Another Day As Emily by Eileen Spinelli

Another Day As Emily by Eileen Spinelli is a sweet little book for third grade and up. We are introduced to Suzy and her family through Spinelli's use of simple poetic language. Much of the book is filled with the day to day happenings of a young girl in a small town. Suzy loves to read, she loves to ride her bike and she loves baseball. But of course a book isn't a story unless there is a problem, so when Suzy feels left out and jealous of her little brother Parker she attempts to grab the attention of her friends and family in an unusual way. Teachers please note, this book would serve as a great introduction to poetry and is a 2016 RICBA nominee.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth

Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth was raw and gritty. Dealing with sensitive issues like mental health, foster care, homelessness and child abuse it is for the mature reader. That being said, the author weaves a realistic picture of life in the inner city of Newark, NJ. One of this year's RICBA nominees, Kinda Like Brothers tells the story of Jarrett, an 11 year old boy who lives with his mother. She is a foster mother and takes in babies who need special care. When she decides to foster 12 year old Kevon and his baby sister Treasure it is a new situation for Jarrett. He's gotten used to his mother caring for babies, but sharing his room, his school, and his friends with Kevon proves more than he can handle. Jarrett's blood is boiling and his temper is pushing him out of control.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Life of Zarf: the Trouble With Weasels by Rob Harrell

Life of Zarf: the Trouble With Weasels by Rob Harrell was an entertaining adventure and the first of a new series that is sure to be very popular. This fractured fairy tale is one of the RICBA 2016 nominees. Readers will love the funny comicstrip style drawings that add to the story of Zarf, a troll who is at the bottom of the popularity scale in his school. When he has a run in with Prince Roquefort, Zarf is left with his two only friends Kevin (a pig, and descendent of "The Three Little Pigs") and Chester (a not-so-funny court jester). Zarf's problems multiply as the prince challenges him to a joust, Snuffweasels capture the king, and Zarf ends up behind bars in the dungeon. Read to find out if the hot-tempered troll can save himself and the kingdom, and prepare to laugh a lot along the way.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Map Trap by Andrew Clements

The Map Trap by Andrew Clements will thrill Clements' fans and is one of the 2016 RICBA Nominees. Over the summer I listened to the audiobook available for download from the Warwick Public Library. Read by Keith Nobbs it was a wonderful rendition of the story. I can see this as a great read aloud for teachers, especially those wanting to introduce maps in a new and fun way. It all begins when Alton Barnes' parents name their yet unborn son from a map in the car on the way to the hospital. Alton grows up with a love of maps that even expands to include geocaching. If you don't know what geocaching is, read the book, there's a great explanation of this fun hobby. Alton loves making maps, but some of his maps are a bit unusual. For instance, the map he draws of his teacher's brain. When that map goes missing, Alton will do anything to get it back!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Odessa Again by Dana Reinhardt

Odessa Again by Dana Reinhardt is the ultimate do-over story. Odessa discovers a hidden magic in the attic of her new home that allows her to travel back in time to repeat the previous day. Odessa uses this magic to her advantage reversing mistakes she's made, like farting in front of the boy she "like-likes". When Odessa figures out that time is running out, and she won't be able to keep undoing her mistakes, she has to make every do-over count.

This is a cute story, it reminded me of the movie, Goundhog's Day. I thought the most interesting scenes surrounded Odessa's feelings about her father's upcoming marriage. Her parents are split up and Odessa really wishes they would get back together. Will she be able to rearrange the past to change her family's future? 

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney

The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney tells a story using poetry. Amira is a twelve year old girl living in South Darfur, Africa. She lives simply and happily with her Muma, Dando and little sister, Leila on their family farm. She loves to draw pictures with a stick in the sandy soil. Unfortunately, the peace will not last as her family gets caught up in a war that Amira can not understand. She must flee with the last of her village as she leaves her family home in ashes.

The story begins in 2003 and brings the conflicts between fighting factions in Africa to a personal, understandable level for students. Amira's story will help develop empathy in anyone who reads it. Although it is a story of fiction, the topics covered in the book; death, war, grief, refugee camps, and loss are very real. This would be an ideal read aloud with students. Plan on sharing Amira's drawings with your document camera. It is a story of war and hardship, but also a story of family and ultimately hope. RICBA nominee 2016

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick was an exciting book to read. This historical fiction book will definitely appeal to students who love adventure and are war buffs. Philbrick writes a lively tale about Homer, whose older brother Harold is illegally sworn into the Union Army by their crabby Uncle. Homer runs away to find his brother and bring him home. I really like Homer's personality. He is quite the storyteller and it's funny when he misleads the adults he encounters on his quest. As entertaining as this book was, it actually takes the Civil War battle scenes to an intense level. Be prepared to have your heart gallop along for the ride!                                                                                                                                    
Reviewed by Mrs. Castro                                                                                                                    

Counting by 7s by Holy Goldberg Sloan

Counting by 7s written by Holy Goldberg Sloan is a delightfully quirky story about a girl named Willow. On the front cover of the book is a quote, "If you're lost, you might need to swim against the tide." Willow Chance certainly begins this story quite lost. She is an oddball in a new school where she is struggling to fit in. To make matters worse, her teacher thinks she cheated on a standardized test. Life only gets harder for Willow after she is sent to see the school guidance counselor, Dell Duke, and shortly afterward a terrible tragedy strikes her family. Willow has to rely on the kindness of strangers, but in her own very unique way, she ends up giving back to everyone who helps her. I loved Willow's personality! She is brilliant and sensitive and a great role model for kids struggling to be comfortable with their own differences.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins is book one of The Underland Chronicles. Suzanne Collins is the author of the Hunger Games series.  I really enjoyed this adventurous fantasy story.  Gregor and his funny little sister, Boots, fall through a grate in the laundry room of their apartment building in New York city and enter into a world that exists beneath the Earth's crust. There, in the Underland, they are met by huge cockroaches and enormous bats, strange pale people and their deadly enemies, the rats. How will Gregor get back home to his mother? She is surely frantic about his disappearance, especially after dealing with the disappearance of her husband, who has been missing for the past two years.

Suzanne Collins once again wrote an exciting story. Read it, then look for the rest of the series coming to our library shelves soon!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro