A Good Night Walk by Elisha Cooper 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

The reader takes a walk before bed with a child and parent through the neighborhood. They pass the neighbor who is gardening, the squirrels in the trees, the birds in the air and much more. The illustrations are charming and the words soothing. The book is perfect to settle down with when it’s bedtime. A great book to end the day.

Published In: 2005
Publisher: Orchard Books
Age Level: 3-5 years
AR Level: 2.3
Pages: 36
Stars: 5

The Wheel On The School by Meindert DeJong 🟊🟊🟊

I tried so hard to read all of this children’s classic but after 100 pages I was done with it. Six schoolchildren are on a quest to bring back storks to their small Dutch fishing village. They are looking for a wagon wheel which supposedly is where storks like to build their nests. The story moves very slowly, and it was not that interesting. Maybe in 1955 it appealed to elementary school students, but it will not engage today’s children.


Published In: 1954
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc.
Age Level: 8-12 years
AR Level: 4.7
Pages: 298
Stars: 3
Awards: 1955 Newbery Medal

Ramona and Her Father by Beverly Cleary 🟊🟊🟊🟊

Beverly Cleary’s series of books about Ramon are classics. In this book she is in second grade, and she has two big worries. They both concern her father. First, her father has been laid off from this job and her mother must go back to work full-time. Not only is the money tight but the family routine has been disrupted. Second, Ramona’s sister had told her their father’s smoking will cause him to die. Ramona and her sister embark on a campaign to get their father to quit smoking.

In today’s world not many American families have a parent that smokes. So, I found this part of the book irrelevant. On the other hand, many families can relate to a parent losing their job. Ramona antics bring laughter to the story and overall, it is an enjoyable read, even thou if feels a bit dated. I would get this one from the library.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 1975	Profanity: No
Publisher: Fitzgerald Books	Violence: No
Age Level: 8-12 years	Sexual Content: No
AR Level: 5.2	Mature Themes: Unemployment
Pages: 165 Series: 8 Books
Stars: 4 Awards: 1978 Newbery Honor

 

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Picking blueberries is hard work and Little Sal would much rather be eating berries than picking them. At Blueberry Hill Little Sal and her mother are picking berries to be canned for winter. Eventually she becomes tired and sits down in a clump of berries to rest and of course eats more berries. Meanwhile on the other side of the mountain Little Bear and his mother were getting ready for winter by eating lots of berries to prepare for their long winter nap. Little Bear and Little Sal lose track of their mothers and both venture from their resting place to find them. In their attempt they pair up with the wrong mothers. Oh No!

“Blueberries for Sal” is a timeless story. It was one of my favorites as a child and my 5-year-old granddaughter enjoyed the book. Even though it was published 75 years ago both the illustrations and text are relevant for today’s preschoolers. The story has suspense without being scary. I think every child at one time, or another comes behind a person at the grocery/mall thinking it was their mother only to find out its somebody else. A must for every home library.

Fun Activity: If possible, go berry picking and then make something with them; pie, muffins or jam.

Published In: 1948
Publisher: The Viking Press
Age Level: 2-5 years
AR Level: 4.1
Pages: 64
Stars: 5
Awards: 1949 Caldecott Honor

 

Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

 

“Across Five Aprils” is an historical novel that takes place during the Civil War. Jethro Creighton is a nine-year-old boy living in rural southern Illinois when the Civil War breaks out. He watches as his brothers go off to war and he is left at home to take care of the family farm. He endures many hardships over the next five years, his father’s heart attack, the family barn burns down, always worrying about the crops and if his brothers will come home from the war.

The book is hard to read whether you are an adult or a middle schooler. The words are written as they are pronounced but the dialect is 1800’s farm county which takes a couple of chapters to catch on to what the characters are saying. The author gives a lot of details about the battles and Generals. The history is accurate but it’s easy to lose interest in the story. I was much more focused on how the family was going to survive the war then which General fought what battle. The book is a classic, but your child will need encouragement to finish it. A book for the student in your family.

Relevant Information	Content Review
Published In: 1964	Profanity: No
Publisher: Follett Publishing Company	Violence: War
Age Level: 12-16 years	Sexual Content: No
AR Level: 6.8	Mature Themes: Racism
Pages: 223
Stars: 5 Awards: 1965 Newbery Honor

Stone Soup by Marcia Brown 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

“Stone Soup” is a children’s classic tale that has been retold by many authors. This version was written in 1947. Some of the older Caldecott books do not age very well, but this one does stand up to the test of time. Three soldiers are on their way home after fighting in the wars. They are very hungry when they come to a village. They ask the villagers for some food and a place to sleep. After the villagers say no to their request they have an idea, let’s make stone soup. Can stone soup turn in to a feast? This vintage book is a must for the home library.

Published In: 1947
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Publisher
Age Level: 3 -8 years
AR Level: 3.3
Pages: 46
Stars:5
Awards: 1948 Caldecott Honor

There's a Nightmare In My Closet by Mercer Mayer 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Parents of toddlers around the world are familiar with the “Little Critter” series by Mercer Mayer. They are a great set of books and part of almost everybody’s childhood since the 1970’s. However, there is another series of Mayer’s books that I think are better, called “There’s Something in My Room”. The first in the series “There’s a Nightmare in My Closet” is the one most readers recognize. The other two are “There’s an Alligator Under My Bed” and “There’s Something in the Attic”. In the series the character conquers their fears, whether it’s the monster in the closet, under the bed or in the attic.

“There’s a Nightmare in My Closet” is the first book my granddaughter had memorized by the age of 3. At the age of 5 she still loves this book and will ask me to read it again and again. The humor is spot on and if you read the book using the right voice and with some drama, any child will forget to be scared about the monster in the closet. All three books give solutions on how to overcome the imagined fear of a scary monster. I would recommend all three for your home library, just be ready to read them over and over.

Fun Activity: Your and your child take on the task of cleaning out their bedroom closet just to make sure no monsters are living in it.

Published In: 1968
Publisher: Penguin Putnam
Age Level: 2-5 Years
AR Level: 2.4
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

The Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“The Black Pearl” is a classic and should be read by every middle schooler. Ramon Salazar wants to be a great pearl diver like his father and to find the largest pearl in the sea, the Pearl of Heaven. As with most who desire treasure, there is a price to pay and Ramon pays with the life of his father.

The text is straightforward, and the storyline flows effortlessly. The book should be an easy read for any 10–13-year-old. “The Black Pearl” is an adventure novel with lots of suspense that keeps the reader going page after page until the book is finished. My only complaint is that the illustrations are dark and hard to decipher but otherwise this book has a place in every home library.

Published In: 1967
Publisher: Dell
Age Level: 10-13 years
AR Level: 5.4
Pages: 96
Stars: 5
Award: 1968 Newbery Honor

The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Noble 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

This is one of the funniest children’s books you will ever read. A little girl describes to her mother the class trip to a farm. It starts with a crying cow and from there she tells her mom a series of hilarious events that took place at the farm all because Jimmy brought his pet Boa to meet the animals. My kids loved this book and now the grandchildren like it just as much. It’s a classic in our house and a book that is asked for over and over.

Published In: 1980
Publisher: Penguin Putnam
Age Level: 3-7 years
AR Level: 2.2
Pages: 32
Stars: 5

The View from Saturday by e.l. konigsburg 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

Four sixth-grade kids unexpectedly become friends over the course of the school year. The characters Noah, Nadia, Ethan and Julian are a bit quirky and all of them have issues and problems. Julian the most ostracized of the kids finds a unique way to bring all four of them together. Mrs. Olinski, their teacher, then picks them for the school’s Academic Bowl which helps solidify their friendship. As the children prepare for the competition and work on their friendship all four become confident and self-assured in themselves.

“The View from Saturday” is not for all middle schoolers it was written in the 90’s when everything moved at a slower pace and so does the book. However, if you can get your child to read the book the message of friendship will stay with them into adulthood. I read this book as an adult and appreciated the depth of the characters and their individual stories. I will be recommending it to my grandchildren.


Published In: 1996
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Inc.
Age Level: 11 + years
AR Level: 5.9
Pages: 176
Stars: 5
Award: 1997 Newbery Medal

Number the Stars by Louis Lowry 🟊🟊🟊🟊🟊

The year is 1943 and in Copenhagen, Denmark the German troops are beginning to “relocate” the Jews. Annemarie Johansen’s best friend Ellen is Jewish and the rabbi at her synagogue has informed his congregation that the Nazis are coming for them. Annemarie’s family takes in Ellen, and they pretend that she is their daughter who died a few years earlier. As events become more dire for Ellen’s family Annemarie’s family plans to smuggle the Rosen’s out of Denmark and into Sweden.

The Courage and bravery that Annemarie’s family displays in the book is amazing. The question I always ask myself about the Holocaust is would I have the fearlessness to help, or would I sit back and watch? “Number the Stars” puts this question front and center. The suspense in the book is real along with the menacing actions of the Germans.

This book is most definitely on the must-read list for my grandchildren. With the passage of time, I hope that the horrors of the Holocaust are not forgotten. One way to keep the next generation aware is through books like “Number the Stars”.
                                                                                    
Published In: 1989
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Age Level: 9 -11 Years
AR Level: 4.5
Pages: 160
Stars: 5
Awards: 1990 Newbery Medal Winner

Sarah. Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Anna and Caleb’s father, a widower, is looking for a wife. The Wittings live on the prairie in the late 19th century. Papa has put an advertisement in the newspaper and Sara Elisabeth Wheaton from Maine has agreed to visit the prairie family. Sarah arrives by train and writes to Papa that she “will wear a yellow bonnet. I am plain and tall.” As Sarah develops a relationship with the family they question if she will stay? Or does she miss the sea so much that she returns to Maine?

“Sarah, Plain and Tall” is a classic children’s book. The writing style of this historical fiction is simple and easy to read. The story is told from the point of view of Anna and Caleb. It is heartbreaking to read how much the children want Sarah to stay with them. They want both a mother and a wife for Papa so the family will sing again. This tender story is a must for the grandchildren.

Published In: Harper Trophy
Published:1987
Age Level: 8-10 years
AR Level: 3.4
Pages: 58
Stars: 5
Series: Sarah, Plain and Tall – 5 Books in the Series
Awards: 1986 Newbery Medal & 1986 O’Dell Award

Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

This is a classic children’s book, about the inchworm that measures the birds, tail, neck, beak, legs and body. The inchworm provides his talents so that the birds of the forest will not eat him. The last bird, a nightingale, asks him to measure his song. How will the inchworm outsmart this bird? All my grandchildren have loved this book, and I recommend it for all toddlers

 

Published In: 1962
Publisher: William Morrow & Company Inc.
Age Level: 2-5 years
AR Level: 1.8
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Awards: Caldecott Honor

The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“The Little Engine That Could’ was one of my favorite books as a child. The idea that once you set your mind to something and you worked at it, you could then make it happen gave me confidence in myself. A train engine carrying toys and good things to eat for the boys and girls on the other side of the mountain breaks down. The toys traveling on the train stop 3 engines passing by, asking them for help so the train can get to its destination. All three of these engines think they are too good to pull the small train. Finally, a small blue engine helps the train but has trouble climbing the steep mountain. She says over and over to herself “I think I can – I think I can” until she makes it over the mountain. 

The book sends two important life lessons: always help other in need and never give up. The three engines all had excuses for not helping the small train instead of giving assistance. The small blue engine used her positive thinking and motivation to keep her going up the mountain to deliver all the toys and good food to eat to the boys and girls. “The Little Engine That Could” may not be my granddaughter’s favorite book but she enjoyed the story and will read it again with Nana.

Fun Activities; Make an egg carton train engine or using construction paper shapes make a train. The internet has examples of both these activities.

Published In: 1930
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Age Level: 1-4 years
AR Level: 3.5
Pages: 48
Stars: 5

Belling the Tiger by Mary Stolz 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

All the mice living in a house by the seaside are called to a meeting to discuss the cat problem. July, the cat has been “reducing the ranks and making life miserable”. At the meeting two brothers, Bod and Ozzie, are chosen to put a bell collar around the cat’s neck. These two mice are the most cowardly of all the mice, but they are more afraid of the mouse leader than they are of the cat. The brothers accomplish the task of getting a bell collar but on the way home they are deterred by the cat. Bob and Ozzie end up on a ship headed to the jungle where the cats are a lot bigger.

This picture book is longer than most and many toddlers will not have the patience to sit through it. For older children the brothers are on an adventure that will keep the reader captivated. An easy read for elementary school students.

Fun Activity: With your child do a comparison on how house cats and tigers are both different and the same.

Published In: 1961
Publisher: Harper & Row
Age Level: 6-9 years
AR Level: 4.9
Pages: 32
Stars: 5
Awards: 1962 Newbery Honor

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

“The Wednesday Wars” is a historical fiction novel set in 1967. The Vietnam War is raging, all the youth want to be “flower children” and appearances are everything in a small town. Holling, a 7th grade student, thinks that his teacher Mrs. Baker hates him. On Wednesdays all the students go to either Hebrew School or Catechism. Holling the only Presbyterian in the class is left alone with the teacher that hates him. Over the course of the year a relationship between student and teacher and friendship becomes a possibility.

This book has it all humor, tragedy, historical references, and a happy ending. Both adults and students will enjoy Holling’s exploits. I remember the 1960’s and the book is spot on. I recommend it to all middle school students.

Published In: 2007
Publisher: Clarion Books
Age Level: 10-14 years
AR Level: 5.9
Pages: 264
Stars: 5
Award: 2008 Newbery Honor

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

Mike and his steam shovel work together to dig canals for ships, cut through mountains for trains, make highways for cars and dig deep holes for skyscrapers. But with the new inventions of gasoline, electric and diesel shovels Mike’s steam shovel is becoming obsolete. Mike then hears about a town in the country that needs a new town hall. So, Mike and his steam shovel head to Popperville. Here they find one last job and a permanent home.

This is a great book to introduce the importance of moving from steam machines to gasoline which is a cleaner form of energy. This was a very pivotal time in our nation’s development. In addition, the book delivers a message that if you take care of things, they will take care of you. The book is a classic and a great addition to any home library.

Fun Activity: With your child make a list of all the things that you could build with a steam shovel. Or on the internet get a picture of an old steam shovel and a modern backhoe. With your child pick out the differences between the two machines.

Published In: 1939
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Age Level: 2-6 years
AR Level: 4.4
Pages: 48
Stars: 5

Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell 🟌🟌🟌🟌🟌

"Sing Down the Moon” is a historical novel that highlights the atrocities enacted upon the Native Americans during the 1800’ s. Bright Morning a Navajo girl and her friend are captured by Spaniards while taking care of their sheep. They are taken to a Mexican town where they are sold to work as kitchen help. The resourceful and determined girl find a way to escape. With the help of her future husband, Bright Morning finds her way back to the tribe.

Soon after Bright Morning returns to the tribe another tragic event occurs, US soldiers destroy all the tribe’s crops and livestock. The US government is purposefully starving the Navajos in order to remove them from their land. Once the tribe surrenders, they start what is called the 300-mile “Long Walk” to Ft. Sumner. Bright Morning retells this event with a very real and harrowing narrative.

O’Dell’s writing style makes it easy to visualize the land the Navajos lived on but also understand their traditions and way of life. As you read each chapter you hope the Bright Morning finds a way to keep going. When I read a novel that has such life altering experiences for its characters, I wonder would I have been up the trials that she faced. This is a great introduction for young reader to learn about the Native American history and culture. Critics of the book claim that some of the historical facts are inaccurate but the book is Historical Fiction with the emphasizes on fiction. “Sing Down on the Moon” is a book I am putting on the list of must reads for my Grandchildren.

Fun Activity: American Indians have Pow Wows in major cities across the US. These are gatherings of First Nations tribes that showcase their music, crafts, culture and heritage. Try to find one in your area to attend.

Published In: 1970
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Age Level: 10+
AR Level: 4.9
Pages: 124
Stars: 5
Award: 1971 Newbery Honor Book

Corduroy by Don Freeman 🟌🟌🟌🟌

The book “Corduroy” needs a makeover. As a child I really enjoyed this book, but it does show its age. Corduroy is a stuffed bear that lives in a department store, but nobody wants to take him home. When he finds out that he is missing a button on his overalls he decides to search for his missing button in the big store. After a few adventures Corduroy gets caught by the night watchman and is returned to the shelf. Eventually a young girl comes back to the store to buy him and take him home. Once he arrives at her apartment he says, “I know I’ve always wanted a home!”.

As, I read “Corduroy” to my granddaughter she did listen to the story but when I asked her questions about the book it was hard to get her engaged. The plot was simple and the characters where lovable, but humor was lacking. The language in the book is dated. I had to explain what a department store is, how mattresses use to have buttons on them and how everybody in the 60’s had floor lamps in their homes.

If you read this book as a child, it is worth the re-read to go down memory lane. The message of finding a friend and home, even if you are a bit damaged is a good one. All the Nana’s will enjoy reading this book more than the grandchildren will like listening to it.

Fun Activity: If your child is old enough try sewing a button onto a piece of cloth, if not take a bag of buttons and sort by color and/or size. 

Written By: Don Freeman
Published In: 1968
Publisher: Puffin Books
Age Level: 4-7 years old
AR Level: 3.5
Pages: 28
Stars: 4

Finders Keepers by Weill and Nicolas 🟌🟌🟌

Two dogs, Winkle and Nap find a bone together, one sees it first and the other touches it first. So, who does the bone belong to?  An argument between the two dogs breaks out and the dogs ask 4 different travelers coming down the road to help them decided who should get the bone. The farmer, goat and barber are of no help. Then a big dog came on the scene and is really interested in helping them and he wants them to show him the bone. Once Winkle and Nap dig up the bone, where they have put it for safekeeping, the big dog takes it from them. The two dogs fight the big dog to get the bone back. At the end of the book Winkle and Nap share the bone.

As with some books from the 1950’s” Finders Keepers” is not up to the 2020’s standards in both presentation and how to resolve conflicts. The biting and slashing that Winkle and Nap infect on the big dog might make this book a bit to aggressive for some preschoolers. But the story about cooperation and sharing between friends is compelling. My granddaughter tried to listen to this book but there was a lot of fidgeting while I read it to her. Even though it’s a Caldecott Medal Winner, I can only give it 3 stars.

Published In: 1951
Publisher: Voyager Books
Age Level: 4-7 years old
AR Level: 2.8
Pages: 32
Award: Caldecott Medal Winner -1952
Stars: 3