Don't let the size of the book scare you away...The Invention of Hugo Cabret is an amazingly illustrated book that goes hand-in-hand with a tantilizing story. It looks like a very long book but the text is broken up by pages of pictures that help tell the story. The black-and-white pictures that break up the text allow the reader to use their imagination and senses to fill in parts of the story. The book is suitable for intermediate readers and will captivate the imaginations of both children and adults alike. Definitely put this Caldecott winner on your reading list! The Invention of Hugo Cabret is one of the Rebecca Caudill Nominees for 2009.

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver is one of the best books I have ever read. It incorporates two of my favorite subjects - ancient cultures and wovles. This book has riveting action, intricate details, and Michelle Paver is an awesome story teller. I absolutely loved the characters and had a hard time putting this book down! Of all the Rebecca Caudill nominees for 2009, this is definitely in my top three, if not my favorite. I cannot wait to read the next book in the "Chronicles of Ancient Darkness" series. This would be a great challenge book for my 4th graders - you'll love this book!

It is 1953 and Penny Falucci is an 11 year old girl living with her mother and grandparents. Her father is dead, but his large Italian family is a huge part of her life. Penny feels trapped because she is still being treated like a child - she can't go to the pool or movie theatre because her mother is scared she will catch polio. Penny doesn't know how her father died and no one will tell her. Finally the secrets of her father's death come out in an eventful summer that ends with the unexpected. I really liked Penny from Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm because some of the characters reminded me of relatives in my Italian-American family.

Letters from Wolfie is a book that incorporates pulls at your heart strings and challenges your point of view. Mark's brother signs up for the Army and is sent to Vietnam. Mark feels shadowed by his brother's bravery and donates his beloved dog, Wolfie, to help the Army in Vietnam and assumes that his dog will be returned to him after his duty. This book does a great job illustrating the love between people and their pets and demonstrating how the nation was truly divided over the issue of the Vietnam War. This book would be an awesome choice for junior high students or for anyone studying the Vietnam War.

The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages is the story of two girls who spend a year living in Los Alamos while their scientist parents work on a "gadget" that will end World War II. This book is suitable for older readers who know the background story of World War II. The unusual setting and colorful characters make this a great historical fiction read.

Do you like adventure stories? Do you like historical fiction? Then you will love The Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle. A teenage boy is trying hard to become a reporter so he decides to try and interview Ruben Hart. The reader is brought back in time to 1929 Rhode Island in the time of Prohibition, and this is where the adventure begins!

The nonstop adventure will keep junior high students reading this great book!

Moon has lived in the forest with his father for as long as he can remember. They find everything they need from the wilderness around them. When Moon's father dies, 10 year old Moon finds himself property of the state and a kid out-law. The book is about friendship, survival, and the sometimes thin line between right and wrong. I loved the descriptions of how Moon and his father survived in the wilderness. It was very interesting to see how they used the natural resources around them. Alabama Moon by Watt Key is a real adventure story!

This book is a 2009 Rebecca Caudill Nominee.

After tragedy strikes on the wagon trail and his Pa runs off, Colton Wescott is desperately trying to find a solution to his family's problems. When he sees a sign for the Pony Express, he thinks he has the solution. Black Storm Comin' by Diane Lee Wilson is the story Colton Wescott and his adventures with the Pony Express. It is a great historical fiction book and one of the nominees for the Rebecca Caudill award. I really enjoyed the realistic story as well as the colorful characters.

Why does Sam fear the number eleven? Somewhere deep down he knows it means something, but just can't remember. As Sam approaches his 11th birthday, he decides to explore his past and he is shocked by what he discovers! Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff is a great book for late elementary or middle school students. It is suspenseful and will keep you guessing until the end. If you like mysteries, definitely read Eleven.

I read two really unique picture books about going West.

The first one is called The Buffalo Storm by Katherine Applegate. This book is a girl who is not afraid of anything (except storms) and has to stay brave while traveling with her family on a wagon train moving west. Her grandmother makes her a "storm blanket" to wrap around her when she is scared of storms. I really liked the way the author paints a picture of the beautiful, untouched scenery of the west. The illustrations are gorgeous and really add to the telling of the story.

The second book is called The Elephant Quilt: Stitch by Stitch to California by Susan Lowell. This book is very unique because it the theme of quilting is incorporated into the illustrations and the language used to describe events in the book. The story is about a little girl going west with her family who is working on a quilt with her grandmother. Each event on their adventure west is documented as they design and add details to their quilt. It is called "The Elephant Quilt" because a certain prairie animal was at first mistaken for an elephant. Can you guess which one?

Memories of Anne Frank: Reflections of a Childhood Friend by Alison Gold, is a moving story told by Anne's friend, Hannah. The book is not in diary format and was composed as Hannah told her memories of living through the horrors of World War II. She paints a fuller picture of Anne and by the end of the book, you have a different view on just who Anne Frank was. Hannah was lucky enough to survive the concentration camps of World War II, but suffered great losses during this terrible time.

If you liked Number the Stars or The Diary of Anne Frank, you will definitely like this book.

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson is another book on the 2009 Rebecca Caudill Nominee list. This historical novel, set in 1918, is the story of Hattie Brooks and her determination to make it as a homesteader. Hattie grew up in Iowa raised by random relatives because of the early death of her parents. At 16, she receives a letter from an uncle in Montana who left Hattie all his land when he fell ill. She packs up and moves out West by herself.

This book was very interesting to read because you learn a lot of "tricks of the trade" of farming. You also gain a great appreciation for the folks that settled the West and today's farmers. By reading this book, you understand the hard life these people endure.

Definitely check this one out!

There are so many great books on the Rebecca Caudill list, I won't know which one to vote for! A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama by Laura Amy Schlitz is truly a melodrama - with lots of twists and turns! The book is set in the early 20th century and focuses on the main character Maud - a girl who always is in trouble at the orphanage. When two sisters suddenly show up and adopt her, she is determined to be on her best behavior. She leaves a life of poverty and all of a sudden has luxuries like new clothes and good food. But, she has to keep a secret...

Check out this book to find out what the secret is!

I really liked this book because of the interesting story line and colorful characters. The author told such a good story that in points in the book, you were confused on your feelings about the characters. Are the heroes? Villians? What a great suspense novel!

Rules by Cynthia Lord is a Newberry Honor Book and on the list for the 2009 Rebecca Caudill Award. This book gets right to the heart of what makes us all special and unique. The book is told from the point of view of Catherine, a girl learning about life and friendship. This is definitely one of the best books that I have read in awhile.

Gossamer by Lois Lowry is one of the 2009 Rebecca Caudill Award Nominees. After reading the first chapter, I wasn't really sure I would like the book. I am so glad I decided to keep reading because it was a very charming and entertaining story. Gossamer is a fantasy story about the "creatures" that give you dreams at night. The humans in the story include a troubled boy and two women. I don't want to give any more of the story away but if you like fantasy stories, read Gossamer. Lois Lowry is a wonderful storyteller and this book can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

I just finished Flush by Carl Hiaasen - you may know him as the author of Hoot. Flush was a funny, entertaining story that is similar to Hoot. I really liked the interesting characters and the hilarious story line. Definitely check this one out!

I just finished reading Geronimo by Joseph Bruchac. This well-researched, descriptive, and emotionally moving novel is based on the story of the removal and relocation of the Apache Indians. The story is told from the point of view of Geronimo's grandson and the whole book is not in chronological order. I really liked this book and I think that the author did a wonderful job making the reader realize what the Apache Indians went through. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction novels or reading about Native Americans.

Yesterday, I read Underground by Jean Ferris. The book is set in the 1830's during slavery and the main characters are slaves at the Mammoth Cave Hotel. The book is based on real characters - Stephen Bishop was a slave who could read and write who first explored and mapped out Mammoth Caves in Kentucky.


I liked the book for the most part but some of the dialog and parts of the plot just seemed out of place. I did like that it was a book about the pre-Civil War era in the United States that had a very unique plot.

Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City by Janet Schulman is a picture book, and the true story, about Pale Male, a Red Tail Hawk living in New York. The illustrator, Meilo So, did a beautiful job with the illustrations! I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes hawks or learning about animals.

I first learned about the story of Pale Male when I was visiting New York City with my cousin in 2002. We were in Central Park when a tour guide told us the story of a Red Tailed Hawk that made its home in downtown New York. There had not been a Red-Tail that made its home in New York city for many years so many people were very excited when the hawk made its home here. But not everyone was happy to have the hawk living in New York...read the book to find out the whole story! I loved this book!!!





The picture below is the red-tailed hawk that visited my classroom in June 2008 from the Trailside Museum in River Forest. We got to see a red-tailed hawk up close and personal!

Here's an interesting 2009 Rebecca Caudill Nominee - Oh Rats! The Story of Rats and People by Albert Marrin. Did you know that a rat can colapse its skeleton to squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter? Its true! I learned a lot about rats (even stuff I didn't want to know!) in this book. My favorite chapter was about rats and their role in the plague. Check it out...and prepared to be grossed out!!!

I just finished Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone. This book is a 2009 Rebecca Caudill nominee. The story takes place in the new settlement of Jamestown and illustrates the hardships the new settlers faced. I loved the characters and how the story brought this time in history alive.

This is my first reading blog entry! I am excited to start a blog to share what books I have been reading. Hopefully, you will get some ideas of books you should check out of the library and read!

"I've traveled the world twice over, Met the famous; saints and sinners, Poets and artists, kings and queens, Old stars and hopeful beginners, I've been where no-one's been before, Learned secrets from writers and cooks All with one library ticket To the wonderful world of books."
~ Anonymous ~