Apple Island: The truth about teachers by Douglas Evans

Why is Mrs. Gross such a crab? Bradley Zimmerman can't stand to go to school, he complains every day that Mrs. Gross is a bizarre teacher, and every day she confirms this when she tells the class things like, there is no need to include the silent letters in their spelling, do not put the b on "climb and dumb". In her New New New Math, upside down math includes 6x9=54 but 9x6=45 AND 1x1=11. Bradley decides, enough is enough and he vows to get to the bottom of this. Bradley sneaks into the "teacher's lounge" and finds a map of Apple Island-where all teachers come from. Then Mrs. Gross enters with another teacher and starts discussing "Operation Misteach". Bradley begins to understand that Mrs. Gross is there to destroy what all the good teachers are teaching the students. The next day Mrs. Gross takes her class on a field trip - to Apple Island! Will the class return home? Can Bradley save the day? The illustrations by Larry Di Fiori are fabulous.

A is for Zebra by Mark Shulman

What? A is for Zebra? Well, look at the ending sound .... all the entries in this book have the unique spin on the normal alphabet book and showcase items that end with the letter. The illustrations by Tamara Petrosino bring all the ending sounds to life. For the letter P you have "hip-hop". Each page has several items or characters that end with the letter featured. The children (and adults) who read this book will laugh out loud at every twist. "Yuck! You stink!", the shark said to the skunk is one of the entries on the K page. Pick up this book and have fun!!

Library of Congress - Rare Digitized Children’s Book Collection

How would you like to go back in time to see the books children read many, many years before you were born? Have you ever explored the kid's books in a used book store and were surprised at how different they are from the books you buy new today? If you click on this link to the Library of Congress Rare Digitized Children's Book Collection, you can actually see books that are over 100 years old! When you click on the cover of the book, you will be taken to the page turner where you can "turn the page" to read the entire book. You'll also be able to zoom in on the page to view the words and illustrations up close. Imagine being your great-grandparents and holding these very books to read! How different reading a book would have been from the colorfully illustrated picture books you now read. There are many types of books in this digital, rare book collection. Some are A-B-C books, Aesop's fables, animal books, poetry, nursery rhymes, fables, and Mother Goose. There is even the original book of the The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum with pictures by W. W. Denslow! Be sure to zoom right in on its cover to see the worn corners and the texture of the cloth that was used to make this century old book - it's very interesting!

Let's go on a treasure hunt! Explore The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to find these answers.
1. What chapter will describe how the balloon was launched?
2. What is the caption for the illustration of Dorothy and Toto following page 12?
3. To whom did Mr. Baum dedicate this book?
4. What was the price to pay for Mr. Baum's other book, The Songs of Father Goose?

Using Math to Fly a Jumbo Jet by Wendy and David Clemson and Chris Perry

So much in the world relies on math to understand how it works. If you like to think and problem solve using math, you've probably already noticed how much math there is in our world. Imagine what would happen to the NASA space shuttle if the mathematicians working for NASA made an error when they plan each space flight. How would you feel about flying in a jet on your vacation if the pilot and crew members didn't know how to calculate how much fuel was needed? That would be scary! Using Math to Fly a Jumbo Jet is one title in the popular Mathworks! series. Each title focuses on something that relies on precise math skills to make it work. The series looks at building skyscrapers, doing movie stunts, solving crimes, working in the emergency room, and many more. In each book you'll find important facts and challenging activities. You'll be able to collect data and see how people actually use math in their work. There are actual photographs, too. Oh, and I should also let you know that the answers to the challenges are included in the last pages. When you finish reading any of the books in the Mathworks! series, you'll be thinking about math in a whole new way and seeing it all around you in real-life situations.

Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli

If you have read a Jerry Spinelli book in the past you know what an excellent storyteller he is. Smiles to Go is no exception! Mr. Spinelli tells the story in first person, Will is the name of the character and you see his world through his eyes. Will has two best friends, BT (which is a nickname for Anthony Bontempo) and Mi-Su (ME-SUE). Will also has a five year old sister, Tabby, which is short for Tabitha. Will, BT and Mi-Su are in the ninth grade, and as best friends, they do everything together. They play Monopoly and eat pizza every Saturday night, they sit together at lunch every day, BT and Will love to skateboard, Will and Mi-Su love to star gaze. The three of them are always together, even if one doesn't really enjoy what the other two are doing. Tabby thinks she can do everything with Will and his friends. Will is not thrilled with his little sister always being around. BT has five year old twin sisters! Why are they not the little pest that Tabby is? BT and Mi-Su do not feel that Tabby is a pest, they like having her around. What changes Will's mind about Tabby? Why does he now understand how special it is to have a little sister, even if she is a pest? Read Smiles to Go ... as you read you will also discover where Mr. Spinelli got the title of the story. This book is for older readers.

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

Did you ever wonder where dreams come from? How about nightmares? In her latest book, Lois Lowry takes us into the world of the dream-givers. Littlest One, a young dream-giver, is learning how to "touch" and "collect" fragments. Soon she will learn how to "bestow" dreams on her "assignments". We join Littlest on her assignment, with her teacher Thin Elderly. They bestow dreams on an old woman and a young boy by touching objects and giving them happy thoughts while they sleep. Littlest is learning how to be a dream-giver and she is full of questions for Thin Elderly. One of her biggest questions is about the Sinisteed - the ones that "inflict" nightmares. When a Sinisteed cannot inflict on their own, they come as a group called the Horde. Littlest and Thin Elderly work hard to bestow as many dreams on their charges to strengthen them and to help them ward off the Horde. The fantasy world of the dream-givers seems so real, you feel you are part of the story. This was a tough book to put down, it is a definite page turner. Check out the Kidsread.com entry about this fascinating world.

The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

There she is! That's Clementine and she's a third grade girl with so many worries. In The Talented Clementine she wants to avoid being in the school talent show, Talent-Palooza, Night of the Stars, because she has no talent - or so she thinks. Her friend Margaret has many talents and tries to teach Clementine to tap dance. That doesn't work out at all. Clementine finally has a plan to have her younger brother appear on stage on a leash so she can make him laugh - now there's a talent! Of course, Mom and Dad say no to that idea. Clementine eventually helps out Principal Rice at rehearsal only to discover her real talent.

If you like reading Ramona or Judy Moody books, get ready to enjoy Clementine. The author, Sara Pennypacker, has written three Clementine books so far and there will surely be more to come. This is the second in the series. Find them all at your library and curl up in a cozy place to enjoy laughing with Clementine.

The Cheese by Margie Palatini

"The farmer in the dell, the farmer in the dell, hi-ho the dairy-oh, the farmer in the dell." Do you know this silly song? Have you ever wondered just where is the farmer when he is in the dell? Why does the cheese have to stand alone at the end of this song? In The Cheese by Margie Palatini, that's exactly what the rat wonders too. Why should a perfectly good piece of cheddar be left alone in the dell? Even though "The cheese stands alone" is a clearly posted rule at the farm, the rat, the cat, the dog, the child, the wife, and the farmer all are tempted to ignore that rule for a piece of that tasty cheese. You'll chuckle when you read this retelling of the silly song, The Farmer in the Dell, and you'll be surprised with what the rat has to tell you at the end of The Cheese. Be sure to visit Margie Palatini's website to read about her and the other silly books she has written - lots of fun!

Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

What do you get when you mix a twelve year old boy with an old lawn mower, a crazy Grandma, a neighbor who is a stockbroker, a group of hard workers, a couple of thugs and a prizefighter? The new engaging novel by Gary Paulsen, Lawn Boy. Join the adventure as this team of characters take care of lawns, and each other. One of my fifth grade teachers asked me to purchase a copy of Lawn Boy for his team, so they could use it as a read-aloud before they began their stock unit in economics. Great choice!

On his twelfth birthday the main character of the story receives an odd present from his Grandma ... his Grandpa’s rusty old riding lawn mower. He has absolutely no use for this present and doesn’t quite understand why his Grandma gave it to him, but she was a bit strange! After a few days, he decides that maybe he could mow a couple of his neighbors’ lawns, earn a little money, and buy a new inner tube for his ten speed. A few short weeks later he has earned over three hundred dollars and more jobs than he can manage on his own. Enter Arnold, the stock broker neighbor. Instead of paying cash for the work, Arnold invests the forty dollar payment in stocks. Arnold also knows a guy who needs work, so if it workers they need, they will get as many as they can to help mow the lawns. The stock rises, the business takes off, and Arnold continues to invest the earnings in stocks. Told in first person, we never learn the name of our main character, but we know he is a twelve year old with his own lawn business, including employees; he has stocks through his customer, Arnold; they all have thugs after them and who is the prizefighter and how does he fit into this story? Pick up this page turner and enjoy the wacky cast of characters, I guarantee you will not want to put it down until you finish the whole story.

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems

He's BACK! Starring in his fourth picture book, The Pigeon Wants a Puppy. The Pigeon pleads with the reader to help him get a puppy. He tells the reader that he has wanted a puppy "forever ... At least since last Tuesday?". Once again Mo Willems engages his young audience in the story by having Pigeon speak directly to them. "Oh, don't worry. I'll take care of it! I promise I'll water it once a month.", (to which my first graders said, "What! It's NOT a plant!") then Pigeon says, "Oh ... I get it. You don't want me to be happy, do you?" "I'm a puppy lovin' pigeon!" and on he goes until ...
Oops - sorry! if you want to know what happens you will have to check with your librarian and check it out for yourself. I don't want to spoil the surprise!! Enjoy :) I sure did!

Every Minute on Earth by Steve Murrie and Matthew Murrie

Are you interested in knowing the strange and unusual? Do you like to amaze your friends and family with little known facts? This book was written for just those times when you need a quick book to read that will amaze you as you flip through it. Yes, you can just skip around many non-fiction books! Look at the captions, charts, and graphs. Browse the index to find what is interesting to you. A non-fiction book does not need to be read from the first page to the last. Every Minute on Earth is a perfect book for reading just fun facts. Every fact in this book is something that happens in one minute. Here are a few 60 second fun facts. There are 2,000 thunderstorms on Earth every minute. A sneeze travels 1.7 miles per minute. Wilson makes 3.5 NFL footballs every minute. Aren't those interesting facts to know?

Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio

As Grace's class looks at a poster of the United States Presidents, Grace shouts, "Where are all the girls?". When her teacher, Mrs. Barrington, points out there has never been a woman president, Grace decides she wants to be president. Her teacher suggests that she run for school president. Grace is thrilled! She gets even more excited when no one steps up to run against her....until Mr. Walker's class decides to join in the election. They select Tom Cobb to run against Grace. Tom is the most popular boy in school. How can Grace win now? Learn how the electoral college works in this inspiring story. Who will win the election? What are the promises that each candidate make to the voters? Pick up this book and find out!

The Big Chickens Fly the Coop by Leslie Helakoski

Michigan author Leslie Helakoski brings us her second book starring the Big Chickens. Check out our review of her first book, Big Chickens, in our September 2007 entries. In the new book, the four Big Chickens are in their coop and decide they want to see the farmhouse. They venture out of the coop and see a roof, a window, and a TAIL? They run all the way back to their coop. "We should always stay home. We could always stay home. We would always stay home ... except ... we've always wanted to see the farmhouse." So, they set out again and run into more obstacles. Can they overcome these obstacles and finally make it to the farmhouse or are they "Big Chickens"? This book is sure to tickle your funny bone. Read and enjoy!

Does this book sound familiar? Mrs. Adams read this story during Hilton's First Grade Library Card Sign-up at the Brighton District Library on March 17, 2008.

Master of Disaster by Matt Christopher

Jason Shearer is constantly making wisecracks during soccer practice, and during games when he is usually sitting on the bench. At practice one day Coach asks him if he would like some extra tips for playing goalie. Jason wants to get home and play video games, so he tells the coach he has learned plenty from their goalie at other practices. The coach tells Jason that is good, since the goalie is going on vacation and Jason will be starting in goal for their next game! Jason is a horrible goalie, he truly has not learned a thing from their regular goalie - what is he going to do? Read and find out if Jason's friend Dale, can help him improve enough in goal so he does not become "The Master of Disaster".

Matt Christopher has written over 70 children's books centered around sports. For more of Soccer Cats series check out Matt Christopher's web site.

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

Hope is the thing with feathers
that perches in the soul,
And sings the tune - without the words,
And never stops at all.
~ Emily Dickinson


Frannie has been reading this poem in her sixth grade class and just doesn't know what to think about it. What is hope? Does everyone have it? Frannie begins to question everything when a boy who looks white shows up at her almost all black school in the 1970's. Some of her classmates begin calling him Jesus Boy and she wonders what his story is. Frannie is not sure if she wants to find out.

This delightfully written Newbery Honor book deals with hope, race, friendship and family. Follow Frannie in Feathers as she tries to make sense of everything in her world.

The Liberation of Gabriel King by K. L. Going

Poor Gabriel. He's just finished 4th grade and fears going into 5th grade. He's so afraid of 5th grade that he's trying to convince his best friend Frita to stay in 4th grade. Why is he afraid of 5th grade? It's because he's being bullied for his smaller size. What would a best friend do? Frita has an answer. She plans to help Gabe face each of his fears during the summer months so he'll be ready to face 5th grade when school starts again and liberated from those fears - and he has a long list of them.

The setting for this story is 1976 in Georgia. Frita is the only African American student in Gabriel's 4th grade classroom of white students. So as she's helping him face fears such as spiders, alligators, and bullies we learn that Frita also has fears that are much more serious - the Ku Klux Klan. Frita and her parents with Gabe and his parents speak up for the rights of all people at a rally that shows us, the readers of The Liberation of Gabriel King, that friendship and family can help us to be brave and face our fears.

Peak by Roland Smith

Peak is about to do something no 14 year old has ever done before - climb Mt. Everest! Yes, Peak is his name. He tells us that it could have been worse. His parents could have named him Abyss or Glacier. You see, his parents are mountain climbers which helps to understand why Peak is a natural-born mountain climber too. Peak lives in New York City with his mother where he climbs tall buildings, which is against the law. He is arrested for scaling the Woolworth Building and taken to jail. Instead of sending him to the juvenile facility, the judge agrees to let Peak's father take him back to Nepal where he is a well-known mountain climber arranging expeditions to the top of Mt. Everest for his wealthy clients. Peak hasn't seen his father in many years but he agrees to the plan. He doesn't know that his father has another motive for wanting to have Peak live with him.

This book is a chilling (brrr) adventure. You will experience the danger, hard work, bitter cold weather, and the thrill of climbing Mt. Everest with Peak if you read Peak by Roland Smith. Don't wait until this summer to read this story. Read it now, in the cold month of February, while you listen to our Michigan winds howling outside the window and you see the snow blowing and swirling in the yard. Then you'll have a bit of an idea what it is like for all those people who try the ultimate adventure - climbing to the top of Mt. Everest!

Bad Dog, Marley! by John Grogan

Chances are good that you'll love this book! Each time I watch a child turn the pages of Bad Dog, Marley! by John Grogan, the smiles and giggles begin. Three weeks ago at both Hornung and Lindbom schools, Bad Dog, Marley! was chosen overwhelmingly by the first and second graders as the winner of our Mock Caldecott Vote. There's just something about kids and cute, mischievous puppies - they are drawn to each other. This book is the picture book adaptation of the bestseller Marley & Me, also by Grogan. Marley is a yellow lab that is always getting into trouble. One day he proves his worth to the family when he --- well, you'll just need to read it to find out! If you're an older reader you'll probably want to borrow Marley: A Dog Like No Other from your library. Mr. Grogan wrote that one with 4th and 5th graders in mind. Marley is still up to his old tricks but you'll just be able to read more of them.

I'm the Biggest Thing in the Ocean by Kevin Sherry

What is the biggest thing in the ocean? According to the main character of this book it is him! The giant squid brags throughout the book about being the biggest thing in the ocean. He is bigger than the shrimp, he is bigger than the crab, he is EVEN bigger than the octopus. Just as he is enjoying being the biggest thing in the ocean something bigger comes along. What is bigger than the giant squid? Read this book and find out. The illustrations are very entertaining and the reader (or listener) will enjoy the ending!

Big Sister, Little Sister by LeJyen Pham

Today I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon shopping for books with two sisters, Rebecca and Megan G. Last spring Rebecca won the Reading Rainbow contest and received $1,000 from their sponsor, Starbucks. Rebecca could donate her money to her favorite charity and she chose our school library!

Our library assistant, Mrs. Taube, met us at our local Borders to begin our shopping spree. We then moved on to our local Barnes and Noble to finish our shopping. Rebecca and Megan helped make our book selections. We are very excited about putting our new books into our school library collection.

This book, Big Sister, Little Sister, was one of the books we selected today. We found it very appropriate since we had a big sister and a little sister shopping with us. In the story we see the world through the eyes of the little sister. She compares her life as the little sister to that of her big sister. "The Big Sister usually does things first. I'm the Little Sister. I'm always catching up. -- The Big Sister gets all the new clothes. I'm the Little Sister. I get all her old clothes." and on the story goes. Anyone with a sibling will appreciate this charming story.

Thank you Rebecca and Megan for such a fun afternoon!