Middle Grade Pick: Hello Universe

Hello, Universe

by Erin Entrada Kelly

Greenwillow Books

2017

320 pages

ISBN: 9780062414151

Guest Review by Timothy Judd, Library Media Specialist, Ernesto Serna School 

(grades K-8) in El Paso, Texas. 

This sweet coming of age story is told through four middle school points of view. Eleven year old Virgil was sent to the resource room for extra help with his class work gaining the attention and full wrath of the school bully who calls Virgil "Retardo" every chance he gets. Virgil's best friends are an eleven year old psychic and Gulliver, his guinea pig. 

The characters are well developed and diverse and readers will be drawn to Virgil who is quiet and kind. The universe, coincidences, visions, and crystals all play a part in the story and Virgil learns about real friendship. 

Recommended grades 4-6. This book is available on Scholastic Book Fairs.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review nor did Reviewer Timothy Judd. 

Picture Book Pick: Where's My Homework?

Where's My Homework?
by Michael Garland
Illustrations by the author
Cartwheel Books
2014
32 pages
ISBN: 9780545436557

Michael Garland takes the oldest homework excuse/joke in the book and makes it funny again. When a young boy can't find his homework, he asks his sister if she's seen it. She says that maybe he didn't do it at all, but he knows he completed it but now he can't find it. He looks everywhere with the help of his faithful family dog.

After a search, he comes up with implausible excuses like maybe pirates plundered his homework or Martians could have abducted it. When he realizes his beloved dog Frumpy has actually eaten it, he does what any kid in his shoes would do! He takes the dog to school to explain to his teacher that his dog ate his homework. The teacher is unlikely to believe this old story, but Frumpy saves the day!

This is a silly, feel good book for kids with a sense of humor. Brilliant illustrations jump off each page. This color drenched picture book is astounding. I loved the oversize boy and dog on the back cover. Frumpy the dog is as loveable as he is adorable. I must say I've never seen a neater child's room. There is no clutter, no clothes on the floor, no toys, no books, only a notebook on the desk.

Highly recommended for young readers. This would be a fun read for pre-K and Kindergarten students who are just getting an idea of what school is all about and will be doing homework soon.

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received the F & G from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

Book Giveaway and Blog Tour: Hissy Fitz

Hissy Fitz
by Patrick Jennings

I have FIVE FREE copies up for grabs! For your chance to win, post a comment to the blog. Please include your first name, city, state and email contact. Deadline for posts is January 12 at noon MST. Winners are chosen randomly by Randomizer. Winners will be notified January 12 shortly after noon. Please check your email on that date. Winners have 24 hours to respond to my email. Books will ship from New York. Good luck and start posting! Pamela

out Hissy Fitz

Children’s Fiction: Ages 8-12

 

A moment ago, I was happily napping on the windowsill in the sunshine, dreaming I was flying through the air, catching sparrows in my claws.

Now I’m awake. Georgie woke me. I wouldn’t do that to her.

 

A popular middle-grade writer moves to chapter books (ages 7-9) with this humorous tale about a cat that makes Grumpy Cat seem cheerful. Perfect for fans of Geronimo Stilton and Dog Diaries.

 

Hissy Fitz lives with some two-legged creatures who are destined to serve him in every possible way and understand his every whim. Sadly, these creatures are sorely lacking in their skills. For one thing--they touch him when they want to touch him. Don't they know that the two-legged are there for him to touch when he wants to--meaning when he wants food? Petting wakes him up! They speak to him--don't they know the two-legged should be seen--so Hissy knows where to order food--and not heard! It's becoming intolerable. What is this irascible cat to do?

 

Hissy Fitz is now tweeting as @thehissyfitz – please follow him!

 

 

About Patrick Jennings

 

Patrick Jennings grew up in northwest Indiana with a bunch of siblings and a book in his hand. He moved to Bisbee, in southern Arizona, where he taught preschool, and later left the desert to live on the coast in Washington State. He travels to schools around the country, speaking to students and parents, and runs a creative writing group for middle-graders. Patrick lives with his daughter in Washington State. Visit his website, www.patrickjennings.com. to learn more, or follow him on Twitter @pjenningswrites.

Picture Book Pick: Naughty Kitty!

Naughty Kitty!
by Adam Stower
Orchard Books
2014
40 pages
ISBN: 9780545576048

visit the author's sketchbook

Heartwarming, heavenly  and hilarious, Naughty Kitty! will tickle little readers' funny bones! Lily wanted a new pet and her first choice was a dog, but her mother said no to that. Lily ends up with a cute kitten who seems nice and fluffy enough, but trouble is brewing in this household and it's just around the corner.

 Readers may catch on from a newspaper peeking out of the mother's handbag on the first pages. Before the appearance of big trouble, the paper sits on the kitchen table and alert readers will see a glimpse of what appears to be a large jungle cat at the back door. Lily's back is turned as she leaves the room so she doesn't spot him.

Animals  have escaped from a nearby zoo. When a wild  visitor gets into the house and eats cake from the counter, trashes the kitchen, and rips the living room chairs, Lily blames the only suspect, little, tiny Kitty. The tiger causes even more trouble when he lays on all the beds and leaves a stinky mess. Lily never realizes the true culprit. Young readers will laugh as they see an escaped tiger who is causing all the trouble. They will probably point out the tiger and wonder why doesn't Lily see him. Poor little Kitty takes the blame and shame, and Lily is none the wiser.

Illustrations by the author make Kitty come to life. Kitty is absolutely captivating: his blissful smile as Lily hugs him, his look of surprise to see wild animals in the back yard, his shameful look when Lily discovers the mess in the kitchen--make Kitty a real character with personality.

From the cover: Naughty Kitty! is, "...for anyone who has been blamed for something they did not do."

Highly, highly recommended for all young readers and pet lovers. Naughty Kitty! is an entertaining read and is sure to cause smiles all around.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)

FTC Required Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher.  I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

Middle Grades Pick: The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook

The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook




by Joanne Rocklin



Amulet



2013



229 pages with discussion questions





New in paperback; Available April 2, 2013





Published in 2012 and awarded SCBWI's Golded Kite Award for Fiction and the Parent's Choice Book Award--GOLD, and now in paperback with a redesigned cover.





Tender, touching, and poignant, yet also funny, quirky, clever, and captivating, The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook is a hugely entertaining read for middle grades.





Storyteller (whopper teller) Oona is intelligent, compassionate, brave and creative. She shares her late father's gift for storytelling and embellishment. Oona takes great care of younger brother Fred. Fred is five and like all young children, asks a lot of questions which Oona happily supplies the answers or "Oona-isms." When their pet Zook goes to the vet, Oona tells Fred not to worry because all cats have nine lives. Zook is really sick; his kidneys are failing, but Oona refuses to believe the worst. She knows that cats really don't have nine lives, but maybe if she keeps telling Fred that they do, it will come true.







Oona misses her father but keeps his spirit alive through her carefully thought-out stories rife with great storytelling words--words like, "...faraway, woe, befall, whence and by and by." Her stories take place in magical kingdoms and involve talking animal that can save kingdoms. Fred believes all of Oona's stories and she revels in sharing them with him. Readers will love Oona. Her voice is unique and original, intelligent and intuitive, and she tells awesome stories!







I was prepared not to love this book. No cat lover myself--I have ten rescue dogs at home--I was not so sure I would heart a book about a cat. This book has forever changed my mind. It's not about the pet that matters; it's all about the love a child feels for that pet, and Oona loves her Zook. The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook will make readers laugh and cry. It is a heartfelt story of love and loss, pain and remembrance.







Highly, highly recommended grade 4-up and for anyone who has ever loved a precious pet.

Published in 2012 and awarded SCBWI's Golded Kite Award for Fiction and the Parent's Choice Book Award--GOLD, and now in paperback with a redesigned cover.

Tender, touching, and poignant, yet also funny, quirky, clever, and captivating, The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook is a hugely entertaining read for middle grades.





Storyteller (whopper teller) Oona is intelligent, compassionate, brave and creative. She shares her late father's gift for storytelling and embellishment. Oona takes great care of younger brother Fred. Fred is five and like all young children, asks a lot of questions which Oona happily supplies the answers or "Oona-isms." When their pet Zook goes to the vet, Oona tells Fred not to worry because all cats have nine lives. Zook is really sick; his kidneys are failing, but Oona refuses to believe the worst. She knows that cats really don't have nine lives, but maybe if she keeps telling Fred that they do, it will come true.







Oona misses her father but keeps his spirit alive through her carefully thought-out stories rife with great storytelling words--words like, "...faraway, woe, befall, whence and by and by." Her stories take place in magical kingdoms and involve talking animal that can save kingdoms. Fred believes all of Oona's stories and she revels in sharing them with him. Readers will love Oona. Her voice is unique and original, intelligent and intuitive, and she tells awesome stories!







I was prepared not to love this book. No cat lover myself--I have ten rescue dogs at home--I was not so sure I would heart a book about a cat. This book has forever changed my mind. It's not about the pet that matters; it's all about the love a child feels for that pet, and Oona loves her Zook. The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook will make readers laugh and cry. It is a heartfelt story of love and loss, pain and remembrance.







Highly, highly recommended grade 4-up and for anyone who has ever loved a precious pet.

I received this book from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.



This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)