Favorite New Series

Shredderman #1: Secret Identity
by Wendelin Van Draanen

I've found a favorite new series. Bubba is the 5th grade bully who terrorizes everyone and gives his classmates terrible nicknames. Bubba has given Nolan Byrd the nickname "Nerd," a label that Nick does not want to define him. Inspired by a class project, Nolan decides to become "Shredderman" - a secret identity he will use to expose Bubba's bullying behavior on an internet site.

I love how Nolan changes through this story, and there are some incredible themes that can be explored (bullying, standing up for oneself, the power of the group, changing the culture of your classroom). The illustrations are really fun, and there are several in every chapter. Boys, I think you will really like this book (Girls, you'd like it, too). There are three more in the series, and I hope to read them as the summer progresses.

Clementine, Clementine, Clementine

The Talented Clementine
Clementine's Letter
by Sara Pennypacker

We all know how incredible the Clementine books are, so I won't go on and on and on about them. Instead, I'll just share some of my favorite lines from these books:

I have noticed that teachers get exciting confused with boring a lot. But when my teacher said, "Class, we have an exciting project to talk about," I listened anyway.

In my classroom, a surprise was waiting: we had a substitute. Mrs. Righty-O. I call her that because she always sayd "Righty-O." Also, okay, fine, because I can't ever remember her name.

Whenever my teacher needs someone to run an errand to the principal's office, he sends me. This is because I am so responsible. Okay, fine, it's also because I get sent so often I could find my way with my eyes closed. Which I tried once. You'd be amazed at how many bruises you can get from just one water fountain.

If you haven't read the Clementine series - do so now! There are so many laugh out loud parts in the story. Clementine is one of the most original and funny characters I have met in a long time.

How To Steal a Dog

How to Steal a Dog
by Barbara O'Connor

Georgina Hayes, her brother Toby, and their mom live in their car. Georgina's dad left the family penniless and they had no where else to go. Georgina's mom is doing the best she can to get the family back on their feet, but it takes time to save enough money for a deposit on a rental home. Georgina is embarrassed and tired of living out of a car, never knowing where they will spend their next night. She develops a plan to steal a dog...a dog that is owned by a wealthy person who will pay a BIG reward to get their dog back. But Georgina's scheme does not turn out exactly like she thought it would. In fact, she seems to get deeper and deeper and deeper into a big ol' mess. I think our 4th graders would love this book. There are so many deep themes to explore - homelessness, how we treat people different from ourselves, how we view the poor and the rich, doing what is right even when it's hard. There's lots of humor and laughs in the book, as well as lots of places that make you stop and think. I highly recommend this book - put this on your "To Read" list! Emily V. read another book by Barbara O'Connor at the end of the school year - Me and Rupert Goody. I remember her telling me how much she enjoyed it.

Remember Maniac Magee?

Remember Maniac Magee? We all loved this incredible story from Jerry Spinelli. Well, how many of you knew that Jerry's wife is an author as well? Here are two of her books that I've read this summer...

Summerhouse Time
by Eileen Spinelli

I'm a big fan of Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. I love reading a novel in verse - it's a fun experience. When I heard that Summerhouse Time was in a similar format, I reserved it from the Greenville Public Library. Sophie is counting down the days to Summerhouse Time - her favorite time of the year. Her entire family goes to the beach for a month! Her perfect expectations of Summerhouse Time begin to collapse when her cousin Colleen won't speak to her, her aunt and uncle fight, and her dad has a panic attack. Sophie learns that life is not perfect, but you have to make the most of it. The story had layers of meaning that would make it perfect for a book club discussion.

Where I Live
by Eileen Spinelli

Just like Summerhouse Time, this is a story written in verse. But unlike Summerhouse Time, many of these poems could really stand on their own. The first half of the story shows us Diana - and how much she loves her home, friends, and school. When her dad loses her job, they are forced to move. The second half of the story shows how Diana deals with this difficult circumstance. Diana is a wonderful character. She's smart, funny, and sees herself as a poet. She learns to keep a writer's notebook with her at all times - to capture the poetry that happens all around her. The illustrations are really incredible; they add a lot to the story. I think Where I Live was my favorite out of the two. I like how Diana uses poetry and writing to deal with the hardships in her life. It also has an incredible example of a circular ending. Make sure you compare the first and last poem in the book. I think lots of kids in our class will appreciate this book.

One for the Guys, One for the Girls

One for the guys...
Star Jumper: Journal of a Cardboard Genius
by Frank Asch

Alex is a genius who can build anything from cardboard boxes and everyday household materials. His goal is to get as far away as possible from his younger pesky brother, Jonathan. So he builds a spaceship. I know what you're thinking - It's all in his mind, right? He's a kid with a great imagination, right? Wrong. He actually builds a spaceship out of cardboard boxes. But it's not as simple as that. As Alex prepares for his journey across the univers, he encounters some obstacles. He continually has to create new inventions (out of cardboard boxes) to overcome these hurdles. This book was different from any other book I've read. Not just the content, but the style of writing. It's not really told step-by-step like many others. It gives us Alex's thoughts as he writes them down in his journal (or really...his writer's notebook). There are lots of cool sketches throughout the book, and I love how the story is told in Alex's own voice. This is the first book in the series - there are three in all. Boys - I think you will like this one.

One for the girls...
Paint the Wind
by Pam Munoz Ryan

Usually I am NOT tempted to pick up books about horses. I have never read any of Marguerite Henry's books, and I have never really wanted to. They just don't appeal to guys! But I love Pam Munoz Ryan. She wrote Becoming Naomi Leon, which I thought was an incredible read. So, with all my trust in Pam, I decided to read this book. I was not disappointed. Maya's parents passed away when she was five years old. Since then, she's been living with her overly protective grandmother. When the grandmother dies unexpectantly, Maya goes to live with her family on her mother's side. She spends the summer living in a teepee on the shores of the Sweet River (in Wyoming). I love this story became Maya goes through some incredible changes. AND there's plenty of action and humor to go along with it (which I was a little surprised about...I didn't know horse stories would be this good). Don't be intimidated by the size of this book. It's 316 pages, but there are BIG spaces between each line and the margins are wide, too - it's not a long book. You don't have like horses to enjoy this book. Trust me.