A NECESSARY JOURNEY

Though based on real facts dug up from the National Archives and conversation with his father and other relatives, Laurence Yep spins another vivid story of how his father came to settle permanently in San Francisco. Despite the fact that his father was a U.S. citizen, anyone entering the country from China in the early 1900s was interrogated thoroughly down to the most minute details about their home and family in order to prove they were who they said they were. Although the journey to Gold Mountain (that's what Chinese workers called California) was difficult it was worth it to find work and send money back to their families in the very poor villages of southern China.

The Dragon's Child: A Story of Angel Island by Laurence Yep, a memorable and heartbreaking story of one child's immigration experience. For readers in 4th and older and those looking for a great California story.

A CAT'S LIFE IN EAST L.A.

Chato is a hungry “low-riding” cat from East Los Angeles, whose new neighbors are a family of tasty mice. At first, the mice are afraid of Chato, but he pretends to be friendly and invites the family to dinner. Chato and his equally hungry friend Novio Boy are delighted that so many mice are coming to be their dinner and they prepare a huge fancy feast to accompany the main course. Both cats are very surprised at the mice family's special guest! CHATO'S KITCHEN by Gary Soto does a wonderful job of integrating the multilingual heritage of Chato and the other characters throughout the book. Especially helpful is the glossary at the front of the book, explaining certain Spanish words that appear at various times in the book, and also describes some of the food Chato and Novio Boy prepare for the feast. A great story for 2nd - 4th grades .

IT'S AUGUST AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T READ ANYTHING YET...

Here's another list of summer themed books for the older readers.

If you start now, you'll have plenty of time to read before you go back to school.

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen - A boy gets an old lawnmower for a present and makes a ton of money mowing lawns. If you like making money, you'll enjoy this book. A very funny and short read for mature 6th - 8th graders.

The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California by Mary Hershey - A one legged kid has to spend the summer in California with his dad and new wife who's super rich. He also learns how to swim to impress a girl he has a crush on. Note: this boy has a lot of anger issues. Fast read for mature 6th -8th graders.

My Almost Epic Summer by Adele Griffin - This girl fantasizes about having a hair salon based on her literary heroines during a boring summer of babysitting. But, the boring summer turns into a one of intrigue when she finds herself featured in the online journal of a pretty but self absorbed lifeguard. Also for mature mature 6th -8th .

Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison - A girl figures out a way to get a free trip to San Francisco by using her psychic ability to solve her distant cousin's ghostly mystery. Not so scary but good for mystery lovers. 6th - 8th.

Deep Dark and Dangerous: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn- During a summer stay at the family cabin, the sisters discover an old family secret at the bottom of the lake. If you like being scared, then this is a great book with one angry and spooky ghost. 6th-8th .

WHO IS CESAR CHAVEZ?

HARVESTING HOPE: THE STORY OF CESAR CHAVEZ written by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Yuyi Morales is a beautifully illustrated, very wordy picture book about the life of Cesar Chavez, starting from when he was a very young boy enjoying life with his family in Arizona. The text does a good job of retelling Chavez’s history, and appeals to audiences of all ages. There are a lot of good vocabulary-building terms, and readers will come away with more than a story of Cesar Chavez's life. The illustrations were given the Pura Belpre honor, and the beautiful artwork incorporates hand-made stamps and computer generated cut-outs. The scenes are realistic and the colors have deep earth tones. Not all picture books are for small children, and this title is perfect for 3rd grade and up.

ALONE ON A DESERTED ISLAND

Her tribe has had to move away from their island home to a new one across the sea. Karana who was busy getting things ready for the journey boarded the boat but soon realized that her brother Ramo has been left behind. She begged the captain to wait for him but when the boat had to leave to miss an approaching storm, Karana jumped off the ship and swam ashore to join him. Thus begins her 18 year long stay on the island and the story of what she does to survive on this deserted island.

Based on a true story of a woman who had been marooned on San Nicolas Island off the coast of California, The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell won the Newbery Award for excellence in children's literature in 1961. He also wrote a sequel, Zia.

For grades 4 and older. This title was a Snacktime Reader's selection for May, 2008.