Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat by Lynne Jonell November 6, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Animal Fiction, Fantasy, Humorous Fiction, Mystery , 1 comment so far
I read about this book on a reading website and decided to borrow it from the public library. I’m glad I did because I really enjoyed it. It’s a combination of mystery, fantasy, and humor.
Emmy tries to be a perfect little girl so her parents will spend more time with her. They are always off traveling to different parts of the world. Meanwhile Miss Barmy, her evil nanny, makes her life miserable. Emmy really needs a friend. Everyone at school ignores her except for the class pet … a rat! Emmy and Rat become involved in a series of adventures which involve talking rodents, secret potions, shrinking kids, and a crazy professor.
If you enjoy books like Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH and The Castle in the Attic, this book may interest you.
~Mrs. Carlson~
A Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup September 25, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Adventure, Humorous Fiction, Mystery , 1 comment so far
There are several reasons why you should read this book. Here are just a few. 1. One of the characters is a one-eyed sock puppet named Steve. 2. It has a time machine. 3. A fourteen year old boy drives a getaway car. 4. Bubblegum is used to escape from the bad guys. 5. The book is filled with suspense, danger, adventure, mystery, humor and a recipe for squash.
If you want to read a very exciting book that will make you laugh, try this one. Be prepared, though, to keep track of all the crazy characters.
The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch September 22, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Adventure, Humorous Fiction, Mystery , add a comment
I borrowed this book from the public library after reading a recommendation from a student. I’m so glad I read it. The strangely named author, Pseudonymous Bosch, combines mystery, adventure, and humor to create a book that I just couldn’t put down.
Cass and Max-Ernest are on the hunt for a magician who has disappeared. The sneaky villains, Ms. Mauvais and Dr. L, believe Cass and Max-Ernest know the Secret. Sure the kids know about the the Symphony of Smells, a velvet-lined box containing dozens of sparkling vials. They know about the missing magician’s notebook. And they know that they must save young Benjamin Blake before his brains are sucked out of his head. However, do they know why the villains wear white gloves? Do they understand how this experience will change their lives? Do they really know the Secret?
Read this entertaining book to find out the answers to these questions … maybe.
~Mrs. Carlson~
Stink, The Incredible Shrinking Kid by Megan McDonald January 5, 2010
Posted by jcarlson in : Beginning Chapter Books, Humorous Fiction, School Fiction , 2comments
Stink is Judy Moody’s brother. Whether you’ve read any Judy Moody books or not, I think you’ll enjoy this book. It’s very funny. Stink is in second grade, and he’s worried that he’s shrinking. He’s already the shortest kid in the class! So he tries spiking his hair and wearing vertical stripes. Nothing works, though. He’s just plain short. When he has to explain what Presidents’ Day means to him, he writes a report on the fourth president of the United States, a very short man. Do you know who he is? I’m not telling. You can read the book to find out.
~Mrs. Carlson~
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~
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee November 5, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Humorous Fiction, Picture Books , 1 comment so far
If you like books with great pictures, this one is for you!! Marla Frazee won the Caldecott Award for her illustrations in this book which she also authored. This story is about two boys that go off on a summer adventure for a week of nature camp. Friends James and Eamon go visit Eamon’s grandparents who live at the beach, but they learn about everything except nature– or do they? The tale follows the two boys as they experience many different activities during the week long visit. See what happens as the boys get ready to go home!
~Mrs. Amato~
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.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book by Jeff Kinney March 20, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Humorous Fiction , 20comments
Want to make a funny diary like Greg Heffley? Well you can in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book. This book came out October 1, 2008. You can do activities then make your own diary. It is a fun book. I love this book because you can make a diary.
~Keanu, Second Grader~
Diary of a Wimpy Kid - The Last Straw March 17, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Humorous Fiction , 33comments
The new book of Diary of a Wimpy Kid is out! This new book is about Greg’s school time and a girl whom he loves. It turns out that she likes someone else, and Greg gets really jealous. Greg keeps trying to impress the girl with humor and coolness, but it seems like she just doesn’t care.
Manny, Greg’s little brother, just keeps getting Rodrick and Greg into so much trouble. When each of them swear, one of them has to put money in Manny’s “swear jar.” Manny is making a living out of their swearing. Manny learns a new word, “Ploopy,” and he keeps calling Greg that name. I can’t tell you the rest because you have to read it.
~Jacob I, Fifth Grader~
Hank Zipzer: The Zippity Zinger by Henry Winkler January 12, 2009
Posted by jcarlson in : Humorous Fiction, School Fiction , 2comments
In this book, Hank Zipzer is playing catch with his grandpa, Papa Pete, but something is different about his throwing: instead of just falling to the ground, the ball went right into the center of Papa Pete’s mitt. Hank was on fire, so his friends, Frankie Townstand and Ashley Wong, ask him to be on the Yellow softball team. He says no. Hank thinks his amazing throwing is because of his sister’s lucky monkey socks (which he accidentally put on to play catch), and his sister needs them too! Can Hank make a comback and pitch for his team? Read to find out!
I liked this book because it’s funny, and it has a lot of jokes in it.
~Carmen, Fifth Grader~