by Mike Costanzo | Mar 24, 2009 | Non-Fiction
What is an eclipse and how can the gigantic sun be covered up by something so much smaller like the moon?What do animals think of all this?What did humans believe was happeningbefore we knew the scientific explanation?Try the experiment with the penny and see if the...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 24, 2009 | Non-Fiction
This is another book in the wonderful “Let’s Read and Find Out About Science” series. As I’ve gone through these books, I’ve noticed that some of the top children’s illustrators have contributed to these books. So, not only do you...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 24, 2009 | Short Stories
This is definitely a book for readers who like to find ideas and hear other people’s thoughts and life experiences and to mull over and integrate them into their own viewpoint. Fifteen authors were interviewed by editor Diane Osen. My favorites were the...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 24, 2009 | Picture Book
This is Judy Sierra’s very first book, and it represents her love of folklore. Elephant has sent out a challenge to the other animals. “No one can bring me down,” he says and then challenges them all to a wrestling match. Judy’s rhythmic style...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 24, 2009 | Humor
This is just hilarious. I love Lisa Wheeler’s books! In this one, Turk is a real prize turkey, and his parents think the world of him. His brother, Runt, thinks Turk is a goner. It’s a good think Runt can see the truth and drive away the customers, or...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 24, 2009 | Picture Book
This is just so funny. What is it like to be a worm? Well, read through the entries in this worm’s diary, and you will know for sure. Imagine playing the Hokey-Pokey as a worm…. You put your foot in…hmmm. It’s one hilarious wormy situation...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 24, 2009 | Suspense / Thriller / Horror
This is my absolute favorite suspense book for readers 9-12. Two boys are standing in the kitchen when the phone rings. One answers, and the voice on the other end confesses to having killed a woman and then shares that she is lying at his feet in a pool of blood....
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 24, 2009 | Fantasy
This is one of my absolute favorite fantasy books to hand to girls. Pindel, the wizard, is deathly ill and holds within him the last five wishes left in the world. As he is falling unconscious, he is helped by twelve-year-old Morwenna, a servant in the castle, and...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 24, 2009 | Fiction
This is one of my favorite Avi books. It’s part of the Dimwood Chronicles which begin with the book Poppy. I have a hard time reading Poppy because my tender heart can’t bear the thought that the owl is maliciously eating the mice that he is sworn to...
