Barb's Reads for Children Lit

BIBLIOGRAPHY Krosoczka, J. J. (2009). Lunch lady and the league of librarians . Illus. by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 9780375846847 PLOT SUMMARY In this graphic novel, Jarrett J. Krosoczka writes the series of the Lunch Lady. Lunch Lady is an undercover superhero. In this episode, students have a suspicion about their librarian. The students turned to the Lunch Lady for help and surprisingly discovered their librarian’s evil plot. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Krosoczka writes this clever, hilarious graphic novel series of the Lunch Lady being an undercover superhero. I am not one to enjoy graphic novels, but this novel was fun to read and will leave you laughing out loud! This cleverly written series has the librarian with her own super powers with an evil plot in mind. You will not want to put this novel down with all the justice and lunch being served here! Krosoczka’s illustrations are simple black and white. But the yellow hues really pop out of the pages allowing you to feel ...

  BIBLIOGRAPHY Husted, Ursula Murray. (2020). A Cat Story . Illus. by Ursula Murray Husted. Quill Tree Books. ISBN 9780062932051 PLOT SUMMARY In this graphic novel, Ursula Murray Husted writes the story of a cat that is on the quest of searching for a better place to live called the quiet garden from old tales. During their quest, they find numerous classic artworks that portray famous journeyers and come to a surprising conclusion. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Husted writes this heart warming story of two cats that are on a quest to a place where the “grass is greener” the quiet garden. As the old tales say, the quiet garden seems like a magical, peaceful place that welcomes cats. This story captures the innocence of cats and how they just want a peaceful place with plenty of food. This story portrays cats in a different light, with them being innocent, determined, when in reality cats are known for being cold, lazy, and privileged. These cats will open your heart. Husted’s illustrations are...

BIBLIOGRAPHY Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. (2015). The war that saved my life . (Entwistle, Jayne, Narrator.) [Playaway Audiobook]. (2015) ISBN 9781467697439 PLOT SUMMARY In this historical fiction novel, Kimberly Bradley writes the story of nine year old Ada and her little brother Jamie being shipped out of London to escape war. Ada was born with a disability and she was not going to let that stop her from escaping her abusive mother. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Bradley writes this incredibly heartbreaking historical fiction novel about nine year old Ada and her little brother Jamie. Ada, born with a disability, was held prisoner at her own home at the hands of her abusive mother. Ada finally gets the courage to learn how to walk to escape with Jamie. They were shipped out of their home from London to escape the war. Susan Smith, a kind hearted soul, takes them in and cares for them.  The Playaway unabridged audiobook allows you to envision the story like a movie. The narrator, Jayne Entwistl...

  BIBLIOGRAPHY Yelchin, Eugene (2011). Breaking Stalin’s nose . Illus. by Eugene Yelchin. Henry Holt and Company.  ISBN 9780805092165 PLOT SUMMARY In this historical fiction novel, Eugene Yelchin writes the story of ten year old Sasha Zaichik. The story takes place under communism in Russia. Sasha has praised and believed the best communist of all, his dad, all his life. But suddenly, everything he believed in has changed and finds himself cornered. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Yelchin writes this amazing historical fiction novel about a ten year old boy named Sasha Zaichik living under communist rule in Russia. This heartbreaking novel has descriptive details and emotions that make you feel the raw emotion that Sasha went through. Yelchin allows us to get a frightening glimpse of what life was really like living under communist rule. Yelchin’s illustrations are dark, gloomy, and in a way reminding you of how everyone was brainwashed including himself. To my surprise at the end of the st...

  BIBLIOGRAPHY Wiles, Deborah (2010). Countdown . Scholastic Inc. ISBN 9780545106054 PLOT SUMMARY In this historical fiction novel, Deborah Wiles writes the story of Franny Chapman, an eleven year old that lives through a terrifying time in history and in her personal life. Franny and her friends are growing up and going through confusing pre-teen years. Franny is also trying to understand the frightening events happening in the world in the early 60’s around her. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Wiles writes this captivating historical fiction novel with an awesome introduction with historical photos for you to understand the current events at that time. The story of Franny Chapman is such an interesting story about what it was actually like to live through those terrifying early 60’s. I really enjoyed the pauses in the story to insert some historical current events as it was happening. This is certainly a page turner that you can appreciate. The novel also includes a bibliography list with some...

  BIBLIOGRAPHY Gantos, Jack (2011). Dead end in Norvelt . Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 9780374379933 PLOT SUMMARY In this historical fiction novel, Jack Gantos writes the story of Jack Gantos and lives in Norvelt. His summer fun ends when his parents send him to help their neighbor suffering from arthritis, with a unique problem, writing obituaries. But sometimes Jack’s wild imagination gets the best of him. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Gantos’ writes this unique historical fiction novel full of rich descriptions. The descriptions are Jack’s imagination going wild. Jack’s imagination is so vivid in this novel, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish what is fact and fiction. This story is full of surprises and sure to make you laugh. Gantos’ brings history to life and allows you to make connections to believe you are living in that time period as well in these historical events. REVIEW EXCERPT(S) “A bit of autobiography works its way into all of Gantos's work, but he one-ups himself in this wi...

BIBLIOGRAPHY Kerley, Barbara (2008). What to do about Alice? : how Alice Roosevelt broke the rules, charmed the world, and drove her father Teddy crazy! Illus. by Edwin Fotheringham. Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439922319 PLOT SUMMARY In this biography, Barbara Kerley writes the true story of Alice Roosevelt, daughter of U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt. This story shows a glimpse of who Alice was and how she wants to take on the world with no limits. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Kerley writes this factual story with a dash of a sense of humor. As Alice grows up, she realizes that she is not a traditional lady and instead wants to “eat up the world”. In this wildly, colorful story Alice is shown as an independent woman that is eager to explore the world. U.S. president, Theordore Roosevelt acknowledges that there is no way in stopping his wildly curious daughter. “I can be president of the United States, or I can control Alice. I cannot possibly do both.” - Theodore Roosevelt This lovely book is ...