Olivia Goes to Venice

Author/Illustrator: Ian Falconer

Book Summary: Olivia and her family take a vacation to Venice, Italy. After spending a few adventurous days taking in the historical sights, riding a gondola, feeding pigeons and eating lots of gelato, Olivia wants to get a souvenir. She considers a mask and perfume, but decides they are just not her. Just before it's time to leave, Olivia settles on a rock from the bell tower in the Piazzo San Marco, which leaves a lasting impression on Venice.

Book Review: Olivia fans will love her latest adventure in Olivia Goes to Venice which takes her across the ocean to Italy. The adorable, spunky pig takes delight in all her experiences. She is "very pleased" to be searched for weapons at the airport. She is both excited and relieved to find out there is no shortage of pizza and ice cream in Italy. Seeing the Grand Canal is so "life-changing" that she needs several gelatos to recover. Ian Falconer fills the pages with photos (some digitally enhanced) of Venetian landmarks and plenty of comic relief.

Interest Level: Pre-K - 1st grade
AR Level: 2.7 (worth .5 points)
Lexile Level: 520

Profanity:
None

Potentially Inappropriate References:
None

Potentially Inappropriate Behavior:
None

Parental Concern Rating: 0 out of 5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - The Ugly Truth

By Jeff Kinney

Book Summary: Growing up is hard and Greg Heffley is about to find out just how hard. The baby egg experiment, boy/girl parties, the "talk" from grandma, stinky pits and P.E. showers are all a part of Greg's junior high life in the newest edition of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The only thing missing is Rowley, who for some unknown reason is not speaking to Greg anymore. Greg can't even remember why, but that's Rowley's problem because Greg is determined to replace his best friend and get through the school year without him.

Book Review: No one does slices of tween-age life better than Jeff Kinney. Kinney covers it all in the fifth Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this time revealing the ugly truth, growing up stinks. Avid readers of this book series will not be disappointed as, true to Wimpy Kid style, this edition has no shortage of butts, pimples, and farts. However, parents may pause over the edgier content, which lightly covers puberty. Greg and his classmate have to endure "Advanced Health," and the same sex ed video he's sure his dad watched thirty years ago. "I'm not going to describe everything that they showed in the video, because it was actually pretty disgusting. If you ask me, some of that stuff doesn't belong in a classroom," writes Greg. The good news is, if your child doesn't know anything about sex, he won't learn it from this book, and if he does, well, he won't learn anything new.

Interest Level: Grades 3 - 8
AR: 5.5 (worth 3 points)
Lexile: 1000

Profanity:
None

Potentially Inappropriate References:
Farts
Butts
Puberty

Potentially Inappropriate Behaviors:
Farting
Rioting in the classroom

Parental Concern Rating: 3 out of 5

The Curious Garden Book Review

By Peter Brown

Book Summary: Liam lives in a gloomy, depressing city where nothing grows, and people stay inside. Liam finds a patch of wildflowers high above the city on an abandoned railway during his daily walk. "When he took a closer look, it became clear that the plants were dying. They needed a gardener." Liam decides he can help. "The flowers nearly drowned and he had a few pruning problems, but the plants patiently waited while Liam found better ways of gardening." As wildflowers often do, they begin to spread. They transform the dreary city into a beautiful city of color.

Book Review: The Curious Garden starts out much like the garden itself, dying for light and happiness. It doesn't take long to find hope in the little patch of dying wildflowers. Excitement follows as Liam learns to grow the garden. The painted pictures highlight the transformation from dreary to cheery. Dark, muted pictures depict a sad city and a bored Liam. As the garden grows, so does the color. Liam's gray coat is replaced by bright shirts. The hazy gray sky becomes blue. This is a beautiful story that, without preaching, shows children what can be accomplished with a little effort.

Interest Level: Pre-K - 3
AR Level: 4.4 (.5 points)
Lexile Level: AD840L

Profanity:
None

Potentially Inappropriate References:
None

Potentially Inappropriate Behaviors:
None

Parental Concern Rating:
0 (scale 0-5)

One Crazy Summer

By Rita Williams-Garcia

Summary: Eleven-year-old, Delphine and her younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, travel from New York to California to spend 28 days with the mother that abandoned them. The girls are disappointed to find that their mother, Cecil, doesn't want them there. Cecil sends the girls out each morning to get a free breakfast from the Black Panthers (a group of mostly black people who are fighting for their rights in the 60's) and tells them not to come back till sunset. With nothing better to do, the girls stay for the Black Panther Summer Camp after breakfast. It's not so bad, so they keep coming back. Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern make new friends, go on a few adventures, and learn new things about their mother.

Review: One Crazy Summer is not exactly what the title implies. The title gives the impression that the story will be fun and humorous. It is neither. It is well-written, though. One Crazy Summer shares details of life as a black person in the 60's, and, in greater detail, the life of three young black girls surviving in an unstable and unsafe environment. Rita Williams-Garcia has created characters that are so thoroughly developed that you will think you actually know them. It is the kind of story that readers will not want to wait to finish.

Interst Level: 3-6
AR Level: 4.6 (worth 7 pts.)
Lexile Level:  750

Profanity:
None

Potentially Inappropriate References:
None

Potentially Inappropriate Behavior:
None

Parental Concern Rating:
0

The Quiet Book

By Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by Renata Liwska

Summary: A collection of different kinds of quiet, some of which are random. Others tell a story if you pay attention to the pictures.

Review: The Quiet Book is possibly the sweetest, definitely the quietest, book of 2010. Cuddly animals demonstrate the many different kinds of quiet of a child's life, such as "Making a wish quiet," and "Thinking of a good reason you were writing on the wall quiet." The text is simple, using only a few words per page. Some say The Quiet Book is Caldecott (an award given for excellent artwork in a children's book) worthy, and I agree. The pictures create their own sense of quiet with the use of Earth tones and soft texture. The animal characters are perfectly depicted with expressive faces and childlike qualities. The Quiet Book is different in the very best way.

Interest Level: PreK-2

Profanity:
None

Potentially Offensive References:
None

Potentially Offensive Behavior:
None

Parental Concern Rating:
0 out of 5

Swindle

By Gordon Korman

Summary: When Griffin finds an old baseball card in an abandoned house, he knows it's worth a lot of money. A lot of money is just what his family needs right now. His father is out of work and spending his time working a revolutionary invention, that hasn't exactly swept the nation's interest. Griffin takes his card to sell it to a memorabilia collector, but is told the card is not worth nearly what Griffin thinks it is. Griffin takes a deal of $100 for the card, only to find out later it's going to be auctioned off for somewhere around two million dollars! Griffin has been swindled by the king of swindles, S. Wendell Palomino, but Griffin isn't going to take his loss and go away. Griffin, with the help of his friends, plans and carries out a heist to get the card back. Things, of course, do not go as planned, but in the end Griffin and his friends get the card back from Palomino, but they don't get to keep it.

Review: Swindle incorporates humor, mystery, adventure, and drama in a story that will have readers rooting for revenge. Korman's knack for creating characters readers can relate to, or to someone they know, makes his stories all the more believable. Descriptive scenes allow readers to feel the action as if they were right there. Although the end seemed rushed and tied up in too neat a bow, the overall story is captivating and actually makes you want the little thieves to succeed, even though you know what they are doing is wrong, wrong, wrong.

Interest Level: 3rd-6th
AR Level: 4.9
Lexile Level: 710

Profanity:
None

Potentially Inappropriate References:
None

Potentially Inappropriate Behavior:
Kids make and implement a detailed plan to commit two robberies
Lying to adults (parents, teacher, stranger)
Torch a safe open, disable alarm systems
Talk about how to handle a police interrogation (what to say)
Lie to police

Parental Concern Rating:
4 of out 5

Speak (Banned Book)

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Summary: High School freshman Melinda Sardino had a traumatic summer. She was raped at a party by an older kid from her new school. She instinctively called the police, but said nothing when they answered. She ran when she saw the flashing lights, but not before people noticed she'd been on the phone. Now it seems the whole high school is talking about how Melinda ruined the party. Some torment her. Other's just whisper behind her back. All her friends dump her. She is an outcast. Melinda tries to bury that night and ignore her feelings. She stops speaking. It's not so much a conscious decision to stop, it's just that she doesn't know what to say and even if she did, she doesn't think anyone will listen. So, she says nothing at all. As the school year progresses, Melinda slowly begins to find her voice again. She starts to face what happened to her and comes to terms with what it really was, a crime. Eventually, she is forced to face her attacker, but this time she fights back and as a result exposes him and gains the respect of her classmates.

Review: Speak is maybe one of the best written books I've ever read. It is a fast-paced, pager turner. It is not the type of book I would pick to read for fun. I do not like dark subject matters. But Anderson takes a very sad story and infuses it with realism and sarcasm and, yes, even humor. The character, Melinda, is authentic and even if you can't relate to her situation (and I sincerely hope you can't), you will empathize with it. Readers get the payoff they are waiting for when Melinda takes back control of her life and comes out a winner.

My Two Cents: Speak is more than a decade old, but still gets a lot of attention. It is #60 on the American Library Association's Banned Book List for 2000-2009. Just this past week a Dr.Wesley Scoggins blogged that Speak and a couple other books should not be allowed in Missouri schools. He argued Speak is essentially "soft pornography," because it depicts two scenes of rape (There was technically only one and it was tame, believe me), and because the character comments that the cheerleaders score more than the basketball team. He goes on to write: "As the main character in the book is alone with a boy who is touching her female parts, she makes the statement that this is what high school is supposed to feel like." This is actually false. The boy is touching her butt (definitely not strictly a female part), which Melinda thinks is rude. Comparing the moment to high school, I believe, has more to do with how fast things are moving at that point. Scoggins references Christian beliefs in his blog and asks, "How can Christian men and women expose children to such immorality?" Rape is immoral, I'll give him that. Using a condom is not. Having sex is not. Maybe what he really objects to is that the character admits, "My parents didn't raise me to be religious."

If you look at this book by the few bad words it says, the rape, and a few shocking comments made by a character who is depressed and angry, Speak looks bad. But Speak is 198 pages and these words and scenes put together would take up two pages at most. All I'm saying is Speak is a story that deserves to be told and you should not let Scoggins or me, or anyone else decide for you if this book is suitable or not suitable for your kids. All I ask is that you read it before you deny the chance to read Speak to your teen.

Interest Level:

8th-12th grade

AR Level:

4.5

Lexile Level:

680

Profanity:

Pissed

Asshole

Whore

Potentially Inappropriate References:

Trojans - reference to condoms

Abortion - referenced when the character talks about cheerleaders getting abortions in mass after prom

Slit my throat - not a literal reference

Get it up -

Potentially Inappropriate Behavior:

Rape

Bullying

Knee to the back

Pulled hair

Violent fight involving choking and a shard of glass held to a person's throat

Parental Concern Rating:

5 out of 5  

New Rating Terminology

I've been uncomfortable from the start with writing "Inappropriate references," and "Inappropriate behaviors." Who am I to say what is inappropriate? It's very subjective and, really, what is inappropriate about peeing in a pool (Diary of  Wimpy Kid) when you are writing for 9-13 year old boys? But some parents may be offended by such "talk." So, I want to make sure you know what's in the books your kids are wanting to read, but I recommend, no matter what I write, you not judge too harshly.

Our kids are curious. The more we try to keep them from seeing or reading about things that we think are inappropriate, the more they are going to want to know. Remember "Forever," by Judy Blume? Or "Are you there God, It's Me, Margaret?" Parents did everything they could do to keep their girls (many of US) from reading these books. It only made their daughters want to read it more. Did you read them anyway?  

Anyway, from here out, "inappropriate" categories will be labeled Potentially Inappropriate... You will decide if it's inappropriate for your child(ren).

OH NO! (OR HOW MY SCIENCE PROJECT DESTROYED THE WORLD)

Written by Marc Barnett, Illustrated by Dan Santat

Summary: An elementary-aged girl, builds a robot for a science fair project that goes horribly wrong. The book opens with the action already in full swing. A city is in disarray: water shooting up form pipes below ground, abandoned cars, and the street caving in. The little girl is the only sign of life. She reflects on how it all began saying, "I never should have built a robot for the science fair. I probably shouldn't have given it a superclaw, or a laser eye, or the power to control dogs' minds." She tries to stop the robot by talking to it, then sending it a message, and finally by trying to hurt it, but the robot keeps destroying. So the girl comes up with a plan to build a super toad to destroy the robot, which seems to work, but not quite.

Review: Considered to be a real contender for the Caldecott Award (for exceptional illustration in a picture book), OH NO! (OR HOW MY SCIENCE PROJECT DESTROYED THE WORLD) is an action packed picture book presented in a graphic novel (cartoon) style. Readers will enjoy this quick read, for its action, humor, and detailed illustration. This is one of those books that will not only appeal to a large population of elementary-aged students, but most of them will be able to read it, too. Many of the words (and there aren't a lot in the book) are words that kindergartners learn. Even though the official interest levels are set at K-3, the illustrations say far more than the words and I'd recommend this book for 3 years and up. 

Interest Level: 3 - 9 years

Lexile: None

AR: None

Profanity:
None

Inappropriate References:
None

Inappropriate Behavior:
None

Parental Concern Rating:
0 - Nothing to worry about

It's a Book

By Lane Smith

Summary: Monkey's friend, Jackass, asks what Monkey is reading. "It's a book," replies Monkey. The donkey begins asking a series of questions like, "Can you fight with it?," "Does it have a password?," "Where's your mouse?" Clearly the donkey can't comprehend anything that entertains and doesn't plug in somewhere. Donkey takes a look at the book and then doesn't want to give it back. So, Monkey gives up and goes to the library.

Review: I eagerly anticipated reading this book, but was severely let down when I discovered the term "Jackass" is used twice in the book. Once at the beginning, before the story starts, in a picture pointing out character names. The other use comes at the end, when the donkey says he will charge up the book before he returns it, to which Monkey replies, "You don't have to. It's a book, Jackass." We all know what this term means, and so do our kids, but instead of just being a literal name for the character, it's going to become a dirty joke for kids. Shame on authors for resorting to the use of dirty words for shock value. It's a Book, overall, is refreshingly different, very clever and humorous. The illustrations are a perfect combination of painting and ink which Smith has manipulated digitally. The overall effect leaves the readers with a visually interesting read. If you do not have problem with the word Jackass, then this is a book you should share with your kids, because it's actually quite funny and timely. Otherwise, steer clear.

Check out: http://www.bookjunkysblog.blogspot.com/ for a video trailer of It's a Book.

Interest Level: K - 5

AR and Lexile have not listed levels for this book.

Profanity:
Jackass

Inappropriate References:
Jackass

Inappropriate Behavior:
None

Parental Concern Rating:
4 out of 5 (Some concern warranted, depending on the age of your reader)

Obi - Gerbil on the Loose

By Michael Delaney

Summary: When Obi's adopted mom, Rachel, and her family go on vacation, it appears they told Tad, the kid that's going to feed the pets, to feed everyone, except Obi. Trapped in her cage with no food or water, the timid and weakened gerbil is forced to take matters into her own paws. Since she can't get Tad's attention from inside her cage (thanks to "those gosh darn headphones in his ears.") she has to break out. Outside her cage, Obi runs into all kinds of trouble including, three vicious cats, a snake that is dying for a live mouse to eat, and a scary tarantula. Eventually, Obi finds a way to get Tad to notice her and survives the ordeal with a new appreciation for her wonderful life.

Review: Adventure and humor drive this quirky story of a gerbil who must persevere to survive. The dialog is witty and plentiful. Among the funny characters is a suspicious squirrel who is convinced Obi must be in jail since she is in a cage. ("I can't help a criminal. I don't want to end up in a cage like you. A life of crime may be fine for you, Obi, but it isn't the life for me.") Kids tend to want to read stories where the protagonist is the same gender as themselves, but I think Obi has enough to offer both genders a pleasurable read.

Interest Level: 3-6
Lexile Level: 740
AR Level: 4.8

Profanity:
None

Inappropriate References:
Squirrel asks Obi if she has "murdered someone."

Inappropriate Behavior:
Cats bully, threaten, and try to harm Obi.

Parental Concern Rating:
1 = Little to worry about

I Don't Want to Go to School

By Stephanie Blake

Summary: Simon doesn't share the same excitement for starting school as his parents do. When Simon's dad tells Simon he will learn the alphabet, Simon responds with a defiant, "No way!" The night before his first day, Simon cannot sleep. He calls for his mother, who tucks him back in and assures him everything will be okay. "No way," he says. No matter how encouraging his parents are, Simon does not change his mind, but he goes anyway. Though his start is scary and he cries, by the end of the day Simon finds he's had so much fun that he doesn't want to leave.

Review: I Don't Want to Go to School is both authored and illustrated by Stephanie Blake. While the writing is predictable, the illustrations are expressive and entertaining. Preschoolers will enjoy this book, because there is plenty to look at while being read to. But the story itself is not all that exciting.

Interest level: Pre-K - 1

Profanity:
None

Inappropriate References:
None

Inappropriate Behavior:
Saying "no" to a parent

Parental Concern Rating:
1 = little to worry about.

Skippyjon Jones - Lost in Spice

By Judy Schachner

Summary: Skippyjon Jones loves the color red. He loves his red ball, his red pajamas, and his red string. So, naturally, his favorite planet is the red one: Mars. When a red chili peppering gets out of hand, Skippyjon becomes Skippito and starts speaking in a Spanish accent. Soon, Skippito is overcome with the need to sneeze, which hurtles him through his closet and straight to Mars. There he meets the Chimichangos (a pack of chihuahuas) and a one eyed martian named Uno Ojo, who looks amazingly similar to Skippyjon himself. It's all fun and games until Skippito realizes he's lost and has to find his way back to his amigos.

Review: Clever and cute, Skippyjon Jones - Lost in Spice does not disappoint. Schachner writes with a mix of prose and rhyme and chili peppers the story with lots of Spanish words. Young readers will need help with this picture book for sure, but they will be engrossed with this adventurous story. As a bonus, there is as much to read from the pictures as there is from the words.

Interest Level: ages 3-7
AR Level: 3.5 (.5 points)
Lexile Level: Not listed

Profanity:
None

Inappropriate References:
None

Inappropriate Behavior:
None

Parental Concern Rating:
0 ...There isn't anything to be concerned about.

Piper Reed - Navy Brat

By Kimberly Willis Holt
Illustrated by Christine Davenier

Summary: As the name suggests, Piper Reed is the daughter of a sailor in the Navy. When Piper gets the news that her father (she calls him Chief) is being reassigned to Pensacola, Florida, she and her sister, Tori, are not happy. But true to Piper's fun-loving nature, she tries not to dwell on the bad and looks at the move as an adventure. Still, Pensacola is a long way from San Diego where Piper happily enjoys life with her Gypsy Club friends and her cool tree house. Piper Reed - Navy Brat chronicles Piper's experiences in a new place from her own point of view as she tries to rebuild the life she had in San Diego.

Review: Piper Reed - Navy Brat is filled with lots of little plots that never go anywhere. It lacks a central plot, which is a shame because the author has so much to work with (new kid in a new school, parent deploying, making friends....). The military angle is detailed with authentic depictions of what it's like to make a military move (accidentally packing something important, leaving the grocery store with two carts of food because, as Piper's mom says, "It takes a lot of food when you are starting from scratch."). To be fair, Piper Reed - Navy Brat was selected as a Sunshine State Young Reader's Award book, which is based on reader's votes. So, many kids have apparently enjoyed this book despite it's undeveloped plot. I think readers deserved more, however. Recommended reading age: 8-11.

Profanity:
None

Inappropriate References:
None

Inappropriate Behavior:
Impersonating a gypsy
Lying to friends
Dog pees on Piper

Parental Concern Rating:
1

1 (Little to worry about) to 5 (A lot to worry about)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Dog Days

By Jeff Kinney

Summary: Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Dog Days chronicles Gregory's summer as he does his best to resist his mother's insistence on spending time with the family and tearing him away from the TV. Between the Reading is Fun Club and family time at the public pool, it seems a sure bet that Gregory's mother is going to sabotage his summer. Added to the situation is the fact that Gregory and his best friend Rowley are not speaking and nothing is working out as planned. Gregory is on a mission to get his summer back on track and make it a splash, instead of a giant splat!

Review: Jeff Kinney continues to give kids what they love with a combination of relatable characters, familiar situations, witty cracks, and a dash potty humor. Kinney is fantastic at taking little events and somehow weaving them into a cohesive story. Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Dog Days is a fun, easy read. I recommend this book for kids ages 8-12.

Profanity:
None

Inappropriate References:
Constipation
Turd
Ingrown toenails
Dog licking rear-end
Gregory on the toilet
Rowley on the toilet

Inappropriate Behavior:
Bullying
Lying to an adult
Kids peeing in the pool

Parental Concern Rating:
I give this book a 3 because of all the crude humor. But I doubt there is anything in this book that our kids haven't heard or said somewhere else. It's all innocent fun.

1 (Not much to worry about) - 5 (A lot to worry about)

Schooled

by Gordon Korman

Summary: Cap (short for Capricorn) Anderson is a homeschooled teenager who has lived on a commune with his hippie grandmother his whole life. When his grandmother falls out of a tree (she's a spunky one) and ends up in the hospital, there's no where for Cap to go, but fostercare. Cap also has to attend public middle school. Cap's world until now has been tie-dye, long hair, and peace, man. Nothing can prepare Cap for public middle school, but on the other hand, nothing can prepare Claverage Middle School for a guy like Cap.

Review: Schooled is a fresh story with a some likable, relatable characters. It is a true underdog story that drives home the point that being yourself gets more respect than trying to fit in. Depictions of middle school life, such a bullying and teasing, are dealt with in a humorous manner. I highly recommend this book for children 10-14 years.

Profanity:
None

Inappropriate References:
Hemp shoes is about all you'll find remotely offensive about this book. Not worth banning your kids from.

Inappropriate Behaviors:
Bullying
Pranks
Teasing
Unlicensed driving

Parental Concern Rating:
ON A SCALE of 1 - 5 (1 being little to worry about, 5 being a lot to worry about),I give Schooled a 1.