Beauty Day

"Beauty is a big subject for little girls; Kirkus declares that this trendy tale of hair salon hijinks by award-winning author Judith Caseley will appeal to the inner divas of readers. The story of Rosie and the day spent at her grandmother's workplace, a hair salon, is full of adventure and the intriguing world of beauty treatments! Readers will love the chance to participate by picking their own choices of hairstyles, lipstick colors, and hand lotions. "

Bully

"Mickey and Jack used to be best friends. Then something happens. It becomes a war of words between the two former friends. Jack starts calling Mickey names, then stealing his lunch and threatening him if he tells. Jack takes things from Mickey's desk and Mickey begins to feel helpless. He decides to talk to his dad. After many attempts at healing the relationship between the two, it is finally the use of humor that becomes the key. Young and older readers alike will relate to the problem and find this story practical without preaching. "

Dear Annie

"My grandpa is my pen pal." Annie tells her class at show-and-tell one day. It's true. Annie and Grandpa have written each other letters since the day Annie was born. When Annie was a baby, her mother answered Grandpa's letters. When she got a little older, Annie told her mother what to write. But now that she is in school, Annie can read Grandpa's letters herself -- and answer them, too. "

Do You Hear Me, Mr. Lincoln?

A teen finds solace in Abraham Lincoln's words and wisdom. People don't just up and die in the middle of the kitchen . . . in the middle of lunch . . . in the middle of their lives, do they? Sierra's father does, and suddenly life is blurred and unreal. No amount of sympathy from Aunt Rose, Tia Claudia, or the rest of Sierra's well-meaning Jewish-Cuban extended family can bring the focus back. But there is the junk-shop portrait of Abraham Lincoln - Sierra's historical idol - that had been one of Papa's "finds." With Lincoln's kind eyes and craggy, melancholy face staring out from the frame, it's as if he is Sierra's confidant, listening to what she longs to say so she can let Papa go . . . and let her family back in."

Harry and Willy and Carrothead

"Harry was born with no left hand. When he got to school, the kids asked him what was wrong with his arm. "Nothing," said Harry. "That's my prosthesis." Harry's hand didn't keep him from being a good baseball player -- or a good friend. Harry and Willy and Carrothead are three of the most real kids you are apt to meet between book covers, and you will like them as much as they like each other!"

In Style With Grandma Antoinette

"Rosie doesn't think spending the say at work with Grandma will be any fun at all. But Rosie has the time of her life as she is intiated into the exotic and adventure-filled world of a hair salon. "

Kissing Diary

"These days, a last name of Goldglitt is the least of 12-year-old Rosie's problems. Figuring out the dos and don'ts of boyfriend behavior, a first real kiss and tolerating Mary Katz's evil and derogatory public comments cause Rosie much mental anguish.... Caseley spins a believable tween lifestyle full of complicated bumps and cracks along an uphill road of emerging adolescent issues. Rosie's budding romantic notions together with her more pressing concerns lay a foundation for a serious message that while verbal bullying can be ignored, physical violence is never acceptable. More importantly, Caseley allows her protagonist to learn from her mistakes and develop newfound confidence through her relationship with peers. Will ring true with the female tween crowd in today's complicated world. (Fiction. 10-13) "Kirkus Review

Mr. Green Peas

"When petless Norman tells his classmates about his houseguest—an iguana named Mr. Green Peas—they don't believe him. So Norman arranges for them to meet Mr. Green Peas for themselves. Everything about this book is charming: the tantalizing subject, the large text in bold print, the decorative borders, and the colorful illustrations, which brim with interesting details to hold children's attention. And it's so nicely combined that the story is sure to be popular with the preschool crowd."Booklist

On the Town: A Community Adventure

"Sparked by a school assignment, a boy and his mother keep track of the people and places in the neighborhood in On the Town: A Community Adventure by Judith Caseley. The child's notebook entries appear throughout in lively watercolor, colored pencil and ink illustrations. "Publishers Weekly

Sisters

"This delightful book tells the story of parents who adopt a sister for their daughter Melissa. Her name is Kika and she comes from an unnamed country. The brief one or two page chapters are told in the first person by the little girls. Their feelings and adjustments to each other are honestly portrayed. The bold, brightly colored illustrations add greatly to the text. All in all this is a good portrayal of adoption. "

Slumber Party

"Mama helps Zoe plan what to do for her birthday party. The circus is too expensive, the outdoors is too full of bugs and bumblebees. They decide on a slumber party. Zoe makes invitations, and her four friends accept. ...the tension begins (everybody wants to sleep next to Zoe), and it climaxes when one of the guests reads a scary story. Someone starts to cry; suddenly everyone wants to go home, and that makes Zoe cry. But Mama saves the day with hot chocolate and a funny story, and the kids seem to fall asleep laughing. The telling is as warm and affectionate as Mama's bond with Zoe. Caseley gets the details right about what you can plan and what you can't. The pictures in watercolor, colored pencil, and simple black line express the lighthearted tone of this story of friendship and nervousness and fun. "Booklist

The Cousins

NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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Grade level: PreS

"This is one of Caseley's perkiest books, and her recognizable style is dressed in its Sunday best." School Library Journal

Field Day Friday

NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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Grade level: PreK - 2

Mickey and Longjohn did everything together. They were both fast runners, and when they raced, it was often a tie. But then came Field Day Friday—and the Fifty-Yard Dash. Mickey and Longjohn were off and running when Mickey's sneaker fell off. Suddenly his friendship with Longjohn was at a standstill...It was Mickey's sister, Jenna, who knew just what to do to reunite her favorite team.

Losing Louisa

NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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Young Adult

Sixteen-year-old Lacey worries about the effect of her parents' divorce on her family, especially her mother, and about her older sister's sexual activity, which may have made her pregnant.

Mama, Coming and Going

NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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Grade level: K-3

After Jenna's baby brother is born, Mama is so busy that she doesn't know whether she's coming or going.

Mickey's Class Play

NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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Grade level: K-3

With the help of his family, Mickey enjoys being a duck in his class play.

Priscilla Twice

NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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Grade level: PreS-2

When Priscilla's parents divorce, she learns that there are different kinds of families.

When Grandpa Came to Stay

NO LONGER AVAILABLE
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Grade level: PreS-2

During Grandpa's first visit since Grandma died, Benny helps Grandpa and learns a lesson about grieving.

A CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR - CHILD STUDY CHILDREN'S BOOK COMMITTEE