Inkling by Kenneth Oppel

Inkling by Kenneth Oppel is a fictional book set in the present about a family that is facing troubles in school and at work. The son of Mr. Rylance, Ethan, is the artist for a group project with his friends because his dad is an artist, but he isn’t a very good artist and can only draw stick men. While his dad might be an artist, he hasn’t drawn anything in a very long period of time, due to him not having any ideas and him being very sad from his wife’s death. Then one night, a “strange” creature appears, which has the potential to help Ethan and his dad with all the trouble they are facing.

This book reminds me of a book called “Wizard for Hire”, where two people that start off without knowing anything about each other end up being friends. Most kids can relate to this book because it shows that you might be chosen to do something in a group project because your family is good at it, but you might not be good at doing it. Other people can relate to losing family members at a young age. My favorite character is Inkling.

Review by a block of cheese

 

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

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.

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

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

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jaqueline Woodson

I am reading my way through the 2015 Award books.  The first one I am reviewing is a Newbery Honor book by Jaqueline Woodson, called Brown Girl Dreaming.  I have always loved Ms. Woodson's books and her writing style.  Some of my fiction favorites are Locomotion and Feathers, and a picture book entitled, The Other Side.  She is an extremely gifted poet and with minimal, beautiful text she takes complex situations and makes you see them and understand her point of view.  Brown Girl Dreaming is Ms. Woodson's memoir, so it will be found in the biography section of the library.  In the book, Jacqueline describes her life as a little girl.  She introduces you to the events and important family members that loved her and shaped the person she became.  She does all of this through powerful poetry.

This would be a great read aloud for teachers that want to discuss poetry, memoirs, and race relations in the United States.  You will be impressed by the beautiful style of Woodson's writing, and who knows, maybe your students will be inspired too!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes is my new favorite book.  I just finished it and would highly recommend this 2014 Newbery Honor book as a read aloud for all second grade teachers.  I've read many books by Kevin Henkes and he delivers yet again with this sweet story about a little boy who is just beginning his second grade school year.  Written with depth of character and understanding of children we follow Billy through his year at school and learn quickly to love the characters that people his world; Mama, Papa, his sister Sal and his teacher Ms Silver.  Billy's problems are the kind every second grader can relate to, from his know-it-all classmate to his fear of public speaking, but the quiet, real way his worries are addressed by Henkes is masterful storytelling.  Once heard, you will not forget the voice of Billy Miller.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Travel Team by Mike Lupica

Travel Team is written by Mike Lupica.  He is also the author of Summer Ball.  The main character of this book is Danny Walker.  He is a talented basketball player but somehow doesn't get chosen to be on the Vikings travel team.  I personally feel bad for him.  Read to find out how he gets revenge on the Vikings for not choosing him to be on the team.  Is it that Danny isn't talented enough, or did the evaluators just mess up?

Reviewed by Patriots1285

Because Of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Because Of Mr. Terupt was written by Rob Buyea, who also wrote the story Mr. Terupt Falls Again. This is the first of Rob Buyea’s books. I would suggest this book for anyone who enjoys a happy ending. This book starts with the kids hating the fact that they have to get a new 5th grade teacher. But then they start to realize that Mr. Terupt isn't such a bad teacher after all. When tragedy hits it leaves the kids worried, but I don’t want to give away too much.  Will Mr. Terupt survive?  You will have to wait and see J J . 

Reviewed by bowties305

Bowties305 did a great job with their post on this book.  I just finished Because of Mr. Terupt and it really is a very good book.  I like how the story is told from the characters' different points of view.  This story would make a great read aloud for teachers who want to start a discussion on classroom bullying. 

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Did Mr.Terupt change the whole fifth grade class?  Read,  Because of Mr.Terupt, by Rob Buyea to see how sad the kids were.  But don’t blame Peter, he meant to hit Luke when he threw the snowball.  As you begin to read, you find out Mr.Terupt  did a lot of wrestling while growing up and in college.  He gave these up because he suffered several concussions.   To see if Mr.Terupt survives, read this book.  Just because he is a new teacher, doesn't mean he’s a bad one.  You should give people chances.

Reviewed by  I’mAnonymous

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Jacobson

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Jacobson is a gripping story about a boy named Jack, who is left at a campground in Maine by his mother.  He attempts to make it home to Boston by himself, and keeps the fact that his mother is gone a secret.  Two big problems are that he's only eleven years old and the campground is three states away from his home.  How will he survive with no place to sleep, no food, almost no money, and no adult to take care of him? I felt so sorry for Jack as I read this story and was touched by the love and understanding he had for his mother and her "spinning" problems.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes

Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes is a book about five high school students that lose a lemonade machine.  The students decide to make a band to try to raise the money to get the school to buy the machine back.  The group goes through a lot of family and social problems.  This book is very interesting and I promise you’ll be on the edge of your seat the whole time you are reading it.  It's just one of those books you can't put down.  This book involves romance, sadness, and there are some happy parts too.  I hope you get as much joy out of this book as I did!  They made this book into a movie too.

Reviewed by Woods

Alice in Lace by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

The book Alice in Lace by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is about friends who are named Alice, Patrick, Elizabeth, and Pamela.  They are taking a class about thinking ahead or critical choices.  Their assignments are a little wacky but they have fun doing them and bump into some problems on the way.  Like when…oh wait, you are going to have to read it yourself.  This book is funny and will keep you hooked.  I hope when I am in 8^th grade it will be as fun as their school.  I would recommend this book to 5^th, and 6^th grade girls and boys.  

Reviewed by fashionesta7