Interview with a Second Grader: Hidden Gems
My 7 year old at the library not too long ago: “My favorite book is gone!”
Me: “That gives you a chance to find a hidden gem.”
My 7-year-old: “What’s a ‘hidden gem’ book?”
Me: “It’s a book that isn’t talked about as much, but you end up loving it. It’s a treasure.”
My 7-year-old, excitedly, a few days later: “Mom, LOOK! I found a hidden gem book!”
Since this conversation, my child has found a few books which he has considered hidden gems. Today he is joining me to talk about them. Maybe one or two of them will become hidden gems for your child too!
100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli by David LaRochelle, Illustrated by Lian Cho
High on a mountain live 100 mighty dragons all named Broccoli. When a tremendous wind blows half the dragons away, ten others sail off to become professional surfers in Hawaii. The oldest and youngest dragons take a train to New York City to start their own heavy metal band. And a mysterious wizard turns four more into a unicorn, a werewolf, a zombie, and a tiny pink poodle. Now how many dragons are left? Young readers will delight in following each and every dragon as they leave their home for marvelous adventures, until there is but one dragon remaining. That’s when this final dragon named Broccoli retreats to a cave for the winter and reappears in the spring with a surprise that will thrill and delight. Prepare to read again! (Taken from Amazon)
Second grader: “1. It’s dragons and, 2. They’re all fun and different dragons. 3. They keep coming and going and it’s fun to keep track of them. That’s what makes this a hidden gem.”
Let Me Finish! by Minh Lê, Illustrated by Isabel Roxas
When our young hero settles in to read, the last thing he wants is for some noisy animals to ruin the ending of the story. But ruin it they do. And as it turns out, the boy is quickly approaching a surprise ending of his own! Maybe he should have listened to the animals after all. . . (Taken from Amazon)
Second grader: “It’s funny that the animals kept interrupting his story and that the kid has glasses. The end is also funny and surprising. I didn’t see it coming!”
Penguin Pete by Marcus Pfister
Children will delight in Marcus Pfister’s adorable ‘Penguin Pete’ as he playfully passes the time until he’s big enough to swim in the sea. He practices trying to walk gracefully and tries to imitate a bird in flight. He soon discovers that penguins can’t fly, but they sure can swim—and Pete turns out to be a natural! (Taken from Amazon)
Second grader: “I liked it because I liked Pete’s friendship with the flying bird. I don’t know why he didn’t just swim to his bird friend the day he learned to swim, though.”
The Sleepless Knight by Ashley C. Halil, Illustrated by Denis Alonso
Journey through a dreamland filled with adventures as a knight rescues his prince from dangers and perils. When the sun rises, the knight is rewarded for his dedication and loyalty. This heartwarming tale is Ashley Halil’s first children’s book. It is illustrated by Denis Alonso. (Taken from Amazon)
Second grader: “I like it that it is a dream, and then it goes to the real world. And there’s some funniness sometimes. I also liked the pictures because they’re all different in their own way. I like that it’s a knight.”
The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris, Illustrated by Brad Sneed
Every day after school Melvin goes to the library. His favorite people—Marge, Betty, and Leola—are always there behind the reference desk. When something interests Melvin, his librarian friends help him find lots and lots of books on the subject. As the years pass, Melvin can always find the answers to his questions—and a lot of fun—in the library. Then one day he goes off to college to learn new things and read new books. Will he leave the library and his friends behind forever? (Taken from Amazon)
Second grader: “I like seeing the main character at the end. It is cool that he gets a job being a librarian. Mom says librarians can suggest books. One day a librarian can suggest my book!”
Hugo and the Impossible Thing by Renée Felice Smith and Chris Gabriel, Illustrated by Sydney Hanson
Hugo has one goal – to conquer the Impossible Thing. At the edge of the forest stood the Impossible Thing. All the animals in the forest often wondered what was beyond the Impossible Thing, but since everyone said getting through it would be impossible, no animal ever tried. Until a brave little dog named Hugo decides he just might be up to the challenge. With determination and some unexpected help from his friends, Hugo learns that what may seem impossible might just be possible after all. (Taken from Amazon)
Second grader: “In this one, Hugo wants to climb the Impossible Thing, so he looks for his friends, like Bear and Fox. I liked that in the end, his friends helped him climb the Impossible Thing. I also how beautiful the Impossible Thing is at the end. And also, I like that Hugo is a dog because dogs are my favorite animal. The fox is so cute in this story!”
The Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook by Shel Silverstein
Runny Babbit is Shel Silverstein’s hilarious and New York Times- bestselling book of spoonerisms—words or phrases with letters or syllables swapped: bunny rabbit becomes Runny Babbit. Welcome to the world of Runny Babbit and his friends Toe Jurtle, Skertie Gunk, Rirty Dat, Dungry Hog, Snerry Jake, and many others who speak a topsy-turvy language all their own. So if you say, “Let’s bead a rook That’s billy as can se,” You’re talkin’ Runny Babbit talk, Just like mim and he. (Taken from Amazon)
Second grader: “I like it because it’s a lot of different stories. I have two favorites. I like “Runny on Rount Mushmore” because I like history and it’s a history mistake. And I liked Runny’s Hind Keart” because it involves Runny being very kind.”
