MADreads for Kids
A review of
The Hound from the Pound
by
Jessica
Swaim
Kind Miss Mary Lynn MacIntosh is doggone lonely! She decides that a friend from the pound would be just the thing to liven things up. However, Miss Mary Lynn falls for Blue, the basset hound, the only untrained dog in the place. How “arf-ful”! Chaos ensues when Blue brings all his pound buddies along. Miss Mary Lynn is rescued by Sam, the pound’s dog trainer, and romance ensues. A happy ending is enjoyed by all! A Hound from the Pound is a witty offering that begs to be read aloud. The
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Reviewed by Ruth on
May 24, 2013
A review of
Just Behave Pablo Picasso
by
Jonah
Winter
If you are looking for a book that reinforces following your heart, this is it. Pablo Picasso has a natural ability for painting, and people love his “rose-colored paintings.” He makes a very good living painting them. However, he is bored to tears and doesn’t care about making a living, he longs to paint something different. After viewing an art exhibit featuring African masks, he begins painting in an abstract manner and creates his famous painting,“Les Desmoiselles d’Avignon.” It is so
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Reviewed by Lesley K on
May 17, 2013
A review of
Mole Had Everything
by
Jamison
Odone
Mole thought he had everything he needed. That is, until his good friend Emerson stops by for tea and points out the he only has one cup. Mole sets out on a mission to acquire "everything." But once he finds it and brings it home, will it truly make him happy? With soft illustrations and short, easily digestible text, this is the perfect book for kids who really do have everything and may need a gentle reminder.
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Reviewed by Krissy on
May 10, 2013
A review of
Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon
by
Steve
Sheinkin
It’s that time of year again, and I’m reading as many books as I can to find the lucky ten titles that will serve as the summer’s Teen’s Choice review books. This year’s list will include the cross-over kid’s/teen’s non-fiction title that has swept up so many awards that it is fairly dripping with medals. Yes, Bomb: The Race to Build – and Steal – the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon, by Steve Sheinkin. National Book Award Finalist, Sibert Award for best children’s non-fiction, Best Non-
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Reviewed by Karen on
May 3, 2013
A review of
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
by
Jacqueline
Kelly
If you missed this book when it first came out in 2009, now's your chance to check it out. This is a book to be savored. The pace is slow, similar to the steamy hot Texas summer of 1899 when the story takes place. Calpurnia (Callie) is the only girl in a houseful of brothers. When her elusive, naturalist grandfather notices her writing observations of the world around her, she becomes his assistant, working alongside him in his laboratory behind the family home. It is in this lab where she
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Reviewed by Lesley K on
April 26, 2013
A review of
Genie Wishes
by
Elisabeth
Dahl
Genie Kunkle is about to start the fifth grade and is thrilled to know that her best friend Sarah is in the same homeroom as her. Genie and Sarah have always operated as a team and fifth grade should be more of the same. Right? Problem is, Sarah met Blair at camp over the summer and the ultra-cool, trendy Blair is going to be in their home room too. As Blair and Sarah cement their friendship, Genie begins to feel left out.
While she struggles with the changing dynamics around her, Genie takes
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Reviewed by Jane J - Central on
April 23, 2013
A review of
Forget-me-nots
by
Mary Ann
Hoberman
Ready for some rollicking and roaring word play? Check out Forget-Me-Nots: Poems to Learn by Heart by Mary Ann Hoberman for some unforgettable poems. This is a wonderful treasury for elementary school kids. The poems are joyful and include bright and colorful illustrations by Michael Emberley. The book has 123 poems by 57 authors (ranging from A.A. Milne to Shel Silverstein to Valerie Worth, and many more phenomenal poets). It is also a great book for reading aloud! Explore other
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Reviewed by Tracy on
April 19, 2013
A review of
Who Could That Be at This Hour
by
Lemony
Snicket
Lemony Snicket’s snark + the clipped speech of hard-boiled detective novels = the tone of the first installment in a new Snicket series called, All the Wrong Questions. It tells the story of Lemony’s own education as a private eye as he tries to get the scoop about an odd statue called the Bombinating Beast, which may or may not be valuable and which may or may not have been stolen from his client. Of course, the plot is secondary to the unique voice with which Mr. Snicket tells his
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Reviewed by Carissa - Alicia Ashman on
April 12, 2013
A review of
Guyku
by
Bob
Raczka
In honor of National Poetry Month, join the fun and check out a creative collection of haiku, especially for boys! In Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys by Bob Raczka and Peter H. Reynolds, we read through the seasons as boys catch grasshoppers, make zipping and clanking bikes, and wait expectantly for snow days. Illustrations are sparse and match the text of each haiku. Many will make you smile, such as: “If this puddle could/talk, I think it would tell me/to splash my sister,” or, “I
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Reviewed by Tracy on
April 5, 2013
A review of
PICKLE
by
Kimberly
Baker
The first thing you need to realize about pickle making is that it is serious business. Pickling has a long and illustrious history in the food preservation industry. Pssst! Are all of the grown-ups gone? They are? Great. Then we can let you in on a secret. The League of Pickle Makers is really a cover for the newest club at Fountain Point Middle School—the P.T.A. (Pranks and Trick Association). The club was started by me, Ben Ruiz, and we only do pranks that are funny or fun and not mean. If
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Reviewed by Carissa - Alicia Ashman on
March 29, 2013
