Books provide new ideas for reflection
There isn't time for any person to experience everything in life.
Reading books can help fill in the gaps by generating new ideas, providing new knowledge, and, by vicariously living through the characters and their situations, allowing the reader or listener to grow in the safety of their own home.
Such is the case with the books reviewed today, the books suggested by your local librarians, and the countless more that booksellers, librarians and other bibliophiles can suggest.
Help the children in your life grow and learn. Read every day.
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"The Lemonade Club"</B> written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco, Philomel, 42 pages; read aloud: age 7 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.Best friends Traci and Marilyn love their fifth-grade teacher, Miss Wichelman.Every day before class was over, Miss Wichelman would tell her students that when life hands you a lemon or two, make lemonade!Little did the students and Miss Wichelman know that they would soon be called on to do just that.An extraordinary book based on true events, this deeply moving story is ultimately a celebration of life.
<B>Library:</B> Butler Public Library, 218 N. McKean St.<B>Library Director:</B> Lori Campbell<B>Youth Services Librarian:</B> Cora Ferraro<B>Choices this week: "Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms"</B> by Christine MacLean; <B>"Who Loves Me"</B> by Patricia MacLachlan; <B>"Secret in the Old Attic"</B> by Carol Keene
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"The Seven Keys of Balabad"</B> by Paul Haven, illustrated by Mark Zug, Random House, 2009, 271 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 8 to 9 and older; read yourself: age 9 to 10 and older.New York City native, Oliver Finch, lives with his news-reporter father and art-historian mother in the ancient, war-torn country of Balabad.While his parents find life in Balabad fascinating, Oliver thinks it's as dull and dry as the dust that permeates life in the region.When a 500-year-old carpet is stolen and one of Oliver's few friends disappears, Oliver finds himself caught in the midst of a centuries-old mystery that involves a secret Brotherhood and a priceless buried treasure.Dangerous characters repeatedly pose life-threatening situations, and the race is on to find Oliver's missing friend and uncover the secret and keep it safe. But time is running out. Suddenly, Balabad isn't so boring after all.This fast-paced, fascinating novel is loosely based on the legendary Golden Hoard of Bactria -- a hidden treasure actually discovered in Afghanistan in 1978.Brimming with believable characters, adventure, intrigue, and suspense, "The Seven Keys of Balabad" will keep readers engrossed throughout all 271 pages.<B>"Mortimer's First Garden"</B> by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Dan Andreasen, McElerry, 2009, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 3 to 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Poor Mortimer.It's late winter and he is down to his last three sunflower seeds.Suddenly, he overhears the big people talking about planting seeds in the garden. Mortimer wonders what a garden is, and listens while the big mother explains how she and her children will put their seeds in the dirt, and with water and sunshine, the seeds will grow."One small seed turns into many more seeds or vegetables! It's a springtime miracle!"Mortimer wonders why anyone would throw perfectly good food in the dirt. Then he considers that if the miracle is true, he might be able to have more than enough seeds.His decision made, Mortimer plants one sunflower seed, carefully waters it, and waits -At long last a small green shoot appears. Just like the big people had said it grows and grows to provide Mortimer with more seeds than he needs, and he thanks God for this wonderful miracle.Inspirational in every regard, "Mortimer's First Garden" is a celebration of nature, springtime, and life.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail at kendalsunlink.net.
