It Doesn't Have to be the First!

A First Poetry Book
By Pie Corbett and Gaby Morgan
Published by Macmillan's Children's Books
ISBN: 978-0-330-54374-3
Rating: 6/10

This book is a collection of poems for children. It is broken down into different themes that most kids will love: fairies, princesses, families, nature, food, monsters, and so much more! I think this is a good book for children to have, but as their first one I think it would be too overwhelming- especially because it has almost three-hundred poems in it. It could be, however, be a nice way to keep children interested in poetry after they are already introduced to it.

Are You a Bella or Bean?

Bella and Bean

Written by  Rebecca Kai Dotlich

Illustrated by Aileen Leijten 

Published by  Atheneum Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 0689856164

Rating: 6/10

Bella and Bean is a poem book about two best friend mice. Bella wants to write poems and Bean wants to do anything, but that. The story goes on to follow the two very different friends and their little adventure they have together. It is a fun book for young readers- exposing and easing them into poetry. It also shows them dynamics of different character types- maybe even allowing them to identify with one!

Wonderfully Wonderful

The Wonderful Things You Will Be
Written and Illustrated by Emily Winfield Martin 
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 0385376715
Rating: 7/10

The Wonderful Things You Will Be is an adorable poetry book about the loving thoughts a parent has about his/her child. The beautiful text flows effortlessly with the rhyme. The words are also accompanied by soft, cute yet quirky illustrations. It is a good read for children and their parents to do together! 

Esperanza Does Rise!

Esperanza Rising
By Pam Munoz Ryan
Published by Scholastic
ISBN: 9780439120425
Rating: 6/10

 Esperanza Rising is a story of a young wealthy Mexican girl set in  California during the Great Depression. She goes from living an easy life to one of hard-work and physical labor.

I remember having to read this in elementary school, and it was never a favorite. It is interesting to learn about the hardship people of Mexico coming into the United States during the time of the Great Depression, and the plot line is suspenseful. There are not many books like it so is definitely a fresh one for children to read.

Ferocious Fever

Fever 1793
by Laurie Halse Anderson
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 978-0-689-84891-9
Rating: 10/10


Fever 1793 educates readers on a historical plague that not many people are familiar with. It takes readers through the life of a young girl, Mattie, and her experiences in 1793 Philadelphia with the outbreak of yellow fever. Mattie herself gets the fever, but readers get to see her struggle, losses, and overall strength.

I thought this was an excellent example of historical fiction. I personally did not know much about yellow fever, and this book really opened my eyes to it all. Young readers can benefit immensely from reading this story. Not only will they be educated on the tragedy of yellow fever, but following someone their age will help keep their interest and relationship to the character.

A Diary You'll Never Forget

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
By Anne Frank
Translated by B.M. Mooyaart
Published by Bantan
ISBN: 0-553-29698-1
Rating 10/10

The story of Anne Frank is a moving yet tragic one. Through her own words, this young girl tells about her life during the Holocaust. She lived in an attic for twenty-five months during World War II hiding from the Nazi Army because of her Jewish religion.

This book is a good way to ease children into learning about dark topic such as this. By reading a diary written by someone near relatively near their own age group, children can relate and empathize with what is going on. The truth and devastation of this time is still present, but the youth and innocence Anne gives it a gentle touch.

A Twisting Tuesday

Magic Tree House: Twister on Tuesday
Written by Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrated by Sal Murdocca
Published by Random House Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-679-89069-0
Rating: 5/10

Twister on a Tuesday is from the Magic Tree House series where the two main characters Jack and Annie are taken to different times and places. In this particular book they are taken back to the 1800s on a prairie. It starts off as a fun story, but then takes a turn when the two encounter their first twister.

This is a chapter book that is better for older children. It gives information about twisters that is helpful for children to know about, but it was not my favorite informational text. I found myself getting bored reading it.

Look At Us!

Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Explain Why They Look the Way They Do

Written and Illustrated by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

ISBN:978-0-544-23351-5

Rating: 9/10

Creature Features: Twenty-Five Animals Explain Why They Look the Way They Do lets the animals tell the story. There are realistic cartoon illustrations show each different animal and the narration is done by each animal.

I personally really enjoyed this book. I think it will interest children to learn about animals. Not only are the illustrations captivating, but having it told from the animals' perspective makes it fun for the children to learn! 

The Magic of Germs

The Magic School Bus: Inside Ralphie - A Book About Germs

Written by Joanna Cole 

Illustrated by Bruce Degen and Beth Nadler

Published by Scholastic Inc.

ISBN: 0-590-40025-8

Rating: 7/10

The Magic School Bus series is known for its information texts, and Inside Ralphie is a great example. When poor Ralphie does not show up to class one day, the ecentric and quirky Ms. Frizzle and her class go to his house to make sure he is okay. When they see he is sick they take it upon themselves to help him get better- by taking their magic bus and going inside Ralphie himself to kill the germs. 

This book does a nice job simplifying what can be a difficult concept for children: the immune system and inside the body. Germs, red blood cells, and white blood cells are not something most second graders would be familiar with but Cole's manner of writing makes does not over-complicate the science. The plot-line is a little interesting, but it overall is an efficient and fun way to learn about germs.