Sandy's Picks 2012 - Teen

It's that time of year again! Time to look back on what I read in 2012 and pick out the titles that I think were the best of the best. I'm not simply looking for literary quality or books that are award-worthy as I make this list (though such qualities certainly don't hurt a book's chances as making the cut). I'm just looking back at the books that made me happiest when I read them, and the books that have stuck with me as the year progressed.

According to Goodreads.com, I have read a total of 109 books this year. Of course, this number is not entirely accurate. This count does not include a wide range of picture books and non-fiction that I paged through and didn't record, nor does it include each volume of several manga series that I plowed through this year, where I reviewed the series as a whole instead of each individual volume.

Today we'll start out by taking a look at Young Adult (Teen) novels.


Guitar Notes by Mary Amato
Tripp, who plays guitar only for himself, and Lyla, a cellist whose talent has already made her famous but not happy, form an unlikely friendship when they are forced to share a practice room at their high school. A plot where friendship, rather than romance, becomes the driving force for a plot involving characters of the opposite sex? We don't see it very often in teen lit, which makes this book all the more refreshing.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few more years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal.  But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at the Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten. Anytime John Green has a new book out you know you are in for a real treat. This latest work is no exception, and is probably his best effort since An Abundance of Katherines. The erudite characters will make you laugh, cry, and think deep thoughts all at once.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Last year Roth stormed onto the scene with Divergent, an action-packed page-turner where everyone must choose a trait-driven faction to join, which quickly took its place as the successor to The Hunger Games. While I enjoyed Divergent well enough, I don't think the series truly grabbed me until I read this second book in the trilogy. The plot thickens and the setting is further developed and an interesting twist at the end has left me eagerly awaiting the final installment.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
In 1943, a British fighter plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France and the survivor tells a tale of friendship, war, espionage, and great courage as she relates what she must to survive while keeping secret all that she can.  If you haven't read this book yet, please do.  It's simply amazing, powerful and completely absorbing, and it's arguably the best book that I have read in quite some time.  Code Name Verity is also my top pick to win this year's Printz Medal.

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel
Running a small Kansas hotel at the side of her single mom, Callie LeRoux struggles with health problems from regional dust storms.  Then when her mother disappears, Callie meets a mysterious stranger who indicates that her estranged father might be something other than human.  It seems that an interesting historical setting was the trump card this year for creating a great book, and Dust Girl is no exception.  Coupling the Dust Bowl era with faerie/fantasy elements makes this book, first in what will be a trilogy, stand out from the crowd. 

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin
Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin
I discovered Zevin's "Birthright" trilogy a little late to the game earlier this year, and I just think that this series is a real winner.  The second book, Because It Is My Blood, was published this fall, and I am eagerly awaiting next year's final installment.  In a future where seemingly harmless things like chocolate and caffeine are illegal and other items like paper, water, and phone time are rationed, Anya Balanchine is the heir apparent to a New York mafia that deals in illegal chocolate.  She tries to protect her siblings by keeping out of the family business, but in the end it seems that Anya will not be able to escape the world of crime. 



 What were your favorite teen reads of 2012?  Share your favorites in the comments. 

Sandy's Picks 2012 - Chapter Books

It's that time of year again! Time to look back on what I read in 2012 and pick out the titles that I think were the best of the best. I'm not simply looking for literary quality or books that are award-worthy as I make this list (though such qualities certainly don't hurt a book's chances as making the cut). I'm just looking back at the books that made me happiest when I read them, and the books that have stuck with me as the year progressed.

According to Goodreads.com, I have read a total of 109 books this year. Of course, this number is not entirely accurate. This count does not include a wide range of picture books and non-fiction that I paged through and didn't record, nor does it include each volume of several manga series that I plowed through this year, where I reviewed the series as a whole instead of each individual volume.

Today we'll start out by taking a look at novels written for children, AKA Chapter Books.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
When Ivan, a gorilla who has lived for years in a down-and-out mall, meets Ruby, a baby elephant that has been added to the mall's exhibit, he decides that he must find her a better life. This book just melted my heart with lovely poetic writing and a powerful story based on real events.

One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale
Nathan Hale, who was an officer and spy for the American rebels during the Revolutionary War, shares his story, from his unlucky days at Yale to his later unlucky days as an officer, with a hangman and British officer. This graphic novel takes American history and makes it fascinating. There's lots of humor for sure, but also lots of great historical fact, lots of military history, and lots of great detail that tends to be eliminated or glossed over in typical study.  One Dead Spy is the first in what will be a series of books as Nathan Hale, the hangman, and the British soldier return to discuss different periods of American history.  It was published simultaneously with the second title, Big Bad Ironclad, which discusses naval warfare during the Civil War.

The Unfortunate Son by Constance Leeds
Luc, a boy born with one ear and raised by a drunken father in fifteenth-century France, finds a better home with fisherman Pons, his sister Mattie, and their ward Beatrice, the daughter of a disgraced knight. Even after being kidnapped and sold into slavery in Africa, he remains remarkably fortunate. This books stands out to me thanks to solid writing and a fascinating historical setting. While I've had trouble pinning down my top choice for this year's Newbery Medal, I think that my final vote has to go to The Unfortunate Son.

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

In 1958 Little Rock, Arkansas, painfully shy twelve-year-old Marlee sees her city and family divided over school integration. But her friendship with Liz, a black girl who tries to pass for white at Marlee's school, helps her find her voice and fight against racism. Kristin Levine told a great story a few years ago dealing with racism and friendship with her first book The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had, and her latest effort just just as powerful.

Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin

Discovering that the moon has disappeared from the sky above a Chinese village where he works, runaway Rendi wonders about strange local behaviors until a mysterious storyteller arrives at the town's inn and astonishing transformations begin to happen.  Just as she did with her Newbery Honor-winning book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, author Grace Lin has masterfully reworked Chinese fairy tales to tell a moving story.  You do not have to have read Where the Mountain Meets the Moon to understand Starry River of the Sky as the two books stand completely on their own, but a few overlapping elements will be greatly appreciated by those who have read both.  Both books are well worth the effort. 

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Born with a facial deformity that initially prevented his attendance at public school, Auggie Pullman enters the fifth grade at Beecher Prep and struggles with the dynamics of being both new and different. I will admit: I kept putting this one off because of all of its early hype. But I'm so glad that I finally read it! The story is both heartwarming and heartwrenching. Not only is it a great story centering around a medical condition, but it's also simply a great school story that explores interpersonal relationship in an upper elementary setting.

Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker
A foster child named Angel and twelve-year-old Stella, who are living with Stella's great-aunt Louise on Cape Cod, secretly assume responsibility for the summer vacation rentals when Louise unexpectedly dies and the girls are afraid of being returned to the foster care system.  I loved this book so much.  It's got humor and heart and two girls who hide a dead body.  What else do you need?



What were your favorite children's novels of 2012?  Share your favorites in the comments.

Sandy's Picks 2012 - Picture Books

It's that time of year again!  Time to look back on what I read in 2012 and pick out the titles that I think were the best of the best.  I'm not simply looking for literary quality or books that are award-worthy as I make this list (though such qualities certainly don't hurt a book's chances as making the cut).  I'm just looking back at the books that made me happiest when I read them, and the books that have stuck with me as the year progressed. 

According to Goodreads.com, I have read a total of 109 books this year.  Of course, this number does is not entirely accurate.  This count does not include a wide range of picture books and non-fiction that I paged through and didn't record, nor does it include each volume of several manga series that I plowed through this year, where I reviewed the series as a whole instead of each individual volume. 

Today we'll start out by taking a look at picture books, plus one early reader.

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, illustrated by John Klassen
Annabelle finds a box with yarn inside and decides to dress up her cold, colorless town by knitting herself a sweater. Then she knits one for her dog. Since the yarn seems to be never-ending, soon the entire town is covered with Annabelle's colorful creations. Then a wicket Archduke offers to buy the box of yarn, but when Annabelle refuses he tries to take matters into his own hands. I love the illustrations in this story. The way that the knitting pops off the page with its texture and color really makes this one stand out visually. Extra Yarn is my top hopeful for this year's Caldecott Medal.

Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino
A boy and a robot meet and begin to play together.  But when Bot is accidentally switched off, Boy think that he is sick!  Boy takes Bot home and tries to care for his friend with applesauce and a story, but none of the usual remedies work.  After Boy tucks his friend in and goes to sleep his parents accidentally switch Bot back on.  When Bot sees that Boy is asleep he thinks that he is malfunctioning, he takes Boy back to his home and tries all of the usual robot remedies...  This is a super sweet friendship story and a fun robot story all rolled up into one, and I just love Yaccarino's appealing illustrations.

Oh, No! by Candace Flemming, illustrated by Eric Rohman
One by one several animals fall down a deep hole. Oh no! Will Tiger find himself an easy lunch, or will the trapped animals escape? This book would be a great read-aloud for storytime, and the illustrations are just lovely.

Penny and Her Song by Kevin Henkes
I love Kevin Henkes to bits, and I was thrilled when I learned that he was going to be making another mouse book.  Then I learned that this book was an early reader, and I was even more intrigued.  Then I learned that Penny was going to be featured in a whole series of books.  Even better!  In her first book, Penny has a song that she wants to share, but the babies are sleeping and her parents do not want Penny's song to wake them up.  But after dinner when she finally does share her song, it is wonderful and the whole family joins in. 

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Daniel Saliemeri
Dragons love tacos of all kinds, but they do not love spicy salsa. If a dragon accidentally eats spicy salsa at your taco party, you will find yourself in BIG trouble. This book came to my attention thanks to my lovely friend and it combines my favorite food with my favorite mythical creature. Add in some solid writing and fun illustrations and you can't loose!

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems
Once upon a time there were three hungry dinosaurs.  One day for no particular reason they decided to tidy up their house, make their beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures.  Then they decided, for no particular reason, to go someplace else.  They were definitely NOT setting a trap for an unsupervised little girl.  This version of the classic story is laugh out loud funny.  It's also a blast looking for details illustrations.  Willems' Pigeon makes a few appearances, and even the endpapers are a favorite at my library.

Baby Bear Sees Blue by Ashley Wolff
A baby bear spends the day exploring the world with his mother and discovers a number of wonderful things:  Green leaves, brown trout, red strawberries.  Love the linoleum block illustrations and their clean lines and bold colors.  Love the sweetness of the storytelling. 



What were your favorite picture books of 2012?  Tell me your favorites in the comments. 

Fist Bump

Have you ever been asked by an 18-month-old girl for a fist bump?

Let me assure you, it's just about the cutest thing in the world. 

Just picture the tiny fist!  And imagine a little girl who can't really talk much yet putting forth the effort to make sounds like the words, "fist bump."  It's too precious for words.

Horses Make...

During storytime today I read several of my favorite read-aloud stories, including David Shannon's Duck on a Bike.  On each page Duck greets a different barnyard animal while riding his bike, and each animal responds with the appropriate animal noise.  As I read this book I usually prompt my audience to supply the animal sounds.

When we go to the page where Duck meets Horse, I asked the kids what sound a horse makes.  The crowd went "neigh," just as expected.  As the sound was dying down a little girl, four years old, sat up a little straighter and proudly announced:

"Horses make glue!"

All of the grown-ups in the room - myself included - had to try really hard to keep from cracking up.  

Trucks Storytime

Last week's storytime was all about trucks!  We talked about trucks of all kinds - trailer trucks, dump trucks, fire trucks, and even ice cream trucks!

Here are a few of the books we read:

I Love Trucks by Philemon Sturges
A little boy who loves trucks goes through a long list of different kinds of trucks.  The text is very brief, but I like to open with this story because we get to see lots of different kinds of vehicles pretty quickly.  With so many good truck books to choose from, I actually turned this book into a flannelboard by copying the pictures, laminating them, and sticking a magnet on the back.  I then read the text from the book and stuck the trucks up on my magnet board as we went.  With a cooperative group I also like to give the kids a change to help me place the trucks on the board.

Minerva Louise and the Red Truck by Janet Morgan Stoeke
Minerva Louise is a chicken with a big imagination.  She hitches a ride on her favorite red truck and gets to see all kinds of fun things on the road - including a crew of construction vehicles.

My Truck is Stuck by Kevin Lewis
A dump truck hauling a great big load of bones gets stuck in a pothole.  Can a car get the truck un-stuck?  What about a moving van?  Or a Jeep?  Or a school bus?  And keep a close eye on the illustrations.  What is happening to all of the bones in the truck?

Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman
Follow Mr. Gilly as he collects all of the trash in Trashy Town and puts it in his garbage truck.  This book has great rhythm.  I also like to point out the bold words "Stop" and "No" on each page as we come to them.  It's a good way to smoothly incorporate a little print awareness into the telling of the story.


We also did an action song: 

Hurry, Hurry, Drive the Fire Truck

Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck.

Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck.
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck.
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!

Hurry, hurry, turn the corner…

Hurry, hurry, climb the ladder…
Hurry, hurry, squirt the water…
Slowly, slowly, back to the station…

Suit actions to words.

And an action rhyme:

Open the Truck Door

Open the truck door, climb inside,

I get to help my mommy drive.

Fasten the seat belt, shut the door,

Start the engine, hear it roar.

Turn the corner, step on the gas,

If the road’s clear then we may pass.

Suit actions to words.

For our craft project, we made trucks using colored paper cut into simple shapes.  We crumpled tissue paper and glued it at the top of the truck's trailer to be the truck's load:

I got the inspiration for this craft project here.  The kids loved crumpling up the tissue paper!  The kids also got some good gluing practice, and as a bonus the project lent itself well to talking about shapes and colors.

LEGO Christmas Ornaments

I wish that I could take credit for this idea, but unfortunately the real credit belongs to one of my dear co-workers who is in charge of our library's LEGO Club.  This week she asked the LEGO Club participants to each make a small figure that they could then turn into a Christmas ornament.  All it took to turn the figures into ornaments was a small loop of ribbon held between two interlocking bricks.  Voila!

Doesn't our tree look festive?

 

Santa Claus

Candle



This one looks a bit like a ghost, but you can
totally tell from the orange nose and the arms
that it's really a snowman.

Candy Cane.  Several kids made this shape!



Snowflake

Pictured here are some of my favorite creations and they're all showing a holiday/winter theme. But you could easily use any shape at all - a car, a small house, an animal - and hang that from your tree. The real trick here is to keep the figures small and lightweight. If they are too heavy the figures don't hang very well.