​The Bear and the Piano
Written and illustrated by David Litchfield
Age Level:  4 – 7
Grade Level:  P – 3

​I loved this book! It’s about a bear who discovers the joy of music. He loves the sounds he makes so much he becomes a master pianist. His forest friends come to listen, and word spreads until people discover him. Along the way to fame and fortune, bear finds out what’s really important . . . music and friendship. It’s a beautiful thing! AND so is this book! It struck home with this old pianist!

​ Crenshaw
Written by Katherine Applegate
Age Level:  8 – 12
Grade Level:  4 – 6

I read this book when it was brand-new, and it’s still one of my favorites. Jackson is about to be homeless again. He got through it back when he was 3, thanks to a little help from his imaginary friend, a cat named Crenshaw. Now that it’s happening again, Crenshaw is back, AND he’s bigger. Why? Jackson’s problems are bigger too.
 
In case you can’t check this book out right away, I’ll pass Crenshaw’s best advice onto you now – be honest with family and friends. It works! I can’t give away the ending, but I’ll give you a hint . . . it’s happy!
FYI – Katharine got the idea from the 1950’s movie Harvie, starring Jimmie Stewart. Harvey is a 6 foot 3 inch tall invisible rabbit. If you’re curious, check out the movie. Katherine took that impossible idea, matched it up with homeless kids, then did research in a school for homeless children. Their stories are included in the book.
 
PS – Music is part of the family’s problem, and I love the way it becomes part of the solution. Read the book to find out how!

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Galaxy Zack: Return to Earth
Written by Ray O’Ryan
Illustrated by Jason Kraft
Age Level:  5 – 9
Grade Level:  K – 4
 
This is the tenth in a series of easy chapter books. Zac is going home to earth for his first visit, but things get complicated when his dog disappears. Zac and his friend Seth spend the day searching for Luna, but at least they check out some really great places. As for Luna, he finally gets his favorite bone back. If you know a young reader who loves fantasy, this is the perfect book for them.

​ A Hundred Horses
Written by Sarah Lean
Age Level:  8 – 12
Grade Level: 3 – 7

Happy Easter! Here’s a story that can be read long after Easter’s over. Sorry, no bunnies or eggs, but there are lots of horses, 99 to be precise. When Nell is forced to spend her Easter vacation with her aunt and cousins, she starts packing and discovers a carousel her father made before he left the family behind, along with a few scars.
 
When Nell arrives at her aunt’s, she meets Angel, a wild and mysterious girl with her own scars. Slowly they become friends, and their friendship helps them each heal. Best of all Angel is adopted by the owner of a farm with 99 horses. Angel saves the 100th horse, a foal with wonky legs. This story was sweet, but its two mysteries, the carousel and 100 horses, kept it from being super-sweet. I loved it!
 

 

Do you need to write a book report about a cool animal? Here are two great sources.
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​Ranger Rick: I wish I was an Elephant
Written by Jennifer Bove
Age Level: 4 – 8
Grade Level: P – 3

This is a great easy book to read. The facts are fantastic, and so are the photographs. Jennifer hooked me by asking, what if you wished to be an elephant? The text shows the facts, how you would eat, talk, and live like one. It gives you a trunks’ eye view into their lives. Jennifer ended by letting me wonder would I want to.
 
The content is level 1, and it’s perfect for young readers and for older ones who need book report information they understand. Back matter includes a glossary and a hands on activity, how to play ‘elephant hockey.’ The only difference is you have to use your arms instead of a trunk. I need to find some kids and try it out!

​ How Do Cats Purr?
Written by Nancy Furstinger
Age Level: 10 – 12
Grade Level: 2 – 3

This is a great nonfiction chapter book, and it’s also easy to read. It has great cat-facts, like the record purr is as loud as a dishwasher. Here are the 4 chapters in the book with a question they’ll answer:
1 – How old are kittens when they begin to purr?
2—How does a purr move from the brain to the mouth?
3 – How do cats voice their feelings?
4 – What unusual sounds do cats make, and what do they mean?
The end pages include a glossary, the top 5 reasons why cats are awesome, a drawing activity, and another one where you can learn to listen like a cat. There’s a list of resources for you to check out and an index to help you find facts you’re interested in. The table of contents at the front will help you too.

​The Unteachables
Written by Gordon Korman
Age Level: 8 – 12
Grade Level: 3 – 7

​Sometimes those people we minimize and overlook, turn out to have the greatest potential. That’s the character twist written into this story. Mr. Kermit’s teaching career is ruined by a cheating scandal so he quits caring and becomes the worst teacher at school. He’s a year away from early retirement when he’s given the unteachables. It doesn’t matter because Mr. Kermit does the unthinkable . . .  he lets the kids vegetate. But what I really loved about this story, as a retired teacher, is that there’s more to Mr. Kermit, and more to the unteachables. Read how they work to help each other make the impossible come true, and the ending is spot on! This is a great read!

​Mothman’s Curse
Written by Christine Hayes
Illustrated by James K. Hindle
Age Level: 8 – 12
Grade Level: 3 – 4

I love fantasy, and a good mystery! Christine took the real facts of the Mothman story from 1960 newspapers. She updated it, added 2 brothers and a sister, then set the story in Athens, Ohio. I’m a Buckeye, and I love my home state!
 
The sister and oldest brother help their father with the family auction business. That’s where they discover a camera that’s linked to the mothman story. They trace back the curse (that’s the made-up part), and they must break it before Josie dies or someone takes her place. I absolutely loved this story and its mix of fantasy, mystery, and a little horror. It’s a great read!

​A Dragon’s Guide to the Care and Feeding of Humans
Written by Laurence Yep & Joanne Ryder
Illustrated by Mary GrandPre
Age Level: 8 - 12
Grade Level: 3 – 7

I love fantasy, and this book hooked me right away . . . a dragon with a human pet. What a great concept! The problem - Miss Drake is grief-stricken when her pet Fluffy dies, but Fluffy has it covered. Her great niece Winnie is coming to take her place. Miss Drake is the dragon. Fluffy and Winnie are humans. Unfortunately Winnie draws some magical creatures in a book. They come to life and escape into the streets of San Francisco. The old dragon and the child must work together to capture them before the disaster’s discovered. Here’s my favorite piece of wisdom from Miss Drake, “In my experience, it’s a rare human who can accept you as you really are.” So true! I love Laurence, Joanne, and Mary just the way they are, a team of great book creators!

The Snatchabook
Written by Helen Docherty
Illustrated by Thomas Docherty
Age Level: 3 - 6
Grade Level: P – 2
 
I saw this book, and I had to read it. Eliza Brown the rabbit loves to read bedtime stories, till her book is stolen. So are all the other books in her neighborhood. Eliza decides to capture the thief. Her trap – a pile of books. This story melted my heart with its love and its restitution. Snatch this book! It’s great!