The Summer of Riley by Eve Bunting March 24, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction, Realistic Fiction , 7comments
Shortly after William gets Riley, something goes terribly wrong. Riley chases after their elderly neighbor’s horse, injuring it. The law states that Riley must be taken and put down. William tries to prove that Riley is a good dog and that he should be given one more chance despite his one mistake. William has 20 days to stop Riley from being killed. Can he and his friends save Riley? Read this book to find out.
~Tatyana, Fourth Grader~
Maggie and Max by Ellen Miles March 18, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction , 8comments
This book, Maggie and Max, is about two animals. Christmas was right around the corner, and Maggie and Max mysteriously appear. They are inseparable and unusual. Maggie is a dog! Max is a kitten! Finding a home for two animals is going to be tough. Will Charles and Lizzie find the perfect home for Maggie and Max? I really liked this book because I like dogs and Christmas.
~Kaylie, Fourth Grader~
Trapped by Peg Kehret March 14, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Adventure, Animal Fiction , 2comments
I have to be honest. I don’t like cats. So I didn’t think I would like this book because one of the main characters is a cat named Pete. Matter of fact, Pete narrates parts of the book. I did like this book, though. It had suspense, adventure, and humor. Pete is very smart and very funny. He reads the dictionary and understands what humans are saying. Too bad they don’t understand him.
In this book, Alex discovers an illegal trap in the woods near his house. Who set the trap? Are there other traps? Why are animals being trapped? Pete knows the answer to these questions, but he can’t get the humans to understand. They need to figure it out because Pete is in great danger. If you like cats, humor, and excitement rolled into one package, try this book.
~Mrs. Carlson~
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 , 1 comment so far
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~