MAY 19, 2010
Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist: Flight of the Phoenix by R. L. LaFevers
Set in 1928, 10-year-old Nathaniel is living with his governess, Miss Lumpton, when a lawyer informs them that Nathaniel's parents' airship crashed on the ice in the North Pole. Their bodies were not among those found. While Miss Lumpton will receive "a tidy sum", Nathaniel will now go to live with his last surviving relative and beastologist, Phil A. Fludd, who it turns out is his aunt. Prevented from joining his parents on previous adventures, Nathaniel is unprepared to join his aunt on her current trip to Arabia to watch the hatching of a phoenix. Nevertheless, she insists that he is long overdue to begin his Fludd training as a beastologist and hoists him into her propeller plane. Excitement ensues when something becomes clogged in the propeller as they fly high above the ground toward Arabia and Nathaniel is sent outside the relative safety of his seat to remove the hazard. Here he finds a gremlin named Greasle hiding out in the propeller along with her brother Oiliver. Oiliver, unfortunately, gets thrown overboard before Nathaniel realizes what is clogging the propeller. Not to worry. Oiliver has big feet and will land just fine, assures Greasle. Camp is quickly set up in Arabia following a camel ride to the specific oasis where the phoenix is expected to live out his remaining moments before bursting into flame. But almost as quickly, Aunt Phil is taken away by the local Bedoins, leaving Nathaniel alone with a gremlin to ensure that the ashes of the phoenix don't burn out before the bird is able to rise again. This is the first book in a series about the newest Fludd in a long line of Fludd beastologists. Readers in grades 3-5 will enjoy this, as will younger children who may hear it read aloud. The Pizza and Pages group enjoyed this book and several astute listeners were able to pick up on clues scattered throughout the story that will undoubtedly reappear in subsequent books. Black and white illustrations are included to help young readers visualize the characters and location. Also, a glossary is provided at the back of the book.
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MAY 18, 2010
Invisible Stanley by Jeff Brown
In this story, we again meet up with Stanley Lambchop, the hero of "Flat Stanley." However, this time, Stanley is not flat, he is invisible! Due to eating fruit by the window during an electrical storm, Stanley has become invisible. At first, Stanley enjoys being invisible because he can avoid bullies, and he can even help Phillip, a shy man, propose to his girlfriend. His family doesn't like that they can't see him, so they tie a balloon with a happy face to his wrist. Stanley is quite the novelty once again, and appears in the newspapers and on television. Stanley even becomes a hero when he saves the day by catching two tricky bank robbers. However, he is tired of being invisible, and wants to become a solid boy again. Will he be visible once again? Will the pretend thunderstorm work? Read this story to find out. Recommended for readers in grades 2-3.
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MAY 18, 2010
The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis by Barabara O'Connor
Popeye lives in the small town of Fayette, South Carolina. Nothing ever happens there. All summer long, Popeye just stares at the water stain on the ceiling, wondering what to do. He is bored with listening to Velma, his grandmother, recite the kings and queens of England. He does like learning the vocabulary words that Velma teaches him, but he is still bored, bored, bored!!
Then, one day, adventure happens. On a walk with his dog, Boo, Popeye discovers the Holiday Rambler, a large motor home stuck in the mud. As if the Holiday Rambler wasn't enough of a find, Popeye meets all six children who live in this vehicle. The eldest of these children, Elvis, dares Popeye to join the "Spit and Swear," club, and when he does, Popeye is elected senior vice president of the club. However, the club doesn't last long, due to Elvis's mother, who objects to such language.
Popeye and Elvis become fast friends, and they both have many adventures together. They find Yoo-Hoo boats floating down the river, with mysterious notes attached to them. They meet an interesting little girl who shows them the dog cemetery. They hide from Elvis's siblings, and they listen to Elvis's mom write country-western songs. How long will these adventures last? Will the motor home ever get out of the mud? Read this delightful little story to find out! Recommended for readers in grades 3-6. This book received starred reviews from both School Library Journal and Kirkus.
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MAY 14, 2010
Wiggle and Waggle by Caroline Arnold
This is a delightful story of two worm friends doing what worms do, digging tunnels under the ground to prepare the earth for plants. They have some wonderful adventures all the while informing us of the way worms work. Wiggle and Waggle do stop to have a picnic in the rain and enjoy a good swim in a puddle. When they get back to work, they make tunnels that spell out their names, Wiggle and Waggle. The last page contains some interesting worm facts and information on how worms help plants grow.
A darling story is interwoven with some facts to make this a perfect selection for readers in grades K-2 and a fascinating read aloud book for preschoolers who enjoy facts along with fantasy.
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MAY 12, 2010
Three Cups of Tea (Young Readers Edition) by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
"The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share tea, you are family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die."
While returning from a failed attempt to climb K2, Greg Mortenson became lost in the Pakistan mountains, eventually arriving in the village of Korphe. After months of mountain climbing, he was nursed back to health by Haji Ali, the village chief who Greg would eventually promise to repay by building a school. He had noticed during his recovery that the children sat outside in the cold doing their lessons using sticks dipped in mud. He faced many adversities while trying to fulfill his promise, including no money to buy supplies, corrupt individuals trying to keep his supplies, no way to get the supplies across the river to Korphe, no labor to help build the school... but each obsticle found a solution leading "Dr. Greg" to find his life's work of building more schools for areas in Pakistan and Afghanistan where there had been none. This adaptation of the adult bestseller does not lose its impact on the reader. The hardships he and his family face everyday, including death threats and even a kidnapping, add to the appeal of the story. I found it hard to put down. This edition includes a timeline, glossary, who's who, and discussion questions that might be used by parents or teachers who wish to talk further about the book. Updated photos are included, as well as an interview with Greg's 12-year-old daughter, Amira. Highly recommended for readers in grades 5-8 (older readers can move on to the original book) who are interested in other cultures, volunteer work, charity, and helping to promote peace by providing education to those who are excluded from its luxury. This book is truly inspirational, and the man who began with nothing to accomplish everything that he has deserves to win the Nobel Peace Prize, in my opinion. This shouldn't be missed.
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MAY 4, 2010
Good Dog, Aggie by Lori Ries
This book is a humorous look at a boy and his dog. Ben wants his new dog, Aggie, to sit and stay. These are two basic commands every dog should know. After a try at dog training with Aggie at puppy school, Aggie gets dismissed. Ben decides he will teach Aggie himself. Aggie creates quite a stir in public which will keep you laughing at this dog's antics. Mr. Thomas encourages Ben to have patience and see the best in Aggie. Mr. Thomas is a man who is visually impaired and "sees" things from a different perspective. Will Aggie ever learn? Read and find out what happens to Aggie. This book is a sequel to
Aggie and Ben. Both books are written for transitional readers coming into chapter books in grades K-2. This book is also, delightfully suitable as a read aloud chapter book for preschoolers.
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MAY 3, 2010
The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan
This book is the first in a series written by multiple authors. 14-year-old Amy and 11-year-old Dan Cahill join their Cahill relatives following the funeral of their beloved grandmother Grace to learn that their family is one of the most powerful in human history, and that almost every famous person from the past has a connection. All family members attending are given a choice: one million dollars or the first clue to restore the family's power. Eight teams form and choose the clue... Amy and Dan, gorgeous cousins Ian and Natalie Kabra, Madison, Reagan, and Hamilton Holt along with their parents, Mary Todd and Eisenhower, who all look like G.I. Joe figures, teen star Jonah Wizard and his father, old Alistair Oh from Korea, former spy Irina Spasky from Russia, and the Starling triplets, Ted, Ned, and Sinead who resemble an Ivy League lacrosse team. The first clue reads "RESOLUTION: The fine print to guess. Seek out Richard S_____." With little trouble, all teams decipher this clue linked to Benjamin Franklin (who knew he was part of the Cahill clan?) and begin the race to solve the Cahill family mystery. Fast moving action, clues, and not a little family back-stabbing makes this adventure hard to put down. Math, geography, history, and science are also intertwined in the stories allowing kids to learn something without even realizing it. This will appeal to readers in grades 3-6 who enjoy mysteries, suspense, and solving puzzles, and boys especially will gravitate toward this series. A related website is full of additional puzzles, information about the books, and author interviews that shouldn't be missed at www.the39clues.com. One additional puzzle kids will want to solve is the extra clue hidden in the misnumbered pages of the book....hint a=1.
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