Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie

Eleanor is an eight year old who is struggling with something we all must face.  Saying goodbye to someone you dearly love who must move away can be a hard time, and Eleanor is not exception.  She struggles with the loss of her beloved babysitter, Bibi, who must move to Florida and take care of her sick father.  How will Eleanor deal with this upheaval in her life, and will she ever be as close to her new babysitter Natalie?  Eleanor learns some great life lessons and gains more than she ever thought she could in this quick and fun read.  As a 2012-2013 Bluebonnet Award Nominee, it too is a must read.  Enjoy!

Sternberg, J., & Cordell, M. (2011). Like pickle juice on a cookie. New York: Amulet Books.

Wonder Struck

Brian Selznick has done it again, and I am so glad this is a 2012-2013 Bluebonnet Award Nominee!  Wonder Struck is two stories at once that take place in different times.  Ben and Rose are two characters living decades apart from one another who are both setting out on a quest to learn more about their parents.  Ben's story begins in Minnesota and leads him to New York, and his story is written beautifully.  Rose's story is told in words and beautiful graphics and takes her on a wonderful adventure.  There is so much to this story with the characters becoming intwined in each other's stories.  A must read!

Selznick, B. (2011). Wonder struck: a novel in words and pictures. New York: Scholastic Press.

The Memory Bank

Hope and Honey are two sisters that, despite being raised by questionable parents, are loving and caring.  They survive each day knowing they are there for one another until their parents abandon Honey leaving Hope hopeless.  Hope soon learns that her memory bank is very low, but her dreams make her an interesting prospect for the workers at the Memory Bank.  Hopes quest to be reunited with her sister may be the only memory that keeps her dreams alive.  Read to find out what happens, and let me know what you think!  Great story!

Coman, C., & Shepperson, R. (2010). The Memory Bank. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.