The Castle Corona

Creech, Sharon. The Castle Corona. New York: Joanna Cotler Books, 2007.

Pia and her brother, Enzio are orphans living in an abusive home. While out collecting water, they find a pouch with mysterious contents dropped by a thief. Meanwhile, back at the castle, the King, his Queen and their three children are disturbed to find a thief has been in their midst.

The story goes back and forth between the young orphaned peasants and the royal family. Both families have problems with which they must deal. Stir in two wise hermits, know-it-all friends, a creative wordsmith, and an abusive master and you have the makings of a wonderful story.

As I have already mentioned in a previous post, Sharon Creech is my new favorite author. The Castle Corona was not my all time favorite book by Creech, but it was still very good. I had part of the story figured out very early in the story, but there were still a few twists that I did not entirely anticipate. Over all, I would recommend this book to students who like fantasy--especially when it is mixed with a little down to earth reality.

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

Hart Evans, the most popular student at Palmer Intermediate, somehow finds himself elected the director of the Holiday Concert when his teacher, Mr. Meinert, tells the class that it is their concert, therefore their responsibility. The teacher, hoping to regain control of his class through Hart’s failure, soon learns that Hart is more than just a rubber band wielding sixth grader. Hart manages to rally the other students of the Chorus into creating a memorable program. Although he still needs help from Mr. Meinert from time to time, he teaches the teacher about students, about control, and about management.

I enjoyed reading this book. The thing I liked the best was that it does not have a happy ending. I expected everything to be fixed by the end, but it was not. That was very refreshing since most children’s authors find a way to fix everything that is bad in the world and wrap it all up in a neat little package. Definitely a must-read for any Clements fans!

What others have to say…

“The popular Clements achieves a judicious balance of teacher-student conflict, school comedy, and seasonal pathos in this lively crowd-pleaser.”

Sutton, Roger. 2004. "The Last Holiday Concert." Horn Book Magazine 80, no. 6: 657-657. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

The Homework Machine

Gutman, Dan. The Homework Machine. New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2006.

Sam, Judy, Kelsey, and Brenton are four students with absolutely nothing in common except that they are in the same group in their fifth grade class. Their teacher put them together, but a slip of Brenton’s tongue keeps them together. Brenton invented a homework machine so that instead of spending his time doing homework, he could be doing much more important things such as finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. When the others see the machine work, they begin coming over every day to use the machine. What they do not realize is that although they have nothing in common besides the machine, their shared experiences (including a mysterious stalker and a computer that has a mind of its own) are helping them forge lasting friendships.

This story is told through the perspective of each character as they are being interrogated. Initially, I did not like the way the story switched from perspective to perspective as I read, but after the first chapter, I found it made the book even more interesting. I found myself hearing the story in different voices as I got to know each character. I would recommend this book for upper elementary students who enjoy mystery and humor rolled up in the same package.

What others have to say…

“A dramatic and thought-provoking story with a strong message about honesty and friendship.”

Knight, Elaine E. 2006. "The Homework Machine." School Library Journal 52, no. 4: 140-140. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

The Ghost's Grave

Kehret, Peg. The Ghost’s Grave. New York: Scholastic, 2005.

“The night I moved in with Aunt Ethel, she shot a bat in the kitchen.” So begins the story of Josh McDowell, a twelve-year-old boy who is sent to spend the summer with his stepfather’s great-aunt. Josh dreads spending the summer with someone he does not know and missing out on summer baseball just because his mother and stepfather have to go to India to work. Aunt Ethel is an eccentric old woman who hates bats, makes the best cakes in the county (thanks to sour cream), and believes that her late sister has been reincarnated as a peacock. In an effort to have some fun, Josh asks about a tree house in which his stepfather used to play. The tree house turns out to be the beginning of a summer Josh will never forget. In just a few days, Josh takes in a stray cat, meets a ghost, defiles a grave, discovers a box of stolen money, and becomes a hero.

The Ghost’s Grave kept my interest from start to finish. It was a bit predictable, but very entertaining. There was just enough intrigue to keep my interest piqued without making me stressed about the possible outcomes. Students who love mystery and adventure should enjoy reading this book.

What others have to say…

“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.”

Fletcher, Connie. 2005. "Ghost's Grave (Book)." Booklist 101, no. 18: 1658-1658. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

Cammuso, Frank and Jay Lynch. Otto’s Orange Day. New York: The Little Lit Library, 2008.

Otto loves orange! He believes the world would be boring without orange. When a genie appears from a lamp that his Aunt Sally Lee sends him, he wishes that EVERYTHING in the world was orange. A little bit of orange is great, but everything orange can be a problem, even for someone who loves orange.

This graphic novel is just fun. Otto thinks he is getting a good thing when he wishes that everything would be orange, but he soon finds out that when everything is one color, life can be pretty boring. It is a good thing that his Aunt Sally Lee can help him, but Otto is ultimately the one who saves the day.

What others have to say…

“The cartoons are lively and colorful. Clear chapter divisions, a clean graphic design, and large-size print make this title more appropriate for early readers than most comic-book offerings.”
Fleishhacker, Joy. 2008. "Otto's Orange Day." School Library Journal 54, no. 5: 153-153. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

Island Book One: Shipwreck

Korman, Gordon. Island Book One: Shipwreck. New York: Scholastic, 2001.

Six wayward children are brought together by different circumstances to take part in CNC, Charting a New Course. The children are sent to be crew members of a schooner leaving Guam. What was supposed to be a one month excursion turns into a nightmare. The ship is damaged in a storm, the captain is thrown overboard, the first mate abandons the children, and then, in an effort to fix the engine, the boat explodes. The reader is left not knowing who has survived since this book is part one of a series.

Island Book One: Shipwreck is well written and intriguing. Once I got involved with the characters, I did not want to put it down. Now, I have to read the rest of the series to find out what happens to the children. I think any child in middle elementary to middle school will find this book interesting. There are girls and boys represented in the book, and each has their own problems and challenges.

What others have to say...

“This novel is an enjoyable look into what can happen to six children who need direction and are sent on a journey to reshape their lives.”

August, Nicole. 2001. “Shipwreck: Island Book One.” http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Shipwreck/Gordon-Korman/e/9780439164566/?itm=1#TABS (accessed May 8, 2009).

Ruby Holler

Creech, Sharon. Ruby Holler. New York: Joanna Cotler Books, 2002.

Dallas and Florida Carter, “the trouble twins,” have been in and out of foster homes and just cannot seem to get out of The Boxton Creek Home, a decrepit orphanage. Mr. and Mrs. Trepid, the managers of the orphanage have rules…lots and lots of rules. Unfortunately, Dallas and Florida keep breaking the rules and end up in the “thinking corner” in the basement for hours at a time.

When Tiller and Sairy come into their lives, the twins are skeptical. Will they be sent back to the home? Will they be punished for touching things? What horrible things will they have to do? Life begins to change for Dallas and Florida as they realize that there are people who are capable of love and actually care for others. For these two unwanted children, life, love and hope can all be found in Ruby Holler.

Once again…New Favorite Author. I read this book in its entirety after TAKS (once my student was finished…the test was turned in…there were no testing irregularities…) I simply could not put it down! Honestly, I kept waiting for something very bad to happen. I knew it was coming, but did not want to see anything happen to any of these characters. Creech has a wonderful way of making the characters so alive that they jump right out of the book and into the heart.

What others have to say…

“A supremely satisfying story, told with healthy doses of drama, suspense, and humor.”

2003. "Ruby Holler (Book)." School Library Journal 49, no. 10: 54-54. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

Now & Ben

Barretta, Gene. Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2006.

Newspaper political cartoons, bifocals, lightning rods, and the Grabber are just a few of the inventions of Benjamin Franklin that we still use today. Desk chairs at school—Ben Franklin. Daylight Savings Time—Ben Franklin. The odometer…once again, Ben Franklin. This book details several of Benjamin Franklin’s inventions that are still around, and still useful, today.

I was amazed at the number of items still in use that came from the mind of the great statesman. This book does a wonderful job of explaining the history of the inventions and still keeping the book easy to understand.

What others have to say…

“ Most young children won’t grasp the play on the phrase now and then but will zero in instead on the well-chosen examples…This will be a punchy read-aloud to lighten up American history units, though teachers wanting more details will need to look elsewhere as the book’s biographical context is scattershot and no end matter is provided.”

Mattson, Jennifer. 2006. "Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin." Booklist 102, no. 13: 98. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

Down Girl and Sit: On the Road

Nolan, Lucy. Down Girl and Sit: On the Road. New York: Marshall Cavendish Children, 2005.

Down Girl and Sit are two rambunctious dogs that love adventure. On the Road has several adventures including a trip to the beach where Down Girl “drives” the car into the sand and gives her master, Rruff, a dead fish for a present, a camping trip where Down Girl finds a strange squirrel with long ears and big teeth, and a trip to the vet. The entire book is told from Down Girl’s perspective. I laughed out loud several times while reading this book. One of my favorite lines... “There were two dogs, two masters, and two doughnuts…Thank goodness dogs don’t know math. That makes all of our decisions easy.” (p. 23).

What others have to say…

“Anyone who has owned a dog can relate to these tales. Children will be delightfully challenged by the perspective and ask for more.”

Christolon, Blair. 2006. "On the Road." School Library Journal 52, no. 3: 199-199. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

Once I Ate a Pie

MacLachlan, Patricia and Emily MacLachlan Charest. Once I Ate A Pie. New York: Joanna Cotler Books, 2006.

Thirteen dogs tell their tales in this beautifully arranged book of poems. My favorite is “Mr. Beefy.”

Mr. Beefy

I am not thin, but I am beautiful

When no one is looking, I steal tubs of butter off the table.

I take them to the basement to eat in private.

Once I ate a PIE.

The positions of the words on the page, along with a variety of fonts within each poem, give the reader a feel for the poetry expressed by each dog. These poems must be seen to be appreciated. Katy Schneider’s illustrations bring each poem to life, adding just the right animal to each poem. I laughed out loud while reading this book.

What others have to say…

“Presented in a variety of fonts and type sizes that reinforce the meaning of the words, the poems offer odes to the various pleasures of life…Dominated by multiple shades of brown and gray, the book’s palette is not wildly colorful, but the paintings capture the individuality of each animal, as well as the mischief and movement young dog loves find so irresistible.”

Nolan, Abby. 2006. "Once I Ate a Pie." Booklist 102, no. 17: 87. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

The Cats in Krasinski Square

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

Krasinski Square is outside the walls of the Warsaw Ghetto. When Gestapo discovers the Jewish Resistance plan to smuggle food to the people living in the Ghetto, Mira’s little sister devises a plan to save the smugglers and get the food to the people who desperately need it. The question is, what part will the cats play in this deception?

This book is very well written (and well illustrated). It puts a terrible era into language that children can understand. After reading this book, I found myself wanting to find out more about the Warsaw Ghetto, the people inside the walls, and the people who escaped.

What others have to say…

“The play of light and the naturalness of the cats’ poses are almost a comfort in a story that adults sense as keenly distressing, and that beckons for adult interpretation or guidance.”

Fargnoli, Harriett. 2004. "The Cats in Krasinski Square (Book)." School Library Journal 50, no. 11: 106-106. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

A Fine, Fine School

Creech, Sharon. A Fine, Fine School. New York: Joanna Cotler Books, 2001.

Mr. Keene is a principal that loves his school. He loves it so much that he decides there should be school on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays. He loves it so much and is so proud of the students and teachers, he decides there should be school in the summer, too. No one wants to go to school every day all year long, but no one knows how to tell Mr. Keene.

For Tillie, weekends meant climbing trees, teaching her dog to sit, and teaching her little brother to skip and swing. Now that she is in school all weekend, how will she be able to do these things? Maybe she should have a talk with Mr. Keene.

Sharon Creech is my new favorite author. This book reminds us all that we need to keep everything in perspective. Too much of a good thing is not always a good thing!

What others have to say…

“In this day of the over-scheduled and hurried child, this book could be a good impetus for a discussion of the value of stopping to smell the roses.”

Oliff, Grace. 2001. "A Fine, Fine School (Book Review)." School Library Journal 47, no. 8: 144. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

Old Granny and the Bean Thief

DeFelice, Cynthia. Old Granny and the Bean Thief. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003.

Old Granny loves beans. She loves them so much that she always has one pot ready, and one pot soaking. Imagine her dismay when someone sneaks into her cabin and steals her beans! On her way to tell the sheriff, Old Granny meets some unusual friends—a water snake, a pecan, a cow patty, a cactus, and an alligator. All of them suggest that she put them in her bag on the way home. Although she initially thinks it is a bad idea, she picks them all up anyway. Together, they catch the bean thief and scare him away forever.

This book is funny and contains enough repetition to keep most elementary students engaged during its reading. Children will also like the talking cow patty. While this was not my favorite book, I began to develop an appreciation for it as I read it a few more times. I do think it is one that children will enjoy.

What others have to say…

“Both text and illustrations carry the visual humor, creating a situation that builds, and then unfolds, like the best of slapstick comedy.”

Carter, Betty. 2003. "Old Granny and the Bean Thief." Horn Book Magazine 79, no. 5: 594-594. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

I Stink

Mc Mullan, Kate and Jim McMullan. I Stink! New York: Joanna Cotler Books, 2002.

Late at night, the garbage truck goes in search of breakfast through the streets. An alphabet “soup” of trash fills his hopper. The story follows the garbage truck until it dumps its load onto a barge in the river and goes home.

While this book educates children about the necessity of garbage trucks, the font and typesetting of the book make it interesting. One can almost hear the sounds made by the truck by the way the words are written on the page.

What others have to say…

“A vehicle of monstrous size and sound effects with an urban beat roll this story right along.”

2003. "I Stink! (Book)." School Library Journal 49, no. 10: 36-36. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

A Perfect Day

Charlip, Remy. A Perfect Day. Greenwillow Books, 2007.

A father and child plan the perfect day. From breakfast to tucking in and everything in between, this rhyming book takes the reader through a wonderful day spent looking at clouds, eating with friends, and taking naps in Daddy’s lap.

What others have to say…

“Depicting scenarios that toddlers can easily relate to, the illustrations provide easy picture clues that will enable pre-readers—as well as those learning to sound out words—to chime in to complete the lilting, rhyming sentences.”

2007. "A Perfect Day." Publishers Weekly 254, no. 19: 58-58. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

Willems, Mo. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2003.

The pigeon dreams of driving a bus. The bus driver, however, has left explicit instructions that the pigeon is NOT to drive the bus. The pigeon begs, he pleads, and he finally throws a fit. When the bus driver returns and drives off in his bus, the pigeon is left distraught…until a new dream enters his mind.

Mo Willems’ artwork is simple and charming. The pigeon is a character that most parents and children can relate to as he begs and pleads his case.

What others have to say…

“In his winning debut, Willems finds the preschooler in a pigeon: a cajoling, tantrum-throwing, irresistible bird.”

Engberg, Gillian. 2003. "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (Book)." Booklist 100, no. 1: 123. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).

Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook

Garland, Michael. Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook. New York: Puffin Books, 2003.

As Zack wonders about the school year, his teacher, Miss Smith, walks into the room. Miss Smith is no ordinary teacher. She has spiked red hair (well, more like bright orange…) and a leather jacket with a button advertising The Clash. In her arms is an amazing, incredible book. When Miss Smith reads her storybook, the characters come to life. The stories are so real the children can feel the wind in their hair.

One day, Miss Smith gets stuck in traffic so Principal Rittenrotten must fill in for her. He reads the storybook, but when the characters begin appearing, he screams and runs out the door. More and more characters flow from the book as different children start, but do not finish, stories. When Miss Smith finally gets to school, there is quite a chaotic mess for her to fix.

This book reminds me of what reading should be. Story time should not be a boring drudgery. Rather, it should be so exciting that the characters do come alive. The pictures are fun. The illustrator added several fine touches. My favorite is the last page where Miss Smith is standing in front of a bookcase that houses several antique books, including The Brownies, A Child’s History of England, and Drifting Around the World.

What others have to say…

“The lively, bright illustrations have a glossy, computer-generated quality that young readers will appreciate…A satisfactory addition to most collections.”

Threadgill, Catherine. Review of Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook by Michael Garland, School Library Journal, 49, no. 10 (October 2003), http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2111/hww/results/external_link_maincontentframe.jhtml?_DARGS=/hww/results/results_single.jhtml.7 (accessed May 8, 2009).