Swords: An Artist's Devotion by Ben Boos

Boos, Ben. Swords: An Artist's Devotion. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 2008. 88 pages. $24.99 ISBN 9780763631482

Plot Summary: Swords is a book about just that, swords. Boos illustrates swords of different time periods and types giving background information and folklore about the people who used the swords. He illustrates how to hold the swords, how they were used and most importantly the beautiful detail of the swords.

Critical Evaluation: This book is beautifully illustrated. If it is only enjoyed for the illustrations it would be worth it, but there is also a lot of interesting information on the history of swords as well.

Reader's Annotation: Follow the history and use of swords in this elaborately illustrated book.

Author Bio: Ben Boos lives in California with his wife and 3 (almost 4) children. He worked for Blizzard North as an illustrator and graphic designer for computer games. He is currently working on his second book.

Genre: Non-Fiction, Folklore

Curriculum Ties: This book can span many periods of history, which makes it a good classroom resource to pull out and examine swords of different time periods.

Booktalking Ideas: I think just showing a few pages of the book and talking about how many different kinds of swords there are would be an effective booktalk.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9 and up

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: I saw this book at the library and was taken away with the gorgeous illustrations. I love swords (former fencer), so a book full of the history of swords with such amazing illustrations was a fantastic find.

Mouse Guard: Belly of the Beast by David Petersen

Petersen, David. Mouse Guard: Belly of the Beast. Keamy, NJ: Archaia Studios Press, 2006. 24 pages. $3.50 ISBN 1932386149

Plot Summary: Mice Lieam, Kenzie and Saxon leave on a quest to find a missing peddler. They find the peddler's rice cart, but no peddler. The trio encounter a snake, the beast that killed the missing peddler. After battling the beast, Lieam, Kenzie and Saxon learn a dark secret about their missing peddler.

Critical Evaluation: This short comic packs some punch! The illustrations are simple yet beautiful. The story flows smoothly and dialog is easy to follow and read. Although the characters are small creatures, the close up illustrations and rich colors make the mice and snake seem epic. With the interesting pictures, brief dialog and exciting story this comic is sure to be a hit among tweens, and tweens at heart.

Reader's Annotation: Warrior mice Lieam, Kensie and Saxon set off on a quest to find a missing peddler, but find more than they bargained for.

Author Bio: David Petersen grew up on comics, cartoons and boyhood adventures and learned to turn that love into a passionate job. He created Mouse Guard based on his love of fantasy, folklore and comics and has made three Mouse Guard series: Fall 1152, Winter 1152 and Black Axe. David lives with his wife Julia and their dog Autumn in Michigan. David's won awards for his Mouse Guard series including the 2007 Russ Manning Award for Most Promising Newcomer, and two 2008 Eisners for Best Publication for Kids (Mouse Guards Fall 1152 and Winter 1152) and Best Graphic Album-Reprint (Mouse Guard Fall 1152).

Genre: Fantasy, Folklore, Comic

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Booktalking Ideas: Since the books are dependent on the illustrations, reading the book aloud isn't a feasible option. However, showing a few pages while giving a very brief summary either of one book or the volume as a whole would entice tweens and get them wanting to really look at the illustrations and find out what happens.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8+, Grades 3 and up

Challenges: The fighting may be two graphic for the younger tweens, and the sensitive ones may have issues with animals fighting and killing each other.

Reason for including: When I first saw this series I was hooked. First of all I love mice (all small rodents), second I love the medieval era. Combine them and I'm in heaven. I think this series will appeal to all ages, not just tweens, seeing as I'm 24 and the person I lent them from is 27.

Monsters vs. Aliens

Letterman, Rob and Conrad Vernon, directors. Monsters vs. Aliens. Dreamworks Pictures, 2008.

Plot Summary: After being hit by a meteor the day of her wedding, Susan's molecular structure explodes and she grows into an enormous woman. The government gets a hold on her and sends her to a secret prison where she meets other fugitive monsters B.O.B., The Missing Link, Dr. Cockroach and Insectosaurus. While Susan comes to terms with her size and being away from her family and fiance, she finds friendship in the other outcasts. The city of San Francisco needs the monsters help, however, when Gallaxhar sends a robot, and eventually comes himself to get the substance that transformed Susan. It is up to the monsters to save the world and for the world to respect the monsters.

Critical Evaluation: Monsters vs. Aliens was hilarious. I laughed from beginning to end. There was just enough "adult" humor throughout for this to be enjoyed by parents and kids together. There was so much going on throughout the movie, so many characters to follow, it seems like a better fit for older kids, like tweens. There were no sing-a-longs, which is rare in many cartoons and will appeal to the tween age-group. A cartoon, but not a baby cartoon.

Reader's Annotation: Shut away from the easily frightened populace, a group of monsters are called out of hiding to save the world from alien invasion.

Author Bio: The voices behind Monsters vs. Aliens come from an all-star cast. Reese Witherspoon is the voice of Susan, and has been in many starring roles including Legally Blonde, Sweet Home Alabama, and Vanity Fair. Hugh Laurie may be most popular in the states for his role on TV as House, MD and as Stuart Little's dad, but Laurie has been big in the British comedy scene since Blackadder and his many projects with Stephen Fry. Will Arnett may be most recognized for his roles in Arrested Development and Blades of Glory, but has also lent his voice for Ice Age: The Meltdown, Ratatouille, Horton Hears a Who, G-Force and the upcoming Despicable Me. Seth Rogen got his start as a laid back freak in the show Freaks and Geeks and has teamed up with the Judd Apatow team several times since. He's also been a voice in quite a few animated/semi-animated features including Shrek the Third, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Horton Hears a Who!, Kung Fu Panda and an upcoming Kung Fu Panda sequel. Other notable voices include Keifer Sutherland, Paul Rudd, Stephen Colbert, Rainn Wilson, and Amy Poehler.

Genre: Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Great for a half day movie day.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about what super powers they would want if they were hit by a meteor. Then talk about Susan's growth spurt and the isolation she feels, and then her mind opening friendship with the other monsters.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8 and up

Challenges: Some parents may have issues with some of the adult humor, however it isn't significant enough to be a major problem.

Reason for including: My niece and nephew were watching it one day after it came out on DVD. My nephew, age four, said he didn't like it and it was boring. My niece (9) was enjoying it. So, I thought, "Yay! A cartoon for older kids!"

The Rifle by Gary Paulsen

Paulsen, Gary. The Rifle. San Deigo: Harcourt Brace, 1995. 112 pages. $5.95 ISBN 9780152928803

Plot Summary: The story follows the life of a rifle created in 1768. After the death of the original owner the gun is passed on through more than two centuries until it falls into the hands of a mechanic. Richard is just an innocent bystander in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Critical Evaluation: This book mesmerized me when I read it in 1995. I was amazed at the detail Paulsen went into about the creation of the gun and then the events leading up to the tragic shot. Reading it again years later I can definitely see where Paulsen pushes "guns don't kill people, people kill people" but still feel that it is a moving book. I'm not sure though that a two hundred year old gun would fire without exploding on the holder, or would fire at all.

Reader's Annotation: Since 1768 the rifle has changed hands, not one checking to see if the gun was loaded.

Author Bio: Gary Paulsen is the author of several young adult novels including Hatchet, Nightjohn and The Winter Rooms. He has won several awards including a Newbery Honor. He lives in La Luz, NM with his wife Ruth. He also runs 40 acres of land north of Willow, AK where he breeds and trains sled dogs for the Iditarod.

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This could be tied into Revolutionary history, but also with any study of gun laws.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the history of prized objects and how one object can pass through so many lives without the people realizing all the history behind the object.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 12 and up

Challenges: The fact that it is about a gun may cause issues, as well as the graphic scene at the end of the novel about Richard being shot.

Reason for including: For some reason this book has stuck with me over the years. I remember reading the scene at the end when the boy gets shot a few times, each time amazed that Paulsen went into all that detail and disgusted at the same time. I think it is a good book for tweens to read, if not for anything else then for them to realize guns are dangerous.

Mick Harte was Here by Barbara Park

Park, Barbara. Mick Harte was Here. New York: Apple Soup Books, 1995. 89 pages. $15.00 ISBN 9780679870883

Plot Summary: Phoebe tells the story of her brother, younger by ten months, who was killed in a bike accident. The story alternates between flashbacks and present day where Phoebe and her family are dealing with Mick's death.

Critical Evaluation: When I read this book in elementary school I remember crying quite a lot, and I always wore my helmet after that. Although the subject matter is very grim, I think it is an essential read if merely to reinforce the use of bike helmets. Barbara did an excellent job balancing the mourning of Mick's family and the humorous flashbacks.

Reader's Annotation: Phoebe wants you to learn one thing from her brother's death, always wear a helmet.

Author Bio: Barbara Park is the author of several children's books including Beanpole, Dear God, HELP!!! Love, Earl and the Junie B. Jones series. Barbara Park lives in Arizona with her husband and has two grown sons, David and Steven.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This is a must read for any upper elementary or middle school reading list.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the necessity of wearing a helmet.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8-12

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: While I wouldn't say this is one of my favorite books, it is definitely on the top of my list of books that have affected me at one point. I think this is a great book, very thought provoking.

Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World by Isa Chandra Moskowitz

Moskowitz, Isa Chandra and Terry Romero. Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 2006. 144 pages $15.95 ISBN 9781569242735

Plot Summary: This small cookbook is packed with delicious recipes for cupcakes and frosting including classic vanilla, chocolate, carrot cake, and even chai. All the recipes are vegan, which means they do not contain and animal products.

Critical Evaluation: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World is a great cookbook for vegans and non-vegans. I've made several recipes in the book and non-vegans have loved them. The recipes are very straight forward and fairly easy to prepare. As long as the baker has permission to use the kitchen and oven, they should be able to create delicious cupcakes.

Reader's Annotation: Learn to make scrumptious cupcakes without using animal products.

Author Bio: Isa and Terry are the authors of several vegan cookbooks and hosts of the web/public access show The Post Punk Kitchen. Both women live in New York City, Isa in Brooklyn in a tiny apartment where they film their cooking show, and Terry in Queens.

Genre: Cookbook, Non-Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This would be great for a home-ec class to teach about alternative diets and how delicious they can be.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about cupcakes. Take a vote on who loves cupcakes. Also find out if anyone is already vegetarian or vegan. Then tell them what kinds of recipes are in the book. They'll end up drooling.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9 and up, for kids who are able to use the kitchen and up.

Challenges: The non-dairy, non-egg thing may be tricky for some students to get past, but there shouldn't be any reason for book challenges.

Reason for including: This has been a favorite cookbook of mine since it came out. Cooking should be a skill everyone learns, and that includes baking. The vegan lifestyle is definitely a lot healthier than most, so encouraging that (without being preachy) is worth it. The book is fun and delicious and would appeal to tween girls for sure.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass. New York: Yearling, 1995. 399 pages. $7.50 ISBN 9780440418320

Plot Summary: Running wild throughout Oxford's Jordan College, Lyra Belacqua loves her life among the scholars, the help and the children of the city. There is word that "Gobblers" are taking children off the streets never to be seen again. Her best friend Roger is taken and she is determined to find him. Lyra learns to use her Alethiometer to figure out her path and the truths in the world, putting her in terrible danger. Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon end up traveling all over their known world with Gyptians, an aeronaut, and the lair of armored bears.

Critical Evaluation: The Golden Compass

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Genre: Fantasy

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