Singing with Elephants by Margarita Engle

Singing with Elephants by Margarita Engle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this middle grade novel in verse, a young Cuban Oriol, loves to write and tend to the animals in her parents' clinic. When an older woman moves in, Oriol confides in her- her wants, her fears, her words that do not come to her mouth or pen and paper. When something happens to a baby elephant, Orion tries to find her voice, along with her friends and family, to save this elephant. A must read; the relationship between family and friends (animals and humans) and elephant communication is a happy moment many times over in this sweet, happy story. A must read!!!

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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Katherine Applegate’s book has been recommended to me by students and I see it is on the SLJ Best Books of 2012 and I so agree. Ivan is a Silverback gorilla who lives in a rundown mall at the end of Exit 8 where he is billed as the one and only, Ivan. Ivan has lived here his whole life and has a few friends in Stella, the elephant and Bob, the homeless dog. He has been raised by Mack, who owns this rag tag show and is not happy that profits are down. George cleans the stalls and his daughter Julia, does her homework and draws. When Stella falls ill and Mack brings in a baby elephant, Stella exacts a promise from Ivan that he will make sure Ruby has a safe place to spend her life. Ivan loves to draw and he is able to communicate to Julia through his pictures that Ruby needs to spend her life in a zoo. Based on a true story, Ivan and Ruby’s plight will pull at your heart. Animal lovers will enjoy this beautiful, brave book.

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Saving Audie: A Pit Bull Puppy Gets a Second Chance by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

Saving Audie: A Pit Bull Puppy Gets a Second Chance by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


After I returned from the ISTE Convention in Philadelphia, Vickie Cobb posted "We still believe that books, especially good books about the real world, are important for children. Visit: www.inkthinktank.com and sign up for our FREE database so that teachers can find out how award-winning nonfiction aligns with national standards. Check out INK Link: Authors on Call and see who is available to meet teachers and students via interactive videoconferencing. Subscribe to our blog Interesting Nonfiction for Kids where authors themselves share insights on how to present issues and content about the real world in ways to engage, inspire and inform kids on the subjects required by your curriculum. And ir you have any questions, please contact me: vicki@inkthinktank.com" and this led me to this pearl of a book! I am a dog lover, read the book,


and now Dorothy Hinshaw Patent has written a truly amazing book about one of the Vick dogs who was rescued and finally found his forever home! The photographs are breathtaking (especially the back cover, with Audie in pants--you have to read why!) and those involved in helping save these dogs, also save this puppy. Audie was lucky enough to find a permanent home, get surgery for bad knees and overcome his trust issues from being chained and kept isolated from important human and animal contact. This book will be enjoyed by our life skills students and I recommend it for all ages, especially if you are a dog lover!



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