Miss Garner’s
Book Review
Picture
Books
Harold and the Purple crayon
By: Crockett Johnson
Grades k-3
oPublished in 1955
oMain character: Harold
oSummary:
Harold creates an imaginary world with his Purple crayon. Follow along as
he gets lost inside is imagination.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
By: Eric Carle
Grade Level K-3
Published in 1986
Main character: Very hungry caterpillar
Summary
Follow along as this VERY hungry caterpillar eats his
way through lots of fun foods!
Fancy Nancy
By: Jane O’Connor
Illustrated by: Robin Preiss Glasser
Grade Level: K-3
•Published in 2006
•Main character: Nancy
•Summary
Meet Nancy, everything she does is fancy. From the way that she dresses to the way she talks.
Nancy decides to give her family fancy lessons and ends up learning a valuable lesson herself.
Madeline
By: Ludwig Bemelmans
Grade Level: 4-6
Published in 1939
Main character: Madeline
Summary
Follow Madeline and her friends as they explore the beautiful city of
Paris.
You’re All My Favorites
By: Sam McBratney
Illustrated by: Anita Jeram
Grade Level K-3
Published in 2004
Main characters: Three baby bears
Summary
A touching story about three baby bears who want
to know who their parents’ favorite is.
The Relatives Came
By: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrated by: Stephen Gammel
Grade Level: K-3
oPublished in 1985
oAwards: Caldecott Honor
oMain characters: The relatives
oSummary
Isn’t it great when relatives come to visit? This is the story about all
the fun that is had when relatives come to visit.
The Hallo-wiener
By: Dav Pilkey
Grade Level: K-3
Published in 1995
Main character: Oscar
Summary
Meet Oscar, he’s a wiener dog and everyone teases him about it. Oscar can’t wait
for Halloween, but it’s not everything he dreams it to be. Read along as Oscar goes
from “Wiener dog” to “Hero Sandwich”.
You Can Do It, Sam
By: Amy Hest
Illustrated by: Anita Jeram
Grade Level: K-3
Published in 2001
Main character: Sam
Summary
Isn’t it great when you can do things all by yourself?
This is the story of Sam who with the help of his mother
makes treats for his neighbors. When they go to deliver
them, his mother lets him go up to the doors by himself.
Amy Elizabeth Explores Bloomingdale’s
By: E.L. Konigsburg
Grade Level: 4-6
Published in 1992
Main characters: Amy Elizabeth, Grandma
Summary
Have you ever been to New York? Follow along as
Amy Elizabeth and her Grandma explore the Big
Apple as they try to get to Bloomingdale’s.
Heaven’s all star Jazz Band
By: Don Carter
Grades 4-6
Multi-cultural book
Published in 2002
Main Characters: Little boy, Grandpa Jack, Jazz stars
Summary
When the little boy’s Grandpa Jack dies, he imagines him joining all
of his favorite Jazz heroes in a jam session. Read along as Grandpa
Jack meets all the greats.
A Bad Case of Stripes
By: David Shannon
Grade Level: K-6
oPublished in 2004
oMain character: Camilla Cream
oSummary
Meet Camilla. Camilla likes lima beans, but her friends don’t. So, to be like
her friends, she stops eating them. Then it happens…Camilla gets a case of
the stripes. Will she ever return to normal?
Curious George Takes a Job
By: H.A. Rey
Grade Level: 4-6
oPublished in 1947
oMain character: Curious George
oSummary
Oh no! George has escaped from the zoo. Follow along
as his curiosity leads him through the big city doing
various jobs.
Walter the Farting Dog
By: William Kotzwinkle & Glenn Murray
Illustrated by: Audrey Colman
Grade Level:4-6
Published in 2001
Main characters: Walter, Betty, Billy
Summary
What if your dog couldn’t stop farting? Meet Walter, he just can’t seem to stop and it’s getting him into
trouble. Read along as Walter goes from farting dog to becoming a hero all in one day.
Sector 7
By: David Wiesner
Grade Level 4-6
oPublished in 1999
oAwards: Caldecott Honor
oMain characters: Little boys, cloud with the red hat
oSummary
What if you took a field trip to the top of the Empire State building
and made friends the clouds? That’s exactly what happens in this
book. Read along as the little boy helps his new friends come up
with new, fun, cloud shapes.
June 29,1999
By: David Wiesner
Grade Level 7-9
•Published in 1992
•Main character: Holly Evans
•Summary
Did you ever have a science experiment go wrong? That’s exactly what
Holly Evans thinks when it starts raining giant vegetables. She soon
discovers that she might be wrong after all.
Flotsam
By: David Wiesner
Grades 7-9
 Published in 2006
Awards: The Caldecott Medal
Main character: Young boy
Summary
A young boy at the beach discovers an old fashion camera.
He take the film to be developed and discovers a picture of
a kid holding a picture of a kid, holding a kid until using a
microscope the first picture of the first kid is revealed.
Tuesday
By: David Wiesner
Grade Level: 7-9
Published in 1991
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Main characters: flying frogs
Summary
You’ve heard the expression “When pigs fly…” But flying frogs?!? Follow
along one crazy Tuesday night when a quiet neighborhood is overrun with
frogs.
Traditional
Literature
Nursery Rhymes &
Fairy Tales
Grade Level: K-3
•Published in 2005
•Summary
Read along as Disney’s favorite
characters re-create some the
best classic nursery rhymes and
fairy tales ever told
My Very First Mother Goose
Edited by: Iona Opie
Illustrated by: Rosemary Wells
Grade Level: K-3
Published in 1996
Summary
A beautifully illustrated version of
Mother Goose, that is easy to read.
The Elephant’s Child
By: Rudyard Kipling
Illustrated by: Geoffrey Patterson
Grade Level: K-3
•Published in 2006
•Main character: Elephant child
•Summary
Have you ever wondered how the elephant got it’s trunk?
This is the story of a curious young elephant who’s
curiosity got the better of him.
The Three Pigs
By: David Wiesner
Grade Level 4-6
•Published in 2001
•Awards: Caldecott Medal
•Main Characters: The 3 pigs
•Summary:
Follow along as the 3 pigs take a crazy adventure out of their story into other fairy tales as
they escape from the big bad wolf.
Hans Christian Andersen’s
Fairy Tales
Retold By William King
Grade Level: 4-6
oPublished in 1996
oSummary
A collection of some of Anderson’s
Greatest Works. Meet the Emperor
in His new clothes, Thumbelina, The
Ugly Duckling, and many more!
The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales
By: Jon Scieszka
Illustrated by: Lane Smith
Grade levels: 7-9
Published in 1992
Awards: Caldecott Honor
Main Character: Jack the narrator
Summary
You’ve Haven’t read Mother Goose until you read these crazy fracture versions
A Children’s Treasury of Mythology
Illustrated by Margaret Evans Price
Grade Level 7-9
Published in 2007
Summary
A beautifully illustrated collection of myths
from Greek and Roman mythology
Fantasy
A Kiss For Little Bear
By: Else Holmelund Minarik
Illustrated by: Maurice Sendak
Grade Level: K-3
•Published in 1968
•Main characters: Little Bear, animal friends, Grandmother Bear
•Summary
Little Bear makes a picture for his Grandmother. Because she loves it
so much she sends him a kiss in return. The kiss gets passed between
friends until skunk accidentally kisses a girl skunk. Little bear
finally gets his kiss when the two skunks get married
Where the Wild Things Are
By: Maurice Sendak
Grade Level: K-3
•Published in 1963
•Awards: Caldecott Medal
•Main character: Max
•Summary
Follow Max on his imaginary journey to the island of where the wild things are. Join
in as they have a wild rumpus and crown Max, King of the Wild Things.
How to Make Friends with a Giant
By: Gennifer Choldenko
Illustrated by: Amy Waldrod
Grade Level K-3
Published in 2006
Newberry Honor
Main characters: James, Jacomo
Summary
What if a giant moved in next door and started school with you? Would you become
friends with them? This is the story of James and Jacomo, two friends who are
complete opposites of each other.
Magic Pickle
By: Scott Morse
Grade Level: 4-6
•Published in 2008
•Main characters: Magic Pickle,
Jojo Wigman
•Summary
Graphic novel about a superhero
who goes out and battles other
superhuman veggies
Jumanji
By: Chris Van Allsburg
Grade Level 4-6
•Published in 1981
•Awards: Caldecott
•Main characters: Peter, Judy
•Summary
What would you do if the game you were playing suddenly came to life? Join Peter and Judy as they race
against time and nature to finish playing JUMANJI
Ella Enchanted
By: Gail Garson Levine
Grade Level: 4-6
Published in 1997
Awards: Newberry Honor
Main characters: Ella, Prince Charmon, Mandy,
Summary
Meet Ella. She has to do everything you tell her because of a horrible gift her
fairy godmother gave her. Follow along as Ella searches for Lucinda so she can
live as a normal girl.
The Lightning Thief
By: Rick Riordan
Grade Level 4-6
•Published in 2006
•Main character: Percy Jackson
•Summary
•What if you found out that all the crazy things that have been
happening to you aren’t just a dream? What if you found out you
were the child of a Greek god? Meet Percy. This is the story of
what happens when he finds out the answers to these questions
and many more.
Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and me Elizabeth
By: E.L. Konigsburg
Grade Level 4-6
•Published in 1967
•Multicultural
•Awards: Newberry Honor
•Main Characters: Jennifer, Elizabeth
•Summary
What if your best friends was a witch and she made you an witch’s apprentice? Follow along as
Elizabeth tries to become a full fledged witch.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
By: C.S. Lewis
Grade Level: 4-6
Published in 1950
Main characters: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy
Summary
Through the wardrobe is a mystical land called
Narnia. Follow along as Edmund, Lucy, Peter, and
Susan battle against the evil queen to save Narnia.
Lily Dale: Awakening
By: Wendy Corsi Staub
Grade level 7-9
oPublished in 2009
oMain character: Calla
oSummary
After her mother’s death, Calla moves to Lily Dale to live with her
grandmother. She soon discovers that Lily Dale is a town full of
psychics and that she is one too.
Poetry
I can Read with My Eyes Shut!
By: Dr. Seuss
Grade Level: K-3
•Published in 1978
•Main character: The Cat in the Hat
•Summary
Did you know that the Cat in the Hat can read with
his eyes closed? Follow along his crazy journey what
happens when you read with your eyes closed!
The Mighty Slide
By: Allan Ahlberg
Illustrated by: Charlotte Voake
Grade Level: 4-6
•Published in 1988
•Summary
A collection of story poems from Britain. Take a
ride on the Mighty Slide, make friends with The
Girl that Doubled, and listen to The Scariest Yet
A Light In the Attic
By: Shel Silverstein
Grade Level: 4-6
 Published in 1981
 Summary
A collection of humorous
children’s poems
Imagine That!
Poems of Never-Was
Selected by: Jack Prelutsky
Illustrated by: Kevin Hawkes
Grade Level 4-6
Published in 1998
Summary
A collection of children’s poems on things that
never-were. Meet The Nonny. Take a ride in
Mr. Mad’s Machine. Visit The Land of Bumbley
Boo.
Vile Verses
By: Roald Dahl
Grade Level 4-6
oPublished in 2005
oSummary
A Collection of poems taken from
Roald Dahl’s famous children’s books
A Poke in the I
A collection of concrete poems
Selected by Paul B Janeczko
Illustrated by: Chris Rashcka
Grade Level 7-9
Published in 2001
Summary
A collection of crazy
concrete poems.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
By: Dr. Seuss
Grade level: 7-9
Published in 1990
Main character: You
Summary
Follow along as you take a wonderful journey down the
path of life.
Contemporary
Realistic
Fiction
The Red Thread
By: Grace Lin
Grade Level: K-3
Multicultural book
Published in 2007
Main characters: King & Queen, Old Peddler, baby
Summary
There is an ancient Chinese belief that an invisible, unbreakable red thread
connects all those who are destined to be together. Follow along as the
King and Queen take a journey to find their destiny.
I’m Gonna Like Me Letting Off A Little SelfEsteem
By: Jamie Lee Curtis
Illustrated by: Laura Cornell
oPublished in 2002
oSummary
A self esteem lifting story about two kids who like themselves no
matter what.
Is There Really A Human Race?
By: Jamie Lee Curtis
Illustrated by: Laura Cornell
Grade Level: K-3
Published in 2006
Summary
Is there really a human race? Where’s the finish line?
Do people run into each other? These just a few of the
questions that this book answers and many more.
Harriet the Spy
By: Louise Fitzhugh
Grade Level: 4-6
Published in 1964
Main characters: Harriet, Ole Golly
Summary
Meet Harriet, a young girl who thinks she’s a spy. Harriet’s
spying gets her in trouble when her friends find her notebook
filled with not so nice comments about them. How will
Harriet survive? Will she ever spy again?
Al Capone Does My Shirts
By: Gennifer Choldenko
Grade Level: 4-6
Special Needs
Published in 2006
Awards: Newberry Honor
Main characters: Moose, Natalie
Summary
The story of Moose trying to balance living on Alcatraz Island with his autistic sister and having a normal
baseball filled life.
If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period
By: Gennifer Choldenko
Grade Level: 4-6
Multicultural
Gifted and Talented
Published in 2007
Main characters: Walk and Kristen
Summary
What if you found out that the one of your friends was actually your brother or sister? What if one was
white and the other was black? Read along as Kristen and Walk struggle to fit in a their preppy day school
and along the way become friends and then family.
The View From Saturday
By: E.L. Konigsburg
Grade Level: 4-6
Gifted and Talented
Published in 1998
Awards: Newberry Award
Main Characters: Ethan, Noah, Nadia, Julian
Summary
Meet the Souls, a group of friends that make up their 6th grade academic
team. But, what makes the Souls the Souls. Read along to find out how a
group of unlikely friends bonded together to win it all.
Silent to the Bone
By: E.L. Konigsburg
Grade Level: 7-9
• Published in 2004
•Main characters: Branwell, Connor
•Summary
What if something so terrible happened that
afterwards, you weren’t able to speak. That’s what
happened to Branwell and now its up to Connor to
solve the mystery of what happened and why
Branwell is silent to the bone.
To Kill A Mockingbird
By: Harper Lee
Grade Level: 7-9
•Published in 1960
•Awards: Pulitzer Prize
•Main characters: Scout, Jem, Atticus
•Summary
Meet Scout, a young girl from a small Alabama town. This is the story of
what happens one summer when tragedy strikes this small town.
The Westing Game
By: Ellen Raskin
Grade Level 7-9
oPublished in 1978
oAwards: Newberry Award
oMain characters: All the tenants of Sunset Apartments
oSummary
A whodunit mystery involving murder, chess, Uncle Sam,
and a crazy cast of characters. Can you solve the mystery
before the murderer strikes again?
Deenie
By: Judy Blume
Grade Levels: 7-9
oPublished in 1976
oMain character: Deenie
oSummary
A story of a beautiful young girl who’s mother wants her to be a model. Deenie
just wants to live a normal life. Read along as Deenie finds out that she is far
from normal and how she struggles to regain normalcy in her life.
The Catcher in the Rye
By: J.D. Salinger
Grade Level 7-9
 Published in 1945
 Main character: Holden
 Summary
Follow Holden on his journey through
New York City as he struggles to
find himself.
The Heart is A Lonely Hunter
By: Carson McCullers
Grade Level: 7-9
Published in 1940
Special needs
Main characters: John, Spiros, Mick
Summary
This the story of the relationship between John and Spiros who are both deaf mutes.
Life changes dramatically when Spiros ends up in a mental facility
Historical
Fiction
John, Paul, George, & Ben
By: Lane Smith
Grade Level: K-3
Published in 2006
Main Characters: John Hancock, Paul Revere, George
Washington, Ben Franklin
Summary
Have you ever wondered what our founding fathers were
like as children? Was George Washington always honest?
Di d Paul Revere always yell? What about Ben, did he
have a comment for everything? Read and find out!
The Journal of Ben Uchida, Citizen 13559
Mirror Lake Internment Camp
By: Barry Denenberg
Grade Level: 4-6
Multicultural book
Published in 1999
Main character: Ben Uchida
Summary
Story of a boy’s life in an American internment camp
for the Japanese following the bombing of Pearl
Harbor. Read along as Ben tries to lead a normal
life, playing baseball and making friends inside
Mirror Lake Camp.
My Secret War: The WWII Diary of Madeline Beck
By : Mary Pope Osborne
Grade level 4-6
Published in 2000
Main characters: Madeline, Mom, Dad, Johnny, Theo , Clara
Summary
A young girl’s diary of her life in New York at the beginning of WWII.
Read along as Madeline takes the call of duty into her hands against
German spies.
Jackie and Me
By: Dan Gutman
Grade Level 4-6
Multicultural
Published in 1999
Main characters: Joe Stoshack, Jackie Robinson
Summary
Follow along on as Joe travels back in time to meet the
great Jackie Robinson. While visiting Jackie, Joe learns the
hardships of being black in the 1940s.
The Roman News
The Greatest Newspaper in Civilization
By: Andrew Langley and Philip de Souza
Grade Level: 7-9
Published in 2000
Main characters: Various historical Roman figures
Summary
Read about some of Rome’s greatest events in the
greatest newspaper of all.
Non-Fiction:
Biographies
&
Informational
Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa
By: Veronica Chambers
Illustrated by: Julie Maron
Grade Level K-3
Published in 2007
Summary
A biography of the life of salsa queen,
Celia Cruz. Follow along on her
journey from her childhood in Havana
to her stardom on the stage.
Accidents May Happen
Fifty Inventions Discovered by Mistake
By: Charlotte Foltz Jones
Illustrated by John O’Brien
Grade Level: 4-6
Published in 1998
Summary
Have you ever wondered where some of history’s greatest inventions came
from? What if I told you they were mistakes? Find out how bread was
discovered, what cracked the Liberty bell, and much more.
Anne Frank
The Diary of a Young Girl
Grade Level: 4-6
oPublished in 1953
oMain character: Anne Frank
oSummary
Anne’s incredible diary about her life while in hiding
and later in a Nazi concentration camp
Independent Dames
By: Laurie Halse Anderson
Illustrated by: Matt Faulkner
Grade Level: 7-9
Published in 2008
Summary
Meet some of America’s finest women who lended a
hand during the Revolutionary War. Learn the truth
about some of history’s myths about women in battle.
I Am Scout
The Biography of Harper Lee
By: Charles Shields
Grade Level: 7-9
•Published in 2008
•Summary
A biography of one of America’s greatest,
reclusive authors. Learn the history and
background that go into Lee’s groundbreaking
book To Kill a Mockingbird.
The End for Now.
Thanks Jen for introducing me to so Many
Great kids books! This show would have gone
on forever if I added every book I read this
semester.
(Don’t Click or Music will stop)