Egyptian Mummies: A Pop-Up Book

by Milbry Polk

Summary: Unwrap a mummy to see what lies beneath its bandages, lift the layers of a pharaoh's coffin, and help an ancient priest remove the organs from a soon-to-be-mummified body!

This is a unique pop-up book because it contains detailed information and is for older readers. It is a lot of fun to read and manipulate this book, but beware: the beginning is not for those who can become queasy easily!

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 6

Ellen’s Broom

by Kelly Lyons

Summary: Cherishing the special broom resting above her hearth for its representation of the slave heritage that once forbade legal marriages, Ellen prepares for her parents' triumphant registry at a Reconstruction-era courthouse as lawful husband and wife and proudly carries the broom so that they can repeat a cultural wedding tradition.

This is a historical fiction story. It is lengthy, but an excellent resource for discussing slavery and human rights. This is an ideal read at this time because it is Black History Month.

Interest Level: grades k-6

Reading Level: grade 3

Just Being Audrey

by Margaret Cardillo

Summary: Provides biographical information about actress Audrey Hepburn, from her youth in Nazi-occupied Europe, through her rise to stardom in some of the era's most popular films, to her dedication to UNICEF.

This book is lengthy and most appropriate for older elementary school students to read to themselves. However, the content manner is appropriate for younger children. Audrey is depicted as a strong, independent woman allowing for a variety of discussions, including being one’s self. Her mother encouraged her to pursue careers for enjoyment and not for other motives such as fame. Once Audrey did become famous, she used her popularity to promote worthy causes.

Interest Level: grades k-6
Reading Level: grade 3

At This Very Moment

by Jim Arnosky

Identifies some of the things happening in nature while one goes about an ordinary day, such as a shark circling a reef while one brushes one's teeth, or puffins eating fresh-caught fish while one eats dinner.

This book contains beautiful illustrations of animals around the world. This is a great story for discussing nocturnal animals. It is most appropriate for reading to a young child before bed.

Interest Level: ages 2-grade 3
Reading Level: grade 6

The Alchemyst

by Michael Scott

Summary: While working at summer jobs in San Francisco, twins Sophie and Josh find themselves caught up in the deadly, centuries-old struggle between rival alchemists, Nicholas Flamel and John Dee, over the possession of an ancient and powerful book.

This is the exciting and fascinating first book in a series. I recommend this book to young adults and younger readers on a high reading level. I feel there is no objectionable material aside from fantasy violence. This series draws characters from ancient mythology of several different cultures. Like the Percy Jackson series, modern teen characters and ancient characters interact in an original story that takes place today.

Interest Level: grade 4-12
Reading Level: grade 6

Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix

by Gary Golio

Summary: Before he became one of the greatest guitar players of all time, Jimi Hendrix was a boy who loved to paint and listen to records, and who asked himself an unusual question: could someone paint pictures with sound? Run-on

This book won the prestigious American Library Association (ALA) Coretta Scott King illustrator honor award. The beautiful and unique illustrations are used in a creative way. I was surprised ALA picked a book on Jimi Hendrix to celebrate the African-American experience. The story itself is child friendly and has a positive message. At the end of the book there is a note about Jimi Hendrix’s death and substance abuse resources for young people.

Interest Level: grades K-6
Reading Level: grade 6

Owen & Mzee : The Language of Friendship

by Isabella Hatkoff

Summary: Provides the true story of the strong relationship between Mzee, the 130-year-old tortoise, and Owen, the orphaned baby hippo rescued from the tsunami floods, that has developed between this unlikely pair through their special form of communication of soft sounds and gestures.

This story is AMAZING. It is the sequel to Owen & Mzee : The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship. If you have not read the first book, you may choose to skip it because the first story is mostly retold in the second book.

Inerest Level: ages 2-grade 6
Reading Level: grade 6

The Singing Snake

The Singing Snake

by Stefan Czernecki

Summary: A retelling of the Australian aboriginal tale about a snake that swallows a lark in an effort to win a singing contest.

This is a fantastic tale that tells how an instrument, the didgeridoo was created. It is somewhat lengthy, but still a great read aloud for older children. The illustrations are beautiful and are influenced by aboriginal painting. It is appropriate for this summer’s public library reading theme One World, Many Stories.

Interest Level: grades K-6
Reading Level: grade 6

Mysteries for Grades 6-8

Click on image for larger print



The Right Dog for the Job

The Right Dog for the Job:
Ira's Path from Service Dog to Guide Dog
by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

Summary: Tells how a golden retriever is trained as a service dog, to help someone who has trouble moving their arms or legs, and later as a guide dog for a man who cannot see.

This nonfiction story is an excellent read for discussing guide dogs. Though lengthy, this book is appropriate for discussing with a child what a service dog is or what a child can expect if their family is going to temporarily foster a service dog. It is also an excellent read for older, independent readers, especially those who love dogs.

Interest Level: grades k-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 6

Shakespeare's Scribe by Gary Blackwood

Summary: In plague-ridden 1602 England, a fifteen-year-old orphan boy, who has become an apprentice actor, goes on the road with Shakespeare's troupe, and finds out more about his parents along the way.

Even if you are not a Shakespeare fan you may enjoy this book! I recommend this book to historical fiction fans and theater lovers. At time the book is predictable and other times surprising, but all in all is a terrific read.

Interest level: 4-12
Reading Level: grade 6

Judy Moody

Judy Moody

by Megan McDonald

Summary: Third grader Judy Moody is in a first day of school bad mood until she gets an assignment to create a collage all about herself and begins creating her masterpiece, the Me collage.

This book is a terrific read for students transitioning to chapter books. Boys and girls alike relate to funny Judy. This book is part of a series during which Judy ages as the series progresses. Her brother’s tales the “Stink” series are on a slightly lower reading level and are humorous as well.

Interest Level: grades k-3, grades 4-6

Reading Level: grade 3

Librarianjk recommends Saint George and the Dragon

Saint George and the Dragon

by Margaret Hodges

Summary: Retells the segment from Spenser's The Faerie Queene, in which George, the Red Cross Knight, slays the dreadful dragon that has been terrorizing the countryside for years and brings peace and joy to the land.

The detailed, vivid illustrations in this book are stunning. I recommend this book to anyone who likes knight and dragon stories. I do not recommend this book as a read-aloud or for reading to the very young. The book’s size is deceptive; it is a long story.

Interest Level: grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 6

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

by Lewis Carroll

Summary: By falling down a rabbit hole, Alice experiences unusual adventures with a variety of nonsensical characters.   

This classic book is still an appealing fantasy today for young children and grade school students. The nonsense extends beyond the Disney cartoon and humorous for its strangeness.

Interest Level: grades k-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 6

Librarianjk recommends Fairy's Mistake

The Fairy's Mistake

by Gail Carson Levine

Summary: In this humorous retelling of a Perrault tale, the fairy Ethelinda rewards one twin sister for good behavior and punishes the other for bad, only to discover that her punishment is more pleasing than her reward.

I recommend this book to children who enjoy fairytales and are requesting a chapter book. This book is very different from many fairytales. It explores that sometimes what we think will be wonderful is not, that good intentions do not always give us the best rewards, but in the end, things seem to work out.

Interest Level: grades k-3, grades 4-6
Reading Level: grade 6

Fantasy for Fourth to Sixth Graders

Click on image for larger print

Librarianjk recommends The World that Loved Books

The World that Loved Books 

by Stephen Parlato

Summary: In the world where all creatures read, marvelous transformations occur. Cats reading about mice become mice. Horses reading about fish become fish.

The illustrations in the book are absolutely beautiful! Each animal is shown as a collage of what they are reading about. This book is a wonderful book to celebrate reading.

Interest Level: infants, ages 2-4, grades k-3

Reading Level: grade 6

Librarianjk recommends Angela and Diabola

Angela and Diabola

by Lynne Reid Banks

Summary: Mr. and Mrs. Cuthbertson-Jones are surprised when their expected baby turns out to be twin girls and distressed when they find that one of them is perfectly good and the other perfectly evil.

This book may seem like a simplistic concept, but the ending is very unique. I enjoyed most of this book. It is a little dark, but I would recommend it to an older child who is interested in fantasy and the concept of good and evil.

Interest Level: grades 4-8
Reading Level: grade 6

Librarianjk recommends A is for Abigail-An Almanac of Amazing American Women

A is for Abigail-An Almanac of
Amazing American Women
by Lynne Cheney

Summary: An ABC book that has a woman or a type of woman for each letter (for example, A for Abigail and P for performers) and many historical notes.

This is a very informative, well-illustrated, fun book. It would be great for Women’s History Month or other celebrations of women. However, I think the book would be a bit overwhelming for teaching the ABCs or reading aloud to a class.

Interest Level: grades K-3
Reading Level: grade 6