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April 2009

Hi folks!

I hope you have all been reading some gems. I greatly appreciate all of you who send me books and book picks, as I have been enjoying my typical fare of eclectic titles for all ages. Some of the longer books that I have checked out (but cannot include on my book picks, due to their length) include Run for Your Life by James Patterson, Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child (one of my favorite author names, by the way), Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer (one of my favorite authors, period), People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (do yourself a favor and READ GERALDINE BROOKS) and a few more books by Neil Gaiman.

Anyhow, enjoy this month’s book selections below. I hope you are all reading some wonderful books. Make sure to tell me all about them. If you're an author or a publisher and would like to send me review copies of your book(s), please send them to the address listed for authors and publishers.

I hope you are reading some wonderful books. Make sure to tell me about them by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Have a wonderful April, and enjoy your books!

Danny ;-)
The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told

The Greatest Presidential Stories Never Told

By Rick Beyer 224 pages Adult

Danny Says

This past month we lost one of my favorite authors and speakers, the incomparable Paul Harvey. Rachel Reichman recommended I try Beyer’s wonderful series of books (there are three in total) that each include 100 two-page vignettes about amazing events. I love them! Buy all three of Beyer’s books. These are perfect for teachers and parents to use to calm students down and gain their attention during transitions. 
Buy on Amazon
Damage

Damage

By Josephine Hart 195 pages Adult

Danny Says

A reader complained I include too many happy books on my list and not enough fiction. Well, here is a depressing book of fiction that you can read in one evening. Stephen Fleming is a middle-aged British politician who lives the ideal life – or so we think. His obsession with his son’s girlfriend can only lead to destruction, but Hart writes a novel that makes readers turn pages to see how far this tragedy can go.
Buy on Amazon
A Lion Called Christian

A Lion Called Christian

By Anthony Bourke & John Rendall 280 pages Adult

Danny Says

Need something to lift your spirits? Indulge in this true story of two Aussie wanderers in London who bought a lion cub at Harrod’s and watched their pet grow big quickly. Rather than put Christian in a zoo, they flew him to Kenya under the care of lion expert George Adamson. A stunning reunion sparked a youtube.com sensation that caused this uplifting tale’s re-release. The perfect antidote to the dreary nightly newscast.
Buy on Amazon
The Quiz Life

The Quiz Life

By Marina Khidekel 224 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I confess that I love taking teenie-bopper quizzes, as they provide me with some of my favorite interactive exercises to attract students’ attention. This book is filled with quizzes geared for teenage girls looking for what guys want. In reality a good teacher can adapt these quizzes for use as icebreakers with students. 
Buy on Amazon
A Field Guide to Monsters

A Field Guide to Monsters

By Johan Olander 64 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Olander, a “world-famous monstrologist,” shares his insights with readers on a variety of “googly-eyed wart floppers, shadow-casters, toe-eaters and other creatures. A book to be enjoyed by all ages, that is particularly popular with fifth-grade boys.
Buy on Amazon
Nugrl90

Nugrl90

By Cheryl Dellasega 194 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

The first book in the new Bloggrls series, Sadie’s story profiles a teenager whose life takes a dramatic turn when her parents divorce and she moves to a new school, Sadie maintains her sanity by keeping a blog. The book is entirely written in blog-style, which is what the teenagers I have used this book with found most appealing. I also like to point out to students who aspire to write their own books someday that all illustrations in this book were created by 15-year-old Karina LaPierre.
Buy on Amazon
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

By Lenore Look 172 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

Really meant for fourth and fifth graders, Alvin Ho is entertaining to all ages, as he freaks out about everything. He is a shy second grader who becomes the loud superhero Firecracker Man at home. A quick, enjoyable read with fun illustrations from LeUyen Pham and one of the most entertaining glossaries I have ever encountered.
Buy on Amazon
A Fuzzy-Fast Blur

A Fuzzy-Fast Blur

By Laura Purdie Salas 24 pages Children

Danny Says

I want to encourage parents and teachers to utilize poetry as a way of enhancing students’ reading abilities. Combine poetry and pets and you get two great motivators that are sure to interest students in reading. Besides having a variety of great poems about different kinds of pets, this book uses several different styles of poetry, from acrostics to cinquains.
Buy on Amazon
The Outfoxed Fox

The Outfoxed Fox

By Tim J. Myers 32 pages Children

Danny Says

When a young fox offers an idea to stop a hunter from trapping foxes, an elder fox brushes the idea aside as being too simple. But later the elder fox learns that there is something to be said for simplicity. A simple tale that younger students appreciate for its message that all ideas should be considered, regardless of who they come from.
Buy on Amazon
Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy

Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy

By Jacky Davis 40 pages Children

Danny Says

The sequel to the popular Ladybug Girl, this fun book follows Lulu as she encounters Sam on the playground. Both seem to like the opposite of one another until Lulu suggests her Ladybug Girl game, which allows them to save the playground from hairy monsters and mean robots. Lots of fun to read aloud with little ones. 
Buy on Amazon

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