Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff is a very moving book. The main character, Albie is a boy in fifth grade who is going through a tough time in his life. He has to start at a new school and he feels like he is just not good enough at anything. He has a lot of pressure on him to try and do better, but no matter how hard he tries it is always just almost good enough. My heart went out to the character of Albie. The author does a great job at making him a real person to the reader. When Albie is sad or frustrated, you are sad for him. When he is being bullied by the kids in his class, you are angry on his behalf. Fortunately, he has some true friends and people in his life that help him. This book would make a great teacher read aloud. Destined to generate discussions and to develop empathy in your students. One of the RICBA nominees for 2016.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro.

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier is a book that may just come back to haunt you. It is one of the 2016 RICBA nominees. The author also wrote Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes. The Night Gardener is the story of Molly and Kip, two Irish children adrift in England. Molly, as the older sibling feels the responsibility of taking care of her disabled younger brother. She has found work for them at the home of the Windsors, Molly will work as a maid and Kip as the gardener. What they find when they get to the Windsor home is not what they expected. The Windsor family members are pale and gaunt. There seems to be something wrong with them. A giant tree grows next to the house and it's roots are everywhere, even in the very walls of the house. Is the tree magic? Is it good or evil? Late at night, when you're trying to sleep and you hear the rustle of leaves on the wind you'll think of this book. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Another Day As Emily by Eileen Spinelli

Another Day As Emily by Eileen Spinelli is a sweet little book for third grade and up. We are introduced to Suzy and her family through Spinelli's use of simple poetic language. Much of the book is filled with the day to day happenings of a young girl in a small town. Suzy loves to read, she loves to ride her bike and she loves baseball. But of course a book isn't a story unless there is a problem, so when Suzy feels left out and jealous of her little brother Parker she attempts to grab the attention of her friends and family in an unusual way. Teachers please note, this book would serve as a great introduction to poetry and is a 2016 RICBA nominee.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth

Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth was raw and gritty. Dealing with sensitive issues like mental health, foster care, homelessness and child abuse it is for the mature reader. That being said, the author weaves a realistic picture of life in the inner city of Newark, NJ. One of this year's RICBA nominees, Kinda Like Brothers tells the story of Jarrett, an 11 year old boy who lives with his mother. She is a foster mother and takes in babies who need special care. When she decides to foster 12 year old Kevon and his baby sister Treasure it is a new situation for Jarrett. He's gotten used to his mother caring for babies, but sharing his room, his school, and his friends with Kevon proves more than he can handle. Jarrett's blood is boiling and his temper is pushing him out of control.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Life of Zarf: the Trouble With Weasels by Rob Harrell

Life of Zarf: the Trouble With Weasels by Rob Harrell was an entertaining adventure and the first of a new series that is sure to be very popular. This fractured fairy tale is one of the RICBA 2016 nominees. Readers will love the funny comicstrip style drawings that add to the story of Zarf, a troll who is at the bottom of the popularity scale in his school. When he has a run in with Prince Roquefort, Zarf is left with his two only friends Kevin (a pig, and descendent of "The Three Little Pigs") and Chester (a not-so-funny court jester). Zarf's problems multiply as the prince challenges him to a joust, Snuffweasels capture the king, and Zarf ends up behind bars in the dungeon. Read to find out if the hot-tempered troll can save himself and the kingdom, and prepare to laugh a lot along the way.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Map Trap by Andrew Clements

The Map Trap by Andrew Clements will thrill Clements' fans and is one of the 2016 RICBA Nominees. Over the summer I listened to the audiobook available for download from the Warwick Public Library. Read by Keith Nobbs it was a wonderful rendition of the story. I can see this as a great read aloud for teachers, especially those wanting to introduce maps in a new and fun way. It all begins when Alton Barnes' parents name their yet unborn son from a map in the car on the way to the hospital. Alton grows up with a love of maps that even expands to include geocaching. If you don't know what geocaching is, read the book, there's a great explanation of this fun hobby. Alton loves making maps, but some of his maps are a bit unusual. For instance, the map he draws of his teacher's brain. When that map goes missing, Alton will do anything to get it back!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Odessa Again by Dana Reinhardt

Odessa Again by Dana Reinhardt is the ultimate do-over story. Odessa discovers a hidden magic in the attic of her new home that allows her to travel back in time to repeat the previous day. Odessa uses this magic to her advantage reversing mistakes she's made, like farting in front of the boy she "like-likes". When Odessa figures out that time is running out, and she won't be able to keep undoing her mistakes, she has to make every do-over count.

This is a cute story, it reminded me of the movie, Goundhog's Day. I thought the most interesting scenes surrounded Odessa's feelings about her father's upcoming marriage. Her parents are split up and Odessa really wishes they would get back together. Will she be able to rearrange the past to change her family's future? 

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney

The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney tells a story using poetry. Amira is a twelve year old girl living in South Darfur, Africa. She lives simply and happily with her Muma, Dando and little sister, Leila on their family farm. She loves to draw pictures with a stick in the sandy soil. Unfortunately, the peace will not last as her family gets caught up in a war that Amira can not understand. She must flee with the last of her village as she leaves her family home in ashes.

The story begins in 2003 and brings the conflicts between fighting factions in Africa to a personal, understandable level for students. Amira's story will help develop empathy in anyone who reads it. Although it is a story of fiction, the topics covered in the book; death, war, grief, refugee camps, and loss are very real. This would be an ideal read aloud with students. Plan on sharing Amira's drawings with your document camera. It is a story of war and hardship, but also a story of family and ultimately hope. RICBA nominee 2016

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

El Deafo by Cece Bell

El Deafo by Cece Bell is about a girl named Cece who became deaf. She was always lonely at school. Cece also had to wear hearing aids that make her feel different. I think you should read this book, it's very inspiring.

El Deafo reminds me of my friends deaf cat .It reminds me of Buddy because he's just like Cece. He's just like Cece because he's deaf. I feel very bad for Buddy and Cece. This is why I like the book, El Deafo.

By #Unstoppable  Princess

El Deafo by Cece Bell is a graphic novel and a Newbery Honor book.  I am highly recommending this book to teachers and students.  It is a great book to help us celebrate our differences.  The author is an author/illustrator and this is her life story, so it is in the Biography section of the library.  I have included a link to a youtube video by the author promoting her book and telling a little about herself.

As a young child Cece gets sick, and as a result of that illness, loses her hearing.  She has to wear large hearing aids and hates how they look and how they make her feel different.  El Deafo is a character that Cece creates in her imagination to help her deal with frustrating situations she faces because of her hearing problems.  It is hard for Cece to make friends and she is lonely much of the time.  Read El Deafo and learn how Cece manages to get along in school and turn her difference into a super power. El Deafo is a 2016 RICBA nominee.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

El Deafo by Cece Bell is about a girl named Cece Bell. She is just a regular girl with a very creative imagination until her world is turned upside down. She is deaf and she must wear an FM and she has some funny moments with it, like when she heard her teacher going to the bathroom.  She calls herself El Deafo a superhero and she fights crime, but only in her mind. Will she make it through the sixth grade? Read it to find out.

I thought the book was really cool and I really liked it. I think you should read it too. It is a really nice book. This book is so much like my life. I am hard of hearing and I wear an FM like her, but mine is more advanced. So, for example, mine is small and hard to see but her’s is a big box on her chest and it was made in the 1970’s.  Except  for the part where mine just recently broke, they are fixing it now but luckily I got a replacement. If you read this book you would understand but if you have not then you should read it NOW! It is a super duper great book and Have Fun Reading!

Reviewed by Doggie G

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff is based on the story of Rumpelstiltskin.  What a wonderful spin on a well known tale.  I loved the characters in this magical 2015 Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee.   The author did a great job of adding a fresh perspective to the story.  I especially liked the gnomes and trolls.  I found it very amusing to imagine little gnomes running around delivering memorized messages to people, kind of like text messages sent by person.  A totally fun and surprisingly touching story of young Rump trying to find the rest of his name.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool is one of the 2015 Rhode Island Children Book Award Nominees.  Vanderpool has also written Moon Over Manifest, a Newbery Award book.   Navigating Early is a true adventure story that takes place in the mountains of Maine.  In Vanderpool's story, her character, Early Auden is fascinated with the story that the number pi (3.14...) tells him, about a boy named Pi.  When Jack Baker moves to Maine from Kansas, to attend a boarding school for boys after his mother's death, Early and Jack become friends.  Both of the boys have had to face the loss of beloved family members, Jack's mother, and Early's brother.  The story of Pi is set within the story of Early and Jack.  Early and Jack set out on a quest together to search for Pi, who is missing.  The quest is a dangerous one.  The boys will be threatened by frightening gun-toting men, hunted by dogs,  and faced with a huge bear.  Can the boys survive the wilderness and find what they have lost?  Read Navigating Early to decide if you want to vote for it in February of 2015.

At the end of the story the author references Born on a Blue Day: Inside the Extraordinary Mind of an Autistic Savant: A Memoir by Daniel Tammet.  I was glad that I had already read this book and remember how fascinated I was by the author, who saw numbers in colors and sizes and shapes, just like Early Auden.   If you are interested in understanding someone who thinks differently than you, you can listen to Daniel Tammet giving a talk about how he sees numbers and words.  He shows paintings that express how numbers, including pi, look to him.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein was a delightful romp of the imagination.  Just in case you don't recognize the author Chris Grabenstein, he is the coauthor of I Funny, (a book that I can't seem to keep on the library shelf!)  Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library was chosen as the Kids Reading Across Rhode Island book for 2014.

Kyle Keeley and his friends enter an essay contest at school to win an overnight stay at the brand new library in their town, built by an accomplished game-maker Mr. Lemoncello.  Once inside the library, they are challenged to find a way out, but not by the doors they entered.  The library was built at the site of an old bank building, and the clues left by Mr. Lemoncello's band of accomplices play out like a giant board/video game.  Of course every story is best if there is an antagonist, and not everybody is ready to play nice.  If you like puzzles, detective stories and mysteries, you'll enjoy trying to figure out the picture puzzles in this book. As added fun, you'll come away with a list of great reads suggested by the zany Mr. Lemoncello, so keep a paper and pencil handy!

Librarians might enjoy Escape as a read aloud to see how many of the title and author references their students can get.  Chris Grabenstein is definitely tipping his hat to our profession with this one!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Doll Bones by Holly Black

Doll Bones by Holly Black is one of the 2014 Newbery Honor books and a wonderfully creepy ghost story.  I loved this book.  I'm a big fan of ghost stories and this is a well told tale with plenty of adventure and suspense. The book is about three friends, Poppy, Alice and Zach.  The three enjoy playing an imaginative storytelling game together, but Zach's father feels that Zach is too old for this now that he is in middle school and tries to put an end to his play.  In their imaginative game, a china doll in Poppy's mother's cabinet plays the role of a sinister queen.  The creepy looking doll becomes the center of the story when Poppy dreams that the doll is possessed by a young girl and needs to be buried so that the ghost can rest.  Until it is buried, Poppy warns that the ghost will haunt the three friends.  Is there truth to Poppy's assertions, or is Poppy just trying to get Zach to play the game again?  Zach doesn't know what to believe until...  Yeah, you know, read it and find out.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The book “Doll Bones” by Holly Black is a really awesome book.  There are three friends who like to play with action figures, and there is a bone china doll in a cabinet which they pretend is a glass tower when they are playing.  Then one night Poppy has a dream of the doll before it was a china doll.  Read the book to find out their epic journey.      

I really like the book “Doll Bones”.  I can relate to it because, I like to have adventures like Poppy, Zach, and Alice.  Also, the doll was really creepy but when other people read the book they might think it’s creepy and scary but I like slightly scary books.  

Review by IS

Ungifted by Gordon Korman

Ungifted by Gordon Korman is a funny cause and effect story.  Ungifted was a RICBA nominee in 2014.  Read it to find out what happens when Donovan, an impulsive likable main character, whacks a statue's butt.  Events are sent "rolling" as Donovan tries to keep from getting into trouble.  The humor of this book lies in the author's ability to keep Donovan dodging, as he tries to avoid one kind of problem or another.  Korman is the author of Swindle and Zoobreak.  Ungifted is similar to each of those books, and like them, it is centered on a group of students trying to navigate the adult world of rules.  Read and enjoy!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is about the difficulties of a boy with an abnormal face. Everyone keeps judging him and he finally starts going to school. See how he overcomes getting bullied by the people in his school.

The book gives a few life lessons that I really liked. This reminds me of the difficulties of school and how I'm pulling through. One of the life lessons is to be kind to others and people will be kind to you. In other words, treat people the way you want to be treated. Sometimes I get bullied in school by a person that shall not be named, but I have my friends to help me, just like the protagonist in this book.

Review By: robloxjb0007

In this book Wonder by R.J. Palacio, which is a #1 New York Times Bestseller, there is a boy who has a deformed face. He goes to school for the first time and he has to face all the struggles of school and bullies because he is different. It is very difficult for him in the beginning since people at public school aren't used to having someone as different as him there. Read the story to find out more and get a touching feeling in your heart. I really like this book because it is a touching story and really hits a soft part of your heart. It is so meaningful and you should truly read it. Wonder is emotional and is such a great story with great details you just want to keep reading.
Review by Cherryshell

Wonder by R.J. Palacio. is a pretty cool and nice book to read in class or at home for some calm time. I read this book in 4th grade and thought it was very touching and a very calming story. Auggie is a boy who has a not so normal face. His face looks a little weird. but other than that he has some good friends and keeps his Friendships! Wonder was a good book to read. I really think this was really helpful for friendship and bullying. I really think people should read for help on bullying and to not judge people on the way they look on the outside, but what they are like on the inside.
Review By theminecrafter

The book Wonder by R.J. Palacio, is about a boy named Auggie who was born with a deformed face. He starts the fifth grade in a public school for the first time. Auggie faces many challenges along the way, such as bullies, friends, and family. As the school year goes on, Auggie makes some great friends too. Will Auggie continue going to a public school or will he have his mom homeschool him again?

I like this story because it gives me many different feeling as I read it. It made me feel happy, sad, confused, angry, and excited.  I can relate to Via, the older sister because my brother just started school too. He’s in kindergarten but he doesn’t have a facial deformity. Because he just started school, we tend to focus on him more. This doesn’t really bother me as much as it bothers Via though. My family still focuses on me a lot too, just a little less than before, but I’m fine with it.

Reviewed by- #1wonderfan


In the story Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, there is a boy named Auggie. The problem is that Auggie is different than most of the other kids. He has to try to fit in at his new school. It was his first year in a school after being home schooled for his first five years of school. The cause of this problem is that Auggie’s face is deformed. Will he survive middle school?

I thought that the book was very good and had a lot of detail. The author gave me a very vivid picture of the characters and the situations. It was very sad when Auggie had to try and fit in and the other kids wouldn’t accept him.

When I was new at this school, I didn’t know many people. I had to make new friends even though it was a challenge. This made me feel a connection to Auggie.  My first friends were Jack and Will, and one of Auggie’s first friends was Jack Will.

Reviewed by TB12

The book Wonder is by R.J. Palacio. It is about a kid that gets picked on because he has a deformed face. Auggie Pullman had been home schooled until the 5th grade. This kid named Julien is a jerk to Auggie because he is deformed. Auggie made a friend named Jack Will. They also did a project together and got first place. How do you think Auggie is going to end up with the rest of the 5th graders.

I love this book. It  is a really good book that makes you want to read on. I really recommend this book for you. This book reminds me of a kid that does not care what people think of him. It is not right for people to judge you on how you look or feel.  

Review bye Hankdatank25

In Wonder by R.J. Palacio, there's a kid named August with a deformed face. He's been homeschooled all his life because of all his surgeries. His doctor says he doesn't need anymore surgeries for a couple years. His mother is making him go to school this year. He likes the school but there are some issues along the way. Read more to learn about how August survives his new school!

I enjoyed this book because of how it grabbed me and I just couldn't let it go. The story was told by different points of view. I liked August's point of view the most. August is a really nice kid. This book is kind of like the movie A Girl Like You because she gets bullied but keeps it inside. August gets bullied and doesn't tell anyone.

Panda*

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a fantastic book!  I would go so far as to say it should be required reading for every sixth grade student in both of my schools.  I'm hoping that many of my faculty members will put this book on a list as their next read aloud for their classes.  R.J. Palacio writes from the point of view of different children throughout the book and manages to accurately capture each person's feelings and voice.

Okay, by now you probably want to know what this book is about...  Wonder is a book about a boy who is born with a genetic abnormality that causes his face to be deformed.  His name is August, and through his voice we get to see the world from his point of view.  We learn about how he ignores the staring looks of strangers and the way they avoid touching him.  But we also learn how August has a kindness in him that lets him understand and forgive people.  Read this book and put yourself in the shoes of each of the unforgettable characters in the story.  You will learn some things about them, and about yourself in the process.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Have you wanted to read a book that is sad and funny?  Well then read this description of the book Wonder by R.J Palico, and you will surely want to read the whole book. 

The main characters in the book are Auggie and Via.  Via is Auggies sister.  Auggie is in fifth grade and Via is In high school.  In the story Auggie has some trouble, because he is going to public school for the first time.  I know that this sounds weird but there is more.  Auggie has facial deformities and he is scared he will be made fun of.  I know that I would be scared too.  Would you be scared?  Via is in high school and she is also having some difficulties, and that is making friends and losing friends.  Just like Via, in fifth grade I had some trouble, because some of my friends were not so nice to me.  I made new friends and that is what counts.

This story is phenomenal because of its details and how the author explains the story almost as if it is real.  I really hope that you choose this book because it is just so good!   

Reviewed by MADFOOTBALL

The book Wonder is a tremendous and astonishing book for kids! This book is realistic fiction. The main characters are August, Julian, Summer, and Jack Will. August has facial disabilities and he has been home schooled and now he is starting a real school as a 5^th grader. Read to see what happens to August. I think the message is “treat people the way you want to be treated”! The book can be sad and informational at the same time. I would highly recommend this book!

Reviewed by bigpapi20  

Wonder by R.J Palacio is an amazing book. The book helps you understand why you shouldn’t judge people by their looks. It has so many funny moments and also a lot of it is really sad. If you want to know more, READ IT!

           

This book is a connection to my life because my friend in North Carolina named Garret, has a different face but he still goes to school and a lot of bad things happen to him. He gets bullied. I feel like I am like the character Summer, because I stand up for him.

         

Wonder is a very good book for the 5th graders, because they would understand the meaning of this book. I hope you get to this read book, because it’s an amazing book!

Reviewed by #supercupcake16

Wonder  by RJ. Palacio is a very good book. It’s about a little kid named August. He has a cleft palate. Ok this year is August’s first year of school. He was homeschooled his whole life. In the hallway everyone stares at him all the time. One day the 5th grade boys were making fun of August, so his older sister Via screamed at the kids. But just because someone looks different doesn't mean that they are different. Everyone should be treated the same.

Wonder is a very good book. August’s big sister Via always sticks up for him. You should read this book because it is awesome. August is a regular kid. He plays games, sports, and eats ice cream. If you think about it, everyone is the same, no one is different.

Reviewed by Paw Patrol

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

One of this year's Newbery Honor books, Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage is a great mystery.  The story is about a young girl named Mo, short for Moses because she was found as a baby floating on a river after a hurricane.  Luckily, she is taken in by Miss Lana and the Colonel, a man who lost his memory due to a car accident during the hurricane.  She spends her time looking for her "Upstream Mother", but is side-tracked from her search when a stranger turns up at her family's diner.  The stranger is Detective Starr, who is trying to solve a murder that happened in a nearby town.  Unfortunately, the next person that is murdered is Mr. Jesse, a patron of the diner, and now the story really starts rolling.  Read along as Mo and her best friend Dale start gathering clues to help solve the mystery and protect their families from danger.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage is an amazing book! It is about two kids named Dale and Mo. Just on an average day for the two kids they figure out that someone in their small town in North Carolina has been murdered. As they try to figure out who the murderer is, a mysterious man comes to solve the murder mystery. Read the book to find out who will really solve the crime first. I haven't really read lots of mystery books but my mom and I sometimes watch mystery shows and they kind of remind me of this book, because of the mysterious murders.

What I really like about the book is you don't know what is going to happen next. At one moment you may think that you know who the murderer is, but the next thing that happens may change your guess about who is the murderer. Once you read this book you'll know why I love it so much!    

Reviewed By: Sunset Baller

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is the 2013 Newbery winner.  I read it in just over two hours this morning.  It is a story told from the point of view of a gorilla named Ivan.  He lives in a cage in a mall, with an elephant friend Stella, and a small dog named Bob.  When a baby elephant, named Ruby is brought to the mall, Ivan makes a promise to Stella that he now must find a way to keep.  But how will he help Ruby to live with other elephants, so that she will not become a solitary elephant, the way he is the one and only Ivan?  Loosely based on true events in the life of Ivan, a real shopping mall gorilla, this book brought me to tears.  It would make a great read aloud for teachers and should be on all students' "must read" list.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate is a RICBA nominee of 2014. Ivan is a gorilla that used to live in the wild with his family. Now, he lives in a mall with other animals. There are some sad parts with his best friend Stella. Stella is an elephant. I loved the ending and I think you will too!

I liked the part when Ivan lives in a house with Mac and his wife. I liked this part because it is funny when a gorilla lives in a house. This book reminds me of animals I see locked in cages. Kids bother them by scaring the animals and hurting them. It also reminds me of when people play with animals. This is a great book I recommend it to animal lovers.

Reviewed by: #hashtag

Fish by Gregory Mone

Fish by Gregory Mone is a fun story.  You'll like it, especially if you like pirates.  The main character is nicknamed "Fish" because he loves to swim, at a time when most people didn't even know how to float.  He leaves his father's farm to make money for the family by working with his uncle, who is a city merchant.  Through a series of events, Fish ends up swabbing the decks of a pirate ship, dealing with bullies, and searching for treasure.  This book reminded me of the Pirates movies with Johnny Depp.  Complete with stinky feet and bad breath, this funny adventure will certainly entertain you.

Reviewed by Mrs. C.

Emily's Fortune by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Emily’s Fortune by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is a book about a girl named Emily who is trying to get to a town called Redbud.  The only reason why she even wants to go to Redbud is because both of her parents died and she doesn’t want to go with her Uncle Victor.  The only time Emily met her uncle, he asked her mom for money and left.  Emily travels with her turtle, Rufus.  Along the way, Emily meets a boy named Jackson, who ends up coming along with Emily on their very exciting journey.  One day, Emily and Jackson were walking along; they came across a piece of paper nailed to the wall. It said that Emily was worth ten million dollars!!!  Read on to find out if Uncle Victor finally catches Emily.  I would recommend this book to readers who like detailed action books. It’s also a RICBA nominee for 2012.  You can find this book in the school library.

Reviewed by Floortile68

The Fabled Fifth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming

The Fabled Fifth Graders of Aesop Elementary School is written by Candace Fleming.  In this fictional story, Mr. Jupiter’s class is very enthusiastic when in school.  It is their last year in Aesop elementary.  They’re at the top of the school but their behavior isn’t that perfect when in their class specials. They always act up and never listen to the teacher.  They get wild in music, they fool around at lunch, and they get a very creepy substitute. The author’s message is to get the reader to learn about the behavior in Mr. Jupiter’s class. When I was in fifth grade, my class was always fooling around and talking.  I would recommend The Fabled Fifth Graders of Aesop Elementary School because it hooked me right away. This is one of the Rhode Island Children Book Award Nominees for 2012.  It is funny and exciting.  I would recommend this book to kids in grades 4 through 6. 

Reviewed by puppies gone wild