Leanin' Dog by K. A. Nuzum

Since her mother died last year, Dessa Dean hasn't gone outside the family's wilderness cabin, afraid of the sad memories that follow her outdoors. When a stray dog comes nosing around one winter day, she wants to befriend it, but that means she'll have to go beyond the comfortable borders of her own home. Just when Dessa Dean and the dog are becoming friends, danger erupts and Dessa Dean must choose between saving a new friend and facing her greatest fears. The author's writing makes you feel like you are a part of Dessa Dean's small wilderness family. If you enjoy books about the power of friendship, read Leanin' Dog.

Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone

Samuel Collier is a street urchin in London. Life is not too promising. Then he has the great fortune to be selected to be the page for Captain John Smith on the ship called Susan Constant, which is headed to the new world. Samuel thinks gold will wash up on shore and life will be easy. They arrive in Jamestown in 1607 and it is nothing like what he imagined. It is not so simple to do things the English way. This is a great story, based on lots of real historical facts. Take the opportunity to learn about an important part of American history.

Brooklyn Bridge by Karen Hesse

This story is set in Brooklyn in 1903. Life is crowded and tough for the many, many recent immigrants. The main character, 14 year old Joseph Michtom, thinks it is good luck and bad luck that his parents are the inventors and producers of the Teddy Bear. They are now making enough money to cause jealousy amongst their neighbors. Joseph is lucky enough to be invited to a professional baseball game and that is great. But, what he really wants is a chance to go to the fantastic new amusement park, Coney Island.

Horse Song; The Naadam of Mongolia by Ted and Betsy Lewin

Ted and Betsy Lewin are a couple who have been travelling together for forty years and they have written and illustrated many popular books. This true book tells the story of their adventure in Mongolia, the "last horse culture on earth." They slept in a ger which is a large round portable tent. They ate airag which "tastes like watery, fizzy yogurt and smells faintly of horses." Every day, the children help with the milking of the horses and goats. The story centers on the Naadam, a summer festival which includes popular sports and, of course, horse racing. We get to know a little Mongolian boy as he prepares for and participates in the race. The story is great and the illustrations are fabulous. If you like horses or travel, don't miss this book.

There are always at least two sides to every story.

Encounter by Jane Yolen
We have heard the story of Chritopher Columbus landing in the "new world" over and over again. But what about the people who were already here? How did they feel? This book tells the story from the point of view of a Taino Indian boy. He wasn't even sure those creatures were human beings.

The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages

We now know what was going on in Los Alamos, New Mexico during World War II, but it was top secret when it was going on. The historical background for this story is the Manhatten Project. The development of the Atomic bomb was top secret even on the “Hill” where it was happening.

At last, Dewey gets to live with her father. He is a scientist working working long hours on the secret project known on the hill as "the gadget." Dewey is a loner who works on her own mechanical projects. The other girls are jealous because Dewey gets along with the boys.

Welcome to Read, Read, Read

Opening a new box of books is like Christmas! I am very lucky to be able to look at many new and wonderful books. I will share some with you, as I get a chance to read them.