34. Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman (Houghton Mifflin, 2010)

BOOK: POETRY (ages 8 - 12)

Brief Description: The poetry of this book is beautiful, lush, descriptive and inviting. Each two-page spread features a poem, a gorgeous relief printing of the animal or nighttime feature of the poem. A tiny lizard graces the poetry page of each poem acting as a guide throughout the book. On the right, readers will enjoy a description of the night animal or feature with great details about its eating habits, and other unusual characteristics. Also includes a handy glossary.

Awards: Newbery Honor, 2011; Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature, 2011; Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, 2011

Personal Opinion: This is an instance in which the illustrations and text work seamlessly to create a united whole that is most pleasing. Enchanting poetry and relief printing pair to form the perfect picture book. Educational and beautifully illustrated with enchanting poems, I loved this book!

Curriculum/Programming: Sidman's creation and Allen's illustration would make a great supplement to both science and English poetry units as well as a visual aide for relief printing in an art class. Certain sections might be highlighted for story time using the theme of the animals presented.

33. The Chinese Book of Animal Powers by Chungliang Al Huang (Harper Children's, 1999)

BOOK: FOLKLORE (ages 9+)

Brief Description: Huang's book portrays the characterizations of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac as they pertain to human births; each year falls into one of the 12 categories of animals, and each month does as well. Each of the twelve animals illustrated present a short description of the animal and its characteristics, then applies these personality traits, both positive and negative, to the human born under that animal's sign. Large black calligraphic art illustrates the animals in a distinctive Chinese style that is bold and powerful. Text appears in various colors.

Awards: None

Personal Opinion: This starkly illustrated book captures the spirit of Chinese art with bold calligraphic illustrations of animals and the characters presented. I found it a little tricky to read the handwriting of the Chinese name of the animal and had to refer to the back of the book where the years associated with the twelve animals is listed. Before this list, however, there is a fantastic section entitled "Dancing Glossary" in which readers are encouraged to dance the characters as they try to write them - much like Huang himself does as shown on the back flap description of the author. Lovely book which is not restricted to youth.

Curriculum/Programming: This book would be a great addition to the study of China, and is currently on display at the library as we study China under the summer reading theme "One World, Many Stories." It would make an excellent introduction to writing in the Chinese style, and an art class might include dancing the characters as an activity.

32. Arthur and the Sword retold and illustrated by Robert Sabuda (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1995)

BOOK: FOLKLORE (ages 6-9)

Brief Description: This story of King Arthur is retold and illustrated by Robert Sabuda. The illustrations are made to look like brightly colored stained glass and have the effect of making the story sacred and formal. Readers will be delighted as the child Arthur becomes King.

Awards: None Found

Personal Opinion: Being a stained glass artist, I really appreciated the illustrations in this book and found facial expressions quite well done. I thought the story was told in simple, sparse language which offered an especially powerful telling. The author's note offered even more information for curious readers.

Curriculum/Programming: Although this book is meant for kids ages 6-9, I could see it benefiting older readers as a supplement to an Arthurian legend curriculum. I think it would offer a good discussion point as a comparison to other versions of the story.

31. This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman (Houghton Mifflin, 2007)

BOOK: POETRY (ages 9-12)

Brief Description: Based on the poem "This is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams, this grouping of poems features two sections: apologies and responses, and is meant to be the collection of one sixth grade class's work. This, however, is solely Sidman's poetry. It should be noted that one of the poems features "curse" words which may limit the use of this book in the classroom.

Awards: Claudia Lewis Poetry Award; Cybils Poetry Award; Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book; IRA Teacher's Choice Book; SLJ Best Book of the Year

Personal Opinion: What a fantastic collection of poems. I loved the introduction by the 6th grade "editor" and found the poems to be rich and full of wisdom. The apology/responses sections are quite wonderful as "students" write poems and have them answered. Quite a clever and often funny book, but also quite poignant as well.

Curriculum: This book would obviously enhance any section on poetry, however, a few of the poems feature harsh language that may make this book unsuitable in some classrooms. This is unfortunate as the book has so much to offer in the way of poetry.

30. The Cod's Tale by Mark Kurlansky (G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2001)

PICTURE BOOK: NONFICTION (ages 7-10)

Brief Description: This book covers the development of cod fishing and the effects of overfishing in general. Told with accompanying illustrations, the book relates the story of the cod and how it came to be a huge industry on the continental shelves around the Atlantic Ocean.

Awards: Orbis Pictus Award

Personal Opinion: The illustrations and accompanying text dramatically portray first the habitat, lifecycle and enemies of the cod - which is a perfect segue into the story of how Cod's greatest enemy, man, has exploited the fishing of the cod to near extinction. I hadn't realized the part the Basques played in the waters off North America; because they did not plant a flag, they lost their fishing rights to Britain and France. I enjoyed The Story of Salt, and was delighted to read another of Kurlansky's books, however frightening the outcome of overfishing.

Curriculum/Programming: I would include this book on a display of books on fishing, and would also add it as required reading for a science curriculum on the study of sustaining the Earth's resources.

29. Luna by Julie Ann Peters (Little Brown, 2006)

BOOK: TRANSGENDER/TRANSSEXUAL (age 14+)

Brief Description: This touching story has narrator Regan explaining her relationship with her brother as he attempts to transition; Liam has known since he was very young that he was born a girl in a boy’s body, but he has kept this secret from everyone except his sister. While high school senior Liam successfully keeps his secret identity under wraps, he yearns to be free and express himself as the female Luna. Tension builds to a satisfying conclusion as the reader comes to understand the complexities of and gain a deep insight into the heart and thoughts of one who is transgender, and even sees the affect that keeping secrets can have, not only for Liam, but also for his sister Regan.

Awards:

• 2004 National Book Award Finalist in Young People’s Literature

• 2005 Stonewall Honor Book, awarded by the GLBTQ Round Table of the American Library Association

• An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults 2005

• 2005 Colorado Book Award for Young Adult Literature

• 2005 Lambda Literary Award Finalist

• 2004 Borders Original Voices Award Finalist

Personal Opinion: Once I finished the book, I missed Luna and her sister Regan and felt hopeful for them both. I have to admit that I had been fairly ignorant concerning transgender and transsexual people, but Luna was a wonderful introduction into understanding and appreciating the hardship that may be encountered by a transgendered person. What was most beautiful about the novel was the relationship between the two siblings; it was interesting to discover that Luna's plight was difficult, but it carried over to Regan who shouldered the responsibility of keeping Luna's secret. Once Luna liberated herself, Regan, too, was able to spread her own wings and find the freedom that Luna so desperately desired. This was a very touching novel, one whose characters I won't soon forget.

Curriculum/Programming: The book would make an exceptional addition to an upper grade unit on understanding transgender and transsexual teens, and would be a great way to introduce the hardship that they may experience. I think the book would help kids respect differences in others.

28. The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti (Simon and Schuster, 2007)

BOOK: ROMANCE (ages 12+)

Brief Description: Jade has an anxiety disorder and is very introspective. To keep herself calm, she watches the web cam in the Elephant pen at the Woodland Park Zoo near where she lives. When she sees a young guy in a red jacket repeatedly, she falls for him without meeting him. Jade eventually works through many of her problems and actually meets Sebastian, who has a young son. Chapters begin with a quote about animal behavior that is mirrored in the events of that chapter.

Awards: None

Personal Opinion: I was initially disinterested in this book, but gradually grew to truly love and care about Jade and worried about her finding her way in the world. It's her senior year, and she's quite lost, not understanding her place even within her own family. Jade becomes a volunteer working with the elephants at the zoo when she finally meets Sebastian, about whom she's only fantasized. They become close quickly, and their relationship is lovely, tender, and quite moving, but Sebastian is harboring a secret that threatens to destroy Jade's new found security. I loved the book and spent quite some time considering the characters long after I finished the book. While the flap indicates a recommended age of 12+, I see this book as one for a much more sophisticated reader due to the nuances of Jades introspection, but a more sophisticated younger reader might enjoy it as well. The elephants themselves are entirely lovable as are all the truly well-drawn characters. Deb Caletti does a great job with this gorgeous and gentle novel.

Curriculum/Programming: I think this book would serve well as a discussion point for a psychology course. Jade is unbelievably self-reflective, and her dealing with her anxiety disorder might make for some good conversations.