A new school year is beginning and as they say, “it’s back to the books.” This week’s Book Buzz is dedicated to school kids from Pre-K to12th Grade. The book list includes picture books for Pre-K and Kindergarteners to help
A new school year is beginning and as they say, “it’s back to the books.” This week’s Book Buzz is dedicated to school kids from Pre-K to12th Grade. The book list includes picture books for Pre-K and Kindergarteners to help them adjust to a new year of new faces and new activities, titles for grade school kids on the experiences of school life, as well as teen books on how to survive and thrive in middle and high school. No matter what your age or what you’re learning, your neighborhood library is a learning partner and a book buddy.
Happy reading.
For pre-school and kindergarten
Don’t Be Silly, Mrs. Millie!
By Judy Cox
Illustrated by Joe Mathieu
Easy Picture Co
A teacher makes her students laugh when she mixes up words saying “goats” instead of “coats” and “poodles” when she means “puddles.”
My Preschool
By Anne Rockwell
Easy Picture R
Follows a little boy during his day at preschool, from cheerful hellos in circle time, to painting colorful pictures and playing at the water table, to passing out paper cups for snack. Also try the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood book Going to Day Care by Fred Rogers or See You Later, Mom! by Jennifer Northway.
On the Way to Kindergarten
By Virginia Kroll
Illustrated by Elisabeth Schlossberg
Easy Picture Kr
A mother describes the increasing accomplishments of her 5-year-old, from crying and sleeping to riding a tricycle, then preparing for school.
For grade schoolers
Cool Zone with the Pain and the Great One
By Judy Blume
Illustrations by James Stevenson
J Fiction Stevenson
More adventures at school and at home with Jake, a first-grader, and his older sister Abigail who call each other “the Pain” and “the Great One.”
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School
By Candace Fleming
J Fiction Fleming
An unlikely teacher takes over the disorderly fourth-grade class of Aesop Elementary with surprising results.
Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook
By Michael Garland
Easy Picture G
Zack is sure second grade will be boring, but that’s before he meets his intriguing new teacher. Miss Smith has a knack for telling tales. Her stories seem to literally spring to life. In Read All About It! by Laura Bush and Jenna Bush, illustrated by Denise Brunkus, Tyrone and his friends rule the school except for the library, which he thinks is boring until strange happenings during story hour change his mind.
No Talking
By Andrew Clements
J Fiction
The noisy fifth grade boys of Laketon Elementary School challenge the equally loud fifth grade girls to a “no talking” contest.
For teens
97 Things to Do Before You Finish High School
By Steven Jenkins
YA 646.70083
Being in high school is about a lot more than going to high school. This book is about the stuff they don’t teach you in high school, like how to host a film festival, plan your first road trip, make a podcast, or write a manifesto. Want to make a time capsule? Spend a day in silence? Lean how to match beats like a DJ Or shut down your house party before the police do? Whatever your creative, social or academic inclinations, you’ll find 97 ways on these pages to amuse, educate and interest yourself. Because your life doesn’t stop at 3 p.m. each day-it just gets started.
Book Crush: For Kids and Teens: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Interest
By Nancy Pearl
YA 011.62 Pe
Find your own good books by following these unique recommendations based on topics, interests, and other themes. From “A Dog’s Life” to “Girl Power” to “Heartbreak Hotel” Nancy Pearl has a knack for connecting a subject, setting or character with the right reader. This book points the way to a new and wonderful world of reading. Also try using the Hawaii State Public Library System’s subscription online database Novelist for recommended books.
Extraordinary Essays
By Tamra Orr
YA 808.4 Or
Here is help with specific ways to write different types of essays, project ideas to get your creative juices flowing, tips on how to kick your work up a notch, resources to find more information and activities to help you start thinking outside the box. Also look for Extraordinary Oral Presentations by Margaret Ryan in the same easy-to-read format
High School: The Real Deal: From GPAs to Graduation
By Juliana Farrell
YA383.18 Fa
How can they possibly expect me to do all this homework? Should I get an after-school job? What is “tracking” and what does it mean for me? What’s life like on the varsity team? How do I get ready for the SATs? I’m so stressed-how am I supposed to manage homework, sports, clubs, work…and life? From plagiarism to popularity, varsity sports to vocational classes, GPAs to graduation, you’ll find the details in this book. All the lowdown you need to survive past Freshman year. Another good upper school resource is Chill: Stress-Reducing Techniques for a More Balanced, Peaceful You by Deborah Reber.
How to Survive Middle School: A Humorous Guide to the Wonder Years
By Rick Bundschuh
YA 373.236 Bu
It can seem a blur of long lonely halls, confusing bells, and stone-faced teachers. But this handy, laugh-filled book by a Kalaheo pastor is a guide to surviving the sometimes scary transition to middle school life. Practical tips on how not to get lost, what to do about bullies, making and keeping friends, how to handle peer pressure, how to keep from being a jerk, love and romance, how to make the right choices about God, and much more.
More Than a Test Score: Teens Talk About Being Gifted, Talented, or Otherwise Extra-Ordinary
By Robert A. Schultz
YA 155.50879 Sc
Read the words and wisdom of gifted teens who sound off about how it feels to be left out, overwhelmed by expectation, underwhelmed by school, passionate about obscure topics that others think are weird and excited about life’s possibilities. Based on a survey of thousands of gifted teens around the world, this book is filled with stories, insights, honesty and humor that will surprise and inspire you. Also look for Getting Straight “A”s: A Students’ Guide to Success by Richard Palmer.
The Teenagers’ Guide to School Outside the Box
By Rebecca Green
YA 373.214 Gr
This book is a road map to the adventurous world of alternative learning. If you’re feeling boxed in by high school, this book is for you. It describes a world of alternative leaning opportunities, then explains how to scout them out, how to decide what’s right for you, how to prepare, what to expect, how to overcome barriers (cost, distance, time), and how to make the most of whatever you choose to do. Some examples: Rosha spent six weeks in Kenya, Henry apprentices with a blacksmith, Katie started college early, Dante took part in a mentorship and Shanna lived on a kibbutz. This book is lively informative realistic and inspiring.
• Carolyn Larson, head librarian at Lihu‘e Public Library, brings you the buzz on new, popular and good books available at your neighborhood library. Book annotations are culled from online publishers’ descriptions and published reviews.
