Thumb and the Bad Guys by Ken Roberts March 6, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Mystery , add a comment
This funny story has three mysteries that Thumb and Susan are trying to solve. What’s in the shanty that can only be reached by going behind a waterfall? Why is the new teacher wearing a silly wig and tons of makeup? And what is the big iron ball sitting in Mayor Semanov’s front yard? This book also has an interesting setting, New Aukland (population 143), and some crazy characters like Kirk McKenna, a toothless, bald fisherman who has a disgusting habit of spitting. Put it all together, and it makes one good book!
~Mrs. Carlson~
Harriet the Hamster Fairy by Daisy Meadows March 6, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Beginning Chapter Books, Fantasy , add a comment
Daisy Meadows is shown as the author on the cover of all the books in the Rainbow Magic series, including the one I read, Harriet the Hamster Fairy. Guess what? There is no Daisy Meadows. It is an alias for four female authors who live in the United Kingdom. Isn’t that interesting?
In this paticular book, three of Jack Frost’s goblins arrive and want to steal Harriet the Hamster Fairy’s pet hamster, Twinkle. Kirsty and Rachel help Harriet save Twinkle from being captured by the goblins. If you are just beginning to read chapter books and like fairies, try any of the Rainbow Magic books.
~Mrs. Carlson~
Mick Harte was Here by Barbara Park February 22, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Family Fiction, Realistic Fiction , 1 comment so far
If you like books by the author Barbara Park, then you will LOVE Mick Harte Was Here. It is about a boy named Mick Harte and his sister Phoebe. They have fights once in a while, but they love each other. When the tragic accident happened Phoebe was devastated. The two of them had so many great memories together; an example would be when Mick put a rubber eyeball into some meat, his mom freaked out. There are some very sad parts in this book, which are then made into funny or happy moments. To find out the devastating tragedy that happened to Mick, you will have to read this great book.
~Allie, Fifth Grader~
All Shook Up by Shelley Pearsall February 15, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Family Fiction, Realistic Fiction , 3comments
Do you know who Elvis is? What if your dad became an Elvis impersonator? Would you be embarrassed? That’s exactly what happened to Josh, and this is his story.
Josh’s parents are divorced. He usually lives with his mother, but he has to move to Chicago and live with his dad for a couple months. When he arrives, he discovers that his dad has lost his job at the shoe store and has become an Elvis impersonator. Josh does not know how to deal with his dad’s craziness. When the school Josh attends hires his dad to perform at a concert, Josh has to resort to extreme measures. It’s difficult being the new kid at school. He sure doesn’t need the other students finding out his dad dresses up in a white sequined jumpsuit and sways his hips as he croons old songs.
Very cute book!
~Mrs. Carlson~
The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo February 15, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Adventure, Magic Fiction , 2comments
In this book, ten year old Peter visits a fortuneteller to find out if his sister is still alive. The fortuneteller advises the boy that an elephant will lead him to her. Amazingly, a magician decides to perform his most marvelous trick, resulting in an elephant crashing through the ceiling of the opera house. An interesting series of events involving some odd characters occur after the elephant appears. Will the elephant really lead Peter to his sister?
I liked this book, but I found it to be unusual. Even though it is a sweet story at times, it is also a dark story at times. Some of the characters I did not like, and some I thought were very strange. I wasn’t sure how all the events and characters fit together, but it all made sense by the end.
If you’d like to know more about this book and hear a webcast by Kate DiCamillo, visit The Magician’s Elephant web site at http://www.themagicianselephant.com.
~Mrs. Carlson~
Vidia and the Fairy Crown by Laura Driscoll February 11, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Adventure, Fantasy , 3comments
Do you like fiction adventure stories? Then this is the book for you. There is an arrival day party for Queen Clarion. Pixie Hollow’s most prized possession has gone missing! The queen’s crown! Vidia, the mean fast-flying fairy, is accused of stealing it. She gets two days to clear her name or she is banned from Pixie Hollow forever. A very nice fairy Frill helps Vidia. They go on a search to find the crown. See if they find it or if Vidia will be banned from Pixie Hollow. This book has 10 chapters and 112 pages. Read this book now!
~Julie, Fourth Grader~
The Landry News by Andrew Clements February 2, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Realistic Fiction , 5commentsRead these really good reviews by fourth grade students.
Do you like to read realistic fiction? Or do you like to read books by Andrew Clements? Well if you do, you will like the book The Landry News. This book is about a girl named Cara Landry, who starts her own newspaper. Her teacher Mr. Larson just sits in his chair, drinks coffee, and reads the newspaper. So one day, Cara decides to give her newspaper to him. Do you think Mr. Larson will get mad? Or teach his class something? Read this book to find out!
~Chloey, Fourth Grader~
Do you like reading books written by Andrew Clements like Lost and Found, The Report Card, Frindle, The School Story, No Talking, and many others? Well then this is the book for you! The Landry News is a great book that’s about the new girl Cara Landry who loves writing newspapers. She calls it The Landry News. Her fifth grade teacher Mr. Larson doesn’t do much teaching. He just sits there and reads his newspaper and sips his coffee! Once Cara finished her paper, she puts it up on the board. Soon, Mr. Larson finds it and is pleased that Cara likes making newspapers. When he sees the part about him not teaching, he isn’t so happy. Cara soon finds friends who help her make her newspaper on the computer and print copies. Will the teacher bust them? Read this book to find out!
~Jackie, Fourth Grader~
The main characters in The Landry News are Cara Landry, Joey, and Mr. Larson. Cara decided to make a newspaper to be improved by Mr. Larson. Mr. Larson did not like the newspaper because it said …. read the book to find out! If you like books by Andrew Clements, then this is the book for you. The setting takes place at school. And if you like newspapers, this is the book for you. If I liked this book, you should too!
~Zareanna, Fourth Grader~
Do you like books by Andrew Clements? If you do, you would like this book. It’s called The Landry News. A little about this book is that the main characters are Cara and Mr. Larson. But Mr. Larson the teacher doesn’t even teach the class! All he does is drink coffee and read the newspaper. What do you think the kids will do? Will Mr. Larson change? But then one day something was written in a paper called The Landry News. What will happen? To find out, read this book.
~Brittney, Fourth Grader~
If you like Frindle or Lunch Money, you will like this book. The Landry News is a book by Andrew Clements. It has 138 pages and is very interesting. This book is about a girl named Cara Landry. She started her own newspaper, and she gets in trouble. The Landry News has challenging words. The Landry News has many exciting parts too. I would recommend this book to anyone.
~Alana, Fourth Grader~
Blubber by Judy Blume January 27, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Friendship Fiction, Realistic Fiction , 2comments
Do you try to blend in with the kids that think they are cool? If you do, then read this book and you’ll probably change your mind! In this story, a girl named Jill makes fun of a girl named Linda along with the girls that think they are popular (even though they’re not) and call her Blubber, like a whale. On Halloween, Jill, her friend, and the popular girls play tricks on the people in their neighborhood. Will they get caught? Will Jill forget about the popular girls and be friends with Linda? Read to find out!
~Lily, Fourth Grader~
The Bungalow Mystery by Carolyn Keene January 27, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Mystery , 1 comment so far
Nancy Drew is back and very excited to be involved in her third case, The Bungalow Mystery. Nancy Drew and Helen Corning are on a boat ride when an unexpected storm came up. Nancy and Helen yelled, “Help!” Luckily, brave Laura Pendleton heard their cries for help and came to the rescue. Later on, Nancy and Helen find out that Laura is being raised by her uncle and her aunt, who are having awkward mood swings. She also has an amazing inheritance from her mom. Nancy must hide in the bungalow to solve the mystery. This book was great. It was very mysterious and exciting.
~Allie, Fifth Grader~
The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech January 20, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Fantasy , 7comments
If you liked Sharon Creech’s Pleasing the Ghost, you will most likely enjoy this book. It’s narrated by an angel, an angel who is unsure of his purpose on Earth. He’s rather funny and often bungles his words. But he is very sweet, and he tries to take care of the peoples (that’s what he calls humans) .
This book takes place in a small village in the Swiss Alps. Zola, a free-spirited little girl, can see the angel. She asks for his help in saving a group of orphans. If you want to find out if they are successful, read this wonderful book. You might also discover that humans can be angels too.
~Mrs. Carlson~