Friday, December 30, 2011

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot

The Three Little Aliens and the Big Bad Robot By: Margaret McNamara & Mark Fearing

This is a great spin on the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs. In this adventure three little aliens are sent away from home to find their own home. Their mother tells them to stick together and watch out for the big bad robot, but they loose track of each other when a couple of the aliens see something they think is exciting and fun. But the third little alien finds a nice safe place to live and builds a safe house. When the big bad robot comes the first two aliens are not safe and they find their way to the third aliens home where they defeat the robot. But nothing is as good as Mom tucking you in so they call their mom to come for a visit and read them a story.

I love this spin off of the book.  My kids also loved to read it.  The pictures are really great and very detailed.  I think that any kid will enjoy this book, especially if they are into space books. I think that it would also be a great part  of a collection of "three little _______" stories if you are making a book collection!

I bought this at the Scholastic Book Fair
ISBN: 978-0-375-86689-0

Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Candymakers

The Candymakers By: Wendy Mass

This is the story of four young people in a  competition of a lifetime! They have been chosen to compete to make the best new candy.   Each of them has a reason to win and a story to tell.  Logan is the Candymaker's son and so everyone is out to beat him, but he just might beat himself first because he is full of doubt. Miles is trying to find a way to forget the past and so is excited to be in a candy factory. Daisy is just in love with candy and wants to make some of it for herself.  And then there is Philip who is not very nice to anyone and is always writing in his notebook. But are these the real people that you see before you? Or is someone not quite telling the truth?  And the bigger question is who is going to make the best candy?!

I loved this book. It was a great story, it had candy in it and the descriptions alone make your mouth water!  And there is also mystery in it, because the characters actually turn out to not be what you expected them to be!  I loved the way it told the story from each characters perspective because then you got to see things in a different light each time it changed characters!!  I thought that it was also well played out as you start to understand the story as the book goes on and nothing is given totally away until the end!  Awesome read for about higher fourth grade readers and up!

I was given this as a gift from a student who purchased it at the Scholastic Book Fair.
ISBN: 978-0-316-201061-2

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Friday, December 23, 2011

Christmas

Today for Christmas I am posting about two books that I think share the true meaning of Christmas. While I love all the holiday stuff Jesus is the reason. Merry Christmas!

On This Special Night By: Claire Freedman and Simon Mendez

This book tells about the birth of Jesus from the animal's point of view. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is fantastic!  A perfect Christmas read for all ages!

This was a gift to my kiddos!
 ISBN: 978-0-545-10568-2










A Tree for Christmas By: Dandi Daley Mackall Illustrated By: Dominic Catalano

This book tells the story of Jesus' life using different trees as illustrations.  It shows him in different stages of his life and in poetry ties it to a tree. Which at the end gives us a great reason for the Christmas Tree.  I love the illustrations in this book because each time it tells a new story there is a sketch of a family going and cutting down their Christmas tree.

This was also a gift to my kiddos!
ISBN: 0-7586-0669-9

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures By: Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Ethan wakes up on his first day of his sophomore year after having the dream again. He is trying to catch her and cannot.  When he wakes up he realizes that again his window is open and he is covered in dirt.  He has had this dream many times always trying to save her.  When he gets to school he finds that there is a new girl in town.  And being a small town it is not normal for someone to show up, especially one who lives with the town recluse.  But as soon as he sees her he knows that she is the girl from his dreams. Lena is the one, and he can hear her thoughts and she can hear his.  Ethan knows he has to get to know her and he does, even though it means that they are ridiculed by the people around them. He also knows that there is something strange going on and is determined to find it out.  Lena happens to be a Caster and is able to do magic. She is approaching her sixteenth birthday where she fears the Book of Moons will chose to make her Dark instead of Light. Ethan is determined to help her be taken by the Light. But is it all to much for them?  Can they fight the battle that is before them and still survive and save the ones around them?

I thought this book was interesting and a great story. It was nice to read a book about teens that actually attempt to get to know each other before they are automatically in love forever.  I thought it was an interesting plot and the action and mystery that surrounded the characters were  fantastic.  I think that it is a good read for high school or older and maybe even as young as eighth grade as there is nothing to mature in it.

I bought this in Kindle Edition from Amazon.com
ISBN:  978-0316042673

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

A Nest For Celeste

A Nest for Celeste  By: Henry Cole

Celeste is a mouse living in a big house.  She likes to make baskets and makes due with little. But there are two rats in the house too that make her do things for them. One night she is put out of her home as the two rats draw the attention of the cat to her hiding place and she is no longer able to get out or in her house without the cat being nearby. She ventures upstairs and is found by a young man named Joseph that likes her and lets her live with him.  Celeste likes Joseph but does not like that Joseph and Mr. Audubon kill birds so that they can draw them and make a catalog of birds. She finds a way to show Joseph that you do not have to kill the birds to draw them and therefore makes friends with the birds. She goes on a few adventures and when Joseph leaves she knows she needs to find a nest for herself. She wanders to the attic and finds a doll house with a bed the perfect size for her. Until the remaining rat finds her again, can the friends she has made help her?

I liked this book because of the ability of someone small to make changes to others lives. Celeste is not able to talk to humans but is able to help her friends by showing them ways to behave so that they are saved from the previous bird's fate.  I loved the illustrations in this book and those alone make this a special book.  The story is great but the pictures were fantastic.  They are very detailed sketches that come alive on the paper.  I think that this book would be great for a third grade (if they are great readers and can handle the images of a rat or bird that are dead) or older reader. This would also make for a great read aloud book as the images that are told with words make great ones in your mind too!

I was given this gift by a student who purchased it at the Scholastic Book Fair,
ISBN: 978-0-06-170410-9

Fish

Fish By: Gregory Mone

Fish, otherwise known as Maurice, does not want to be a farmer.  So when his family's horse dies he is the one that is sent to work for his uncle as a messenger.  It is while delivering a package that he is robbed and finds himself aboard a pirate ship.  He becomes part of the crew and finds that he might have a knack for finding treasure.  He also makes friends in the ships other boys, and the ships cook.  Fish being a person who knows how to swim also is a very useful boy to have on the ship.  Fish begins to help the captain and the captain's wife solve the mystery of the greatest treasure and for this reason the first mate, Scab. does not like Fish.  When Fish finds out that Scab is out to cause mutiny on board the ship Fish decides to act fast and save his new pirate ship home. Can he do it in time, and still get treasure enough to save his family's farm?

I liked this book! It was a great pirate adventure.  I think that the character of Fish is a character that you find yourself rooting for.  I think that this would be a great book for a  fourth grade probably until about seventh grade.  I think that anyone who likes to read about pirates would love this book because it shows a different side to them. They are not the completely mean and nasty people they are made out to be, just people looking to make some money on the open sea.

I was given this book from a student who purchased it at the Scholastic Book Fair.
ISBN: 978-0-545-33335-1

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

13 Gifts

13 Gifts By: Wendy Mass

Tara Brennan is being sent to live with her Aunt and Uncle for the summer after she tries to steal something from her principal's  office and then sprays him with pepper spray on accident.  She is frustrated and upset because her family is leaving her and she is learning that people in the town of Willow Falls are full of secrets. When her backpack is emptied by someone on the train, Tara is left without a phone or money and she needs it.  So she meets a strange old lady named Angelina who agrees to give her money if she finds the things she has on her list.  The only rule is that she cannot steal them  and she must find all the items before her 13th birthday.  This leads Tara and her new friends on a wild chase through the town as they only have 2 weeks to find them. Tara is happy to finally have friends and is so excited when they are able to get all the things on the  list, which requires them to do random things for people, pay them with money or deeds.  When Tara finally thinks that she has completed her task she finds she has a lot more to learn!!

I enjoyed this book.  It was written really well and I was not expecting the twists and turns that the story took. I thought it was fun because of the little quest the characters were on to find the items on the list and it showed how creative the characters were at collecting things from people even if the people did not want to give them up.  I liked the mystery of the town of Willow Falls and thought that it was a creative magical place.  I think that this would be great for any 4th grade or older reader, but probably to young for high school!

I purchased this from the Scholastic Book Order.
ISBN: 978-0-545-38494-0

Saturday, December 17, 2011

A Month of Sundays

A Month of Sundays By: Ruth White.

April Garnet Rose has never known her father so when her mother tells her that she is going to leave her with her father's family while she goes in search of a better job in Florida Garnet is not happy.  She is angry and feels strange when her mother drops her off at her Aunt June's house.  While she is there she starts to feel a part of the family but still is angry at her mother for leaving her. She finds out what it is like to have a family and finds a boy Silver that she spends a lot of time with. Her mother sends letters telling her she is going to send for her soon but Garnet is not really sure. Then one day her father August Rose shows up.  This makes her really confused because her father says he never knew anything about her. So she is faced with figuring out what really happened. Soon her mother returns to bring her home and then her father and mother are in the same house after so long apart. When a tragedy occurs with Silver April is now forced to face life and she is surrounded by the people she has come to know as family.

I do not know that I loved this book but it was good. It was a story of growing up and dealing with events in your life that you cannot change.  I thought the characters were developed nicely but I do not know that I connected with the book.  I think that it had a good plot and story line and I really wanted April's life to be better then she thought it would be. I did think that it was interesting that it took place in the 1950s because I don't  know that divorce was ever out there like it would be in a novel about today.

I picked this up at the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-374-39912-2

Friday, December 16, 2011

Jan Brett

In honor of my favorite time of year, todays Picture Perfect is Jan Brett's Christmas Treasury!

What a wonderful collection of Jan Brett's work.  It has seven of her well known stories in it. The Mitten, The Wild Christmas Reindeer, and The Night Before Christmas are all included. I love Jan Brett's illustrations.  She is one of my favorite picture book author/illustrators because her pictures are great. She also uses the whole page, she tells you about the story using the margin of the books that most people don't use.  Each picture has a border that tells part of the story.  This collection is perfect for any Christmas set!!

I purchased this so long ago I have no idea where I got it.
ISBN: 0-399-23648-1

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Bloody Jack Adventures

This is my plug for the Bloody Jack Adventure Series by L. A. Meyer.  I have now read all of them and they are fantastic. They are about a girl named Mary Faber that hops on a ship one day and pretending to be a boy "Jack" so that she can be a ships boy.  She has many adventures that lead her to be a pirate, a naval officer, and many others jobs and misadventures.  She falls in love with Jaimy and things never seem to work out for the two of them. As soon as they think they can be together, they are separated by somethings else.  In the latest adventure Jacky Faber is feared dead after she is tossed from her ship in a storm.  She must find her way home and rescue her love Jamiy from certain death as he sets out to avenge her death and looses his mind.

I love this series.  I have read all nine of them and think that the characters are well played out.  They are fantastic adventure books and the main character Jacky always seems to always find her way out of the most difficult situations. I like how the characters can never seem to get what they are most looking for, even though I wish that they could just be together it makes for a great series. I would recommend these to any young adult looking for a great series.

http://clairdeloon.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=6&Itemid=15
Here is a link to the Bloody Jack Page that gives you a ton of info about the series and has a lot of cool stuff.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Michael Vey The Prisoner of Cell 25

Michael Vey The Prisoner of Cell 25 By: Richard Paul Evans

Michael knows he is not to tell anyone of his abilities.  He has been hiding them his whole life.  He appears to be an average teenager with Tourette's syndrome. But there is more than meets the eyes. Michael has the ability to produce a electrical shock from his body.  Michael has only ever told one person about this, his best friend Ostin.  But when he gets in trouble again for being stuffed into his locker by three school bullies, he fights back when they attack him and shocks them all. The only witness to this event is Taylor, a cute cheerleader, with her own secret.  Taylor invites Michael over to her house to tell him that she too has a special power. Taylor and Michael become fast friends and they along with Ostin begin a club of special people called the Electroclan.  They do some research and they find that they were born a day apart in Pasadena.  Little do they know this leads the people who are tracking them right to them.  The adventure begins when Taylor and Michael's mother are kidnapped by Dr. Hatch.  Michael must find a way to save them.  He is lead right into the trap at the Elgen Academy.  Can Michael rescue Taylor and his mother without getting sucked into the trap there?

This is a great book. I was literally on the edge of my seat trying to finish it so I could see what was going to happen. I loved how it told the story through two characters when Taylor and Michael are separated.  We get to see what is happening to her at the Elgen Academy while he is trying to get there. I liked this characters in the book because they had a sense of honor to each other.  I also thought that the story line was fantastic, I am not a huge science fiction reader but this book really appealed to me.  I think that it is a great read for maybe mature middle school and older readers. As I think some kids in middle school would really enjoy it and even though the character is in high school there is nothing inappropriate about it.  And great news!!  There is another Michale Vey book.

I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN: 978-1-4516-5650-3

Friday, December 9, 2011

Duck Rabbit

Duck! Rabbit! By: Amy Krouse Rosenthan and Tom Lichtenheld

Have you ever disagreed with somebody about what you think something is or looks like? Then this is the book for you!  The two voices in the book cannot decided whether they are looking at a duck or a rabbit. Each voice is very convinced they are correct until the duck or rabbit leaves.  I like this book because as I read it aloud to my children or my class they each have their own opinion too!  I think that it makes the minds start to think and question.  I also think it is so simple it is just funny!

I received this as a gift from the Scholastic Book Fair
ISBN: 978-0-545-26437-2

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Name Change!

So I decided to try out a new name for the blog! I hope you like it. I think that this just sums me up!  I am a teacher and a lot of what I read is brought about because I love children's and young adult books the best. Occasionally I do read adult books, but I really find that I love them a little less. :) So same blog, new name!

Friday, December 2, 2011

Claire Freedman and Ben Cort

Today I have two funny books for you from Claire Freedman and Ben Cort!


Dinosaurs Love Underpants:  This book is a book about how the dinosaurs went extinct! They did so because they were fighting over the caveman's underwear.

Aliens Love Underpants:  This book is about aliens that travel the galaxy looking for underpants. And when they come to Earth and find some on the line in your backyard, they like to play in them.

Both books are hysterically funny for me to share with my 3 boys. We of course love to talk about our underwear around here, hopefully that will end soon!  But for now these books fit right into my kiddos sense of humor. I love the pictures in these books! They are so colorful and expressive.  I think that these are a great addition to any library.  Probably my kids who are in second grade, kindergarten, and a two year old, are a better market than most kids, but the forth and fifth graders I read these to also laugh, a little. :)

I purchased these at the Scholastic Book Fair.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Torn

Torn Erica O’Rourke

            Mo Fitzgerald has just lost her best friend in the whole world. And with her friend's death Mo is learning that she was not as honest as Mo thought she was.  Verity, Mo’s best friend, had just returned from a trip to New Orleans for the summer and has come back changing the plans the best friends had made for their future in college.  Mo is struggling to understand what has change and to figure out who is responsible for her death at the same time. Mo meets Luc, who seems to know the new Verity and who also knows what types of beings are responsible for her death.  Mo’s uncle, who is somehow connected to the Mob, believes that this was supposed to be a hit on Mo, so he hires Colin to be her bodyguard.  Mo doesn’t know who to believe and finds out about the magic that Verity was involved in.  Trying to find the killer and solve the murder just might put Mo in greater risk but she is willing to risk it.  That is after she works out her feelings for Luc and Colin. 

             Great teen novel.  I loved the characters, especially Mo, who has a spirit of fight in her. She is a strong female character that is working to find the answers she seeks even if it means risking herself. She is  a great friend to Verity even after learning that Verity was not always truthful about what she was doing in New Orleans, and she really just wants to do the right thing, even if it does not help those around her complete their plans.  This is the first book in a series and I am excited to read the rest to see what happens next.  I would say high school or older for this young adult book!

I purchased this in Kindle edition from Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0758267030

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

This is the story of Hugo Cabret, a young man who lives to be not seen. He takes care of the clocks in the clock tower and stays hidden.  But when a old toy selling man and a young girl come into his life he is no longer able to keep to himself.  He must work with them to solve a mystery and find out more about the toy man that has been around him his whole life.  Can he work with others to figure out the ending of his story?

Wonderstruck
This is the story of a boy named Ben who just wants to find out who his father is.  His mother has passed away and he is living every day with his aunt and uncle, who take wonderful care of him, make him miss her more.  He decides to run away to New York to find his father with only a book and a bookmark to lead him to the right place.  It also is the story of a young girl who wants to belong to someone and feel wanted instead of trapped in a house where nobody wants her.  Both of these young people live in different times and are connected by being deaf children, but is there more for them?

Both of these books were magical and beautiful. They were told in words and pictures. They look overwhelming when you first pick them up based on the size of the novels. They are really not that long but are filled with original art works that can take your breath away.  Both novels are beautiful in their own way, due to wonderful story telling, and artwork.  I think that at times the pictures tell more than the words because they are so detailed and expressive. I believe these would be great books for mature elementary readers and older. Beautiful books!

I borrowed The Invention of Hugo Cabret from a friend. ISBN: 978-0-439-81378-5
I borrowed Wonderstruck from the public library. ISBN: 978-0-545-02789-2

Friday, November 25, 2011

I'm Thankful Each Day

I'm Thankful Each Day!  By: P.K. Hallinan

This is a great book that teaches kids that there are things every day that they can be thankful for.  It's about looking around you at what God has created and being thankful that you are a part of it. Thankfulness is something that I am trying to teach my children, not just for the stuff that they get but for just being alive and having a life.  For being able to see things around them that are special and one of a kind. And knowing that God made wonderful things in the world that if we just take a minute every day to look around we can  see something to be thankful for.

Great read aloud to your kids!

I was given this book by my mom.
ISBN: 0-8249-5396-7

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Night Circus

The Night Circus By: Erin Morgenstern
Le Cirque des Reves appears out of nowhere and is open for you to wander through and enjoy.  It is full of magical things and wonders that you cannot explain.  What you do not know is that it is there so that two magicians can duel, both fighting for what they do not understand but have been brought here to do and have trained since they were young. They are bound to the circus and keeping it going while not understanding the true meaning of this duel.  But when the two dueling magicians Celia and Marco find that they not only cannot leave the circus because it will spin out of control, but they find themselves also in love with each other and cannot be without each other the problems begin.  They are trying to find a way to let the  circus go on without them so they can be together but do not realize the terms of the duel.  Can they figure out how to let  it go and survive for the many people who live and work in the circus and still be able to be together? Or will one of them not survive the break from the circus?

I loved this book.  I think that it was a clever mystery and romance built together. I loved the characters in the book, at first they have no idea who their duel is meant to be with but one is able to figure it out first and that is what brings them together in love.  I felt that there were many, many elements to this book and at times you might have to pay attention to what is going on to fully understand the connections of the people and the story line, this to me helped to create the mystery and enjoyment in the book.  I thought the writing style was good and the end made me… well I guess I won’t tell you that because it might give it away.   Great Magical Read!!

I borrowed this book from the public library
ISBN: 978-1-61173-202-3

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Reasons To Be Happy


Reasons to Be Happy  By: Katrina Kittle

Ever thought about how you might feel if you are going to a new school, your movie star mom has cancer and is dying, and your movie star dad just can’t seem to handle it? Well Hannah is finding out. When she enters the new school and is suddenly part of a group of popular girls and boys who make her feel not quite right about herself, she wants to be thinner but turns to bulimia to solve her problem.  Next she starts to steal food. Her life is spinning out of control and gets even worse when her mom dies.  Hannah just wants to know what has happened to the girl who used to make lists about reasons to be happy.  She wants someone to catch her and make her stop but cannot control herself. When she goes to visit her aunt and her aunt catches her and tries to help her she thinks nothing could be worse, until her dad is arrested and she has to go with her aunt to Africa.  Here is where she finds herself and realizes that there is more to life than what she has been doing. Will she be able to control the fight within herself, and can she win her battle and come home?

At first when I started reading this book I thought why would anyone write such a sad story about a girl.  It is really raw and edgy to me because it was awful to read and feel the emotions that Hannah was going through. I didn’t think I would continue reading but felt I had to see how the book ended.  When finally someone cared enough about Hannah to talk about the bulimia I felt relieved for her, and then when she started to make changes on the trip to Africa I started to enjoy the book. I think that this is a powerful story of sadness and shows you that it is never too late to give up. And I think it also shows that people need others in their lives to help them and support them, it makes you take a minute to look at the people in your life and see if maybe you are missing something.  I think that I would not suggest this book for anyone that is mature, maybe freshman in high school if they can handle it.  It just is such an emotional book. I think that it has an awesome message and I really did end up liking the way Hannah was able to turn herself back around and get back to what really mattered in life.

I borrowed this book from the public library.
ISBN: 978-1-4002-6020-9

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cabin Fever

Diary of a Wimpy  Kid Cabin Fever By: Jeff Kinney

Kinney has done it again!  Book number 6 in his Wimpy Kid Series does not disappoint.  Greg walks us through his thoughts on the holiday season, bullies at school, the lack of playground equipment at school, and a stint with vandalism?  I cannot even go into the details of the book because it is all so fun, and the images just add to the hilarity of this book. My favorite part of this one is the “Santa Scout” stuffed animal that is supposed to watch over the kids and report back to Santa each night with their behavior. It is the creepiest looking stuffed elf I have ever seen. And when Greg decides to make some money by helping the neighbors clean their sidewalks of snow. He uses a sprinkler on one and tries a lawn mower on another!!  So funny!  This book is laugh out loud funny and I recommend it to any kid at heart!!  If you have never checked out this series start at book one, you will not regret it!


I preordered by book from the Scholastic Book Club!

ISBN: 978-1-4197-0296-9

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Cupcake Diaries: The Cupcake Cure

Cupcake Diaries: The Cupcake Cure By: Coco Simon

Middle School really is as hard as people think at least that is what Katie Brown finds out the first day of school.  Her best friend since birth is no longer hanging with her, and things just don’t seem to be going right for her. But she makes friends with Mia, Alexis, and Emma as they bond over cupcakes and create the Cupcake Club, because who doesn’t love a good cupcake?  As Katie finds out that it is okay for things to change she is able to relax a little at school and be comfortable with who she is. Then the Cupcake Club decides to challenge themselves to make 200 cupcakes for the school fundraiser and sell them.  Will they succeed?


I admit I am a sucker for cupcakes!  I love them and I tend to pick up books about them. This book was a great one for any girl afraid to start middle school.  It was a great story of not just about cupcakes but how to deal with the way things sometimes change when you go to middle school. People you had as friends forever may not be your friends anymore and there are always new people to meet. I really liked the story line and the characters were cute. And if you really like them, this is the first in the series of books!


I bought this from the Scholastic Book Club

ISBN: 978-0-545-35657-2

Friday, November 11, 2011

Library Lion

Library Lion By: Michelle Knudsen  Illustrated By: Kevin Hawkes

A lion has walked into the library! Nobody knows what to do, but the head librarian Miss Merriweather says that as long as he is not breaking any rules he may stay. And stay he does he sleeps, listens to story time, cleans, and helps children reach the books they cannot.  Miss Merriweather and the lion become great friends and one day Miss Merriweather gets hurt, in his haste to get help the lion Roars as loud as he can, Mr. McBee does not understand and sends him out of the library.  Miss Merriweather is okay with just a broken arm, but the lion does not return.  They are so sad to see him gone and look for him at the library everyday. Finally Mr. McBee decides to go look. He finds the lion and apologizes to him for yelling at him, and tells him that he was right to roar for help. The lion returns and everyone is happy.

I like this book for its messages.  That there are times to break the rules when others need help. And for admitting that you made a mistake and finding the person to say sorry to.  I think that the pictures are beautiful and lovable.  Great read to any listener.

I dont remember where I purchased this book.
ISBN: 076362262-1

Monday, November 7, 2011

Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Scorpio Races

The Scorpio Races By: Maggie Stiefvater

In November they come. In November some people die trying to ride them.  The capaill uisce, or water horses, come to the island of Thisby from the sea each year. And each year the men try to tame them enough to ride them for a large money prize in The Scorpio Races. Sean Kendrick knows this well as his father always trained these horses and died riding one. Puck “ Kate” Connolly also knows these horses can kill because one took the life of her parents.  But this year Sean and Puck both enter the race because they need to win.  Sean needs to be able to take the money and purchase his favorite horse and leave the job he is tiring of.    Puck needs to win so she can have money to save her parents house, which she finds out is not paid for.  Sean decides that Puck intrigues him and so he decides to help her train, but the men of the island believe that a woman should not be allowed to run in the race because none have done so before.  Will they both be able to get what they need from the race, and stay alive trying?

This was another great book from Maggie Stiefvater.  The story is a beautiful one of hope, love, and promise. It shows the wonderful side of people and also shows some horrible sides of people desperately trying to get what they want in different ways. The characters are ones that you take with you when you leave them.  The writing style is so easy to follow and creates vivid images in your mind. The mystery of the water horses is something that intrigued me the whole time, these horses come out of the ocean and the people believe that they can actually ride them and train them. I also liked that at the end Stiefvater talks about the actual myth about the water horses and how it came about that she wanted to write about them.  I would recommend this to high school or older because of some adult language and content. 


I purchased this book from Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0-545-22490-1 

Friday, November 4, 2011

Moosetache

Moosetache By: Margie Palatini  Illustrated By: Henry Cole

Moose has a big problem!! He has a huge Moosetache. It gets in his way every where he goes and with everything he tries to do. He has tried everything to get rid of the moosetache and have a normal moose life of cooking, skiing, and dancing. It isn't until he meets with a huge bouffant that he is able to live his life, and live it he does with her of course!!  The secret is in the glue! :)

I love this book. It is one of my kiddos favorites.  It is funny to read alone or out loud.  The pictures make the book so lovable.  The character of Moose is fun to see, his hair is really big. My favorite part is when the animals take nest in his moosetache. My kids favorite part is when the moose get married and dance.  All around awesome book. And there are more books about Mr. and Mrs. Moose that you should read too!

I bought this in the Scholastic Book Order.
ISBN: 0-590-53827-6

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Bigger Than a Bread Box

Bigger Than a Bread Box  By: Laurel Snyder
Rebecca knows there is something wrong between her parents.  She is still caught off guard when her mom tells her that they are leaving and going to stay with her grandma for a while. Then she finds out that her mom means for a long while.  She wishes she could go home, and runs to hide in the attic.  In the attic she finds a bread box, this is a magic bread box that gives her things that she wishes for.  She doesn’t even think about it and continues to wish for things that she wants or think she needs. When she realizes she does not know where the things are coming from, because the jacket she wishes for is actually stolen from the girl at school who she wants to look like, things begin to unravel.  On her way to return a special spoon she is accused of grave robbing by an elderly woman and locked in her basement. The police come and get her but they take her to the child protection place.  Will her parents work together to find her, and can they be a  family again?

I thought that this book taught a good lesson. That no matter what your circumstances are there are choices that you make that will determine your future.  Rebecca didn’t think about what she was doing because she was lost in feeling sorry for herself. All she cared about was getting her parents together again and returning home even if it was not the right thing to wish for. She did feel bad when she realized she was stealing things that were magically appearing from the bread box and so she learned a great life lesson. Great read for middle school age and up!

I borrowed this book from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-375-96916-4

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

What Happened to Goodbye

What Happened to Goodbye By: Sarah Dessen

Moving is no longer new for Mclean. Ever since her parents divorced and she came to live with her dad they have moved 4 times in the last two years. She is now starting her senior year and is lost for who she really is. Every time they have gone somewhere new she changes her name and also her personality. But this time things just work out that she goes by her given name Mclean. This is hard for her because she really doesn’t know who she is.  Her mom is now married to another man and has twins and they do not get along at all, Mclean feels left out and replaced by who her mom has become.  Her dad continues his job of taking over a restaurant and trying to fix it, and Mclean starts to feel like she is a part of something when her and some people from school begin to build a model of the city.  As she draws closer to some people around her, particularly the boy next door Mclean is lost for what to do. When her dad tells her they are moving again she is finished.  Can Mclean find out who she is and can she just become able to not say goodbye to everyone.

I liked this book. It was sort of sad how oblivious to Mclean’s changing personalities her parents were, they really didn’t pay that much attention to her.  I did like that the character was able to grow throughout the book, and showed that people can change, even if it takes a bad experience.  I would recommend this book to high school or older.

I borrowed this book from the public library

ISBN: 978-0-670-01294-7

Friday, October 28, 2011

Halloween

The last Friday is October! AAHH!  So without further ado this is my most FAVORITE Halloween book ever!

Halloween By: Jerry Seinfeld  Illustrated By: James Bennett

This book is based on the stand up comedy of Jerry Seinfeld. It is all about what he perceived Halloween to be as a kid.  It is full of FUNNY things, like the masks that do not fit correctly, or how he felt like he was wearing Superman's pjs instead of a costume.  I love the pictures in this book because they make me laugh.  I don't know that children today truly understand this book because they just don't have the same experiences that Jerry had.  I think costumes today, at least the mask, must be made differently.  It also talks about all the candy that he got and how as he got older he had a system.  I related to the circus peanut reference and think it is hysterical. Anyway I love this book and read it every year on Halloween to my children and to the students in my class.

I purchased this book at one of those Halloween stores many years ago for only $10!

ISBN: 0-316-13454-6

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Bunnicula

Bunnicula By: Deborah and James Howe

Harold and Chester are the family pets! And one night another pet is found and brought home by the Monroe family.  This pet is a bunny, but there is something strange about him.  Bunnicula, named because he was found at the Dracula movie, is never awake during the day and has strange red eyes. Chester, the family cat, thinks he is a vampire bunny and is out to prove this to Harold, the family dog.  Will they solve the mystery of the strange little bunny?

This book is one of the funniest books I know!  I was reminded today when I was reading it with my fourth and fifth graders. I was cracking up!  It is full of funny phrases and situations. For example, Chester is out to rid the family of Bunnicula. He thinks that Bunnicula is a vampire and so he decides to try to stake him, well, he uses a steak instead and the family thinks he has gone crazy.  I love this book so much.  Everyone should read it with their kiddos!

I have a class set of these that I don't remember where I purchased them. (They are falling apart with LOVE)
ISBN:  978-0689806599

Monday, October 24, 2011

Fateful

Fateful By: Claudia Gray

It is 1912 and Tess is excited about the trip to America on the Titanic, she knows that when she gets there she will be able to leave the service of the Lisles family for good. She has saved enough money that when the ship gets to America she can give her notice and walk away from them forever. But what she does not count on is the attention of Mikhail, a man who seems to be after her for some reason.  Lucky for her though she meets Alec, who seems out to save her.  There is obviously something that Mikhail wants from Tess and he will stop at nothing to get it from her.  One night he locks her in a room with a wolf and she knows that he wants to kill her. If you do not want to ruin the surprises of this book stop reading now!!!! 

The wolf does not kill her and come morning she finds out the truth about the wolf, it is Alec, he is a werewolf.  He then explains to her what is really going on and how much Mikhail will do to get at her because he knows she can get something from the family that he needs.  And when you are stuck on a boat crossing the ocean to America it is hard to hide.  Can she stay away from Mikhail so he won’t kill her? Will the attraction  to Alec consume her?

I thought this book was great.  It was very creative to write about werewolves on the Titanic.  It made the story even more interesting because you know what is going to happen to the ship and you keep thinking will it end with them all dying.  I think that the story was well thought out and made sense. It also was suspenseful because knowing they are confined to a ship, the action is even greater because of the inability to hide.  I thought that the characters were great, Tess was a loveable girl that you wanted to have the best in life since she was treated badly by the head of the family she worked for.   Alec was a decent werewolf that just wanted to get away from people so he could hurt no more.  And then when the sinking begins the way the characters respond and the love that is shown is wonderful.  I think that this would be a good read for high school and up.

I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN:978-0-06-200620-2

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Lola and the Boy Next Door

Lola and the Boy Next Door By: Stephanie Perkins

Lola thinks she has is all figured out. She is dating a much older guy, which drives her dads nuts, and people do not know about her mother and the past that follows her.  She also has her own sense of style, never wear the same thing twice and has many wigs and accessories that match her moods. There is only one new catch, the Bells have moved back in next door. They are a family Lola dreads seeing again. So when Cricket Bell calls to her from the window near her bedroom she knows she is in for trouble.  Cricket was her first love, he knows about her past and her dads really like him.  Her new boyfriend Max is not the person her dads like.  While trying to avoid Cricket Lola is just drawn to him and they begin their friendship again. Then Lola’s mom shows up and he world starts to spin out of control.  Will the old flame linger or die? Will Max really be the person Lola wants him to be?

Another great book from Stephanie Perkins.  I really enjoyed this little romantic novel, that is perfect for the high school and up crowd.  Lola is a truly unique character that  is completely lovable and worth reading about.  I liked how the characters from Anna and the French Kiss were also included in this book.  A great read for the romantic! This would be a fun mini movie, well it at least was like that in my mind. 

I borrowed this book from the public library.

ISBN: 978-0-525-42328-7

Friday, October 21, 2011

The Hallo-Wiener

The Hallo-Wiener By: Dav Pilkey

Oscar  is always teased for his size. His mom makes it worse by calling him names like "My little Vienna sausage".  And then for Halloween his mom makes him the worst costume ever.  A Hot dog. He does not want to hurt his Mom's feelings so he wears the costume only to be teased and left behind while Trick or Treating.  But when a scary monster starts to chase the dogs, it is Oscar who notices what is really under the scary robe and saves the day!

I love this book!  The pictures are classic and tell the story perfectly.  The play on words in this book also helps to make this story a great one! My own children and my students at school always love to hear this story.  It is so funny!  This is a must have for your Halloween collection.

I purchased this from the Scholastic Book Order.
ISBN: 0-439-07946-2

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Moon Over Manifest

Moon Over Manifest By: Clare Vanderpool


Abilene is sent away to live with an old friend while he finds work for the summer.  She gets to Manifest, Kansas by jumping off the train. She feels alone and sad that her father has sent her away, but finds out that she might be able to learn all about his past! When she finds some letters stashed under the floor of her new room and she meets Miss Sadie. Miss Sadie is an old woman with many stories to tell, she starts by trying to tell Abilene her fortune.  But Abilene owes Miss Sadie some work for breaking her pot so every day she goes to help the woman, only to be told many stories about two boys from the past.  One of them ends up being her father and so Abilene is able to piece together her father’s past and try to make a future of her own.


A beautifully written historical fiction novel. This novel is at the 5th grade level and told through the eyes of the main character, while going into stories from the past told by Miss Sadie.  I loved how this story went back and forth from the past to the current.  It also used newspaper articles from the towns past to tell what was going on.  Set in 1936 and 1918 the story shows the true nature of the people of the time. I really loved the main character and all that she was going through to make her stronger.

I purchased this book in the Scholastic Book Order
ISBN: 978-0-385-73883-5

Friday, October 14, 2011

Scaredy-Cat Splat

Scaredy-Cat Splat  By: Rob Scotton

It's Halloween!!  Splat is going to be w witch, but his broom breaks. So after finding a spider, Splat decides to be a spider and off he goes to school to be scary, but he ends up being scared by the other cats!  All Splat wants to do is scare someone today, can he do it?

I love the Splat books, they are the most fun kids picture book right now for my family.  The cat Splat is such a adorable cat, he has a  friend, Seymour, who is a mouse that is also in every book.  The pictures are what make these books so wonderful to me.  They are so expressive and it makes the characters jump right out of the page.  I suggest you pick these books up, they are the best for anyone who loves picture books, my kids are little so they love them the most!

Check out Rob Scotton's Page, where you will find out about all his books.  We also LOVE Russell the Sheep.  http://www.robscotton.com

I purchased this book at Target.
ISBN: 978-0-06-117760-6

Friday, October 7, 2011

Picture Perfect Its The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

In honor of October, this months Picture Books will all be about fall or Halloween.  I have quite a collection but I will pick my favoirte reads for my students and own kiddos!

It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown By: Charles M Schulz

It's Halloween and Charlie Brown's friend Linus is writing a letter to the Great Pumpkin.  Charlie Brown has no idea who this is so Linus tells him that on Halloween night the Great Pumpkin comes out of the patch with toys for children. No one believes Linus so they all go to the Halloween party dressed as ghosts, except Linus who falls asleep in the pumpkin patch.  Will the Great Pumpkin arrive?

I love this book, like all of Schulz's Charlie Brown books this one is just classic.  It has adventure and fun for all readers.  This book has beautifully colored pictures that stand out and take your breath away.  The story is just as fun to read over and over again.

I got this book from the Books Are Fun people that come to my school.
ISBN: 978-0-7624-3826-6

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Lafcadio The Lion Who Shot Back

Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back  By: Shel Silverstein
                Lafcadio is a lion who does not understand what a hunter is the day they come to shot the lions. While the other lions run, Lafcadio decides to introduce himself to the hunter. They strike up a conversation that ends with Lafcadio eating the hunter and taking his gun.  Lafcadio teaches himself to shoot and kills many hunters and uses their bullets to practice. One day a man from the circus comes to take Lafcadio away. Lafcadio loves his new life and begins to act more human like than lion like.  At the end he decides to become a hunter and is aiming for his old pride. Will he figure out who he really is or kill his family?
                This book was brought to my attention through  my sons second grade teacher. I had never heard of it before. I liked the moral that it taught about being who you really are meant to be. And maybe trying to figure out who that is as you grow.  I thought it was a funny story especially because the lion loves marshmallows and even has a suit made out of them in the city.  Without spoiling it I did think the ending was kind of sad, because you don’t really know what happens.
                This is an ok read for second grade and up, you could read it to younger students but they probably would not understand the whole idea.
I bought this book on Amazon.com
ISBN: 978-0-06-025675-3

Saturday, October 1, 2011

I Capture the Castle

I Capture the Castle By: Dodie Smith

Cassandra and her family live in poverty in an old English castle.  She has begun writing a journal and this book follows her life as she is trying to make her writing skills better. She writes about the way her family is, and how she falls in love with her sisters boyfriend, who happens to be the landlord of the castle. We find her wanting her father, who is an author that is experiencing major writing block to snap out of it.  All of the stories of her life throughout the six months she is writing show her to be an ambitious and wonderful girl.

I loved this book for the characters in it. They were fun to read about and the story made you feel  like you were right there with them.  You wanted her father to snap out of his problem, you felt Cassandras pain as her and her sisters were so trying to make everything work even though they were poor.  An endearing story of a youth's life. Also knowing this book was first published in 1948 made this book a timeless classic to me as it was still a great read today that made sense in this world too.

There is also a movie that was made  in 2003 with the same title. I saw that too and it was pretty good, I always like the books better.

I borrowed this book from the public library.
ISBN:0-312-18110-8

Friday, September 30, 2011

The Jolly Postman

The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters By: Janet & Allan Ahlberg

The Jolly Postman travels around fairy tale land and delivers mail to the different fairy tale characters.  He drops them off and then is off to the next place, always doing his best to get the letters to the people and animals they belong to.

Why I love this book. I remember reading this  book as a child and loving it, and as an adult it is no different. This book comes with letters in envelopes to each of the characters, the Wicked Witch, the Big Bad Wolf, Cinderella.  I love taking the letters out and reading each one, because they all have such character. This is definitely also a great book to teach about letter writing and filling out an envelope correctly, as many children do not write letters using "snail mail" anymore.

A great book for every library.

I have had this book for so long I do not know when or where I purchased it!!
ISBN:0-316-12644-6

Saturday, September 24, 2011

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette     By: Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks are back and this time they are going their separate ways. This installment of the Penderwicks life finds, Mr. Penderwick and his new wife off on their honeymoon, Rosalind is off to the beach with her friend, and the rest of the Penderwick family off to Point Mouette together. This is hard for all of them as they have never been away from each other for so long, but many adventures prevail.  Skye is now the OAP, or oldest available Penderwick, and a few surprising visitors and new friends at Point Mouette make this yet another Penderwick adventure.

I loved this book just as I have loved the others in the series. This is a great family adventure and is a great read for anyone 6th grade and up.  I love how the characters are being developed at the series continues. I suggest you start with the other two in the series first… The Penderwicks  and  The Penderwicks on Gardam Street

I got this book at the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-375-85851-2

Friday, September 23, 2011

Chalk

Chalk  By: Bill Thomson

Three children walk to the park in the rain and find a bag of chalk hanging from one of the toys. They pick up the bag and begin to draw with the chalk.  To their amazement the items they draw come to life!  The boy decides to dry a dinosaur and a chase begins.  They all hide and the boy draws a rain cloud, the dinosaur melts away.

This is one of my favorite books.  It has no words, but the pictures are some of the best I have ever seen.  It is a beautiful book!  My children love to look through this book and tell the story over and over again.

I purchased this book from the Scholastic Book Club.
ISBN: 978-0-545-39982-3

Monday, September 19, 2011

Princess of the Midnight Ball


 Princess of the Midnight Ball By: Jessica Day George
Rose and her sisters are always disappearing and wearing out their dancing slippers.  Their father is beside himself wondering where they have gone to and what they are doing.  He even has guards and maids outside their doors at night and cannot solve the mystery of where they are going.  Galen is a young soldier back from the war living with his aunt and uncle and tending to the palace gardens.  When Rose and her sisters fall ill that is the last straw for their father and he sends word that any noble man who can solve the mystery can have Rose’s hand in marriage. None of the potential suitors can figure it out and they all meet a mysterious end when they leave the palace. Out of a beginning concern for Rose and her sisters Galen decides to give it a try. Not for her hand in marriage but because he cares for them all.  With the help of some magical powers can Galen save Rose and her sisters soon enough or will the dancing continue?

I enjoyed this book, and was reminded of the other similar book that I blogged about (Entwined).  I liked that this while it had mystery also had the story told from both Galen and Rose’s point of view.  I thought that it was a typical ending to the story that I knew was going to happen but the way it got there was a good surprise. I would say that this would be a good book for any 6th grade reader and up.  

I got this at the public library.
ISBN: 978-1-53330-455-9

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny—Detectives Extraodinaire

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny—Detectives Extraodinaire By: Polly Horvath
                You are now entering a strange time where foxes kidnap humans and humans must rely on bunnies to help them solve the case.   There is nothing that Madeline wants more than to be normal.  She takes the ferry every day from the island that she lives on to the nearest school so that she can learn and be like other children, instead of like her hippy parents who think that school is not important. And she really wants to attend her graduation, but is held back by her parent’s resistance.  Then the unthinkable happens. She comes home to find a note that says her parents are being held captive until they take their kidnapers to visit her secret agent uncle.  What else can she do but to try to get to her uncle and figure out what is going on.  The only clue is a label for the Fox Canning Company.  Her uncle is to sick to help her and Madeline feels desperate and alone.  Who will help her? Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Bunny! What talking bunnies!!  Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Bunny come to the rescue, along with some other animal friends.  But can they find the foxes that took her parents in time? And can Madeline make it to her graduation, with the correct color shoes?
                I thought that they story line of this book was very creative and fun. I think that any reader about 3rd grade and up would like the basis of the story.  The language in the book, however, was to me a little confusing for younger readers and would be more appropriate for 5th to 6th grade readers. I also thought that at times the story line was sort of confusing to the reader. All in all I think that this book shows promise of being a great story.
I reviewed this book from NetGalley.com
ISBN: 9780375867552

The Sweetest Thing

The Sweetest Thing By: Christina Mandelski

                Sheridan, otherwise known as the Cake Girl, love to make cakes. It makes her feel closer to her mother who left her long ago. But when her dad tells her that he has been given the chance of a lifetime, his own television show and they may move to New York City, Sheridan feels like her world is going to fall apart.  She does not want to go to New York because she is hopeful that her mother might come back to see her.  Every year on her birthday she gets a letter that says that mom will come soon.  Sheridan is also being pursued by the most popular boy at school and can’t help but to begin to fall for him even if it doesn’t feel just right.  All this is upsetting to her best friend Jack, who just might have feelings for Sheridan.  Can Sheridan sort out what is happening in her life? Will her mom really come back for her?             

   I really liked this book. It was a quick read great for any teenage or older reader. I loved that it was so easy to read and had great characters.   I felt for Sheridan as she was trying to sort out the everyday problems of being a teenager and trying to find who she really was.  I think that the story also shows teens that things do not always turn out the way that you think they should, but that is not a bad thing.

I reviewed this book from Netgalley.com  
ISBN: 9781606841297