BOOKS TO BORROW

The following books are available at many public libraries.

“Molly’s Pilgrim” by Barbara Cohen, illustrated by Michael J. Deraney, Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 28 pages

Read aloud: age 4 and older

Read yourself: age 7, 8 and older

Molly is in third grade. A recent immigrant to America, her clothes and imperfect English are the cause of great laughter and cruelty among Molly’s classmates. Molly feels she and her family will never fit in and thinks it would be better if they would all return to their homeland.

When Molly’s teacher assigns a Thanksgiving project, Molly’s mother wants to help. It is through this project that Molly’s teacher helps all the students understand what being an American really means.

Based on a true story, “Molly’s Pilgrim” is a moving account of how painful it can be when you are different from others. It also speaks strongly of how America has been built by pilgrims of many colors, from many lands and of many beliefs. Well written and illustrated, this choice will evoke a greater sense of tolerance and understanding that our strength as a nation comes from our diversity. 

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Waterford Public Library, 49 Rope Ferry Rd., Waterford

Library Director: Roslyn Rubinstein

Dept. Head of Children’s Services: Christine Tkaczyk

Choices this week: “Owen and Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship” by Isabella Hatkoff; “Among the Hidden” by Margaret Peterson Haddix; “Powerless” by Matthew Cody 

BOOKS TO BUY

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.

“Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean” by Jane Lynch with Lara Embry, PhD and A.E. Mikesell, illustrated by Tricia Tusa, Random House, 2014, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 3 to 7

Read yourself: age 7

Marlene is one mean little girl. She pinches, kicks, trips people, constantly scowls, and makes the other children feel very tense. One day, Big Freddy is fed up with Marlene’s behavior and stands up to her, telling her and others that Marlene is just a bully. Suddenly, Marlene is exposed, and change is inevitable. “Since being a jerk would no longer work, she had to become something else.”

A clever tale on bullying and how to diffuse such situations, this excellent selection provides a great springboard for discussion on this important topic. 

“The Survival Guide to Bullying” by Aija Mayrock, Scholastic, 153 pages, $9.99 paperback

Read aloud: age 10 and older

Read yourself: age 10 and older

Written by a teenager who was the victim of bullying for many years, this well written, powerfully important book should be required reading.

An honest look at bullying, this book covers the emotions that the bullied person feels and offers tips on how to survive and ultimately thrive.

“I know what it’s like to be hated for no reason, to be isolated with no explanation, and to feel alone with no end in sight ... But I will not dwell too much on what knocked me down, because what knocked me down is not as important as what made me stand up.”

Full of a positive spirit, encouragement and solid strategies, “The Survival Guide to Bullying” is first-rate.

kendal@sunlink.net