Reading Level: Early Elementary

Lucky Leopards: And More True Stories of Amazing Animal Rescues

“Runa and Kata: Lucky Leopards!”: Meet Runa and Kata, two baby leopards who lost their home when a woodcutter chopped down a hollow tree. To make money, the woodcutter took the cubs home, but he didn’t know how to feed them. Luckily, someone told a forest department worker about the cubs, and they were rushed to a local wildlife rescue. Will workers be able to raise the cubs and release them back into the wild? 

“Koa: Turtle in Trouble!”: One day, Nadine stopped in Newport, Oregon. On the beach, she saw an endangered sea turtle that was cold-stunned and couldn’t move. To help the turtle, a man carried the turtle on his back and put him in the back of a car. The sea turtle was taken to an aquarium to receive treatment. Could the sea turtle be saved and returned to its home? 

“Crooked Neck: The Lone Loon!”: Neil and Alina were boating when they noticed a loon with a backward neck. They discovered that the Loon was caught up in the fishing line. They tried to catch the loon, but he was too fast of a swimmer. Without help, the loon would die of starvation. Will Neil and Alina be able to save the loon? 

Based on the hit feature in National Geographic Kids magazine, National Geographic Chapter Series features three true stories about animal rescues. Each story is broken into three short chapters. The book is packed with full-color photography, lists, and infographics. Some pages also include orange boxes that contain additional facts about the animals. For example, “Did You Know? Sea Turtles have lived in Earth’s oceans for about 150 million years.”  

While reading each story, readers will learn more about the rescued animal. However, each story reminds readers that they should not try to help an injured animal—instead, they should call in a professional wildlife rescuer. The interesting facts, dialogue, and short sentences make the stories easy to read. Despite this, emerging readers may need help pronouncing difficult words, such as binoculars, dehydration, stranding, and approached. And while the stories are easy to understand, adults will need to read the book to beginning readers. 

National Geographic Chapters Series is perfect for young animal lovers who are ready for short chapters with lively, true stories just right to carry in a backpack, share with friends, and read under the covers at night. Readers will be drawn into Lucky Leopards because of the cute animal photographs, but they will want to read every page because the book is engaging. The book makes learning about animals fun. So, whether you’re looking for a story to read with a young child or trying to engage an older reader, Lucky Leopards is the purr-fect book. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • When Runa and Kata were put into the wild, they “attacked [a] hen. They wrestled for it. They bit. They snarled and hissed. Kata finally won the prize. Then he carried his supper straight up a tree.”
  • When a dog came into the forest, “Runa and Kata teamed up and attacked the dog! It might seem sad, but in the jungle, ‘kill or be killed’ is a way of life.”

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • Before Runa and Kata were released to the wild, vets “gave Runa and Kata medicine to put them to sleep.” Then vets put radio collars on the cats. 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Tow on the Go! The Mambo Rescue!

Mo, the lovable tow truck, likes to mambo while he works. When ten cars get stuck in a snowstorm, Mo has to mambo faster than ever before to get them out! 

Little readers can dance to the beat as Mo plays his radio as he zooms through piles of snow. The tow trucks smile, and the musical notes light up each page. When Mo arrives, the frowning cars all want to go first. Mo comes up with a plan, but the cars must work together. Soon, Mo has everyone listening to the radio, and soon, “each car begins to swing and sway!” With the help of Monbo music, Mo and all the other cars are soon on the go.  

As a Level One Ready-to-Read book, The Mambo Rescue uses easy sight words and a simple plot. Each page has a full-page illustration that will help readers understand the plot. The story’s rhythm, rhyme, and repetition make the story fun to read aloud, and each page has one to four simple sentences. Plus, adults can use the book to help children learn their colors and count. Bright colors abound. Each car is a different color. Plus, there are musical notes, flowers, and birds. All of these can be used to count and identify colors. 

The Mambo Rescue teaches readers the importance of helping each other and working together. Readers will cheer when Mo frees the cars, and everyone dances the Mambo. Readers who love cars and trucks will enjoy seeing how Mo helps his friends with a cheerful smile. Readers ready to rumble should also read Hot Rod Hamster: Monster Truck Mania! by Cynthia Lord, and Bulldozer Helps Out by Candace Fleming. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Hunt for the Coliseum Ghost

Geronimo’s nephew Benjamin struggles to learn Roman history. To spark Benjamin’s interest in history, Geronimo decides to take him to Rome. Once there, they discover that the Colosseum is being haunted by a gladiator ghost and none of the tourists want to visit anymore! Geronimo must solve the mystery and rid the site of its ghost. 

The end of the book contains a bonus mini mystery: The Cheese Burglar. Geronimo invites readers to solve the mystery by using clearly defined clues. Can Geronimo clear his name and catch the real thief before it’s too late? 

Geronimo’s hunt for the Colosseum Ghost includes humorous chases, surprises, and appearances from Geronimo’s acquaintances. While much of the action occurs in Rome, the story focuses more on Geronimo’s hunt for the ghost than on Roman history or culture. Even though the purpose of the trip is to teach Benjamin, his role is limited; instead, Geronimo’s secret agent role becomes the focus. 

Each Geronimo Stilton book begins with Geronimo introducing himself and any characters that have appeared in previous books. For example, Creepella sends a letter to Geronimo, sprayed with “Ratell No. 5, my friend Creepella von Cacklefur’s favorite perfume! One thing you should know is that Creepella tells everyone she is my girlfriend, but it’s not true.”  

Readers familiar with Geronimo Stilton and his background will enjoy seeing the reappearance of many characters. Unfortunately, The Hunt of the Colosseum Ghost’s large cast list and jumpy plot make the story hard to follow. The story’s flow is also broken up with many inserts that explain Geronimo’s past interaction with other characters, as well as information about Geronimo being a secret agent. The book includes several infographics that give readers more information about Rome’s history, including some of its historic places. Since Geronimo talks about his love of pizza, the book includes directions for making a three-vegetable pizza.  

The Hunt of the Colosseum Ghost will appeal to a wide range of readers because Geronimo describes his adventure with humor. Plus, each page has a large, full-color illustration. In addition to the often humorous illustrations, the large text has a graphic element that makes the words look fun, and some keywords are printed in a larger, colored print. 

The Geronimo Stilton Series will capture readers’ attention because Geronimo is a likable protagonist who shows bravery although he often feels fear. His entertaining adventures often leave the reader with a nugget of wisdom. In The Hunt of the Colosseum Ghost, Geronimo says, “I thought for a moment about how satisfying it is to share with those we love, whether it’s a special pizza or a love of knowledge. The warm feelings I get inside from helping others are even better than a slice of Mouse Island’s finest cheese!” Readers who love Geronimo Stilton can find more humorous adventures in the Zeus The Mighty Series by Crispin Boyer. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • When Geronimo goes into the Colosseum, a ghost appears holding a sword. The ghost says, “You will regret taking on the gladiator ghost!” When Geronimo sees him, “I took off as quickly as the wind. You have no idea how fast I can run when I’m being chased by the ghost of a Roman gladiator!” 
  • Geronimo goes into the sewer underneath the Colosseum and discovers a room full of “enormouse spiders!. . .They scampered around while glaring menacingly at me with their beady little eyes.” Geronimo runs as the spiders chase him. “Ahead of me, I saw a small opening in the wall. Desperately, I tried to wiggle my body through it, but my tail got caught. Unfortunately, the spider took advantage of the opportunity and pinched me on the butt.” Geronimo escapes the spiders.  
  • Geronimo and his friends hide so they can watch the gladiator ghost. “Suddenly, the gladiator ghost waved his sword so violently it grazed my helmet and sheared off my whiskers!” 
  • The gladiator hears Geronimo’s squeak and gives chase. Geronimo tries several tricks to try to trap the gladiator. As he runs, the Colosseum’s crowd yells, “Get them! Get them!”  
  • At one point, a lion comes into the Colosseum. Geronimo “didn’t want to become lion food. . . The lion had raised its paw and was about to strike. I prepared for the collision, covering my snout with my paws, but . . . nothing happened.” Geronimo discovers that the lion and crowd are holographic projections. But the ghost was a robot. “I smashed into the robot so hard; it broke into pieces. . . it powered down completely and lay motionless on the ground like a mound of scrap metal.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • Geronimo uses many exclamations, such as squeak, holey cheese, moldy mozzarella, twisted rattails, and other silly words. 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Danger in Ancient Rome

Ranger is a golden retriever who has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog. In this adventure, Ranger travels to the Colosseum in ancient Rome, where there are gladiator fights and wild animal hunts! Ranger befriends the young boy Marcus after saving him from a runaway lion. Ranger also befriends Quintus, a new volunteer gladiator who must prove himself in the arena. Can Ranger help Marcus and Quintus escape the brutal world of the Colosseum?  

Told in third-person, Danger in Ancient Rome includes the inner thoughts of Ranger, Marcus, and Quintus. This increases the suspense by focusing on both Marcus’s and Quintus’s fear of being killed. Their point of view also allows them to explain Ancient Rome’s beliefs and practices. Since Marcus is young, he explains his master’s cruelty in kid-friendly language that is suspenseful, but not terrifying.   

Adding Ranger’s point of view allows the reader to understand Ranger’s thought process, which often includes comparing a situation in Rome to something similar in his family’s situation. For example, when trying to save a boy from a burning building, Ranger barks but doesn’t leave the building. The dog thinks, “He never had to bark this long practicing with Dad and Luke. When Ranger found the person and barked, Luke came.”  

Life in Ancient Rome was difficult and slaves were often treated cruelly. The descriptions are not graphic or gory, however, sensitive readers may get upset when Quintus is forced to fight in the Colosseum. The fight ends in a realistic but surprising way. Ranger and Marcus help Quintus fight and the emperor frees Marcus, Quintus, and the gladiator. A servant tells them, “But today, you and your dog gave [the audience] the one thing they love more than blood. . . You gave them a story. One they will tell for a long time to come.”  

The Ranger in Time Series format will appeal to young readers. The book has large text and full-page, black-and-white illustrations that appear approximately every six pages. The author’s note includes information about the historical people and places in the book, including information about Pompeii. Plus, there is a list of resources for readers who want to learn more about Ancient Rome.  

Danger in Ancient Rome is a suspenseful story that allows readers to learn about Ancient Rome. The story focuses on Marcus, a servant raised in a gladiator school. Since he has watched gladiators train, he is very knowledgeable and helps Quintus survive his first battle. The heartwarming conclusion shows Marcus and Quintus being given their freedom and becoming a family. Ranger uses his ability to smell to help others. Readers who want to learn more about amazing dogs should read The Dog That Dug for Dinosaurs by Shirley Raye Redmond, Dog Heroes by Mary Pope Osborne & Natalie Pope Boyce, and Sniffer Dogs by Nancy F. Castaldo. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • The emperor Domitian “had a reputation for being cruel. Some people even said he had killed the former emperor, Titus, his own brother.”  
  • A lion jumps on Marcus. “The lion knocked him to the stone floor. He hit his head on the edge of a stair. . . [the lion] pinned Marcus down with a fat, heavy paw.” Ranger helps and Marcus is uninjured. A one-page illustration shows the lion pinning Marcus to the ground. 
  • When help arrives for Marcus, “Ranger jumped to the side just as the animal trainer jabbed the lion with his stick. The huge cat roared and reared to face him. Then, four more men came running with sticks and swords and nets. They snared the big cat and tied it tight with thick ropes.” 
  • When a trainee disappears, Marcus’ owner tells Marcus, “You will find him. And you will bring him back. Or you will pay with your life.” Later, Marcus thinks that his owner “could have had him beaten or even killed for failing to do his job.”  
  • Ranger goes into a fire to rescue a boy. When he finds the boy, Ranger barks until Marcus comes to help. “Pieces of ceiling fell in burning scraps around them. Marcus couldn’t see anyone. . . He could only feel the dog under his hand, leading him.”  
  • Quintus is a “retiarius,” which means he is “the lowest of all the gladiators, that he almost always fought a heavily armored sector in the arena.” A retiarius usually dies in battle. 
  • Quintus, a gladiator in training, tries to run away. When his owner finds him, he shackles Quintus “with a thick iron cuff around his ankle and locked him into the barracks. . .” 
  • Men who committed crimes are “tied together with ropes and wearing nothing but rags.” They are executed, but their deaths are not described. 
  • Quintus is forced to fight Cleto, who is much bigger than him. During the fight, “Cleto slashed with his sword. Quintus fell back, clutching his upper arm. . . Marcus could see blood seeping from between [Quintus’] fingers.” 
  • During the fight, Quintus throws a net over Cleto. “Cleto cut through the net with his sword. He slashed at Quintus’s arm again, and this time, a bigger gash opened, spilling blood into the sand.” 
  • Ranger jumps in to help Quintus. Ranger “tackled Cleto, the way he tackled Luke when they were roughhousing in the yard at home. . . Even through the dark holes of the metal mask, Ranger could sense the anger in [Cletos’s] eyes.” 
  • Quintus again puts the net over Cleto. “. . . Cleto freed himself from the net. He struggled to untangle his sword and shield. . . [Cleto] rushed at Quintus, and slammed his body against him.” The emperor stops the fight and allows everyone to live. The fight is described over ten pages. There are two illustrations, but they do not show any of the wounds or actual fighting. 
  • After the fight, Quintus’s “face is smeared with sweat and drying blood.”

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • Ranger can time travel. When it is time for him to travel, a first-aid kit begins to hum. When Ranger picks up the first-aid kit, “Bright light spilled from the cracks in the old metal box. . . The light beamed brighter and brighter. . . Ranger’s skin prickled under his fur.” When he opens his eyes, he’s in Rome.

Spiritual Content  

  • When Quintus sees animals being led into the Colosseum, he whispers, “May the gods have mercy.” 
  • When Quintus fights in the Colosseum, Marcus “clenched his hands together and prayed to the gods for help.” 

Ancient Rome and Pompeii

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #13: Vacation Under the Volcano, they had lots of questions. How did ancient Rome become an empire? Where did ancient Romans go for fun? And what happened to the Roman town of Pompeii? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.  

Jack and Annie go to Pompeii and experience the volcanic eruption that buried the city. Ancient Rome and Pompeii gives more information about the history of Rome and introduces many of the historical figures of the time, including Julius Caesar, Octavian, and Cleopatra. In addition, the book discusses some of the people who tried to fight the Romans. By reading Ancient Rome and Pompeii, readers will learn more about the politics and culture of the Romans and how Ancient Rome impacted our world.  

This nonfiction story begins with the myth of Romulus and Remus and how Romulus founded Rome. While Vacation Under the Volcano only shows Pompeii, Ancient Rome, and Pompeii go into great detail about the Roman empire, the gladiators, the soldiers, and the construction of Rome. Curious readers will find The Magic Tree House Fact Tracker full of interesting facts that are new. 

Ancient Rome and Pompeii explain how the Romans believed in many gods. It also explains that many of the Romans’ beliefs are now considered myths. Emperor Caligula, who was eventually killed by his guards, believed he was the god Jupiter. Rome’s history is violent, and the book discusses many of the political leaders who were killed or committed suicide. The language is kid-friendly, but the deaths may upset or confuse some readers.  

Ancient Rome and Pompeii is packed with information that is easily digestible for young readers. Many tools help a young audience follow along. For example, each chapter is broken into small sections with historical information, and the illustrations break up the text into much smaller pieces. Pictures of Jack and Annie appear along the margins, giving readers more information and defining vocabulary words. The story also gives examples that will help readers understand concepts. For example, the Roman army had to march twenty miles carrying sixty pounds. The illustration shows Jack carrying a golden retriever with the caption: “Lugging sixty pounds around is like carrying a golden retriever on your back.” 

The Magic Tree House Fact Tracker presents nonfiction information in a way that will engage young readers. The book is perfect for readers interested in research because the author includes the best way to research Rome and more resources such as books, videos, and museums. Filled with up-to-date information, photos, illustrations, and fun tidbits from Jack and Annie, the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers are the perfect way for kids to learn more about the topics they discovered in their favorite Magic Tree House adventures. Learn more about ancient history by reading Through Time: Pompeii by Richard Platt and The Curse of King Tut’s Mummy by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • The god Mars had two sons, Romulus and Remus. They built a city, and then “a fight broke out over who would be in charge of the city. Romulus killed Remus.” 
  • The Romans went to the “Colosseum to see bloody sports—sports where people and animals died terrible deaths.” 
  • Gladiators were prisoners and slaves. “Some were freemen who got paid for fighting. Gladiators usually fought to the death. But if a fearless fighter was wounded, the emperor could spare his life.” There is a picture of two gladiators with their weapons.  
  • Centurions trained Roman soldiers. “The training was strict and brutal. Punishment included beatings and even death.”  
  • A section describes the “Roman War Machines,” including catapults, ballistae, and flamethrowers. “Soldiers loaded [the ballista] with rocks or pointed metal bolts that shot out at about 115 miles an hour! Anything in their path was immediately destroyed.” 
  • Carthage and Rome fought in the Punic Wars. “Years after Hannibal’s death, the Romans attacked Carthage and burned it to the ground.”  
  • “Julius Caesar’s army began a siege on Avaricum, a walled town in Gaul . . . Roman soldiers clambered over the walls . . . Death and destruction rained down upon the Gauls.” 
  • Julius Caesar ruled Rome. “He was such a strong leader that many feared he wanted to be crowned king. . . Several senators, including his friends Brutus and Cassius, planned to kill him. . . As Caesar sat down, the men grabbed him around the neck and began stabbing him. They stabbed him twenty-three times.”  
  • The book lists many people who committed suicide, including Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Some say Cleopatra died because of a poisonous snake bite.  
  • Queen Boudicca from Iceni refused to pay Roman taxes. “As punishment, the Romans tied Boudicca and her daughters to posts and beat them.” In retribution, Queen Boudicca went on a rampage “through the countryside. Thousands of people died.” When Queen Boudicca realized she would lose, she “drank poison rather than allow herself to be captured by her enemies.”  
  • The Roman emperor Caligula “behaved very badly when he was emperor. He killed anyone he wanted to.” Eventually, “his own guards murdered him.”  
  • Emperor Nero felt his mother was too powerful, “so he decided to poison her.” The poison did not work, and Nero tried to kill her several more times. “Finally, Nero ordered his soldiers to stab her to death. This time Nero succeeded!” 
  • People hated Nero. “Knowing that he would lose his thrown, Nero committed suicide.”  
  • A volcano destroyed Pompeii. “People were knocked down and lay where they fell.” The volcano’s explosion is described over two pages.
     

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • The god Mars had two sons, Romulus and Remus, who were raised by a shepherd. Legend says Romulus founded Rome.  
  • Since they worshiped many gods, the Romans built the Pantheon and dedicated it to all the gods. 
  • Caligula “demanded that everyone bow down to his horse. Finally, Caligula built a temple for himself. He thought he was the god Jupiter.” 
  • Every Roman street had shrines for their gods. The book lists the Roman gods, including Jupiter, Juno, Mars, Ceres, Neptune, Venus, Diana, Vesta, Mercury, and Vulcan. 

Vacation Under the Volcano

Who wants to vacation next to a volcano? Jack and Annie are about to find out when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to the days of the Roman Empire. They arrive in Pompeii and discover they’ve arrived on the day the city is going to be destroyed. Now Jack and Annie must race against time to find an ancient library before it is buried in ash!  

Suspense is created because Annie worries about being in Pompeii and thinks it “feels wrong.” In addition, the ground shakes and rumbles, and then Jack and Annie meet a soothsayer who warns them that the end is near. When the kids finally find the library, they don’t realize it at first because they are looking for modern books, while the Roman books are written on scrolls. Ultimately, Hercules saves the kids, and they return home safely. 

During their adventure, Jack and Annie learn about Roman culture. Jack uses a book to define unfamiliar words and look up facts about Pompeii, which allows the reader to learn more about its history. This information appears in a different font to give readers a visual cue that the information is factual. The back of the book contains more information about Roman culture. Readers who want to learn even more about Pompeii should read The Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Ancient Rome and Pompeii. 

When reading Vacation Under the Volcano, children will learn about Roman culture and the destruction of Pompeii. Unfortunately, the siblings only have brief interactions with other people. Most of their knowledge comes from observation, so readers do not understand how Romans lived.  

Proficient readers ready for chapter books will enjoy jumping back into time with Jack and Annie. The story is accessible to young readers because of the large text and black-and-white illustrations every two to seven pages. The large, detailed illustrations help bring the characters to life and show how the Romans dressed and constructed their buildings. Even though Vacation Under the Volcano is part of a series, the books do not need to be read to be enjoyed.  

Vacation Under the Volcano gives readers a brief glimpse of what Pompeii was like before a volcano destroyed the city. This exciting book creates suspense using kid-friendly descriptions of the erupting volcano. In the conclusion, Jack and Annie are helped by a surprising hero—Hercules! For another exciting time travel adventure into ancient Rome, jump into the Imagination Station and read Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker. Also, be sure to check out Wendy Mass’s The Time Jumpers Series, which also takes readers on exciting adventures in the past.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Jack and Annie see gladiators. “The warriors’ feet [were] chained together, and guards walked with them.” Jack looks up information in a book: “They were forced to fight each other or wild animals like lions or bears.”
  • Jack and Annie feel the beginning of the volcanic eruption. “Everything was shaking and crashing down around them—pots, plants, the mermaid fountain. Water from the goldfish pond sloshed onto the patio.” 
  • When pumice, ash, and burning rock began falling, Jack and Annie used cushions to protect their heads. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • When Annie gets to Rome, she wants to go home immediately. Jack asks her, “Are you nuts?” 

Supernatural 

  • The magic tree house can travel through time. When Jack and Annie travel, the tree house “spun faster and faster and faster. Then everything was still. Absolutely still.” When they arrive in Pompeii, they are dressed appropriately for the time period. 
  • One of the characters is a soothsayer “who could see into the future and warn others about what they saw.”  
  • Hercules helps Jack and Annie escape Pompeii. After the siblings return, they discuss whether Hercules is real or mythical. Annie says, “Hercules is a myth to people in this time. But in Roman times, lots of people believed he was real. So since we were in Roman times, he was real to us.” 

Spiritual Content  

  • Jack and Annie see a Roman temple. Romans “believed that many gods and goddesses ruled the world. This is the Temple of Jupiter, their chief god. In this temple, they prayed to Jupiter and offered him gifts. 

Boys Don’t Fry

It’s the eve of Lunar New Year, and Jin can’t wait for the big family reunion dinner. He loves the aromas and the bubbly chatter coming from the kitchen. His grandmother, Mamah, is cooking up a storm! 

As his aunties dice, slice, and chop, there’s nothing Jin wants more than to learn about the history of his family’s cooking and to lend them a helping hand. After all, no one else can tell the difference between ginger and galangal as well as he can! But his aunties shoo him away, claiming he’ll just get bored or be in the way. Luckily, Mamah steps in and asks Jin to help her prepare their special meal. Soon, Jin is squeezing, slicing, and stirring, too! 

Jin is a loveable Malaysian boy who doesn’t understand why he isn’t allowed to help prepare dinner for the Lunar New Year. However, Mamah doesn’t exclude Jin just because he’s a boy. When Mamah leads him into the kitchen, Jin’s joy is palatable, and he loves the smells and colors of the food. “He watched as the fire danced in the same way his insides were leaping, the pot on the stove bubbling over like his laugh.” When the meal was served, everyone agreed that “it was the best meal they’d ever had. Mamah told them it was because they had a special ingredient this year.”  

Boys Don’t Fry is a celebration of the author’s Peranakan Chinese heritage, including the food, family, and traditions. Every full-page illustration pops with vivid colors that enhance the feel of family and culture. Readers will love seeing Jin’s eyes widen in excitement and the joy on his face as he helps his Mamah cook. Each page has one to five complex sentences that are intended to be read aloud to a child rather than for a child to read independently. However, the dialogue, the onomatopoeia, and the beautiful descriptions make Boys Don’t Fry a joy to read.  

The family’s love of each other shines in Boys Don’t Fry, but Jin’s family initially doesn’t understand why he wants to cook. With Mamah’s help, he is allowed to defy gender expectations and proves that boys can also cook a traditional dish, Peranakan Pongteh Chicken. Jin’s story will warm your heart and make you hungry. The author’s note includes her family’s recipe for Peranakan Pongteh Chicken so readers can savor the story and the stew. For more stories that show how food can bring people together, read Gigi and Ojiji: Food for Thought by Melissa Iwai and Octopus Stew by Eric Velasquez. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None

Boy + Bot

From bestselling author Ame Dyckman comes a simple and charming story sure to entertain readers of all ages. One day, while collecting pinecones, a boy encounters a lost robot. The two become fast friends, and the boy’s creativity and adventurous spirit delight the pragmatic robot. However, the pair’s fun comes to an abrupt halt when the robot bumps his off-switch. Concerned for his friend, the boy takes the deactivated robot home. There, he treats and cares for the robot in the only way he knows how: he feeds him applesauce, reads him a story, and tucks him in for bed.   

That night, the power switch bumps again and awakens the robot. Assuming that the sleeping boy is deactivated, the robot carries the boy to his home: a laboratory belonging to the robot’s kind inventor. There, the robot treats and cares for the sleeping boy in the only way he knows how: he reads him an instruction manual. He prepares a battery for him. When the robot’s inventor returns home, the boy finally awakens. The boy and robot are delighted to see that the other is perfectly okay. The inventor drives the boy back to his parents, but the boy and robot agree to play tomorrow. 

Boy + Bot is a very easy read, with only one to seven short sentences per page and no challenging vocabulary. The book is illustrated by prolific illustrator Dan Yaccarino. An author himself, Yaccarino matches the book’s simple story with illustrations that do not draw the reader’s focus away from the narrative. The main characters’ outfits are drawn with vibrant colors that catch the reader’s eye. Meanwhile, the backgrounds are limited to no more than two muted colors, and many pages have no background at all. Through this, the reader is able to focus on the Boy and Bot’s story without getting distracted by details of their environment. 

While not a challenging read, Boy + Bot is a warm and comforting story that teaches young readers the value of accepting and uplifting their friends. Boy and Bot could not be any more different on the surface, but their mutual love of play and exploration forms a quick and tight bond. If you are looking for a fast and easy read that tells an enjoyable story with a strong message, Boy + Bot is an excellent choice. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Because of Thursday

Thursdays have always been Annie’s lucky day. She was born on a Thursday and married on a Thursday. Each of her two children was born on a Thursday.  She opened her diner on a Thursday, and it was on a Thursday that she made the famous pasta salad that became a staple of her small town. As Annie grew older, she looked back on her life with pride and satisfaction. She had married the love of her life, achieved her dream of opening a restaurant, and raised two amazing children. However, one Tuesday, Annie’s husband tells her that he isn’t feeling well. On a Monday, her husband passes away. This loss upsets the joy that Annie once felt. Not long after, she closes her restaurant.  

Now, Annie spends most of her time at home. One day, she finds a dish towel on her porch with the word “Thursday” embroidered on it. Annie notices small movements and sounds coming from underneath. She lifts the towel and is delighted to find a kitten bundled up inside! Annie takes the kitten in and quickly finds herself taking care of it. She names the kitten “Thursday” and enjoys tending it. Soon, Annie is inspired to begin cooking once again. It doesn’t take long for the people of her town to hear. Soon enough, everyone helps Annie restart her restaurant. With this, Annie’s restaurant is restored as the heart of the town, and Thursday is adored by every customer who comes in. 

The author of over 70 children’s books, Patricia Polacco writes her stories with a natural grace. As in all her works, Because of Thursday is told with a heartfelt and human touch. Polacco speaks to her reader less like an omnipotent narrator and more like an old friend telling a story, elevating little moments into engaging pieces of a narrative. She describes the smaller details of the story, like the ingredients of Annie’s famous “Ugly Pasta” recipe, with a unique humor and conceit. “It looked like it had been kicked around in the dirt with all the burned pepper flakes in it,” she writes. “And wiped through someone’s armpit with all the lumps of garlic on it and blown across a dusty field with all the grated cheese on it.”  

While this kind of writing should not be a challenge for advanced readers, younger readers may need help navigating the book’s long paragraphs. Each page features four to twelve sentences. Parents’ assistance may also be needed to explain adjectives like “delectable” and “gelatinous.” Polacco’s dynamic illustrations add spirit and energy to the book. Each page features a double-spread illustration with vivid colors and attention to background detail. For example, the final page features Annie’s majestic and colorful manufacturing plant, complemented by a giant fountain shaped like a stack of noodles.  

While Polacco’s pleasant written voice and lively illustrations always make a good story, the resolution of Because of Thursday features a shift in tone that makes the story ultimately feel a little uneven. The book’s climax involves Annie achieving nationwide fame when a TV chef discovers her recipe. Although the chef’s name is never stated, he is drawn to look like Guy Fieri. Even though it’s satisfying to see Annie reach such a high degree of success, the inclusion of a specific real-life celebrity feels out of place in a fictional story. Readers familiar with Fieri will likely be confused by his appearance and may incorrectly assume that the book is a true story. 

With this being said, Because of Thursday is still a worthwhile read. Parents can use the story as a way to discuss the topic of grief with their child, specifically how it can affect someone’s mood and motivation. Additionally, readers can learn the importance of being there for others. Just as Annie gave joy to her town through her cooking, her town was there for her when she returned to her restaurant. As with any book by Patricia Polacco, Because of Thursday is a heartfelt and beautifully illustrated story that allows parents to discuss meaningful themes and messages with their children. 

Sexual Content 

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Violence 

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Drugs and Alcohol 

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Language 

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content 

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Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name?

Gigi wants to be called something other than her baby name of Gigi—but her full name, Geraldine, is too long to write. And Hanako, her middle name, doesn’t feel quite right. Will Gigi find the perfect name? 

Throughout the day, Gigi tries using different names. Gigi’s family encourages her to try using different names and her grandfather, Ojiji, even shows her how to write Hanako in Japanese. Even though the name Hanako doesn’t feel right, Gigi thinks she needs to use the name because “Ojiji likes the name Hanako. And it’s easy for him to say.” However, Ojiji assures Gigi that she needs to choose the name that feels perfect to her. 

As part of the I Can Read Level 3 Series, Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name? is intended for independent readers who are ready for more complex plots and challenging vocabulary. Each page has three to six sentences and large illustrations. The cute illustrations capture Gigi’s emotions while the back of the book has a Japanese vocabulary wordlist. 

Readers will enjoy watching Gigi interact with her family as she tries out different names. Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name? features Gigi, a biracial six-year-old girl, and her parents. Through Gigi’s adventure, Gigi’s family uses positive communication to solve problems using everyday events that readers will relate to. The cute story and relatable conflict will have children reading it again and again. Readers who enjoy Gigi and Ojiji: What’s in a Name? can go on more adventures by reading the Katie Woo Series by Fran Manushkin. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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The Christmas Baby

Mary and Joseph travel by donkey to Bethlehem, but when they arrive, the only place to stay is a barn. When the baby was born in the manger, Mary and Joseph rejoiced. The angels sang, and kings journeyed to bring gifts. When the baby was born, he “smiled at the world with God’s own smile.”  

The Christmas Baby is a heartwarming retelling of the birth of Jesus. Using natural colors of blue and brown, the illustrations focus on the animals and the sky. When the baby is born, a two-page spread shows the animals’ joy as they “brayed and mooed and barked and bleated he is come!” The book connects every child to the Christmas baby because babies bring joy. The last page speaks directly to the reader because when you were born, “you smiled back at us all with God’s own smile.” 

Celebrate the Christmas season by reading The Christmas Baby. Each page has two to four short sentences that use repetition to increase the excitement of Jesus’s birth. Even though the story focuses on Jesus’s birth, the story also shows how Jesus came for everyone—wisemen, kings, animals, and you. Not only will The Christmas Baby remind readers that God loves them, but it also shows readers how important they are to other people. For more Christ-centered picture books, read Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto

It is one of the worst storms ever—it’s been snowing for days and is 30 degrees below zero. But somehow Balto must get through. He is the lead dog of a sled team carrying medicine to sick children in Nome, Alaska. He is the kids’ only hope. Can Balto find his way through the terrible storm? Find out in this exciting true story! 

Follow this suspenseful tale as Gunner (Balto’s owner), Balto, and his team travel through a terrible blizzard. These dogs never give up, even as “snow blocked the trails. The dogs sank up to their necks in the snow. They could not move. Some began to panic.” Balto stays calm, which helps the other dogs wait as Gunner digs them out. But this is just one obstacle that Balto helps Gunner navigate. Readers will wait in anticipation as they watch Balto navigate this terrible storm and will cheer when Balto finally makes it to Nome. 

While the majority of the story focuses on Balto, readers will also see how many people had to work together to get the medicine to Nome. The illustrations will help readers understand why medicine could not be delivered any other way. For instance, one illustration shows a train stuck in the snow while another shows a map of the trip, giving readers a clear visual of the vast distances involved. The illustrations compliment the dire tone of the story, using light blues and browns on white backgrounds. These muted colors allow the snow to take center stage. 

The True Story of Balto is part of the Step into Reading Level Three Series, which targets readers in first grade through third grade. With three short chapters, Step Three books are longer and slightly more difficult than Step Two books. Each page has three to seven sentences and a large illustration. This level includes some more challenging vocabulary and concepts, though the meanings are made clear through context and illustrations. 

The True Story of Balto brings history to life with suspense and drama that will make the book hard to put down. While Balto’s bravery is highlighted, the book doesn’t leave out the other people who helped along the way. This story shows the importance of working together and persevering in difficult times. Any reader who loves dogs will enjoy learning more about the true story of Balto. Learn about more animal heroes by reading Pigeon Hero by Shirley Raye Redmond.  

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • On the trip, “In one team, two dogs froze to death.”  

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Little Blue Truck’s Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Little Blue Truck is spreading cheer by delivering Christmas trees to his animal friends. Can you help count each green tree from one to five and back again? Don’t forget to save one for Blue! Beep! Beep! 

Follow Blue’s adventure as he delivers trees to his friends. Along the way, readers will learn counting as they keep track of how many trees Blue has to deliver. Each two-page spread also has other items that adults can encourage readers to count. For instance, one page has four red birds, while another has four cute piglets. The last page of the book shows Blue’s final delivery; this tree’s glowing Christmas lights will give the reader one last glimpse of holiday cheer. 

Little Blue Truck’s Christmas is a fun book to read because of the rhyming and onomatopoeia words. Each page has four short lines of text, and each number and onomatopoeia is shown in a different colored font. The illustrations show a snow-covered world that is full of Christmas cheer. Blue wears a wreath and many scenes show Christmas lights and fun details, such as two rabbits wearing brightly colored scarves and hats while making a snowman.  

Get ready for the holiday season by reading Little Blue Truck’s Christmas. The fun illustrations, decorations, and sparkly lights make this book a wonderful Christmas treat while emphasizing the joy of giving during the holiday season. For even more great holiday reads, grab a blanket and snuggle up with Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson, and The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains by Annie Silvestro. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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The Secret of the Kelpie

Flora is playing with her brothers and sisters by the loch when she notices a stunning white horse. While her siblings demand a chance to ride the beautiful animal, Flora is worried. Where has this strange horse come from? And why are its hoof prints wet? 

Too late, Flora realizes this is no horse! It’s a kelpie: a shape-shifting water horse from Scottish folklore known to steal children. Can Flora reveal the secret of the kelpie in time to save her family?  

The Secret of the Kelpie introduces young readers to the kelpie, a creature of Scottish mythology. This engaging tale shows how the shape-shifting water horse tricks kids into jumping onto its back. Once the children are on the Kelpie’s back, they become entangled in its mane. Unlike her siblings, Flora does not ride the beautiful horse because she wonders why the horse leaves watery footprints. Flora then recognizes the horse for what it is: “It’s a kelpie! Remember the old stories? It’s tricked you onto its back, now it’s taking you into the loch to drown you and eat you!” 

The Scottish landscape and loch appear in stunning full-page illustrations that use muted browns, while the children’s clothes are soft blues and browns. The Kelpie grows as each child gets on its back, and the illustrations excellently show its increasing size. When the kelpie returns to the loch, Flora bravely faces the angry sky, violent waves, and the kelpie itself. The kelpie’s beauty will transfix readers; however, the ending shows the kelpie transform into a dragon-like creature that is “huge and ugly and hungry. Steam swirled from its nostrils, waves swirled round its hooves.”  

The Secret of the Kelpie is not a book for the easily frightened, as the kelpie’s desire to drown the children and its dramatic change may scare some readers. Most of the book pairs one page with a picture, while the other page contains oversized text. Each page has five to 15 sentences with complex sentence structure and advanced vocabulary such as spluttering, flank, snickering, and daft. Because of this, younger readers may have difficulty sitting through a reading of the book. 

The story of the kelpie reminds readers of the dangers that lurk in a loch, waiting for children to come close. However, Flora uses her power of observation to determine that the “pretty princess’s horse” is a kelpie in disguise. Flora also uses runes on a stone to discover the kelpie’s weakness. Ultimately, Flora’s curiosity and bravery help save her siblings from “the dark, cold depths of the loch.” The Secret of the Kelpie mixes a variety of Scottish traditional tales into a story that will give young children shivers of fear and delight. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • The kelpie’s secret weakness is metal. One of the children stuck on the kelpie’s back, Magnus, uses this knowledge to get free. Magnus “swung the key on its chain and hit the horse’s flank. The kelpie screamed and reared high in the air.” Magnus and two of his siblings fall off the kelpie when it rears.  
  • Flora uses a knife to free her brother. She “jumped up and slashed at the kelpie’s mane. The horsehair sizzled when the iron blade touched it. Fergus ripped his hands free and fell into the water.”  

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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A Trip to the Country for Marvin & James

Marvin the beetle and his best friend James Pompaday, a human, embark on yet another delightful adventure in this heartwarming fifth book. In this installment, James invites Marvin and Marvin’s cousin, Elaine, to accompany him on a captivating journey to visit his father in the serene countryside. Along their enchanting expedition, they come across a charming train, playful yo-yos, graceful sailboats, and even find themselves in a thrilling, albeit slightly perilous, encounter with a toy sailboat and a frog. Join Marvin, James, and Elaine as they navigate through a series of delightful escapades, making cherished memories along the way. 

This heartwarming story takes readers on a journey filled with excitement and wonder. Through simplistic yet descriptive storytelling, readers can immerse themselves in the world of Marvin and his friends. The easy-to-read writing style makes this book accessible to readers of all ages, including young children who are transitioning to chapter books. Additionally, the green, white, and black illustrations that accompany the text enhance the visual experience, allowing readers to fully visualize the enchanting scenes and characters. While the book can be read as a standalone piece, it is also a part of The Masterpiece Series. This means that readers can enjoy it independently, without having read the other books in the series. However, for those who have followed the series, this book offers a deeper understanding of the overall storyline and the characters involved. 

Marvin, a small and tenacious beetle with a shiny black exoskeleton and delicate wings, serves as a remarkable and inspiring example to readers of all ages. Through his courageous actions and unwavering determination, Marvin shows us that true character and strength of will can surpass any limitations imposed by physical attributes. His unwavering spirit and resilience in the face of challenges inspire readers to embrace their inner strength and strive for greatness, proving that size and appearance are not the sole measures of one’s worth. 

The adorable story teaches readers an important lesson about the value of trusting your friends and the importance of persevering through various obstacles. It emphasizes the idea that when we encounter challenges, it is our friendships that give us the strength and support to overcome them. Additionally, the story encourages readers to never give up, even when facing difficult situations, as it is through persistence that we can achieve our goals and find success. With its delightful escapades and cherished memories, A Trip to the Country for Marvin & James is sure to captivate readers and leave them longing for more adventures with Marvin, James, and Elaine. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • As Marvin, Elaine, and James take off for their trip to the countryside, Elaine becomes nervous about being in James’ pocket. She is quick to remind Marvin to be careful while inside it. Elaine warned, “Be careful you don’t fall out or you will be smashed flat as a pancake.” 
  • When riding a toy sailboat, Marvin and Elaine get stuck in tall grass on a small stream. While stuck they encounter a frog who seems determined to have them for lunch. “They tumble into the water just as the hungry frog tries to eat them again.”  
  • While Marvin and Elaine have escaped the frog, they now face the issue of being in the water. Elaine cannot swim and relies on Marvin to save her. “She crawls on Marvin’s head again and now Marvin nearly drowns. Finally, he gets Elaine to wrap her front legs over his shoulders. Now he can swim.”  

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural  

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Spiritual Content  

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Construction Site on Christmas Night

The mighty construction trucks are busy building a very special gift in time for Christmas Eve. But there’s a surprise waiting for them too! Excavator, Bulldozer, Crane Truck, Dump Truck, and Cement Mixer all receive a special present as each truck finishes their part of this important job, before rolling off to a sweet and sleepy goodnight.  

Construction Site on Christmas Night uses a repeating pattern to tell the story. In the first section, Bulldozer is working hard to clear the ground. Once he has completed his part of the job, he finds “a massive gift with cable ‘ribbon’ from the yard, it’s topped off with a thank-you card. An awesome carbon steel blade.” After Bulldozer opens his gift, he goes to sleep. The story repeats this format with each of the other trucks, with each gift reflecting the truck’s unique personality. For example, Dump Truck receives new tires and Cement Mixer receives a new drum. Then the conclusion shows the firetrucks snuggled into their newly built firehouse while the other trucks sleep outside in the snow.  

Even though Construction Site on Christmas Night is a simple story, it still has positive lessons. Each truck has a job that is unique to their design. Without each truck completing its work, the firehouse could not be built. In addition, the story shows the joy of giving and the value of work.  

Even though Construction Site on Christmas Night is a picture book it is intended to be read to children instead of having them read it independently. The story uses rhyming and onomatopoeia which make the story fun to read. The illustrations use primary colors as well as festive details, such as ribbons and bows. Each page has one to six sentences that keep the story flowing at a fast pace. 

Any child who loves trucks will find joy in reading Construction Site on Christmas Night. The story reinforces the importance of appreciating others and the importance of using your own unique talents. The book is perfect for snuggling up and reading on a cold winter’s night. Plus, it will leave readers with sweet dreams of what they will find under the Christmas tree. To read more about hard-working trucks, chug to the nearest library and check out Bulldozer Helps Out by Candace Fleming. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Through Time: Pompeii

Follow the story of a house in the center of a famous Roman city. Illustrations retell the lost story of Pompeii―the life of its people, its conflicts and disasters, and the changing fortunes of a house at the center of it all. Beginning in the sixth century B.C., a simple hut becomes a farmhouse, and gradually, the farmhouse is swallowed up by the expanding new city of Pompeii. The house grows as the city and its inhabitants prosper. But finally, it suffers the devastating effects of the natural disaster that swallowed up the city―the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This is the story of the growth and destruction of a house, a city, and an empire. Further, it is a tale of discovery and revelation that tracks the extraordinary archaeological work involved in unearthing and interpreting Pompeii’s remains. 

Through Time: Pompeii uses full-colored illustrations to recreate Roman life and the fall of the great empire. By focusing on one house, readers can see how history shaped Pompeii and its people. Each page has one to three short paragraphs in addition to labels that explain the illustration. The labels also give information about life in Pompeii. For instance, two men are building a wall, and the caption reads: “Laborers rebuild the city wall, replacing soft lava blocks with sturdy limestone.”  

Readers will want to study each detailed illustration and track the changes that take place, such as a family “adding new rooms to the house.” In addition, the book explains how Pompeii flourished, allowing new businesses. For example, in 300 B.C., there was a “store selling luxury fabrics imported from Egypt, in Africa, and from Phoenicia and Syria to the east of the Mediterranean lands.” Through Time: Pompeii concludes with an illustration of Pompeii’s ruins and the tourists who visit it every year. 

Since each page uses so little text, some descriptions are not well-developed, leaving the reader with questions to ponder. For example, when showing a classroom, the description reads: “Slaves do the hardest work in Pompeii. Some of them are foreigners who have been captured in wars. Many of them are slaves because their parents were. Slaves are expensive to buy, so their masters take care of them as well as they would care for a valuable horse. The servants in the house are treated like a part of the family.”  

Even though Through Time: Pompeii may interest young readers, they will not be able to read the book independently because of the difficult vocabulary. Even though a glossary appears at the back of the book, some readers will have difficulty understanding words such as ballista, cenacula, cistern, and hypocaust. Sensitive readers may find the volcano’s eruption upsetting since people die. While excavating the ruins, archaeologists find the bodies of the dead. “The body casts show where people fell as they tried to escape or protect themselves.” There are several illustrations of the body casts.  

Through Time: Pompeii will appeal to anyone interested in history, archeology, or survival stories. Readers will truly feel as if they have stepped back in time to when Pompeii was a prospering city. The unique format blends illustrations with facts in a way that makes learning fun. Anyone who wants to research Pompeii will find Through Time: Pompeii a compelling book to use as a starting point to learn more about history.  

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • In 100 B.C., children were taught by slaves. “Misbehaving children are hit with canes across the hands or whipped over the back.” According to Aristotle, “all learning is painful.” 
  • In 89 B.C., “the Roman army is well trained, with the best weapon and equipment. They soon surrounded Pompeii and demanded that the citizens surrender. Their catapults smash buildings; flaming missiles start fires.” Families flee the city. 
  • When the volcano erupted, “people take cover inside of the closest building, hoping that they will be safe . . . By dawn they are dead, killed by falling roofs, poisonous gas from the mountain, or the fiery cloud that rolls over the city.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • At a banquet, there was “free-flowing wine [that] has made the guests very relaxed.” 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

  • In 10 A.D., the Romans brought their religion and added “new temples dedicated to their gods and goddesses.”  
  • Some families have shrines. “Home shrines have paintings and statues of the gods and plates to hold offerings.”  
  • When Pompeii was rediscovered, “the salvage workers find the bones inside of body-shaped hollows at the bottom of the ash. They shudder and offer a quick prayer to Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.”  

Lost in the Storm

Welcome to Dolphin Island. Hurricane season is here, and Abby can’t help but worry about the danger it may bring to the resort and the dolphins who live in the cove. If the wind gets any stronger and the waves grow any wilder, everyone might have to evacuate! Hurricane season doesn’t stop Abby from introducing a new guest named Delaney to her dolphin friends. But when the storm hits, and Delaney’s dad gets stranded in open water, it’s up to Abby and her dolphin friends to lead the rescue! 

Abby befriends Delaney, but the friendship isn’t healthy. For example, Delaney’s father goes out in a kayak even though a hurricane is coming. Delaney and Abby see him leave. Abby wants to tell her parents but doesn’t because Delaney says her dad “would be really mad if he thinks we tattled.” Soon, the girls discover that the stormy weather knocked Delaney’s father out of the kayak, and he’s in the open ocean! After he is rescued, he apologizes and acknowledges, “I put myself in danger, and worse, I put all of you in danger, too.”  

Abby wants to be a good friend but is too willing to go along with others. As a result, Abby keeps secrets from her parents. But Delaney’s secret endangers Delaney’s father as well as the people who have to rescue him. Later, one of the workers at the resort scolds Abby by saying, “It’s not tattling if someone’s life could be in danger.” Abby promises that she learned her lesson and the issue is quickly forgotten. 

Lost in the Storm’s plot is easy to understand, but readers may struggle with the advanced vocabulary. Black-and-white illustrations appear every eight to nine pages. The illustrations focus on the characters and give the reader a visual of the island’s habitat.  

Lost in the Storm builds suspense by speculating about the hurricane hitting the island. In addition, when the storm gets near, Abby’s parrot flies out of its cage, causing Abby and her friends to search for the bird. However, the plot lacks excitement, the characters are underdeveloped, and there is no life lesson. Young ocean-loving readers should leave Lost in the Storm on the shelf. Readers can find a more exciting story that teaches a positive lesson by reading the Purrmaids Series by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Delaney sneaks onto a boat that is searching for her father. When the adults see something in the water, Delaney tries to leave the boat’s cabin, but Abby stands in front of her. Delaney was “shoving at her.” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • An adult says, “I’m sorry I acted like a jerk.” 
  • A parrot uses “Great Ceasar’s ghost” as an exclamation once. 

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Tallulah’s Nutcracker

It’s Christmastime and Tallulah finally gets what she’s been wishing for—a part in a professional production of The Nutcracker. She’s only a mouse, but she works as hard as if she had been cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy. 

On the night of the show, everything is perfect. But then disaster strikes! Does Tallulah have what it takes to become a real ballerina? 

Tallulah is a charming character who wants to shine. When she finds out that she will be one of eleven mice in The Nutcracker, “Tallulah hoped that she would stand out.” When the night of the performance arrives, Tallulah looks at the older dancers and dreams of one day being like them. However, Tallulah was just a little bit scared when she first got on stage. She began to dance and “then all of a sudden she stepped on a tall mouse’s tail. . . Tallulah tried to get up, but another mouse tripped over her, followed by two toy soldiers. They all lay in a stunned heap in the middle of the stage.” After the performance, Tallulah hides because she wanted to be the best mouse but instead she “was the total worst.”  

Even though Tallulah hides, the teenage dancers and the dance master find her after the show. Instead of being upset and criticizing Tallulah for making a mistake, they encourage her. The dance master, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Clara all tell their own stories of doing something embarrassing. Their encouraging words are heartwarming, and they help Tallulah learn that “in ballet, embarrassing things happen all the time, but a REAL dancer keeps right on dancing.”  

The story’s winter theme is illustrated in soft blues, while Tallulah’s clothing has pops of red. The beautiful pictures include snowy landscapes, Tallulah’s dance class, and several scenes from The Nutcracker. The children in Tallulah’s dance class are diverse and include several boys, while the illustrations of Tallulah as a mouse are adorably cute. To help readers distinguish the narration from Tallulah’s thoughts, her thoughts are written in large, bold letters. Since each page has two to seven sentences, parents will need to read the story to their children.  

If you’re ready for some Christmas cheer, Tallulah’s Nutcracker is a wonderful picture book that has enchanting pictures and teaches that while everyone makes mistakes, what’s important is that you don’t let that stop you from reaching for your dreams. Whether you’ve read all of the Tallulah books or this is your first, Tallulah’s Nutcracker is sure to enchant. Younger readers interested in dance will enjoy seeing Tallulah’s ballet lessons. However, most readers will relate to Tallulah’s embarrassment and will feel joy when Tallulah realizes, “I’m not the best mouse or a star, but I am a real dancer – at least, I’m going to be.”   

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

PAW Patrol: The Movie: Big City Adventures

Chase, Skye, Rubble, and the rest of the pups come to the big screen in PAW Patrol: The Movie, an all-new theatrical event. Mayor Humdinger is causing havoc in Adventure City. Liberty rushes to help the PAW Patrol. Can Ryder and his heroic team save the city from the meddling Mayor Humdinger in their greatest rescue ever? 

This full-color storybook has all of the PAW Patrol working together to keep the city safe. This time, Liberty, “an honorary member of the PAW Patrol,” joins in to help. Street-smart Liberty uses her knowledge of the city to help save the city’s dogs from Mayor Humdinger’s goons.  

In Big City Adventure, Ryder and Chase have a disagreement, and Chase runs away. Chase then gets dognapped and put into dog jail. When Liberty shows up to help free the dogs, Chase says, “I used to think I was a hero. It turns out I’m just scared.” This causes Chase to feel as if he doesn’t deserve to be rescued, but Liberty reassures him that “Heroes get scared. But they push through and keep going. That’s what makes them heroes.” 

PAW Patrol fans will love reading about the pups’ newest adventure and enjoy meeting the new addition to the team, Liberty. However, Big City Adventure is intended to be read aloud to a child rather than for the child to read it independently since each page uses complex sentences and difficult vocabulary. Each page has a large, brightly colored illustration that shows the PAW Patrol in action. The illustrations clearly show the characters’ emotions through their facial expressions, thus giving adults an opportunity to discuss the characters’ reactions to the events in the story. 

Big City Adventure will get young readers excited about reading as it teaches the importance of teamwork, communication, and being a good citizen. The familiar characters prove once again that evil can be thwarted. Watching the movie or TV series isn’t a prerequisite for reading the story. However, the story will leave readers eager for more PAW Patrol-inspired books, which can be found in Paw Patrol: Chase’s Space Case by Kristen L. Depken.  

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Mayor Humdinger sets off a bunch of fireworks at once. “Fireworks and rockets exploded in all directions, causing fires everywhere . . . Marshall puts out the fireworks.” 
  • Mayor Humdinger has his “goons” take the city’s dogs to “dog jail.” 
  • Mayor Humdinger makes a weather machine that causes a big storm. A family’s car goes into a canal, but the Paw Patrol rescues them. Mayor Humdinger also has to be rescued from the chaos.

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Story of Helen Keller

Helen Keller is one of the most famous advocates for equality and people with disabilities. Her life served as a testament and encouragement for those who have blindness and deafness, and her ability to overcome her challenges inspired millions with disabilities to embrace their life opportunities despite their limitations. Her advocacy changed how the world viewed and treated people with disabilities, and her legacy continues to be recognized today. However, Keller’s journey as a humanitarian wasn’t easy, and her life was filled with hardships and obstacles. 

Born on June 27, 1880, Keller grew up in the small town of Tuscumbia, Alabama, during the reconstruction period after the Civil War. When she was just 19 months old, she contracted a mysterious illness that left her deaf and blind; this completely changed her life forever. Without the ability to see or hear, Keller struggled to fit in with other children. However, when Keller’s parents hired Anne Sullivan to tutor Keller, the opportunities in her life, like an education and a career, became possible!  

The Story of Helen Keller tells a biographical story about Helen Keller’s journey as an advocate for people with disabilities. Told from the perspective of an outside narrator, the book follows Keller’s life, beginning with her early childhood struggles and ending with her advocacy to raise awareness about blindness. While other characters appear throughout the story, like Anne Sullivan, Keller’s teacher and best friend, the story primarily focuses on Keller. As a result, Keller is portrayed as an inspirational figure whose perseverance through her hardships can be admirable and influential for readers. Although most readers can’t relate to Keller’s experience as a deaf and blind person, they can relate to the everyday challenges that Keller encountered as she grew up and pursued her dream of being a humanitarian. Because of these realistic circumstances in her life, her story comes across as very authentic and genuine. 

The biography displays a positive outlook on determination, perseverance, and advocating for oneself. Although Keller’s disabilities created obstacles for her education, career, and everyday life, her determination and unwillingness to give up highlights the book’s message about the power of tenacity in trials and tribulations. It challenges readers to identify their own troubles and learn how to overcome them. After all, Keller’s life exemplifies this message and serves “as an inspiration for overcoming challenges and achieving great things.” 

The Story of Helen Keller is part of a series called Story Of: A Biography for New Readers. Thus, the book is educationally oriented and includes supplementary material, like fun facts, discussion questions, a reading quiz, and a glossary. Hand-drawn illustrations are sprinkled in every one to three pages, and the back of the book contains real-life photographs that highlight the important aspects of Keller’s life. Some of the book’s text and vocabulary can be challenging for younger readers too, as most pages feature one to two paragraphs with large words, long proper nouns, and compound sentences. Nonetheless, The Story of Helen Keller presents an unforgettable tale about one of history’s most famous humanitarians. It’s an engaging story that will hook readers, young and old, and inspire them to achieve their dreams despite challenges.  

Sexual Content 

  • None 

Violence 

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None 

Language 

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content 

  • None 

Polar Bear

April in the Arctic . . . / Cold winds send snow clouds scuttling across the sky. / Temperatures barely nudge above freezing. / But every now and again, / The cloud cover parts, / The sun shines down, /
And the frozen world stretches awake.

As spring approaches in the Arctic, a mother polar bear and her two cubs tentatively emerge from hibernation to explore the changing landscape. When it is time, she takes her cubs on a forty-mile journey, back to their home on the ice. Along the way, she fends off wolves, hunts for food, and swims miles and miles. 

While hunting for seals, Mother and the cubs move “to the edge of the ice” but “the ice breaks off and is carried out / far out, / into open water.” This section increases suspense, not only by showing Mother’s worried facial expression but also by having a two-page pull-out that shows the bears swimming, surrounded completely by water. Reader’s hearts will pound as they watch Mother try to get her cubs to safety. And readers will rejoice when the bears finally reach safety and curl up to sleep.  

Polar Bears is a beautifully illustrated picture book that follows a mother polar bear and her cubs. Using soft blues, browns, and whites, the artist’s oil paintings show the magical world of the polar bears. Readers will fall in love with the adorably cute polar bear cubs as they grow.   

Even though Polar Bears is a picture book, the book will appeal to older readers who want to learn more about polar bears. Younger readers will need the book read to them instead of reading it independently. Adults will need to explain some of the words—such as striding, fractured, and gorged—to younger readers. The book’s font is oversized and has rich, descriptive imagery that brings the events to life. However, many of the pages are text-heavy and have up to 15 short sentences.   

The back of the book includes a page and a half titled “It’s All About the Ice” – this section explains why polar bears need ice to survive. It also explains what is happening due to global warming, and how readers can make small changes to help polar bears. In addition, there are ten cool facts about polar bears and a two-page infographic that shows polar bears’ physical features.  

Polar Bears is the perfect picture book for readers of all ages who love polar bears. While the book can be read for enjoyment, adults and teachers can also use Polar Bears to teach readers about the polar bears’ habitat and life cycles. In addition, the back of the book includes information that can be used to teach how global warming is harming polar bears. The combination of beautiful illustrations and polar bear facts makes Polar Bears a book that will melt reader’s hearts and encourage them to make small changes to keep polar bears healthy and happy. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • Two wolves try to eat the baby polar bears. The wolves “are circling for an attack. Mother grunts for the cubs to keep close. The wolves inch nearer. . . Hissing, [Mother polar bear] rises up her full height—all seven feet of her. . . She growls. The wolves stop. Look. Lope away.”  
  • It is mentioned that polar bears eat seals.

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Raymond and Roxy: Ready? Set. Puppies!

Raymond and Roxy love playing together—and so do their pets! One day, Raymond learns that Roxy’s dog, Flo, is going to have puppies! Raymond can hardly wait. How long will it take those puppies to be born? And will his parents say yes to a puppy of his very own? 

Ready? Set. Puppies! is part of the Step into Reading Level Two Series, which targets readers in preschool through first grade. Each page features one to three short sentences in large font, making it an easy read. The book uses basic vocabulary and familiar words to create a simple story. Many of the pages include illustrations of Raymond and Roxy’s pets, and the full-page illustrations capture the excitement of waiting for your best friend’s dog to have puppies.   

Both Raymond and his mom fall in love with a puppy, whom Raymond names Streak. The story ends with Raymond’s parents agreeing to bring Streak home. While Ready? Set. Puppies! captures Raymond’s excitement about having a puppy, but the book doesn’t include any information about caring for a pet. Ready? Set. Puppies! will engage beginning readers and leave them dreaming of having a pet of their own. Readers who love dogs will also enjoy reading Shampoodle by Joan Holub, while readers who are ready for a more advanced book can sail away with Stinky Spike the Pirate Dog by Peter Meisel.  

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Pets to the Rescue: Brave Norman

Steve McDonald went to the animal shelter to find a new pet. When he saw Norman, he fell in love with the dog. Norman loves his family and his family loves him. But one day, Norman starts bumping into things. The veterinarian says Norman is going blind.  

After Norman became blind, “he bumped into things. He was scared of noises. He barked when people came near.” The one place Norman is still happy is on the beach. “At the beach, there were no trees to hit. There were no cars to scare him.” One day, his family takes him to the beach and Norman is the only one who hears a girl calling for help. She is far out in the ocean and needs help! Even though Norman is blind, the dog is able to pull the girl to safety. Being blind did not stop Norman from helping. Being blind did not stop Norman from being brave.  

As part of the Ready to Read Level 1 Series, Brave Norman is intended for children who are just starting to read. The story is told using word repetition and simple sentences. The story has a simple plot that follows Norman and his family. Each page has a full-colored illustration to help readers visualize the story’s events.  

Brave Norman follows Norman’s daily life with his family. Readers will empathize with Norman when he becomes blind. However, being blind doesn’t stop him from helping others. After he saves the girl, Norman goes on to visit hospitals. “Norman can make children laugh. Norman can help sick people feel a little better.” Brave Norman is an engaging story that shows that even though Norman is blind, he’s still valuable. For more stories that feature dogs, check out The Dog That Dug for Dinosaurs by Shirley Raye Redmond and Marley Firehouse Dog by John Grogan. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 
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