CCBC Podcast

The CCBC Choices presentation was held on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. If you were unable to attend, you can listen to the audio podcast of Megan and Merri. The following books were presented: Category: The Natural World Time for a Bath, Time to Eat, Time to Sleep By Jenkins, Steve and Robin Page This trio of books aimed at pre-schoolers and K-2 blends dynamic visuals with a humorous narrative, and explores animals habits and behaviors. Little Monsters: The Creatures That Live on Us and in Us By Marrin, Albert This book about parasites, geared towards middle-schoolers, includes many photographs and concise scientific explanations of parasites, and the history of studying them. The book includes many interesting anecdotes, along with insights into contemporary research of parasites. Billions of Years, Amazing Changes: The Story of Evolution By Pringle, Laurence A great book for middle school and high school students, this is a wonderfully coherent explanation of the theory of evolution. It is illustrated by Steven Jenkins collage images as well as vivid color photography. A Zeal of Zebras: An Alphabet of Collective Nouns By Woop Sutdios In this beautiful alphabet book, each alphabetical term uses a collective noun to describe a group of animals, from an Aurora of Polar Bears to a Zeal of Zebras. Each page spread includes brief information about the creatures shown. The book showcases language and design. (Ages 4-12) Category: Folklore, Mythology and Traditional Literature Naamah and the Ark at Night By Bartoletti, Susan Campbell A lyrical lullaby that features Noahs Arks animals being soothed by the singing of Noahs wife, Naamah, the language of this bedtime book is absolutely outstanding. Honor Book of the 2012 Charlotte Zolotow Award. (Ages 3-7) Nursery Rhyme Comics A nursery rhyme book that is not geared towards the nursery rhyme audience, this books key audience is upper middle to high school students. It is a very creative collection of visual interpretations of 50 different nursery rhymes, with 50 different artists from the world of graphic novels, comic and picture books all contributing to make a phenomenal anthology.

Category: Historical People, Places and Events The Fabulous Flying Machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont By Griffith, Victoria This book tells a fascinating account of the man who invented and flew the first self-propelled airplane, with a flight of twenty-one seconds. The account also details the invention of the first mens wristwatch by SantosDumonts friend, jeweler Louis Cartier. In an authors note at the end, Griffith talks about the contrast between Santos-Dumont and the Wright Brothers. (Ages 4-8) Around the World By Phelan, Matt This graphic novel tells three different stories about real-life individuals who traveled around the world at the end of the 19th century. Thomas Stevens travels via a large-wheeled bicycle, promoting bicycling wherever he goes. Journalist Nellie Blys around-the-world trip started out as a publicity gimmick for her publisher and ended up demonstrating that women could travel successfully. Joshua Slocums journey was made on his 36 foot boat. All three accounts work together to create a great account of that time period. (Age 12 and older) Queen of the Falls By Van Allsburg, Chris In this wonderful narrative , retired charm school teacher Annie Edison Taylor decides to become the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel, in 1901, in order to supplement her finances. After her amazing feat, however, Taylor faces many disappointments. The authors tale of derring-do and the sexism and ageism it exposes comes together beautifully, and includes full-page black-and-white illustrations. (Ages 6-10)

Category: Biography and Autobiography Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart By Fleming, Candace This biography has two different threads alternately throughout its course. One follows the form of a traditional chronological biography. The other is a record of her disappearance, including her last radio contact and the incredible search that followed. The book is filled with suspense and poignant accounts. It is also interesting visually, with many photographs included. (Ages 10-14) The Incredible Life of Balto By McCarthy, Meghan A compelling story of Balto, the sled dog leader of the dog team that completed the delivery of the diphtheria serum to Nome in 1925. It chronicles what happened to Balto after the historic sled dog run. After Baltos celebrity status, his life declined into a side-show attraction, until he and his teammates were purchased and donated to the Brookside Zoo in Cleveland to enjoy the rest of their lives. In the afterward of the book, McCarthy details the research that went into the story to discern accurate information. McCarthys distinctive art style portrays an endearing googly-eyed Balto. (Ages 5-8) MeJane By McDonnell, Patrick A great combination of illustration and text, this book is a biography of Jane Goodall which focuses almost exclusively on her childhood. It depicts her as a curious young girl whose favorite toy was a chimpanzee stuffed animal named Jubilee. Occasional double-page spreads represent young Janes detailed scientific notebook. A stirring transition from illustrated story to Goodalls adult life comes with a final page of the story, incorporating a photo of Jane as a young woman reaching out to a real chimpanzee. (Ages 5-8)

Drawing from Memory By Say, Allen Allen Say, a noted picture book author and illustrator, writes an arresting autobiography which focuses on Says childhood to his teenage years. Says fascinating personal story unfolds through both the narrative and the many illustrations and photographs. (Age 10 and older)

Category: Issues in Todays World Gaia Warriors By Davies, Nicola A clear explanation of the science of global warming, this book is also about how individuals have responded to global warming. The first part of the book is on climate change basics. It is in a really enaging, highly visual format. The second part of the book profiles individuals who are engaged in initiatives that reduce energy consumption or combat global warming. It underscores that there is no single solution but multiple solutions starting from creative ideas. There is an afterward to this book by James Lovelock which is somewhat grim. (Age 11 and older) Category: Understanding Oneself and Others Meet the Dogs of Bedlam Farm By Katz, Jon This is Jon Katzs first book for children. He talks about the four dogs on the farm he lives on in upstate New York. The dogs all have jobs to do, and the personality of each dog shines through this book with excellent color photography. The book celebrates the contributions of all. (Ages 4-9) Little Treasures: Endearments from Around the World By Ogburn, Jacqueline K. This book reinforces the message that parental love is universal, and children everywhere are cherished. Terms of endearment are given from fourteen different countries and languages. All of the terms in the different languages feature the term in English and the native language with a phonetic pronunciation. (Ages 3-6) Category: In the Arts Which Side Are You On? The Story of a Song By Lyon, George Ella This picture book tells the story of a now famous song, and its history in the labor movement. Lyon skillfully lays out the reasons for joining a union in the child narrators voice. The song was written in 1931 in Kentucky by Florence Reece, as bullets were fired into her home and her seven children hid under the bed. An informative authors note at the end of the book touches on labor history and the origin of this song. (Ages 7-11) Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star By Pinkney, Jerry Pinkney creates a visual story with detailed watercolor illustrations to accompany the lyrics to this beloved song. He incorporates images of stars all through the book. (Ages 2-6)

Diego Rivera: His World and Ours By Tonatiuh, Duncan This is a picture book account of the life and work of Diego Rivera. The first part of the book focuses on Diego Rivera as a painter, and how he was dedicated to making paintings that celebrated the history and culture of Mexico. The author then asks the reader what Diego Rivera would be painting if he were alive today. He notes that Rivera dreamed of a better future for the common people and concludes that it is up to us to make our own murals. (Ages 6-9) Category: Poetry Around the World in Eight Legs By Gibson, Amy This is a book of playful animal poems which are often humorous, but also filled with information. They are arranged geographically by continent. Daniel Salmieris amusing illustrations are well-matched to Gibsons poems. (Ages 4-8) We Are America: A Tribute from the Heart By Myers, Walter Dean This is an incredible cycle of poems that goes through the history of the United States. Myers moves chronologically forward as he sites defining events in that history. His mural illustrations accompany the text, offering a stunning panorama of the nations history, with many thought-provoking ideas. (Ages 12 and older) Lemonade and Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word By Raczka, Bob Bob Raczka builds humorous poems around single word titles for each poem in this book, rearranging the letters of each word in the poems. (Ages 8-12) A Little Bitty Man and Other Poems for the Very Young By Rasmussen, Halfdan Playful poems for very young children, this book combines shrewd nonsense poems with just the right touch of whimsy in illustrations by Kevin Hawkes. (Ages 3-6) Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku By Wardlaw, Lee This is a wonderful story about a cat in a shelter finding a home. The entire story is written in a series of haiku. Edgy watercolor illustrations by Eugene Yelchin accompany the narrative. (Ages 5-9) Category: Concept Books Apple Pie ABC By Murray, Alison Its amazing that an author can come up with an alphabet book and have it feel new, and Murray does exactly that. She tells a story with just a couple of words on each page for each letter of the alphabet. Terrific word choices and delightful images add to the fun of this appealing volume. (Ages K, 1, 2)

Category: Picture Books for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers My Name Is Elizabeth By Dunklee, Annika A wonderful book about a little girl who loves her name in its entirety. Elizabeth declares in no uncertain terms exactly what she wants to be called in this amusing picture story, which incorporates additional humor into illustrations by Matthew Forsythe. (Ages 3-6) Back to School Tortoise By George, Lucy M. This charming story deals with first-day school jitters with a witty twist. It turns out the kids arent the only ones with first-day jitters! (Ages 3-6) Dog in Boots By Gormley, Greg A silly picture book story that will make a terrific preschool read-aloud. Roberta Angaramos appealing illustrations add to the fun. (Ages 2-5) The Twins Blanket By Yum, Hyewon A story of identical twins who share everything, including a blanket theyve had since they were babies. When the twins are 5 years old, their mommy says its time for separate beds and blankets. After the girls argue over the blanket, the twins mother makes them each their own new blanket, incorporating the old one into the new. Children will delight in the endearing sibling relationship and the things that distinguish each girl in this visually rich book. (Ages 3-6) Category: Picture Books for School-Age Children My Cat Isis By Austen, Catherine In the voice of a child who is comparing his cat with the goddess Isis, the narrative constitutes a picture book full of humor and feeling. Facts about the goddess Isis unfold through the comparisons, but the heart of the story is in the humor and obvious love the boy feels for his pet. (Ages 4-8) Crouching Tiger By Compestine, Ying Chang About a little boy named Vincent whose grandpa visits from China. Vincent notices his grandpa practicing a martial art in his yard, and he asks his grandpa if he will teach him. His grandpa says that he is practicing tai chi and he would be happy to give Vincent lessons. To his great disappointment, the boys lessons consist only of holding his arms out. Vincent also comes to be embarrassed by his grandpa, but things turn around on Chinese New Year when Vincent has the role of carrying a pole straight out in front of him in front of the lion dancers. Standing with arms out turns out to have been the perfect training for this task. A wonderful portrayal of a grandfather/grandson relationship. (Ages 4-8) Three By the Sea By Grey, Mini Portrays three friends who are entrenched in their routines in their household on an island. Then a stranger arrives and turns their lives upside down. Friendship proves stronger than strife in this tale that takes a turn involving peril at sea and a dramatic rescue. Seeds of change have been sown after the stranger leaves, and refreshing new routines are born. (Ages 4-9)

Blackout By Rocco, John A very brief text which opens with a family involved in their nighttime routines, with the family being too busy to play a game with the youngest child. Then the city is enveloped in a blackout. Eventually, with flashlights in hand, the family goes up to the roof to discover their neighbors there too, and a spontaneous block party ensues. When the lights do return, the family decides to turn out the lights in their home, and play that game by candlelight with the youngest child. Rocco blends a strong narrative to capture a city neighborhood, as well as the surprise and wonder of sudden darkness. (Ages 4-8) Category: Books for Newly Independent Readers Spunky Tells All By Cameron, Ann A wonderful look at a dogs idea of the world, where smells are very important and communication by barking is easily misunderstood. Camerons tale of conflict resolution is full of wonderful warmth and doggy antics. (Ages 5-8) Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream By Han, Jenny Clara Lee is a Korean-American little girl with an ambition of becoming her towns Little Miss Apple Pie. A wonderful portrayal of Clara Lees family shows the typical ups and downs of family life, with regular bickering between her and her sister and friend. But in the end, Clara Lees speech about what makes her town special does prove to be a winner in this lighthearted but not unsubstantial treat for independent readers. (Ages 5-8) Category: Fiction for Children The Apothecary By Meloy, Maile A historical fantasy set during the Cold War, this book touches on the House of Un-American Activities Committee, and the post WWII nuclear threat issue, using fantasy and magical spells in this incredibly fastpaced and satisfying read. (Ages 10-14) Akata Witch By Okorafor, Nnedi A contemporary fantasy novel set in Nigeria, about an albino girl who feels like an outsider. She discovers that she has latent magical abilities. The Nigerian setting and culture and well-developed characters make this an incredibly unique and distinctive book. (Ages 10-13) Breadcrumbs By Ursu, Anne Set in a Minnesota winter, this book is about a boy-girl best friend relationship which takes an enchanted turn in this immensely satisfying blend of contemporary realistic fiction and fantasy that affirms the powerful bond of friendship. (Ages 9-12) Secrets at Sea By Peck, Richard The story of four mice siblings in the year 1887. The mice feel solidarity with the humans of their house, and follow them when the household travels to England, providing many excellent light-hearted adventures. (Ages 8-12)

One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street By Rocklin, Joanne An amazing novel about a group of kids living in a California neighborhood where one remaining orange tree still grows from a long-gone grove, and serves as their gathering place. Individual stories are interwoven to create a sense of the neighborhood and the relationships involved. (Ages 9-12) Bluefish By Schmatz, Pat Set in rural, small-town Wisconsin, this is about a boy who has just moved to the small town with his alcoholic grandpa, and met a girl who is also an outsider. Even though the childrens families live on the edge of economic survival, their resilience and friendship hold them together. Fresh characters and distinctive voices in the story-telling, along with a realistic Wisconsin setting make this an engaging story. Also a great book about literacy, as Schmatz portrays a student who cant read, and his struggles to learn how from a gifted teacher. (Ages 10-14) Aliens on Vacation By Smith, Clete Barrett About a boy named Scrub who spends the summer with his grandmother. She runs a bed-and-breakfast which is actually a stop for aliens from other galaxies. Grandma needs Scrubs help disguising the aliens so they can move about the small town. What fun along the way! Scrub deals with the mayhem of his grandmas business, and many fantastic complications in this clever offering. (Ages 8-11) Warp Speed By Yee, Lisa A book about a middle-schooler named Marley and his group of nerdy friends in the AV club. They are often the target of bullies, and Marley deals with this along with conflicts in his family life in this honest and appealing story. (Ages 10-14) Category: Fiction for Young Adults Beauty Queens By Bray, Libba This satirical and incredibly smart novel is about a group of 50 teen beauty contestants who have crash landed on a remote tropical island. The young women who survive prove to be capable in this scathingly funny novel which makes fun of our cultural obsession with beauty and consumerism while it challenges sexism, stereotypes and cultural expectations for girls. (Ages 14 and older) Sidekicks By Ferraiolo, Jack D. About a sidekick (middle schooler) to a super hero who is finding his dual identity harder and harder to live with. Terrifically entertaining, the novel features a strong and funny first-person voice, great banter between the characters and some surprising twists and turns. (Ages 11-14)

Want to Go Private? By Littman, Sarah Darer The story of a 14-year-old girl named Abby who has been struggling since starting high school. She finds solace when she gets home from school by going online. In one of the chat rooms she visits, she meets a man named Luke whom she finds wonderful and supportive. He invites her into a private chat, and more and more she relies on him to make her feel special. Part one of this book ends with Abby disappearing, as she has gone off with Luke. The second part of the book is through the voices of Abbys sister and friend, who are frantically searching for her. She is eventually found, and Abby has to deal with Lukes real intentions and the impact of her disappearance on her family. A courageous book which is provocative and honest. (Ages 12-16) MangaMan By Lyga, Barry About a manga character, a young man named Ryoko, who falls through a rip in a manga world and is now trapped in the world of an American high school depicted in a realistic American comic style. The plot gives new meaning to the clich of the doomed romance between lovers from two different worlds. (Ages 12 and older) Bumped By McCafferty, Megan A science fiction novel set in the not-too-distant future when a virus has resulted in people becoming sterile at about the age of 18. An incredible look at how quickly cultural norms can change, this book challenges readers to think about issues of free will, privacy, peer pressure and feminism, in a delightfully funny take. (Age 13 and older) Freshman: Tales of 9th Grade Obsessions, Revelations, and Other Nonsense By Mucha, Corinne This is a graphic novel about two friends, Annie and Richie, starting their high school career. Near the beginning of the book, Annies older brother gives her some advice. He tells her that who she is as a freshman is who she will be for the rest of her life. The novel nails adolescent anxieties and experiences as it follows Annie and Richie through their freshman year. (Ages 11-14) The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic By Wolf, Allan A collection of voices from people who were on the Titanic, this poetic historic novel is an artful merging of fact and fiction. Voices range from John Jacob Astors to the ships workers to refugees from Syria and Lebanon who were fleeing the Turkish army. The iceberg and a ships rat also have a voice. The merit of Wolfs research is clear in this lyrical account. (Ages 13 and older) Blink & Caution By Wynne-Jones, Tim This is an example of a true thriller for young adults with compelling characters and quite a bit of social commentary. After witnessing what seems to be a kidnapping, Blink, a homeless teen, comes upon the victims cell phone. On his way to find the man, he meets Caution, another homeless teen, who gets caught up in the search. As they journey together, trust and friendship begin to form. This tense, suspense-filled novel ends with the two teens finding the courage to confront their pasts. (Ages 13 and older.)