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.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

The Invention of Hugo Cabret
by Brian Selznik

I've never experienced a book like this. The story is told not only through text, but also through pictures. Brian Selznik has created incredible black and white sketches that capture the action of the story - incredible enough to win the Caldecott Award for this year.

It's 1931 and Hugo Cabret lives within the walls of a Paris train station. You are immediately filled with tons of questions - Where are his parents? Why does he look after the clocks? Why is his notebook so important to him? Why did the old man at the toy booth become so angry when he saw Hugo's notebook? What are the drawings in Hugo's notebook? Why are they important to him? These questions begin your action-filled journey with Hugo. Trust me - you will not want to put this book down. The story was like a puzzle to me - as I read, I continued to gather small clues that I tried to piece together. I love how the story unfolded. Don't let the thickness of the book intimidate you. There are over 200 pages of illustrations, so it's a really quick read. Boys - I think you'll like it. Girls - you'll probably like it, too. If you have a chance to read it this summer, let me know what you think.

The Young Man and the Sea

The Young Man and the Sea
by Rodman Philbrick

I couldn't put it down. I read it all in one day - all 192 pages. But don't be too impressed - the font size is large and there's a nice space between each line.

Skiff is a boy who lives near the waters of Maine - his father is a fisherman, and Skiff has spent his life on the water. Skiff's mother passed away a few months ago, and his dad isn't dealing with it very well. Their boat sank, and Skiff's dad spends his days on the couch - not working or fishing or helping out Skiff. Skiff is resolved to revive the boat, repair the engine, and get his and his dad's life back on track. Unfortunately, the engine will costs upwards of $5000 to repair, money Skiff does not have. Skiff is also being terrorized by the town bully (whom you meet in the first chapter). There are so many things going against Skiff - but he has the resolve and determination to overcome them. I don't want to give it away, but the final few chapters are incredible. Truly incredible. Skiff tells the story, and I loved hearing it being told through his voice.

Belle Prater's Boy

Belle Prater's Boy
by Ruth White

This is one of the best books I've read in a while. I loved Ruth White's Buttermilk Hill, but I think Belle Prater's Boy is even better. It's the early 1950's in a small coal town in the hills of Virginia. Woodrow Prater's mom disappears one day. Since his father is not handling it very well, Woodrow comes down from the hills and lives in town with his grandparents. Gypsy, Woodrow's cousin, lives next door and the two of them become fast friends. Woodrow and Gypsy are two of the most endearing and likable characters I've met in a while. Woodrow is hilarious, compassionate, and loyal. As the story unfolds, you learn more clues about Woodrow's mom and the struggles she faced. You learn more about Gypsy's family - and how she comes to grips with her own past. I really didn't want the story to end, and that's why I'm so glad there is a sequel - The Search for Belle Prater. I know that Naomi and Anna C. have both read this book and enjoyed it as much as I did. I remember Anna C. reading it during our end of the year testing - I watched her laugh and smile as she read (always a good sign).

Hank Zipzer - Niagra Falls, or Does It?

Hank Zipzer - Niagara Falls, or Does It?
by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver

A former colleague of mine always reads this book to her 4th grade class. I now see why. Hank is funny, quick witted, creative, smart, and very true-to-life. At the start of his 4th grade year, Hank's teacher asks the class to describe their summer using a five paragraph essay. Instead of writing, which is extremely difficult for Hank, he decides to create a "living" essay of his family trip to Niagara Falls. When he brings his 3-D model into class, chaos breaks out.

I think a lot of the boys in my class would enjoy this book. It has a boy main character, lots of humor, and is a fairly quick read (only 133 pages). I'm looking forward to reading more in the series - I think there are about 10 books out right now. (And for you parents - yes, the "Fonz" wrote this book!)

A Dog's Life

A Dog's Life
by Ann Martin

This book came recommended to me by Madison (one of our own members of Room 241). I was excited to read something by Ann Martin. Ann Martin wrote all of the Babysitter Club books (which I'm not a huge fan of), but she's branched out and has actually won numerous awards for her writing. She did not disappoint.

Squirrel (the dog you see on the front cover) is born a stray. He is born in an old shed behind a summer house located in the country. He and his brother learn to hunt in the forest and knock over trash cans in order to find food. Their mother teaches them to be extremely wary of humans - which turns out to be incredibly good advice. One day Squirrel is forced to leave his home and this begins his journey. He is constantly on the move, meeting humans, other animals, towns, cities, farms, forests, and all kinds of weather. There is very little narration in the story as Squirrel describes his journey from one place to the next. You really get to see and understand how an animal survives in the wild. It developed a lot of compassion within me for all kinds of animals. If you are an animal lover, you will connect to this book. It wasn't my favorite book of the summer so far, but it was a good read. Thanks Madison!