Go, Go America

Wouldn’t you know it? As soon as I turn in my handbook to BER for printing, I find another wonderful book for boys! I just finished Go, Go America by Dan Yaccarino. It has been on my “to do” list for awhile, but as I was trying to round out my recommended list for SDUSD, I discovered a need for books for grades 3-6. There it was with a red dot, waiting to be savored.

Go, Go is full of interesting tidbits about all 50 states. Following the Fabulous Farley Family, readers travel across the US discovering all kinds of wacky facts. Some are laws that are still on the books. For example on Market Street in San Francisco, elephants must be kept on a leash. In Atlanta, it is illegal to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or a streetlight. That means that someone actually did it!

Fairbanks, Alaska hosts the Ice Art Championships of the world. I know, because I saw it last March with my own two eyes! (That's me on the left, hiding in Mary/Barbara's wonderful coat.) It’s also against the law to wake a sleeping bear in order to photograph it- at least in Alaska.

Items like these gems are just the tip of the iceberg. Rounding out the book, Yaccarino includes an alphabetical listing of the standard facts about states. Go, Go America is a book that upper elementary students- and probably a few adults- will turn to again and again.

Bear's Picture

Learn something new every day. That should be a rule. Maybe not something that becomes a chore, but we should slow down enough to appreciate things that we see and do. For example, sometimes I read so fast that I forget to slow down and just enjoy the reading of a book. Zooming through, you may really miss something you could have seen for yourself.

Last night I spoke at USD about new picture books for 2008. One of the books was the new version of Bear’s Picture by Daniel Pinkwater, illustrated by D.B. Johnson. It first came out in 1972. Pinkwater wrote and illustrated the first book. Johnson adds his own twist to the story in the latest version. There is something in that book that I completely missed, even with several readings under my belt. To find out more about it, check out the NPR slide show, but be sure you have the book with you. It’s a moment for you to slow down and learn something new.

The Real John Henry

When reading a nonfiction book in bed keeps you interested after 11 hours at work and cooking dinner in a summer apartment with no air conditioning, it would appear you have a winner. Such is the case in Ain’t Nothing But a Man by Scott Reynolds Nelson with Marc Aronson. A picture book for older readers, 57 pages in length with excellent back matter, Nelson tells the story of how history is discovered. As Aronson says in the appendix, when you read a secondary source, not only do you get facts, you also get the author’s opinions and conclusions as well. By searching primary sources and actually visiting related sites, researchers find clues that lead you to draw your own conclusions. The work of a historian is very much like being a detective.

Nothing But a Man is the search to find the real John Henry. You know the songs; you have probably sung them yourself. We have all read Lester and Pinkney’s award winning picture book of the legend of John Henry. The author used versions of the song to find clues to discover the identity of John Henry. He learned that there were 40,000 men, mostly African American, working on the railroads in the South as trackliners. One of those was an inmate from a penitentiary in Virginia. His name was John Henry.

How did he find out? He was persistent in his requests of a librarian until one finally gave him access to the “big ledger.” He visited places that were mentioned in the songs. He read other works. He studied pictures. Eventually the clues led him to Lewis Tunnel and a conclusion that the songs, as many songs are, were sending a message- the hammer that killed John Henry “can’t kill me.”

Read it today. Read it more than once. Then remember what you read as you do your own research. Question what you read. Compare information. Answers don’t always come easily. Be a detective and find your own answers.

Sleeping Animals

I hadn’t intended to write about picture books today, but as I am readying a new workshop on picture books, I came across two books. Ironically both are about animals who have found a safe haven. One sleeps through storm and gale, while the other is soon startled awake. The Searcher and the Old Tree by David McPhail tells the story of a raccoon who settles down to sleep in the arms of an old tree. When seemingly gale force winds rock the tree, the Searcher sleeps on. (Oh! if only I could do that.) Scoot! By Cathryn Falwell tells the story of busy pond animals while six silent turtles slumber away.

Both stories are beautifully illustrated. McPhail’s lovely watercolor illustrations are peaceful and comforting until the storm hits. Even then, the branches of the old tree curl around, protecting its inhabitant. Falwell’s are paper cut collages, using- in fact, some of the things she found in nature to write about. Both are perfect for a Storytime. Add Scoot! to your science lessons on habitats. Use The Searcher in a lesson about animals or allegories. Where is your safe haven?

Where in the World is Deborah?

By now, you may have wondered where I have been. This is the time of year that I make some time to do community theatre. Wonder of Wonders- This year I played the role of Annie Oakley in "Annie Get Your Gun." I also did the costumes, which was so much fun too! That, of course, led me to reread biographies of Little Sure Shot and others in the show. If you have ever seen the play or the movie, you should know that they are nothing like the true story of Annie and Frank. The real Frank Butler knew a good thing when he saw it and married Annie within a year of that first shooting match. Right away he saw that she had a gift for shooting and became her manager. My favorite is National Geographics' Bull's-eye : a Photobiography of Annie Oakley by Sue Macy.

One of the things I did while the show was running, was to give the kids in the cast books to read during their downtime. I pulled books about the old west, Annie Oakley and others in the play, and some books that are just plain good. For the last weekend, I pulled out some of my favorite picture books from last year-Chester, books by Mo Willems, and Princess Justina. See below for a complete list of what we read and talked about over the three week run.

The show ends on Sunday. After that, it's back to the world as usual. I go back on the road in September. In between, I have lots of reading to do. Stop in and see what I found!

Books about the Wild West, Annie Oakley and Books That Are Just Plain Good!

Abnett, Dan. -- Sitting Bull and the Battle of the Little Bighorn {IL 3-6, 978.004} -- PowerKids Press, 2007., RL 3.5, 24p
Agee, Jon. -- Nothing {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2007., RL 2.1, 32p
Agee, Jon. -- Terrific {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion, 2005., RL 2.9, 32p
Armstrong, Jennifer. -- The American story : 100 true tales from American history {IL 3-6, 973} – Knopf, 2006., RL 6.4, 358p
Arnold, Tedd. -- Even more parts : idioms from head to toe {IL K-3, -E-} -- Dial Books for Young Readers, 2004., RL 1.7, 30p
Arnold, Tedd. -- Hi! Fly Guy {IL K-3, -E-} -- Scholastic, 2005., RL 1.4, 30p
Arnold, Tedd. -- Parts {IL K-3, -E-} -- Puffin Books, 2000, c1997., RL 3.3, 32p
Asch, Frank. -- Mr. Maxwell's mouse {IL K-3, -E-} -- Kids Can Press, 2004., RL 5, 32p
Auch, Mary Jane. -- The princess and the pizza {IL K-3, -E-} -- Holiday House, 2002., RL 3.8, 32p
Banks, Kate. -- Max's words {IL K-3, -E-} -- Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006., RL 3.2, 32p
Biedrzycki, David. -- Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective {IL K-3, -E-} -- Charlesbridge, 2005., RL 2.4, 44p
Bishop, Nic. -- Nic Bishop spiders {IL K-3, 595.4} -- Scholastic Nonfiction, 2007., RL 3.3, 48p
Blair, Eric. -- Annie Oakley, sharp shooter {IL K-3, 799.3} -- Picture Window Books, 2005., RL 2.9, 32p
Bruchac, Joseph. -- A boy called Slow : the true story of Sitting Bull {IL K-3, 978} -- Philomel Books, 1994., RL 4.3, 32p
Bruel, Nick. -- Who is Melvin Bubble? {IL K-3, -E-} -- Roaring Brook Press, 2006., RL 2.4, 32p
Child, Lauren. -- But excuse me that is my book {IL K-3, -E-} -- Dial Books for Young Readers, 2005., RL 2.3, 32p
Child, Lauren. -- Who's afraid of the big bad book? {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2003, 2002., RL 5.5, 32p
Cronin, Doreen. -- Diary of a spider {IL K-3, -E-} -- Joanna Cotler Books, 2005., RL 2.5, 36p
Crummel, Susan Stevens. -- Ten-gallon Bart {IL K-3, -E-} -- Marshall Cavendish Children, 2006., RL 2, 32p
Crunk, Tony. -- Railroad John and the Red Rock run {IL K-3, -E-} -- Peachtree Publishers, 2006., RL 3.9, 32p
Cushman, Doug. -- Mystery at the Club Sandwich {IL K-3, -E-} -- Clarion, 2004., RL 1.6, 30p
Davidson, Ellen Dee. -- Princess Justina Albertina : a cautionary tale {IL K-3, -E-} -- Charlesbridge, 2007., RL 2.3, 32p
Deedy, Carmen Agra. -- The library dragon {IL K-3, -E-} -- Peachtree, c1994., RL 5.5, 32p
Deedy, Carmen Agra. -- Martina the beautiful cockroach {IL K-3, 398.2} -- Peachtree, 2007., RL 2.8, 32p
Dolan, Edward F. -- The Pony Express {IL 3-6, 383} -- Benchmark Books, 2003., RL 5.8, 48p
Duvoisin, Roger. -- Petunia {IL K-3, -E-} -- Dragonfly Books, 2002, c1950., RL 3.1, 32p
Englar, Mary. -- The Sioux and their history {IL 5-8, 978.004} -- Compass Point, 2006., RL 4.2, 48p
Finchler, Judy. -- Miss Malarkey leaves no reader behind {IL K-3, -E-} -- Walker, RL 3.5, 32p
Freedman, Russell. -- Children of the Wild West {IL 5-8, 978} -- Clarion, c1983., RL 7.5, 104p
Friend, Catherine. -- The perfect nest {IL K-3, -E-} -- Candlewick Press, 2007., RL 2.3, 34p
Fuchs, Bernie. -- Ride like the wind : a tale of the Pony Express {IL K-3, -E-} -- Blue Sky Press, 2004., RL 4.5, 32p
Gran, Julia. -- Big bug surprise {IL K-3, -E-} -- Scholastic Press, 2007., RL 3, 32p
Gravett, Emily. -- Wolves {IL K-3, -E-} -- Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006, 2005., RL 3, 34p
Grey, Mini. -- The adventures of the dish and the spoon {IL K-3, -E-} -- Knopf, 2006., RL 2.3, 32p
Grey, Mini. -- Traction Man is here! {IL K-3, -E-} -- Knopf , 2005., RL 3.2, 32p
Gunderson, Jessica -- Young Riders of the Pony Express {IL 3-6, -E-} -- Capstone Press, 2006.
Harness, Cheryl. -- They're off! : the story of the Pony Express {IL 3-6, 383} -- Aladdin Paperbacks, 2002, 1996., RL 5.5, 32p
Haugen, Brenda. -- Annie Oakley : American sharpshooter {IL 5-8, 799.3} -- Compass Point Books, 2007., RL 6.7, 112p
Hawkes, Kevin. -- The wicked big toddlah {IL K-3, -E-} -- Knopf, 2007., RL 2.8, 34p
Hayden, Kate. -- Plains Indians {IL 3-6, 978} -- Two-Can in association with F. Watts, 1997., RL 5.2, 32p
Henkes, Kevin. -- A good day {IL K-3, -E-} -- Greenwillow Books, 2007., RL 2.1, 24p
Hicks, Peter. -- You wouldn't want to live in a Wild West town! : dust you'd rather not settle {IL 3-6, 978} -- Franklin Watts, 2002., RL 5, 32p
James, Helen Foster. -- S is for s'mores : a camping alphabet {IL 3-6, 796.54} -- Sleeping Bear Press , Thomson/Gale, 2007., RL 5.5, 40p
Jeffers, Oliver. -- The incredible book eating boy {IL K-3, -E-} -- Philomel Books, 2007, 2006., RL 2.2, 32p
Jenkins, Emily. -- That new animal {IL K-3, -E-} -- Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005., RL 3.3, 32p
Kalman, Bobbie. -- Women of the West {IL 3-6, 920.72} -- Crabtree Pub. Co., 2000., RL 5.7, 32p
Kellogg, Steven. -- Pecos Bill : a tall tale {IL K-3, 398.2} -- Morrow, 1986., RL 5.2, 46p
Kellogg, Steven. -- Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind Crockett : a tall tale {IL 3-6, 398.2} -- Mulberry Books, 1999, 1995., RL 5.3, 40p
Kimmel, Elizabeth Cody. -- The top job {IL K-3, -E-} -- Dutton Children's Books, 2007., RL 3.9, 32p
Kimmel, Eric A. -- The Great Texas hamster drive {IL K-3, -E-} -- Marshall Cavendish Children, 2007., RL 2.4, 40p
Kloske, Geoffrey. -- Once upon a time, the end : (asleep in 60 seconds) {IL K-3, -E-} -- Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2005., RL 2.6, 25p
Koestler-Grack, Rachel A. -- The Sioux : nomadic buffalo hunters {IL 3-6, 978.004} -- Blue Earth Books, 2003., RL 5.6, 32p
Krosoczka, Jarrett. -- Punk Farm {IL K-3, -E-} – Knopf, 2005., RL 1.6, 30p
Krosoczka, Jarrett. -- Punk Farm : on tour {IL K-3, -E-} -- Knopf, 2007., RL 2.3, 36p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Fartiste {IL K-3, -E-} -- Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2008., RL 1.8, 37p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Harvesting hope : the story of Cesar Chavez {IL K-3, 331.88} -- Harcourt, 2003., RL 6.3, 48p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Houdini : world's greatest mystery man and escape king {IL 3-6, 793.8} -- Walker, 2005., RL 5.8, 28p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Lives of extraordinary women : rulers, rebels (and what the neighbors thought) {IL 5-8, 320} -- Harcourt, 2000., RL 6.7, 95p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Lives of the artists : masterpieces, messes (and what the neighbors thought) {IL 3-6, 709} -- Harcourt Brace, 1995., RL 5.8, 96p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Lives of the athletes : thrills, spills (and what the neighbors thought) {IL 5-8, 796} -- Harcourt Brace, 1997., RL 7.3, 96p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Lives of the musicians : good times, bad times (and what the neighbors thought) {IL 5-8, 780} -- Harcourt Brace, 1993., RL 6.3, 96p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Lives of the presidents : fame, shame, and what the neighbors thought {IL 5-8, 973} -- Harcourt Brace & Co., 1998., RL 7.5, 96p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Lives of the writers : comedies, tragedies (and what the neighbors thought) {IL 5-8, 809} -- Harcourt Brace, 1994., RL 6.9, 96p
Krull, Kathleen. -- M is for music {IL K-3, 780} -- Harcourt, 2003., RL 4.3, 48p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Pocahontas : princess of the New World {IL K-3, 975.5} -- Walker, 2007., RL 4.6, 36p
Krull, Kathleen. -- A pot o' gold : a treasury of Irish stories, poetry, folklore, and (of course) blarney {IL 3-6, 820.8} -- Hyperion Books For Children, 2004., RL 3.9, 181p
Krull, Kathleen. -- Wilma unlimited : how Wilma Rudolph became the world's fastest woman {IL 3-6, 796.42} -- Harcourt Brace, 1996., RL 4.8, 44p
Krull, Kathleen. -- A woman for president : the story of Victoria Woodhull {IL 3-6, 305.42} -- Walker & Co., 2004., RL 5.8, 32p
LaRochelle, David. -- The end {IL K-3, -E-} -- Arthur A. Levine Books, 2007., RL 3.2, 36p
Long, Melinda. -- How I became a pirate {IL K-3, -E-} -- Harcourt, 2003., RL 3.1, 36p
Long, Melinda. -- Pirates don't change diapers {IL K-3, -E-} -- Harcourt, 2007., RL 2.7, 42p
Macy, Sue. -- Bull's-eye : a photobiography of Annie Oakley {IL 5-8, 799.3} -- National Geographic Society, 2001., RL 8.8, 64p
McLeod, Bob. -- SuperHero ABC {IL K-3, -E-} -- HarperCollins, 2006., RL 2.7, 34p
Morris, Carla. -- The boy who was raised by librarians {IL K-3, -E-} -- Peachtree, 2007., RL 4.1, 32p
Muntean, Michaela. -- Do not open this book {IL K-3, -E-} -- Scholastic Press, 2006., RL 1.4, 34p
O'Connor, Jane. -- Fancy Nancy and the posh puppy {IL K-3, -E-} -- HarperCollins, 2007., RL 1.7, 32p
O'Malley, Kevin. -- Captain Raptor and the moon mystery {IL K-3, -E-} -- Walker, 2005., RL 3, 32p
O'Malley, Kevin. -- Captain Raptor and the space pirates {IL K-3, -E-} -- Walker, RL 3.2, 32p
Offill, Jenny. -- 17 things I'm not allowed to do anymore {IL K-3, -E-} -- Schwartz & Wade Books, 2007., RL 3.9, 32p
Palatini, Margie. -- The cheese {IL K-3, -E-} -- Katherine Tegen Books, 2007., RL 2.7, 32p
Pallotta, Jerry. -- The beetle alphabet book {IL K-3, 595.76} -- Charlesbridge, 2004., RL 4.8, 32p
Pinkney, Andrea Davis. -- Bill Pickett : rodeo-ridin' cowboy {IL K-3, 636.2} -- Voyager Books, 1999, 1996., RL 5, 32p
Portis, Antoinette. -- Not a box {IL K-3, -E-} -- HarperCollins, 2006., RL .7, 32p
Prince, April Jones. -- Twenty-one elephants and still standing {IL K-3, -E-} -- Houghton Mifflin, 2005., RL 4.9, 32p
Rocco, John. -- Wolf! Wolf! {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2007., RL 3.7, 32p
Salley, Coleen. -- Epossumondas saves the day {IL K-3, -E-} -- Harcourt, 2006., RL 3.5, 42p
Salley, Coleen. -- Why epossumondas has no hair on his tail {IL K-3, -E-} -- Harcourt, 2004., RL 3, 34p
Shea, Bob. -- Big plans {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2008., RL 1.4, 42p
Sierra, Judy. -- Thelonius Monster's sky-high fly pie : a revolting rhyme {IL K-3, -E-} -- Knopf, 2006., RL 3.2, 34p
Silate, Jennifer. -- Little Sure Shot : Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show {IL 5-8, 799.3} -- Rosen Central Primary Source, 2004., RL 5.1, 32p
Simms, Laura. -- Rotten teeth {IL K-3, -E-} -- Houghton Mifflin, c1998., RL 2.5, 32p
Smith, Lane. -- John, Paul, George & Ben {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2006., RL 3.5, 40p
Sneed, Brad. -- Deputy Harvey and the ant cow caper {IL K-3, -E-} -- Dial Books for Young Readers, 2005., RL 3.9, 32p
Squires, Janet. -- The Gingerbread Cowboy {IL K-3, 398.21} -- Laura Geringer Books, 2006., RL 3.5, 32p
Stanley, Diane. -- Raising Sweetness {IL K-3, -E-} -- Putnam's, 1999., RL 3.5, 32p
Stanley, Diane. -- Saving Sweetness {IL K-3, -E-} -- Putnam's Sons, 1996., RL 3.5, 32p
Swanson, Wayne. -- Why the West was wild {IL 5-8, 978} -- Annick Press, 2004., RL 6.7, 46p
Sydor, Colleen. -- Raising a little stink {IL K-3, -E-} -- Kids Can Press, 2006., RL 4.1, 32p
Thayer, Ernest Lawrence. -- Casey at the bat : a ballad of the Republic sung in the year 1888 {IL 3-6, 811} -- Handprint Books, 2000., RL 5.5, 30p
Thomas, Jan. -- What will Fat Cat sit on? {IL K-3, -E-} -- Harcourt, 2007., RL 1.9, 33p
Trumbauer, Lisa. -- Sitting Bull {IL K-3, 978.004} -- Capstone Press, 2004., RL 2.8, 24p
Urbanovic, Jackie. -- Duck at the door {IL K-3, -E-} -- HarperCollins, 2007., RL 1.6, 32p
Van Allsburg, Chris. -- Probuditi! {IL K-3, -E-} -- Houghton Mifflin, 2006., RL 3.4, 32p
Watt, Melanie. -- Chester {IL K-3, -E-} -- Kids Can Press, 2007., RL 1.8, 32p
Wiesner, David. – Flotsam {IL K-3, -E-} -- Clarion Books, 2006., 40p
Willems, Mo. -- Don't let the pigeon drive the bus! {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2003., RL 1.3, 34p
Willems, Mo. -- Don't let the pigeon stay up late! {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2006., RL 1.6, 36p
Willems, Mo. -- I am invited to a party! {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2007., RL 1.2, 56p
Willems, Mo. -- Knuffle Bunny too : a case of mistaken identity {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2007., RL 2.9, 42p
Willems, Mo. -- Leonardo the terrible monster {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion, 2005., RL 1.9, 44p
Willems, Mo. -- My friend is sad {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2007., RL 1.2, 57p
Willems, Mo. -- The pigeon finds a hot dog! {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2004., RL 2, 34p
Willems, Mo. -- The pigeon wants a puppy! {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2008., RL 1.2, 34p
Willems, Mo. -- There is a bird on your head! {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2007., RL .8, 57p
Willems, Mo. -- Today I will fly! {IL K-3, -E-} -- Hyperion Books for Children, 2007., RL 1.2, 57p
Williams, Jean Kinney. -- The Pony Express {IL 5-8, 383} -- Compass Point Books, 2003., RL 6.7, 48p
Willis, Jeanne. -- Tadpole's promise {IL K-3, -E-} -- Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2005., RL 2.6, 28p

Picture Book Biography

I am regrouping my daily schedule to plan for times to read. So, early this morning, I looked on my “to read right away” shelf and found Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne and illustrated by Eric Puybaret (2008 Chronicle Books). Berne writes for Nick Jr. and this is her first picture book. One of the things I look for in a new book is what happens after I finish. Do I want to read it again? Study the illustrations? Do some research? Tell someone else? If that is your measuring stick too, then, prepare yourself. That is exactly what you will feel after you read Berne’s book.

I am always on the lookout for picture book biographies and picture books for older readers. This book is both. Though the story could certainly be read to younger students, the style and font lean toward an older reader. Teachers of science can certainly use this book in their classes. One of my favorite uses of a PBOR is to proof the facts. Assign parts of the story to your students and have them verify the facts found in the book. Like all good writers, be sure to require more than one source, at least one in print. Be sure to check out the Cousteau Society website http://cousteau.org/.

Beautifully written and illustrated, readers will be inspired to do as Cousteau was often heard to say, “Il faut aller voir,” which translates from French to mean “We must go and see for ourselves.” I hope you will.

Alfred Kropp- The Thirteenth Skull

I just got back from my last books and boys workshop of the season. On the way to El Paso, TX, I read an advance copy of Alfred Kropp The Thirteenth Skull by Rick Yancey- book three of the Alfred Kropp Adventures, published by Bloomsbury Books, 2008 (rated YA for violence,- language is minimal). I remember when I read the first book The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp, I thought, "Genius! He's Alex Rider meets Indiana Jones." 13th Skull is even better.

Ok- Here is what I think about Skulls.

1. This is not an "airplane" book. I almost missed my flight- twice!! I was so engrossed in the story that not once, but twice, I looked up to turn a page and found myself almost alone- everyone else had boarded.

2. Another reason it is not an airplane book- I read almost the whole thing by the time I got from San Diego to El Paso. I read so fast, I hardly took time for oxygen. Cliff-hanging chapters with sharp last sentences, just increases the chance that readers will finish in one sitting.

Another thing I liked is that it is not filled with gratuitous cursing. So many YA books just go on and on. By the time Alfred actually says something, I am thinking even this good ole’ Southern Baptist girl would be cursing too. (Don't tell my mother.)

I was exhausted after the first chapter. It was like reading an Indiana Jones movie. I laughed out loud. I cried. I got really scared when I thought Alfred was going to die about mid-book. It's genius! Good thing I took some other books for the return flights- a sad disappointment compared to Alfred's adventures.

I love Alfred because he’s real. He’s a hero, but flawed. He’s a teenager, but mature. He’s as real as a character can get and still be fiction. He’s brilliant!

Rick Yancey has written another adventure in a book that is sure to top the charts. Skulls is certainly one of my favorite books this year for boys or anyone else who likes a good read. Having a female co-star signs the deal for that!

I will restlessly wait for Alfred’s next adventures. In the meantime, you can check out Rick's website. There is a contest that begins August 4! http://www.rickyancey.com/ You could win an autographed copy of one of his books or a Seal of Solomon T-shirt.

Ciao For Now Y'all!