Reveiws

Gr 8 Up—This tale about orphaned sisters in 1890s New York strikes a gothic chord in Michelle Zink's first book (Little, Brown, 2009) in a planned trilogy...

PreS-Gr 2—The picture book written by Laurie Monopoli and illustrated by Wendy Sefcik provides backstory for The Learning Station's popular song, "Tony Chestnut...

Gr 5—9—When Molly's father dies in a mysterious car accident, her mother becomes withdrawn and distant...

Gr 3—6—Minli, who lives with her poor parents in the junction of Fruitless Mountain and the Jade River, loves her father's stories about Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon...

Gr 5 Up—Louisa May Alcott's charming, although now somewhat dated, companion piece to the perennially popular Little Women highlights the life of the wildest of the March sisters, Jo, now married to "her professor," and presiding as the harried but happy mistress over the Plumfield Estate School—home to a small group of needy boys, relatives, and sons whose mischievous antics and emotional upheavals provide ample opportunities for Alcott to share her personal philosophy about learning and life...

PreS-1—Research has determined that children who are exposed to books and language in the preschool years have a much better chance becoming successful readers when they reach school age...

PreS-Gr 3—Author/singer/songwriter Sarah Pirtle's latest release of children's music is filled with songs about animals, nature, and family...

PreS-Gr 1—Poor Max is having a terrible day due to his class assignment to color a "dumb flower picture" as a Mother's Day present...

Gr 2—4—Jennifer Richard Jacobson's enjoyable beginning chapter book (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2003) opens as Winnie and her dad pack for her first experience at summer camp...