Published: 2002
Price: $7.00
Age: 6-9
Category: Children’s Biography
Reviewer: Natalie Hoeksema
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This picture book biography follows a young African American girl on her road to success. A cat tells her story from having lived through it and watched her from the side. Ella started from nothing living in Yonkers New York, where she dreamed of becoming a dancer. When she was seventeen she moved to New York City to enter into a competition. She was so nervous that she choked and could not dance, but instead she belt out a loud song to win the competition. Ella went on to sing and become the lead singer for the Chick Webb Orchestra. They played all over and Ella was the highlight of the show. They had regular gigs at the Savoy, where Ella would jump down and dance along with the crowds. Nightclubs now had to wait in line to book the band. She then turned to Dizzy Gillespie, the bebop king. He invited Ella to give bebop a try, and what happened was magical. Ella let the lyrics flow and became known as the Queen of Scat, or a Vocal Virtuosa. Making up songs on the start she invented a new king of music. She started from nothing, followed her dreams, and made herself a music star. Ella’s story is illustrated with bright colors, and bold lines that put her story to life. They are well organized to further enlighten the book.
Published: 2002 Price: $7.00 Age: 6-9 Category: Children’s Biography Reviewer: Natalie Hoeksema
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Spot A Dog is a nonfiction children’s book designed to introduce them to the world of art. It’s a relatively short book, with thirteen famous works of art. The author is allowing for children to look at art in a new and creative way. She has the children reading simple bolded sentences that have them look for a dog in the different art pieces. Each work of art contains a dog somewhere and the children reading are able to search for the dog, while reading and looking at the art. Each artwork has a caption below that describes who’s being depicted, what’s going on, or the name of the work. It’s a great introduction into art, and allows for kids to do something fun at the same time. There are a wide variety of artworks depicted to introduce to children. Its simple sentences are also good for those children that are just learning to read, or for those looking for easy readers. Well thought out, and good for introducing art to children, while giving them something fun and easy to read.
Published: 1995 Price: $37 - $65 New Ages: 3-6 Category: Nonfiction 750 Reviewer: Natalie Hoeksema Zusak writes this historical fiction book during World War II, in Nazi Germany. It was carefully and uniquely narrated through the eyes of “death”, or the one who collects your souls when you pass. Liesel Meminger’s journey begins on a train, when she is being transported with her brother to a new safer home in Molching. Her brother however, does not make it and passes along the way. This is where she steals her first book, from a gravedigger. Liesel then goes on to meet her new family the Hubermans. Hans and Rosa both grow to love Liesel like she was one of their own; they both just have different ways of showing it. Things get complicated when a Jew named Max shows up looking for refuge. He is the son of a man who saved Hans’ life, and Hans feels like he must repay the debt. Now the family is all in danger from trying to save his life and keep him alive. As time goes on Liesel learns many new things, and grows into a confident and daring young girl. In the end, it becomes too dangerous for Max to stay, and he leaves to avoid getting the Hubermans caught. Liesel finds a love of books, and steals books from different people and places. By the end of her story the war leaves her alone, with everyone close to her dead. Vanished during a surprise bomb raid, Liesel is the only survivor of her family and friends. She meets up with Max after the war, and together they live on, to tell their tales. Zusak’s distinctive narration gives light to a story that follows a girl trying to survive during Nazi Germany, who has a love of books.
Published: 2005 Company: Knopf Borzoi Books Ages: 13-17 Prices: $8.99 Category: Historical Fiction Natalie Hoeksema All great racehorses come from great pedigrees. Sham, is a golden bay Arabian stallion that finds him-self on multiple journeys between different owners, and across different countries. A long for the ride is Agba, a mute horse-boy whose life is devoted to caring for him. The Sultan of Morocco gives six of his finest stallions of all different colors to Louis XV, the boy king of France as gifts. Sham is one to be chosen. Once there the Arabians are overlooked, and all except one is to be sent away. Sham and Agba are soon tossed between all different likes of owners. They both survive torture, and abuse. At one point Agba even finds himself separated from Sham when he is forced into jail for trying to sneak back to see him when he was tossed out. At last Sham and Agba find a home in England with The Earl of Godolphin. First Sham is once again overlooked, but not for long. A mare of noble birth provides multiple colts, sired by Sham. From there all three of Sham’s colts become legends on the racetrack, and save The Earl of Godolphin from financial ruin. Sham’s great colts begin the breed line of future thoroughbreds, America’s racehorse. Due to Sham’s great swiftness, and ultimate combination of speed and stamina, his line of offspring starts the beginning. When you look into any great thoroughbred racehorse today, you will find Sham at the beginning of them all. King of the Wind is an amazing story that comes from true events. Without Sham, we may not have the great thoroughbred breed we have today. His story will not only capture the hearts of readers, but also leave you wanting to know more about how he survived his journey to stardom. The illustrations go hand in hand with the text by providing subtle insights into Sham and Agba’s journey, and give life to The Great Godolphin Arabian, the king of the wind, Sham.
Published: 1948 Company: Aladdin Paperbacks Ages: 9-12 Price: $6.99 Category: Juvenile Fiction Natalie Hoeksema This timeless classic deserves to be in all library collections. It involves a young boy, and a black stallion. Together they defy the odds and become an unstoppable duo. Alec Ramsay finds himself stranded on an island when his ship sank from being struck by lightning in a storm. He was stranded with nobody around except this magnificent black stallion who he calls “the Black”. Together they learn to accept each other, and this starts the beginning of their undeniable friendship. They learn to survive together on this island, until they are rescued and eventually find themselves home in America. Alec’s bond with the Black is so deep they become inseparable. Once in America they begin the second journey of their adventure together. The Black goes home with Alec, and there they meet his neighbor Henry, who will soon play a large role in both of their futures. Not long after being home Henry becomes Alec and the Black’s trainer. The Black is going to be a racehorse, with Alec as his jockey. The three of them trained in secret, realizing the real potential in the Black on the track. They faced a big problem however, the Black wasn’t registered, and he couldn’t race in the major races without being registered. There was one race that they knew wouldn’t require registration, the match race between Cyclone and Sun Raider, the two fastest horses in the country. The Black became known as “The Mystery Horse” that would take part in the great match race. Together they defy the odds once again when the Black wins, with Alec proud as ever. These two heroes capture the heart of the reader, and leave you wanting to hear more. Their story is truly one that should not go unheard.
Published: 1941 Company: Random House Ages: 7-9 Price: $6.99 Category: Juvenile Fiction John Lomax grew up in Texas singing folk songs, tunes, and ballads to all of his activities on the ranch. He sang songs about planting, and songs about chores, like churning butter and herding the cows. When life took him to college his professor laughed at his songs and turned him away. Discouraged John burnt every last page of his songs. Not long after he was to create a project about a place he called home. John knew Texas was always his home, and vowed to collect as many cowboy songs as he could from the west. He received letters of all types of cowboy songs, some funny, short, long, and sad. His project turned out to be great and everybody enjoyed it. John then decided to create a book of all of the old cowboy songs, so he traveled back through Texas with a recorder and notebook to record songs from all different people. John got enough songs to make his book full of cowboy songs. Texas is in John’s heart and his songs became a part of his life. Home on the Range is a historical fiction book with a collaboration of poetry, illustrations, and a storyline in one. The poems complement the story by sharing some of his own cowboy songs that he sung, and the ones he collected.
Published: 2009 Ages: 9-12 Price: $16.99 Category: Juvenile Fiction In Panem there are twelve districts outlying one capitol city that controls them all. Each district provides a certain service that keeps the capitol running, such as coal from the mines in district twelve, or lumber from district 7. This dystopian post-apocalyptic world follows one brave girl who sacrifices her self to save her sister. In Panem they hold an annual Hunger Games Event where two tributes, a man and a women from each district fight in an arena to the death until there is a lone victor in the end. Katniss Everdeen’s adventure through the games proves her strong will to survive and fight for what she believes in. She fights for her life while opening up to the male tribute from her district. Together they defy the odds and spark hope in the hearts of the people stuck under the rule of the capitol. The President is not amused with the outcome and all of their lives will never be the same. Collins creates a world that is relatable, and not so unrealistic. She creates a compelling and suspenseful story that leaves you on the edge wanting to read more.
Published: 2008 Company: Scholastic Inc. Ages: 12-18 Price: $7.00 Category: Young Adult Fiction Natalie Hoeksema ![]() The darkness is a very scary place for such a young girl. Osa, a young African American girl lives in a village in Africa with her mother and grandfather. She is a fearless explorer by day, ready to seek out all the riches of the African valley around her home. But when night falls, Osa is terrified! She cannot even move! Her mother is afraid she will never lose her fear of the dark. However, in one day all it takes is a yellow shining butterfly, and a wise woman to show Osa that the darkness isn’t so bad after all. Osa is not the smallest of the small things out there, and other creatures are smaller yet, but they are not afraid. Osa’s dreams while with the wise woman take her soaring through the night as a shining butterfly herself! She gets to see the light in the darkness. The light of the moon, the stars, and all there is to see, even in the dark. The darkness isn’t so dark and terrifying after all. Osa learns not to be afraid, and she is no longer fearful. Osa is a strong, adventurous child who learns through the help of a wise woman, and a small little butterfly, how to break her fear of the dark. The illustrations contribute to Osa’s story by showing the type of African setting and landscape she would be from. They include plants, animals, and all kinds of wildlife native to Africa. The images bring the story to life by showing how things shine even in the dark. Osa’s journey is beautifully displayed and captured extremely well through the illustrations used. Published: 1987 Company: Little, Brown & Company Age: 6-9 Price: $14.95 Category: Easy Fiction Natalie Hoeksema Rose Red is a bright and happy young woman who grew up as an only child to a widow. She spent her days in the forest with the other animals to keep her company. Rose Red was a fearless adventurer. One night a visitor, a big brown bear, greeted her at her door! The bear merely wishes for warmth from the dark cold winter nights, and Rose Red gives him comfort and aid. As winter comes to an end the bear informs Rose Red of his three treasures that were stolen from him by a wicked dwarf, and of his quest to get them back. Over the next few weeks Rose Red encounters this dwarf who get’s himself into sticky situations in which Rose Red bargains for the three different treasures in return for helping him. Rose Red was very intelligent, and in the end the dwarf loses all of his magical powers. The big brown bear comes through the forest towards her, the magic wearing off turns him into a handsome young prince! Rose Red saved him and returned to him his treasures. In the end Rose Red and the bear prince fall in love, and become wed. This fairy tale story includes very eloquent, and expressive illustrations to go along with its words. The inclusion of magic brings this story to life, it will be sure to capture the hearts and imaginations of young children.
Published: 2000 Company: HarperCollins Publishers Ages: 4-8 Price: Average new $35. Can run cheaper if used, and range higher if new. Category: Juvenile Non-Fiction, Fairytales Section Natalie Hoeksema ![]() One Christmas Eve night there was a restless boy that was unable to fall asleep due to his doubts of Santa’s legitimacy. He hears a loud whistle and looks out his window to see a train in the middle of his street. The boy rushes outside to be greeted by a conductor exclaiming the destination of The Polar Express train. This is the start of his long journey to the North Pole. Along the way the train goes through mountains, and across icy lakes. He makes friends with all of the other children dressed in pajamas just waiting to see Santa. When they arrive at the North Pole elves fill the snowy town, and Santa himself awards him the first gift of Christmas. They journey back home aboard The Polar Express, and the he returns to his bed to sleep. Christmas morning he remembers his trip the night before to the North Pole, and never again doubts Santa’s existence. Allsburg’s story is clearly defined through both the text and illustrations. The text and images go hand in hand to portray a wonderful Holiday story for children. It’s an adventurous journey that children would love to be a part of. Published: 1985 Company: Houghton Mifflin Company - Boston Ages: 5 to 7 Price: Around $14.00 Category: Easy Fiction Natalie Hoeksema |
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AuthorStudents from Kutztown University enrolled in LIB 221 and LIB 222
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