Blasdell Book of the Month
List 2012/2013
September
Edwurd Fudwupper Fibbed Big by Berkeley Breathed
ISBN # 978-0316144254
Theme: Truthfulness
Summary: Fannie Fudwupper’s big brother, Edwurd, spends his time cooking up big fibs full of phooey and letting them rip. But one day, Edwurd tells such a whopping lie that the army, the air force, and the dogcatcher are called to reverse the damage.
October
The Worst Day of My Life Ever! By Julia Cook
ISBN # 978-1934490204
Theme: Obedience
Summary: RJ has had a rough day!
He wakes up with gum stuck in his hair, misses recess because he is late to school and gets caught running in the hall, earns a zero on his math homework, kicks the ball into his own team’s soccer goal, and messes up his mom’s kitchen with his overflowing pancake batter!
With Mom’s help, RJ learns that his problems happen because he doesn’t listen and follow instructions from her, his school principal, teachers, or even his friends.
November
It Could Always be Worse by Margot Zemach
ISBN # 978-0374436360
Theme: Gratefulness
Summary: A poor unfortunate man lived with his mother, his wife, and his six children in a one-room hut. Because they were so crowded, the children often fought and the man and his wife argued. When the poor man was unable to stand it any longer, he ran to the Rabbi for help. As he follows the Rabbi's unlikely advice, the poor man's life goes from bad to worse, with increasingly uproarious results. In his little hut, silly calamity follows foolish catastrophe.
December
The Quilt Maker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
ISBN # 978-0439309103
Theme: Generosity
Summary: When a generous quiltmaker finally agrees to make a quilt for a greedy king, but only under certain conditions, she causes him to undergo a change of heart.
January
The Messiest Desk by Marty Kelley
ISBN # 978-1559333191
Theme: Orderliness
Summary: Benjamin Putt has THE MESSIEST DESK in Mr. McPatrick's class, and probably in the entire world: "eight hundred spelling lists/ From weeks and months gone by/ Twelve gooey wads of chewed-up gum/ A cockroach, a spider, a fly." When Benjamin tries to clean up his desk, he is sucked inside. It takes all the ingenuity of the entire school, and one very brave student named Julie armed only with a plunger, to save Benjamin from a fate worse than death...
February
Rising Above the Storm Clouds by Robert D. Enright
ISBN # 978-1591470755
Theme: Forgiveness
Summary: When Freddy B. and Ezzie arrive tussling and tattling in their father's quiet study, he decides to lead them on an imaginary journey through the landscape of forgiveness. Together they see what it's like to forgive, and discover that forgiveness can feel good to the forgiver, perhaps even more than the forgiven.
March
Philea’s Fortune by Agnes De Lastrade
ISBN # 978-1433807923
Theme: Sincerity
Summary: How can Phileas express himself to Cybele when he doesn t have the right words say? How can he tell her how he feels when he doesn t have enough money to buy the words? Phileas s Fortune reveals the power of language and self-expression. Words are important, but what is more significant is the sincerity and character behind what is actually being said. True self-expression comes from deep inside. And, in the end heart is always more meaningful than money.
April
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy
ISBN # 978-0984855803
Theme: Virtue
Summary: Lucy is teased by a boy at school because she is different. How can Ralph be so mean? Lucy is one of a kind and Ralph loves to point that out. Lucy’s defining moment comes when Ralph truly needs help. Because she knows what she stands for, Lucy has the courage to make a good choice. This charming story empowers children to always do the right thing and be proud of themselves, even when they are faced with someone as challenging as Ralph.
May
Search continues for the Perfect Book
by
ISBN #
Theme: Honor
Summary:
June
The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth
ISBN # 978-0439199964
Theme: Justice
Summary: Nikolai is a boy who believes that if he can find the answers to his three questions, he will always know how to be a good person. His friends--a heron, a monkey, and a dog--try to help, but to no avail, so he asks Leo, the wise old turtle. "When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do?" Leo doesn't answer directly, but by the end of Nikolai's visit, the boy has discovered the answers himself.