Michigan City Public Library Michigan City, Indiana Youth Services Book Reviews Children's Book Reviews

  July   

Picture Books

On A Dark, Dark Night by Jean M. Cochran

On a dark, dark night a young boy tries to fall asleep. He is hears a noise and discovers a wicked witch. The awful witch prowls around the house, stopping by each of the bedrooms. The young boy tries to trick the witch and pretends to be asleep. The boy is surprised in the end when he meets the witch face to face.

Palazzo Inverso by D.B. Johnson

Mauk is the apprentice to the master. The master is building a new palazzo. Mauk is surprised to learn about the strange effects he has over the plans that his master has drawn. Inspired by the drawings of M. C. Escher, this book is an unusual look at the world. A place where the smallest detail makes all the difference.

Chapter Book

Dial M for Mongoose by Bruce Hale

Chet Gecko has a problem. No cases, except for a serious case of boredom. Then a strange thing happens, someone sets off a stink bomb in the school. Now his good friend Ms. Debree ( a mongoose) is being framed. This is just what a junior detective needs. A opportunity to help a friend and earn enough money for a pillbug crunch bar.  Return to Emerson Hicky Elementary School and visit the colorful characters of this mystery series.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

Dwight will never fit in. His is a strange boy, no one in the school understands him. One day Dwight appears with Origami Yoda, a finger puppet with wisdom that seems uncannily correct. Tommy is a fellow classmate, he wonders if he should follow the advice of Origami Yoda or not. How can Origami Yoda be real if poor Dwight is so obviously clueless? Tommy gathers the evidence and asks the opinion of a skeptical classmate.  In the end, Tommy has a difficult decision to make.  If he makes the wrong choice it will ruin his sixth grade career.