Blog Archives - ACS Hillingdon Lower School Library

PreK-2: It's useful to have a duck

8/2/2017

This quick read will catch the attention of your readers as soon as they get to the end…. when they'll turn the book over and read it again, this time from a different perspective.

From Kirkus Review: Do not be deceived by the simple-looking board format: This is not for babies. Rather, it challenges children who have accepted the initial premise with developmentally appropriate narcissism to regard the world from the opposite perspective. Gently mind-bending, this playful Mexican import, packaged in a slipcase, will get readers thinking. (Novelty. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus 2009

Grades 1,2,3: Three Tales of My Father's Dragon

6/2/2017

Do you know this one? I’ve never read it but kids often tell me their teacher read it to them in 2nd grade and they loved it.

A compilation of three tales which relate the fantastic adventures of Elmer Elevator and a baby flying dragon named Boris. (TitlePeek, Follett School Solutions, 2017)

Reading level 5.2, but my guess is that it’s lower than that. (See Laura G for more info as she’s used it with kids.)

Grades 2,3: The Boy who climbed into the moon

6/2/2017

From author David Almond (The Boy who Swam with Piranhas, Skellig)

Helped by a very long ladder, some unusual acquaintances, two rather worried parents, and a great deal of community spirit, young Paul makes an astonishing discovery when he embarks on a mission to prove that the moon is nothing but a big hole in the sky.

Reading level 5.2, Interest level 3-6.
118 pp., color illustrations.
Winner of 5 literary awards.

Grades 1-4*: Where the Mountain meets the moon

6/2/2017

I read this one years ago and found its twists and characters simply drawn but it’s a lovely tale of bravery and love.

*This is recommended for grades 3-6 and the Reading Level is 5.5 so it’s perfect for reading aloud to grades 2 and 3. (Many 1st graders would sit still for this one.) Many 4th graders could read this on their own.

To save her village from starvation, young MinLi (whose name means “Quick Thinking”) goes on a quest:

Minli sets out alone to seek advice from the Old Man of the Moon. En route she befriends a dragon who joins her and together they encounter a talking goldfish, a boy with a buffalo, a king, a fierce green tiger and laughing twins before scaling Never-Ending Mountain. Lin deftly incorporates elements from Chinese folk- and fairy tales to create stories within the main story and provide context for Minli's quest. With her "lively and impulsive spirit," Minli emerges a stalwart female role model who learns the importance of family, friendship and faith during her amazing journey. ~Kirkus Review, 2009.

Grades 2-4: The Secrets of Eastcliff-by-the-sea

6/2/2017

This chapter book (278 pp) relates an abandoned sock monkey's adventurous quest to reunite his owner with the one person she most longs to know.

Described as “old-fashioned in the very best sense of the word” and “original, heartwarming, and highly amusing” this fantasy for ages 7 - 11 is narrated by Throckmorton the sock monkey.

Reading level 3.0, interest level grades 3-6

Excerpt:

Huddled under Annaliese’s bedcovers, Throckmorton traveled in his mind back to those long-ago and faraway nights when Olivia made up silly little rhymes that she sang until he and Baby Annaliese fell to sleep:

   Sock monkey, Throck-monkey, rock-around-the-clock monkey…

And he dreamed he was dancing beneath a crystal chandelier brimming with light.

   Throck-monkey, sock monkey, hockey-stick-and puck-monkey…

And he saw himself skating down a silver river of sparkling ice.

   Sock monkey, Throck-monkey, lobster-in-the-pot monkey…

And he became as strong as fishermen who draw crusty-shelled creatures out of the sea.

K-4: The Princess and the Pea

3/2/2017

This elaborately illustrated version of a well-known folktale is rich for its use of language.

Perfect for pairing with lessons regarding word choice, its tasty verbs and adjectives often appear in a larger font.

It’s also perfect for reading for the sake of reading; a well told tale, with a princess so mesmerizing that the Prince can’t hold onto his teacup.

Reading level 4.5, Interest level: all.

PreK-4: Raindrops Roll

3/2/2017

Today’s nonfiction picture book is dripping with clever language. Each page is soaked in a variety of verbs as raindrops roll, patter, thud and make mud.
Its lyrical prose will take you many places raindrops go, through close-up photography that reveals droplets on spider webs, flower stems, and the antenae of a rain-repelling grasshopper.

This reads like pure poetry, and will make you long for a summer shower.

(A very quick read with minimal text.)

PreK-4: Whale Shines

2/2/2017

This is a winner!

Whale is in advertising and today he’s letting the other sea creatures know of the upcoming Art Contest, which will be judged by Jackson Pollock.

As Octopus prepares his ink and Eel sculpts sandy patterns on the ocean floor, Whale feels saddened by his lack of artistic talent until… he discovers something about himself: When he swishes his tail the bioluminescent phytoplankton shine in patterns.

Soon our sad hero is creating a masterpiece that would have inspired even VanGogh.

Very clever stuff, Reading Level 2.8, Interest level: All.

Anna Carries Water

2/2/2017

Her brothers and sisters have mastered the skill of carrying water on their heads following their daily walks to the spring, but Anna isn’t ready for this.

This simple, gentle tale expresses clearly our impatience and joy when learning new things.

First published in Vancouver.

Reading level 2.0, Interest level K - 3.

grades 3-5: The Imaginary

2/2/2017

Rudger, an imaginary playmate, must find his friend Amanda before he fades away to nothing, while eluding the only other person who can see him, evil Mr. Bunting, who hunts--and possibly even eats—imaginaries. The appealing cover illustration lets us know this tale is a bit dark, but kids find it very appealing.

Reading Level: 5.1, Interest Level: 3-6.

“Winningly whimsical celebration of the imagination, beautifully enhanced by illustrations of Emily Gravett. Together, the text and pictures make this a very real treat. (sic) ~Booklist Reviews.