Home Away From Home by Cynthia Lord

 

Home Away From Home by Cynthia Lord was a fantastic read! Cynthia Lord won a Newbery award for her book, Rules, and I predict this book will win its own awards. It is about a young girl named Mia who stays in Maine with her grandmother while her mother and new stepfather try to sell the family home. Mia is not comfortable with how much change is happening in her life, but she thinks a summer with her grandmother is just what she needs.

From the moment Mia arrives, she finds things have changed here too. There is a new neighbor boy hanging around with her grandmother, and when she goes to see the yearly eagle's nest on the point, there is a strange white bird bothering the eaglets. Nothing stays the same!

The characters in this book come alive to the reader. Mia has struggles with social media and limiting her phone time. She is jealous of Cayman the new boy who seems to be very good friends with her grandmother. She worries about having to leave her childhood home behind and about how she will fit into the new living arrangements that her mom is making without her. Pick up this Rhode Island Children's Book Nominee and enjoy reading along as Mia faces each new challenge.

By Mrs. Castro

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango is a touching story about a 12 year old girl who has been separated from her parents by child services. It is also a Rhode Island Children's Book Nominee. As Laura tries to get used to living with her Aunt, we read along in simple verse structure about how lonely and sad she feels. 

Fortunately she makes a few friends that help her. She finds a puppy and brings him home with her. Will her aunt let her keep him? It's obvious that he needs love and Laura might be the perfect person to care for him. Sometimes caring for an animal helps us deal with our own overwhelming feelings.

By Mrs. Castro

Surrender the Key by D.J. MacHale

Surrender the Key by D.J. MacHale is one of the RICBA Nominees for 2019. It is the first book in a series that promises to be adventurous and scary. In this story Marcus, Theo and Lu quickly get wrapped up in a mystery. Marcus O'Mara is in detention for standing up for a classmate who was getting bullied by a nasty teacher, when a bull runs through the school, smashing into a class trophy case. Yes, you read that right, a bull. Except, Marcus is the only one who can see the bull, the man in his pajamas holding a key, and the message written in broken pieces of glass.... "Surrender the Key".

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am glad there will be more of them. This is one of the times I don't want to tell too much about the book, because it was fun to discover what is happening as the author unfolds the story. I will say that Marcus and his friends are in grave danger and this was a delicious page turner because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. 

Review by Mrs. Castro

Sidetracked by Diana Harmon Asher

Sidetracked by Diana Harmon Asher is a Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee for 2019.  Joseph, is a student who has difficulty paying attention in school. He is in 7th grade and has trouble making friends because he is different. His resource teacher Mrs. T. encourages him to sign up for the track team. A new girl in school, Heather joins the team too. Together they face the rigors of preparing for a competitive sport and the bullies that seem to dominate in all schools.

Oh wow! I loved this book. The characters are so likable, and well developed by the author that you will feel you know Joseph and Heather. Joseph has Attention Deficit Disorder and Asher seems to know just what it is like to be easily distracted. Full of humor and heart, this is an excellent read aloud for the start of school. This book encourages empathy, a respect for differences, and an understanding of what it is like to struggle to succeed. A great "do your best" lesson.

Review by Mrs. Castro

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez is the 2018 Kids Read Across Rhode Island book. The book is about a girl named Maria Luisa, but she likes to be called Malu. Malu calls her mom SuperMexican, because she feels that her mother pushes her to speak Spanish and wants her to learn about her Mexican background. When Malu has to move away from her dad and live with her mother in Chicago for two years, she is not happy. Some of the kids at her new school are not nice and they call her a "coconut", brown on the outside, white on the inside. They make fun of her because her Spanish isn't fluent and she dresses like a punk rocker. Malu struggles to fit in at her new school and still follow the first rule of punk, "Be yourself."

Sprinkled throughout the book are references to Punk music, which Malu loves, and copies of her zines. Malu's zines are small books she creates with text, drawings, and pictures cut from magazines. Malu uses the zines to explain how she is feeling. I thought this book was very interesting. I think you will enjoy how tough and resilient Malu is as she fights to find her place in the world. It would make a great beginning of the year Read Aloud for teachers. I am sure many students will want to create their own zines about their family cultures as an extension activity.

Review by Mrs. Castro

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson, is a book about  a little girl that got sent from home to home over and over again. Finally Gilly goes to a foster home and the foster mom’s name is Mrs. Trotter. She has another foster boy there. His name is William Ernest. Gilley hates the foster mom. She said that she is a fat hippo.

I feel bad that this can happen in real life and that kids have to go through being sent from foster home to foster home, over and over again. I would never want to have to walk in Gilly’s shoes in my life. One of my best friends from the day I was born was going though a lot. When she was one, her parents got divorced and she stayed with her mom and went with her dad on the weekends. It is now 2017 and she's eleven. Her mom had another baby with a different guy. Her mom  now sees her on the weekends. My friend that's 11 is now with her dad. I don't get to see her as much any more.

Review by Fan of gronk85brady12

Prisoner Of War, by Michael Spradlin

In this book called Prisoner Of War, by Michael Spradlin, there are many problems that occur. This book is about a boy named Henry Forrest. Henry Forrest’s mother died when he was seven years old, and his father drastically changed. Henry’s father started drinking and taking out all his anger on poor Henry. Henry’s grandpa tried stopping his father, but there was no stopping it. Once Henry turned fifteen, he decided he wanted to join the Marines. Henry’s grandfather didn’t approve, but he went along with it. Henry drove, and drove, and he signed up to join the Marines. But he had no idea what was awaiting.

In my opinion, this is honestly the best book I have ever read. It makes you feel exactly what the characters are feeling. When you read this book, you will be drawn into a war-zone. This book is sad and happy at the end; it left me in tears. This is the most meaningful book. You will feel relieved at the end. I definitely recommend it.

ILovePizza101

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

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier

This book called Sisters by Raina Telgemeier is a very funny book to read. One part of it is about the sisters wanting pets. The first two pets were fish but one died, then they got a new one and then they all died. So they got a lizard and the lizard died. The mom and dad said “no more pets for now”.

     Also almost every time they do something they flashback to the past. Like when there was a snake in the car, she had a flashback. I like this book because it is funny and relatable. I also have a sister and something she does gets on my nerves. I do recommend this book and I would read it again and again.

Review by - I am people

I really enjoyed the book, Sisters by Raina Telgemeier! It was an amazing story and I think you should give it a chance too! It is a graphic novel and has lots of pictures.  It reminds me about my crazy sister and also my brother. They like to fight a lot and sometimes I wish they were not my siblings. But I love them very much! 

I liked the book, Sisters by Raina Telgemeier because of all of its twists and its characters. My favorite is Raina. The story starts out with Raina wanting to be a big sister and have someone to play with. Then she gets what she wants. The older sister is Raina and the younger one is Amara. They also have a little brother Will. Their mom and dad don’t get along very well and fight often. The family is going on a trip from California to Colorado. But the dad is not going in the car with Amara, Raina, Will, and Mom. He has to work so he will take a plane. 

The book also has some very interesting flashbacks. While Will, Raina, Amara, and Mom are getting into the car, Will and Amara are fighting over the passenger’s seat. Raina does not want it because of her past. Want me to tell you?  Well if you read the book you will find out! But when their mom’s car breaks down the mom brings Will to the side of the road and waits for someone to give them a ride, leaving Raina and Amara in the car. It gets pretty hot in the car. A man picks up Will and Mom then they drive away. And that is all I will tell you guys! Hope you guys will give it a try. Enjoy!

 Reviewed by Alexis

The book Sisters by Raina Telgemeier is about two sisters and their similarities and differences.  Raina couldn’t wait to be a big sister but when Arma was born she was a little disappointed and things weren't quite how she thought they  would be. Arma was always cranky and crying when she was little and she never wanted to  play with Raina. She always wanted to play alone. Then later on they had a baby brother and something was going on with their parents, so they realized they had to figure out a way to get along.  They start to get along but someone makes a smart comment and they get into an argument. Will  they realize  they have  to get along?

Personally,  I like the book Sisters because I like how they don’t like each other then they make their way back to being friends. My favorite part of the book is when they go on a trip and they have to get along because their parents aren’t getting along, so they know they have to get along.  It’s my favorite part of the book because I love how they realize hey are truly sisters. I really liked the book because I have two sisters and I didn’t know how to get along with them until I read this book. It is a wonderful book.

Review by-awesomesauce65

Sisters is by the author and illustrator, Raina Telgemeier. This book is about two sisters named Raina and Amara and they have a brother named Will. Raina is the oldest sibling. Amara is the second oldest and Will is the youngest. Amara loves to annoy Raina for fun. They all go on a road trip with their mom. They are going to Colorado. A big event in the story is that Amara gets bitten by a ton of mosquitoes. 

My favorite character is Raina. I relate to the book because I have siblings too and sometimes we do fight a lot. But I have 4 siblings, not just two. We do fight a lot,but we love each other. 

Review by : Myrical 

The book I will review for the blog is Sisters by Raina Telgemeier. Have you ever thought about what it would be like if you had a sister? Well Sisters is one of the books that Raina Telgemeier wrote about her childhood and in the book Raina and her little sister, Amara  fight on a family road trip and everyone is there, their mom, their little brother but not their dad. In the book you learn why the sisters fight so much. Read the book to find out more.

I like this book because I can relate to it. I don’t have any sisters but I always fight with my cousin, and we always make up. Well, almost always.

Review by BACON is best 🐷

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier is a very good book. It is about a girl named Raina and she wanted a sister. When she finally got one, as they got older, all they did was argue. Their mom wanted to visit their cousins because they had not seen them in ten years. Raina and her sister Amara live in Colorado and her cousins live in California. So for them to visit, they had to spend a week in the car traveling and they argued the whole time.

This relates to to me because when I am with my brother he always is annoying but I still love him because he is my brother. In the winter I go snowboarding with my mom and my grandparents and we take my brother sledding. The drive is three hours so he is a pain. This is how the book relates to me. This book also is almost like the book Smile, which is also by Raina Telgemeier.

Review by Horse Rider0

My book is Sisters, by Raina Telgemeier. The main character is Raina and she can’t wait to be a big sister! But then her sister Amara is born. Amara is cute, but she's also a cranky, grouchy baby, and mostly prefers to play by herself. Now Amara is born, things aren't quite how she expected them to be. Want to learn more? Read the book and find out what happens next!

What I liked about the book is that it is about sisters and I have two. I think it is a good book to read. Me and one of my sisters read it all the time. If I were to rate it, I would give it a 10. But you should read it and see for yourself.

Reviewed by Dog Girl


Sisters by Raina Telgemeier is a graphic novel and 2017 RICBA nominee. Sisters tells the story of Raina and Amara, her little sister. They are on a road trip from California to Colorado to visit their extended family.  Although the story takes place during the road trip, there are flashbacks to when Amara was first born and their early years together. The two girls have very different personalities and have trouble getting along with each other. All the things Raina thought they would do as sisters, dress up, dolls, etc. don't work out. Then they are stuck on a very long car ride together. Will they find a way to be loving sisters to each other?

Like Smile, Sisters is autobiographical in that it relays real happenings from the author/illustrator's own life story. It is funny and also touching. Telgemeier does a great job in examining the relationship between Amara and Raina. If you have a sister, and like graphic novels, this is the book for you!

Mrs. Castro

Took by Mary Downing Hahn

Took by Mary Downing Hahn is a deliciously scary book. It is one of the 2017 RICBA nominees. In the story, the Anderson family move from Connecticut to a farm in the rural town of Woodville, West Virginia. The children, Daniel and his little sister Erica, have a hard time fitting in at their new school. The children try not to complain, because Daniel's dad has had to find a new job here. Money is tight and his parents are on edge and bickering in a way they never did back in Connecticut. There are local stories about an old woman who lives in the woods at the top of Brewster's Hill. Daniel thinks they are just that, stories, until he starts seeing things along the edge of the field, near the entrance to the woods. Daniel is going to have to face his fears, because eventually he is the only one that can save his family.

I have had the pleasure of reading several of Mary Downing Hahn's ghost stories. Deep, Dark and Dangerous was my former favorite. She is a master in the genre and if you enjoy being spooked, this story will not disappoint you!

Mrs. Castro


In Took: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn, Old Auntie is a witch who lives near Daniel’s family’s new home. Daniel doesn't believe in her, but he is forced to think she is real when his little sister Erica, disappears. Has Erica been taken by Old Auntie? Will she be turned into  a slave for the next 50 years? Will Daniel be able to save his sister?

I liked this book because I love scary books. Scary books are more interesting. This cool book is a very scary book. Took reminds me of this other book I am reading called Goosebumps. It is also very interesting because people find stuff and they get lost in mazes. That's why I like this book.

Reviewed by
AwsomeCoolGurl911


       
       The book Took by Mary Downing Hahn is a story that is really good, but a scary story. I think it is just the right book for you if you like a good scare. This book leaves you on a lot of cliffhangers and I personally like that kind of book. I think the characters were misunderstood and not listened to as much as I would have liked them to be. The girl is named Erica and the boy’s name is Daniel. If only they would have listened to the boy on the bus, the family could have found Erica a lot faster. Old Auntie does not take any mistakes, she also will hurt you if you don't do something right. She will send her boy Killer Bones, a killer hog that is really scary and big.

Personally, I like this book because it makes you realize that you love your siblings a lot more than you thought. When you lose them you think you can never come out of your room and it would be even worse when you might just lose your sibling to an old witch, especially a witch named Old Auntie. There are a lot of things in your life that you think you could live without, but when you lose it you freak out. Like in the story, Daniel thinks he wants to be an only child, but when he loses the one sibling he has, he is not so sure anymore. That is why I like this book. It really makes you think.
                                                   -soccerstar7

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy is a RICBA nominee for 2017. This is a story of a family of all boys, four kids and two dads. They are a lively, loving family and I enjoyed reading about their school year. The boys all have various problems they are dealing with; new school, tough assignment, imaginary friends. I loved the family traditions the family Fletcher have, like making a hockey rink in the back yard when it's cold enough and their big annual Halloween party. Although things often fall apart a bit, like the ice rink collapses, or the party gets rained out, they find a way together to make everything better. It is a touching story about what it is like to be part of a family.

Mrs. Castro

Homeless bird, by Gloria Whelan

Homeless bird, by Gloria Whelan, is a wonderful book for readers interested in realistic fiction. It is about a girl, Koly who is thirteen years old and lives in India. Her Mom and Dad were looking for someone for her to marry. They find a boy who was supposedly 16 and in good health… Read it to find out what happens next.   

I really liked this book because it made me understand how this girl felt, when she found out what had happened to her husband. I have never read a book like this, and I am glad I took the chance to read it. This book was very heartwarming, and it made me realize how lucky I am to have a life like mine.

                                              LMC5638  

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm is a very good book. I like the book because there is this girl named Sunny. She is on a summer vacay with her grandpa. Her grandpa took her to Disney world. She didn't think that it was going to be a good idea because her brother is kind of a troublemaker.  The book was very intense.

This book is really good I love it and my favorite part is when Sunny was at a New Year's party, when her brother hit her in the face and she started crying. She couldn't believe that her brother hit her in the face. He hit her because she didn’t take his side and give him an excuse for being late. That was when the book got really intense. Will they work it out?       READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!    

#1 CAM NEWTON FAN

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

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

Counting by 7s by Holy Goldberg Sloan

Counting by 7s written by Holy Goldberg Sloan is a delightfully quirky story about a girl named Willow. On the front cover of the book is a quote, "If you're lost, you might need to swim against the tide." Willow Chance certainly begins this story quite lost. She is an oddball in a new school where she is struggling to fit in. To make matters worse, her teacher thinks she cheated on a standardized test. Life only gets harder for Willow after she is sent to see the school guidance counselor, Dell Duke, and shortly afterward a terrible tragedy strikes her family. Willow has to rely on the kindness of strangers, but in her own very unique way, she ends up giving back to everyone who helps her. I loved Willow's personality! She is brilliant and sensitive and a great role model for kids struggling to be comfortable with their own differences.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins is book one of The Underland Chronicles. Suzanne Collins is the author of the Hunger Games series.  I really enjoyed this adventurous fantasy story.  Gregor and his funny little sister, Boots, fall through a grate in the laundry room of their apartment building in New York city and enter into a world that exists beneath the Earth's crust. There, in the Underland, they are met by huge cockroaches and enormous bats, strange pale people and their deadly enemies, the rats. How will Gregor get back home to his mother? She is surely frantic about his disappearance, especially after dealing with the disappearance of her husband, who has been missing for the past two years.

Suzanne Collins once again wrote an exciting story. Read it, then look for the rest of the series coming to our library shelves soon!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is about twins whose whole lives revolve around basketball. The older twin, Filthy MCnasty, and JB, his younger brother are both basketball stars. Their dad went to the world championships when he was younger and when he was doing a slam dunk, he hurt his knee. He could have had surgery for the injury but he decided not to. That was the end of his career and he never competed again. Skip foward years now and he is teaching his twins to be basketball prodigies.

One day in school JB finds a new girl walking in the cafeteria, and she is a basketball player too. Filthy MCnasty doesn’t approve of “Miss Sweet Tea”, the new girl, aka JB’s girlfriend. He starts spending all his time with her and he starts skipping practices and games. Meanwhile, the twins dad starts getting sick and he won't do anything about it. Will the twins make up and go to the championships? Is their dad going to be ok? What will happen to Miss Sweet Tea?

This book is both intense and caring. I give this book four and a half stars because the detail is AMAZING and you can feel the tense times the character goes through. You feel and live what is written on these pages. I like this book because it reminds me of the hard times but you will make it on the other side eventually, because life gets better.

-amazinga142

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is the well deserved winner of the 2015 Newbery Award.   Wow, what a great book!  Told in poetry that is bold and powerful, this book sings!  The author tells the story of twin brothers who are basketball stars on their school team.  Lots of fast action on the court will thrill basketball fans.  The book goes deeper than basketball, because what is happening on the court reflects the complications of life off court.  Drive toward the hoop with this heart hammering winner of a book.  I finished it in a single reading.  Could not put it down!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro