Ebenezer and Obadiah are two brothers who lived a happy routine on their family’s farm. However, one day they had a misunderstanding and wouldn’t say sorry to one another. They move to different sides of the farm and eventually have families. It takes the rising generation to learn from Ebenezer’s and Obadiah’s mistakes and learn to say “I’m sorry.”

Sorry is an engaging story that offers a wonderful lesson that will teach children and adults of all ages. The story is accompanied by lively and colorful pictures by Brad Sneed. Although there is a sad tint to the story, it ends hopefully and would offer an excellent teaching moment to explain the importance of apologizing and forgiving.

–The Book of the Week this week was written by Lauren Bangerter, a BYU Student in the Department of English.

Let’s Do Nothing

It becomes a problem when you are two best friends who have done all there is to do. Really all that’s left is to do nothing at all. Except maybe one of you will end being kind of bad at it.

Fucile, who is a famous character animator, working on films such as The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and The Lion King, has created a incredibly sweet and amusing story about two boys, their imaginations, and an attempt to do nothing. As one would expect the illustrations are delightful and this book could easily become a bedtime favorite.

–This week’s review was written by Lauren McMullan, a BYU student in the Department of Education, but with a special note for Lauren Bangeter, a BYU student in the Department of English, who was the one to discover it in the first place.

Scumble

On Ledge’s thirteenth birthday he discovers that his “savvy”–a magical power unique to individual members of his family–gives him the power to make things fall apart. He spends his summer on his uncle’s farm, a safe place to try to “scumble”–or control–his savvy. During this visit he meets Sarah, a quirky teenage girl who threatens to expose his family’s secret.

As a companion novel to the Newbery Honor winning book Savvy, we follow the life of Mibs’s younger cousin Ledge. Law masterfully uses language and imagery to describe the setting and magical occurrences in a way that makes the story believable and fun. She also does a great job exploring the feelings of Ledge as he struggles to believe he can overcome his problems and gain confidence in his abilities.

–This week’s review was written by Kimberly Kleinman, a BYU student in the Department of Family Life.

Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science

A few facts: desserts have not always existed; sugar was once considered a spice; the promise of white gold motivated most of the European influence into South America after Columbus; and sugar ultimately led to the mission of Ghandi. Sugar Changed the World ties these facts together as the story of sugar unfolds.

The story of sugar in this book is compiled in such a way as to keep readers riveted from beginning to end. The title’s bold claim is backed up with stories and connections that will open the mind to an entirely new way of thinking about world history, slavery, freedom, and the evolution of the definition of morality with regards to the rights of a human being.

–This week’s review was written by Lauren McMullan, a BYU student in the Department of Eduction.

Zulaikha, a young Afghani with a cleft palate has little hope of marriage. She meets a woman who offers to teach her to read and write, and accepts, despite her fear of being caught. When Zulaikha learns that corrective surgery from the Americans can make her whole and more desirable as a wife, education no longer seems important, but is something she cannot quite seem to forget.

This book is inspired by an Afghani girl that author Reedy met while serving in Afghanistan. It gives perspective on the war in Afghanistan through the eyes of a profound young woman. Words in the Dust also provides a moving inside look at life for Afghanis and the mixed feelings of hope and fear of the change that came with the war.

–The Book of the Week comes from the Children’s Book and Play Review. This week’s review was written by JilliAnne Jensen, a BYU Student in the School of Education. A more in-depth review can be found here.

Benno and the Night of Broken Glass

In a unique, but effective way of telling a Holocaust story, through the eyes of a cat, Wiviott recounts the story of Kristallnacht. The use of stark illustrations that change from bright to muted colors to set the tone in this book. The book also includes an afterword and bibliography; a great supplement for a World War II or Holocaust unit.

–The Book of the Week comes from the Children’s Book and Play Review. This week’s review was written by Gabi Kupitz, a BYU Student Reviewer. A more in-depth review can be found here.

With characters as developed and lovable as those found in Richard Peck’s A Year Down Yonder, and with a story that masterfully weaves together love, humor, healing, mystery and loss, Grounded is, quite simply, a terrific book. For anyone who has experienced loss, Grounded offers sound and hopeful insights.

–The Book of the Week comes from the Children’s Book and Play Review. This week’s review was written by Lauren McMullan, a BYU student in the Department of Education. The original review can be found here.

Elephant and Piggie discover someone looking at them. It is a Reader!

“We are in a book!”
“We are in a book? THAT IS SO COOL!”

And we, the readers, are off and running with the delight and glee of this wonderful little picture book.

Willems uses the convention of having the characters talk to the reader, but he goes further by directly affecting the actions of the reader as well. When, sadly, the book winds to an end, we readers are given a good idea . . . read it again! And, surely, with the encouragement of the children we love, we will.

–The Book of the Week comes from the Children’s Book and Play Review. This week’s review was written by Jan Staheli, a librarian at the Harold B. Lee Library. The original review can be found here.

Eleven-year-old Tess lives on an island off the coast of Maine, where her father makes a living fishing for lobsters. When the state threatens to shut down the local school due to too few students, the islanders take in foster kids to boost their student numbers. Among these is Aaron, thirteen and jaded, who lives with Tess’s family. Will Tess be able to convince him to stay so she can keep her home?

This charming novel comes to life through an earnest and quirky narrator. Tess is always wishing on things or quoting sayings in order to create good luck. Themes of family, friendship, and understanding one’s self even in the face of change, make this a thoughtful read.

The Book of the Week comes from the Children’s Book and Play Review. This week’s review was written by Debbie Barr, a BYU Student in the Department of English. A more in-depth review can be found here.

Max, a young lizard, wants to be an artist like Arthur. Arthur reluctantly lets Max paint with him. Max gets painter’s block and asks Arthur for advice. Arthur conceitedly suggests Max paint him. Max obliges and literally puts paint on Arthur! After getting blown and washed away Arthur disappears, and it is up to Max to recreate a new and improved Arthur.

Pastel, watercolor, and Indian ink illustrations depict a desert landscape to contrast the vivid lizards and their paintings. Young children will be able to read this simple text. The story begins with large print accompanied by detailed illustrations then tapers to almost all pictures. Parents and kids will love to view this book about persistent creativity.

–The Book of the Week comes from the Children’s Book and Play Review. This week’s review was written by Ruth-Anne Brown, a BYU Student in the School of Education. A more in-depth review can be found here.