Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

This new book by Brian Selznick is the same format as The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Two characters, Ben and Rose, have never met. In fact, their stories are about 50 years apart. After Ben's mother passes away, he sets out on a journey to find the father that he never met. His story is told with words. Rose, who is deaf, longs to get out and see the world she has been kept away from. Her story is told with pictures. Both stories have many similarities and the end is very surprising! Wonderstruck is an interesting read, especially for those who liked The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon

Sam lives in Chicago in 1968, during a time when the civil rights movement is in full force. His father is a peaceful activist leader and friends with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When Sam's older brother becomes interested in the Black Panthers, a civil rights organization that is not always peaceful, he is kicked out of the house. After learning more about the Black Panthers, Sam is torn between what his father has always taught him and what his brother is doing. When events turn deadly, Sam must decide for himself what actions to take. The Rock and the River

is a very powerful civil rights book and is appropriate for students in grades five and up. It is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Ida Mae is a light-skinned African American growing up in the south during WWII. Her daddy taught her how to fly their crop duster airplane, but after her father dies, she misses flying. When her brother ships off to fight in the war, Ida Mae decides she's tired of waiting around and she joins the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots), passing as a white woman. While she loves flying for the WASP, she finds out that passing as a white woman is not as easy as she thought (especially emotionally). Flygirl is a great novel about women's rights, World War II, being true to yourself, and segregation. Flygirl

is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list and is appropriate for 6th grade and up.

Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry

When Brother's father is shipped to Iraq, Brother promises to help his grandparents take care of their ranch. Brother's family has always owned a ranch, but unlike his older brothers,

he's not sure that's what he'd like to do when he grows up. When a tragedy strikes his grandfather, Brother learns what his true calling is. Heart of a Shepherd is a great story about growing up, living in the west, and religion. It is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane

Six months after Molly's father died in a car accident, Molly and her mother are still having a difficult time communicating their feelings. Molly and her father used to love watching baseball and playing catch in the backyard. Her father even taught Molly how to pitch, and she had a pretty good knuckleball! One evening, while pitching in her backyard, Molly decides to try out for the boys baseball team at school. During try-outs, not all of the boys on the team approve of Molly being there, and neither does her mother. With a supportive best friend, and supportive coaches, can Molly become a real part of the team? Will she and her mom finally support each other in their grief? The Girl Who Threw Butterflies is a 2012 Rebecca Caudill book.

Wild Things by Clay Carmichael

Zoe has learned to be self-reliant and she trusts no one. After all, her father left before she was born and her mother was irresponsible and had problems of her own. After her mother dies, Zoe is sent to live with an unknown uncle who is also used to living alone. In the small rural town where he lives, everyone has their own opinion of Zoe and her wild attitude. Soon, Zoe and her uncle learn to live with each other, while Zoe also encounters a mysterious boy living in the woods nearby. Zoe's first person character is funny and full of energy! Wild Things is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg

This novel, written in free verse, is about a boy from Vietnam who is sent to America to live with an adoptive family during the Vietnam War. The boy's new home is happy and loving, but he can't keep his awful memories from Vietnam away. He also longs to reunite with his birth mother and the brother he left behind. His new family, and his baseball coaches, help him to open up his feelings. Because this novel is written in verse, it is quick to read and very powerful. All the Broken Pieces is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

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

Homer has a very hard time telling the truth! When his older brother is illegally sold into the Union Army by their evil uncle, Homer sets off to find him and save him from the war. Along the way, Homer is kidnapped, imprisoned, and forced to join a traveling freak show, all the while stretching the truth to his own advantage. Homer ends up traveling by horse, train, boat, and hot air balloon in this funny and adventurous story. The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg is a Newberry Honor book and is on the Rebecca Caudill list of books for 2012.

One-Handed Catch by MJ Auch

After World War II, sixth grader, Norman, enjoys baseball, hanging out with his friends, and helping out at his parents' small market and meat counter. However, that all changes when an accident takes his left hand. Can he learn to cope with one hand? Will he ever make the school's baseball team? This historical fiction novel is funny, at times, and good read! One-Handed Catch is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

During a time when proper girls were supposed to learn how to cook and sew, Calpurnia wants to explore outside! She loves nature and she dreams of becoming a scientist one day. Calpurnia and her grandfather spent the summer by the river, conducting science experiments, and may have even found a new plant species! However, her world comes crashing down when she realizes that girls during her time aren't supposed to become scientists. Will she come to terms with her supposed fate? This historical fiction novel, set in the year 1899, is a Newberry Honor book and is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

Peak by Roland Smith

Fourteen-year-old Peak gets arrested for climbing tall buildings in New York City. After this, he is sent to live with his dad, who is a mountain climber, in Thailand. When he gets there, Peak discovers that his dad wants him to become the youngest person to climb Mount Everest. This amazing adventure story is about his climb, and the relationships he makes along the way. After reading this book, you will have a good idea of what it takes to climb very tall mountains! Peak is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list and is recommended for students in grades 5 and up.

Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen

This historical fiction novel is set during the Revolutionary War. Samuel (age 13), returns from hunting one day to find his village burned and his parents gone, presumably kidnapped by British soldiers and Iroquois Indians! He must use his survival and hunting skills to track down his parents and rescue them from their kidnappers. At the end of each chapter, Gary Paulsen adds facts about what it was like to live during that time. Because this book is set during the war, there are a few fighting scenes that are graphic. Recommended for grades 6 and up. Woods Runner is on the 2012 Rebecca Caudill list.

Scumble by Ingrid Law

Nine years after Mibs discovered her special talent in the book Savvy, Ledger Kale is discovering his and so far, he isn't impressed! All he seems to be able to do is break things apart. The angrier he gets, the bigger the mess he makes! When Sarah Jane Cabot, a local girl reporter, witnesses the strange events happening on Ledger's uncle's farm, She threatens to expose them all. Ledge has to learn to control or "scumble" his savvy in order to help save the farm. He soon learns that there may be more to his savvy than he originally thought. This companion novel to Savvy is an exciting and wonderful adventure and every bit as good as the first one. You'll meet new characters and catch up with old ones.

I'm Back!

Hi Everyone!

Over the past three months, I've been busy reading and reviewing books for the state's Bluestem Award for students in grades 3-5. Those of us on the reading committee, from all over the state, had to read 50 books from September through January! On January 29th, all of us met to discuss the books that we read and decide which 20 would make the final cut. We had some very interesting conversations during our meeting, but we finally selected the books for the list. You can see the list of books for 2012 here: www.islma.org/pdf/BluestemMasterList2012.pdf. Now I'm back on this blog again. I hope you will send me your book reviews to post as well (see Emily's reviews below for examples)!