noticed that a few books I’ve reviewed here have landed on the Summer Reading List, so I’ve decided to refeature those reviews, for anyone interested in learning a little about the books, starting with Leslie Patricielli’s board book, Tubby. I’m a huge fan of Leslie Patricelli and the baby featured in her board books (No No Yes Yes, Yummy Yucky, Toot, and more!); any parent would get a kick out of these.

Next up is Bill Martin Jr.’s Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom. If you haven’t read this one to your little ones yet, I urge you to pick it up! There are great toys and games that go along with the book, and with the companion book, Chicka Chicka 1,2,3, too.

Now, to the picture books. I’ve only read one on the list so far – T is for Terrible, by Peter McCarty. It’s an adorable book that features a T-Rex, musing over his T-Rex-ness. He can’t help that he’s not a vegetarian.

That’s all for the little ones this time around – stay tuned, as I read my way through the Summer Reading list this year!

History, Non-Fiction, Teen, Young Adult/New Adult

Discover the World War I trench poets in Above the Dreamless Dead

Posted on June 11, 2014June 11, 2014 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Above the Dreamless Dead, edited by Chris Duffy (:01 First Second, Sept. 2014). $24.99, ISBN: 9781626720657

Recommended for ages 16+

As World War I dragged on, an artistic movement arose from the trenches. The Trench Poets, as they came to be called, were a group of soldiers who wrote about the horrors around them, as a way to cope with what they saw around them. The Trench Poets ultimately became a significant literary movement – but as all things pass, it appears that the memory of the Poets has dulled a bit. No longer. Contemporary comic book and graphic artists have given new life to these poems by giving readers an illustrated retelling. Artists, including Kathryn and Stuart Immonen – two of my favorites – are here, as are Anders Nilsen, Eddie Campbell, Kevin Huizenga, George Pratt, and many more.

There are 20 poems in comic form here, and they present a brutal, beautiful look at World War I through a soldider’s eyes. There’s no glorification of war here; no rousing cries of “Let’s get ‘im, boys!” and no grandstanding. These poets rejected the glorification of war and looked inward at the psychological damage these men knew they were taking home. The stark black and white art adds to the powerful punch delivered by this work.

I consider myself a pretty well-read person. Perhaps it’s because I’m not as up on poetry as I should be, but I’d never heard of the Trench Poets until I got a copy of Above the Dreamless Dead in my hands, and was blown away by what I read. This is a book that should be in every high school library; English and History teachers could put together one heck of a unit with this book. This stands with Maus and Persepolis, as graphic novel interpretations of history that demand to be read to understand, truly understand, a moment in time through the eyes of a person living it.

Some of the Trench Poets didn’t make it home from the War. Their stories are told briefly at the end of the book. I may not have known anything about the Trench Poets when I picked this book up, but I intend to find out more now. And really, that’s one of the best things one can say about a book.

Fiction, Middle School, Tween Reads

Desmond Pucket is back, with a Mountain Full of Monsters!

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Desmond Pucket and the Mountain Full of Monsters, by Mark Tatulli (Andrews-McMeel, August 2014). $13.99, ISBN: 9781449435493

Recommended for ages 8-12

Desmond Pucket, star of Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic, is back and he’s finally on the class trip to Crab Shell Pier, where the Mountain Full of Monsters awaits! He’s dying to ask his crush to go on the ride with him, but he’s thwarted by Mr. Needles, the school disciplinary officer who has it in for poor Desmond, and bully Scott Seltzer. When he finds out that the Mountain Full of Monsters is scheduled for demolition, he’s determined to save it – in his own way, naturally – and discovers that kids will actually pay him to scare their friends, brothers, and sisters! Can Desmond stay one step ahead of Mr. Needles and make his dreams come true again?

If you enjoyed the first Desmond Pucket book, you’ll be very happy with Desmond Pucket and the Mountain Full of Monsters. The sequel picks up shortly after the first book ends, and the main characters are all in place, waiting to be rejoined by the reader. The reading is fast-paced and funny, told by Desmond via his journal. The book is filled with “Desmond’s” scribbles and illustrations, and there are more tricks and recipes this time. Desmond is a likable character, and you really want him to succeed. He’s entrepreneurial this time out, which should get kids thinking about making their own money doing what they love. It sends a great message!

The Desmond Pucket site offers teacher and librarian resources, which link the books to the Common Core. Currently, there are guides only for Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic, but I hope, with the release of Desmond Pucket and the Mountain Full of Monsters in August, that these resources will be updated to include the new book. There are also resources for using graphic novels in the classroom.

These are great books to have available to middle grade readers, particularly boys, who love the Wimpy Kid books.

Fiction, mythology, Tween Reads

Myth-O-Mania’s newest, ‘Get Lost, Odysseus’ – The Odyssey, for Kids!

Posted on June 10, 2014June 10, 2014 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Myth-O-Mania: Get Lost, Odysseus! by Kate McMullan (Capstone, August 2014). $10.95, ISBN: 9781434291943

Recommended for ages 8-13

Kate McMullan’s got a great series going with her Myth-O-Mania series. Narrated by Hades, each Myth-O-Mania book offers up the God of the Underworld’s take on a Greek myth, with his hilarious commentary and points of view. This time out, McMullan/Hades offers up the tale of Odysseus, hero of the Trojan War, who angered Poseidon and ended up taking ten years to get home.

The book is great, in that it is The Odyssey, made accessible to middle-grade readers. Just about everything we grown-ups and teens read in high school and college is in here – the Cyclops, the Scylla and Charybdis, even his stints with Circe and Calypso are here, made readable for younger eyes. Odysseus’ bravado comes right through the pages here, and we see Hades losing patience with him. What’s even better, is that we get a glimpse of Hades’ home life, especially the relationship between Hades and his beloved, 3-headed dog, Cerberus, who howls whenever his poor master has to leave and check up on Odysseus one more time.

This is an action-adventure, packed with Greek mythology and humor. Kids who like Percy Jackson should pick the Myth-O-Mania series up, for sure. You don’t even need to start at the beginning – the beauty of this series is that each is a stand-alone adventure. These books are great to enhance any unit on myths and heroes. Ms. McMullan’s webpage offers some information about her books – including the Myth-O-Mania books – and links to social media.

Non-Fiction, Teen

Peek into the mind of a teen with The Isobel Journal

Posted on June 4, 2014June 4, 2014 by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Isobel Journal, by Isobel Harrop (Capstone, August 2014). $16.95, ISBN: 9781630790035

Recommended for ages 12+

The Isobel Journal is a real-life journal from Isobel Harrop, “just a girl from where nothing really happened”. She lives in Britain, and shares her journal here with readers, who get a glimpse of her thoughts on herself, her friends, otters, and love. It’s filled with her artwork – she loves to sketch – and tidbits about her family and friends. I like her sketches, juxtaposed over photos, like the pages featuring her dog and cat. They’re fun pieces that bring art and life together.

Isobel is a teen girl – she likes to collect things, like photos and ticket stubs, and stick them in her journal. She likes to draw on herself. She daydreams, she explores. She’s got a fun, friendly sensibility that comes right through the page. Some reviewers have called this book random, but isn’t that the point of a journal? Isobel invites readers into her world, and in so doing, brings readers together – because what feels like not far too long ago (but in actuality, is), I was a teenage girl doing the same things, and reading this journal made me smile and think about that.

The Isobel Journal is a fun, quirky book that teen girls will get a kick out of looking through. Take a look at the book trailer!

Fiction, Tween Reads

Catwoman’s Nine Lives is great fun for intermediate readers!

Posted on June 4, 2014June 4, 2014 by Rosemary Kiladitis

Catwoman’s Nine Lives, by Matthew K. Manning (Capstone, August 2014). $5.95, ISBN: 9781434291363

Recommended for ages 7-12

Catwoman’s at it again. After giving Batman the slip during a chase, she comes home to find Penguin waiting for her, with a proposal – steal the Ventriloquist’s Dummy, Scarface. It will render him helpless and eliminate the competition he poses to Penguin. Never able to turn down the chance for a good score, Catwoman accepts, and touches off a war! The Ventriloquist wants revenge against Penguin, and Penguin has no intention of backing down. Will Catwoman turn to Batman for help, or will she allow a bloody crime war to rage unchecked?

This book is a fun read; a great combination of chapter book and graphic novel, it will hold readers’ interests with the fast-paced action and Luciano Vecchio’s intense art. Vecchio is well-versed in DC artwork, handling art duties on Beware the Batman, Young Justice, and the Green Lantern Animated Series. Matthew K. Manning, the Bat-scribe here, is a well-known comic writer whose work I really like; here, he doesn’t talk down or over his audience. He’s right where the kids need him to be, and, with Vecchio, creates a fun adventure.

Enhanced content, including comics terms and a glossary of words used in the story, and discussion questions, means this book will be one of the hottest book on the shelves at school libraries. The book can easily be applied to Common Core lessons, including discussions of sequences of events for younger readers and ambiguous morality for more intermediate audiences.

Capstone’s Capstone Kids website is a great resource, with activities and character bios for all their properties, including sections on the DC Superheroes and Super Pets.

The book will be published on August 1, but in the meantime, there are more Capstone DC titles – hit your libraries and bookstores to find some! They’re a great way to ease kids into summer reading!

Fiction, Tween Reads

The Haunted Museum – a new series for fans who like scary history!

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Haunted Museum #1: The Titanic Locket, by Suzanne Weyn (Scholastic, 2014). $6.99, ISBN: 9780545588423

Recommended for ages 8-12

Samantha and Jessica’s parents take them on a cruise on the Titanic 2, which will take the same route that the fated Titanic took in 1912. Right before they board, the visit the Haunted Museum, where they both touch a locket – despite reading the “DO NOT TOUCH” signs. Once they get on board, things get weird – their room number keeps changing, they hear a scratching and a crying at their door, and there seems to be a ghostly maid who has it in for Samantha? And how did the locket from the museum show up in Jessica’s bag?

I have to be honest, I was expecting a perfectly cute little middle-grade mystery when I picked up Haunted Museum #1, but got so much more. This book has some bite! There is some great historical background on Titanic in here (to satisfy any Common Core issues), including bits about the time period – clothes, people who sailed on the ship, and descriptions of the ship itself – especially that gorgeous Grand Staircase – really give the book life. I loved that the sisters actually got along, rather than falling back on the old love/hate sibling rivalry formula. There is a good mystery wrapped within a mystery here, too – it’s an all-around great read.

Kids in my library love mysteries and scary books, but they’ve gone through all the ABC Mysteries, Capital Mysteries, and Goosebumps books I’ve got. This will be a great new mystery to put on my shelf and get the kids enjoying for summer reading.

Fiction, Historical Fiction, Teen, Young Adult/New Adult

The Girls at the Kingfisher Club – a Jazz Age retelling of a beloved fairy tale.

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Girls at the Kingfisher Club, by Genevieve Valentine (Atria Books, 2014). $24, ISBN: 9781476739083

Recommended for ages 14+

The Girls at the Kingfisher Club is a reimagining of the fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, set in the Jazz Age. Jo, the oldest – known as “The General” to her sisters – and her 11 sisters are all but prisoners, locked in their businessman father’s townhome. Ashamed that his marriage couldn’t produce a son, he hides his daughters from the world, homeschooling them and giving them a small amount of money toward living expenses, like clothes and shoes. Their mother died, leaving Jo to watch over all of them. Their cold, standoffish father periodically sends for Jo to give him updates, but never spends time with his daughters.

Jo’s had enough. At first, she sneaks out to movie theatres, where she falls in love with dancing. She learns the moves, and teaches them to her sisters. And then, they start going out at night. As each of them are old enough, they join Jo, Lou, and the rest of their sisters, until all 11 girls wait for Jo’s nightly signal, sneak into cabs outside, and head for the speakeasies, where they dance their nights away. They live to dance and flirt, and Jo watches over all of them.

But nothing can last forever. The father has decided to start quickly and quietly marrying them off, and he expects Jo’s help in getting the job done. The time is coming for Jo to make decisions that will change all of their lives forever.

The Roaring Twenties is really a perfect setting for a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, and Ms. Valentine’s description of the nights out, dancing in the speakeasies, the clothes, and the music really placed me in the setting. One issue I had with the book is that, with so many characters, it was hard to “know” anyone but Jo. We get a very good idea of who she is, but the character development is really just touched on with the other sisters. The narrative sometimes slows down a bit too much, but it’s only because it’s leading to a literary explosion, a little more than halfway through, where I couldn’t put the book down. The tension between Jo and her father, when it finally comes to a head, is fantastic.

The book hits bookstores on June 4, and I think it’s a great summer read for teens. In an age when so many fairy tales are being remade for younger audiences, like Frozen’s retelling of The Snow Queen, we shouldn’t forget that teen readers can enjoy fairy tales, too. It’s also a great look into a prominent decade in American pop culture.