Children's Book Review: The Center of Everything

Title:  The Center of Everything
Author:  Linda UrbanPublisher:  HMH Books for Young Readers, 2013
211 pp.
Ages:  9-12



There is a group on Goodreads that discusses Newbery potential books on a monthly basis.  I coerced a couple of my co-workers in to reading the same books they have suggested and having a mini lunch time book club to discuss them.  The Center of Everything was June's book to read and discuss.  So far of the books I've read with Newbery potential, this one is my favorite.  It was a very quick read, I read it on the couch in between fever induced naps, and it took less than two hours.

The story follows Ruby Pepperdine as she prepares to read her Bunning Day speech atop a float in her city's annual parade celebration of doughnuts.  The story weaves back and forth between her present nerves, waiting on the sidewalk for the floats to pass before she steps on her float to read, while also taking us back the past few months to explain how she came to be there.  This was a great realistic fiction story for middle grade students that deals with a loss of a grandparent, trying to rectify friendships and relationships and just trying to understand life by figuring out the center of everything.  While I'm unsure if this is actually a Newbery contender (my guess is no) it's still a must read for children ages 9-12. 

My rating:  4 stars.

Goodreads summary: 
For Ruby Pepperdine, the “center of everything” is on the rooftop of Pepperdine Motors in her donut-obsessed town of Bunning, New Hampshire, stargazing from the circle of her grandmother Gigi’s hug.  That’s how everything is supposed to be—until Ruby messes up and things spin out of control. But she has one last hope. It all depends on what happens on Bunning Day, when the entire town will hear Ruby read her winning essay. And it depends on her twelfth birthday wish—unless she messes that up too. Can Ruby’s wish set everything straight in her topsy-turvy world?

Picture Book Review: Dragons Love Tacos

Title:  Dragons Love Tacos
Author:  Adam Rubin
Illustrator:  Daniel Salmieri
Publisher:  Dial Books for Young Readers, New York, NY 2012

Dragons love tacos.  Any kind of tacos:  beef tacos, chicken tacos, gigantic tacos and tiny little baby tacos.  They also love parties:  costume parties, pool parties, parties with accordions, and parties with charades.  It should come as no surprise then, that a dragon's favorite thing is a taco party!  (Just be sure to hide the salsa!)

This hilarious tale will have children ages 4 to 8 roaring with laughter.  The repetitious pattern of the story will help beginning readers catch on to the text, and the cadence of the tale allow it to be a great read aloud.  Just be sure the audience is able to view the awesome illustrations.

Picture Book Review: Boy + Bot

Title:  Boy + Bot
Author:  Ame Dyckman
Illustrator:  Dan Yaccarino
Publisher:  Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY 2012

The boy befriends a boxy and bright "bot" one day in the forest.  Before they can share a full day of fun and shenanigans, the robot's power switch gets bumped, and the boy doesn't know what to do!  He tries every remedy he can think of with no success.  The tale turns when the robot's power switch gets turned back on, while the boy is fast asleep and the robot takes a turn at trying to "fix" the boy.

This is an adorably silly tale that children will be drawn to, and the bright and eye-catching illustrations will further engage children in the story.  The story would appeal to children ages one to four and would make an excellent read aloud for storytellers with a perfected robot voice.

Picture Book Review: Delia's Dull Day

Title:  Delia's Dull Day
Author:  Andy Myer
Publisher:  Sleeping Bear Press, 2012
Ages 4 to 9

Delia spends the story lamenting about her super boring and ordinary day.  But readers are treated to the exciting adventures that occurred while Delia was oblivious to them:  elephants walking through the kitchen during breakfast time, a gargantuan gorilla in line at the school cafeteria, and an alien invasion in her living room during her viewing of Mars Invaders 3.

Children will delight in the very un-dull events that Delia is missing out on during her day and will chuckle at her woes.  This book is best for children aged 4 to 9.

Picture Book Review: The Lonely Book

Title:  The Lonely Book
Author:  Kate Bernheimer
Illustrator:  Chris Sheban
Publisher:  Schwartz & Wade Books, 2012
Ages 4 to 8

The green book with a picture of a girl in the forest under a toadstool was beloved by many.  Boys and girls chose the book to take home from the library, using its yellow ribbon bookmark to save their place in the adventure.  As time went on, the book was not enjoyed as frequently and its beautiful cover that had drawn so many children in was now faded and torn.  Eventually the book was selected by Alice and read again and again, and the book no longer felt lonely.  But events separated Alice from her book and it began a lonely adventure of its own.  The lonely book doesn't stay lonely forever, when a twist of fate reunites Alice with her beloved book much later in life.

A gorgeously illustrated book that bookworms both young and old will enjoy.  This book is best for ages four to eight.

Picture Book Review: Crafty Chloe

Title:  Crafty Chloe

Author:  Kelly DiPucchio

Illustrator:  Heather Ross

Publisher:  Athenum Books for Young Readers, 2012

Ages 4-8

What Chloe lacks in soccer skills, video gaming, and ballet lessons, she more than makes up for in her ability to dream up, craft, and create, especially when those creations include googly eyes. When she is invited to her best friend's birthday party, she has the best idea for a present, until she learns it's already been bought by another party goer. After pouring over her craft materials to inspire her to make the perfect gift, she finally stumbles on a truly unique creation that her friend Emma will love. A twist in the tale at the arrival of Emma's birthday party shows Chloe's large heart, and will help teach kids a lesson in compassion and forgiveness. An excellent read aloud that emphasizes uniqueness and friendship that will engage kids aged 4-8, while the fun illustrations offer an additional element of humor.

Picture Book Review: Glamorous Glasses

Title:  Glamorous Glasses
Author:  Barbara Johansen Newman
Publisher:  Boys Mills Press, 2012
Ages 4-8

Bobbie and her best cousin Joanie do everything together.  So it's no surprise when Joanie needs to get glasses, Bobbie jumps at the chance to go along with her.  After trying on zillions of different spectacles Joanie reluctantly agrees to a blue pair with flecks of gold that turned up at the ends like a smiley mouth.  Bobbie picked a red and white striped pair that she thought made her look glamorous!  Unfortunately for Bobbie, she didn't need eyeglasses and her mom said, "No way!"  The girls eventually devise a plan for both of them to look and feel glamorous and hijinx ensue.

A spin on the classic "grass is always greener" tale that will interest many young children, especially those that find themselves amidst four-eyed misfortune.  The delightful illustrations will appeal to all.  Best for ages 4 to 8.

Picture Book Review: Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur

Title:  Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur:  A Book of Manners

Author:  Judy Sierra

Illustrator:  Tim Bowers

Publisher:  Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012

Ages 3-6

A plucky pig-tailed toddler meets a tyrannosaurus rex sporting pink horn-rimmed glasses at the grocery store and showcases perfect manners during their encounter.

An avalanche of apples in the produce aisle exhibits a “thank you” from the dinosaur when the little girl offers to pick them up for her. When the little girl loses control of her shopping cart in the cereal aisle, and dings the dino on the shin, she offers up her apologies, “I'm sorry.”

This duo's exchange of niceties while traipsing through the grocery store teaches and reinforces good manners and politeness. Their oftentimes funny and clumsy moments are illustrated in bright, eye catching pictures. This fun introduction to manners, or friendly reminder of lessons already learned, is suitable for kids ages 3-6. The clever rhyming and jovial flow of the text make this book an excellent read aloud.