The Class Trip from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler December 30, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : Humorous Fiction, Podcasts, School Fiction , 8comments
To learn about this funny book, please listen to the podcast by Mrs. Carlson.
Pleasing the Ghost by Sharon Creech December 22, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : Ghosts Fiction , 15comments
“Yin. Foodle a doodle,” answered the ghost. Do you know what this means? If you read Pleasing the Ghost, you may be able to figure it out. The ghost is Uncle Arvie, and he has come to visit nine year old Dennis. The ghost has three wishes that he wants Dennis to fulfill. Dennis wants to help Uncle Arvie, but it’s not easy trying to understand a ghost who speaks gibberish.
I normally do not read ghost stories. Since this book is by one of my favorite authors, Sharon Creech, I decided to give it a try. I’m glad I read it because it’s fantastic. I read it twice! It’s funny, sweet, and rather unusual. I enjoyed trying to figure out Uncle Arvie’s language. If you want to read a ghost story that isn’t scary but very enjoyable, please try this one.
~Mrs. Carlson~
Lunch Money by Andrew Clements December 19, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : Realistic Fiction , 9comments 
If you liked Frindle, the book by bestselling author Andrew Clements, then try Lunch Money. This story is about a boy named Greg, who loves money and wants to get rich. During lunchtime at school, he notices all the money that kids have spent- for drinks, snacks, pencils, and pens. Greg decides to sell things at school to make money. First he sells gum and candy, then toys, and finally, comic books-homemade! He’s so excited until he sees Maura, his neighbor, with a comic book of her own. Greg thinks it is unfair and he and Maura get in an argument. Then the principal gets involved and says not to sell things anymore. Will Greg ever be able to sell his comics? Read to find out!
~Gretchen, Fifth Grader~
Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson December 16, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : Historical Fiction , 3comments
Show Way, written by Jacqueline Woodson, is an amazing short piece of historical fiction. It is also a gloriously colorful picture book, illustrated by Hudson Talbott. In Mrs. Woodson’s own words, “This is the first time I’ve written a book based on some of my own family history. ‘Show Ways,’ or quilts, once served as secret maps for freedom-seeking slaves. This is the story of seven generations of girls and women who were quilters and artists and freedom fighters.”
The illustrations include paintings, quilt designs, and photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries. There are also quotations about the civil rights struggle and even a map. Although it looks like a picture book, it is suitable for all ages. I am giving a copy to a grown-up friend who is a quilter. She will share it with her granddaughters, I hope.
If you like this book, check out Ms. Woodson’s website www.jacquelinewoodson.com. She has written many books for children and youth of all ages.
~Mrs. Gaston~
The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene December 9, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : Mystery , 9comments
“She’s going to fall!” thought Nancy Drew. The little girl did fall but was not badly injured. Nancy walked the little girl Judy into the house. Judy was living with her great aunts. They had very little money. They just noticed that their precious silver was gone. They told Nancy what happened about their silver and why they didn’t have lots of money. It was because of Josiah Crowley. He was rich, and he died. He promised the great aunts, the Turner sisters, that he would give his money to them. It was a mystery why he didn’t. The Turners knew other people that would get money, but they didn’t. They thought that there was a later will that Josiah Crowley wrote but never showed it to anyone. Is there a later will? Read this book to find out. I liked this book because it has lots of adventures.
~Kristen, Fourth Grader~
I Love My New Toy by Mo Willems December 9, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : First Readers, Humorous Fiction , 7comments
The book I love My New Toy is about a pig who has a new toy and has no idea what it does. His friend Elephant thinks it’s a throwing toy, but it’s not. When the toy breaks, Piggie gets mad for no reason. When a little squirrel comes in and tells them it’s a break-and-snap toy, Elephant gets mad and won’t play with Piggie’s toy but plays with Piggie instead. I like the book because it’s funny, and I like when Piggie gets mad at Elephant for no reason!
~Lily, Third Grader~
The Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems December 3, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : First Readers, Humorous Fiction , 5comments
Mo Willems
These hilarious first readers feature a pig named Piggie and an elephant named Gerald. Piggie is rather daring while Gerald is pretty careful. In each book, the two characters face a problem. How does one dress for a party? How do you get a bird off your head? How do you scare a friend without scaring yourself? They always find a solution to their problem and learn something along the way. The pictures in these books are very important to the stories. The reader can look at the expressions on the characters’ faces and understand what they’re thinking and feeling. If you know someone who is just learning to read, show them the Elephant and Piggie books.
~Mrs. Carlson~
Clementine by Sara Pennypacker December 2, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : Friendship Fiction, Humorous Fiction , 7comments
Poor Clementine! She’s named after a fruit. She’s always being told by adults to pay attention. She spends a lot of time in the principal’s office. What more could go wrong? In this very funny beginning chapter book, eight year old Clementine wants to help her best friend Margaret. Cutting off Margaret’s hair and coloring it with a flaming sunset permanent marker seemed like such a good idea. Unfortunately Clementine has a lot of ideas that don’t seem to work out. Thank goodness her idea to solve the Pigeon War worked.
I thought this book was hilarious. Clementine is as funny as Junie B. Jones and Ramona. I can’t wait to read Clementine’s Letter and The Talented Clementine.
~Mrs. Carlson~
Frindle by Andrew Clements December 2, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : School Fiction , 14comments
“Here’s your frindle,” Nick Allen said on the way home from school. Frindle is about a boy named Nick and his 5th grade writing teacher Mrs. Granger. She says only you make a word a word. So one day Nick decides to call something a frindle. He gets his friends to call it that and gets in lots of trouble. But at the end, it all pays off. Maybe this word will become a real word. Maybe it might even be in the dictionary. You’ll have to read to find out. I like this book because it has an adventure of a kid who made up a word.
~Kristen, Fourth Grader~
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Rodrick Rules December 2, 2008
Posted by jcarlson in : Humorous Fiction, School Fiction , 38comments
This book is the sequel to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. In this book, Greg Heffley (the wimpy kid) talks about the new school year and what happens to him. From girls hanging out with Rowley (his best friend) everywhere, to breaking Rowley’s foot and trying out for a talent show with a first grader, Greg’s year doesn’t turn out the way he wanted. His older brother, Rodrick, happens to know about this really embarrassing thing Greg doesn’t want anyone to know! Read this book yourself to find out what else happens! I liked this book because it has a lot of humor, and you never know what will happen next.
~Carmen, Fifth Grader~