Winners: Batter Up, Bailey Benson!

Winners: Batter Up, Bailey Benson by Linda Lee Maifar is a story about two best friends named Bailey and Nikki. They both love to play softball and have been practicing for months to make a spot on one of the leagues. They both make it but on separate teams which has never happened before. They vow that nothing will change their friendship but soon softball practices are coming before sleepovers and the girls get jealous. Bailey believes that Nikki is not being a "best friend" and stops talking to her. During their first game where their teams play each other, Bailey accuses Nikki of throwing her bad balls on purpose. Nikki runs off the field upset and Bailey realizes her mistake. Bailey apologizes and they soon are friends again. I thought this book was a good one for children especially girls because when I was growing up all sports books were about boys. I was happy to see that there was a children's novel about two girls who love sports. I also like the message that the book is sending about friendship. I believe middle school can be a tough place and many friendships are put to the test. It is great for children to see that these friendships can last.

Momma, Where Are You From?

Momma, Where Are You From? by Marie Bradby is an excellent book. A young girl asks her mom where she comes from and the mom starts to paint a picture of her history for her. She uses description and the five senses to relate her past to her. She tells of how her siblings have to travel far to attend a school for blacks even though there is a school across the street. She tells about the jobs her siblings and she worked even when they were young. She speaks of Sundays when their families would come together and enjoy their off time together. I was a fan of the illustrations by Chris Sentpiet as they were very detailed. I feel that this book would be better for middle aged children because of the lengthy descriptions.

The Trouble With Baby

The Trouble With Baby by Marisabina Russo is a story about a typical middle class family with one boy and one girl. The brother, Sam, and sister, Hannah, get along perfectly until Hannah has a birthday party. Hannah receives a baby doll that she instantly becomes attached to. She brings Baby everywhere with her and soon Sam become jealous. Sam starts to play with his teddy bear as a replacement to Hannah. However, Hannah realizes that Baby can't replace Sam and they make up. They become inseparable again. After reading this book, I realized how perfect the plot line is. Perfect family, little fight, make-up, perfect family. In real life, things don't always work out like that. I also found it ironic how Hannah takes on a motherly role when she receives the baby doll but before she had the baby doll, she played lots of other games with Sam. There wasn't anything that truly caught my eye in this book but it would be an easy read for younger children.

Run Far, Run Fast

Run Far, Run Fast by Timothy Decker was a very odd book. I was very excited to read about the plague and it's play in history but I found myself confused after reading the book. The story unveils a young girl whose family is being hit with the Pestilence. Her mother sends her away and tells her to "Run far, Run fast". The girl goes from city to town but the plague is everywhere. She encounters one man who shares his views on the plague and she returns home to get her brother. The story ends with them sleeping at his house. The book was very vague in it's story line. The entire book is black and white which gives a very depressing feel to the book which fits since it is about the plague. But I didn't understand some of the pictures in the book which was frustrating because I feel that the pictures are telling a story of their own.

Seminole Diary: Remembrances of a Slave

Seminole Diary: Remembrances of a Slave by Dolores Johnson is a very realistic book. It starts with a mother explaining to her daughter that the diary has been handed down for generations. She then begins to share the entries. The entries talk about how a family of slaves decides to flee their master and ends up joining a group of Seminoles. However soon the government wants to Seminoles to leave their land and move to Oklahoma. This move splits their family and the diary ends there. I really liked this book because it showed how hard times were for minorities and also that not every story has a happy ending. The illustrations had an interesting blended quality to them that made the characters not stand out clearly. I thought the illustrations of the clothes from that time period were characteristic of their roles in history.

A Boy Named Giotto

A Boy Named Giotto by Paolo Guarnieri is a story about a young shepherd boy who aspires to be something more. He has a passion for drawing and wishes to become an artist. However his father doesn't share the same aspirations for his future. Giotto soon meets an accomplished artist named Cimabue and shares his dream. Cimabue realizes Giotto's talent surpasses his own and convinces his parents to allow him to pursue it. I really liked the illustrations done by Bimba Landmann. They were very clear and detailed. However, I thought the story was kind of dry and hard to follow. The book recommends 5 years of age and older but I don't think this book would hold a 5 year old's attention. The "follow your dream" message that the book sends is great. It allows kids to believe in themselves.

Have you ever heard The Story of the 3 Little Pigs? Of course you have. Well a story by A. Wolf (as told to Jon Scieszka) called The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs the reader is offered another look into the original story. In the book, Alexander T. Wolf is able to give his side of the story. This has always been a personal favorite of mine. The story gives a sarcastic and humorous way to look at a favorite past time tale. The pictures are easily related to the text and offer a different way of picturing the characters.

Cinderella 2000 by Mavis Jukes is a modern day remake of the original Cinderella. Ashley's mother died when she was young and her father remarried a woman who had twin girls. However, shortly after her father also passed away which leaves her in the custody of her step mom Phyllis. Phyllis treats Ashley as her chef, nanny, and maid while the twins are constantly butting into Ashley's life. As the New Year of 2000 approaches all Ashley wants to do is attend a party with her super-crush. This story was very fun to read and entertaining. I was constantly wondering what the next page would bring. I would recommend it to girls in middle school or early junior high.

The Lonely Moose by John Segal told a story about a moose that had no friends. One day the Moose saves a bird's life and they become good friends. A fire separates the friends until one day Bird flies back to Moose. The story was interesting but kind of long. I didn't find myself very drawn to the illustrations. I liked the story line because I believe that many kids feel that they are alone as Moose is in the beginning.

Tippy-Toe Chick, Go by George Shannon tells a story about a Hen with her three chicks: a big chick, a middle chick, and a little chick. Everyday they go to their favorite garden to eat but one day a big dog stops them in their path. Both the big chick and the middle chick take turns trying to scare the dog but fail. The littlest chick wants to try but the others laugh. The determined little chick decides to go forward to try. He uses his quick mind and speed to outwit the dog. I liked that this book had such a great message behind the story: size doesn't matter.

The Monster at the end of this Book by Jon Stone is an excellent book. I really enjoyed the way the book was so interactive with the reader. Grover is terrified of the monster that the title promises will arrive at the end of the book. The entire time he is trying to convince the reader to stop turning pages so he will not have to see this monster. The illustrations by Michael Smollin really made me pay attention to the shouts Grover makes to attract the readers' attention. Also, I really liked the ways that Smollin used illustrations to demonstrate the ways that Grover is trying to stop the reader from turning the next page. I think this book would be great for younger readers.

Mommy in My Pocket by Carol Hunt Senderak portrays every child's fear of leaving behind their mom to start school. The story is an easy read with colorful and fun pictures by Hiroe Nakata that anyone can follow. The story follows the girl throughout a normal school day in which she has her Mom in her pocket. The ending is great because the girl finally realizes she doesn't need her Mom with her as long as she has her mother's love with her all day.