Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

       Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate is about a boy named Jackson and his family. His mom and Dad and his sister and dog might have to live In a minivan again. They are falling into hard times with no more money to pay rent. Crenshaw is a cat, he's large, he’s outspoken, and he’s imaginary. He has come back into Jackson’s life to help him. Crenshaw is so real to Jackson that it’s like Crenshaw is alive. It’s like when he closes his eyes, then opens them Crenshaw is still there. The imagination of a big cat is kind of weird.

I like Crenshaw because this book shows a lot of empathy, and I have an imaginary friend. In this book it shows how strong Crenshaw is, even if he’s imaginary. For me I don’t like cats, but he’s a big cat so I like this cat. I like books like this because you can’t stop reading it because you want to know what happens next. I really wanted to know what happens to Jack’s family. I pretty much think this book is really good and it catches you and makes you not stop reading, so maybe you will like it too.

Reviewed by KlameRider442

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks

Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks is the 2017 Read Across Rhode Island book for kids. It is a great story that takes place over the course of the first week of school. The chapters alternate between two 5th grade student's points of view. Joe is a big boy who loves food but hates loud noises and feels misunderstood. Ravi is the new student in class. He's from India, where he was considered smart and popular, but his efforts in an American school keep backfiring on him as he struggles to fit in. Then of course there needs to be an antagonist in the story. He is named Dillon. Dillon is a bully and wow what a bully! Will the boys be able to survive the year? I think they'd be happy if they could make it through a week!

What a great story to teach empathy and to help teachers understand their classes from the perspective of their students. I think this would make a terrific first week read aloud. The book flies by and I can guarantee great discussions and new understandings will come from reading it.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Full Cicada Moon, by Marilyn Hilton

Full Cicada Moon, by Marilyn Hilton is a book written in verse. This was one of the books nominated for the RICBA award in 2017. I noticed it sat on the shelf and didn't get picked up by many students. So, I thought I'd give it a try and I was not disappointed. Because this book is written in a poem format it ends up being a fat book and maybe students thought it was too fat to get through. We may have to add, "Don't judge a book by it's size", to the old adage, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." Although the book appears thick, it is actually a quick read, because the poems spread the text out.

Full Cicada Moon is about a girl who moves to Vermont from California. Because Mimi's father is African American and her mother is Japanese, Mimi has a hard time fitting in at her new school. Every day challenges her to be patient and courageous as the teachers and students learn to see past her mixed race family. This is an excellent story and the character's struggles against racial and gender prejudice make it a great addition to a teacher's classroom list of read aloud books that encourage empathy.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

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.