A) I had read and thoroughly enjoyed
B) I had just given away to my father for Christmas (it was autographed!!)
C) I interviewed Jack Gantos when he came to St. Louis in September promoting the book!
D) I love Jack Gantos and was thrilled that he finally got some well-deserved recognition!

So here is my metaphor for my “relationship” with Jack Gantos: He is the amazingly cool kid in high school wearing the Ramones t-shirt, skinny jeans, and Chuck Taylors who is too cool for school but loves to show his brilliance by making witty remarks in honors English. I am the dorky girl with the oversized glasses, permed hair, braces and lack of fashion sense, sitting in the corner, worshiping from afar.

As you can tell in my picture with Jack, I’m a little star-struck to be attending an awesome dinner party at NCTE 2010 where he talked to me like I was a normal person and put his arm around me for the picture!

What did we talk about? The fact that his non-fiction memoir A Hole in My Life is the most stolen book from my classroom (because it deals with the time when he, as a teenager, helped sail a boat into NYC full of hash, but alas, got caught and went to jail for a year=hole in life). It definitely is a book kids want to read, but when they finish, they pass it on to their friends and not so much back to me.

Then he came to St. Louis this September and was gracious enough to grant me an interview for Vocabgal -which will be posted next Thursday, Feb 2nd! Again, he chatted with me like I was a normal human being, rather than a star-struck fan (I kept my giggling to a minimum I hope.)

What I love about Jack is that he bases much of his writing on his own personal life, and he has a fascinating, if not always warm and fuzzy, life. Dead End in Norvelt is so interesting because it is almost another memoir -he based it on the time he spent as a child in the town of Norvelt-a town named for Eleanor Rosevelt who created this awesome, pseudo-socialist community where everyone built each others’ homes and paid each other with their own goods and services. Jack’s mother had grown up in this town and, as the book opens, has moved back with her family, but Jack’s father is not as happy with the location…

Jack’s sense of humor and comedic timing describing the events of the story make the book laugh-out-loud funny, yet the poignancy of his task to help the town’s nurse write the eulogies for the last original townsfolk is rather touching (and the fact that these townsfolk start dying off rather quickly also poses a mystery to be solved).

My favorite part of the story is when Jack has to sneak inside an old woman’s house to see if she is dead, so he dresses up in his Halloween costume-which, of course-is a Grim Reaper outfit. The woman isn’t dead, but almost dies when she sees the embodiment of death itself creeping toward her.

This is what you can expect from the book that has it all-humor, excitement, love, eccentricities and Jack’s personal flair. I think the autograph he created just for this book conveys it all!

From Goodreads:
When summer comes around, it’s off to the beach for Rosalind… and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey…That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick) – a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially.

all me - I loved listening to the first Penderwick novel and the third one is just as great (I somehow missed the second one, but I didn’t notice until I saw the list of Penderwick novels on Jean Birdsall’s website). Another exciting summer vacation-but this time without Rosalind. Skye spends the summer worried about filling in for her big sister, Jane learns that boys are stupid (hurrah!), and Batty grows up a bit and meets a new friend. I keep wondering when Jeffrey and Skye will finally realize they are perfect for each other (I think Skye isn’t ready for boys yet, but hello-he’s great).

Reader Susan Denaker is back and lovely-it’s like listening to grandma tell the story, plus she has great intonations for each character-I especially love her sweet and goofy Batty voice.

My only complaint is that the big serendipitous discovery for Jeffrey during the novel seemed a bit too-good-to-be-true, but Birdsall handles Jeffrey’s emotions well and doesn’t just paint a magical ending on the story, so I am ultimately okay with the plot twist.

Overall the novel is a good, quick read that will make you cheer for the good guys (and girls!) through all their adventures.

4 stacks with earbuds for The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

Moon Over Manifest

From Goodreads: Abilene Tucker feels abandoned. Her father has put her on a train, sending her off to live with an old friend for the summer while he works a railroad job. Armed only with a few possessions and her list of universals, Abilene jumps off the train in Manifest, Kansas, aiming to learn about the boy her father once was…Powerful in its simplicity and rich in historical detail, Clare Vanderpool’s debut is a gripping story of loss and redemption

My Thoughts: When Patricia Reilly Giff, blurbed on the front of Moon Over Manifest that it was “the best book I’ve read in ages” –I was excited, but also doubtful. Could this be that great a book? Turns out-it was pretty great-plus it’s the 2011 Newbery Medal Winner, which means I’m not the only one who liked it ☺.

Our protagonist comes to Manifest, Kansas, in 1936 because her father needs to work on a railroad job without her (and her mother has disappeared long ago). The novel goes back and forth from 1917-1918 and the summer of 1936 as Abilene pieces together old newspaper articles and old letters from a mysterious Ned to an equally unknown Jinx to discover what connection her father has with this town.

In the process, we come to love not only Abilene, but also the town-a melting pot of immigrants brought in to slave away in the coal mines, but with personalities and secrets of their own!

This unique tale reminded me very much of Richard Peck’s Fair Weather series with great characters and unique plot twists, but with a more poignant ending. Vanderpool’s prose is also quite beautiful; my favorite quote from the book: “Memories were like sunshine. They warmed you up and left a pleasant glow, but you couldn’t hold them.”

The main reader, Jenna Lamia, was excellent, lending a childlike naïvete to the role (and she also read the part of Skeeter in the audiobook of The Help, which made me like her even more) and the other two readers, Cassandra Campbell and Kirby Heyborne also delivered their emotional roles well.

Definitely something to enjoy this summer by yourself, or with a younger avid reader for great discussions.

I give this book 4.5 stacks with earbuds

-Sarah the Audiobibliophile

Too Many Pears

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our take: Too many Pears is a cute book about a cow who eats all the pears and a family trying to eat some themselvves.  My daughter, Lola (6) and I read this together.  She was able to read the words and liked the story.  The pictures are adorable.  Lola liked when the cow dug underground and the ending.

We give Too Many Pears  4.5 STACKS

Love, STACKGirls Shannan and Lola who want a cute cow

From Goodreads: Nina Crews brings her energetic style of illustration to this collection of thirty-four perennial favorites. From “Miss Mary Mack” (watching fireworks from her balcony) to “London Bridge” (built by a brother and sister in the living room) to “Skip to My Lou” (in a rolling green park), the songs make this companion to the acclaimed The Neighborhood Mother Goose a treasure for every child in every neighborhood.

The pictures are lovely and feature kids of several ethnicity’s doing things you would do in a neighborhood; play baseball, go to the beach, make breakfast, and riding a train. Sooooooo cute!

The only thing I wished was included was a CD of the songs or the music in the back of the book.  Even though I had sung these songs as a kid, I couldn’t remember some of the tunes to share with the kids.

The kids and I give The Neighborhood SING-ALONG 4.5 STACKS!

Love, STACKGIRL Shannan and her kiddos

From Amazon: With genetically enhanced assassins trying to kill her and her family. Armed with wit, strength, and a genius best friend, Priscilla must defeat the Selliwood Institute, a mysterious organization with a mission of turning children into killing machines.

The cover is cute but I wish the hand was a little girlier (I know she is a tomboy) and a more realistic fire on the finger.  But forget the cover, the story is SO MUCH FUN!  Oh yes, I used capital letters.

Nelson must have known that I love the movies Spy Kids and Sky High!  I mean I have seen Sky High at least fifty times!  Errrrr….with my kids, of course.  Like those movies, Priscilla the Great just made me happy, happy, happy!!  I am keeping this book for my kids to read when they get to be teens.  Try a little Karate Kid plus young romance plus family fun.

This is an awesome middle grade book with some talk of kissing boys – typical behavior – and mentions of sex  – more typical thoughts of teens, but wasn’t sure how parents would think of it even though it is very minor.  It is definitely a read for the whole family once the kids are teens.

What makes me so happy?  Priss is amazing and sarcastic!  She has a fantastic best friend, Tai, who is smart and dedicated.  I looked forward to reading about the interactions between those two girls.  Josh, Priscilla’s brother, is a great role model.  The whole family has such a tight bond, looking out for each other, and keeping each other safe.  It was refreshing to see such dynamics in the book.  Oh, and I love Kyle!!  What a cutie!

Priscilla the Great is an exciting read and is full of fire!!

I give Priscilla the Great 5 STACKS!

Love STACKGirl Shannan who is waiting for the next book in the series

View Sample Pages HERE

Review from my 6 year-old daughter:  I like that I can read it.  I read it to my cousin who is 3.  She laughed and I did too.  I think it is funny that cows can’t jump.  Because they really can’t jump.  I think the pictures are pretty and this book makes me laugh a lot.

Review from my 3 year-old niece: I like the elephant pictures that look like they are painted.  The book is so funny.  The funniest part was when the cat was about to pounce on the mouse.  So funny.  I like the story.

Cows Can’t Jump just makes me smile.  We all might not be able to do the same things, but we all have things we CAN do.  We are all special.

I give Cows Can’t Jump 5 STACKS

Love,
STACKGirl Shannan - who wishes she could draw…

Wrede created an imaginative world full of colorful characters and frontier politics.  I loved the blend of old-fashioned and magical – horse and buggies and trains, old fashioned manners and values, and a community with a magical dome that protects the settlers from the wild beasts of the unsettled wilderness.  I enjoyed the revisionist history too – Lewis and Clark’s failed expedition; Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin writing the Great Barrier Spell, which keeps the magical creatures such as steam dragons, swarming weasles and mammoths away from civilization. 

What I like best about this book is the journey Eff takes – from frightened, disparaged and shy little girl to intelligent, honorable and self-confident young woman.  The book covers her earliest recollections at age 3 or so to her early teen years.   As a young child, she was told that she was evil and she worried it was true.  Once removed from that toxic atmosphere, she still had doubts but began to blossom with the help of mentors like her teacher, Miss Ochiba, who practices “Aphrikan” magic; friends like William Graham; and her supportive brother Lan.

This middle grade novel reminded me of the Little House on the Prairie series mixed with J.K. Rowling – sweet, magical and with a lot of heart.

I give this book 4 STACKS!

See you in the STACKS,
Nancy – who loves books about the Wild Wild West!

The first line is, “There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.”  The man holding the knife, Jack, just murdered a family.  The last one alive, the baby, toddled away during the gruesome crime and is hidden by ghosts in the graveyard down the street.  The ghosts name him Nobody (Bod for short) and raise him in the graveyard.  He is not allowed to leave for fear of the murderer, who is still looking for him. Bod’s other caretaker is a man named Silas, who only comes out at sundown and is gone by sunup (hmmm?), and who brings him food.  As Bod grows, he learns about the unseen world and beings, meets a girl named Scarlett, and longs to join the real world and find the murderer of his family.  But while he pursues these things, Jack is still looking for him, to finish what he began many years ago…

I loved this book on so many levels.  First – okay, seriously, the first chapter is the scariest first chapter EVER.  I read that first page and thought, This is a kid’s book?  I don’t recommend it for your first grader, but certainly for preteens.  It is deliciously chilling without being gory.  For example, Gaiman does not use the word blood, but tells you the knife is wet.  Yah, this ain’t your mama’s Nancy Drew!

Second – it is a fun, fast-paced action-adventure story with a terrifying villain and a gentle, serious young hero.  The elements of the fantastic are so fresh because Gaiman describes his characters the way Bod sees them; as normal, everyday people who happen to be ghosts, ghouls, werewolves and vampires.  Bod has many adventures with scary beings in the graveyard, and there is never a dull moment.

Third, it is a story about a boy learning to be human among non-humans (and Gaiman has said he owes a great debt to Kipling’s The Jungle Book).  His friendship with Scarlett is the saddest part for me – that she would rather forget him than remember the scary monsters he just saved her from.  His brief stint at school was the other depressing part – kids can be so mean!  Bod never gives up though.  When he grows too old to stay in the graveyard, he meets the world with optimism and courage.  I love that!

Truly, this book is just as good for adults as it is for kids. 

I give it 5 STACKS!

See you in the STACKS,
Nancy -  who is going to check out Gaiman’s other YA book Coraline soon!

                It’s hard to believe that summer vacation is well under way, so be sure to take advantage of summer reading programs sponsored by local libraries and bookstores.

As a child, summertime meant days filled with reading and adventures with my favorite characters; Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, Laura Ingalls and her family in the Little House series. Summer is the perfect time to share your favorite titles with your children and have conversations about what they are reading. Reading for pleasure is such an incredible gift to share with your family and the summer is a wonderful time to read old favorites and explore new authors too.

Remember librarians are wonderful resources to suggest new authors and series to read. Summer Reading programs offered in libraries and bookstores provide interesting programs and prizes to entice readers to dive into reading. Be sure to stop by your local library to about their summer activities. Check with your favorite bookstore as many offer summer incentives to encourage young readers also.

Reading during the summer will help your child retain those skills needed once they return to school in the fall. Children who read regularly will be ahead in September when school begins again. Research shows that children who see their parents reading for enjoyment are more likely to develop of reading, so make reading a family activity this summer!

Summer Reading Programs at major book sellers:

Borders  - after reading 10 books your child can pick a free book from the list as a reward.
Barnes & Noble – has a wonderful program equipped with reading suggestions and downlaodable activity kits, plus the kids can pick a free book.
Half Price -  is offering kids $3 shopping cards for each week they read at least 15 minutes per day.

Other Summer Reading Programs:

Pizza Hut, Summer Break with Book It! - meet the challenge of reading 5 books and you are entered into a summer sweepstakes drawing. The site also filled with online games, summer reading activity calendar, book plugs and sooo much more.
Scholastic Summer Challenge - this site has games, message boards, exclusive extras and virtual rewards.
Pottery Barn Kids – they offer a free storytime every Tuesday and if you attend 5 storyimes you get a free gift.

The quirky thoughts of the protagonist had me cringing the whole read, but by the end I was stratified and content. Here the end is greater than the means. Literally.

Kelly Louise comes from a pretty dysfunctional family. Her and her mom move around a lot, usually because rent is due. The latest move  is to her Nana’s house, and Kelly Louise can’t seem to figure out why. What entails is the realization that a big secret can emotionally tear a family a part.

Like I mentioned earlier Kelly Louise had lots of quirky, random thoughts and actions. I am not sure if it was because she was emotionally protecting herself, immaturity or that’s just the way she was. I am leaning towards a combination of all three. Quirkiness aside, she is an outsider trying to fit in, thinks about sex a lot and has such strides in character growth. She does what the adults in her family couldn’t do.

Speaking of adults brings me to Nana. She is a hard nose, shows no love type of gal. She wants things to be perfect, like her house and family. She may love her family, but it doesn’t show. Her emotions are only apparent when it comes to the house (protective booties) and the appearances of her family (turtlenecks and church.) I have to say I am proud of how Kelly Louise handles her nana, she just accepts her the way she is.

Natalie, Kelly Louise’s cousin, is pretty much the reason for the story. On the outside she is perfect; beautiful, smart and says/does all the right things. On the inside she is a scared and emotionally wrought girl who needs help. Kelly Louise sees her for who she is and eventually calls her out on the carpet.

The plot. I really liked it, it moved a bit slow, but still it was good and different. There were times when I thought characters were insensitive, and stereotypes where over played but really it all just came together. The truly disturbing part of the story was Baby Grace, the abandoned baby. It was saddening really.

I give this book 3 STACKS

STACKGirl Stacy – who is not big on reading stories that involve little babies (probably because I have children of my own)

First Nature Activity Book: My First Activity Book is packed full of ideas to introduce older elementary aged children to the world of nature.

Beautiful full color pictures illustrate the activities ranging from collecting and preserving nature to sprouting seeds and growing plants. Children will learn how to plant terrarium gardens, create butterfly and worm habitats, and make plaster molds of their pets’ tracks. Enjoy the lovely spring weather by crafting a nature journal with your children. If your children like to ask “why” a lot, you will need other titles to provide more facts and information about nature but this book will definitely get you started toward appreciating nature.

I give this book 4 STACKS
 
Kid’s Garden: the Anytime, Anyplace Guide to Sowing and Growing Fun by Avery Hart and Paul Mantell. This book is geared for children 4 years old and older and their families. This book provides instructions on growing plants from seeds and includes recipes for cooking your harvest.

Chapters on flowers, houseplants, and butterfly gardens will inspire children to sow their own gardens indoors and outside. The final chapter provides chemical free solutions to creepy crawly garden pests.

 I give this book 4 STACKS

STACKGirl Cheryl – live, laugh & LOVE

I genuinely liked the message of this wholesome children’s book.  The pictures are delightful and my daughter loved the princess as much as I respected the parent’s decision to keep her Christmas presents to three one year.  To be a glorified princess, one must act like one.  As with most Christmas books, this is based on the birth of Jesus and the importance of the three gifts that were brought to baby Jesus by the wise men the night of His glorious birth.  What is the bottom line?  It is better to give than receive. My daughter and I then talked about things that she may be able to give up helping the lives of those less fortunate. 

This is a wonderful, charming addition to any Christmas time ritual. 

We give this book 4 STACKS!

The Princess and the Kiss: The Three Gifts is Christmas will be avaliable August 1, 2010

Shannan and Lauren

Fort Worth Children’s Author, Jan Peck latest title, Way Out West on My Little Pony, continues her repetitive story format telling the story of a little girl imaging riding her pony across the Texas prairie meeting native animals along the way.

Jan Peck fans will remember her other stories, such as, Pirate Treasure Hunt; Way Far Away on a Wild Safari; Way Up High in a Tall Green Tree; and Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea. These fanciful stories all feature children using their imaginations to transport them into wonderful adventures where they encounter animals and situations beyond the normal everyday.

Her stories always bring the reader back home showing the wonder of using your imagination and how books can transport you to different worlds without ever leaving your room.

 I give this book 5 out of 5 STACKS for a rollicking good time, Texas Style!

STACKGirl Cheryl – live, laugh & LOVE

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle follows an industrious spider as she spins her web on a barnyard fence. Farm animals stop by to invite the spider to join in frolicking fun but the spider must spin her web. Children will join in making the animal sounds as their favorite barnyard animals stop by to visit the spider.

I give this book 5 out of 5 STACKS
———

Are You a Grasshopper? and Are You a Ladybug? by Judy Allen and Tudor Humphries are cleverly written titles that you will find in the non-fiction section at your library. However, these books work well for school age children as an introduction into insect life cycles and characteristics. These fun books show children how grasshoppers and ladybugs develop and become grown insects by comparing their lifecycle to humans asking children to compare themselves to the insects. The questions about whether children eat aphids, as ladybugs do, always elicits squeals and groans of disgust as children imagine eating those tiny bugs. These books are a great way to introduce non-fiction titles to young school age children. Be prepared to add a stop in the non-fiction section to your next visit to the library or bookstore!

I give these books 5 out of STACKS
———

One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes is one of my nephew’s favorite books. 100 hundred ants set off in search of a picnic feast, however the littlest ant fears that the single file line of 100 will take the ants too long to reach the picnic site. Antics ensue as the ants divided into two rows of 50, then four rows of 25, and so on. Dividing fun follows the ants on their picnic quest. Repetitive text will encourage the children to join in as the ants march in a row singing, “we’re going on a picnic! A hey and a hi dee ho!”

I read this story to a group of pre-k classes and they loved the text and were quick to notice the illustrations showing animals walking away from the ants with plates of picnic food. Will those little ants enjoy a picnic lunch?

I give this book 5 out of 5 STACKS

STACKGirl Cheryl – live, laugh & LOVE

If You’re Happy and You Know It, Jungle Edition by James Warhola is a favorite children’s song with a jungle twist that encourages movement and singing. You and your child will have a roaring good time as you take a trip through the jungle. It’s sure to encourage a safari style sing and dance along! A fun read that children ages 3-5 will love.

I give this book 5 out of 5 STACKS

The Itsy Bitsy Spider by  Lorianne Siomades is wonderful to share with toddlers and young children. The simple text follows the nursery rhyme and illustrates each line simply as it follows the spider on his journey up the water spout. Young children will want to make the hand movements as you read along in the book. Guaranteed to be requested over and over again, children will love to follow this spider on his adventures.

I give this book 5 out of 5 STACKS

These stories can inspire new songs that reflect your child’s interests. For instance, children fascinated by dinosaurs could create a dinosaur version of “If You’re Happy and You Know It” Those young dino experts will love including the scientific name of their favorite dinosaurs and romping and stomping to the dinosaur beat. Encouraging your child to create their own versions of their favorite songs can lead to hours of fun-filled singing antics.

STACKGirl Cheryl – live, laugh, love, and READ!

 
In today’s world of constant media exposure, it’s a refreshing change to take a step back, slow down and simply play.

I remember playing “Little House on the Prairie” for hours on end by hanging blankets on the side of my canopy bed to make a wagon and using my jump ropes for reins tied to my stuffed animals to pull my covered wagon across the plains. I love the way a great story can provide a jumping off point for parents and children to use their imaginations and create magical journeys of their own.

A series of books that works wonderfully with young children are the Meeow series written by Sebastien Braun. Written about a black cat who transforms ordinary household items using his imagination, these stories encourage children to take a second look at the world around them and use their imagination. The illustrations are simple and colorful making them great for younger children and toddlers, however, the author engages the pre-k set by asking questions about what Meeow could be doing to keep them involved in the story as it unfolds.

I love the illustrations and simple text but Meeow’s creativity and imagination win me over in each story. Yeah for Meeow! Young children will be cheering on Meeow and his friends as they play the imaginative way…

Meeow and the Big Box – Join Meeow as this clever kitty finds an unexpected use for a big brown box transforming it, with the help of his friends, into a red fire engine.  What a smart little kitty!

Meeow and the Little Chairs – Meeow and his friends create a train from a little chairs guaranteeing fun times ahead…All aboard the Imagination Express…

Meeow and the Pots and Pans – The newest title in the Meeow series, features this clever kitty whipping up a musical feast in the kitchen using pots, pans, and a spoon. Children will want to join in and create an orchestra of their own!

 
I give each book 5 out of 5 STACKS

STACKGirl, Cheryl - the resident Childrens Librarian