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May 2006

Hi folks!

Sorry that this month’s book picks are a bit late. Sometimes I follow “island time,” which means I update my book recommendations when “I land the time.” 

I hope you are all doing well. I get to stay home for awhile, which means I am going to do a lot of reading. Since the summer is rapidly approaching, I have been gearing myself up by reading travel books, sports books and all sorts of eclectic titles. I just finished Stephen Ambrose’s incredible Band of Brothers. Let’s just say that I now have a huge appreciation for the sacrifices American heroes made in winning World War II, especially one Sergeant Winters (a.k.a. “stud of a soldier and human being”). I’ve been reading all sorts of golf books, including Tournament Week (John Strege), I Golfed Across Mongolia (Andre Tolme) and another Harvey Penick book. Did Americans just start having a bunch of random questions in their heads? I have been seeing (and reading) all sorts of books that answer life’s questions (e.g. Does Anything Eat Wasps?: And 101 Other Unsettling, Witty Answers to Questions You Never Thought You Wanted to Ask and Why Does a Ball Bounce?: 101 Questions You Never Thought of Asking). I have also been reading just about every book written by Patricia Polacco and Eve Bunting that I can get my hands on. They are two of America’s finest writers, and everyone should read their material.

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 May, and enjoy your books!

Danny ;-)
The Bad Driver's Handbook

The Bad Driver's Handbook

By Zack Arnstein & Larry Arnstein 192 pages Adult

Danny Says

This is the funniest book I’ve read this year. I delighted in reading it from cover to cover at Border’s while listening to the Mamma Mia! soundtrack. Filled with hilarious tips and illustrations, who could not love a book with chapters like “Turn Signals – Why Give Up the Element of Surprise?” and “Bumper Stickers: Religion & Politics Are Just the Beginning – You Can Start a Conflict with Another Driver Over Almost Anything.” It also has my favorite “direct paraphrase” from Patrick Henry: “We must fight to dismantle systems of oppression created by distant and tyrannical monarchies, and the DMV!” This book is sure to bring a smile to any driver frustrated by other motorists’ ineptitudes. 
Buy on Amazon
Everyman

Everyman

By Philip Roth 182 pages Adult

Danny Says

Discussing books by Philip Roth will make you look intelligent. I really enjoyed Roth’s The Plot Against America, but this is a great book to introduce you to Roth’s writing style (nice and slim for the lazy reader). This book, in particular, spoke to me about life’s “unfulfillments.” Am I the only person who does not feel like I have reached my potential? Roth is a good person to read if you are suffering from a mid-life crisis (as I do every three years).
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Use This Book!: The Only Book You'll Ever Need!

Use This Book!: The Only Book You'll Ever Need!

By Melissa Heckscher 208 pages Adult

Danny Says

I am always fascinated by how clever authors are. This book is literally “the only book you’ll ever need,” as it includes a variety of pages that can be used immediately. For example, one page can be assembled into a sun dial for those who do not have a watch. Maps of the world, “No Parking” signs, charts with measurements and a variety of other useful information fill this spiral volume, which could be deemed the “MacGyver” book. Cool idea.
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Just Disgusting

Just Disgusting

By Andy Griffiths 176 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I’ve recommended Andy Griffiths before (he is not to be confused with a certain sheriff from Mayberry), but I feel like I should include this book for parents of fourth-sixth grade boys who have no interest in reading. I read this book to boys who have never opened a book voluntarily, and I discover the boys weeks later have memorized pages! Yes, this book is not going to win any literary awards, but if it gets a boy into reading there is a greater chance that that boy will try to read a book that has won a literary award. I highly recommend this book for teachers and parents who have reluctant readers, especially boys (click here to read my blog about some tips to help reluctant readers).
Buy on Amazon
Gone Fishin'

Gone Fishin'

By Walter Mosley 244 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

God bless Walter Mosley! Mosley has provided the inner-city middle schoolers that I have read to for years characters that they can identify with, and Mosley’s writing skill and character development are something to behold. This is one of the shortest of Mosley’s Easy Rawlins mysteries, but it is sure to attract students to the series. A wonderful author with a diverse pool of stories.
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The Young Hans Christian Andersen

The Young Hans Christian Andersen

By Karen Hesse 48 pages Young Adult

Danny Says

I like to use this book when teaching students writing because it shows how Hans Christian Andersen took his many childhood experiences and used them to craft his beloved stories. Great for all ages.
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The Cow That Went OINK

The Cow That Went OINK

By Bernard Most 40 pages Children

Danny Says

One of my favorite books to introduce to students. A barnyard has a cow that only oinks, and a pig that only moos. They teach each other their languages and turn out to be better off than the other animals because they can communicate with twice as many animals. The book is filled with lessons on helping others, etc., but I love it because it shows the importance of bilingual education (which means all kids should learn two languages, not just immigrants).
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Black Cat

Black Cat

By Christopher Myers 40 pages Children

Danny Says

I thought I would include some poetry books on this month’s list. I call this book “a poem with attitude.” I LOVE the illustrations, and I think this is a cool poem to show students how to let their own voices enter their poems. 
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Millions of Cats

Millions of Cats

By Wanda Gag 40 pages Children

Danny Says

While on the subject of cats and in the poetry genre, I thought I’d include this classic read aloud. One of my favorite repetitions ever (I think the book was written in the 20s): “hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats.” That line of poetry has stuck with me forever.
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Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore!

Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore!

By David McPhail 32 pages Children

Danny Says

How I have failed to include this book on a prior recommendation list is beyond me, as I have been reading this book aloud to audiences of children, teenagers and adults for years. McPhail is a treasure, and teachers can find the full text of this book (with pictures on the PBS Kids website.
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