Summer Fun
Summer is here! What a great time to pick up a good book and head outside! Public libraries and independent bookstores are the perfect summertime destination for encouraging children to discover the pleasure of escaping into a story.
There are many different ways to promote summer reading. Of course, many schools have required summer reading, but public libraries and publishers also have summer reading programs, often competition or incentive based.
Maybe most important, is making sure reading doesn’t feel like a chore. Graphic novels, joke, craft, and how-to books can be fun summer choices. Also, adventure or fantasy novels, such as The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, the author of the “Percy Jackson” series, or Mockingjay, the highly anticipated third book in the “Hunger Games” series, out August 2010.
What are you reading this summer? Studies show that a child’s reading habits are related to the reading habits of the adults in their life.
Examples of summer reading programs:
Scholastic Summer Challenge
http://www.scholastic.com/summerreading/index.htm
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading
Lexile Summer Reading
http://www.lexile.com/using-lexile/summer-reading
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
Along for the Ride
Sarah Dessen
Growing up in a divorced family, Auden never learned how to ride a bike. She became super focused on academics in order to appease her parents and was never really allowed to have a childhood. Because she studies all the time, she has no social life and even plans to spend her summer in-between high school and college reading ahead for her fall classes. But after getting a present from her highly social and carefree brother, Auden makes a sudden change of plans. Instead of spending her summer on academics, she decides to spend it at the beach with her dad, his new wife, and their new baby. Despite intending to spend the summer entirely free of work, Auden ends up helping her stepmother out by working in her kitschy, boardwalk boutique. There she begins to get a glimpse of the world of a normal teen--friendships, fashion, and even boys. Auden’s chronic insomnia results in her befriending one boy in particular, Eli, a local bike celebrity. Eli’s tragic past has turned him into a recluse and has kept him from bike riding for almost a year. Late at night, the two go on mini-quests to recapture Auden’s childhood and in the process they gain much more. Dessen’s complex characters and rich plot make this both an engaging and realistic novel. Not only will this novel appeal to readers looking for a quick and easy read, but also to those who insist on quality writing. 2009, Viking/Penguin, Ages 14 up, $19.99. Reviewer: Melissa Joy Adams (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780670011940
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters
Lenore Look
Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Alvin Ho is scared of just about everything but particularly of being in the woods. When his father suggests a camping trip, Alvin is horrified and elicits advice from his brother, Calvin, and his younger sister, Annibelly. Calvin and Alvin place an internet order for necessary camping supplies including the “world’s best flashlight” and pay with Dad’s emergency credit card, not thinking of the consequences. Uncle Dennis arrives and teaches Alvin survival skills and the importance of his Batman ring. The planned trip to bond father and son does not go as planned. Annibelly demands to go along. She and Alvin manage to cause much trouble including setting a trap which captures their father, leaving him hanging upside down from a tree, but in the end, bonds are formed, friendships are made, and valuable lessons are learned. Young boys, in particular, will enjoy the humorous antics and illustrations. 2009, Schwartz & Wade Books/Random House, Ages 6 to 10, $15.99. Reviewer: Shirley Nelson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375857058
ISBN: 9780375957055
Back to the Beach
Heidi Jardine Stoddart
Gus and his little dog Sam are excited for their beach day adventure. Together they build sandcastles, search for treasures of shells and driftwood, jump the waves, and play with a crab. After each adventure they take a bit of the beach back to Gus’s parents and plead to take the item home with them but are kindly shot down with a repeated rhyming refrain telling them: “We can’t take it that far from the ocean’s tide reach. There’s no room in the car. Take it back to the beach!” But Gus never loses his enthusiasm and as they drive off into the nightfall he declares that he is already anticipating going “back to the beach.” The soft watercolor/pencil illustrations reach to the very edges of most pages, invite you gently into the story, and show the sheer delight of being a child. I particularly love Sam’s expression as the two are jumping the waves! This charming little story about discovering the wonders of the natural world would make a great addition to an early childhood unit on nature, summer, or the beach. 2009, Nimbus Publishing Limited, Ages 4 to 8, $10.95. Reviewer: Amy McMillan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-55109-702-2
ISBN: 1-55109-702-8
Beach Bugs
David Carter
Flaps, pop-ups, pull tabs, and flashing lights, this book has it all, and it is small enough to be handled comfortably by a young child. There are eight double pages of happy summer images and trouble-free actions all written, designed, and paper-engineered by David Carter featuring his popular and familiar bug characters. In this book Carter has placed all of the action in the out-of-doors. We take a day trip to the beach with the sun in the blue sky above, a beach with plenty of sand to build a sand castle, waves rolling in from the ocean, and a picnic lunch. There is a fun pop-up in the beginning of the book that has a ribbon pull-tab in the middle of concentric circles; when the tab is pulled straight up, butterflies that author Carter calls Flutter Bugs, dangle from the circles as they rise. Another special treat is the tab to pull for the twinkling firefly bugs and there is a special battery box on the back cover to replace batteries, if necessary. 2008, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, Ages 3 up, $11.99. Reviewer: Eleanor Heldrich (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5055-4
ISBN: 1-4169-5055-9
A Beach Tail
Karen Lynn Williams
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Gregory and his dad are at the beach. There, his dad draws a picture of a “Sandy Lion” in the sand. After warning Gregory not to go into the water or leave “Sandy,” his dad settles down on a towel. Gregory picks up his drawing stick to give Sandy a tail. He is minding his dad, but embarking on his own amusing adventure at the same time. As he draws with a repeated “swish-swoosh,” the tail encircles a jellyfish, goes over a washed-down sand castle, rounds a horseshoe crab and goes up and down a hole. Gregory manages both to stay out of the water and to stay with Sandy. Then, after writing his name, Gregory is splashed by a wave at a jetty. Looking back, he realizes he cannot see his dad anymore. “Uh-oh,” he thinks. But he follows Sandy's tail around all of the places he has been until he is back to Dad. The adventure provides an interesting look at the beach scene and a satisfying conclusion. Using the texture of pastels and the tan and brown tones of the beach, Cooper depicts the story in a warm, lyrical, naturalistic fashion that makes almost photographic references in showing the appealing African American youngster and simplified expanses of sea and sand. Gregory catches our attention immediately as he stares up at us from the front of the book’s cover, drawing stick in hand, while his “Sandy Lion” smiles at us from the back. 2010, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 3 to 7, $17.95. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-59078-712-0
The Berenstain Bears Go on Vacation
Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain, and Mike Berenstain
Take a trip to the sunny seaside shores of Gull Island where the Berenstain Bears go for their summer vacation. As they pack for their adventure, the family anticipates the fun, water activities that await them at their sandy destination. Once they arrive at the house where they will be staying, the whole family spends some time swimming at the beach before the sun goes down. Each day is filled with beach activities like swimming in the water, building sandcastles, and visiting the Gull Island Museum (when the weather turned gray). Colorful, comical illustrations fill the pages accounting the Berenstain’s family vacation along with a few funny moments. The rhythm and rhyme provide a fast pace like fun vacations when the days go by quickly. Find out who makes a great catch while fishing for dinner. Join Papa, Mama, Brother, Sister, and Baby Honey as they have a wonderful time on their summer vacation at the beach. 2006, Harper/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 4 to 8, $6.99. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-057431-4
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever
Marla Frazee
According to information on the book’s cover flap, this story is based on real people and events. Two friends, Eamon and James, are going to spend a week of their summer vacation at a nature day camp. The boys will spend the week with Eamon’s grandparents, Bill and Pam, who live at the beach. Bill dearly wants to visit Antarctica and see the penguins. He tries, without much success, to interest the boys in paying a visit to the local museum which is featuring a penguin exhibit. As the days pass, the boys become inseparable and Bill gives them a new name...Jamon. At every turn, they resist any suggestion for a visit to the Natural History Museum. But a wonderful surprise awaits Bill and Pam on the morning after the last day of camp. The boys have created “Antarctica” for Bill and Pam from the rocks, driftwood and shells they gathered from the beach. The brightly-colored gouache illustrations are cartoonlike and excellently match for the text. They successfully bring out the great humor of the adventure. Kids are sure to relate to Eamon and James and to the boys’ relationship with the grandparents. Put this volume on the priority list, as it is sure to be very popular. 2008, Harcourt, Ages 5 to 9, $16.00. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 2008 Winner Picture Book United States
Cybils, 2008 Nominee Fiction Picture Books United States
Randolph Caldecott Medal, 2009 Honor Book United States
ISBN: 9780152060206
ISBN: 0152060200
Emma Dilemma, the Nanny, and the Secret Ferret
Patricia Hermes
Emma Dilemma is off on another adventure as she and her family head north to Maine for their annual family vacation. This time, Annie the Nanny is coming, too! With everyone in the family leaving (including the family dog and cat), Emma is worried about the one they have to leave behind: her pet ferret, Marmaduke! She decides that there is no harm in sneaking him into her backpack and smuggling him on vacation, so that is just what she does. When Annie discovers him in the car, Emma promises to tell her parents. But when they get to the lake, she just cannot find the right time to tell Mom and Dad about Marmaduke. There are so many things that she wants to do before she gets into trouble. Everything is put on hold, though, when Emma and her cousin Max find out that their new neighbor is planning on cutting down all of the beautiful trees, including Emma’s favorite tree that she dreams about sitting in all year. The relaxing vacation to the Lake House quickly turns into a whirlwind of lies and deception as Emma tries to save the trees while continuing to hide Marmaduke, all without the help of the grownups. Emma’s spunky personality and passion for standing up for what she believes in continue to make the “Emma Dilemma” books a must-read series for young readers. In this lighthearted childhood adventure, Emma learns that sometimes growing up means asking for help. 2010, Marshall Cavendish Children, Ages 8 to 12, $15.99. Reviewer: Jeanna Sciarrotta (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5650-6
Fred and Pete at the Beach
Cynthia Nugent
The wonderful illustrations in this book are sure to charm both young and adult dog lovers. Actual digital photos of Fred and Pete are pasted onto backgrounds created with acrylic paints and the surrounding area is filled in to complete each picture. In the story, Fred and Pete are very unhappy because their owner Ron is going to spend the day at the beach without them. Pete, the more adventuresome of the two, decides that they will get to the beach on their own. After squeezing under the fence, the dogs manage to hop on a mail truck without being seen by the driver. As soon as they are discovered, the driver puts them out in a totally unfamiliar spot. They manage to sneak a ride on a bicycle trailer that is actually a baby carrier. Poor Fred is upset when they are again dumped out on the sidewalk and have no idea where they are. Pete confidently sniffs the air and knows that the ocean is nearby. When a bus stops and people loaded down with beach umbrellas, blankets, and picnic baskets get on, Pete and Fred also scramble aboard (via the back door). Sure enough, at the next stop, they arrive at the beach, where they have a happy reunion with Ron. Put this title on the first purchase list, as it is certain to be very popular with young readers and their parents. 2009, Orca Book Publishers, Ages 4 to 8, $19.95. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-55469-126-5
Hooray for Summer!
Kazuo Iwamura
Three little squirrels, Mick, Mack, and Molly are playing in a field one hot summer afternoon when a flock of bird warns them of an impending storm. As the rain begins with a PLIP! PLOP! and then a SWIIIIISHHH, the three seek shelter in a cave. Already there are two quivering field mice. As thunder rumbles and the rain comes down harder a rabbit also takes cover. The gang of six are suitably frightened and glad for the comfort of each other as the storm rages on. As summer storms never last long, this one moves on and as the sun emerges from the clouds the new-found friends leave their hiding place and eagerly get back to having fun. The common experience of fear of thunder and lightening is given fresh treatment in this quiet and charming little story. The bright colors of summer give way to a palette of grays and shadows with dramatic lines showing the ferocity of the rain. At the height of the storm’s fury the illustration moves to the vertical for dramatic effect. Safe in the cave the small animals cuddling together with eyes shut tight against the storm is honest and precious. Onomatopoetic words vividly accentuate the ensuing storm. Some in the preschool crowd will identify with the friends reaction to the scary storm while others may smugly announce that storms do not scare them. Whether as a story to celebrate making friends or to allay a child’s fears this is a pleasant diversion. 2010 (orig.1996), NorthSouth, Ages 3 to 5, $16.95. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7358-2285-6
Into the Volcano
Don Wood
Brothers Duffy and Sumo Pugg do not know what to expect when their father pulls them out of school and sends them to the island of Kocalaha for a “vacation” with their mother’s foul-mouthed sister Aunt Lulu. At first things go great for Duffy, who loves island life. The situation seems less great for mean-spirited Sumo, who spends all of his time complaining. But events take a sinister turn when Aunt Lulu’s gang of mercenaries take the boys on an “expedition” into the island’s erupting volcano, where they search a maze of underground lava tubes for a mysterious treasure. Frightened, Duffy and Sumo run away; as they look for an exit, Duffy nearly kills himself in a nasty fall. To save his brother, Sumo must brave the dangers of the volcano before time runs out for both of them. Award-winning artist Don Wood spent five years researching and creating this graphic novel, and the result is nothing short of spectacular. While the plot moves at a breakneck speed, readers will spend hours lingering over every page just to enjoy the breathtaking scenes--from a harrowing ride through streams of burning lava (based on photographs Wood took during his own trip into a volcano), to an otherworldly trek through the lava tubes, to a surreal conversation between Sumo and Death himself. Story-wise, the book leaves many questions unanswered, particularly those concerning the villains’ motives. Sumo himself is also initially presented as such an unlikable character that his shift from brat to hero comes as a jarring, albeit well-motivated, change. But these are minor qualms that don’t detract from what the book really is--a non-stop thrill ride through one of Earth’s most exotic and terrifying natural wonders. 2008, The Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, $18.99. Ages 8 to 17. Reviewer: Michael Jung (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Cybils, 2008 Finalist Graphic Novels (Elementary/Middle Grade) United States
ISBN: 9780439726719
ISBN: 0439726719
It’s Vacation Time
Lerryn Korda
Little Nye has just finished making ice pops inside the house while outside Nella has been busy packing everything in her suitcase for a vacation. Unfortunately, Nella cannot get the stuffed suitcase to close so Lester lends a hand by removing the toys for the games at the beach. The suitcase is still too full so Gracie helps out to no avail. Little Nye comes out and joins them as they all sit on the suitcase together. Still, the case will not shut. Find out what Nella has in the suitcase and what they do for their vacation. The story has an interesting ending. Those children familiar with the “Playtime with Little Nye” series may also find enjoyment in this suitcase dilemma. For those children who are not acquainted with Little Nye and his friends, the characters in are introduced before the story begins. The colorful illustrations of gouache and digital collage are simple and delightful. Young children may enjoy pointing out different items in the pictures. BIBLIO: 2010, Candlewick Press, Ages 2 to 5, $8.99. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4813-8
Kyle’s Island
Sally Derby
Kyle is thirteen years old and as far back as he can remember he and his family have spent their summers in their cottage on a lake in southern Michigan. But this summer things are far different. Kyle’s parents are separated and his grandmother, who lived near the lake, has passed on. Facing financial troubles, Kyle’s mother has put the cottage up for sale. Kyle is sad and confused by these changes. All he wants to do is fish, watch the sun rise above misty waters, and explore the island that sits in the middle of the lake. Kyle struggles to earn money by rowing a neighbor, Tom, out onto the lake to fish and by harvesting worms for sale at the local bait shop. But as every day of summer passes, Kyle finds himself with fewer and fewer options. Set in the beautiful country of southern Michigan, Kyle’s Island is a wonderful first novel by Sally Derby. The story of Kyle, his three siblings, and their mother as they try to balance the practicalities of life in the face of relentless change, is a truly beautifully written one. Aside from the interesting plotline, Sally Derby has a gift for capturing the essence of yearning and the beauty of nature. Some passages describing Kyle’s feelings about the natural world he loves so deeply are both touching and written in a way that bespeaks a genuine gift. Hopefully, Ms. Derby will return to such themes in future books for Kyle’s Island is a fine beginning to her work. 2010, Charlesbridge, Ages 10 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781580893169
ISBN: 1580893163
The Last Summer of the Death Warriors
Francisco X Stork
Pancho is determined to avenge his mentally challenged sister’s death, so he regards his time at St. Anthony’s Orphanage as just a temporary home where he can perfect his plan. He does not count on forming a relationship with D.Q., a brain cancer patient who is oddly confident that he and Pancho are destined to become friends. Despite Pancho’s resistance, D.Q. inspires him to reexamine his ideas about what it means to live and die, introducing him to the noble concepts of his Death Warrior Manifesto. Ever the optimist, D.Q. persuades Pancho to accompany him to Albuquerque for a radical cancer treatment, which his overbearing and overwrought mother insists he try even though their relationship is strained. In Albuquerque, Pancho meets the young woman who has captured D.Q.’s heart with her kindness and depth, and Pancho begins to see that choosing to live may be the bravest option yet. When he comes face to face with his sister’s killer, he learns significant things about her and about himself, too. Pancho is the most dynamic character of the bunch, and the text presents a wide range of his thoughts and feelings, from his initial venom toward his sister’s killer, to his acceptance of D.Q.’s friendship, to his decision to choose life. Although the denouement makes no promises about the boys’ future, the lack of resolution underscores the unconditional hope that Pancho feels when he embraces his role as a Death Warrior. 2010, Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, Ages 14 and up, $17.99. Reviewer: Michele C. Hughes (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-545-15133-7
Maisy Goes on Vacation: A Maisy First Experiences Book
Lucy Cousins
Join Maisy as she goes on a seaside vacation with her friend, Cyril. The adventure starts with Maisy packing her suitcase in preparation for her fun trip. She meets Cyril at the train station where they board the train that is heading to the seashore. Once they arrive at their hotel and unpack, Maisy and Cyril go out to play at the beach. They play in the water, collect shells, and build sandcastles. Later, the two of them write postcards to their friends about their lovely vacation. The simple story is supported with brightly colored illustrations that fill the page. The heavy, black outlines in the pictures make colors bold and attractive to the eyes. Those children who have enjoyed previous adventures in the “Maisy First Experiences” series may also be delighted with this story. There are some nice springboards for conversation such as the items that a person packs for a vacation, the types of transportation to destinations, or the different activities at a vacation site. 2010, Candlewick Press, Ages 3 to 5, $12.99. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4752-0
Mama, Is It Summer Yet?
Nikki McClure
A little boy and his mother look out the window at the bare branches of a tree. Mittens and a scarf can be seen on the radiator, and the little boy asks, “Mama, is it summer yet?” He asks the question seven times, and each time the response brings us closer to summer. Not only do the mother and son observe the signs of the seasonal changes, but they also interact in the natural surroundings. The illustrations show them first in jackets and mittens. Soon the mittens are gone and they are shown in rubber boots. Finally, they are shown eating strawberries while they enjoy a dip in a kiddie pool. The simple, brief text captures the anticipation of a young child. The cut-paper illustrations enhance the text with details that support the changing season and provide much to talk about between reader and listener. The cut-paper illustrations are scanned and digitally colored with a single color on each double-page spread—such as the blue water drops coming out of the watering can—until the final spread where all the colors are included. The red end-papers are beautifully eye-catching with the cut-paper strawberries and vines so luscious the reader will want to linger. The simplicity of the text and the clean lines of the illustrations belie the complexities of the book design and the concept of the story. It is a seasonally perfect book for Mother’s Day, full of warmth between mother and child. Yet it can easily be used to introduce the change of seasons from late winter through spring and into early summer. It is a welcome addition to the story-hour shelf and is a perfect lap book as well. 2010, Abrams Books for Young Readers, Ages 2 to 5, $17.95. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8109-8468-4
One Crazy Summer
Rita Williams-Garcia
Readers will quickly adore Delphine, the eleven-year-old protagonist who was abandoned by her mother, raised by her grandparents, and developed a natural protective attitude toward her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern. For the first time, they are sent from Brooklyn to Oakland, California to visit their birth mother, Cecile. It happens to be at the height of the Black Panther revolution. Although set in the summer of the late 1960s, this is a story that today’s teen girls are likely to relate to in different levels: the confusion of beginning to like boys, the complicated relationships with parents and siblings, and the innate responsibility that girls easily take with their younger brothers and sisters. On a broader level it gives a unique perspective of a part of history not seen often in youth literature. The Black Panther aspect is thought provoking, and adds a greater depth to the theme of Delphine’s family situation. Aside from the plot, the natural writing makes this a smooth read from start to finish and the characters and situations are realistic. It is a must for library collections. 2010, HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 11 to 14, $15.99. Reviewer: Cherie Ilg Haas (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-076088-5
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
Jeanne Birdsall
The four Penderwick sisters with Hound--and father--descend on rural Massachusetts to enjoy their vacation in a little cottage attached to the grand Arundel estate. Aged four to twelve, their free spirits soon turn the establishment upside down. Bulls attack, pet rabbits run wild, raucous soccer games threaten the formal gardens of their difficult landlady, Mrs. Tifton. More importantly, Mrs. Tifton’s son is liberated from the fate worse than death of being banished to a military academy. And it all happens in three weeks. Jeanne Birdsall has recreated the perfect summer read from her childhood. The result is a happy combination of The Five Little Peppers and The Happy Hollisters, with perhaps a touch of Pollyanna. It is definitely a throwback to the 1950s era of summers actually puttered away out of doors or with books. TV? Video games? Forget it. If it were not for a passing mention of a computer, the illusion would be complete. Birdsall’s “Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy” should delight younger readers while reintroducing them to a gentler genre gone but not forgotten. 2005, Alfred A. Knopf/Random House, Ages 8 to 12, $15.95. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Book Sense Book of the Year Award, 2006 Honor Book Children's Literature United States
Great Lakes Great Books Award, 2007 Winner Grades 4-5 Michigan
Maine Student Book Award, 2007 Third Place Maine
Massachusetts Children's Book Award, 2008 Honor Book Massachusetts
National Book Awards, 2005 Winner Young People's Literature United States
White Ravens Award, 2006 Winner United States International
ISBN: 9780375931437
ISBN: 9780375831430
Roller Coasters
Meish Goldish
Anyone who enjoys riding on roller coasters will like this book featuring the scariest, biggest, and fastest roller coaster around the world. The first coaster in America opened in 1884 at Coney Island Amusement Park in Brooklyn, N.Y. It was not as big or fast as the roller coasters of today, but was still a thrilling ride. In 2005, a roller coaster called Kingda Ka gave riders a thrilling, screaming ride. This coaster takes riders to the top of a tower that is as tall as a forty-five story building. The longest roller coaster in the world is called the Steel Dragon. Its length is as long as twenty-seven football fields placed end to end, but it only takes four minutes to cover that distance. In 2006, the Tatsu coaster opened. It is called the fastest flying coaster on Earth. Riders are turned facedown under the track giving them the sensation of flying in space. Other coasters offer different features. The Superman coaster located in Valencia, California takes riders forward and backward. At the top, riders reach a height of about 400 feet. The Riddler’s Revenge is another coast that is the tallest and fastest stand-up roller coaster in the world. It takes riders on an upside down ride six times. This picture book is filled with colorful photographs of the coasters along with their screaming riders. Children, as well as adults, will enjoy reading about the features of the world’s scariest and fastest roller coasters. Back material includes a glossary, index, bibliography, reading list, and an online site. 2010, Bearport, Ages 7 up, $22.61. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-59716-956-1
ISBN: 1-59716-956-0
Summer Wonders
Bob Raczka
Illustrated by Judy Stead
The joys of summer are expressed in colorful illustrations showing people of all ages and a variety of ethnicities. The brief text consisting of one or two words per page has a rhythmic quality. A swimming pool scene with divers and swimmers is followed by kids at a day camp tossing rocks into the river--“flat rock skimmers.” The next double-page spreads include majorettes and a band in a parade, a fireworks display on a beach, and a family picnic. Other summer activities featured are reading in a hammock, jumping rope, climbing trees, growing gardens, eating watermelons, playing at the beach, admiring ice cream cones, and catching fireflies. Directions for making Mini Ice Pops and a brief history of their origin appear on the last two pages. The rhythmic text and active pictures invite young readers to join in the fun and could inspire them to come up with their own lists and pictures of summer wonders. 2009, Albert Whitman & Company, Ages 3 to 6, $3.99. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780807576533
ISBN: 0807576530
Vacation: We're Going to the Ocean
David Harrison
Illustrated by Rob Shepperson
Sam, his parents, and his sibling are going on vacation. His family’s car trip to the beach is chronicled in a series of short poems. Sam is excited to go to the shore; his enthusiasm bubbles and grows. He helps pack for the car trip and secretly includes his pet spider. Once the road trip begins, Sam shares the many events that happen along the way. What a vacation trip this one is from Sam’s perspective! They stop at camping grounds, an art museum, and the home of relatives and Sam replays his adventures. Once they arrive at their destination point, the beach, Sam tells about the various activities at the ocean--from sharks to sand and swimsuits to snorkeling. Then the time arrives to go home and that return trip back to home is quick, like many vacations. The illustrations and the verses work together and capture laughable moments that may remind readers of some familiar parts of their own family vacation travel. 2009, Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press, Ages 6 to 9, $16.95. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781590785683
ISBN: 1590785681
The Vinyl Princess
Yvonne Prinz
Sixteen-year old Allie is spending her summer working at Bob and Bob Records in Berkeley, California. As a music lover and collector of vinyl records, Allie decides to start a blog and print a zine using her secret identity, The Vinyl Princess. In addition to all the regular customers and the usual street characters near Bob and Bob Records, the summer brings in some new people including Zach, who instantly irritates Allie, and a mysterious, handsome man whom Allie calls “M.” The summer becomes more complicated as Allie’s mom begins dating a man she met on-line. Then Allie’s best friend, Kit, begins to wonder if her boyfriend is cheating on her. To make matters worse, a string of robberies has begun in the neighborhood of Bob and Bob Records. When the mysterious “M” asks Allie to go out for coffee with him, she jumps at the opportunity and learns his name is Joel. Just as Allie believes Joel is really interested in her, Bob and Bob Records is robbed. Allie hides during the break-in, but hears the voice of one of the robbers. It is Joel. Reluctantly she goes to the police and admits what she knows. Ultimately, Allie learns that sometimes the person you are meant to be with is the one you least expect. Even though the plot is simple and predictable, the terrific first person narration, the well-developed characters, and the layering of famous songs and musicians make this book a fun read, particularly for music-lovers. The book includes the first “Vinyl Princess Zine.” 2010, HarperTeen/HarperCollins, Ages 14 up, $16.99. Reviewer: Jody Little (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780061715839
ISBN: 0061715832
Welcome Summer
Jill Ackerman
Illustrated by Nancy Davis
The textures, text, and graphics in this introduction to the summer season have all been created with the youngest listeners in mind. Activities include blowing bubbles, eating an ice pop, and splashing in a little kiddie pool. The textures include single blades of grass, the smoothness of an ice pop, reflecting sunglasses, and sparkly droplets of water. Turn the flap on the last page and you will see the little girl wrapped in a soft towel in her father’s arms. All of these are just right for baby. The book design has been kept simple for the intended age group but there are still some things that a caregiver can point out to help build vocabulary, such as the flowers, the butterfly, the sailboat and the even the pink ribbons in the little girl’s hair. If you are looking for a good book on the summer season for very young children, you should consider this title. 2010, Scholastic, Ages 3 mo. to 2, $5.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children’s Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-545-15164-1
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Updated 05/26/10
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