Pleasing the Ghost by Sharon Creech October 28, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Ghosts Fiction, Podcasts , 6comments
If you want to hear about this book, listen to the podcast by fifth graders D. J. and Audrey.
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss October 27, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : First Readers, Podcasts , 7comments
Have you ever read The Cat in the Hat? No!? Well, if you haven’t, then you might want to listen to this podcast by Jillian in fifth grade.
“Magic Carpet” by Shel Silverstein October 27, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Podcasts, Poetry , 4comments
This poem “Magic Carpet” is by Shel Silverstein. “Magic Carpet” is in the book The Light in the Attic. To hear the poem, listen to the podcast by fifth grader Emma.
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling October 27, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Fantasy, Podcasts , 8comments
If you’ve followed Harry through seven magnificent journeys, you belong in Hufflepuff, the most loyal house. You should try and see if this is true, but first listen to the podcast of this magical sorting song by fifth graders Jenna and Eve.
The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg October 27, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Fantasy, Picture Books , 5comments
One day when Farmer Bailey was driving, he heard a bump and thought he hit a deer. But instead, lying on the road, was a man. So he took the stranger home and had the doctor examine him. The doctor said the man lost his memory. But just before the doctor left the porch, Mrs. Bailey handed him his thermometer. The doctor said it was broken because the mercury stayed at the bottom when the stranger took his temperature. That night, the stranger had dinner with the Baileys. He was so fascinated by steam from the soup. He liked dancing with Katy, the Bailey’s daughter. One day the stranger climbed a hill and saw red-leaved trees. Where he was standing there were only green-leaved trees. Then one day the stranger took a green leaf from a tree and blew at the leaf. It turned red. Then the stranger decided it was time to leave. Over night the leaves around the house turned beautiful fall colors. But I always wondered who’s the stranger. Read this book to find out.
~Kristen, Fifth Grader~
The Toothpaste Millionaire by Jean Merrill October 21, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Friendship Fiction , 6comments
The Toothpaste Millionaire is about a boy named Rufus. He became a millionaire by making low-price toothpaste. Kate had just moved to Cleveland and met Rufus. Rufus met Kate when her books fell off her bike. One day Rufus made different flavors of toothpaste. That’s how Rufus, an eighth grader, became a millionaire. If you want to know more, check out The Toothpaste Millionaire.
~Emma, Fifth Grader~
The Magic Pickle and the Creature From the Black Legume by Scott Morse October 16, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Graphic Novels, Humorous Fiction, Podcasts , 6comments
If you’re interested in this graphic novel, listen to the podcast by just one of the many people who keeps Millridge safe from rotten villains and enjoys eating pickles.
The Wish Giver by Bill Brittain October 14, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Fantasy, Magic Fiction , add a commentWhen I read the first page or two, I did not think I was going to like this 
book because it seemed sort of creepy. However, it turned out that I really liked this fantasy book. It’s about four people who live in Coven Tree. They each buy a magic card for fifty cents from a funny little man named Thaddeus Blinn. Each one can use his or her card to make one wish. Just one wish! Three of them make a wish, and strange events follow. Thankfully, the man with the fourth card comes to their rescue. They learned to “be careful what you wish for.” If you like magic combined with humor, try this book.
~Mrs. Carlson~
How to Be a Girly Girl in Just Ten Days by Lisa Papademetriou October 7, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Realistic Fiction , 8comments
This is just one of the many books in the Candy Apple series. Nicolette Spicer, whose nickname is Nick, loves basketball and thinks more about buying new athletic shoes than new clothes or makeup. Then she meets a boy named Ben. Nick believes she has to become a girly girl if she wants Ben to notice her. Read this book to find out if Nick’s total makeover is successful.
~Mrs. Carlson~
Penny from Heaven by Jennifer Holm October 2, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Family Fiction, Historical Fiction , 7comments
Nothing is that easy for Penny. Her dad died when she was only a baby, her mom won’t let her go to places because she’s afraid of her of catching Polio, Penny’s mom is dating the milkman and her grandma’s cooking might kill someone! All she wants to do is eat butter pecan ice cream and go to a Dodgers game!
This book takes place in the summer of 1953 and it will change Penny’s life forever! She was born into a family where the two sides don’t talk to each other. Penny lives with her grandparents (Me-me and Pop-Pop) and her mom. She goes to her dad’s side for dinner on Sundays. Penny and her cousin, Frankie, are always getting in trouble. They try to find the money that their Grandfather Falucci buried. First, they’re in the news about robbery when they tried to sneak in their Nonny’s yard. The next day Frankie finds the money in the basement of their Nonny’s house and…the trouble really starts happening when Penny’s hand is stuck in the wringer! But what Penny finds are that miracles can happen.
~Kristen, Fifth Grader~