July 2010

While the earthquake hit Haiti in January, many Americans have forgotten of this tiny country’s struggles. Trost’s remarkable journey to feed Haiti’s needy takes place before the earthquake, but I urge people to read this tale to learn more about the Western hemisphere’s poorest nation. To learn how you can help, visit childhope.org, one of my favorite charities.

Have you ever read the real Grimm’s Fairy Tales? They’re pretty creepy, and Knipfel does a fine job of providing his own mischievous tales. I grabbed the book for its title and came away a big fan of Knipfel. I cannot wait to read more of his work.

Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts has always seemed to be one of the most refreshing personalities on television, so it was disheartening to find out she had cancer. In her typical fashion, though, Roberts has taken on cancer with a positive outlook, and I always like to read inspirational books by nice people.

I don’t know how I missed this book. You have to grab a copy of this funny, intelligent page-turner. Twelve-year-old Livvie throws away a chain letter, only to be reprimanded by her superstitious friend, Joyce. Hilarity and suspense ensue.

To Kill a Mockingbird is arguably the most important American book of the last 50 years. McDonagh Murphy interviews a variety of writers and celebrities to find out what Harper Lee’s masterpiece has meant to them. A great way to get students excited about reading and writing.

While the book could be classified as an adult collection of short stories, I find the book to be a great way to encourage students to keep travelogues – one of my favorite genres. Roe’s dry British wit throughout his 18 stories take readers around the globe and got me yearning to travel abroad again.

This book makes for some great book discussions among teens that are interested in religion, history and Middle Eastern culture. The book can be controversial, but it is fiction and acts as a powerful catalyst for students to do some research on their own.

Kimmel’s adaptation of a classic Middle Eastern tale of a man who finds a magic stick, only to deal with one curse after another, is sure to entertain young readers. Omar Rayyan’s illustrations are magnificent, as my own children giggle at his beautiful illustration of the donkey that poor Joha winds up carrying on his back to Baghdad. Wonderful come-uppance at the end to the greedy Sultan makes this a favorite.

This is a MUST purchase. I love any books that promote libraries, and I cherish touching books about friendship. This book delivers both, as one library’s patrons come to love a lion who treasures the library. My favorite part is when the resentful Mr. McBee seeks out the lion to cheer up head librarian/rule aficionado Miss Merriweather. Beautiful illustrations, courtesy of Kevin Hawkes. 

This book has touched my heart, as my son Sean sings the song lyrics that accompany Goembel’s magnificent illustrations. This is the first book Sean has “mastered” on his own, and I love watching him and my daughter Kate compete to see who can read the song first.