Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave
Written by: Laban Carrick Hill
Illustrated By: Bryan Collier


This is another beautiful read about a skilled potter who happened to be a slave. Set in South Carolina this thought provoking story relates the story of Dave. The watercolor pictures leave you awestruck and the story leaves you thinking. Wonderful stories like Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, and Slave, make you question and discuss history. Dave was never a free man, but he expressed himself through pottery and poems, a gift he was able to share.

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night
By: Joyce Sidman
Illustrated by: Rick Allen

I don't know what is more beautiful about this book, the poems or the illustrations. Children will flip through the pages and feel the movement of the words as they read them. The imagery used makes you feel like you are there. Every poem is beautiful and informative. In Welcome to the Night, a tribute to all who crawl and creep, you can practically smell yourself in the forest. In Cricket Speaks, you feel the anticipation as the cricket rests throughout the day, waiting for nightfall where the sounds begin to dance. This would be a wonderful read aloud to school age children. I give this book 5 stars.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Written by: Philip C. Stead
Illustrated by: Erin E. Stead

I loved everything about this book. This CALDECOTT winner has wonderful descriptive pictures to match the wonderful sweet characters. Zookeeper Amos faithfully spends time with his animal friends. The care that he gives him daily bonds them. When Amos stays home sick one day, the group decides they will visit him. The delight Amos feels as his friends take care of him exemplifies the friendship they share.

I give this book 5 stars.

Will Grayson Will Grayson

Will Grayson Will Grayson is witty, brash, and unique. The story revolves around two different teens named Will Grayson. Both characters have a connection of sorts with Tiny Cooper. The Grayson characters are opposites in every way except for their name. They lead two totally different lives until one day their paths intersect. Their complex lives keep you rooting for them. You can't help but love both Will Graysons, but it is Tiny Cooper who steals your heart. Tiny is an obsessive flamboyant gay, who has been inseparable with the first Will Grayson since grade school. The fact that two wonderful authors like John Green and David Levithan wrote this book should make you run out to get a copy and read it now.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Incarceron

I loved Incarceron and couldn't wait to get my hands on Sapphique. Finn's existence in a prison that he can't escape leaves him wanting answers. He can't remember how he got in Incarceron, but he knows that he will surely die in it. Incarceron has never had anyone escape it, although legends tell of one man named Sapphique who did. Finn finds hope when he finds that he can communicate with a girl named Claudia. Claudia doesn't live in Incarceron, she lives in a different world, a world he is determined to find. Young adults will enjoy this book, no doubt about it.

Please note: I used a portion of a Penguin Books book trailer. I looked under permissions and verified that it would be okay to use their video. It states, "Our video player features hundreds of videos that can be accessed this way. You can also share any of the videos with others on Facebook, Digg and Delicious or send an email." http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/multimedia/index.html#vmix_media_id=58342011.