Archive for May 26, 2015

The Jinni on the Roof: A Ramadan Story

Written by Natasha Rafi
Illustrated by Abdul Malik Channa

Complete with a recipe for parathas, this story about an eight-year-old enjoying the best parts of Ramadan is a great introduction to the people and culture surrounding Islam. The whimsical illustrations help make this a kid-friendly story.

Little Raza can’t wait to have parathas, a sort of pancake or flatbread, for sehri, the morning meal eaten before the daily fast begins. He climbs to the roof and plays a trick on his grandmother’s cook, Amina, who is already hard at work in the dark morning hours. He knows that if he calls down the chimney, she can hear him. He frightens her into thinking she is talking to a jinni, a fiery creature mentioned in the Quran. Raza is quite pleased with himself until Amina gets Grandmother involved. The jig is up. Raza must help Amina until the end of Ramadan.

First graders will want this read aloud the first time so they can master the terms introduced and learn about the traditions of Muslims and their religion. After that, they will be able to read this again and again. Rafi explains all the traditions surrounding Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr, the end of Ramadan festival.

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  • JinniTitle: The Jinni on the Roof: A Ramadan Story
  • Author: Natasha Rafi
  • Illustrator: Abdul Malik Channa
  • Published: Pamir LLC, 2013
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Paperback, 40 pages
  • Grade Level: Pre-K to 3
  • Genre: Fiction, culture, family
  • ISBN: 9780988864900

 

 

The Haunted Library: The Five O’Clock Ghost

Written by  Dori Hillestad Butler
Illustrated by  Aurore Damant

What happens to a ghost when its haunt gets torn down?  This is only of one the interesting questions readers will learn in this fourth book in the series of, The Haunted Library.

Parents or grandparents sharing these books will be reminded of Casper, the Friendly Ghost, as these ghosts and their “solid” friend go about solving mysteries together.

This particular mystery includes texting on phones by the teen-agers and operating an amateur radio by an elderly ham operator. Red herring clues will tantalize young readers as they try to predict the outcome.

Second grade readers and third grade readers will enjoy the story independently in most cases while first grade readers would love to have it read aloud to them. All the basic literacy skills can be strengthen using this book, with the exception of specific non-fiction text skills.

Children will have a great time getting to know these characters and watching as they invent and create their own ghost catching equipment.  The cartoon like sketches are funny while also being helpful in understanding the story. Lots of laughs in this one.

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  • Haunted LibraryTitle: The Haunted Library: The Five O’Clock Ghost
  • Author:  Dori Hillestad Butler
  • Illustrator:  Aurore Damant
  • Publisher: Grosset Dunlap/Penguin, 2015
  • Reviewer: Elizabeth Swartz
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 978-0-448-46248-6
  • Genre: Fiction
  • Grade level: 1 to 3

Midnight: True Story of Loyalty in World War I

Written by Mark Greenwood
Illustrated by Frané Lessac

War brings many unexpected victims, including animals taken to war to do jobs humans are unable to do. In this true tale from World War I, the reader learns about a horse who went to war with her owner, Guy Haydon. She was born on a ranch in New South Wales, Australia. Of course, horses can’t go to all the places where battles rage, so Midnight was separated from her master for a time during the battle of Gallipoli. When they were reunited, they helped lead the Beersheba charge, part of the campaign to take Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire. When both Midnight and Guy go down from a single bullet, they stay together until help comes. Lessac’s lively and colorful illustrations add to the story and help give the feeling of being there.

First grade readers will learn about World War I, ranches in Australia, and the jobs that horses do. The book is a candidate for reading aloud to generate further discussion. Literacy skills will be enhanced when kids want to find out what happened to Midnight. The author includes notes about the Haydon ranch and about the charge at Beersheba for further learning.

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  • MidnightTitle: Midnight: A True Story of Loyalty in World War I
  • Author: Mark Greenwood
  • Illustrator: Frané Lessac
  • Published: Candlewick Press, 2015
  • Reviewer: Sue Poduska
  • Format: Hardcover, 32 pages
  • Grade Level: Pre-K to 3
  • Genre: Nonfiction, animals, war
  • ISBN: 978-0-7636-7466-3
  • Extras: Author’s Note, The Charge at Beersheba

Caterina and the Best Beach Day

Written and Illustrated by Erin Eitter Kono

Sunscreen, lunch, books, umbrellas, yep, planning for a beach day takes lots of preparation as readers will see in this new adventure about Caterina and Leo.  This contemporary, realistic story clearly shows how people go to the beach with differing expectations. Caterina has lots of plans. Poor Leo, only has one strong desire, to see a whale.

Colorful, busy illustrations provide plenty of clues for readers about what kinds of things to pack for a day at the beach while also providing lots of laughs.

While Caterina is busy getting situated, making lunch and later building a sand castle, Leo keeps looking and looking for his whale. He even heads off on his own to search.

The scant text is engaging and independently readable for grade two readers, however, younger children will love to have this book read aloud over and over. One particular literacy skill strengthened in this book is picture clues. Core curriculum standards will be met for elementary grades studying seasons, and the geography of the coastlines of the world.

Spending time with Caterina and Leo will leave a smile on a reader’s face and a daydream about days at the beach.

Buy on Amazon

  • CaterinaTitle:  Caterina and the Best Beach Day
  • Author/Illustrator: Erin Eitter Kono
  • Publisher: Dial/Penguin, 2015
  • Reviewer: Elizabeth Swartz
  • Format: Hardcover
  • ISBN: 978-0-8037-4131-7
  • Genre: Realistic Picture Book
  • Grade level: Pre-K to 3