Interrupting Chicken

Interrupting Chicken, by David Ezra Stein, is this year’s Caldecott Honor book, and its award is richly deserved. It’s time for little red chicken to go to bed and she wants a story. As Papa begins three different stories, he is constantly interrupted by little red chicken. When she tells him a story, guess who finally falls asleep? There are water-color spreads with Papa and child as the focal points. When the stories begin, the colors cleverly change to black and white. If your brothers or sisters interrupt, this might be a tale you can read them!

The Janitors

Have you ever fallen asleep during math class? Are you easily distracted while listening to your English teacher? Do you find yourself completely uninterested in geography? Well, it may not be your fault. The janitors at Welcher Elementary know a secret, and it's draining all the smarts out of the kids. Twelve- year-old Spencer Zumbro, with the help of his classmate Daisy "Gullible" Gates, must fight with and against a secret, janito-rial society that wields wizard-like powers. Who can Spencer and Daisy trust and how will they protect their school and possibly the world? Janitors is book 1 in a new children's fantasy series by debut novelist Tyler Whitesides. You'll never look at a mop the same way again.  Check out the trialer below!  

The Secret History of Tom Trueheart

Tom Trueheart has 6 older brothers they are adventurers who go on dangerous quests in the Land of Stories. Tom stays at home with their mother. Tom's brother are famous for the exciting endings they discover for the tales the Story Bureau Assigns to them.  But when his brothers fail to return from their adventures in time to celebrate Tom's twelfth birthday, a letter from the Story Bureau arrives....addressed to Tom. It is up to Tom to find out why his brothers haven't completed their missions.

The Secret History of Tom Trueheart by Ian Beck is an adventure into the fairytales we've all grown up hearing at bedtime.  I liked it and I'm sure you will too.

-Sean-

Thanks so much Sean for contributing to our blog, twice.  We know you love to read and reading helps you to be a very smart boy!  We hope you keep reading and we can hardly wait to see you back in school!

On the Blue Comet

On the Blue Comet, by Rosemary Wells, has colorful nostalgic illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline.  This story is an adventure you’ll want to read for the last part of the summer. Eleven-year-old Oscar is about to go on the train ride of his life when he finds that time has moved from one decade to another. This historical fiction has many exciting elements which include time travel and mystery. You’ll love this read! 

Art & Max

Art & Max by David Wiesner is a delightful everybody reads book that will enchant both young and old.  Two lizard friends Max and Arthur, also known as Art, share an interest in painting. Art is an accomplished painter; Max is a beginner. Max’s first attempt at using a paintbrush starts the two friends on a journey of color, shape and form.  The illustrations make the story extra fun.  You will be surprised to see what happens to Art when Max tries to paint him.  This is one of the new books we have in the Media Center.

Fablehaven

Grandpa discovered that Seth and Kendra broke the rules and went into the forest.  Now they are going to be locked in their room for a whole day and if they break the rules again they will have to stay in the room for the rest of the summer.

Maybe now Kendra will finally figure out what all the keys are for.

I have to keep reading to find out!

-Mrs. Law-

Welcome to the blog Mrs. Law.  Glad to see you are also reading this summer.  Fablehaven by Brandon Mull is a fun book to read during our time off from school.  We will be excited to hear how you liked it when you finish reading the book.  We bet you get hooked and read the entire series.  Thanks for sharing with us!

Pillage

Pillage by Obert Skye

Beck Phillip's life has taken a turn for the weird. Moving in with his filthy-rich uncle in Kingsplot might not be so bad-except his uncle is crazy, obsessed with dragons, and refuses to come out of the attic.  As bad as things are, though, it's not as bad as the wandering lights Beck sees flickering in the darkened hallway, or the mysteriously buried basement, or even the bizarre new power he seems to have discovered-Beck can make things grow. It seems like a strange gift to have, until he discovers a forbidden conservatory in the woods. What he finds inside will test his newfound power and his courage to their limits.  -Marshall-

Thanks Marshall!  Do you think you might read the second book in the series titled Choke?  If you do, let us know how you liked it and your favorite part.  Have a great summer reading!

The Magic Thief

I just finished The Magic Thief by Susan Prineas. Conn is a boy who lives on the streets. He is a pickpocket and he can pick a lock no matter how complicated it is. He tries to steal a wizards magic stone and ends up as the wizards apprentice. He meets many exciting people and gets into some situations that you are sure he will never get out of. The Magic Thief is the first of a series and it is certainly a very good book. I'm looking forward to reading number two.

-Sean-

PS. I'm reading more than 20 minutes a day.


Wow!  Reading more than 20 minutes a day is super!  Keep up the extra reading and thanks for your great book review.

There are Cats in This Book

There Are Cats in this Book, by Viviane Schwarz, is a great book with lots of interactive pages.  This creative book has three lively cats that want you to become involved in their games, such as tossing a ball of yarn or lifting flaps to try to find them.  They talk to you all the way through the book as if you were actually right there with them. They give you directions on how to read their book. You even get a chance to save them as they are swept into a tidal wave of water.  This is a fun “everybody reads” book that is great for all ages.  Your local library will carry this book as well as its sequel, There are no Cats in this Book.  

The Bad Beginning

A book I just recently finished is called The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket.

It is about 3 siblings that have to live with their relatives after the death of their parents in a terrible fire. In this book they live with a relative that is anxious for the fortune their parents left behind. Find out in this book what Count Olaf (guardian) will do to get the fortune.  This is the list of important characters in the book:

Violet Baudelaire, oldest sibling

Klaus Baudelaire, second oldest

Sunny Baudelaire, youngest

Count Olaf, Guardian

-Cara-

Thanks Cara for your review of book one in a series of books intitled, A Series of Unfortunate Events.  Keep up the good reading. Maybe if you enjoyed The Bad Beginning you might like the second book in the series called The Reptile Room. 

Ramona the Brave

Katie just sent us a list of some of her favorite books!  Thanks so much Katie.  Watch for something in your mailbox.  We had a hard time choosing from her list one that we thought you all might like reading, but we went with Ramona the Brave by Beverly Clearly.

In this funny story, Ramona, feeling brave and grown-up, enters first grade. Quickly she finds that her new teacher, Mrs. Griggs, appears perplexed by pupils who like to be different. Since Ramona cannot help being different, Ramona clearly has a problem.  Nevertheless, Ramona can be counted on to keep things lively.  When Susan copies one of her papers for Parents' Night and receives praise for it, Ramona rebels. Overcome by guilt and no longer brave, she tries mightily thereafter to please her teacher, but still Mrs. Griggs reports home that Ramona lacks self-control. Only because she is a girl with spunk, to use her father's word, does Ramona's courage return, earning her at last an uneasy truce with the teacher.

Remember to share the books you have read this summer with us.  You can write the review and tell us about the story and why you liked it.  Thanks again Katie!

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater has adventure times 12!  Mr. Popper is a simple house painter who loves to read about places around the world. His favorite place to read about is the Antarctic.  Rather mysteriously a large package appears on his doorstep at 432 Proudfoot Avenue.  Inside he discovers a penguin that he names Captain Cook.  Several months later another penguin comes to live with Mr. Popper, a girl penguin named Greta.  You will love reading about all the baby penguins and their many mischievous adventures!  Read it soon before you see the movie!