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Tough Stuff

Game Changer

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Submitted by Ms. Cassie!

Game Changer: John McLendon and the Secret Game by John Coy. In 1944 there was a secret basketball game played. Why was it a secret? Because in North Carolina, 19 years before Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, segregation was the norm. In fact this game, featuring white and black players, was illegal at the time. But courageous coach John McLendon and this group of players were willing to defy the law to break down prejudice and racism. This is a story of bravery and strength. It is a great introduction to a difficult portion of American history, told through the lens of basketball, the American-invented sport. See this book listed in our catalog

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat

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Submitted by Ms. Karen!

In Llama Llama and the Bully Goat, young Llama Llama has yet another adventure, this time at school. In rhyme, author Anna Dewdney paints a picture of a day at preschool, singing and learning and fun with friends, until a bully spoils it all! Gilroy behaves badly, with kicks and shouts and name calling, until little Llama and his friend talk to the teacher, who intervenes with a long time out for Gilroy Goat. With time to think it over, Gilroy is able to change his ways, and he and Llama end on a friendly note. Large, colorful pictures and the amazing expressions on the young animals faces present the topic of bullying and give even young children the knowledge and reassurance that they can effect change in their world by asking for help, which just might turn a bully into a friend! See this book listed in our catalog

Coming Home

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Submitted by Ms. Cassie!

In the beautifully illustrated book Coming Home Greg Ruth touches on one of the most difficult and wonderful experiences for many families: the moment when a service member returns home. The nearly wordless story demonstrates through the detailed water color and pencil drawings the intense amount of emotion that both those coming home and those waiting for loved ones may feel in those last few hours and minutes of separation. The joy and relief displayed on the characters’ faces will bring a smile (and maybe a tear) to the face of readers. This would be an especially appropriate and book to read and discuss with a little one getting ready to see mom or dad after a long absence. See this book listed in our catalog

Tuesday Tucks Me In

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Submitted by Ms. Tess!

Tuesday Tucks Me In, by Fmr. Captain Luis Carlos Montalván, is an wonderful true story about an U.S. Army veteran and his service dog Tuesday. Every morning Luis wakes up to Tuesday licking his face. Tuesday helps Luis get dressed, and take his medicine. Luis has flashbacks, and gets nervous when there are people around, or sudden movements, or loud sounds. He lives in a city, so Tuesday sits with him outside their apartment and helps him calm down. When they walk together, Tuesday stays right by Luis’s side. They go everywhere together. Even the bathroom! Every week they visit the veteran’s hospital, and the park. Today they are taking a ride on the subway. The train in very crowded, so Luis hugs Tuesday while they ride. The ride seems longer than usual… Where are they going? The beach! What a fun day they have there! Back home Luis and Tuesday have dinner, brush their teeth, then lie down to sleep, together, of course. This is a lovely book about a brave man and his loyal dog, sure to pull on your heartstrings. See this book listed in our catalog

Lively Elizabeth: What Happens When You Push

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Submitted by Ms. Sue!

Lively Elizabeth: What Happens When You Push by Mara Bergman and illustrated by Cassia Thompson. Elizabeth is a lively girl! She runs and shouts and stomps about, she laughs and points and will tease and kick. Sometimes she does things she shouldn’t do. She will hide and jump out, yelling “Boo!” One day, just for fun, she pushed Joe, who in turn knocked Ethan on Annabelle, who bumped Norine against the wall of books that fell on Saul, who flew into Evangeline, who bounced back, then Shaheen and Dan toppled on Germaine and Anne! The noise they all made upon the fall sounded like crash, bash, ouch, and smash! The whole classroom became quiet and each child looked back to point at the person behind, just to find Joe. He grew very angry and looked straight at Elizabeth, took a big breath, and yelled “What have you done?” “I’m very, very sorry.” she said. Joe thought, then said “OK.” And at that they all went outside to play, where they all played very, very well together! See this book listed in our catalog

Clancy and Millie and the Very Fine House

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Submitted by Ms. Sue!

Clancy and Millie and the Very Fine House by Libby Gleeson and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. Clancy has moved to a very fine dwelling. Or so Clancy’s father said when they moved in. “It’s too big,” whispers Clancy. He remembers his old cubby house, where he used to live, where everything was smaller. His parents think the new house is bigger and better than the old one. Clancy goes outside and discovers a very large pile of boxes–moving boxes that held the new stuff in his new house. He pokes and crawls around them, and even crawls inside one when he hears a voice say, “Can I play too?” Millie introduces herself to Clancy, and they begin to play, creating towers and stories to act out with them. “It’s the best house,” says Millie. “It’s a very fine dwelling,” said Clancy. Making friends is what makes a new house a home. See this book listed in our catalog