scary flip flops:)

Justin Case: Shells, Smells, and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom by Rachel Vail


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


VAIL, Rachel. Justin Case- Shells, Smells and the Horrible Flip-Flops of Doom. 192p. Feiwel & Friends. May 2012. ISBN: 978-1250000811. $16.99. F.




Gr 3-5


This summer, Justin is worrying so much less then he used to. In his bravery, he decides to sign up for the runny-aroundy summer camp instead of his usual sciencey camp. Upon arrival, he finds himself overwhelmed by deep-ended swimming pools, rowdy sports, tough new kids, an ouchy game called knuckles and a mean shouty camp councilor. Just when Justin thinks he can't take any more, he finds a reserve of inner strength that allows him to shine and even save to the day. Subtly lesson-filled, funny and full of realistic kid situations. Vail seems to know exactly what 3rd graders are thinking. Justin is a wonderful, worried, plucky main character with whom kids will relate. Black and white illustrations by Matthew Cordell. Recommended to readers of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney.




-Terry Ann Lawler - Phoenix Public Library, AZ.




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silver and gold

Silver Like Dust: One Family's Story of America's Japanese Internment by Kimi Cunningham Grant


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Grant, Kimi Cunningham. Silver Like Dust:One Family’s Story of America’s Japanese Internment. unabridged. 6 CDs. 7.5 Hours. AudioGo. Jan 2012. ISBN: 978-0-7927-8472-2. $59.95. NF






1941, Kimi’s grandmother, Obaachan and her family where forced from their home into an Internment Camp for Japanese in Wyoming. They remained imprisoned, surrounded by armed guards for over 3 years. The shame or haji, haunts Obaachan well into her 80’s when Kimi begins asking her about those lost years. As Kimi learns about her grandmother’s young adult-hood, marriage and first child, she forms a relationship with her grandmother that hadn’t existed before. This is a heartwarming, informative and accessible tale of personal family history from a little mentioned era. Grant seamlessly intersperses the narrative with facts about WWII, Japan and the period. Grant’s narrative is not just a story of the Japanese Internment but is a loving tribute to her grandmother. Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller who allows the story to flow beautifully. Recommended to fans of Theresa Weir (The Orchard) and Amy Tan (Rules for Virgins).




-Terry Ann Lawler - Phoenix Public Library, AZ.




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