Day 36: 45 Days of Summer

Lulu's Mysterious Mission by Judith Viorst

First, I want to say that I love this author. LOVE. Not afraid to gush about it either. She is the popular author of the Alexander books (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good...) and MANY others. But the Alexander books are where I first got to know her and her characters...and they saved more than one storytime for me!

This is the third book starring Lulu. I cannot get enough of them...or Lulu. In this book, Lulu's parents take a much needed vacation and bring in a mysterious babysitter to take charge. Lulu is DETERMINED to get rid of the babysitter, until she discovers that Ms. Sonia is a spy in disguise.

Go back and read all these books and enjoy Lulu's adventures.

Perfect for: students reading early chapter books; grades 1st-4th. 

Day 29: 45 Days of Summer

The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin

They're baaaaaack.

Those cute chicks from the author's JJ Tully Mystery series.

And now they're solving their own crimes.

Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie try to help a frightened squirrel in their first "solo" adventure. Which just might get a little off-track.

Hilarity ensues, and JJ Tully comes out of retirement to help save the day.

This is the perfect beginning chapter book for young readers. Perfect for grades 1st-3rd.

I can't wait for the next book!

Day 27: 45 Days of Summer

The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel

I booktalked this one like crazy in June to my 6th grade students for summer reading.

I am a huge fan of Kenneth Oppel...Huge. Fan.

This book will literally take you on the adventure of a lifetime with Will, as he gets caught up in intrigue, mystery, and a train robbery aboard the Boundless, a larger than life train on an epic journey across country.

I hope that after reading this book, you will want to discover all of the author's other books, especially the Silverwing series (AMAZING! For upper elementary & middle school students), and his novels about teenage Victor Frankenstein (8th grade and up).

Heart-stopping, edge-of-your-seat action!

Perfect for: grades 4-7.

Day 24: 45 Days of Summer

Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

Okay, I had this book checked out from the public library forever and had to return it. I admit, I almost returned it without reading it. But then I decided to crack it open (ha, ha).

I am SO glad that I took the time to read it (and incur the late charge).

I can only describe this book by using the publisher's words: This is From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwiler meets Chasing Vermeer.

And to that I would add "meets Monuments Men."

4th grade me would have ADORED this book. And grown-up me is kind of in love with it too.

Best for: grades 4-7.

Day 20: 45 Days of Summer

Copernicus Legacy #1: The Forbidden Stone by Tony Abbott

Finished the 39 Clues and/or all of the Percy Jackson books? 

Well, here’s a new series for you. Readers will want to get their hands on this first book in the new Copernicus Legacy series: Forbidden Stone. 

Treasure hunting? Puzzles? Action and intrigue? 

This one has it ALL!

Best for: 4th-7th grades.

Day 17: 45 Days of Summer

Eye to Eye by Steve Jenkins

Budding scientists, animal enthusiasts, and nature detectives will love spending the summer learning all about animal eyeballs in Eye to Eye. 

And then check out the author’s other books all summer long.

Best for: 2nd - 4th grades.

Day 16: 45 Days of Summer

Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord

From an award-winning author comes yet another must-read!

Readers will appreciate this quiet story of summer, taking pictures, and making friends. 

And they will become friends with Lucy along the way.

Best for: 4th - 6th grades.

Day 3: 45 Days of Summer

The Griffin and the Dinosaur by Marc Aronson, Adrienne Mayor, & Chris Muller

Could Griffins have been real? 

What about other creatures from Greek and Roman mythology?

National Geographic’s newest book, The Griffin and the Dinosaur sets out to answer that question. 

Can’t get enough about dinosaurs in your house? Or maybe Greek myths dominate the dinner conversation? This is the book for your family to explore this summer!

Best for: Grades 5th - 8th grades.

Twelve Days of Christmas: Gift Books: 3rd-5th Grades

On the fourth day of Christmas...


We've jumped up to 3rd-5th graders. Quite honestly, these are some of my personal favorites this year. I guess it's a good year to be an elementary student. Also, this is a time that I'd like to remind you that these books also make good gifts for the teachers on your list you know that teach these grade levels. Classroom libraries are always in need of books.

(1) Destiny, Rewritten by Kathryn Fitzmaurice.
4th grade me would have wanted and loved this book! I reviewed it here over the summer.


(2) Doll Bones by Holly Black.
I included this in my "good scary stories" post this fall. Don't be scared it's too scary to give as a gift book though. This is the perfect adventure/ghost story for the upper elementary crowd.

(3) Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo.
This book is on everyone's "top books" list of 2013. I am a fan of DiCamillo's books, and when you look up her list of titles, you will realize that you are a fan also.

From the publisher:
It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry — and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart.

(4) How to Catch a Bogle by Catherine Jinks.
I love Ms. Jinks' books for the middle school crowd. I was so excited to see this title for the upper elementary reader. 

From the publisher:
If ever a chill entered her soul, or the hope suddenly drained from her heart, she knew a bogle was to blame.

Birdie McAdam, a ten-year-old orphan, is tougher than she looks. She's proud of her job as apprentice to Alfred the Bogler, a man who catches monsters for a living. Birdie lures the bogles out of their lairs with her sweet songs, and Alfred kills them before they kill her. On the mean streets of Victorian England, hunting bogles is actually less dangerous work than mudlarking for scraps along the vile river Thames. Or so it seems—until the orphans of London start to disappear . . .

(5) Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein. 
I LOVED this book. I want to live in this library. I also reviewed this book here this summer. 

(6) Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman. 
I'm not going to say anything other than IT'S NEIL GAIMAN. Read it! Crazy, quirky fun.

From the publisher:
"I bought the milk," said my father. "I walked out of the corner shop, and heard a noise like this: T h u m m t h u m m. I looked up and saw a huge silver disc hovering in the air above Marshall Road."

"Hullo," I said to myself. "That's not something you see every day. And then something odd happened."

And remember, if you want an immediate link to the entire list, see this post.

Happy Reading! And Gifting!

3rd Grader, Guest Reviewer!

Today's guest reviews will be brought to you by my soon-to-be 3rd Grade daughter.  And if you have been reading my blog, you will know that I am busy in staff meetings today as it is the first day back for teachers (students start the 1st).  Oh yeah, and a little book called "Mockingjay" was released today, so I am probably busy trying to find a way to sneak a peak at a chapter or two!  Shhhh....our little secret. 

My wonderful 8 year old has offered to provide her review of some books that she recently finished.  But first, a little background.  This is the child that has struggled with reading a lot in her early school years.  Luckily mom was never worried and knew all along that she would figure it out.  Thanks to AMAZING teachers, she is getting better every day.  This summer, both my kids were able to spend one morning with me walking the exhibit floor at the ALA library conference in Washington, DC.  While mom was busy scooping up books and more books, and big brother was falling in love with his new Diary of a Wimpy Kid water bottle, she kept hoping we would find "something good for her."

Enter some wonderful ladies at the Random House booth.  We simply asked, "What are you excited about for an 8 year old girl?" and were handed book after book that she might like.  She was in heaven!  Having just completed two of those books, she offers her reviews:

"Babymouse: Cupcake Tycoon" by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm

I have not read a Babymouse book before.  I really liked her!  She was funny.  In this book she is trying to sell the most cupcakes to raise money for the school library.  She wants to win the prize, but things don't work very well.  I give this book TWO THUMBS UP!  Did you know that there are other Babymouse books?  There are 12 other books, and my mom said that we can check them all out from the library.  I think "Babymouse: Beach Babe" and "Babymouse: Puppy Love" sound really good. 

In the back of this book, you can read about two books coming out next summer.  I think they look good because I LOVE science.  One is a new Babymouse book--"Babymouse: Mad Scientist."  The other is "Squish: Super Amoeba" and it is going to be green.

"Hamster Magic" by Lynne Jonell Illustrated by Brandon Dorman
I liked this book because it is about a little sister, and hamsters.  (I really want a hamster, but my mom is mean and won't let me get one.  She says that our dog is enough).  Anyway, Celia finds a talking hamster who can grant wishes.  She wishes to be big.  Instead of growing big, she turns into a giant hamster.  Her brothers and sisters must help her find The Great Hamster to turn her back into a girl.

This was a fun book.  I liked it because it reminded me of stories about fairies and magic and wishes.  My mom said that the author wrote a book called "Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat" that I might like.  I will have to check that out too.

I got some other books, but I haven't read them yet.  I'll let you know when I do.  Until then I am busy writing my own books about fish...and insects...and dolphins.  I even draw my own pictures.

Review: Dunderheads (Fleischman)

Title: The Dunderheads
Author: Fleischman
Genre: Humor, Fiction
Pages: 54
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars! (for younger grades)

Okay, if you get stuck babysitting your younger brother/sister, cousin, or neighbor kid down the street this summer, you should bring a copy of this book with you to read. It is hilarious! A horrible teacher calls her class the "Dunderheads" because she hates kids. She steals all their stuff and locks it away at her house. Well, her class is fed up and it's time to get even!