School Library Journal» Houghton Harcourt

Pick of the Day: The Adventures of South Pole Pig

SLJ — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 09:00:37 +0000

KURTZ, Chris. The Adventures of South Pole Pig: A Novel of Snow and Courage. illus. by Jennifer Black Reinhardt. 288p. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-63455-5.
K-Gr 4–Her name is Flora, and she’s a pig. She’s curious and longs to explore beyond the perimeters of the pigpen. She dreams of going to Antarctica with the sled dogs on the farm and becoming a sled pig. When she is put in a crate onboard a ship, she sees the expedition as an opportunity while the crew views her as potential pork chops. Then they are shipwrecked and readers will root for spunky Flora as she discovers just how brave and needed she can be. Simple black-line drawings add a welcoming charm. Told in the voice of a seasoned storyteller, this novel has chapters that will work perfectly for sharing aloud with younger children or as a read-alone for more competent readers. Flora will encourage every listener to dream of being their best self. Move over Wilbur and Babe, there’s a new pig in town.–Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego

Pick of the Day: Gone Fishing

SLJ — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 09:00:08 +0000

WISSINGER, Tamera Will. Gone Fishing. illus. by Matthew Cordell. 120p. bibliog. glossary. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $15.99. ISBN 978-0-547-82011-8. LC 2012032796.
Gr 1-4–This novel in verse successfully builds a story filled with anticipation, family humor, and sibling rivalry. Wissinger adroitly uses a variety of poetic forms to express nine-year-old Sam’s excitement about an upcoming outing with his father: “Hip-hip, hooray!/It’s fishing day./Yo-ho yippee!/Just Dad and me.” To Sam’s consternation, his annoying little sister decides that she wants to go, too. She packs for the trip by filling Sam’s tackle box with her toys. “Where’s my stringer?/Something’s wrong!/The princess doll does not belong!” Sam is even more despondent when her singing helps her catch a handful of fish even before he has caught one. The trip vastly improves when he lands a sizable catfish, leading Lucy to gush with pride for him. “You caught one Sam!/Lucy scoots close to me./A big one, too!/I didn’t even look/when she caught/her first fish./But she cheered for me/Maybe I was wrong/about bringing her along.” Teachers will appreciate the seamless introduction to different poetic forms including rhyming lists, concrete poems, ballads, and haiku. Wissinger deftly plies her craft to ensure that the use of poetry enhances the readability of the story. She includes a “Poet’s Tackle Box” to complete this solid introduction to poetic form. Cordell’s whimsical line drawings complement the poetry by capturing the adventurous spirit and humor that this story demands. Hearing it aloud, children will appreciate the rollicking tale and the lyrical verse, while young readers will be able to enjoy the book independently. This book might inspire some to pursue an interest in fishing, but it will surely encourage all of them to delve into the world of poetry.–Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

Pick of the Day: Dear Life, You Suck

SLJ — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:00:03 +0000

BLAGDEN , Scott. Dear Life, You Suck. 320p. Houghton Harcourt. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-90431-3.
Gr 9 Up–In present-day Maine, Cricket Cherpin is the oldest resident at the Naskeag Home for Boys. Since he arrived at age 10 with a scar in the shape of an “X” marring one side of his face, he has been both trouble to the nuns who raise him and a godsend to the Little Ones who look up to him. Taught to box by the caretaker of the property, Cricket protects the younger kids from bullies, one school-yard fight at a time. But it comes at a cost. He is one fight away from expulsion and eight months away from his 18th birthday. His request to remain a boarder at the home is denied, and Cricket must decide where he will go when the nuns can no longer protect him. The way he sees it, he has three options: go from collecting fees for a drug dealer to dealing himself, take Caretaker’s advice and box for real, or choose the easy way out and end his life. Throughout this first novel, Cricket evolves from an angry young man into the role model the younger boys believe him to be. His internal dialogue evolves as well. The beginning pages are wrought with sarcasm and teen speak that will likely be as difficult for some teen readers to decipher as it is for adults. However, as the character changes, so does the writing.This is a truly original work, and fans of Sherman Alexie may find a new favorite in Blagden.–Jennifer Furuyama, Pendleton Public Library, OR

Pick of the Day: Wild Horse Scientists

SLJ — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 14:00:48 +0000

FRYDENBORG, Kay. Wild Horse Scientists. 80p. (Scientists in the Field Series Series). diags. further readig. glossary. index. maps. photos. reprods. websites. Houghton Harcourt. 2012. Tr $18.99. ISBN 978-0-547-51831-2.
Gr 5 Up–Focusing on the wild horses of Assateague Island, Frydenborg effectively combines scientific facts such as coloration and size, as well as the actual definition of a wild animal, with a compelling narrative about several of the scientists who are working to protect and maintain the wild horse population there. A large chunk of the book describes the horse-population management, from its inception to implementation, through the use of a fertility-control medication called PZP, though the depth of detail on this specific topic might occasionally go over the heads of younger readers. However, intriguing facts, the history of the horses, and the general descriptions of life on Assateague Island make for an excellent read. The dedication and knowledge of the scientists come through, and their work is clearly important. As with other titles in this series, the photography is outstanding, and the images of horses going about their daily business in all kinds of conditions put them front and center. A useful FAQ section, glossary of terms, and a thorough bibliography and list of websites encourage further exploration of the topic. A worthy complement to most collections.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Pick of the Day: Twelve Kinds of Ice

SLJ — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:21:04 +0000

OBED, Ellen Bryan. Twelve Kinds of Ice. illus. by Barbara McClintock. 64p. Houghton Harcourt. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-618-89129-0.
Gr 3-6–The coming of winter in the rural north brings ice. The first ice “came on the sheep pails…a skim of ice so thin that it broke when we touched it.” Gradually as the weather grows colder, the ice becomes field ice, “short-lived but glorious…,” stream ice, black ice from “water shocked still by the cold before the snow.” The ice and its activities continue until finally it becomes only fond memories as the narrator and her family enjoy never melting “Dream Ice,” the kind that can be skated on until the first ice came again, “a skim so thin, it broke when we touched it.” The brief, lyrical vignettes evoke each and every sense as readers share the cold, feel the bumps on ice, see the creation of “oozing yellow sun spots” as ice melts, and hear music at the skating party and the noise of children playing hockey. Delicate pen-and-ink illustrations enhance the action, emotions, and humor of each short description of ice and frosty goings-on. Regardless of where readers spend their winters, they are sure to enjoy sharing the author’s memories of the season in Maine in this brief but unforgettable volume.–Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library

Pick of the Day: Sleep Like a Tiger

SLJ — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:00:05 +0000

LOGUE, Mary. Sleep Like a Tiger. illus. by Pamela Zagarenski. 40p. Houghton Harcourt. 2012. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-547-64102-7.
PreS-Gr 1–The common theme of a child not ready for bed receives fresh treatment here. When a young girl repeatedly declares that she is not sleepy, her parents remain calm. She dutifully dresses in pajamas and washes up. After climbing into bed, she again proclaims that she is wide awake and questions her parents about how things in the world go to sleep. They patiently respond by describing the sleeping habits of familiar animals. After they kiss her goodnight and turn out the light, the child incorporates her parents’ descriptions of the various animals into her nighttime routine. Like the strong tiger, she, too, falls fast asleep. The narrative flows well as the mood becomes increasingly tranquil. There is much dialogue in the first portion of the story. These conversations between daughter and parents are realistic. Young listeners will identify with the child’s desire to remain awake. Zagarenski’s stylized artwork shines with interesting details. For instance, the family is portrayed as royalty. The artist’s distinctive spreads are a combination of digitally created art and mixed-media paintings on wood. The artist incorporates many patterns into the characters’ clothing, rooms, blankets, and pillows. Her attention to detail can be found again on the endpapers where primitive circuslike train cars, a tiger riding proudly atop one of them, appear in sunlight and later in moonlight. The dust jacket depicting the sleeping youngster curled up beside a dozing tiger ushers in the gentle and calm mood of this memorable picture book.–Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OH