Al Capone Does My Shirts and Al Capone Shines My Shoes

1.  Al Capone Does My Shirts   Genre - Historical Fiction
2.  Al Capone Shines My Shoes  Written by Gennifer Choldenko


     This book series of two starts out on the date of Friday, January 4, 1935.  These stories are told by the main character, Moose.  Each chapter is dated like it was a diary entry filled with thoughts and feelings.  These books were about fictional children who lived on Alcatraz Island with their parents.  Their dad's were the prison guards always on duty in case of the escapes of gangsters.  The most famous mob member in the prison was Al Capone.  Their lives get entwined with Al throughout the first book, even though they never really see him.  They also know the number of rule by the warden on Alcatraz, never to talk about the prisoners!  These books are filled with relatable characters, realistic facts about about Alcatraz Island, and visions of how it was in San Francisco, California, in the mid 1930's. 

Jenna's Poem Book

Jenna's Poem Book      Genre - Poetry

Written by Jenna Beckman

Sweet poems are what readers will find when opening the pages of Jenna's 

Book.  Jenna shares the feelings of 6th grade wishes and wonders.  She does her own illustrations and uses her talent in photography to capture the expressions of each of her family members.  Anyone reading this lovely book, will be enticed and be asking for more!

Poems and Drawings by Shel Silverstein

1.  Where the Sidewalk Ends     Genre - Poetry
2.  Falling Up
3.  A Light in the Attic     Written by Shel Silverstein


     Shel Silverstein's books are filled with poems that rhyme, poems that do not rhyme, limerick styles of poems, and poems with make believe words.  His books are filled with verses about common events that all ages can relate when reading.  His art is simple and gives comic visuals to his hilarious writings of life. 

     Where the Sidewalk Ends, was the first book in my poetry collection.  I read it to the two little girls I use to babysit as a bedtime story.  When I had my son, their mother gave me the book as a baby gift.  The card she gave me on Spencer's birth is taped inside the book as part of my remembrance.  

When Marian Sang

When Marian Sang   Written by Pam Munoz Ryan
Pictures by Brian Selznick
Genre Multicultural/Biography
Picture Book

This book is about the life of Marian Anderson.  She was born in Philadelphia on February 27, 1897.  She was a gifted singer recognized when she was six.  She grew up in poverty during the Jim Crow Laws.  Her life was a struggle.  However, in 1939, she got her first break in the United States.  She got to sing at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. with the help of Mrs Roosevelt.  Her life changed forever.  This is a true story.

Is There Really A Human Race?

Is There Really A Human Race?  Written by Jamie Lee Curtis

Illustrated by Laura Cornell

Picture Book Category

It seems like life is moving at such a fast pace.  When we are in it, is it a race? Is it the best to always be first?  If your are slow, are you now called the worst?  Take time to help others, and be a good friend.    This is the most precious goal in the end!  You can start now.  It's not too late!  Just hold up your arms and holler....let's wait!

Auntie Claus

Auntie Claus  by Elise Primavera 
Picture Book Category which is not a genre, but a format for Children's Literature.

     Sophie, her little brother, mom and dad live on top of the Bing Cherry Hotel in New York City.  Sophie spends lots of time with her favorite aunt, Auntie Claus!  Auntie Claus mysteriously disappears at the same time each year, and Sophie will try anything to seek out the hidden truth.  Sophie learns a valuable life lesson exploring on her far away journey.  Auntie Claus is a very eccentric character in the book.  I secretly look for her at Big Department Stores around the Christmas season....shhh!

My name is Sevanna.