Pond by Jim LaMarche*

Any book that Mr. LaMarche illustrates I must read!  His illustrations are exquisite.
One late winter/early spring, Matt visits an area which he and his sister and friend Pablo have dubbed "The Pit", and discovers a steady stream of water attempting to flow into it.  He concludes that "The Pit" must have been a pond long ago.  He, Katie (his sister) and Pablo spend the spring cleaning up the area, allowing the pond to refill.  As the seasons progress, the children experience the benefits of their efforts and the reader witnesses the beautiful wildlife that frequents the pond.
This book displays the value of perseverance, work, and team work.  It also reinforces that children can make a difference in this world.
 I like how it celebrates children being outside, away from screens!!  Our current generation of children will benefit from books like this one!  So much awaits them outside, just a few steps away from their home.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Strategy: infer

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool*

*Award Winner- Won the John Newbery Medal
Abilene Tucker has traveled the rails with her father, from job to job, town to town all of her twelve years.  Then she develops an infection from a cut.  For her safety, her father sends her on a train to the town, Manifest.  Her father had lived in this town during his youth and was now entrusting her to a man named Shady whom he trusts and respects.  Abilene feels abandoned but soon pursues investigating what her father was like in the 1917-1918's.  Miss Sadie, the town's "diviner", shares stories with Abilene from that time period about two boys named Ned and Jinx, but never does she mention her father's name.
Lots of rich historical contexts and events.  The author does a superb job of developing a setting (based on her family's home town in southeast Kansas) and creating intriguing characters.
This story really captured me.
Strategies: check for understanding/monitoring (the author switches back and forth between time periods-1917 and the current story time 1936); predicting; inferring
*Highly recommend but read the "points to discuss" below.
Points to discuss: World War I, speakeasies/making illegal alcohol; Jinx thinks he killed a man by accident; one phrase where one infers swearing "Get the "l" out of here."; Miss Sadie claims to be a diviner (but really she is observant and cares for people).
Guided Reading Level: U (5th)
*Highly recommend for junior high students.
-Borrowed from the library.

Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep by April Pulley Sayre illustrated by Steve Jenkins

With rhyming text, Ms. Sayre celebrates squirrels and their amazing skills.  The main text is simple but the author provides extensive information about squirrels on three pages in the back.
My first grader enjoyed this book and asked me to request more books by Ms. Sayre.
A wonderful new addition to the many published squirrel books.  Perfect for toddler or preschooler story time.
-Borrowed from the library.

Homes Around the World ABC An Alphabet Book by Amanda Doering*

Full page photographs depict the unique homes found around the world.
I liked how the upper case and lower case letter is in bold, colorful font compared to the rest of the text.  This book contains more text than the other "homes around the world" books I reviewed.
An extra bonus is a "fun fact" page with additional facts about the homes featured.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Homes of the World by Nancy Loewen and Paula Skelley*

Beautiful photos reveal how many different people live around the world.   Each photograph is labeled with the country where the home resides.
I really liked how the authors created distinct main ideas-different materials, size, shapes, location.
A world map in the back displays where all of the countries represented throughout the book are located.
This book even rhymes so it will appeal to a young audience (toddlers, preschoolers, Kindergarten).
From series "Go, Go Global" published by Capstone Press.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Homes in Many Cultures by Heather Adamson*

from Pebble Plus publishing
I love, love Pebble Plus nonfiction books for early elementary, beginning readers and for toddlers/preschoolers.
Large photographs with simple yet informative text are their signature.
This book explores the various types of homes around the world.
Other ones in this "culture" series are: Clothes in Many Cultures; Families in Many Cultures; and Schools in Many Cultures.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Wingfeather Saga- Book #1-On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson

Janner has always lived in fear of the Fangs (reptile like creatures) from Dang who rule the village of Glipwood and also the Black Carriage that carries away children to Gnag the Nameless.
The book quickly dives into the plot where Janner, his brother Tink and sister Leeli fear for their lives as the Fangs pursue them and their family.   As the days pass by, Janner has more questions than answers.  Where are the jewels of Anniera?  Who was his father?  Why does Podo (their grandfather) despise Peet the Sock Man?
Very quirky characters and imaginative story will entertain readers beyond belief!
Some parts are quite scary with evil deeds and characters.  Mr. Peterson seems to know when the plot is becoming too serious or desperate and inserts a comment or an event that is extremely humorous (a lot of times with bodily noises!).
Warning: I read this aloud to my first and fourth grader.  It may be, however, too scary or violent for some elementary students.  The Fangs are evil and cruel and take delight in torturing and killing the humans.  There are battle scenes and Fang green blood is spilled.
*Highly, highly recommend.
-I own this book.
**Part of a series -4 books in the series.
Here is a link-http://wingfeathersaga.com/books-2/

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park*

Award winning book- John Newbery Medal
Tree-ear has lived under the bridge in Korea with Crane-man for as long as he can remember.  Crane-man has taught him how to live with integrity amidst their poverty.  Tree-ear longs to make beautiful pottery and secretly watches Min, a potter in his village,  create breath-taking pottery.   Then Min discovers his secret admirer and invites him to be his helper.  Min is not kind like Crane-man but one can infer why he is so harsh as his past life is revealed throughout the book.
Very well written.  Excellent word choice and character development.
Guided Reading Level: U (5th grade)
Strategy: word choice/vocab. expansion
 Warning/points to discuss: In ancient Korean history, women committed suicide (jumping off a cliff) instead of surrendering to the invading enemy.  Two men attack Tree-ear while he travels.   **Spoiler Alert- Crane-man dies.
*Highly recommend.
-I own this book.

Raising Kingdom Kids by Tony Evans*

Through personal stories and truths from the Bible, Mr. Evans encourages parents to invest in their children's spiritual growth and to disciple them.  He emphasizes that we as parents cannot outsource them to the church and Sunday School or a Christian school.  The faith transfer must occur within the home.
He divides the book into three parts: 1. Establishing a Kingdom Mindset
                                                        2.  Cultivating a Kingdom Atmosphere
                                                        3.  Instilling Kingdom Virtues
The Kingdom Virtues he discusses are wisdom, integrity, faith, resiliency, purity, and service.
I really liked how he incorporated little text boxes throughout the book which contained little anecdotes  written by his four children.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-I own this book.

Rain Player by David Wisniewski*

According to the calendar, the year is going to be plagued by a drought.  Pik, a teen Mayan boy, scoffs at this prediction and mutters "do the gods have nothing better to do than torment us?"  He also states to his friends that if he were the head priest he would tell "Chac (the rain god) to get to work!".  Chac hears him and snatches up to the heavens.  Chac and Pik then decide to play each other in a game of pok-a-tok.  If Pik wins, Chac will let the rain fall.
Beautiful cut out illustrations!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Ubiquitous by Joyce Sidman illustrated by Beckie Prange

Celebrating Nature's Survivors
Poems and facts about plants and animals that basically can survive anywhere!
A variety of different types of poems are incorporated.

Point to discuss: The author definitely advocates evolution and that the world is millions of years old.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Hero Twins -Against the Lords of Death by Dan Jolley illustrated by David Witt

In graphic/comic style, the reader goes on an adventure with the Mayan twins, Hunter and Jaguar.  With their special powers, they trick/tease people and have great fun.  When they play the ball Pok-Ta-Pok, they annoy the Lords of the underworld.   The big question is: Can they outwit the Lords of the underworld?
Very exciting and full of adventure.  This book (and series of Graphic Myths and Legends from Graphic Universe) will appeal to boys and reluctant readers.
Warning: I would "highly recommend" it but the one twin loses his head and his head is used for a ball.  There is no blood but it is rather gross/violent!
My fourth grader read this to himself and loved it.  He wants to reread it and read other titles in this series.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Night the Moon Fell a Maya Myth retold by Pat Mora illustrated by Domi

One night the moon falls into the ocean, into many slivers.   She enlists the fish to make her whole again and to return to the sky.
This myth explains how the Milky Way came to be.
-Borrowed from the library.

Weeds Find a Way by Cindy Jenson-Elliott illustrated by Carolyn Fisher

A delightful, poetic book that celebrates the resiliency of weeds!
A few pages in the back offer examples of weeds, their uses and history.
Love the illustrations!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.