Thanks so much to Hannah at Lee & Low for sending me a copy of this book! 

Title:  Alicia Afterimage

Author:  Lulu Delacre

ARC provided by: Publisher – Lee & Low Books

About the book:  On the evening of September 24, 2004, sixteen-year old Alicia Maria betancourt was killed in a car accident.  Popular, happy, fun-loving Alicia–daughter, sister, and friend to so many–gone in an instant.  How would those left behind cope with such a sudden, devastating loss?

Wrestling with grief, anger, mortality, and spirituality, Alicia’s loved ones struggle to create a lasting place in their hearts for someone who is no longer a physical presence.  They share joyful and painful memories, and discover the resilient power of enduring friendship and love.  In time, each person finds a way to heal while keeping Alicia’s vibrant spirit alive for those who knew her, and those who never will.

My Review: When I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down!  It is an easy read because of the short chapters and the fact that it jumps to a different person’s perspective with the change of each chapter.  I have never read a story like this one, but I would like to.  This book is a first for author, Lulu Delacre, who has illustrated 30 books for young readers prior to writing this one.  What’s so touching about it is that Alicia was her own daughter and she wrote this to help her deal with the grief of losing her daughter.  I love the way she makes it personal for all of Alicia’s friends.  At the end of the book is the Author’s Note, where Delacre talks about interviewing her daughter’s friends in order to write the book.  In doing so, she helped them work through their grief as well.  This is a great book for young adults, because the loss of a classmate is so prevalent these days.  We can not shield our children from death, as much as we’d like to, and grief is real, even in high school students.  Many times they do not know how to deal with the grief and loss, and this book would be a great read for them as well as adults who are living with grief.  I lost a friend in high school and would loved to have had this book to read as I was going through my own grief because it captures the true feelings of real high school students who have lived through the tragedy of losing a friend, yet still go on, in order for the memory and legacy of Alicia to go on through them.  It is amazing to me, the strength of Delacre and Alicia’s friends, who all say, in one way or another, that Alicia will live through them, they will go on for Alicia, and they visit with Alicia, in some way, still.  I just fell in love with this book and hope that many of you will choose to read it for yourself, share it with someone who needs it, or buy it as a gift.

More info on the book:

$19.95

ISBN 978-1-60060-242-9

144 pages

Ages: 12 & up

Pub. date: September 2008

To read what others have to say, click here.

To watch an interview of the author, by the publisher, go here.

There are discussion questions for this book that teachers can use.

Last week was a great week for us here at school.  Our librarian received a $10,000 Title I book order!  It was so much fun going through all of the books.  This is one of them, that I thought was really neat.

Title:  An Apple for Harriet Tubman

Author:  Glennette Tilley Turner

Illustrator:  Susan Keeter

Review Copy Provided by:  Willbern Elementary Library

Summary from Book Jacket:  In her master’s orchard, young Harriet Tubman spent long hours picking the juicy apples she loved but was forbidden to eat.  When she was grown, she made her escape from slavery to the North.  Then, repeatedly risking her life, she returned to lead many other enslaved African-Americans to freedom. 

Many people know about Harriet Tubman’s courage and daring.  But few know about her love for apples and the freedom they symbolized.

Glennette Tilley Turner learned this previously untold story from Harriet Tubman’s own great-niece.

My Review:  This is a sweet biographical story that gives insight inot a part of Tubman’s life that readers may not have known about.  Turner uses great vocabulary to aid in the readers’ understanding of the Underground Railroad.  For example, Tubman was the “conductor” (leader) and the slaves were the “passengers.”  The language is simple enough for even the young reader to understand.  There is a great message of never giving up on your goals.  That is expressed in Tubman’s dialogue.  “One day I’m going to be free and I’m going to have all the apples I want.”  This would be a great book to use during Black History month, a study of slavery, the Underground Railroad, famous African American women, or famous women in history.  Teachers in grades K-5 could find a use for An Apple for Harriet Tubman.  The illustrations by Susan Keeter add so much to the story.  They appear to be watercolors.  I really enjoyed seeing another part of Tubman that I did not know existed.

Title:  No Mush Today

Author:  Sally Derby

Illustrator:  Nicole Tadgell

Review Copy Provided by:  Publisher (Lee & Low)

Summary from Book Jacket:  Nonie’s had enough!  Enough mushy mush for breakfast.  Enough of her baby brother’s crying.  So off she goes to live at Grandma’s house.  No mush or baby there.  Grandma attends to Nonie.  Grandma takes her out inot the world of grown-ups.  After a day away from home, will Nonie reconsider her move?  Maybe…maybe…if she can make a deal about breakfast!

My Review:  I enjoyed this book.  It is short and simple.  Who hasn’t had their oldest child, because of a younger sibling, want to run away?  I think it is something that every older sibling goes through.  Now that the new baby is here, some of the attention is gone.  That is how Nonie feels.  Plus, she is tired of having mush for breakfast.  Things will be better at Grandma’s (next door).  Or will they?  Children will relate to this story.  I like the fact that the story is about an African American family.  We need to expose children to all cultures and books is one way to do that.  Children also need to see other children like them in books, and Lee & Low does this so well with the titles they choose to publish.  I love how the illustrator uses facial expressions to show Nonie’s feelings.  As you read, you notice these even though the author doesn’t tell you how Nonie feels.  This adds so much to the story.  Young children will love this story for it’s illustrations, and it’s message.  Things may be better somewhere else, but home is the best place to be.

I was thrilled to receive a package in the mail last week from Lee & Low Books; thank you Hannah!  Inside were 4 beautiful hardcover picture books for me to review. I thought I would share the first one here for Nonfiction Monday.

Title:  The Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby

Author:  Crystal Hubbard

Illustrator:  Robert McGuire

Review copy provided by:  Lee & Low Books

Synopsis from book jacket:  Born into an African American sharecropping family in 1880s Kentucky, Jimmy Winkfield grew up loving horses.  The large, powerful animals inspired little Jimmy to think big.  Looking beyond his family’s farm, he longed for a life riding on action-packed racetracks around the world.

Like his hero, the great Isaac Murphy, Jimmy “Wink” Winkfield would stop at nothing to make it as a jockey.  Though his path to success was wrought with obstacles both on the track and off, Wink faced each challenge with passion and a steadfast spirit.  Along the way he carved out a lasting legacy as one of history’s finest horsemen and the last African American ever to win the Kentucky Derby.

My review:  I have to admit that when I got this book, I hadn’t heard of Jimmy Winkfield, slaves being jockeys, or African Americans running in the Kentucky Derby.  Now I have, and I’m glad.  This was such an interesting read.  Being a horse lover, I was drawn to this one, even though I am not particularly fond of running horses.  I was just intrigued by this story because it has so much history in it.  The author, Crystal Hubbard, tells Wink’s story so well.  Wink had a dream and he didn’t stop until he had achieved that dream.  Hubbard uses her writing to showcase that dream. 

“When Wink saw the jockeys sitting proudly in the winner’s circle dressed in their fine colored silks, he knew he wanted to be there one day himself.”

“He had gone from exercise rider and stable hand to jockey in less than a year.  This race could be his big break.”

“As punishment he received a year’s suspension from racing.  Wink was devastated but determined not to give up on his dream.”

The story chronicles Wink’s life from childhood to retirement.  Through racial tension, suspension, and blacks being forced out of racing, Wink persevered and made a name for himself.  There is an afterword at the end of the book that tells more about this fabulous man.  I enjoyed learning about a part of history that I didn’t even know existed, and am certain that children, young adults, and other adults will as well.   His daughter sums it up with a quote at the end:

“He was a survivor.  His determination not to give up was amazing.  He lived a good life.” – Liliane Winkfield Casey

Today’s review is part of a blog tour for Pump Up Your Book Promotion.  I am pleased to bring you my review of The House on Tradd Street.

Author:  Karen White

Review copy provided by:   Pump Up Your Book Promotions

Synopsis:  Melanie Middleton is a ghost seeing realtor.  This is a fact she does not like to let others know.  After she meets with an old man, she thinks to list his house, she ends up inheriting his entire estate.  She doesn’t like old houses; she just likes to sell them.  What will SHE do with a rundown old house in Charleston full of wonderful antiques?  The house is historic and full of ghosts who want and need Melanie’s help.  In walks, Jack Trenholm, a good looking, unsolved mystery loving, writer.  He worms his way into the house and Melanie’s life because he believes that hidden in her house on Tradd Street, are missing Confederate diamonds.  Jack falls for Melanie, Melanie doesn’t know she’s fallen for Jack, and the ghosts are fighting against them and each other.

My Review:  Whan I received this book, I was excited to read it, but it took me a little while to get into it.  I am so glad that I stuck with this one.  Romance lover?  Mystery lover?  Ghost story lover?  Historical Fiction lover?  If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, then you should enjoy this book.  I haven’t read any of Karen White’s other books, but now I will.  She writes in such a way that you can connect with the characters and feel like you are right there, in the story.  I enjoyed The House on Tradd Street because of the intrigue and the mystery.  Will they ever find the diamonds?  Who are the ghosts and what do they want?  Finding the answer to these questions is what kept me reading.  Also the fact that I couldn’t wait to see if Melanie and Jack got together.  I love how White tells the story of Melanie dealing with her own ghosts: her relationship with her father (who controls the estate money) and her broken relationship with her mother (who left when Melanie was young).  Being fond of Civil War history, it was wonderful to see how the story line and history came together.  Charleston, South Carolina is a very historical town, and White makes that known through references in the book.   I would recommend this book to others who enjoy chick lit, historical fiction, and/or mysteries.  It’s a great ghost story and made me want to go to Charleston to visit some of the old houses and see if they are really haunted.

I enjoyed this book so much, that I want to pass it on for others to enjoy.  If you’d like to receive my copy of The House on Tradd Street, leave me a comment.  I will randomly choose a winner on Nov. 18.  Giveaway open to US addresses only.   You can earn multiple entries by:

• blog about this for 2 more entries
• subscribe to my blog for 1 entry
• have others say they heard about this giveaway from you for 1 more entry
• you could have a total of 5 entries! 

Since this is a blog tour, don’t miss the other stops:

Divine Caroline (Author Interview)
S. Krishna’s Books (Book Review)
Blogcritics (Author Interview)
The Writer’s Life (Guest Post)
Publishing Secrets of Authors (Guest Post)
The Book Rack (Book Review)
Savvy Verse & Wit (Book Review)
Scribe Vibe (Guest Post)
Savvy Verse & Wit (guest post & book giveaway)
The Book Czar (book review)
Musings of a Bookish Kitty (book review)
The Book Stacks (guest post)
American Chronicle (author interview)
Musings of a Bookish Kitty (author interview)
In Bed With Books (book review)
Review Your Book (book review)
The Plot (book spotlight)
The Plot (character interview)
The Friendly Book Nook (book review)
Reading Mama (book review)
Zensanity (author interview)
Dear Author (guest post)
Diary of an Eccentric (book review)
Bookish Ruth (book review)
Cafe of Dreams (book review)
The 1st Page (book spotlight)
Diary of an Eccentric (author interview)
As the Pages Turn (book review)
The Tome Traveller’s Weblog (book review)
Real Hollywood (author interview)

I was lucky enough to receive this book in a blog giveaway.   I had seen posts about it and knew I had to read it for myself.  I even shared it with a group of 2nd graders today…they loved it!  That is enough of a review for me, but I want to do the book justice, so I’ll tell you what this teacher thinks.

Title:  The Day Leo Said, I Hate You!

Author:  Robie H. Harris

Illustrator:  Molly Bang

Synopsis:  Leo continures to do things that he shouldn’t.  Leo’s mom continues to tell him “No.”  Well, Leo has had enough of that.  In his bedroom, no one can tell him no.  Then, the words just pop out of his mouth before he can take them back…Oh no!  What will mom do?  How will Leo fix what just happened?

My Review:  When I first read this, it so reminded me of When Sophie Gets Angry – Really, Really Angry, mostly because the illustrations are by Molly Bang, but also because it is about a little kid who gets so mad they can’t control themselves.  I was drawn to the illustrations…they are phenomenal.  Even the kids commented on how some of the items in the pictures look real.  They also liked it when Leo got mad and his face was BIG and red.  The story itself is a great one!  What a message to send to kids.  It is okay to hate “things,” but we don’t say we hate people.  I love the way Harris uses different typeset, small letters, large letters, all caps, to get the point across.   Leo is all boy, one that many little boys will relate to.  What parent hasn’t heard his/her child say this to them at one point?  Harris chooses such a great way to deal with those 3 little words.  It is a great story that will have the children laughing, but one that carries such a great message.  This is a must read and one that I’m sure will be checked out over and over again from the library.  I know because I set it down to talk to a parent today and three kids picked it up.

I have no hesitation in telling you that I really enjoyed this book.  I received an autographed hardcover copy and read it almost immediately after I completed the Twilight Saga.  I just couldn’t read anything else until I had finished that.  I’m so glad that Creepers  by Joanne Dahme was the next thing I decided to read.

Synopsis of book:  Courtney and her parents have moved into an 18th century home in Murmur, Massachusetts.  What’s disturbing to Courtney is that the house is covered in ivy and right next door to a cemetery.  Shortly after moving in she notices two people in the cemetery; a man and a young girl.  Come to find out, this is Christian Geyer and Margaret, who she officially meets in the grocery store.  They seem odd to Courtney, but she becomes friends with both of them, especially Margaret who is about her age.  Christian and Margaret have been in Murmur a short while.  They are looking for the remains of one of their ancestors, Prudence.  It seems Courtney lives in the house where Prudence used to live, but her remains were relocated and no one knows where they are.  Strange things start happening in the house and outside; Courtney even thinks she sees a witch!  Will they find out what really happened to Prudence and where her remains are?  You will have to read it to find out.

My review:  Creepers is such a great title for this book, because it is truly creepy.  I enjoyed the story immensely.  I really liked the way the author added insight by putting a picture, letter excerpt, news article, etc. at the beginning of each chapter.  From the beginning I was wondering if Christian and Margaret were ghosts themselves, but Courney’s parents can see and interact with them.  This is a great ghost stoy that I think 3rd grade and up students will enjoy.  Dahme hooks the reader from the beginning and keeps you there by keeping you guessing.  Why does the ivy seem to grow back every time it gets cut down?  Why does the witch keep coming around?  Will they ever find out what really happened to Prudence’s remains?  Adults will love this book as it is an easy read.

I was fortunate to receive the hardback, which I donated to my school library, but I also received an ARC, which I’m happy to pass on to one of you.  Since Halloween has just passsed, tell me your favorite ghost story for a chance to win.  I will keep this contest open until Wednesday, Nov. 12, and I’ll choose a winner via random.org on Thursday, Nov. 13.  Good luck!

I am so excited to have my very FIRST author interview at Write for a Reader!  Caroline at Chronicle Books emailed me out of the blue and told me she had this great children’s book that she would like me to review or interview the author on my blog.  Of course I said YES!, I’ll do both.  So, long story short the book arrived and today I have the interview and review for you.

Let me start off by saying thank you to Chronicle Books and Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt for allowing me the opportunity to do this.  Sheri was so sweet to answer all of my questions.  Here is what she had to say about being a writer and her book, You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?

WFAR:  When did you know that you wanted to be an author?

SBR:  After I’d been writing magazine and newspaper copy for several years.  It suddenly dawned on me one day that books stay around a lot longer than newspaper or magazine content! That’s what I want, I decided: staying power! Too, I wanted to be able to walk into a Barnes & Noble and find my book there. Trust me: that’s a mind-blowing thrill.

WFAR:  What else have you written besides this picture book?

WFAR:  What was the inspiration for You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?

 You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?

Review copy provided by:  publisher, Chronicle Books

Author:  Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt

This is one of the neatest children’s books that I have read in a long time! 

From Book Jacket:  You think it’s easy being the tooth fairy?  Think again – of stormy nights, dangerous pets, pearly whites hidden in pajama pockets or wrapped in dirty tissues, to say nothing of all those thousands of teeth falling out all over the world every single day.  The tooth fairy’s nights are long and hard.  But she’s up for it.  She never misses a tooth.  How does she do it?  For the first time ever, she reveals everything, right here!

My Review:  Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt has written an exceptional book for children!  Being a teacher, I am always looking for great children’s books to share with my students, and I have found one that I’m sure will be read over and over again.  What kid doesn’t love the tooth fairy?  What kid doesn’t wish they knew how the tooth fairy worked her magic?  In You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy, the story is told from the Tooth Fairy’s perspective, and she compares herself to Cinderella and Santa Claus, two other characters that children relate to.  However, she is not like either one of those, she is tough, daring and smart!  She doesn’t need help from reindeer or fairy god-mothers, she does her job alone.  She has even invented items to help her with her job:  a Tooth-o-Finder and Spy-o-Binoculars; what a gal!  I love the way Rehwoldt has created this character to be so over the top that kids will just love her!  I think that girls especially will love this character because it helps them to see that girls can be strong and athletic just like boys.  The Tooth Fairy even teaches the kids about the right and wrong ways to handle their teeth and leave them for her.  I think kids will latch on to that concept and do what she says.   The illustrations add so much to this story.  It is wonderful that David Slonim was paired with Rehwoldt for this because he did an amazing job bringing this story to life!  Thinking from a teacher’s point of view, I can already see this book being used during Dental Health Month, but also to teach character traits.  This is a must see book for adults so that they can share it with the children in their lives.  I think children will want to read this over and over again, especially when they lose a tooth!  Thank you Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt for a great story!

For more on this book and an interview with Sheri and David, click here.  Sheri also has activities and ideas to use with this book on her website.

OK…I am still in need of a button for this weekly post…anybody out there who is wonderful at making buttons?  Wednesday Wanderings is something I do weekly to tell my readers about what I’ve seen that is happening at other blogs.  It can be anything that grabs my attention that I want to share with you.

Today’s post is just about giveaways.  Don’t we all love to get FREE stuff?  I know I do.  I just got the mail and received a copy of The Space Between Before and After that I won.  What a great day! 

 This week you can sign up to win lots of books during the Book Giveaway Carnival hosted by Bookroomreviews Weblog.

I am getting ready to leave for Austin to attend a birthday party for the sweetest lady who just turned 100 years old! 

Reviews to be posted this week:  Creepers, The Day Leo Said “I Hate You!”, and You Think it’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? with author interview.  I am currently reading The House on Tradd Street and The Book of a Hundred Truths.  Reviews to be posted upon completion.

Come back tomorrow to see what book I will be giving away for the Book Giveaway Carnival.  Go to Bookroomreviews Weblog to find out more or to join us in the Carnival.