Monday, July 14, 2008

Jackie's Wild Seattle







Jackie's Wild Seattle
By Will Hobbs
Grades: Late 3 - 7
Rating 9/10
Jackie's Wild Seattle is a story about a wild animal rescue group based in Seattle. The story centers around two kids who are spending their summer with their Uncle Neal. Neal volunteers full time for the rescue operation. When Neal hurts his thumb Shannon and Cody have to step up and learn the ropes as far as catching injured animals. this is a very human story thanks to the great character development and some of the issues that the characters are dealing with. I have a feeling that this will be a well liked story. It would be a great book for book club as well!!!

Punished






Punished by David Lubar.

Grades: 2-4

Rating 6/10

Logan knows he shouldn't have been playing tag in the library reference stacks and he's sorry that he crashed into Professor Wordsworth. Suddenly, Logan starts speaking in puns-really awful puns-and he can't stop. Then he realizes that he’s being punished. Get it "pun-ished". In order to break the curse he has three assignments to complete. Each has to do with words, such as oxymoron's and anagrams. This is a fun book, but I am not convinced that most younger students will understand what is really going on. It is on the MHL list for 2008/2009 so time will tell what the students actually think of this story








Monday, July 7, 2008

Project Mulberry


Project Mulberry
by: Linda Sue Park
Grades: 4-6
Rating: 7/10

Review: Every child at some time has to do a science project. Julia and Patrick are members of a club similar to 4H. As members of this club they have decided to do an animal husbandry project in hopes of making it to the fair. After some serious thought and discussion Julia's mom suggests that they raise silk worms. Julia is not thrilled with the idea because she feels it is too "Korean", and she want their project to be American. But...instead of just telling Patrick NO, she goes along reluctantly with the plan. This story has many good lessons in it. It is a pleasant read and one that both boys and girls will be able to relate to.

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little


Moxy Maxweel Does Not Love Stuart Little.
by: Peggy Gifford
My Rating: 9/10
Grades: 2-4

Review: This is a darling, engaging little book! It is perfect for the student who is ready for their first real chapter book. Moxy is a procrastinator. She was assigned Stuart Little for summer reading. It needed to be read before the beginning of 4th grade. Well, her brother read it the first week of vacation. It is now the day before school starts and Moxy has yet to read the book. Will she get it read? Will she finish the book before the big synchronized swimming event? What do peach pits and dahlias have to do with the story?


I had a hard time putting this book down. It pulled me in and I just had to know what would happen next!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Thing 5 - More Fun with Flicker


A framed Photo! I took this picture in Glacier National Park last week. I could become adicted to all these fun ways to modify and use photos!!







My Flicker Puzzle:) Pretty cool!










Phineas L Macguire Erupts


Phineas L MacGuire Erupts

By: Dowell


Grades: Late 2 - 4


This is a cute little story that would be a great read for students who are ready for a "real" chapter book. It is a light story and easy read. The story is about a boy is sruggling with the new kid at school and the loss of his best friend who moved away. Phineas loves science and has been looking forward to the science 4th grade science fair for years. Unfortunately he gets stuck working with the new kid. Will the science fair be a bust? Phineas is quite creative in dealing with his problems. Students will find Phineas and the setting easy to relate to. Both boys and girls will enjoy this book.


7/10

The Penderwicks


The Penderwicks
by Birdsall

Grades: late 3 - 5

This is a fun little story about 4 sisters & a boy. The girls family is renting a cottage from a rich, mean lady, who just happens to be the boys mother. The kids get themselves into quite a bit of trouble, but always manage to find a way out of the trouble. this is a fun, clean read that many girls will truly enjoy reading. Not sure many boys would like it though.

I am looking forward to more Penderwick adventures:)

Rating: 8/10