Horrible Harry and the Green Slime by Suzy Kline December 6, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Beginning Chapter Books, Humorous Fiction, School Fiction , 1 comment so farHarry is a funny boy who often has horrible ideas. His best friend Doug tells about all the crazy things 
that happen when Harry is around. In this book, Harry leads a secret mission to place cobwebs all over the school, shows the class how to make green slime, and writes a “deadly skit” for some of his classmates to perform. If you’re just starting to read chapter books and want a good laugh, try any of the Horrible Harry books.
~Mrs. Carlson~
How to Live Forever by Colin Thompson December 2, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Books Fiction , 7comments
Do you like confusing, mysterious, and fun books? This book takes place in a very old library containing every book ever written. Every night at this library, just like Night at the Museum, all the books and characters in the books come to life. Uh … ohhh! One book is missing. Actually it has been missing for 200 years. It is called How to Live Forever. So one night, a character from a book, Peter, wanders all around the library looking for the book. Then he runs into a very old man. The man shows him the “Ancient Child.” Peter asks the Ancient Child if he knows anything about the book, How to Live Forever. Does he know anything? Will Peter find the book? Read this fun, confusing, and mysterious book to find out. 
~Jillian, Fifth Grader~
The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney December 2, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction, School Fiction , 4comments
Humphrey is a hamster, and he’s the narrator of this book! He lives in Room 26 of Longfellow School. Room 26 is filled with interesting students like Raise-Your-Hand-Heidi and Repeat-That-Please-Richie. Humphrey enjoys watching the students and the staff. Each weekend one of the students or staff members takes him home. Humphrey discovers that each family has a problem or challenge to face. He uses his wisdom and kindness to help them.
I really like this book. Humphrey is funny, sweet and very smart. He helps the children and adults with their problems by showing them how to help themselves. Humphrey reminds me a bit of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle from the book by the same name by Betty MacDonald. Just like Humphrey, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle helps children. In this case, the children have bad habits like refusing to take a bath and never picking up toys. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle gives the parents advice on how to get rid of these bad habits.
If you like hamsters and school stories, you will enjoy this book. You may also want to try Friendship According to Humphrey, Adventure According to Humphrey, Surprises According to Humphrey, and Trouble According to Humphrey.
~Mrs. Carlson~