Jackie Robinson was the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. After retiring from baseball, he moved with his family to a place in Connecticut that had a beautiful lake. His children loved swimming and boating on the lake, but Jackie never joined them in the water. One winter day, the children wanted to ice skate. Was the ice thick enough? Jackie bravely ventured out onto the ice to check. His daughter Sharon suddenly realized that Jackie can't swim and that her dad was a very brave man. The beautiful illustrations work well with the text by Sharon Robinson to pay tribute to her father.

Awards nominated: Monarch Award Nominee 2012

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 4/14/2011

ISBN-10: 9780545052511

ISBN-13: 9780545052511

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Matt's friend Eddie has a talent for outrageous ideas, which is why Matt is thrilled when Eddie agrees to be his partner for the science fair project. The prize is a fifty dollar gift certificate, and if they win, Matt can finally buy the skateboard he wants. With Eddie on his team, their project is sure to make a splash. Eddie's ideas will definitely get attention, but can Matt trust him?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 12/10/2009

ISBN-10: 0823419312

ISBN-13: 9780823419319

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Imagine being so detested in your school that your only friends are the tiny figurines of the animal collection in your bedroom. Imagine you tell unreasonable lies without a second thought about why you are telling them. On top of all of this, imagine people, including your own father, your teachers, and even yourself, believe that you are a hopeless delinquent with no ability to change whatsoever. Imagine all of this and you might get an idea of what it used to be like to be fifth grader Bradley Chalkers. However, when the new school counselor Carla Davis and a new student Jeff Fishkin come into Bradley's life, everything changes. This book tells the story of the redemption of Bradley Chalkers, a school menace turned into a school champion. The story is slightly humorous, slightly serious, but all interesting. So�you might ask what all of this has to do with a boy being in a girl's bathroom. You'll have to read Louis Sachar's book to find out!

Similar books: If you like Louis Sachar's stories, be sure to read his book Holes and his Wayside School and Marvin Redpost series.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0394985702

ISBN-13: 9780394985701

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The Queen's Thief is caught in a rival kingdom after boasting that he can steal anything. Gen is released into the magus' care, and they travel to a distant land where Gen must steal a precious stone from a temple of the gods. Thrilling and suspenseful, this Newbery Honor book is set in a mythical land with many gods, who's stories are intertwined with Gen's. Sequels are The Queen of Attolia and The King of Attolia.

Similar books: Percy Jackson & the Olympians series by Rick Riordan; Bloody Jack series by L. A. Meyer

Awards won: Newbery Honor 1997

Reviewed by: djd

Date read: 8/10/2009

ISBN-10: 0688146279

ISBN-13: 9780688146276

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Everyone's heard the story of Jack and the beanstalk, and how Jack's little adventure made him a very rich man. But have you ever heard about Nick's climb up the beanstalk? Things up in the clouds are much different now than they were way back when Jack made his climb. If you like this one, try The Brave Apprentice also by P.W. Catanese.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0689871732

ISBN-13: 9780689871733

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