Read, Read, Read!

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck

2009-11-09T17:16:00.002-05:00

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am so glad Grandma Dowdel has returned! And this is a whole new story. A new family (Grandma's new neighbors) have moved in and Grandma Dowdel helps them in her own special way. ;) I absolutely love Richard Peck's humor and character development. This book is a follow up book to A Long Way From Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, but you do not need to read the first two to enjoy this story. However, if you want a little background in the development of Grandma Dowdel, you will not want to miss the first two books. I recommend this book to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Although some of fifth graders in my class get into reading the other two books, I think the vocabulary of this book makes it more appropriate for 6th grade. But I would surely start them off with the series in fifth grade. I especially like the version on tape I have borrowed from the library.

View all my reviews >>

All my Friends!

2009-10-29T20:41:00.004-04:00

Look at this!!!! Look at all my friends! I am so excited for all of you who are listed. If you check out my sidebar, you will find MANY of these blogs listed as the Best 100 Book Blogs for Kids. I think it is WONDERFUL!
(I tried to tag all my cyber buds, but there were too many!)

Diary of Wimpy Kid #4- Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

2009-10-24T20:50:00.000-04:00

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Laughs? yes. Best Diary of a Wimpy Kid? No. Still a fan? Yes.
I wanted more DOG! But, that's just me.

View all my reviews >>

The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis by Barbara O'Connor

2009-10-23T20:44:00.001-04:00

The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis by Barbara O'Connor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Now anyone who knows me, knows I am a fan of Barbara O'Connor. I am also a sucker for a good southern accent and a backwoods setting. This book has backwoods written all over it and this is what I loved the most!
My favorite part of the book is the family in the rambling RV. I wanted to know them. I thought maybe I did know them. Oh, the characters... Gosh, Barbara is so good at character development. I knew all those characters. I put a face with them in a split second. (Or split page) The NAMES, the NAMES, the NAMES! I am always complaining about authors using obscure character names. These were obscure in a perfectly lovely way.
The book is short. A quick read. Perfect for that reluctant reader that isn't going to pick up a book over 200 pages, even if paid to do so.
Of course there were dogs in this book. But maybe not in the way that you would expect. Knowing a little bit about Barbara O'Connor, this part of the plot just tore me up.
Mrs. O'Connor is such a fan of vocabulary. I see that theme in many of her books. There is no exception here. Does it fit? Maybe. That might be my only complaint. Sometimes I wasn't sure the vocabulary added to the story. However, as teacher I have to view vocabulary building as a good thing no matter what.
I recommend this book to students in grades 3-5.
Way to go, my friend. Homerun! Sorry for the rambling post.

View all my reviews >>

Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko

2009-10-02T17:00:00.001-04:00

Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I LOVED this book! I am not sure which I loved more, this or the first, Al Capone Does My Shirts? But I can tell you I LOVED this one! I really hope it is not so long between this book and the next book. I don't know how long I can be without Moose, Natalie, Piper, Jimmy, Annie, Janet, et al...
Is it better than the first? You be the judge? And, What will Al Capone do for Moose next?

View all my reviews >>

September Carnival of Children's Literature and CYBILS Nominations

2009-10-01T20:23:00.002-04:00

Two exciting things to add to my day...
The September issue of The Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Susan Taylor Brown's Blog.
AND...
You can now begin nominating books for the CYBILS Award. Go to this site to nominate or find out more about the contest. I am pretty sure you can click on the button I have in my sidebar as well, but not positive.

Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee

2009-09-20T18:50:00.002-04:00

Bobby vs. Girls by Lisa Yee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book may appeal to my fifth grade students for the mere fact that it is a story where the boys go up against the girls, which always seems to be popular. But the fact that Bobby, the main character, and his friends are only in the fourth grade may turn off some of my fifth grade students who seem to think they are so far away from fourth grade. (Even though they are not.) The story itself though is perfect for a third or fourth grade student.

View all my reviews >>

August Carnival of Children's Literature

2009-08-29T07:42:00.003-04:00

The August Carnival of Children's Literature is up at In Need Of Chocolate! I am pleased to say I remembered the deadline and submitted something this time. It has a "Back to School" theme, so you know I am loving that. But more importantly, there are many good things to read. Check it out!

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

2009-08-21T17:23:00.000-04:00

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Someone told me that their daughter thought this book was "a LITTLE sad." Umm, try uncontrollable crying. Maybe it was just me feeling sentimental, but I thought this book was so sad. But sad like you feel for the characters, not like a tragedy happens during the story. You already know the tragedy before the story starts. It is the healing process that made me so weepy. Definitely a book I will recommend to my students. Don't think I could get through reading it aloud. I know the cover will totally turn off any boy fifth grade readers, but I would still try.

View all my reviews >>

It Was September When We Ran Away For the First Time by D. James Smith

2009-08-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

It Was September When We Ran Away the First Time by D. James Smith

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This trilogy (So far) really intrigues me! I stumbled upon one of D. James Smith's books way back when I started my blog. I accidently read the second book before the first, but it didn't matter. Now there is a third story about Paolo and his Italian-American family.
I love the voice of Paolo. He has some great lines in this book. (I returned it to the library, so I can't quote any...) His family life is so interesting to me. I love the big family he has.
Another point of interest to me is the historical aspects of the series. This book is no exception. The story is set in 1951 and it brings up many great topics for that time period.
I think this is a time period that would be foreign for most students in fifth grade, so I would use it in a read aloud setting. I think sixth or seventh grade students would like it as well.

View all my reviews >>

Rissa Bartholomew's Declaration of Independence by Lydna Brill Comerford

2009-08-18T21:34:00.001-04:00

Rissa Bartholomew's Declaration Of Independence by Lynda Brill Comerford

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked this book because it is something I can recommend to some girl readers. Especially those going into middle school like my fifth grade girls. It was a fun read, but it wasn't life changing or anything. It showed the dynamic of change lots of people experience in middle school. I also like how it showed a girl trying something new and different. One thing I didn't like was how over the top Rissa often was in her relationships.

View all my reviews >>

Summer Carnival of Children's Literature

2009-08-02T14:45:00.002-04:00

The Summer Edition of the Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Here in the Bonny Glen. It encompasses both the months of June and July. It is very easy to read and separated into categories of posts. Thank you, Melissa Wiley for a great Carnival. I am sorry to say I missed the submission date. Next month's Carnival is listed at In Need of Chocolate.

Reading is Fundamental and Macy's Fund Raiser

2009-07-27T09:00:00.002-04:00

Just keeping you informed...

Jemma Hartman Camper Extrodinare

2009-07-25T22:56:00.001-04:00

Jemma Hartman, Camper Extraordinaire by Brenda A. Ferber

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This a great book for fifth graders and probably sixth grade as well. It really shows the trials and tribulations of growing older, growing apart from friends and having to share someone you see as your BFF. It has a great lesson to be learned. I would say mostly girls only would find something to relate to in the story, so I doubt I would read it aloud, but I would recommend it to any girl in my class. I REALLY liked this story and the character, Jemma. It took me back to junior high and even brought a tear to my eye. (In kind of a sad/happy way) Do we think this is going to be a series??? What is your opinion?

View all my reviews >>

Mudshark by Gary Paulsen

2009-07-14T23:59:00.001-04:00

Mudshark by Gary Paulsen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I love Gary Paulsen. This book didn't do it for me. I didn't even really get most of it. The high point of the book is the morning announcements that come from the principal at the beginning of each chapter. Other than that, eh. I am still a Paulsen fan, true but I will be excited to see how students react to this book. (I won't even tell them that I didn't get it) :)

View all my reviews >>

Also Known as Harper Lee by Ann Haywood Leal

2009-07-13T23:04:00.002-04:00

Also Known As Harper by Ann Haywood Leal

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the book I have been waiting for this year! It is CLEAR that Leal used her background as teacher to craft this novel. From start to finish I could put names to the faces of the characters. Not the names that they are given in the novel, but the names of students I have encountered in my classroom over the last 11 years. It made me think more of those students and their lives. I smiled, laughed, and cried.

This book would be great for a literature circle or a situation where you could really sit and talk about it.

View all my reviews >>

Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson

2009-07-04T10:46:00.000-04:00

Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book had plenty of adventure, mystery, twists, turns, cliffhangers (A personal favorite) and some history. I think my students could listen to this as a read aloud. I also know that it would be perfect for my more savvy fifth grade reader. My personal favorite aspect of the book is the way the author used suspense with cliffhanger chapter endings. I don't know what took me so long to get this book, but I am ever pleased I took the time.

View all my reviews.

Blog Anniversary!

2009-06-30T00:08:00.003-04:00

Now this is how out of it I am... I didn't even realize it is my blog anniversary! Someone had to comment and tell me and I even have a count down thingy to remind me. In honor of the anniversary, I will redirect you to the first review I wrote.
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass.

Barbara O'Connor's Newest Book Trailer

2009-06-23T17:35:00.004-04:00

After returning from vacation and finding 422! posts in my Google Reader, I sifted through and picked out some of my favorite blogs to read. I hope I am not too late to present to you a book trailer for Barbara O'Connor's new book, The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis. Humor me and watch it again if you have seen it already, if not... What are you waiting for???

Now who is with me? Get on over there to Amazon and pre-order your copy. Ya know ya want to!

May Carnival of Children's Literature

2009-05-31T17:59:00.003-04:00

You may now view the May Carnival of Children's Literature at Into the Wardrobe. I wanted to submit THIS so just pretend I did.
Also of note, I really love the blog Cake Wrecks. I mean LURVE!!! ( A very special kind of love) I never miss a post. So imagine my surprise when I found that they have raided my childhood bookshelf to bring you THESE wonderfully done children's literature cakes. (Sunday is for pretty cakes, not wrecks)

Mother Reader's 48 Hour Book Challenge

2009-05-27T08:13:00.004-04:00

If you are in to reading, which I am assuming you are, please take a moment to consider entering into a challenge. It is the Mother Reader's 48 Hour Book Challenge. You can read all about it by clicking on that fancy little button to the side.
Meanwhile, I should let you know that the Kidlitosphere Bloggers of Central Ohio will be getting together the morning of June 6th to enjoy a breakfast together and a visit to the wonderful book store Cover to Cover. (This has become a little tradition for celebrating all kinds of book related events) Since part of the 48 Hour Book Challenge this year challenges you to make a donation to something you feel strongly about, the Central Ohio peeps have decided to donate to Mary Lee of A Year of Reading. She is participating in a Fish-a-thon to rasise money for a nonprofit organizaiton that offers no-cost retreats for breast cancer survivors. Long story short, I don't think I can make the trek up to Columbus that morning so I am pledging $1 for every book taken out of Cover to Cover by ALL the Kidlit Bloggers of Central Ohio. So tally up your books, gang, and send me a bill!

March Carnival of Children's Literature

2009-03-29T16:59:00.002-04:00

The March Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Jenny's Wonderland of Books. Check it out!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T08:13:00.002-04:00

May the luck of the Irish be with you today and all days!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Read Alike Lists

2009-03-10T08:04:00.002-04:00

Have you ever been in a situation where someone asks you what to read next, but you are hard pressed for an idea? Today, The Reading Zone has a post with great Read Alike lists! As in, if you liked this, you might like... It was just what I needed right now to keep my kiddos on their feet and reading when they would rather play in the beautiful warm weather. Check it out!

Spammer

2009-03-05T08:04:00.002-05:00

I don't know where else to post this, so I am going to say it here. There is a spammer out there who has gotten a hold of several blogs. The comment is written in Chinese. I had one in my comments today, but I had comment moderation on, so it didn't affect me. Just a heads up that if you don't use Comment Moderation, you may be surprised at what is ending up in your comment section. (I did a little translation, it wasn't pretty)