Skulduggery Pleasant

by Derek Landy

Summary: When twelve-year-old Stephanie inherits her weird uncle's estate, she must join forces with Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton mage, to save the world from the Faceless Ones.

This is a strange, far-fetched, fabulous fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed Skulduggery’s dry sense of humor and bitter sarcasm. I admire Stephanie, who is a strong, stubborn, young female. I look forward to continuing this series.

Interest Level: grades 4-8
Reading Level: grade 5

Go! Go! Bo Bo Colors

by Simon Basher

Summary: Little Bobo bounces from his bed through a series of bright items demonstrating basic colors.

This is a pretty good book considering its simplicity. The text is limited to the name of a color on each page.



The Hole in the Middle

by Paul Budnitz

Summary: Morgan was born with a big hole through his middle that gives him a strange, empty feeling all of the time, but when his good friend Yumi becomes ill, he finds that helping her makes him feel whole.

This is a little too strange for my taste. I did not especially like that Morgan did not feel full trying everyday activities but only with his friend. The author may have intended for this to represent helping others, but it is unclear, and the boy seems a little co-dependent. Still, the idea of not being able to fill a hole inside of oneself with food is worth discussing. The hole in Morgan’s stomach is clearly a metaphor for emotional emptiness. One could use this to discuss finding satisfaction in life and that emotional eating will not solve problems.

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

10 Turkeys in the Road

 by Brenda Reeves Sturgis

Summary: Ten turkeys performing circus acts block a country road, much to the frustration of an angry farmer in a pick-up truck who tries to shoo them away.

This is a humorous tale that is excellent for practicing counting with a young child. A primary grade teacher might read this aloud before Thanksgiving.

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

Native American Picture Books

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What if Everything Had Legs?

by Scott Menchin

Summary: Feeling too tired to walk the rest of the way home, a little girl wonders why the house cannot have legs to come to her and her mother, and then she imagines what else would change if everything had legs.

This is a humorous story that is great simply for entertainment. Children can use their own imaginations to think of obscure concepts, such as what would happen if various inanimate objects had arms.

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

The Hidden Alphabet

by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Summary: An alphabet book in which windows open to reveal the letters hidden within each picture

This is a unique alphabet book. Lifting the flaps makes the book exciting for active listeners.

Interest Level: ages 2-4
Reading Level: grade 1