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)