Liar & Spy

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

Published: Wendy Lamb Books, imprint of Random House, August 2012

Recommended Age: 9 & up

In a Nutshell: I have an author crush on Rebecca Stead- this is no secret. When You Reach Me is up there as an all-time favorite, her Newbery Medal acceptance is something I go back to and read all the time (excerpt found here), I'm constantly recommending her books to kids and adults at the library (even my husband recently read When You Read Me in an evening and is now a fan), and I also enjoy checking in on her blog regularly.

You can imagine I was very excited to claim my library copy of her latest, Liar & Spy. The first reader to crack the spine.

Georges (pronounced George, named after the famous pointillist Georges Saurt) isn't the most popular kid at school. Of course a name like Georges doesn't help the situation either. To add to his troubles his father lost his job and his family has to relocate to a new (and let's face it, not as cool) apartment in Brooklyn. The day they move into their new home, Georges meets Safer, an energetic, yet bizarre boy his age who drinks coffee out of a flask. Safer also has a Spy Club. At least he does now that Georges is in the picture. Spy Club and Georges and Safer's friendship starts to evolve as they start to investigate a mysterious apartment tenant, Mr. X. Whether it's the school bullies or Spy Club missions, Georges starts to test his comfort levels and unveil the mystery of his fortitude.

With characters so real I felt as if they lived next door and a story told with such voice and soul, I couldn't put it down. Upon finishing the book at four in the morning, as I did with the middle grade books Wonder and Okay for Now earlier this year, I was not tired.  Quite to the opposite. I was alive.

Well done, Rebecca Stead... Well done.

Perfect For: Middle grade mystery lovers, realistic fiction readers, and of course Rebecca Stead fans.

Don't Take My Word For It: Kid Lit Frenzy, Chicago Tribune

Cardboard

Cardboard by Doug TenNapel

Published: Scholastic, August, 2012

Recommended Age: 10 & up

In a Nutshell: If you could make anything out of cardboard what would you make? What would you do if you later find what you made comes to life? Cardboard is an action-packed graphic novel about a boy and his father, a piece of mysterious magical cardboard, and what happens when that cardboard falls into the wrong hands.

This is a story about good vs. evil,  transformation, and hope. As I was reading it, I knew this was a book the library kids would go for. The story is exciting, has depth, is imaginative, and the illustrations are incredible.

My only negative about this book was that Marcus, the "bad kid", had a gothic and peculiar appearance, and then **spoiler alert** in the end when he cleans-up his act it is accompanied by a new "normal", boy-next-door appearance. It gives the impression that alternative=villain and clean-cut=good guy. That was my take on it. It certainly did not make or break the book for me, but it was something to note.

Other than that I think Cardboard is a top-notch read!

Perfect For: Superhero comic fans and the graphic novel series, Amulet.

Don't Take My Word For It: Kirkus Review

See You at Harry's

See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles

Published: Candlewick Press, May 2012

Recommended Age: 10 & up

In a Nutshell: Twelve-year-old Fern is feeling anything but the love. Her three-year-old nuisance of a brother Charlie will not leaver her alone. Older brother, Holden, a freshman in high school, is having a hard time at school and keeps running off, refusing to talk to anyone (even Fern) about it. Sarah, the eldest has been aggravated since her friends went off to college, leaving everyone else in the house to cope with her grumpiness.

On top of that, their father devotes most of his time and "creativity" into running their family-operated restaurant, Harry's; of which some of his entrepreneurial marketing idea's involve the whole family. Yikes! This means Fern's mother is always trying to keep the peace. The only person in Fern's life who gives her a little relief is her friend Ran, a friend she's  growing to like in a 'more-than-a-friend' way.

With the entire family submerged in their own agendas and issues, one event turns everything they know upside down and it's up to them to mend the pieces back together - even if the  picture doesn't look exactly how it looked before.

I read some fantastic middle grade literature over the summer, and really, this entire year thus far. See You At Harry's joins the ranks. An unbelievable, stay-up-all-night must-read.

Perfect For: Tweens with a knack for realistic fiction.

Don't Take My Word For It: Kids Indie Next Summer 2012 Pick, Welcome to my Tweendom,

Throwback Thursday: The Snow Spider

The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo

Published: Dutton Books, 1986,  Orchard Books (Imprint of Scholastic), 2006

Recommended Age: 9 & up

In a Nutshell: On Gwyn's 5th birthday, his older sister, Bethan, tragically disappeared. Four years later, still ridden with guilt over her disappearance, his slightly cooky grandmother gives him five unusual presents. Presents she believes will not only invoke Gywn's inner magician, but lead him to Bethan.

Throwback: I had a dream a few weeks ago of a crystal spider. I was certain it was a book I read when I was in 3rd or 4th grade, so I searched the library. Lo and behold there it was! I'm glad we still have the old cover, because I've seen the newer cover dozens of times from previously working in a bookstore some years ago and it never registered. The story was creepy and bizarre then and it was creepy and bizarre to re-read - and I love it. Obviously, it has an affect on me since I'm dreaming about it 20 years later.

Perfect For: Yesterday, I wrote a post about kids looking for their next magical adventure. This book would fit in perfectly with that crowd.

Reprint Cover: The picture above is the original cover. Below is the modern take on this neo-classic fantasy.

Mr. & Mrs. Bunny--Detectives Extraodinaire!

Mr. and Mrs Bunny--Detectives Extraordinare! by Polly Horvath, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Published: Schwartz & Wade (Imprint of Random House), February 2012

Recommended Age: 8 & up

In a Nutshell: Dear Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom, The Royal Tanenbaums), Please, please, PLEASE pick up this book, do your magic, and make it a movie. What you did for Fantastic Mr. Fox was genius, and if you ever consider converting a beloved children's book onto the screen again, this is it!

A hilariously divine story about girl, Madeline, who behaves like an adult and her ridiculous, hippie parents who were abducted by looney capitalist foxes are in search of Madeline's Uncle Runyun, a secret decoder scientist employed by the Canadian government. Frantic to find her disappeared parents, she seeks the help of two rabbits whom she has the ability to converse with (she can speak rabbit!) AND who just so happen to be detectives (fedora-wearing, amateur detectives!). Teaming up for the search, the reader is launched into the journey of Madeline and Mr. and Mrs. Rabbit on a comical adventure, with a cast of characters you'll never forget.

I listened to the audio version which was such a treat. I usually only listen to audiobooks in the car and after a few days of listening, my two-year old would request, "Bunnies? Listen to bunnies?" My husband listened to a little as well, but decided to stop because he'd like to read it cover to cover in it's entirety. Needless to say, it was a hit with the whole family.

This was my first time reading Polly Horvath, and certainly not my last.

Perfect For: Roald Dahl junkies, as well as Wallace & Grommit watchers. A family road trip must-listen.

Don't Take My Word For It: Washington Post, Confessions of a Bilbliovore, That Blog Belongs to Emily Brown!

The Year of the Book

The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng, illustrated by Abigail Halpin

Published: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), 2012

Recommended Age: 7 & up

In a Nutshell: 4th grader Anna Wang prefers the comfort of a book to that of other people... or anything else really. As an ABC (American Born Chinese), Anna feels she's teetering between her mother's traditional Chinese world and life growing up in the American midwest.  That is until she opens up to classmate Laura who has growing pains of her own, looking for comfort in someone she can call, "friend".  Anna learns that sometimes stepping outside a book and making friends can be an adventure in itself.

Really enjoyed this excerpt:

"I'm almost done with My Side of the Mountain but I don't like this last part. Sam's family is going to find him and he'll go back and lead a normal boring life. I try to think of another way that the story could go. He could never be found and just keep on living in the woods by himself, but that's unrealistic. His family would keep looking for him until they found him. Or he could be attacked by a bear or he could freeze to death, but those are endings that don't usually happen in kid's books. Adult books are probably different because they don't worry about terrible endings."

I don't know about you, but I really like when kids, teen, and adult books reference specific music, movies, and books. In this case, A Year of the Book name drops some children's literature heavy weights including:

Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Hush by Jacqueline Woodson

My Louisiana Sky by Kimberly Willis Holt

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

I also want to add that the illustrations by Abigail Halpin are darling, especially the covers. I thought it was a nice touch to include an illustration of "How to make a drawstring bag", main character Anna's sewing specialty, on the back cover for interested readers.

Overall, The Year of the Book was an enjoyable read with depth and a unique personality all of it's own.

Perfect For: Introverted and extroverted bookworms alike, fans of books like Clementine, and for teachers, would also make a great classroom read-aloud.

Don't Take My Word for It: Kirkus Review, Sommer Reading, Book Dragon

A Tale Dark and Grimm

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

Published: Dutton Juvenile (Penguin Group for Young Readers), 2010

Recommended Age: 10 & up

In a Nutshell: Ooooohh this book is too good!

"Once upon a time, fairy tales were AWESOME!"

This quote from the opening sequence had me thinking this would be another fun fractured novel like The Sisters Grimm, but as in A Tale Dark and Grimm, first appearances are hardly what they seem. Multiple Brothers Grimm tales laced together with thrills and wit, adventure and intrigue. With regular interjections from the narrator (Gidwitz), the reader is taken on a journey with twin brother and sister, Hansel and Gretel, who seem to never get a break in their quest to find a happy and honest home in which to live. In the first few pages their father chops off their heads. Did you just have to go back and reread that last sentence? It's true.. their father chops off their heads, but that isn't the end of the twins. They learn that the world is dark, but with courage, perseverance, and one another, they can light the way to their own destiny.

Two reasons why I loved this book:

The first--- it's actually quite modern! Too often in contemporary society children end up taking the role of care taker, looking after their parents, attempting to fix the problems in the household, etc. Gidwitz's brilliance shines through by linking this modern dynamic to tales from centuries ago (I believe they were written in the 1800's, no?) into an exciting, relatable novel kids want to read.

Reason number two---  It trusts the reader. There's no doubt that the original Grimm stories are... well... grim. They are gory. They don't all have "happy endings" for everyone. And that is okay. Kids can handle a lot more than we give them credit for. Like Hansel and Gretel, readers are capable to endure more than the sugar-coated side of life. In fact, they actually rise to the occasion, or in this case the reading level.

Perfect For: Fairytale fans unafraid to delve into the real Grimm tales, or thrill seekers that don't mind reading something a little more scary before bedtime. If you're looking for heart's true love and shimmering rainbows, this probably isn't your cup of tea.

Don't Take My Word For It: Kid Lit Frenzy, Wicked Awesome Books, Guerilla Librarian

Trailer:

One for the Murphys

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Published: Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Group for Young Readers), 2012

Recommended Age: 10 & up

In a Nutshell: Carly Conners finds herself in the hospital after surviving a violent attack from her stepfather. While her careless mother, who was also attacked, remains in critical condition at the hospital, Carly is forced to live as a foster child with the most normal family she's ever met- the Murphys: three energetic boys, a firefighter father, and a mother who is determined to help Carly know normalcy, feel self-value, and find strength through unconditional love.

It only took me a couple of afternoons to read this heartwarming, middle grade novel. I just couldn't put it down. Really looking forward to reading more from the talented Lynda Mullaly Hunt.

Perfect For: The Joan Bauer or Linda Urban fan.  Smart, sensitive, tween who enjoys reading realistic fiction with a strong female character.

Don't Take My Word For It: Reviews from The Story Siren, There's A Book!, and I Read Banned Books

Three Times Lucky

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Published: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012

Recommended Age: 10 & up

In a Nutshell: It's summer in Tupelo Landing, population 148 minus one (murder) where quick wit, sixth-grader Mo LeBeau is about to have a summer she'll never forget. Found as a baby by town restaurant owner Coronal and Miss Lana after a wild hurricane, Mo has always been on the lookout for her "upstream mother" by sending messages in a bottle in hope of receiving one back. Life of helping the Coronal and Miss Lana in the restaurant and palling around with best friend Dale Earnhart Johnston III all seems same ol' same ol' until local restaurant patron Mr. Jesse ends up dead.... by murder! Everyone in Tupelo Landing is a suspect and it's up to Mo and Dale to find the mystery killer. This is a book that stays with you once you've finished. Especially, the wonderfully warm and entertaining characters of Tupelo Landing.

Perfect For: The girl who has read everything in her bookshelf twice over, especially her tattered Nancy Drew books, ready for a book filled with action, mystery, and a group of characters they'll never forget.

Don't Take My Word For It: Starred review from Kirkus Review.

Recent Kids Reads

Here's my latest list of Recent Kids Reads from the past few weeks!

And if you haven't checked out The Summer Book Hook yet, please do! I've been busy posting weekly kid-approved book recommendations with the goal to inspire even the most reluctant reader to get hooked on reading this summer.

The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

Publisher: Walden Pond Press, 2012

Recommended Age: 8 & up

In a Nutshell: Four Prince Charmings: Fredric, Liam, Gustav, Duncan from the beloved fairy tales Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Snow White, have teamed together to save their kingdoms and themselves in a fantastical and comical adventure. Separated they are misfits, but together they surpass odds, triumph over evil, and find friendship along the way.

Perfect For: The How To Train Your Dragon fans.

Don't Take My Word For It: Review from There's a Book!




The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2007

Recommended Age: 8 & up

In a Nutshell: Do not read my review of this book. Since you've obviously overlooked the warning and are now reading the second sentence of this review, I suppose I can reveal this much... The Name of This Book is Secret has mystery, adventure, evil organizations, friendship, magic, and immortality. Cass and her friend Max-Earnest come across an usual book and a peculiar box of smells, launching the reader into a page-turner full of twists and revolving around one BIG SECRET.

Perfect For: Thrill seekers and mystery lovers; especially kids who enjoyed reading Chasing Vermeer or The Series of Unfortunate Events.

Who is Pseudonymous Bosch? video:

Don't Take My Word For It: Review from Story Snoops.

Marty McQuire by Kate Messner, illustrations by Brian Floca

Publisher: Scholastic, 2011

Recommended Age: 7 & up

In a Nutshell: This book is just perfect. Perfect, I say! For the girls that aren't looking for girly-girl princess books with glittery pink book covers, this one's for you. Main character, Marty, doesn't mind getting dirty, but she does mind when her best friend starts hanging out with the clique of girls who only seem interested in girly-girl activities. But when Marty is cast in the third grade play as the main character, she has to search deep down inside for her own princess (with a few of her own twists, of course).

Perfect For: The tomboy, free spirits, and the Clementine devotees.

Don't Take My Word For It: Review from Watch. Connect. Read.




Horton Halfpott by Tom Angleberger

Publisher: Amulet Books, 2011

Recommended Age: 8 & up

In a Nutshell: One part mystery, one part comedy, this Jane Austen-esque spoof for kids all begins with a particularly uncomfortable piece of underwear. M'Lady Luggertuck decides one curious morning that she does not desire her corset to be quite as tight as it usually is, and in this action the whole world in Smugwick Manor is turned upside down. Theft, mischief, pirates, and (gasp!) love. Once again, another enjoyable read for kids of all ages from Tom Angleberger.

Perfect For: A reader who enjoys historical fiction with dashes (or handfuls) of screw-ball comedy.

Trailer:

Don't Take My Word For It: Review from This Kid Reviews Books

Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011

Recommended Age: 10 & up

In a Nutshell: When youngest sister Katherine (Kat) finds out her mother was once a witch and that she has inherited those magical talents, she does everything in her power to save her sister from a dreadful marriage to the unfavorable Sir Neville - a man whose plans for her family are anything but well-intended. Think L.M. Montgomary's Anne of Green Gables and then add fantasy and whimsey.

Perfect For: The girl who has dressed up as a witch for seven Halloweens in a row (I was this girl once).

Trailer:

Don't Take My Word For It: Review from Wrighty's Reads

 

Earwig the Witch by Diana Wynne Jones

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 2012

Recommended Age: 8 & up

In a Nutshell: Yeah, yeah, another witch book. What can I say... witches and wizards live more exciting lives than the rest of us. Earwig and orphan since she was a wee babe and was left at an orphanage that, if it were up to her, she'd never want to leave. It so happens it isn't up to her (it rarely is, no?) and a shadowy couple scoops her up to a home like none she has ever imagined.

Perfect For: Young readers not ready to take the leap into reading the long Diana Wynne Jones beloved classics like Howl's Moving Castle.

Don't Take My Word For It: Review from Random Musings of a Bibliophile



Moving forward, the plan is to start posting each "Recent Kids Reads" book individually. I can hardly remember what happened 15 minutes ago, let alone what I read 2 weeks ago... So, that will be a new venture. I'm currently reading Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage which will make the first solo appearance.

 

 

10 Tips to Get Kids Reading This Summer

School's out for the summer!

Barbeques, block parties, pool time, camping... Woohoo it's summer!!! But what seems like endless sunny days ahead, a dark shadow hangs over this time of the year for school age kids K-12, most popularly referred to as "the summer slide".

According to the Summer National Learning Association, "Most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in mathematics computation skills over the summer months [and] low-income students also lose more than two months in reading achievement." One of the best ways to beat these grim statistics is by empowering kids to read during the summer days ahead.

But how?

Below, I've whipped up a few tips that should help beat the summer slide and encourage reading throughout the summertime. Also, starting next week, I'll be posting themed recommended reading lists titled: "The Summer Book Hook". Each Thursday, a recommended book lists will be posted here at Sturdy For Common Things to assist in keeping kids hooked on reading throughout the summer.

10 Tips to Get Kids Reading This Summer:

1. Pick up a summer reading log at your local library. Goals and prizes are great motivators. Here is where you can find a public library in your neighborhood.


2. Set aside reading time. 30 minutes, 6 days a week. That’s 3 hours each week. 30 hours total for the summer. It could be 30 minutes before swim lessons. Or 30 minutes before bed.  Whenever works best with you and your child’s schedule. I recommend downloading this Reading Timer App from Scholastic. Price: FREE! If you schedule it, it won’t fall through the cracks. Treat it like any other appointment.


3. Let them pick out their books. Embrace that they might not pick out a traditional book per se  (Coin Collecting for Kids, the graphic novel series Babymouse, etc.) and really that's okay!  Becoming a passionate reader stems from finding enjoyment in the act. Joke books, I Spy, graphic novels, kids magazines… it has to start somewhere. As a caregiver, you will know what content is appropriate for them, but as the ones doing the reading it's important for kids to have a say in what they read. It will only reinforce their desire to continue reading.


4. Variety. A common concern of parents is that their child has read The Diary of a Wimpy Kid six times in a row and have no interest in anything else. My first response to that is that it’s great they the have found something they enjoy reading. The hardest step is finding that gateway book to perk their interests in the first place, so it’s already an accomplishment that the excitement for reading is there. My recommendation is to allow them to read The Diary of a Wimpy Kid as many times as they like, but persuade them to read a different book in between.


5. Go on an adventure! Read about something they can go experience afterwards. Local monuments, zoos, museums, outside in your very own backyard, etc.


6. Planning to go on a summer trip? Read books about your vacation destination beforehand and/or take a few on the road. Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) has regional and international book lists available for your use.


7. Check out audiobooks! So many families find audiobooks are an enjoyable outlet during road trips whether it's to the grocery store or a trek across the country.  This doesn’t just go for cars... planes, boats, trains, camelback. Also makes for much quieter traveling for the parents. Be sure to take a couple minutes to read this New York Times article which includes a steller list of recommended audiobooks for kids of all ages.


8. Read aloud time. Even if you’re not the best reader, children love being read aloud to. It’s also a great way to set aside time to spend together.


9. Participate in National Summer Reading Programs: New York Times Summer Reading Contest, Barnes & Noble Summer Reading, Scholastic Summer Challenge…  Just like participating in your local libraries program, these national programs also have perks and rewards.


10. Organize a book club! Encourage your child to start a book club with their friends. After they’ve finished reading their chosen book, allow them to host a book club party or a sleepover to celebrate. Go all out and theme the party after the book. Or choose a book that has a movie and have a movie watch party.


11. Constant support. Remember... sometimes getting kids to read is a piece of cake. Sometimes it just so happens, you’ll fail a handful of times before it gets better. Encouragement is key. If you ever you need advice or book suggestions or someone to champion your efforts email me. Anytime. I'm here for you.

Okay, so there was 11 tips... the more the merrier, right?

Good luck and Happy Reading!



additional article sources: UpNext: The IMLS Blog, Reading is Fundamental

image source: summer

Recent Kids Reads

The One and Only Ivan By Kathrine Applegate

Recommended age: 8 & up

In a Nutshell: I read this book in one sitting on the plane ride to New Orleans back in March. A heartfelt story in prose about Ivan, a Silverback gorilla who lives in lowly conditions as a feature of a highway attraction mall, "The Ape at Exit 8".  His confined daily life takes a turn when a young baby elephant, Ruby, arrives. Ivan, with fatherly affections for Ruby, comes to realize her life depends on him. Gary Schmidt said it perfectly in his quote of praise, "The One and Only Ivan will break your heart-- And then, against all odds, mend it again." A feel good book about how love can spark determination and hope.

Perfect For: The Jane Goodall wannabe and the spirited artist.

Fake Mustache: Or, How Jodie O'Rodeo And Her Wonder Horse (And Some Nerdy Kid) Saved the U.S. Presidential Election From a Mad Genius Criminal Mastermind by Tom Angleberger

Recommend age: 8 & up

In a Nutshell: Tom Angleberger of Origami Yoda and Horton Halfpott (which I'm currently reading) knows how to write books that kids want to read. I found myself snickering while reading Fake Mustache, his latest about an evil mustache, an unexpected friendship between an ordinary boy and a TV star has-been, and their quest to stop an evil mastermind in world domination.

Perfect for: The goofball, comedy lover.

The Case of the Deadly Desperados by Caroline Lawrence

Recommended age: 8 & up

In a nutshell: Yee-Hah!! I have this deep desire for country westerns to make a comeback. In a big way. Think John Wayne and Lone Ranger cowboy craze in the 1950's. Caroline Lawrence debuts this beacon of light for cowboy culture with The Case of the Deadly Desperados. Dashes mystery, intrigue, and everything kids love about action books. Even the slang is pitch perfect. So much so that I feel I should warn those sensitive to language... the word "Hore" and is used a few times and in it's truest form. The scandal! Just so that you are aware or in case you might want to read it first before recommending it to kids.  Other than that, this was such a fun book to read. Many thanks to Caroline Lawrence for sparking the western comeback!

Perfect for: Mystery lovers and those growing bored of ninja and wizard heroes, looking for the next big adventure to dive into.

Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Recommended Age: 10 & up

In a Nutshell: Austin is autistic; that doesn't mean he isn't human. This is such a wonderful story from the perspective of an autistic boy about his dreams of becoming a writer and of having something he's never had before.. friendship and acceptance.

Perfect For: The writer, storyteller, daydreamer.

Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski

Recommended Age: 10 & up

In a Nutshell: A bohemian fantasy with a strong female lead and a clock that controls the weather (and the world!), what is there not to like about Marie Rutkoski's first novel, The Cabinet of Wonders? I thought the first couple chapters were a little on the slow side, but after that I couldn't put this book down. Charming and exotic and jam packed with adventure to the very last page, reading this book was a treat.

Perfect For: The inquisitive inventor and the fantasy page-turner.

 

So, what have you been reading lately?

Anyone been making their summer to-read lists yet?

 

image sources: the one and only ivan, fake mustache, deadly desperadoes, anything but typical, cabinet of wonders

 

Novels in Verse for Kids

This month, I've found that a great way to introduce poetry to the reluctant poetry reader is through novels in verse.

With this confession...

I actually had not read a children's fiction novel in verse until more recently when I read the National Book Award Winner and Newbery Honor Medalist, Inside Out & Back Again. My co-worker, who also shares a fondness for novels in verse, has turned me on to titles ever since. And with the end of National Poetry Month in plain view, I thought I'd share my top novels in verse picks for kids:

For readers age 8 and up:

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Winner of the 2012 National Book Award and a 2012 Newbery Honor Medalist and my gateway into reading novels in verse. I adore this book and I think it would be a great book for teachers to add to their curriculum for  3rd/4th grade classrooms.

Love That Dog and Hate That Cat and Heartbeat by Sharon Creech

A huge fan of Walter Dean Myers, naturally I Love That Dog. I also think Love that Dog and the follow-up title Hate that Cat are great picks for boys hesitant or maybe even embarrassed to read poetry.

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse

Won the Newbery Medal in 1998 and is a favorite of my fellow librarian co-worker (children's librarian for 20+ years.. She knows what she's talking about!).

All the Broken Pieces by Ann E. Burg

A William Allen White nominee 2011-2012 and ALA best book for Young Adults. Has been a popular book among the boys 10 and up at the library.

The Dancing Pancake and Summerhouse Time by Eileen Spinelli

I found Eileen Spinelli's novels in verse very sweet. Definitely something I would have enjoyed reading as a girl. Looking forward to recommending them this summer.

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

Really enjoyed reading this book a couple months ago, especially because it takes place in Kansas. Also, think it would be a great nominee for the 2013 Schneider Award.

For readers a little older (ages 13 and up):

New Found Land and his latest The Watch that Ends the Night by Allan Wolf

New Found Land is a lyrical account of the Lewis and Clark expeditions and The Watch that Ends the Night is inspired by passengers of the Titanic. Good for the middle school/high schooler that enjoys historical fiction.

Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Winner of the 2012 Pura Belpre Award and 2012 William C. Morris Finalist, Under the Mesquite is an elegant, emotional read about a family, specifically a daughter coping with her mother's cancer.

image sources: inside out and back again, love that dog, out of the dust, all the broken pieces, the dancing pancake,  may b, new found land, under the mesquite

13 in 16

Alright..So this is the thing. Had a few hiccups in the plan and I didn't read all 16 Tournament of Kids Books in 16 days.

I know. I'm so ashamed. So, so ashamed...

If you haven't the faintest idea of what I'm talking about, here's what's going on. In honor of the Tournament of Kids Books at the Lawrence Public Library, I made the goal of reading all 16 books in 16 days. 16 in 16. Mostly I was doing this because the 16 books selected to compete were the top circulating books in our children's department in 2011 and I had previously only read one (Harry Potter). Quite a big disconnect between what I'm reading and what's being read.

But I did complete 13 of the 16 books in 16 days, and have what I think are some good reasons for not finishing the last three. 13 in 16 isn't that bad after all.

Below are the books I read and those I wasn't able to finish. Overall, it was a great exercise and am really glad I did it. I feel much more connected with with the interests of the kids who visit the library and have a better understanding of the books they just can't get enough of.

Happy Birthday Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel

I really liked Bad Kitty. I'm familiar with the picture books, but this was my first time reading the young fiction series. It was actually really funny goofball sort of humor, and this particular book had interesting cat facts intertwined. Large type and lots of pictures, I look forward to recommending this series to readers ready to step up to chapter books.

Big Nate Strikes Again by Lincoln Peirce

This was one of the books going into it I thought was going to be "meh". I was so wrong.  I loved this book. A cleaver and humorous book alternating between text and comic strip layout, Big Nate Strikes Again also integrates interesting historical tidbits. For example, main character Nate is working on a research project about Ben Franklin and starts to create his own take on 'Poor Richard's Almanac" with "Poor Nate's Almanac". Did you know Ben Franklin was also a cartoonist? I didn't. Big Nate was by far my favorite title in the 16 in 16 challenge. Well, other than Harry Potter.

Geronimo Stilton: Mummy With No Name by Geronimo Stilton

Kids love Geronimo Stilton. Like the Magic Tree House series, they carry stacks of these books to their parents, pleading to checkout more. Personally, I'm on board with Geronimo. It's not my #1, but it was a fun read with lots of colorful font types and pictures. I also liked that in the back of the book there was a how-to guide to throwing you're own "Chilling Mummy Party". It, also, is loaded with side historical facts relevant to the story being told.

My Weird School: Mr. Tony is Full of Baloney by Dan Gutman, illustrated by Jim Palliot

Eh... I can see why kids like the My Weird School series. It is goofy. I get it. But even so, I thought it was pretty flat compared to a lot of the other young fiction books in the tourney.

Junnie B., First Grader: Dumb Bunny by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Burkus

I'm 50/50 about Junie B. She's alright. Don't hate her, but I don't love her. Like the My Weird School Series, I can see why kids would like reading this series. And if it gets kids to read books I'm 100% on board with that.

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall

I really liked Ivy & Bean. I thought it was a great story that young readers, especially girls,  could really get into. Really glad I finally got around to reading this great series by Annie Barrows, who also wrote the widely popular adult book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.

Summer of the Sea Serpent by Mary Pope Osborne

I'm already a fan of the Magic Tree House series, and Summer of the Sea Serpent is no exception. Kids learn so much from reading this series and enjoy it to boot; one reason why so many teachers and librarians are Magic Tree House fans as well.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Ugly Truth was good. I didn't like it as much as I liked Big Nate, but I liked it a lot. Author Jeff Kinney has harnessed an incredible voice that speaks to so many kids. Girls or boys. Old or young. And when I say old, I mean parents. Just the other day a dad was commenting on how he felt the scenarios in the Wimpy Kid series were just the kind of things he would get himself into as a child.

Dragonbreath: Attack of the Ninja Frogs by Ursula Vernon

This was another young fiction series I had never cracked open, but I'm glad I finally did. The illustrations are great and the story is equally so. And I now can see why so many kids had such a hard time choosing between Dragonbreath and Diary of a Wimpy Kid in the first round of the tournament.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

This was the one book I had already read. The first time I read it was in high school, and like most who have been bit by the Harry Potter bug it remains to be the most loved series I've ever read. I've actually been surprised it is still doing so well in the tournament because it was one of the lower"seeds", ranking number 15 in the top 16 most circulated children's books in our library in 2011. The kids keep voting it into the front line and it continues to dominate.

Eleven by Lauren Myracle

I had never seen or heard of this book until I received the list of most checked out children's books for 2011. The second of The Winnie Perry series, Eleven reminded me exactly what it was like to be an eleven year old girl. I thought it extremely well written, main character Winnie Perry lovable, and am thankful to have another solid book to recommend to middle grade readers.

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane by Suzanne Collins

I read Gregor the Overlander some time ago, and remember enjoying it very much. I regularly recommend the series at the library, but I haven't read beyond that first book. Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, the second book in the series, was outstanding.

The ones that didn't make it...

Fading Echoes by Erin Hunger

Warriors: Omen of the Stars: Fading Echoes is the second book in the fourth (FOURTH!) series of Warriors books. I had to read the prologue three times and the first chapter twice, because I had no clue what was going on. Hawkfrost, Ivypaw, Ravenpelt, Yellowfang, Jayfeather... all cats of clans I could hardly keep track of. So, I decided to return Fading Echoes in exchange for the first book in the Warriors series, Into the Wild. Hopefully, that will go a bit more smoothly.

The Icebound Land by John Flanagan

Not to the severity of  the Fading Echoes, but I also had a difficult time getting into The Ranger's Apprentice, book 3, The Icebound Land. So I traded this one in as well, waiting for the first title of the series, The Ruins of Gorlan.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

My problem with The Lost Hero was I waited to read it until the 16th day. It's 551 pages. That's like, Harry Potter thick. As a bookseller, I read The Lightning Thief, which The Lost Hero is a continuation of. An action-packed book laden with Greek mythology for today's young reader. This was the first seed in the tournament and is still going strong in the brackets.

Below is the current progress of our Tournament of Kids Books bracket.

Looking forward to seeing who comes out on top!

image sources: lost hero, eleven, mr tony is full of baloney, dumb bunny, icebound land,  big nate strikes again, harry potter, fading echoes, summer of the serpent, gregor, mummy with no name, ivy and bean,  dork diaries, happy birthday bad kitty, dragonbreath, ugly truth