OCTOBER 29, 2009
Heart of a Shepherd by Rosanne Parry
When his army officer father is deployed to Iraq and his four older brothers are boarding at either high school, college, or the military, twelve-year-old Brother (a family nickname) promises that he will do everything possible to keep their ranch running smoothly while they are away. His painter mother is in Italy, but he is ably partnered by mechanical whiz, Grandma and wise experienced rancher, Grandpa. Together with Ernesto, the hired man, they manage to care for bum (orphaned) lambs, deliver calves, and even fight prarie fires. As the challenging year draws to a close, tragedy strikes. Brother has the opportunity to make decisions and accept consequences as maturity is thrust upon him. This is a notable, well-crafted book which will interest those in 5th - 8th grades. It is highly recommended as a family or classroom read-aloud.
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OCTOBER 23, 2009
Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne
Jack and Annie have not had any adventures in the magic tree house for months. One day, at the beginning of their Christmas vacation, they spy a dove. The dove leads them to the treehouse. In the treehouse, there is an invitation to spend Christmas in Camelot. In an instant, they are in Camelot. However, there is no music, no light, no warmth, no joy. Jack and Annie find Morgan and ask why this is so. Morgan replies that Mordred’s Dark Wizard has a put a spell on the entire kingdom and now there is no joy. Three of the knights of the Round Table are missing. They have journeyed to the Otherworld to try and recapture the joy, but they have not yet returned to Camelot. Jack and Annie must go on the quest to get the cup of water of memory and imagination. This alone will bring Camelot back to life.
Will Jack and Annie succeed in their quest? Will Camelot’s legend continue to live through story and song? Will joy and laughter be brought back to the kingdom of Camelot? Who is the mysterious “M” that sent the invitation?
Read this exciting adventure in the Magic Tree House series to find out! Recommended for readers in grades 2-5.
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OCTOBER 13, 2009
Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix
When last we left Chip, Alex, Katherine, and Jonah, they were falling through mid-air, back in time. This story picks up where Found left off.
The four kids are now in the year 1483, and they are in the Tower of London. Chip is actually Edward V, and Alex is his brother, Richard. England is in turmoil, due to the death of Edward’s father, Edward IV. Chip and Alex must join their tracers, and actually live the lives of their 15th century selves. The boys have been sent away to the Tower to be killed.
Edward V is supposed to be crowned king, but somewhere along the way, it was discovered that his mother, Elizabeth, and Edward IV, were not legally married, and therefore Edward V is not heir to the throne. Edward V’s uncle, Richard, crowns himself king, and becomes Richard III.
What ensues is a two year race against time to prove to their Uncle Richard, that his nephews are not dead, that Edward should be the rightful heir to the crown.
At the Battle of Bosworth, Richard has a change of heart, crowns Edward, and then is killed.
Will Chip and Alex stay with their tracers and die in battle, or will they return home? Will Jonah and Katherine be able to rescue their friends? Read the story to find out!
This is a very good time travel story, and I will look forward to when the third book in the series comes out. Recommended for students in grades 5-7.
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OCTOBER 9, 2009
Bed, Bats & Beyond by Joan Holub
Fink, the bat, just can't get to sleep one morning. It is well into morning and nothing is working. He tries counting treats like mosquitoes and spiders. That does not work. His brother bat, Fang, has an idea. Fang thinks Fink needs a good scary story to get to sleep. Fang tells Fink a great story about Monster Owl. It was good alright. Now Fink is too scared to sleep. Batrick, another bat brother, thinks Fink needs an adventure story. After an exciting bat pirate story, Fink is more awake than ever! Sister bat, Batsy, has just the trick: a love story to put Fink to sleep. Fink thinks it is a dumb story about a prince and princess bat. This does not even put Fink to sleep. What is going to help? Mother bat comes home with breakfast and has just the right story to put four little bats to sleep. This book is a humorous story for readers in grades 1-2.
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OCTOBER 7, 2009
Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise by Kate DiCamillo
Mrs. Watson decides that Mercy should dress up for Halloween, and with the promise of treats (Mercy imagines toast with lots of butter), she agrees to wear the princess tutu and tiara treat-or-treating. On Halloween night, Mercy stops at the house of the Lincoln sisters, Baby and Eugenia. Eugenia does not think that a pig should be trick-or-treating or dress like a princess, and so slams the door on Mercy (who wonders where her toast is). But Baby is more simpathetic and offers candy through the back door. Mercy enjoys the Butter Barrel candy until it seems that the Lincoln's cat General Washington wants to play chase. Mercy runs out of the house after the cat, with Mr. and Mrs. Watson and the Lincoln sisters following. In what appears to be a Halloween parade to the neighborhood children, Stella and Frank join the fun. Fun until General Washington gets stuck in a tree and the fire department must be dispatched to rescue him. Will Mercy ever get her treats? This is Halloween fun for readers in grades K-3. Vivid color illustrations complement the sparse text.
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OCTOBER 6, 2009
Joe and Sparky Get New Wheels by Jamie Michalak
Opposites do attract. Opposites make a great friendship. Joe is a turtle completely comfortable in his shell. Sparky is a very social, spunky giraffe ready to see the world. Sparky wins a sports car in a contest. Joe strikes out with Sparky on an adventure as they drive in the new sports car to new places. A humorous friendship is depicted between very different personalities. Follow their adventures in this early chapter book best suited for first graders. This story could be a nice read-aloud for young children ready for a chapter book experience.
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OCTOBER 5, 2009
Thumbelina, Tiny Runaway Bride by Barbara Ensor
Anne Marie wanted a child so badly, so she went to a witch to ask for one, even though she knew that what she asked for and what the witch gave her would probably not be the same thing. But she was desperate. And despite the fact that what she got was a teeny, tiny girl, Anne Marie loved her and named her Thumbelina. And she protected Thumbelina, although Thumbelina couldn't always understand why. After convincing Anne Marie to let her sleep in her walnut shell bed on the porch one night (only after much begging), Thumbelina began an adventure that helped her begin to understand her mother's warnings. For lovers of fairytales, this is a detailed account of Thumbelina's story, including entries from her diary. Pictures cut from black paper illustrate this large print book. Athought the vocabulary is leveled for middle school readers, it will be of interest to readers in grades 3-5 and younger children who have it read aloud to them.
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