In Our Mothers' House by Patrica Polacco

In Our Mothers' House by Patricia Polacco


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
In Our Mothers' House is the story of a family. While the author wrote the story about two mothers instead of a traditional family with a mother and father, this book could appeal to children with any non-traditional family. Rather than focus on the same-sex relationship, this book focuses on the family relationship. In a way, I feel the book is directed more toward children from traditional families to help them understand why a classmate may have two mommies. Overall, I think it is a good addition to our library collection. However, if you're looking for a book to help a child with same-sex parents understand negative reactions from neighbors or other children, this is not really the book for you. Polacco really doesn't go into that issue very much.

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...Older Favorites

Awful Ogre's Awful Day by Jack Prelutsky


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jack Prelutsky has done it again! Follow Awful Ogre's awful life through a series of poems written with the style and hilarity we have come to love from author and poet Jack Prelutsky. In addition, the illustrations in this title are extremely detailed allowing for hours of fun! Don't miss this new offering from one of our favorites!

Obi, Gerbil on the Loose by Michael Delaney


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very cute story about a Gerbil named Obi, after Obi Wan Kenobi, who is left at home when her owner goes on vacation. Mistakenly, the boy hired to care for the family pets doesn't feed Obi and she escapes from her cage. During her journeys through the house she encounters the family cats, dog, parrot, snake, and tarantula. The ending leaves the story open for a sequel. Give this to fans of Stuart Little and other "talking animal" books. Obi, Gerbil on the Loose is a very quick and easy read.

G.I. Joe - SIGMA 6 by Andrew Dabb


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
G.I. Joe has a new group! Sigma 6 is a special group of operatives who use technology and specialized gear to complete their missions against the evil COBRA organization. Will Sigma 6 be able to stop COBRA from taking over the world? Check out these action-packed graphic novels today!

Put It On the List by Kristen Darbyshire


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
HILARIOUS! This story will resonate with moms like me! Do you ever go to the grocery store and forget your list? I know I do. I frequently find myself running out of household items just like the mom in this story. When the mama chicken is served ketchup on her pancakes, she decides its time for a change.

I Must Go Down to the Beach Again: And Other Poems by Karen Jo Shapiro


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great collection of poetry inspired by classic poems. Karen Jo Shapiro has twisted classic poetry into fun-filled poems for kids! Don't miss this great poetry title!

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a really great example of Free Verse poetry. I really like novels written in poetry format! I think books such as these are great to recommend to reluctant readers because they are such quick reads. While the subject matter of this particular book is pretty deep, its not at all too much for an upper elementary or middle school student. A boy lives separated from his sister in a foster home because his parents died in a fire. They were unable to stay with relatives, but have both found good homes...unfortunately they just don't have the same home. It is very touching and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel..."Peace, Locomotion"


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There by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

There by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I like the ambiguity of this offering. The illustrations are lovely and it allows children to think about what the future holds for them. I mean, seriously, how often do we say... "We'll get there soon" or "Be there tomorrow" and we never really think about what "there" means to a child. This is the story of one child's questions about what is "there." Nice imagination story!


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