Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan

Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan was one of the 2003 Newbery Honor books.  At the start of school, a lot of students like to read books about school.  This book is about a boy from RI named Jake.  He has been kicked out of every school in the state because of his behavior.  His grandfather gets him into a school in North Carolina that is unlike any he has ever been in before.  Read this book and find out what happens when Jake meets the Applewhite family.

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia is a Newbery Honor Book for 2010.  The story takes place in 1968 during a time in America's history when African Americans were demanding equal rights.  But the book is mostly about family.  Three young girls are put on a plane in New York by their father to go to California, where he wants them to get to know their mother.  She left them when they were very young and they have grown up without a mother.  Unfortunately when they get to California, their poet mother Cecile doesn't seem to have any interest in getting to know them.  She sends them off to a daily summer camp with Black Panthers, a revolutionary group that was active in the Civil Rights Movement.  You will have to read the book to find out how the summer brings about changes in the girls and their mother.

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool is the Newbery award book of 2011 about a young girl named Abilene who lived in Kansas during the great Depression.  But the book is less about the Depression or history, and more about a young girl who is living in a strange place, without the comforting presence of her father.  Abilene misses her dad and looks for signs of him in the town where he grew up.  The story line jumps back and forth between Abilene's experiences meeting new friends and her search for a mysterious ghost-like character called the "Rattler", and the story of the people who lived during the town's past when her father was just a boy.

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman

Zoobreak by Gordon Korman is a sequel to Swindle, which I know some of you enjoyed a couple of years ago in 2007.  Here's a link to listen to Korman talking about Swindle and how he became a writer http://www.gordonkorman.com/.  In Zoobreak, the same children continue to take matters into their own hands.  Griffin, the planner of the group, jumps into action when his friend Savannah, spots her missing monkey at a sleazy small animal zoo.  I love how Griffin breaks down their problems and plans a solution.  Except of course, it's not that easy because the problems keep multiplying.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce is a story that mixes family, cars and art.  The main character's name is Dylan and he lives in a small town that could be called a dead-end.  His family runs a gas station, but they run into financial trouble because the people that live in the town are moving away for more excitement and opportunities elsewhere.  Dylan's family is falling apart and things are looking bleak until almost by accident, Dylan manages to rejuvenate the town.  Read the book to find out how he does it.

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

Turtle in Paradise is one of the 2011 Newbery honor winners.  The author also wrote two other books that received Newbery honors, Our Only May Amelia and Penny from Heaven.  The setting for the book is Key West in Florida during the depression.  Turtle's mom is a housekeeper and when she gets a job with a woman who doesn't like children, she chooses to send her daughter Turtle to stay with her sister, Turtle's aunt. 

I think I liked this book because of Turtle's character.  She's a tough little girl, who lives in a tough world.  But true to her name, she has a soft inside.  This is really a book about family; cousins, aunts and uncles, grandmothers, mothers and fathers.  Turtle has to deal with all of them, and all of the complications that stem from family relationships.  Read this book and I guarantee you'll find yourself cheering for Turtle.

If you would like to listen to a short excerpt from this book, click on the link for my podcast Podcast of Turtle in Paradise  hosted at Podomatic.

Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

If you enjoyed Umbrella Summer, you should try this book.  Deborah Wiles develops great, quirky characters in this book set in Mississippi.  The main character's name is Comfort.  Comfort's family runs a funeral home and Comfort seems to be very good at dealing with death and grief.  But of course, every book has a problem, and Comfort gets hit with a few big ones in this book.  I can guarantee that you'll fall in love with her and her dog Dismay.  Give it a read, and let me know what you think.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

I know that some of my fourth graders are currently learning about immigration.  Well, here's a book that will bring you from the beautiful countryside of Mexico, to the hard reality of the migrant worker's life here in the United States.  Esperanza is forced to leave the land she loves and has to learn to be brave and strong through all the hard times ahead.  Follow along with her in her travels, you won't regret it!

I've included a link to the author's website, if you want to check out more books by Ms. Ryan.  Just click on the title of the book above.

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy

For a little book, with few words to a page, this one story packs power in every line.  Follow the true story of Jennifer Roy's aunt's childhood during the Holocaust in Poland at the start of World War II.  Both horrifying and fascinating, listen to history unfold through the eyes of a child.  The author's aunt really lived through the events told in this story and was one of only 12 children to survive the Lodz concentration camp in Poland by the war's end.

For any teachers following this blog.  I would mark this book a great read aloud that would lead to many great discussions.

For my students, read and be moved by this book.

Wringer by Jerry Spinelli

Wringer by Jerry Spinelli is an older book.  It was printed in 1997.  But, it is a great book that you should consider reading.  It's about a boy named Palmer LaRue who is about to turn 10.  In the town where he lives all boys become "wringers" when they turn 10.  I don't want to spoil the book and tell you what a wringers job is, but I will tell you that I don't think any one of you would want this job either.  Palmer is going to have to stick up for himself and do something that no other 10 year old has done.  Read Wringer and tell me what you think...

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book was the Newbery Winner of 2009.  I thought maybe some of you had not read it yet, and needed to hear a little bit about it first.  The main character's name is Nobody Owens.  Because his parents are murdered when he is just a toddler, he ends up being raised by ghosts and lives in a graveyard.  This is a book full of magic and adventure.  Bod, as his friends call him, lives under the constant danger of being found by the evil man who had killed his parents.  If you want to find out if Bod can escape danger and live a normal life, you're going to have to read the book.  Let me know when you do.  I'd love to hear what you think about it.  Mrs. C.

The Graveyard Book is by Neil Gaiman.  If you like spooky, a little bit creepy books, then you’re going to love the book called The Graveyard Book. The Graveyard Book is a one of a kind story told by Bod Owens, short for Nobody Owens.  Bod, ever since he was a kid, lived in a graveyard.  A man named Jack has been trying to find him and is trying to kill him.  Now Bod has never been out of the Graveyard and is thinking about trying to leave.  Will Bod try to leave or won’t he.  Find out by reading this book.  I like this book because it has lots of voice and character.  I like this book also because it’s adventurous.  If you love spooky and adventurous books then you’re sure going to love this book.  I hope you enjoy it like I did.  

Pineapples1166

Scumble by Ingrid Law

Scumble by Ingrid Law is the companion book to Savvy.  In the book, Ledger Kale turns 13 and gets his savvy which runs in his family.  You do not need to read Savvy to understand this book, but in case you haven’t, a savvy is a special power that only Ledger’s family can know about.  Well a few days after his 13^th birthday, he goes to his cousin’s wedding.  On the way there, he meets a nosy girl named Sarah Jane who follows Ledger to the wedding.  Will Sarah Jane find out about Ledger’s secret?  I recommend this book for someone who likes adventure, with a little romance.

Reviewed by Zimzims123

Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas

One class is reading Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas with me.  The book is really getting exciting now, but I know there were a few students who had trouble getting into it in the beginning.  So, I'd like to know what your opinion is now?  What do you think of the book?  Who is your favorite character?  Why do you like the book now, if you weren't crazy about it in the beginning?

Anyone want to predict what is causing the magical decay in Wellmet?

Click on the title of the book above to visit the author's website.  There are two more books that follow the first, Lost and Found. 

Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

If you know me, you know I love fantasy books.  Dragon Rider is a great fantasy about an orphan boy, a brownie, and a dragon of course.  They go on a quest together in search of a safer home for the dragon, but meet all sorts of dangers along the way. 

The author of this book, Cornelia Funke, is the author of the Inkheart series.  So, if you've read them, or if you've seen the movie, you might want to give Dragon Rider a chance.  Let me know if you read it, and I'll want to know what you think of it too!

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

We finished reading Umbrella Summer just a little while ago.  I know it brought out strong emotions in me.  I laughed at Annie's worries, but wasn't able to finish reading it out loud to classes without sniffling my way through the ending.  How did this book make you feel?  Were you able to connect with the text in a special way?  Have you ever worried more than you should?

11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass

11 Birthdays is about a girl Amanda, and a boy named Leo who learned to walk together and had every birthday together since they were born!  Then Amanda heard Leo talking meanly to some boys about her. Amanda was heartbroken. So now it is their 11^th birthday and they are not talking to each other.  Amanda can`t wait for her birthday to end.  But that will change.  When she wakes up it is her birthday again.  She thinks she is going crazy but she is not.  Leo and she are the only ones that remember or notice that the day is repeating! So they set off on an adventure that no normal kid would do. I was not able to put down this book!  I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did.  It was really an awesome book by Wendy Mass and yes it will be in your library. And remember you only have one 11^th birthday.

By Taylor Swift purple girl

11 Birthdays is a fantastic book.  Amanda and Leo, the main characters face a VERY difficult challenge in their lives.  And they must face it together, no matter what.  The town that they live in has some interesting history with some interesting people that may just be able to help the two with their BIG problem!  The book is very hard to put down, that's how good it is!


Reviewed by musiclover101

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon was the Kids Read Across Rhode Island book in 2010 and Ms. Lin, the author was at the State House in Providence.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin is a Newberry Honor Book of 2010, and one of the Rhode Island Children Book nominees.  Grace Lin is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, RI.  Her book is a story of a quest.  As her main character, Minli journeys in search of an answer to her family's problems, she meets magical creatures and hears many stories.  You'll enjoy going with Minli and learning the answer to her question.

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

I thought this was a wonderful book that would appeal to many of my female readers.  It's about a young girl who lived in the Southern part of the United States at a time when women were treated differently then men.  Calpurnia is expected to learn how to sew, and cook, and knit.  But what she really wants to learn about is the natural world around her.  She loves science!  Luckily her grandfather sees her for who she is, and helps her to explore their similar interests.