The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes is my new favorite book.  I just finished it and would highly recommend this 2014 Newbery Honor book as a read aloud for all second grade teachers.  I've read many books by Kevin Henkes and he delivers yet again with this sweet story about a little boy who is just beginning his second grade school year.  Written with depth of character and understanding of children we follow Billy through his year at school and learn quickly to love the characters that people his world; Mama, Papa, his sister Sal and his teacher Ms Silver.  Billy's problems are the kind every second grader can relate to, from his know-it-all classmate to his fear of public speaking, but the quiet, real way his worries are addressed by Henkes is masterful storytelling.  Once heard, you will not forget the voice of Billy Miller.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein was a delightful romp of the imagination.  Just in case you don't recognize the author Chris Grabenstein, he is the coauthor of I Funny, (a book that I can't seem to keep on the library shelf!)  Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library was chosen as the Kids Reading Across Rhode Island book for 2014.

Kyle Keeley and his friends enter an essay contest at school to win an overnight stay at the brand new library in their town, built by an accomplished game-maker Mr. Lemoncello.  Once inside the library, they are challenged to find a way out, but not by the doors they entered.  The library was built at the site of an old bank building, and the clues left by Mr. Lemoncello's band of accomplices play out like a giant board/video game.  Of course every story is best if there is an antagonist, and not everybody is ready to play nice.  If you like puzzles, detective stories and mysteries, you'll enjoy trying to figure out the picture puzzles in this book. As added fun, you'll come away with a list of great reads suggested by the zany Mr. Lemoncello, so keep a paper and pencil handy!

Librarians might enjoy Escape as a read aloud to see how many of the title and author references their students can get.  Chris Grabenstein is definitely tipping his hat to our profession with this one!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro