Kids' Corner

School Days 2009

If it’s September, it’s time for the annual roundup of books about school that recently have been published.  These titles are owned by HPL: 

Extra Credit  by Andrew Clements
To avoid having to repeat 6th grade, Abby agrees to exchange letters with a student in Afghanistan – with unexpected results!
For  grades 4 – 6 

Will I Have a Friend  by Miriam Cohen
This is an updated version of the timeless story (first published in  1967) about a boy worried about his first day of school.  The new illustrations are by Ronald Himler.    For ages 4 – 8 

Llama Llama Misses Mama   by Anna Dewdney
In the third rhyming book about the expressive little llama (Llama Llama Red Pajama  and Llama Llama Mad at Mama are the previous titles)  it’s the first day of Preschool.   For ages 4 – 8 

The Dunderheads   by Paul Fleischman
A boy nicknamed Einstein is the narrator of this tale about a clever group of kids who outsmart their child-hating teacher, Miss Breakbone.       
For grades 2 – 6 

Messing Around on the Monkey Bars  And Other School Poems for Two Voices     by  Betsy Franco
The author of Mathematickles!  has written 19 poems about life in school;  the lively paintings are by Jessie Hartland
For grades 2 – 6 

Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel   by  Nikki Grimes
Smart and spunky third grader Dyamonde wonders why she hasn’t found a best friend in her new school – and then a boy named Free joins the class!  (This is the first of a series) 
For grades 2 – 4 

The Return of the Homework Machine   by  Dan Gutman
The 4 friends from The Homework Machine (2006) once again tell their story in the form of police interviews.  This adventure involves a missing computer chip, a search for Egyptian treasure in the Grand Canyon,  and Japanese gangsters!
For grades 3 – 6 

Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School    by Herman Parish
Here’s your chance to meet Amelia Bedelia as a young girl!  Her literal-mindedness causes many mix-ups at school, but all ends well.          
For  ages 4 – 8 

Panda Kindergarten    by Joanne Ryder
Filled with charming photographs,  this describes the activities and learning opportunities of 16 young panda cubs at China’s Woolong Nature Preserve.       
For ages 4 – 8 

I’m Your Bus      by Marilyn Singer
A cheerful school bus describes its busy day in this rhyming book that sparkles.  You won’t look at your bus the same way after reading this!        
For ages 4 – 8 

Have a terrific new school year,  filled with good books! 

Ellen Xydias
Children’s Librarian