Chilas

 21 Picture Books 1. Title: Mouse Count Author: Ellen Stoll Walsh Illustrator: Nancy J. Ponichtera and Camilla Filancia  o A tale of carelessness, observation, greed, gluttony, and wit. The mice are very cautious of the snakes that like in the field. However, one careless act and they all put their lives in danger. This brief lapse of judgment brings death knocking on their door. One seemingly clever snake stubbles across a jar and starts trapping the mice for his dinner. But soon greed takes over and all he wants is more, more, more. At last he thinks he has enough, until one brave little mouse speaks up. The cunning words he spoke rang true in the stomach of the snake. The snake decided to indulge himself and slithers over to the fat mouse the brave little mouse pointed out to him. When he snake left, the mice worked together as a team and where able to escape from the jar that was their prison. As the snake reached the fat mouse, his perception started to become clearer, for this mouse was no mouse at all but a large rock. Seeing that he was tricked he returned to empty jar, with no supper at all. 2. Title: Harold and the Purple Crayon Author/Illustrator: Crockett Johnson  o The mind is a terrible thing to waste and Harold knows this and then some. Harold is a small boy with a large purple crayon and an imagination filled with magnificent ideas. If he wants something he goes and draws it. Sometimes Harold draws things on purpose and enjoys it, or it terrifies him. Other times Harold draws something on accident and gets into trouble. Even though he is in trouble, he uses his sharp mind figures out a plan. When the day is said and done, all he wants is his room in the house where he lives. 3. Title: A Dinosaur is Too Big Author: Elizabeth Bram  o When a small girl’s wants a large animal for a pet, some things are not as good as she imagined. She starts thinking she wants a fox but that’s not big enough. Her mind drifts to a pig, then a large fish, then a horse, or maybe even a camel! But none of these things are what she is looking for. And then she has what she thinks to be a stroke of genius. A dinosaur! A dinosaur would be perfect! All of these cool things could happen if she has one. Then reality sinks into the fantasy she craved. It turns into what she thought she wanted was so different than what she needed. What she needed was an animal all her own. 4. Title: Mr. Zip and the U.S. Mail Author: Jene Barr  o This book is a short way to introduce students/children to the postal system. From receiving a letter to mailing a letter and from the old days to the future, take a walk with Jimmy and Mr. Zip as they encounter the wonders of the U.S. Mail system. Jimmy got a package from a beloved uncle, Mr. Zip does more than you think, and everyone uses the mail system! In an educational tale of what you can send through the mail, how it gets to where it needs to go, and even all of the people involved in the process it will open the eyes of students everywhere. And what does the future hold for the U.S. mail service? Jimmy thinks he knows. Do you? 5. Title: Blueberry the Bloodhound Author: David C. Whitney  o This book is full of alliteration and the introduction to the consonant blend of bl. Blueberry is one blue bloodhound. When faced with the fact that he is going blind, blueberry becomes depressed. How on earth could he do anything he is supposed to do or see what he wants to see? Over the course of the book, blueberry realizes something extra special about himself that lifts his spirits and gives him the life he knows he is supposed to have! Blueberry isn’t so blue anymore. 6. Title: The Little Engine that Could Author: Watty Piper Illustrator: George and Doris Hauman  o A tale of helping those in need. It does not matter how big, strong, old or young you are, if you are willing to do the job that needs to be done. You see, the biggest and the strongest felt that they were too important to do what seemed like a small task. The oldest thought he was too old and too weak to help out. It was the youngest, the Little Blue Engine who was eager to help those in need that ended doing the deed. All you need is a heart full of love, a helping manner, and a positive attitude to conquer anything that will arise in your path. The little blue engine may not have been sure, but she was willing to try. And it was that spirit that helped her to succeed and help those in need. 7. Title: A Color of his own Author: Leo Lionni  o A tale of acceptance and friendship. When one little chameleon becomes sad and wishes for a color all his own, he seeks to find what he thinks is missing. Wanting to be like all of the other animals who had a color they could call their own; he sets out to find his color. Oh, he found colors. However, with each color and each season he changed colors just as all chameleons do. It wasn’t until he found a friend that he realized that was more important. Having a friend to change with and be with was more fun than having a color all his own. 8. Title: The Indoor Noisy book Author: Margaret Wise Brown Illustrator: Leonard Weisgard  o It’s no fun to have a cold. But what is there to do all day long when you have to remain in bed? Muffin finds out the more you listen, the more you hear. All day long Muffin hears the noises that are about the house. Sometimes he can’t hear a noise and wonders what it would sound like. With each noise, Muffin knows just what is going on. At the end of the day of resting, those in the house come to see how he is doing. Muffin recognized who was coming to see him by the sound their footsteps make on the staircase. By the next morning, Muffin is feeling much better and can go out and play like he always does. It’s a good thing Muffin stayed in bed and got better. 9. Title: I am Not Going to Get up Today Author: Dr. Seuss Illustrator: James Stevenson  o Determination! When a person is truly determined there is nothing anyone can do to persuade them otherwise. This is what the little boy has, determination. He has decided that he is NOT going to get up today and he kept his word. No matter what happens, not the coaxing, bribery, pleading, threats or bamboozling could make him change his mind. What kind of tricks and concerns does his mother have up her sleeve? Oh, the boy has thought of everything. His persistent determination let him stay in bed all day. Determination is a powerful thing, a good thing to have. 10. Title: Cat on the Mat Author: Brian Wildsmith  o Don’t mess with Kitty! There is nothing that can be said of an angry cat other than do not by any means make the cat angry in the first place. Once the cat was disturbed, he felt miffed. One by one other animals came and joined him on the mat. Little by little the cat got more and more upset. No permission was asked, the other animals just figured they could invade Kitty’s space. When Kitty’s space was so invaded and he got really angry, he freaked out! All of the other animals left in a terrified frenzy. But where does that leave Kitty? 11. Title: Down on the Funny Farm Author: Patrick King Illustrator: Alastair Graham  o When one young farmer makes a deal with an old man, he gets a little more than he bargains for. Thinking paying one dollar for a farm is a steal, he has no idea what he has waiting for him. This young farmer has got a lot to learn and so much to teach. This farm is no ordinary farm. Some strange things are going down on this farm, funny things. But once the young farmer puts his mind to it, he fixes everything. Or so he thinks. He makes one statement and gets another surprise, followed by another. Now with a wife and father-in-law, the farm goes back to what it used to be before it was sold. “What’s going on?” the young farmer has no clue. Can he stay happy? What will become of his new life? 12. Title: The Snowy Day Author: Ezra Jack Keats  o Excitement and adventure are two of the things Peter found when he woke up on one snowy day. After getting all bundled up, he headed out for a day full of fun. He made tracks in the snow, made snow angels, and made a snowman. It was such a fun day that Peter wanted a souvenir. So he picked up some snow and put it into his pocket. While he was getting ready for bed, he was telling his mother all about the day he had. After his bath he went to coat pocket. But he couldn’t find his snowy souvenir. Where could it have gone? Did he misplace it somewhere? He went to bed and dreamt all of the snow had melted because the sun started to shine down brightly. When he woke up a surprise was in store for him. Grabbing his friend, they set out for another adventure. 13. Title: Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Author/Illustrator: Mo Willems  o All of children’s lives they hear the word “No.” For the first time, they get to exercise the ability to tell someone no. But would be the harm in saying yes? This is a great way to talk about promises and favors. The bus driver trusted you to not let the pigeon drive the bus, and you agreed. This means that he asked you for a favor and you said that you would do it. Following through on your promise means that you have character. By telling the pigeon “no” even though he guilts you, persuades you, bribes you, and tries to trick you, you still have to keep your promise. How would you feel if someone didn’t keep a promise they made to you? When faced in times of trial, what will you do? 14. Title: New Friends, True Friends, Stuck-Like-Glue-Friends Author: Virginia Kroll Illustrator: Rose Rosely  o Friendship is a grand, marvelous thing. Friends come in all shapes and sizes. They are there for a time, reason, place, and memories are made. No matter what type of friend you have, they are always a lot of fun. They can talk with you, play with you, eat with you, or laugh with you. What kind of friends do you have? Talking about friendship is very important. Teaching the value of friendship and all of the ways that friendships can look is a way of enlightening children that friends are special. What the two, or more, of you do together is important. 15. Title: A Firefly Named Torchy Author/Illustrator: Bernard Waber  o What happens when you are special and everyone loves that about you, but you soon come to find out that no one appreciates it anymore and you start to hate your special talent? Torchy finds this out. Being the brightest firefly was a glorious thing. Until one night when he lit up the forest with his brightness and everyone wished he wasn’t so bright. Fighting with himself he wished he was like every other firefly that night. He wanted to play with all of the other fireflies, but he was too bright. Upon talking to his mother, who gave him encouragement, he tried again only to be greatly disappointed. The owl of the night reminded how special Torchy was but Torchy was not interested in being special. So he sets off into the distance. The more he flies, the more he shines. The more he shines the better he feels about his uniqueness. The better he feels the happier he becomes. So happy that he returns home, learning to twinkle. 16. Title: Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday Author: Judith Viorist Illustrator: Ray Cruz <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o He used to be rich, but Alexander lost everything. Instead of saving his money, he squandered it away on frivolous things. This is a tale of how easy it is to spend money on things rather quickly but end up with nothing you really need, or want. However, he did end up with some things. Sometimes, things do not go the way you plan them. Alexander, as points, knew that he wasn’t going to spend any more money. Could he keep himself from impulsively buying something in the heat of the moment? In the end Alexander does learn a valuable lesson. All because he used to be rich…last Sunday. 17. Title: Do You Know What I’ll Do? Author: Charlotte Zoltow Illustrator: Javaka Stepteo <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o What would you do if you went for a walk, or to the sea, or the movies? This little girl knows what she would do. And each thing she would do was for someone else. Be others focused! Life is not about you, but about how you can be toward others and show them the love of Christ. This small child exemplifies what is means to have thoughts that are centered on doing things for others. This too comes at a price. Not being a people pleaser is a good thing, but genuinely wanting to do something nice for someone is sometimes the best gift in the world. What would you do? 18. Title: Ira Sleeps Over Author: Bernard Waber <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o Ira’s never slept over at a friend’s house before. He is super excited, except for one thing. Ira has a secret, he has a teddy bear named Tah Tah. A teddy bear that he has never slept without. He doesn’t want his friend Reggie to laugh at him for having a teddy bear. Should he bring it? Shouldn’t he? He sets out to find the answer. Everyone says he should. Everyone except his sister. Will he follow the advice of everyone he holds dear? Or will he listen to the words his sister speaks for fear that Reggie will laugh at him? In the end will Ira forget about image and do what he knows he needs to? Ira has a lot to learn about acceptance and image and by the end he wouldn’t have changed a thing. 19. Title: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Author: Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault Illustrator: Lois Ehlert <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o A new and exciting way to teach the alphabet! What happens when all of the baby letters try to make it to the top of the coconut tree? Will there be enough room? Learning the alphabet, introducing baby letters and capitol letters has never been more fun. Once all of the letters make it up the tree that is not the end of the story. Going through the alphabet again in a sing-song rhyming way. When the big letters come into play, children can see that sometimes you may get hurt, but relatives are always there for you. Chicka Chicka Boom! Boom! 20. Title: Harriett the Homeless Raccoon Author/Illustrator: Mary Haverfield <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o What is a raccoon to do when she leaves her home in search for one all her own? Growing up the oldest child in a raccoon family was not easy. Harriett now thinks that it is time for her to leave the nest and live out on her own. She is in for an unwanted surprise. Although all Harriett wants is a home to call all her own, she has trouble finding one. At first a place may seem safe and cozy, but never take something at face value. Harriett learns this the hard way. Harriett just became homeless and resorted to living in the words, only to find a home that she can call or own. Or can she? The end of book is filled with fun fact about raccoon that most people would probably not know. Although this story is a children’s fiction picture book, it is accurate and factual. The characters and story may be made up, but the behaviors of Harriett and the other animals/people is correct. 21. Title: The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear Author: Don and Audrey Wood Illustrator: Don Wood o Deception. As the narrator of the story, they have a particular role to play. In this book, the narrator tricks a little mouse into giving him something. He frightens and threatens the little mouse. Bullying him so much that the little mouse grows so scared that he will do anything to protect the strawberry he holds so dear. The little mouse has so much trust in the narrator to believe what he says. He puts his faith into someone who is at fault and who ends up deceiving the poor little mouse. However, the mouse is none the wiser in the end as he was in the beginning. He has no clue what the narrator is doing or had done. Still that does not make it right. What should you do? What would you do? <span style="border-color: windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: solid none; border-width: 1.5pt medium; display: block; padding: 1pt 0in;"> 6 Intermediate Books 1. Title: Romiette and Julio Author: Sharon M. Draper <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o A modern tale of Romeo and Juliet. These two star-crossed lovers met one fateful day inside the workings of an internet chat-room. Julio, a Hispanic transfer student form Corpus Christi, TX, just moved to Cincinnati, OH in hopes to be removed from the gang violence that threatened his family and his lives. Romiette, an African-American student in Cincinnati, OH, is having reoccurring nightmares about drowning and a male voice she has never heard before. Along with the help of her friend Destiny, Romiette finds that Julio is the voice she keeps hearing in her dreams. Upon meeting one day Romiette and Julio start to fall far past friendship and into love. The major gang in Cincinnati, The Devildogs, do not approve of the two young people’s relationship. After much threatening and, they do something more drastic. The Devildogs kidnap the two lovebirds and set them adrift on the lake. Lost, cold, wet, Romiette’s inability to swim, and a storm fast approaching these two need to think quick. Can their love, family and friends save them? Or will fate take its toll as it did in Shakespeare’s __Romeo and Juliet__?y 2. Title: The Magician’s Nephew Author: C. S. Lewis <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o All know the story, or have seen the movie, depicting Narnia. A magical land where animals talk, a mighty Lion is the creator and savior, a white witch is as evil as they come and small children can pass between our world and theirs. But how did such a land come to be? Why is it possible to go between worlds? Does magic really exist? Digory, a young boy, and Polly, his neighbor, were forced into a land they had never seen before. With the use of yellow and green magical rings, these two youngsters are in for a ride that will change their lives. Curiosity gets the better or them, creating some interesting adventures. Will these two learn the powers magic holds? Can they bring this magic with them wherever they go? Does Narnia really exist? And if so, can they ever return? 3. Title: Lu <3 ya Bunches Author: Lauren Myracle <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o Four fifth-grade girls are in for a rough first week of school. Separated by race, religion, classes, and social rankings it is a wonder that any of these four girls would give each other the time of day. But one thing binds them together…FLOWER POWER! Katie-Rose, the chatty photographer, Yasaman, the quiet Muslim, Camilla, miss popular, and Violet, the new girl, all share the common fact that their names are flowers. Each has their own story, which will unfold before your eyes. Through the twists and turns that the dramatic life of a 10-year-old girl brings, these girls find out in one week just what it means to be a true friend and true to themselves. This is their story, from each of their perspectives. 4. Title: Fat Chance Author: Leslea Newman <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o Dear Diary, I have a secret… A tale of one girls struggle with self image and the fight that took over her whole world. Judi is a typical girl. She hates being picked on, has a crush on the coolest guy in her grade, and she hates her body. After receiving a journal from her English teacher, she starts to write all of her thoughts down. The boy of her dreams finally asks her out, only to use her in order to date her friend, Monica. Now what is she to do! After stumbling upon the most popular, perfectly skinny girl in the school doing something she considers discussing does she realize she has made a new friend in Nancy. Nancy opens up Judi’s mind to the world of “true happiness”. Judi, thinking Nancy has it all together, decides to give it a try. Finding herself caught in this vicious cycle and seeing what she could become, she wonders if she will ever get out it by herself. Fat Chance! Only after reuniting with Monica and discovering her inner power does she develop the courage to regain control of her life and her choices. 5. Title: Ttyl Author: Lauren Myracle <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o “OMG! I can’t believe what just happened?!” TTYL is set up in a unique way. It breaks you into the mind of three girls who face many “trials” of school but promise to stick together through thick and thin. The way they do this is by IMing back and forth every day after school. These best friends think they can survive anything, but are they sorely mistaken? What about Maddie’s new obsession with the popular girl? Her crazy ideas, the feeling of acceptance, and one wild party may all lead to a disastrous decision involving indecent exposure, udder humiliation and the loss of her closest friends. Can Angela bear the thought of not having a guy in her life? Boy crazy, one attraction after the other, and repeated heartbreak may send her and her friends over the edge. What about sweet “innocent Zoe? Her curiosity for Christianity, naïve nature, and secret teacher crush will get her in way over head. Will these circumstances ban the friends closer together? Or tear their friendship to shreds? 6. Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Author: J. K. Rowling o Harry is still getting used to the fact that he is different than most. Living amongst his Muggle relatives is not an easy task. Harry is a wizard and his family, or what is left of it, does not accept him for who he is and they refuse to let Harry into their lives or have one of his own. As the summer progresses, only one thing is keeping Harry sane; the thought that he will once again leave this place when school starts. Little does he know what awaits him there. A new teacher comes to Hogwarts, one who loves the limelight and soaks up all the attention he can get. When he tries to drag Harry into the mix, Harry is less than thrilled. When a lesson goes awry, Harry steps in to save the day like always. However, his secret ability to speak Parseltongue is exposed. Being a second year student is tough enough, but when the only people who are like you start to turn against you it stops being fun. To top all of that off, something is moving about the school petrifying people, animals and ghosts. Curiosity and bravery evoke Harry to investigate, leading him deep into the bowels of the underground where he encounters once more Lord Voldemort and a Gigantic Snake. With all of the twists and turns, it is an amazement that Harry not only makes it out alive, but saves his best friend’s younger sister. Once again, Harry is a hero, and cannot wait to see what else Hogwarts has in-store. <span style="border-color: windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-style: solid none; border-width: 1.5pt medium; display: block; padding: 1pt 0in;"> 3 Young Adult Books 1. Title: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else Author: Erin McCahan <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o In this riveting tale of love, longing, and identity, Bronwen has to figure out what she really wants and what that looks life for her life, with or without Jared. All her life she knew she was never supposed to be Bronwen Alexis Oliver. She would make up a fantasy world where she pretended to be switched at birth with someone whose parents were prefect for her. There were little things about herself she did know: 1. She wanted to wait until she was married to have sex, 2. She shied away from her stepdad because she felt like he would never want her to be his daughter and she resented him for it, and 3. She was always meant to be Someone Else. Growing up, her mom wanted her to be who she wasn’t and Bronwen learned to please. After an incident with her then boyfriend, she met up with a long lost friend of the family’s. They began to talk and then grew to dating and even love. But Bronwen has no idea what she wants until it is too little too late. 2. Title: The Lonely Hearts Club Author: Elizabeth Eulberg <span style="border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1.5pt; display: block; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> o A tale of love and loss. Penny Lane was raised in a family who are avid Beatles followers, as you can see by the name she was given. Penny is in love with her childhood friend named Nick. After an encounter that did not go anything like she planned, she decided to swear off guys completely! “No seriously!” she exclaimed, “I’m done!” Penny starts what she called the Lonely Hearts Club. However, a club cannot be a club with only one person and her friends were not going to be joining anytime soon. Little did Penny know that her ex-best friend would want to join. Gradually, one by one or three or four, more girls would join Penny’s club. The male population of her high school, needless to say, was not pleased. As the year went on, many boys tried to pursue Penny, but she didn’t want any of them. Penny started to become closer friends with Ryan and Nick was not letting up that he still “wanted” her. Through all of these situations Penny and her club members learned the true meaning of friendship, a sisterhood. They also learned what it really means to date and boys aren’t all evil/stupid but they do have their flaws. Dating is about being in a relationship with someone you love and not cutting all of your friends out of your life. But which club member broke the pact/rules forcing them to change forever? 3. Title: Sea Change Author: Aimee Friedman o Miranda has grown up her entire life knowing who she is and what is logical. She is a realist, folklore and legends are not of any interest with her. She wants to be a scientist, just as her parents are both surgeons. But one fateful summer, she is forced to put her internship on hold to help her mother pack up their grandmother’s mansion of Selkie Island. Miranda never knew much of her mother’s background, and even less of her grandmother Isadora. Upon arrival to this island, Miranda is being pounded with all of the legends and lore of Selkie Island, one of which was an old sailor heeding her to be careful with whom she meets both in and out of the water. Miranda, like many in a new place, is uncomfortable around who her mother is becoming and the children of her so-called “friends.” On a late night stroll she runs into a boy named Leo who seems to have just appeared. Leo always seems to just appear whenever Miranda is out by herself. Leo is unlike any other boy she has met this summer, he is a local boy. As she becomes more attached to Leo, Miranda starts to feel a draw toward him. She also starts investigating who he truly is and the part of himself he seems to be hiding. While in the process of testing her hypothesis, she began to drown. Leo dives in and rescues her, only to discover she may never be coming back to Selkie after this summer. Miranda leaves Selkie, with the new knowledge that she will be returning to the Mariner. Only to realize that she never got to tell Leo, however she has a feeling he knows. The same old sailor gives her one last message before she departs, “Once you come to Selkie Island, you will be back. It’s like it calls you to it.” With all her heart, Miranda knows this to be true. She knows she will be back and see Leo again.