MAGIC TEACHER

THE MAGICAL MS. PLUM by Bonny Becker is about an elementary school teacher that seems to be magic. Every year, students know there is something special about Ms. Plum, but no one from the year before will tell them what it is. Every student in Ms. Plum's class has something they need to overcome, and she is just the teacher to help! Perfect beginning chapter book for 2nd-4th grades.

MY BROTHER CHARLIE

This book does a very good job describing an autistic child, showing that though they may be very quiet at times or sit and play by themselves, they are not different than other children. They have things they love to do and want to play and have fun. The book shows the sense of family togetherness and the many ways to say I love you without always using words.

My Brother Charlie will be greatly enjoyed by families with an autistic sibling and should be shared in elementary classrooms to discuss among the students. Beautiful facial expressions expressing various emotions. Ages 4-8. Written by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete, illustrated by Shane W. Evans.

THIS IS MARGARET!

Margaret is in sixth grade, trying to figure life out as she also tries to understand about religion, sex, girlhood and boys. She has grown up in a family of different religions and the quest to just have one in her life makes her uncomfortable and inquisitive about her life. She tries to establish better relations with her grandparents as well, however like any other family; she does end up liking some more than the others with minor confrontations. I think that this book is a serious book and it reinforces that no matter how times have changed, the human struggle, in this case for Margaret is timeless. The inner conflicts don't necessary change with time, the story is relatable and it will connect with girls now as well. ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME MARGARET is by JUDY BLUME.

For grades 5th and up.

BASEBALL SEASON IS HERE!

Get ready to take on a journey on this amazing 'ship' to a place where dreams become reality and courage and hope triumph. The book tells the story of the Negro Baseball League, why it was created and all the hardship that they had to go through to keep on playing. The book tells the story of segregation, discrimination, the social injustice and the bravery of these men who never became famous but they kept on playing. It also reminds the reader how far we have progressed in our society as well. The paintings like illustrations are so wonderful, that at times you might just want to look at them instead of reading it, even though the writing is as great.What I liked the most about this book is the way the information was presented and composed. The pictures were as big as the characters in the book. I literally felt as though I was transformed back into the 1920's. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball is by Kadir Nelson.

For grades 4th and up.

MY SHOES AND I

Mario is informed by his father that they are leaving their home in El Salvador and moving to the United States to meet his mother. His mother has sent Mario for Christmas a new pair of shoes , and he is thrilled. He will need good shoes because the trip will be long and hard. He and his father will cross the borders of three countries. They will have to walk miles, ride buses, climb mountains and cross a river. Mario has faith in his shoes because he believes they will take him everywhere. He wants to go the United States where his family will be reunited. An immigrant story for kids, new culture, new language and new friends. Ages 6-7. Written by Rene Colato Lainez, illustrated by Tom Lintern.

A BAD CASE OF SOMETHING

This is an adorable story about Camila who loves to eat lima beans. But since none of her friends like lima beans, she is worried about not being liked or accepted. One morning she wakes up and sees that she looks nothing like herself. She goes to school and her bazaar appearance goes with her. Every time her fellow students call a name or a color, she changes into that. No matter what, nothing seems to help her, including some very good doctors. One day, one of the doctors tells her that in order to get rid of her bazaar condition, she must eat lima beans...
This story and the illustrations are beautiful and full of surprises. The idea of nonconformity will be appealing to kids who are struggling with similar situations. The story is short enough for a story time and long enough for the older kids as well. A Bad Case Of Stripes is by non other than David Shannon.

For grades k-up.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A PALETA? QUE PUEDES HACER CON UNA PALETA

A little Mexican-American girl introduces readers to the joy of a delicious, frozen, fruit-flavored popsicle, a paleta, that thrills Mexican children during the hot summer days. There is so much to do with a paleta other than make friends and paint your tongue green and purple, or give yourself a big, blue mustache or just devouring the icy sweetness of the paletas. Vibrant illustrations in every paleta. Readers 4-8. Written by Carmen Tafolla, illustrated by Magaly Morales

THE VOTE IS IN: A GREAT BOOK

Last Tuesday night, Snacktime Readers met to talk about this month's book, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit. There's lots to talk and think about in this book long after you are finished reading it.

What if you could live forever? Would you want to? Keep in mind if everyone did how would our planet support them? Also consider how it would be to stay the same even though your friends were getting older and older and really old. That's the dilemma that the author presents the reader and to a ten-year-old girl named Winnie. What did she choose to do, drink from the spring with the special water or grow up in the usual manner? What would you do?

Readers in the group really liked this one and as is our tradition gave it a rating (10 is the highest) and made a comment:
Eusenia - 10.5 - Great!
Celina - 9 - Reading good even though it felt old and I like more modern stories.
Allisyn - 9 - It's a classic and wonderfully written but just when I was really getting into it ended.

Join the group next month, May 26, 7:00 p.m. , Glendale Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale, CA 91205. For grades 4-8 and their parents. For additional information please call, (818) 548-2035. We are reading Pandora Gets Jealous by Carolyn Hennesy.

FIESTY FEMALES AND WEARY TRAVELERS

The Great Depression was a time when hardly anyone had any money. It was so bad in parts of the country, people would travel from town to town hoping to find something that would give them money to eat. While the strain was obvious to many of the kids, life went on, and accidents still happened. Mary Bayliss was said to be a miracle after she survived a horrible accident - one that her brother, Leo, did not survive. This story has a little bit about history, a little bit about family, a lot about dealing with the loss of someone you love. LEO AND THE LESSER LION by Sandra Forrester is a really good book. It's not too heavy on the history, and really shows how some things in life are just timeless. For 5th - 8th grades.