Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

Turtle in Paradise is one of the 2011 Newbery honor winners.  The author also wrote two other books that received Newbery honors, Our Only May Amelia and Penny from Heaven.  The setting for the book is Key West in Florida during the depression.  Turtle's mom is a housekeeper and when she gets a job with a woman who doesn't like children, she chooses to send her daughter Turtle to stay with her sister, Turtle's aunt. 

I think I liked this book because of Turtle's character.  She's a tough little girl, who lives in a tough world.  But true to her name, she has a soft inside.  This is really a book about family; cousins, aunts and uncles, grandmothers, mothers and fathers.  Turtle has to deal with all of them, and all of the complications that stem from family relationships.  Read this book and I guarantee you'll find yourself cheering for Turtle.

If you would like to listen to a short excerpt from this book, click on the link for my podcast Podcast of Turtle in Paradise  hosted at Podomatic.

Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

If you enjoyed Umbrella Summer, you should try this book.  Deborah Wiles develops great, quirky characters in this book set in Mississippi.  The main character's name is Comfort.  Comfort's family runs a funeral home and Comfort seems to be very good at dealing with death and grief.  But of course, every book has a problem, and Comfort gets hit with a few big ones in this book.  I can guarantee that you'll fall in love with her and her dog Dismay.  Give it a read, and let me know what you think.

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

I know that some of my fourth graders are currently learning about immigration.  Well, here's a book that will bring you from the beautiful countryside of Mexico, to the hard reality of the migrant worker's life here in the United States.  Esperanza is forced to leave the land she loves and has to learn to be brave and strong through all the hard times ahead.  Follow along with her in her travels, you won't regret it!

I've included a link to the author's website, if you want to check out more books by Ms. Ryan.  Just click on the title of the book above.

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy

For a little book, with few words to a page, this one story packs power in every line.  Follow the true story of Jennifer Roy's aunt's childhood during the Holocaust in Poland at the start of World War II.  Both horrifying and fascinating, listen to history unfold through the eyes of a child.  The author's aunt really lived through the events told in this story and was one of only 12 children to survive the Lodz concentration camp in Poland by the war's end.

For any teachers following this blog.  I would mark this book a great read aloud that would lead to many great discussions.

For my students, read and be moved by this book.

Wringer by Jerry Spinelli

Wringer by Jerry Spinelli is an older book.  It was printed in 1997.  But, it is a great book that you should consider reading.  It's about a boy named Palmer LaRue who is about to turn 10.  In the town where he lives all boys become "wringers" when they turn 10.  I don't want to spoil the book and tell you what a wringers job is, but I will tell you that I don't think any one of you would want this job either.  Palmer is going to have to stick up for himself and do something that no other 10 year old has done.  Read Wringer and tell me what you think...

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book was the Newbery Winner of 2009.  I thought maybe some of you had not read it yet, and needed to hear a little bit about it first.  The main character's name is Nobody Owens.  Because his parents are murdered when he is just a toddler, he ends up being raised by ghosts and lives in a graveyard.  This is a book full of magic and adventure.  Bod, as his friends call him, lives under the constant danger of being found by the evil man who had killed his parents.  If you want to find out if Bod can escape danger and live a normal life, you're going to have to read the book.  Let me know when you do.  I'd love to hear what you think about it.  Mrs. C.

The Graveyard Book is by Neil Gaiman.  If you like spooky, a little bit creepy books, then you’re going to love the book called The Graveyard Book. The Graveyard Book is a one of a kind story told by Bod Owens, short for Nobody Owens.  Bod, ever since he was a kid, lived in a graveyard.  A man named Jack has been trying to find him and is trying to kill him.  Now Bod has never been out of the Graveyard and is thinking about trying to leave.  Will Bod try to leave or won’t he.  Find out by reading this book.  I like this book because it has lots of voice and character.  I like this book also because it’s adventurous.  If you love spooky and adventurous books then you’re sure going to love this book.  I hope you enjoy it like I did.  

Pineapples1166

Scumble by Ingrid Law

Scumble by Ingrid Law is the companion book to Savvy.  In the book, Ledger Kale turns 13 and gets his savvy which runs in his family.  You do not need to read Savvy to understand this book, but in case you haven’t, a savvy is a special power that only Ledger’s family can know about.  Well a few days after his 13^th birthday, he goes to his cousin’s wedding.  On the way there, he meets a nosy girl named Sarah Jane who follows Ledger to the wedding.  Will Sarah Jane find out about Ledger’s secret?  I recommend this book for someone who likes adventure, with a little romance.

Reviewed by Zimzims123

Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas

One class is reading Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas with me.  The book is really getting exciting now, but I know there were a few students who had trouble getting into it in the beginning.  So, I'd like to know what your opinion is now?  What do you think of the book?  Who is your favorite character?  Why do you like the book now, if you weren't crazy about it in the beginning?

Anyone want to predict what is causing the magical decay in Wellmet?

Click on the title of the book above to visit the author's website.  There are two more books that follow the first, Lost and Found. 

Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

If you know me, you know I love fantasy books.  Dragon Rider is a great fantasy about an orphan boy, a brownie, and a dragon of course.  They go on a quest together in search of a safer home for the dragon, but meet all sorts of dangers along the way. 

The author of this book, Cornelia Funke, is the author of the Inkheart series.  So, if you've read them, or if you've seen the movie, you might want to give Dragon Rider a chance.  Let me know if you read it, and I'll want to know what you think of it too!

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

We finished reading Umbrella Summer just a little while ago.  I know it brought out strong emotions in me.  I laughed at Annie's worries, but wasn't able to finish reading it out loud to classes without sniffling my way through the ending.  How did this book make you feel?  Were you able to connect with the text in a special way?  Have you ever worried more than you should?