Max, or Maximillian as only his mother calls him, is going on 6th grade and is obsessed with lucha l...moreTCL Call # J SPANISH Garza X
Adam's rating: 3 stars
Max, or Maximillian as only his mother calls him, is going on 6th grade and is obsessed with lucha libre - a form of wrestling like WWF in Mexico involving masks. Max's favorite luchador is the Guardian Angel. The mystery in the subtitle of the book is the identity of the Angel, which happens to be Max's close relative. Don't worry there's no need for a spoiler alert as this "mystery" is solved less than halfway through the book. The Angel reveals his identity to the entire family who had taken him for dead and spends quality time with Max, and uncle Lalo training for a massive luchalibre fight! A fun book for a 2nd - 5th grader in English and Spanish that brings you into the world of La Lucha!(less)
TCL Call number: J BURGESS V Stephanie’s rating: 4 stars
Oh fantasy fiction books! How imaginative, adventurous, and brilliant they are! Growing up I wa...moreTCL Call number: J BURGESS V Stephanie’s rating: 4 stars
Oh fantasy fiction books! How imaginative, adventurous, and brilliant they are! Growing up I was a sucker for treasure map stories…old cartography maps, trails, and “x marks” the spot trivia! “The Mapmaker’s Sons” has all these elements and more; powerful wizards, good/bad magic, evil ruler, dragons, a sword, and a hero…well in this case make it two, because we’re talking twins here! Tom and Porter were separated at birth and finally 2 days before their 14th birthday they are introduced to one another and immediately given the task to find the Sword of Five Kingdoms and save the world. Whoa! That’s quite the load for two teenyboppers, right? Nah. They are the mapmaker’s sons…they have the power to make it happen. (less)
Teton County Library Call Number: J Picture De Kockere G Julia's Rating: 5 Stars
As many pictures books will do,the cover of "Willy" drew me in and insp...moreTeton County Library Call Number: J Picture De Kockere G Julia's Rating: 5 Stars
As many pictures books will do,the cover of "Willy" drew me in and inspired my to crack open the cover. Who can resist an elephant in a wee-little top hat and a black bow tie?
Readers meet Willy, an elephant with "leg like pillars," "a body as big as two," and "two huge ears that flopped in the wind." One might suspect that Willy might feel different or self-conscious because of these attributes, but as the story continues, readers will find that Willy is in high demand because his features make him so helpful, useful and great to have around. He does things very well - like paint, keep musical time, and resolve conflicts. He's a Renaissance man. What a guy!
Carll Cneut's illustration are just charming, whimsical portraits of fancily dressed characters, all in red, orange, black and grey. Simple yet striking.
"Willy" is a cheerful book with a heartwarming message so subtle it sneaks up on you: our features - big ears, stocky legs, wide bodies - that may cause us to be self-conscious might just be our best attributes, especially when used to help others and have a good time.(less)
Isabel’s Rating: 4.5 stars An engrossing story about a boy named August, who has a severe facial deformity. Af...moreTeton County Library Call No: J Palacio R
Isabel’s Rating: 4.5 stars An engrossing story about a boy named August, who has a severe facial deformity. After being homeschooled for many years and living through multiple major surgeries, August enters a “real” school, Beecher Prep, as a 5th grader. August sees himself as a normal kid, although he is aware that others have a hard time seeing him that way. Most can’t get beyond his physical appearance to find the cool, funny and wise kid he really is. The story of his struggles and triumphs and how his presence changes the hearts and minds all of the students in his class unfolds as key events during his 5th grade are told from his perspective and retold from the perspectives of friends, classmates and family members. I could see this as a really interesting read for a book club. The novel inspired talks with my daughter about things like kindness, justice, courage and differences. (less)
So adorable. One of my favorite picture books to date. I’d advise reading this to a kid old enough to understand the sur...moreTCL #: J PIC KLASSEN
D- 4 Stars
So adorable. One of my favorite picture books to date. I’d advise reading this to a kid old enough to understand the surprise ending (which I will not ruin) so I’d guess a mature three or four year old and up. Klassen always creates a winner, and this one does not disappoint.(less)
Five stars is reserved for a book that blows me away, and that is exactly what this one does. It is constructed in a f...moreTCL #: J Lechermeier P
D- 5 stars
Five stars is reserved for a book that blows me away, and that is exactly what this one does. It is constructed in a format that encourages you to read it in any order you prefer. The illustrations are absolutely stunning. The 'definitions' of princesses are humorous, creative, and smart.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the seemingly growing trend of 'redefining' the princess. I'd also recommend it to any age.(less)
Isabel’s Rating: 5 stars A hilarious story about a different kind of school where the teachers and administrato...moreTeton County Library: Downloadable eBook
Isabel’s Rating: 5 stars A hilarious story about a different kind of school where the teachers and administrators include vampires, zombies, a hungry tyrannosaurus rex, and principal named Principal Headcrusher. Principal Headcrusher is a rebel in having a school mixed with monster and human students. Apparently, human parents are not nervous about sending their kids to Scary School because the kids are so fearful of what will happen in class that they pay attention and do remarkably well. More traditional monster schools do not believe in mixing students. A rival school challenges Scary School in the Ghoul Games competition, where losers face “certain death,” in the hopes of getting rid of Scary School and their mixed student body once and for all. A fun and funny read for boys and girls in elementary school, with some humor directed at parents (like a character named Jason who wears a very recognizable hockey mask).(less)
Dimmie 4 stars A good read about an historic event for 3-5th grade readers. Tells the story of a young boy and his relationship with a Japan...moreJ Tarshis L
Dimmie 4 stars A good read about an historic event for 3-5th grade readers. Tells the story of a young boy and his relationship with a Japanese family in Hawaii where he has just moved with his mother, a nurse on a military base. Tarshis relates the bombing through the eyes of this boy who witnesses the Japanese planes as they descend on Pearl Harbor.(less)
Dimmie Zeigler 4 stars This book is beautifully written and would appeal to teen and tween boys. Girls would read it and sympathize and paren...moreYA Cormier
Dimmie Zeigler 4 stars This book is beautifully written and would appeal to teen and tween boys. Girls would read it and sympathize and parents should read it to understand what can happen in schools and how important their involvement should be. That said, it also illustrates how teen boys become removed from their families in their high school years and think they know how to live. The bullying in this tale is criminal and the fact that the school doesn't intercept the behavior but condones it is shocking.(less)
Teton County Library Call No: J Lindgren A Isabel’s Rating: 5 stars
Strictly by how much my 6 year old cracked up, and the fact that she now wants a pet...moreTeton County Library Call No: J Lindgren A Isabel’s Rating: 5 stars
Strictly by how much my 6 year old cracked up, and the fact that she now wants a pet monkey like Mr. Nilsson, I give this 5 stars. I read this aloud to her and even when she had choices to do other things, she’d ask me to keep going on to the next chapter. (less)
I've been discovering some wonderful picture books featuring renowned poets lately. Such fun...moreTeton Co Call No: J Picture Yolen J Julia's rating: 4 stars
I've been discovering some wonderful picture books featuring renowned poets lately. Such fun! This one - featuring Emily Dickinson as "Uncle Emily" - is a charming story with equally charming illustrations by Nancy Carpenter. The main character, a six-year-old Gib, enjoys a special relationship with his aunt, the poet. The narrative involves his interactions with a bully at school and his challenge to tell the story of what happened - how he got that limp - when he gets home to his family. Two of Dickinson's poems are featured. This book, which is fairly mature in language, is lovely for its simple teachings, its drawings which evoke an earlier American time and its introduction to one of America's great poets.(less)
Another creative and imaginative book by Laura Vaccaro Seeger; this book could be used in so many...moreKay's rating: 5 stars
J Picture Seeger, Laura Vaccaro
Another creative and imaginative book by Laura Vaccaro Seeger; this book could be used in so many ways it makes me green with envy. This book would be great at story time, in art class or read with a special someone. I could see future color books being created after sharing this inspiring book. (less)
With spring just arriving here in Jackson, our kite days are coming. This is a great shared reading. May...moreJ Picture Hillenbrand, W.
Kay's rating: 4 stars
With spring just arriving here in Jackson, our kite days are coming. This is a great shared reading. Maybe after reading you can make a kite together too.(less)
This alphabet book is for young readers who know their letters, the letter sounds and the order of the alphab...moreKay's rating: 5 stars J Picture Bingham, K
This alphabet book is for young readers who know their letters, the letter sounds and the order of the alphabet. The humor is creative. Not only is the alphabet being reviewed, there is an actually story with this book. The way the story has been written invites participation with the reader. The book offers many opportunities for discussion on a variety of topics. This book would be great as a shared reading and a group read.(less)
This is a very appealing book and a popular topic for young children. I can see children giggling with each monster...moreJ Picture Noll
Kay's rating: 5 stars
This is a very appealing book and a popular topic for young children. I can see children giggling with each monster. They may even request their very own by the end of the book.(less)
Recently, I've had reason to rediscover the poetry of William Carlos Williams. My fellow li...moreTeton Co Call No: J Picture Bryant J Julia's rating: 5 stars
Recently, I've had reason to rediscover the poetry of William Carlos Williams. My fellow library staffer Cindy, hearing me talk about "The Red Wheelbarrow," mentioned this children's book from the collection. I brought it home and - wow! - so glad that I did. The words provide a really excellent primer on Williams's work, and the illustrations are charming, mixing pencil drawings, medical text, words of poetry, to create energetic collages. My favorite page-spread includes on one page a drawing of WCW, Ezra Pound, H.D. and Charles Demuth appraising a painting with the adjacent page conjuring up Demuth's work "The Figure 5 in Gold," a classic modernist painting inspired by WCW's poem "The Great Figure." Ah, love. This is such an inspiring book. Perfect for poetry lovers who are young at heart. I want a copy for my coffee table.(less)
As a cat lover, I thought this book was enjoyable. The illustrations are adorable and realistic. Not only does th...moreJ Picture Robins
Kay's rating: 4 stars
As a cat lover, I thought this book was enjoyable. The illustrations are adorable and realistic. Not only does this have good vocabulary, but it is also filled with non-fiction facts and great quotes through the book.
"The smallest feline is a masterpiece." - Leonardo Da Vinci
I loved the illustrations in the book. There may be many siblings books, but this one does show, no...moreTCL call # J Picture Cordell M
Kay's rating: 4 stars
I loved the illustrations in the book. There may be many siblings books, but this one does show, not only the challenge of having a new sibling, but the emotions that take place throughout the "getting" to know the new addition to the family. (less)
What a wonderful enlightened book for youth and adults to read. The author, Thanhha Lai, was inspired by her ow...moreTCL call # J Lai T
Kay's rating: 5 stars
What a wonderful enlightened book for youth and adults to read. The author, Thanhha Lai, was inspired by her own experiences to write this novel. She moved to the United States at the age of ten, at the end of the Vietnam War. The experiences she lived through are reflected in the main character, H`a, the emotional toll and situations are narrated in verse. As Ms. Lai’s hopes after reading Inside Out & Back Again, each of us will ask and listen to the stories and life experiences of others. We shouldn’t assume that we know one another’s stories. I feel this too is a lesson in the art of listening and truly seeking to know another person. (less)
As a cat owner, I found myself laughing while reading this book. Binky is unique, creative and sweet. I'm now a fan of the "Bi...moreJ Graphic Novel Spires A
As a cat owner, I found myself laughing while reading this book. Binky is unique, creative and sweet. I'm now a fan of the "Binky Adventures" series.(less)
Otis and his farm friends are enjoying their day, except for the bull, who always seemed to be angry. Maybe that is why he is all alone in his pen. Bu...moreOtis and his farm friends are enjoying their day, except for the bull, who always seemed to be angry. Maybe that is why he is all alone in his pen. But, suddenly a storm rolls in. Otis had a feeling this was more than the usually rain storm and it was. Otis comes to the rescue for all his friends and his new friend during a tornado. This is a wonderful adventure book to share with young children. (less)
Haven't we all dreams of excitement and adventure? Well, Wiener Dog wished for a new life being "Wiener Wolf." He learns that sometimes a different po...moreHaven't we all dreams of excitement and adventure? Well, Wiener Dog wished for a new life being "Wiener Wolf." He learns that sometimes a different point of view is all that one may need.(less)
Anyone who enjoyed the sprites in The Spidewick Chronicles, will find this book interesting. It is written like a non-fiction book. It explains what s...moreAnyone who enjoyed the sprites in The Spidewick Chronicles, will find this book interesting. It is written like a non-fiction book. It explains what spirits are (hint: they are not goblins, pixies or will-o'-the-wisps) and how you may have one (or more) as a pet. Their mission statement is "...to create positive awareness of sprites as engaging pets and to form a breed standard by which sprites can be shown in competitions all over the world." Good luck and enjoy your sprites. (less)
This is a creative picture book. Grandmouse moves back to the country and Little Mouserella misses her greatly. Mom suggests that Mouserella write a l...moreThis is a creative picture book. Grandmouse moves back to the country and Little Mouserella misses her greatly. Mom suggests that Mouserella write a letter telling her how much she misses her. Mouserella writes all about her daily activities and even sends a "squishy pack of ketchup" to her. All Grandmothers would love to receive a letter let Grandmouse received.(less)
We get a peek on what's going on with Addie,a 13-year-old young lady who is struggling with "fitting-in" at school and wi...moreKay's rating: 4 Stars J Howe J
We get a peek on what's going on with Addie,a 13-year-old young lady who is struggling with "fitting-in" at school and with their peers. The reader discovers how Aggie feels about how being accepted feels,how it feels when you're not accepted for who you are, how she feels about her first boyfriend, how lonely one feels at times, and many other everyday and life experiences. Addie's humor,intelligence and courage is brought to life through James Howe's narrative verse.
James Howe is the author of many other books for youth,including Bunnicula and The Misfits. The Misfits, is a story of four outcast seventh-graders who try to stop all the no-calling in their school. Through this book the national movement known as No Name-Calling Week (www.nonamecallingweek.org) is annuallly observed in many middle and elementary schools.