The Girl Who Came Home

The Girl Who Came Home By: Hazel Gaynor

This is the story of Maggie and her granddaughter Grace. Grace is forced to leave her dream and come home when her father dies. She is very helpful, but left feeling lost.  On her birthday, her grandmother, Maggie, tells her that she has a story to tell her. This story changes everything, and is the story of Maggie's time on the Titanic.

This story is told from the point of view of many different people. Each of these people are either on the Titanic, or connected to it in some way. It is a sad, but beautiful story of loss and hope.  I thought it was very well written.  Great read

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-06-231686-8

red hat

red hat By: Lita Judge

This is the story of animals that find and take a red stocking hat.  With only sound effects this book is a terrific tale of the fun animals can have with things.  Since they destroy the hat, it is also nice to see what the little girl does.  Just a simply story with great pictures.

I borrowed this book from the public library
ISBN: 978-1-4424-4232-0

Louise The Big Cheese and the Back To School Smarty Pants

Louise The Big Cheese and the Back to School Smarty Pants
By: Elise Primavera Illustrated By: Diane Goode

Louise is a small girl with a big attitude. She is really excited for school to start, she knows that her teacher Mrs. Pearl is going to be the best one yet. But when she gets to school she realizes that she is not going to be thrilled. Mrs. Pearl is a hard teacher that never gives "A"s. Louise is not happy about how hard it is to be at school. But when Mrs. Pearl is out and the class has a substitute, Louise is surprised by why she misses her teacher.   This is a great book about teaching students why teachers may be hard.  It shows that with hard work, you actually will learn a lot, and like your teacher.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-1-4421-0600-1

Even Monsters Need Haircuts

Even Monsters Need Haircuts By: Matthew McElligott

This is the story of the barber's son.  Late at night, on the night of the full moon, he sneaks to the barber shop to open for all the monsters. Every type of monster comes to the shop, and they each need something different. They get everything cleaned up in time for the humans to come back in.  This book was really cute, the pictures made my kids and I laugh out loud.  Perfect for the young monster lover in your life.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-8027-8819-1

The Other Half Of My Heart

The Other Half Of My Heart By: Sundee T. Frazier

Minni and Keira are twins, but no one believes them. They are complete opposites, their father is white, their mother black. Minni looks just like her father, while Keira looks just like their mother.  They have always had to explain to people that they really are twins.  Minni just wants to stop feeling so out of place, and when they are sent to their grandmother's to be in a pageant, Minni has to work hard to find a balance in her life.

This story was really good.  First, it has a great message about what it means to be a sister. That no matter what anyone says, the bond they share is a tight one and they love each other deeply. It also brought up some great things about what it mean to live in a biracial family, and not only that, having one sister that is white and one black, brought up the differences in what each of them go through based on the race they look.  Good story for upper elementary and middle school readers.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-385-73440-0

Flood

Flood By: Alvaro F. Villa

This was one of the most moving books I have read.  A wordless book about what it is like to experience a flood.  The images come to life on the page, and you know what the family is feeling. I also like how the author shows the rebuilding process, because it tells that even when bad things happen there is a way to rebuild the things around you.  This is my favorite wordless books I have read.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-1-6237-0001-0

Treasure Chest: Angel of the Battlefield

Treasure Chest: Angel of the Battlefield By: Ann Hood

Maisie and Felix are not happy about their new home.  The twins are annoyed they have to leave their home, and sad that their dad is going to be moving so far away.  They are now living on the third floor of a historic mansion, that their mother is able to rent for $1 a year.  Maisie and Felix are being giving the grand tour of the bottom floor when a few strange things begin to happen.  And in their attempt to rid of the boredom they find an adventure they will never forget.

This was a clever historical fiction novel.  Having the kids fall into the past was something I believe upper elementary readers will really like.  I liked the characters Maisie and Felix, how they stuck together and really were friends not just twins. If you liked The Magic Tree House books you will definitely want to pick this one up.  Catch the next book in the series Treasure Chest: Little Lion Great read.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-448-45471-9