You Can’t Have My Planet, But Take My Brother, Please

Book/ Product Information:

Mihaley, James. You Can’t Have My Planet, But Take My Brother, Please. .2012. 256pp. $16.99 hc. Feiwel and Friends (Holtzbrinck Publishers) . 9780312618919.

Grade Level:

Recommended grade level- 5-8

Review:

You Can’t Have My Planet, But Take My Brother, Please is full of twists and turns that keep you wondering where you will end up next. When twelve-year old Giles finds out the human race is being evicted from Earth, even though we voided the lease without knowing, it’s his responsibility to try to save our home planet. With the help of two other children and his alien attorney he has to figure out away to keep us here, with the threat of being forced to another planet that is not so welcoming. Since the point of view of the book is from Giles, it makes it easier for a younger crowd to get immersed into the story. This story is great way to get teenagers and preteens into the world of nonfiction literature.

Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Graduate Student, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Rating:

3.5 out of 5. 

Water Sings Blue

Book/ Product Information:

Coombs, Kate. Water Sings Blue, So, Meilo.2012. 36pp. $16.99 hc. Chronicle Books. 9780811872843.

Grade Level:

Recommended Grade level- 1-6

Review:

The stunning imagery in this poetry collection is a wonderful way to visit the shore with out wearing sunscreen. The playful and powerful language of each poem paints an expressive picture of all the aspects of the seashore and its native creatures. The vivid imagery is accompanied by vivid illustrations for each poem. Personifying the inhabitations of the shore in these poems opens a new window for those who have not experienced them. This collection of poetry is a way to share in the shore without bring home sand in your shoes.

Highly Recommended.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Graduate Student, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Rating:

4.5 out of 5. 

Better Than a Lemonade Stand!

Book/ Product Information:

Bernstein, Daryl. Better Than a Lemonade Stand!. .2012. 224pp. $16.99 hc. Aladdin Paperbacks/Simon & Schuster. 9781582703602.

Grade Level:

Recommended grade level- 5-9

Review:

Better Than a Lemonade Stand! is packed with simple business ideas, specially for kids. Not only does it give over fifty ideas for business, it also shows how to advertise, the supplies and time needed, what to charge, how to keep your customers and even more in clear cut steps. It also encourages kids to be creative with the ideas given or when thinking of their own ideas, it also teaches kids to not give up, and dream big. There are also numerous examples of other kids that started their own business and succeed. This is a great way for kids to learn the value of money and hard work, while having fun.

Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Graduate Student, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Rating:

4 out of 5. 

172 Hours on the Moon by Johan Harstad

Book/ Product Information:

Harstad, Johan. 172 hours on the Moon. .2012. 259pp. $17.99 hc. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 9780316182881.

Grade Level:

Recommended grade level- 6-9

Review:

A fascinating, suspense filled novel that keeps you guessing till the end. All teenagers’ ages fourteen to eighteen are given the opportunity to enter a lottery for a once in a lifetime chance, a trip to the moon. The three lucky teenagers chosen get to be the first people to visit a secret station that was built on the moon over forty years ago. After over a year of preparation it seems like this team of teenagers and chaperones are ready for anything in the world, too bad that’s not where they are. Once they land on the moon things begin to happen that could make them all wish they weren’t so lucky. This book keeps your attention and is hard to put down. Switching between small stories to create the big picture keeps the reader interested and makes the bigger picture more detailed than ever before. This page-turner will keep you guessing till the very end. Recommend.

Byline Information:

Kristian Komisar, Graduate Student, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY

Rating:

3.5 out of 5. 

Book Blog Beginning

As a new teacher I wanted to find a way to expand my knowledge of books, so that I could have a better basis to recommend to my future students. One of my graduate professors recommended becoming a book reviewer for Library Media Connection, where I get free books in exchange for writing reviews. This seemed like a dream come true for me! Not only do I get free books, but I also get to share my thoughts about them. So this blog is a way for me to keep a record of my book reviews and share them with you! Hope you enjoy