The Underneath

An old hound that has been chained up at his hateful owner's run-down shack, and two kittens born underneath the house, endure separation, danger, and many other tribulations in their quest to be reunited and free.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

Wilbur is the only naked mole rat in his colony who enjoys wearing clothes, and when Grandpah, the oldest and most naked naked mole rat, discovers his secret, Wilbur fears he will be ostracized from the colony.

Mo Willems shares his humor with us again in this hilarious and endearing story that not only delivers many laughs, but also addresses individual expression.

Savvy

Another wonderful 2009-2010 Bluebonnet book! Recounts the adventures of Mibs Beaumont, whose thirteenth birthday has revealed her "savvy"--a magical power unique to each member of her family--just as her father is injured in a terrible accident. Booklist gave this book a starred review and summarizes the book as follows: "Upon turning 13, each member of the Beaumont family develops a supernatural ability, or savvy, which must then be tamed. Well aware of the problems savvys can bring (the family had to relocate when one child had difficulty controlling his storm-producing savvy), 12-year-old Mississippi (Mibs) awaits her birthday eagerly but with a bit of trepidation. Then Poppa is seriously injured in an accident far away, and Momma goes to his side, leaving Mibs and the rest of the family to cope with Mibs’ 13th birthday on their own. Initially believing that her savvy is the ability to restore life, Mibs sets her course for Poppa. Joined by her brothers and the local preacher’s kids, she sweet talks her way onto a traveling Bible salesman’s bus. On the journey, however, Mibs realizes her savvy isn’t what she thought, which opens the way for a number of lively adventures both geographic and emotional. Law’s storytelling is rollicking, her language imaginative, and her entire cast of whacky, yet believable characters delightful. Readers will want more from Law; her first book is both wholly engaging and lots of fun."

Gollywhopper Games

This book is on the 2009-2010 Bluebonnet list, and I highly recommend it! Twelve-year-old Gil Goodson competes against thousands of other children at extraordinary puzzles, stunts, and more in hopes of a fresh start for his family, which has been ostracized since his father was falsely accused of embezzling money from Golly Toy and Game Company.

Badger's Fancy Meal by Keiko Kasza

Horn Book (May/June, 2007)
Prey once again evades predator (see Wolf's Chicken Stew; My Lucky Day, rev. 9/03) in Kasza's amiable depiction of a badger trying to upgrade his chow. Badger dispiritedly surveys the provisions in his den -- "apples, worms and roots...same old, same old" -- and heads aboveground to search for a "fancy meal." Seeing a mole, he imagines it stuffed into a taco shell, covered with shredded lettuce and cheese, but the mole, of course, doesn't share his vision. Each sunny ink-and-gouache spread of Badger on the prowl has a sly additional viewpoint, in which the page appears to be folding back to reveal what's going on in Badger's den while he's away: the mole, a rat, and a rabbit escape into the den in turn, where they each feast happily on Badger's humble fare. When the unsuccessful hunter returns, tired and hungry and ready to dig in, all he finds is a note addressed to "Whoever Lives Here" thanking him for the "fancy" grub. Presumably, Badger will treat a worm as if it were foie gras from now on.

Here we go...

Welcome to the Riddle Elementary library book blog! My goal for this is to provide ongoing book reviews and reading suggestions. I welcome your comments and suggestions about any books.
Happy Reading!