The Last Holiday Concert

Clements, Andrew. 2004. The Last Holiday Concert. New York: Aladdin.

Summary

The main character in this story is Hart Evans. He has just started middle school, and he is already the most popular guy in school. He likes school and his classes except for music class. To Hart this is the most boring class of the day. He decides to liven things up a bit by shooting a few rubber bands at Mr. Meinart, the music director. One of the rubber bands snaps the teacher on the neck and he over reacts and drags Hart down to the principal's office. Soon after this Mr. Meinart announces that the class will be producing the holiday concert on their own. Hart is elected to run the show. We get to see Hart learn to become a true leader who is not able to rely just on his popularity status, and we get to see how Mr. Meinart learns how to become a better teacher by taking a step back.

Impressions

This is a fun and entertaining story to read. The characters are interesting and engaging. The author lets us inside the character's thoughts and shows a variety of view points. Mr. Meinart is not portrayed as the typical "Mean" teacher, but rather as a human teacher. Hart learns that popularity really isn't that important, and he and his classmates learn that a lot can be accomplished with true team work. Children will definitely enjoy this well told and entertaining story.

Reviews

Booklist( October 15, 2004 ; 0-689-84516-2 ) Gr. 4-6. "After Hart shoots a rubber band at Mr. Meinert, he finds that the chorus teacher is not just annoyed but furious. Unbeknownst to Hart, all the faculty art and music positions have been eliminated, and Mr. Meinert will not be returning after the winter holiday concert. When the teacher unexpectedly turns the concert planning and preparation over to the students, they vote to make Hart their leader. This entertaining novel relates Hart's ups and downs in his challenging new role."--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2004 Booklist

School Library Journal( October 01, 2004 ; 0-689-84516-2 ) Gr 4-7-"Clements is a master at taking elements of relatively common school situations and turning them into masterful stories with truly engaging characters. Foreshadowing provides glimpses of the program during the chapters leading up to the conclusion, but the climactic description of the event will leave youngsters teeming with emotion. The book's accessible language and quick pace will also appeal to reluctant readers."-Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

The Homework Machine

Gutman, Dan. 2006. The Homework Machine. New York: Simon & Schuster.



Summary
This book is written using several different character's voices. Each section begins with a person's name and then we hear their version of what is going on. The four main characters form a group called the D Squad. This group is initially formed becuase their teacher puts them all into a group alphabetically by their last names. They are all quit different from each other and are not friends at the beginning of the story. One of the boys in the group is pretty much a boy genius and invents a homework machine that will do each person's homework using that person's own handwritting. They name the machine Belch. Eventually the machine starts to take over and the foursome have to figure out how to get out of this situation.

Impressions
This book has a very unique and clever plot. The way that the characters are written makes them likeable and believeable. Children will love the plot revoloving around having a homework machine. The way that the four students form their friendship is also very believable. They don't start out having very much in common but through shared experiences they all develop strong and believable friendships.

Reviews

School Library Journal( December 01, 2007 ; 1-4281-4483-8 ) "Gr 4-6-When fifth-grade computer genius Brenton invents a machine that can do homework, it seems like a great idea to three other youngsters in his class. However, things quickly spiral out of control as "Belch" changes from a useful tool to a menacing threat."-Cindy Lombardo, Tuscarawas County Public Library, New Philadelphia, OH Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Booklist( February 01, 2006 ; 0-689-87678-5 ) "Gr. 4-6. In a novel about a boy clever enough to make his computer do his homework for him, Gutman delivers a fresh take on an idea as old as Danny Dunn and the Homework Machine 0 (1958)." --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2006 Booklist

The Ghost's Grave

Kehret, Peg. 2005. The Ghost's Grave. New York: Penguin Group.






Summary
Josh is twelve years old and is sent to a small town to live with a distant relative for the summer. He thinks it is going to be the boringest summer of his life, but finds out it is just the opposite! On his first night there the seventy year old aunt that he is staying with shoots a bat in the kitchen. Things only get more exciting from there. He meets a ghost in the tree house out back, he finds a mother cat and her kittens, and then solves the town mystery- almost getting killed in the process.

Impressions
This a really good book. It has mystery and humor all rolled up into one good story. The characters are well developed and believable, and it has a fast paced plot. Children will love the entertaining characters and the scary plot.

Reviews

School Library Journal( October 01, 2005 ; 0-525-46162-0 ) "Gr 4-7-This fast-paced and engaging book should be a hit with fans of ghost stories. Josh is a rich character to whom readers can relate and they will cheer him on as he searches for the truth."-Alison Grant, West Bloomfield Township Public Library, MI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Booklist( May 15, 2005 ; 0-525-46162-0 ) Gr. 5-8. By turns comic and scary, Kehret's seventeenth novel is rooted in both the supernatural and the gritty reality of coal miners' lives in the first years of the last century." --Connie Fletcher Copyright 2005 Booklist

Nancy Drew Tiger Counter

Petrucha, Kinney. Nancy Drew Tiger Counter. 2008. New York: Simon & Schuster.




Summary
This is a graphic novel of a Nancy Drew mystery based on the series by Carolyn Keene. In this story Nancy is volunteering at an animal protection center. The man running the center is Jack Kingsley. The mystery begins when they run across some missing tigers. Nancy becomes very suspicious of Jack after she sees him talking to a man about lost tigers. Nancy uses her natural instincts and detective skills and figures out who is behind the missing tigers.


Impressions
This is an interesting graphic novel. It is well written and easy to follow. It is a typical Nancy Drew mystery written as a graphic novel. The pictures are colorful and entertaining. The reader is able to follow the story by looking at the pictures.



Reviews
None available for this particular graphic novel.

The Legend of Spud Murphy

Colfer, Eoin. 2004. The Legend of Spud Murphy. New York: Miramax Books.

Summary
The book begins with two brothers being forced to go to the library because their parents feel it will be "educational" and they won't be able to get into any trouble there. The parents decide that the children should spend two hours a week there. The librarian is referred to as Spud Murphy because she has a reputation for shooting potatoes at children who misbehave in the library. The boys are afraid of her. They get their library cards and are told that they are allowed only in Junior section and they are not to move off the carpet. Both boys start out by pretending to read, and then a funny thing happens and they actually start to read and enjoy the books they are reading. They end up reading everything in the Junior section and devise a great scheme to sneak books out of the adult adventure section. They get caught and are scared to death, but a funny thing happens and the librarian gives one of the brothers a blue library card for the adult part of the library.

Impressions
This was a great story. It was fast paced and entertaining. I enjoyed the way the character of the librarian was done. She was so funny. At one point she told one of the boys that she was going to give one of them a stamp of a pirate, but she actually stamped him with a stamp that said "I love Barbie". The story had this kind of humor throughout, and would definitely be a good choice for reluctant readers. The story has pencil drawn pictures throughout that lend themselves nicely to the story. This was one of my favorite books and I would definitely recommend this book to others.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly( October 03, 2005 ; 0-7868-5504-5 ) "The titular librarian grumbles when two brothers arrive, but softens when she finds them hooked on books. "The story's comic moments, brevity and message are well targeted to reluctant readers," according to PW. Ages 7-11. (Sept.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal( October 01, 2004 ; 0-7868-5501-0 ) "Gr 2-4-This hilarious offering is the first in a new chapter-book series. The cartoon illustrations enhance the funny mood of the story. Youngsters, especially reluctant readers, will laugh out loud at this clever book, which can also be read aloud. A good choice for fans of Dav Pilkey, Jon Scieszka, and Ian Whybrow."-Christine McGinty, Albany Public Library, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

The Tale of Despereaux

Dicamillo, Kate. 2003. The Tale of Despereaux. Cambridge: Candlewick Press.






Summary
This is the story of mouse called Despereaux. He was "different" from the day he was born. He was born with his eyes open, big ears and a tiny body. His mother named him Despereaux because of all the dispair in her life. He was not even expected to live, but he did. Despereaux was never able to fit in with his family. He just didn't like to do typical "mice" things. He was always daydreaming and he liked to read - which is very un-mouse like. Despereaux falls in love with the princess of the castle. This causes great frustration to the mice of the castle and they throw little Despereaux into the dungeon with the rats. Despereaux is such a good storyteller that the keeper of the dungeon lets Despereaux survive. He is even able to escape the dungeon. Despereaux finds out that his princess has been captured and he finds a way to save her.

Impressions

This entertaining and well written story is sure to be a kid pleaser. I think it would even be a good story to read aloud. This book has pencil drawn illustrations that compliment the text. The story has a good plot and an interesting narrator who keeps the story moving. The characters are well thought out and well developed.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly( April 24, 2006 ; 0-7636-2529-9 ) In our Best Books citation, PW wrote, "The omniscient narrator recalls Henry Fielding's Tom Jones, assuming a similarly irreverent yet compassionate tone and also addressing readers directly." Ages 7-12. (May) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal( October 01, 2004 ; 0-7636-1722-9 ) Gr 3 Up-In this delightful novel, a tiny mouse risks all to save the princess he loves from the clutches of a devious rat and a slow-witted serving girl. With memorable characters, brief chapters, and inventive plot twists, this fast-paced romp is perfect for reading alone or sharing aloud. Winner of the 2004 Newbery Medal. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Paulsen, Gary. 2003. How Angel Peterson Got His Name. New York: Yearling.







Summary
This is considered a biography of Gary Paulsen. It is not his whole life story, but a look into his crazy teenage years. He tells about the many wild and crazy adventures he and his friends had while growing up in Minnesota. He goes into quite a bit of detail and his stories are all quite humorous.

Impressions

This book is laugh out loud funny. From the very first page the reader is entertained by these wild stories. He admits throughout the book that the stuff they did was really stupid, and that his escapades should not be repeated by anyone. He is such a gifted writer that he made a biography that was actually fun and entertaining to read. He writes about the crazy adventures in way that makes you "see" what is happening. He gets into the details by writing about what the person was actually thinking about at the time, and then ties everything together and turns it into a funny story. This book can be enjoyed by young adults and older adults! This is a very entertaining book.

Reviews
Publishers Weekly, 11/01/2004
"Paulsen once again reaches back to his northern Minnesota boyhood to recount his and his pals' attempt to pull off stunts that live up to their billing as "outrageous" and "extreme," even by today's standards. According to PW , "This collection will likely hook adults as much as young readers." Ages 10-up. (Sept.) Publishers Weekly, A Reed Business Information Publication

Booklist( December 15, 2002 ; 0-385-90090-2 ) "Gr. 6^-9. Every boy who is 13 or about to be 13 or who remembers being 13 should read this short story collection based on people and events from Paulsen's own life. None of them dies (amazingly), and even if Paulsen exaggerates the teensiest bit, his tales are side-splittingly funny and more than a little frightening."--GraceAnne A. DeCandido

Bertie Was A Watchdog

Walton, Rick. Bertie Was A Watchdog. 2002. Cambridge: Candlewick Press.

Summary

In this story we see how a small dog is able to use his big brain to outsmart a robber. Bertie is called a watchdog because he is the size of a wristwatch, not because he is a big scary dog. Bertie uses his brain to trick the robber into barking loudly so that the police are alerted to his house that is being robbed.

Impressions

This is a fun story to read aloud to children. The illustrations are cartoon like and appealing and are done in watercolors. The plot is interesting with a surprise ending. Even though Bertie is small in size he is smart and courageous and is able to do great things. Children will understand and appreciate this subtle message.

Reviews

School Library Journal, 08/01/2002
PreS-Gr 1–Bertie looks as though he couldn't hurt a flea, but a robber who comes to the pup's house finds out differently. Although he can't bite hard or chase quickly or bark loudly, he uses his brain and tricks the bad guy. The humorous watercolor illustrations in warm tones of blue, turquoise, coral, and gold outlined in black ink are arranged in an appealing format with close-up views of the action and large, black type. The whole adds up to an extremely lively book with a subtle message." –Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA School Library Journal, A Reed Business Information Publication

Kirkus Reviews, 05/01/2002
Brains overcome brawn once again in this laugh-out-loud encounter between a huge, leering burglar and a minuscule canine guardian. Bertie's ferocious grimace and spiked collar fill the first two spreads, but, as the third reveals, he's called a "watch dog" because he's actually about the size of a Rolex." (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright 2003, VNU Business Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Birmingham, 1963

Weatherford, Carole Boston. 2007. Birmingham, 1963. Pennsylvania: Wordsong.

Summary

This story is written in free verse. It tells the story of a fictional girl on her 10th birthday. The story is told through the eyes of this ten year old girl. The story is fictional but the history is correct. It is the story of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing that killed four young girls. In this fictional account the ten year old girl is going through the motions of a normal day. She gets up, gets ready for church, she is excited about turning ten, and then in the blink of an eye everything changes. In the church that she is attending a bomb goes off and four innocent children are killed.

Impressions

This is one of the most moving free verse books I have ever read. I don't know how anyone could read this without crying. The simple black and white pictures with splashes of red on each page are extremely moving. At the end of the book there is a beautiful tribute to the four girls who were killed in this tragedy.

Reviews

School Library Journal( December 01, 2007 ; 1-59078-440-5 ) "Gr 4-8-In understated free verse, an unnamed, fictional girl narrates the events that preceded the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. The book includes a section called "in memoriam" in which the four young girls who died in the bombing are profiled. The author's note provides additional historical background, and the end matter includes a list of photo citations. An emotional read, made even more accessible and powerful by the viewpoint of the child narrator."-Jennifer Ralston, Harford County Public Library, Belcamp, MD Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Booklist( September 15, 2007 ; 1-59078-440-5 ) In free verse, a fictional 10-year-old tells of actual events leading up to the Ku Klux Klan bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963, and of the four young girls who died in the explosion."--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2007 Booklist

The Cats in Krasinski Square

Hesse, Karen. 2004. The Cats in Krasinski Square. New York: Scholastic Press.

Summary

This is the story of a young Jewish girl who is living outside the well known Ghetto in Poland in 1942. She must pretend to be someone that she is not. She has escaped the Ghetto, but has friends still living there. The young girl plays outside almost invisible with the cats that are out in Krasinski Square. The girl's older sister along with some friends come up with a plan to smuggle food into the Ghetto. The plan is discovered by the Gestapo finds out about this plan and forms their own plan to stop it. They believe that food is going to brought in by trains, so they get their dogs ready to sniff out the food at the train station. They figure out that the dogs will be at the train station and the little girl comes up with a plan to distract the dogs. The girl, her sister, and some friends round up as many of the cats from Krasinski Square and hide them in baskets. As soon as the train comes in they release the cats and distract the dogs causing chaos. In the midst of the chaos the people with the food are able to escape and then smuggle the food into the Ghetto.

Impressions

This is a very thought provoking fictional story based on real life events. The story is extremely well written and illustrated. Even though it is a tough subject, the way that the story is written makes it a wonderful choice to read to children. Children can handle the fact that not everyone in the world is good and that bad things can happen to anyone. The style of this book makes it a good introduction to what happened during the Holocaust. It is not gruesome or horrible, yet it tells a poignant story. I would definitely recommend this book to teachers and parents.

Reviews

School Library Journal( November 01, 2004 ; 0-439-43540-4 ) "Gr 3-5-Set in Warsaw in 1942, this picture book brings to life a little-known incident of Jewish resistance. A young girl who has escaped the Ghetto lives with her older sister who, with friends, plans to smuggle food to those still there." -Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Booklist( October 15, 2004 ; 0-439-43540-4 ) "Gr. 2-5. It's an empowering story about the bravery and impact of young people, and Hesse's clear, spare poetry, from the girl's viewpoint, refers to the hardships suffered without didacticism. In bold, black lines and washes of smoky gray and ochre, Watson's arresting images echo the pared-down language as well as the hope that shines like the glints of sunlight on Krasinski Square. An author's note references the true events and heartbreaking history that inspired this stirring, expertly crafted story." --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2004 Booklist

The Recess Queen

O'Neil, Alexis. 2002. The Recess Queen. New York: Scholastic Press.

Summary

In this children's story we are introduced to the school bully Mean Jean. She gets to do everything first on the playground because all the other children are afraid of her and let her have her way. A new student arrives at the school and does not know anything about Mean Jean and her playground rules. The new student runs out onto the playground and uses all the playground equipment before Mean Jean. Just as Mean Jean is about to explode the new girl invites her to jump rope with her and Mean Jean accepts the offer and they become friends.

Impressions

This is a fun and entertaining book for young children. The bullying plot is something that most children can relate to in some way or another. The illustrations are bright and colorful and go along with the playful and energetic text. Much of the dialog is done with entertaining rhymes. One can only wish, though, that bullying could be stopped so easily.

Reviews

Booklist( April 01, 2002 ; 0-439-20637-5 ) Ages 3-6. Mean Jean is the playground bully ("she pushed kids and smooshed kids, / lollapalooshed kids, / hammered `em, slammered `em, / kitz and kajammer `em"). No one can stand up to her, until new kid Katie Sue arrives. The physicalness of the words makes the wild nonsense rhyme great for reading aloud and joining in, and the brilliantly colored, computer-generated art captures the yelling playground mayhem that's both scary and wonderful. --Hazel Rochman

Kirkus Reviews( December 15, 2001 ; 0-439-20637-5 ) "Positing that bullies only act that way because they're lonely, O'Neill (Loud Emily, 1998) puts seemingly meek, new classmate Katie Sue up against aggressive Mean Jean, swaggering boss of the playground. Presto change-o, a friendship is born. Though the suggested strategy works far more easily here than it would in real life, young readers will be caught up by Katie Sue's engaging, fizzy exuberance." (Picture book. 7-9)

Bad Boys

Palatini, Margie. 2006. Bad Boys. New York: HarperCollins.


Summary

In this story two naughty wolves decide that the best way to catch a lamb would be to infiltrate the flock. The two wolves dress up as sheep and pretend to be sheep. This is a very humorous story with the intelligent sheep catching on to the pretense right away.

Impressions

This is a very silly and enjoyable story. It would be a great story to read aloud to young students. Some of the humor may go over their heads, but for the most part they will laugh throughout the book. The illustrations are well done and do a good job of complimenting and enhancing the text.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly( September 11, 2006 ; 0-06-000104-6 ) Two wolves "go on the lam," dressing as sheep and infiltrating a flock. "Palatini's flair for puns and arch repartee shines through every exchange," said PW's starred review. "The ever-waggish Cole advances the plot with his own steady stream of visual humor." Ages 4-7. (Sept.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Booklist( November 15, 2003 ; 0-06-000103-8 ) K-Gr. 2. On the run from a kid in a red hooded cape and three small pigs, Willy and Wally, a couple of wolf brothers, decide to disguise themselves as sheep and hide out, as it were, in the middle of lunch--a flock of sheep. --GraceAnne DeCandido Copyright 2003 Booklist

The Baby Beebee Bird

Redfield, Diane Massie. 2000. The Baby Beebee Bird. New York: HarperCollins.





Summary
This story takes place in a zoo. One night all the zoo animals are kept awake by a baby Beebee bird that has its days and nights mixed up. The zoo animals have to come up with a solution to this problem because the baby bird is keeping them awake all night long.

Impressions
This sweet story is very entertaining. The illustrations are charming and add a lot to the story. It also has a good message showing how all the animals work together to come up with a solution to a problem. This would be a great book to read aloud to young children. The children will be able to chime in on the refrain and become activiely involved in this sweet and funny story.

Reviews
Publishers Weekly( June 02, 2003 ; 0-06-051784-0 ) The zoo animals wish the beebee bird would stop making so much noise and let them get some sleep. First published in 1963, now with all-new illustrations by Kellogg, "the beebee's insistent song shows up here in hot pink type, issuing an irresistible invitation to join in," said PW. Ages 3-6. (May) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Booklist( December 15, 2000 ; 0-06-028083-2 ) Ages 3^-7. "This lively bedtime story, first published in 1963, gets a worthy revival in this enlarged edition. The facial expressions on Kellogg's animals loom large, extending (and only occasionally overwhelming) the simple story and giving visual voice to a story big on child appeal. The text has been adapted slightly in the new edition for clarity and to fit the new illustrations. Here's a gentle message with a boisterous refrain."--Amy Brandt

Mother, Mother I Feel Sick

Remy, Charlip. Mother, Mother, I Feel Sick; Send for the Doctor, Quick, Quick, Quick. 2001. Berkley: Tricycle Press.

Summary

This is a story that was origianally written in 1966. This particular book is a re-make of the original with new illustrations. In this story a little boy has a gigantic stomach and is feeling sick. His mother calls the doctor and the doctor begins removing strange things from the boy's stomach.

Impressions

This book is great to use as a read aloud. The rhyme and rhythm of the book keeps it moving and the funny storyline is very humorous. The exaggerated illustrations are very entertaining and do a good job of connecting the text to the story. This delightful book is sure to be a kid pleaser.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly( April 30, 2001 ; 1-58246-043-4 ) Originally published in 1966, Mother Mother I Feel Sick Send for the Doctor Quick Quick Quick by Remy Charlip and Burton Supree, has been re-illustrated by Charlip, with silhouette paper cut-outs against a background of Victorian wallpaper. This visual treatment gives the story about a beach ball-shaped boy with a stomach ache a nostalgic look sophisticated enough to lure modern readers. ( Apr.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Booklist( March 01, 2001 ; 1-58246-043-4 ) Ages 3^-5. "When a boy complains of feeling sick, his distressed mother sends for the doctor, who operates on his stomach and extracts one impossible object after another, from a teapot to a bicycle. A perennial favorite with preschoolers, this picture book has been reprinted with new backgrounds for its distinctive silhouette illustrations." --Carolyn Phelan

Skippyjon Jones

Schachner, Judy. 2003. Skippyjon Jones. New York: Dutton Juvenile.


Summary
This is the story of a precocious little kitten name Skippyjon Jones. He has a very active imagination. He is a Siamese cat, but he is always imagining that he is something else. At the beginning of the story he acting like a bird. He gets sent to his room by his mother, but his imagination does not stop! He imagines that he is a chihuahua named Skippito. Skippito is very brave and is able to rescue his imagingary friends from the Bumblebeeto Bandito.

Impressions
This is a fun and entertaining story for young children. The pictures are interesting and imaginative. They are very colorful and visually appealing. It is a great book to read aloud since it is cleverly written. When Skippyjon Jones become Skippito he speaks with a Spanish accent and uses simple Spanish phrases. At the end of his adventure he is brought back to reality, but the reader gets the feeling that Skippyjon Jones' imaginative adventures are not over!

Reviews

From School Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 3-"This is a wildly wonderful book about a hyperactive kitten, Skippyjon Jones, whose head and ears are too big for his body, and whose imagination is too intense for his mama. The buoyant and colorful cartoon illustrations match the exuberant text perfectly. Spanish-speaking children will be especially delighted by the words and humor; others may be a little bewildered by all of the foreign phrases and will need some explanation, but the story definitely has the potential of a fun read-aloud. A good multicultural offering." Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

Publishers Weekly( May 16, 2005 ; 0-14-240403-9 ) "The Siamese hero of this caper sleeps in a nest-with the birds-and is convinced that he's really a Chihuahua in disguise, and saves his pals from a giant Bumblebeeto Bandito." Ages 4-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.