Dog at the Door by Ben Baglio May 13, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction , add a comment
After a Halloween party Mandy Hope comes home and finds a golden retriever tied to a flower pot at her door! After Mandy’s dad examines the golden for injuries he tells her that the dog is pregnant. He also tells her that her puppies are due in a few days. Mandy suspects that the dog, which they named Goldie, was stolen. Can Mandy and her friend James Hunter find the dog’s owner? Read this book to find out.
~Tatyana, Fourth Grader~
Into the Wild by Erin Hunter May 11, 2010
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Rusty, a house cat, dreams of living in the forest. When he ventures out in the forest, the first forest cat he sees he gets into a fight with. When Bluestar the Thunderclan leader invites him into the clan, he accepts. On his first night there, the Thunderclan deputy Redtail dies. As Rusty, now known as Fireheart, struggles to learn the clan ways, he uncovers a shocking secret about the brave warrior Tigerclaw, later the Thunderclan deputy. This is a really good book.
~Tatyana, Fourth Grader~
The Darkest Hour by Erin Hunter April 14, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction , 2comments
Now since Bluestar has died, Fireheart is the leader of ThunderClan. Ever since Tigerstar has become the leader of ShadowClan, Fireheart feels danger in the air. StarClan has given him a prophecy. “Four will beome two. Lion and Tiger will meet in battle, and blood will rule the forest.” Will Fireheart uncover the meaning and save his friends? Read this awesome book to find out.
~Tatyana, Fourth Grader~
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 , 7comments
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~
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~
A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond September 28, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction , 1 comment so farThis story is about a bear named Paddington. Paddington’s grandmother sent him away, and he ended up 
in Paddington train station. That’s how he got his name. A nice family finds him there. He goes to a lot of places like the mall and the beach. Paddington gets into so much trouble no matter where he goes. If you like a book about a bear, this is for you! So check it out!
~Emma, Fifth Grader~
Strider by Beverly Cleary April 25, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction, Realistic Fiction , 1 comment so far
If you liked the book Dear Mr. Henshaw, you should read its sequel, Strider. Once again Leigh Botts is recording his thoughts in a diary. Leigh writes about his old troubles - his parents’ divorce, his father’s lack of interest in his life, and his desire to have friends and be popular at school. Leigh also writes about his new concerns which include going out for the track team, a girl named Geneva, and a dog.
Life seems to get better when Leigh and his friend Barry find an abandoned dog. They name him Strider and decide to try “joint custody.” Joint custody means the boys will share the dog. Strider lives part-time at each house. At first it seems to work out, but then Leigh becomes very attached to Strider while Barry is away and no longer wishes to share the dog. How will the boys resolve this problem? Read this book and find out!
~Mrs. Carlson~
Stuart Little by E.B. White April 9, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction, Friendship Fiction , 12comments
This book is about a mouse named Stuart Little. Stuart is in a family of 4 with a cat named Snowbell. This family contains a mom, dad, and a brother named George. Stuart likes to go on outrageous adventures. One day, a bird named Margalo shows up at Stuart’s house. Once when Stuart gets trapped in a garbage truck, Margalo came and saved Stuart. Margalo gets lost one day, so Stuart goes out to find her. A lot of things happen to Stuart while he is out to find Margalo. Will Stuart find Margalo? Just read this great book to find out!
Also this book is a great reader (1 pt.)
~Jack #1, Jack #2, and Jillian, Fourth Graders~