The Eyes & the Impossible by Dave Eggers

The 2024 Newbery winner is The Eyes & the Impossible by Dave Eggers. I just finished reading it and it made me laugh out loud several times. If you like books about animals who converse like humans, you might enjoy reading this out loud to your class.

It's about an art loving dog and a bunch of his animal friends who live in a park. They have all kinds of adventures, but the main theme is that they need each other to work together and solve their problems. One scene has a group of raccoons trying to create a diversion as part of their plan. They attack one of the park ranger's vehicles and are jumping up and down on it to set the alarm off, and then urinating on it while standing on the roof. All while the humans are running around the car saying, "Oh my God!, Oh My God!, OH MY GOD! The raccoons have gone nuts!"

Also as a little perk, all "the illustrations are classical paintings by artists long departed".

By Mrs. Castro

A Dog’s Life by Ann Martin

The book I will review for the blog is A Dog’s Life by Ann Martin. This book tells the story from the dog’s point of view. Here is an example of a dog's point of view. In the story I lost Bone my brother and I was alone, then I found a dog named Moon and we became friends. We went to the junkyard together and we lived together and we were super best friends.

I love this story because I relate to it. I have my own dogs and I love them. I found this story and started reading it. It was so good I kept reading it and than before I knew it, I was on page 60. So I think you should read this book if you’re into this kind of story. It’s a great story by the way.                             

Review by kwezzyy_twitch

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

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

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk is a 2017 Newbery honor book and so it was on my must read list. The story is set in Pennsylvania farm country, which is where I grew up. The main character's name is Annabelle and she is 12 year's old. It is 1943 and Annabelle goes to school in a one room school house with her two little brothers. Everything is fine until a girl named Betty moves in with her grandparents and starts at the school with Annabelle. Betty turns out to be a mean, violent bully and Annabelle has to try and protect her brothers and herself from Betty's threats.

This story was very suspenseful. Betty is a scary, violent bully and the author does a great job at pacing the book to heighten the tension. There is another character with whom Annabelle and Betty interact. His name is Toby. He is a war veteran who lives alone in the hills and doesn't really talk much to anyone. Because of the rumors Betty spreads about Toby, when she turns up missing Toby is blamed for her disappearance. Annabelle can't believe Toby would hurt anyone, but she's not sure. She needs more time to figure it all out. You will race through the pages of this book with your heart pounding! I know I did!

Teachers this would be a great read aloud and discussion book.

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

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper

Stella by Starlight by Sharon M. Draper is historical fiction. Stella is a young African American who lives in North Carolina during a time when whites and blacks lived separately. Along with dealing with segregation, Stella witnesses shadowy attempts to frighten her family and the families of her neighbors to keep the men in the neighborhood from exercising their right to vote.

Although this story takes place in America's past, it is a time we should not forget. Much of this story about voter suppression and the Ku Klux Klan is very scary. But Stella is a very courageous character and although I was afraid for her as I read, I was also encouraged and hopeful because of her strength. This is a great lesson about standing up to the bullies of the world, both in the past and in the present day.

Mrs. Castro

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

I read Rain Reign by Ann M Martin over the holiday break. It was a great book and is one of the RICBA Nominees for 2016. The story is about a girl named Rose Howard, she has Asperger's Syndrome, which is a form of Autism. Basically, she's very smart, she just thinks differently then other kids her age. For example, she loves homonyms and keeps a written list of all the ones she can think of. She also loves prime numbers and sometimes when she's nervous she recites prime numbers to help her feel more in control. Unfortunately Rose is just a kid, so there are a lot of things in life that are out of her control. She sometimes has trouble in school, and at home it's just her and her Dad. Her Dad has his own problems with control, which can be scary for Rose (and the reader). Luckily Rose has a best friend, (Rain, her dog), a terrific Uncle, and a sympathetic teacher. They all play a role in helping Rose deal with her problems.

This really was a very good book, emotional and surprisingly uplifting. Rose Howard is a character that you will really care about. This would be a great book to read out loud for mature students.

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Fish in a Tree is written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Fish in a Tree is about a girl named Ally with dyslexia. She has trouble learning in school and gets picked on because of it. A girl named Shay in her class bullies Ally. Then a new teacher comes to class and everything changes for Ally.

One thing we liked about the book was the close friendship that develops between Ally and her new friends. We also like how Ally learns to be strong. In the book Wonder, which we also read as a class, August was also bullied because of his disability. They both had to overcome their fear and stand up to the bully.

Reviewed by the Pesola’s Peaches. (You’ll have to ask us for the story on this later!)

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 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

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

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

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo is the delightful winner of the 2014 Newbery Award.  DiCamillo is one of my favorite authors.  She wrote Because of Winn-Dixie, and The Tale of Despereaux, to name two of her most popular novels.  Flora and Ulysses has easily become another one of my personal favorites.  It is a simple story, rich in vocabulary and peopled with funny, quirky characters.  Flora is a young girl whose parents are separated.  She befriends a squirrel, named Ulysses, who had been accidentally vacuumed up by her neighbor, Tootie.   The poor squirrel seems near death, until Flora takes charge of the situation with CPR and mouth to mouth resuscitation.  Yes, mouth to mouth resuscitation - on a squirrel!  The ensuing, rollicking, comical, wondrous adventures of Flora & Ulysses begins.  Pick up a copy as soon as possible and read this one out loud with your classes. They will love it!

Reviewed by Mrs. Castro

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead is the third of Stead's books.  I've read the other two, Light, and the Newbery Medal winner, When You Reach Me.  I enjoyed both, but I think Liar and Spy may have just become my favorite.  Stead does a great job creating a cast of very quirky characters.  They instantly become very real to the reader and you care about their struggles.  The story takes place in Brooklyn, NY and alternates between a school setting and an apartment building.  The main character, Georges, has just moved from the home he grew up in, to an apartment nearby because his father was laid off from his job.  As Georges struggles with the bullies in school, his loner status, and his mother's absence, he is distracted by his funny new neighbor Safer.  They start a Spy Club together and begin to keep an eye on one of the mysterious tenants in the apartment building where they live.

I truly loved the characters in this book and Stead does such a masterful job at creating a story line steeped in mystery, that I hesitate to say much about the plot.  I'll just say that there is mystery, danger, friendship, spies, humor and sadness all rolled together in a great story.  Liar and Spy is one of the 2014 RICBA Award Nominees.  You still have time to read it and see if it would get your vote!

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

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

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