| By: Committee for Children Book Review: Yang the Third and Her Impossible Family by Lensey Namioka Reading Level: Grades 3–4 The Story Yingmei (Yang the Third) and her family recently moved to Seattle, Washington, from China. As she tries to fit in, Yingmei changes he name to Mary, keeps a journal of the American words she wants to learn, eats sandwiches made with peanut butter and jelly instead of bean sprouts, and frets that the rest of her family isn't…Read More
| By: Emilie Coulter Book Review: Martha Walks the Dog by Susan Meddaugh Reading level: Kindergarten–Grade 3 Ever since she ate her first bowl of alphabet soup, Martha the dog has developed the gift of gab…sometimes to a fault. Her ingenious monologues and impressive vocabulary make her the life of the party, but they also can get her into trouble. Out for her walk one day, Martha encounters new neighbors: an aggressive dog and his…Read More
| By: Committee for Children Book Review: The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric Reading level: Preschool–Grade 2 Second-grader Lazlo S. Gasky seems different from the other kids at Brookhaven School. His white-blond hair sticks up all over, his vivid blue eyes and super-pink lips stand out against his pale complexion, his accent sounds “strange” to the other students, and he is brand new to his class (perhaps one of the most “different” traits possible in…Read More
| By: Emilie Coulter Book Review: Betty Lou Blue by Nancy Crocker; Illustrated by Boris Kulikov Reading level: Preschool–Grade 2 Little Betty Lou Blue longs to be included by the other kids. But in the playground pecking order, a girl with giant feet usually does not come out on top. And Betty Lou's feet are rather big. If her shoes were boats, according to her would-be friends, she “could float for a year!” Poor Betty Lou Blue tries to ignore the…Read More
| By: Emilie Coulter Book Review: Death by Eggplant by Susan Heyboer O'Keef Reading level: Grades 5–8 As if it's not enough for Bert to keep mind, body, and culinary aspirations intact throughout his eighth-grade year, he now has baby Cleopatra to protect as well. Resentment turns to grudging big-brotherly concern for little Cleo as Bert gradually loses sight of the fact that “she” is in fact a five-pound sack of flour given to him as a school…Read More
| By: Emilie Coulter Book Review: Shrinking Violet by Cari Best; Illustrated by Giselle Potter Reading level: Kindergarten–Grade 2 Violet is allergic to attention. This fact has come to the attention of her classmate, Irwin, who takes every opportunity to torment her: “You have hairy arms,” he hisses from the bushes. And, “I will be watching your fat knees.” But there's something Irwin and the others don't know about Violet. Beneath…Read More
| By: Emilie Coulter Book Review: Soupy Saturdays with the Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume; Illustrated by James Stevenson Reading level: Grades 1–4 Ahh, sibling rivalry. Who among us has not stooped to such fine exchanges as this one, between first grader Jake and his older sister, Abigail: “You're a big bowl of spider soup!” “Mmm…sounds yummy!” “Spider poop soup! That's what you are.”Read More
| By: Committee for Children Unity Day Poster 2012 A free poster to help you celebrate Unity Day on October 10, 2012. Print these and put them up in your classroom and around the school to help remind everyone to unite against bullying! Read More
| By: Emilie Coulter Book Review: The Misfits by James Howe Reading level: Grades 6–8 Lardo. Beanpole. Freak. Tinkerbell. Queer. Slimeball. Wop. Brains. Fairy. Fat Boy. Loser. Do these epithets define the people at whom they are aimed? Seventh grader Bobby Goodspeed and his group of “misfit” friends think not. In a bid for student council leadership, the friends underscore their broader platform for freedom and…Read More
| By: Emilie Coulter Book Review: Gooney the Fabulous by Lois Lowry; illustrated by Middy Thomas Reading level: Grades 1–3 Young readers who have been following the quirky, erudite adventures of Gooney Bird Greene will enjoy two-time Newbery medalist Lois Lowry's third installment in the series (Gooney Bird Greene, Gooney Bird and the Room Mother). Those who have not yet been introduced to the unique charms of this pajama-wearing, fun-loving,…Read More