Posts Tagged ‘Title U’

Under the Star (Ages 4-8)

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

* Under the Star
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Vlasta van Kampen
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 24 pages
Publisher: Key Porter Books (November 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1554702011
ISBN-13: 978-1554702015

Book review: A counting book based on the story of Christmas. Each page presents a new nativity seen and will thrill young readers as they count along until the creche is crowded with angels, animals and people.

Upon Secrecy (Ages 9-12)

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

* * * Upon Secrecy
Author: Selene Castrovilla
Illustrators: Jeff Crosby & Ann Jackson
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Calkins Creek Books (September 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590785738
ISBN-13: 978-1590785737

Book description: A historical novel that follows the members of the Culper Spy Ring formed by George Washington in 1780 to spy on the British when France entered the American Revolution.

Book review: I love the way Castrovilla gets inside the heads of real life characters and brings them to life. Right away we are pulled into the story of espionage and the different factions of the Revolutionary War become so real. Upon Secrecy will have you on the edge of your seat – even though you know how it ends! Castrovilla is definitely one of my new favorite historians for children.