Mrs. Noodlekugel and Four Blind Mice

Mrs. Noodlekugel is a sweet older women who lives in a secret little house behind Nick and Maxine's tall apartment building.  She lives there with her talking cat named Mr. Fuzzface and four mice who can not see very well.  She babysits for Nick and Maxine and takes them on an adventure into the city to find glasses for her pet mice.
This is a sweet story intended for 1-2 grade readers who are looking for a fictional chapter book with good, kind characters.  I enjoyed Mrs. Noodlekugel's polite manners and the way she tries to teach the animals and children to be respectful to each other.  She reminds me a bit of Mrs. Pigglewiggle!  This is a great whole family read!

The Quiet Place, by Sarah Stewart

This may be my favorite picture book of the summer thus far. Set in the 1950s, Isabel, a small immigrant from Mexico, moves to the United States. Scared and unsure of her English, and her new world, she vows to write letters to her Auntie Lupita. Through these letters, where she practices her English words, she reveals her family's story of their assimilation into a city in the north of the United States. 

The importance of family, fitting in and adapting to a new world are all evident in this very sweet story. Her cute recounts of what she is experiencing entertains the reader, and the pictures are beautiful, the illustrator is David Small. 

The Hidden Summer, by Gin Phillips

The Hidden Summer is a great story about finding what is important in your life. Nell and Lydia are best friends, but an argument between their moms creates a problem for the girls.  All they want for the summer is to spend every minute together and Lydia's mom says maybe they need to expand out to new friends.
Nell learns a lot that summer about herself, but also about the people who care about her.  She also learns that "family" is not the same for everyone, but that is okay.

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Martinez

Each Kindness, by Jacqueline Woodson

This is a beautiful story! Kindness, as demonstrated by the teacher in the story, has a ripple effect, and it is within each kindness that we are able to touch and change the world, the future. Chloe, the main character, is unwilling to reach out to the new girl in class. She and her classmates ignore and shun the new girl in the class Maya. It is only after Maya is gone that Chloe realizes the importance of each kindness and regrets her behavior. 

This is such a good story about character, simply written but powerful in message. 

Animals Nobody Loves, by Seymore Simon

Did you know that cockroaches can live as long as a week without their heads? That is just one of many amazing facts you will learn in this non fiction treasure about those creepy, crawly, large and sometimes dangerous animals that humans are afraid of. Fabulous photos accompany this fact filled informational text that help readers understand the motivation and adaptations of these not so adored animals.

This would be a great read for any school age children filled with a lot of good information. 

Book of a Thousand Days

Book of a Thousand Days is written by Shannon Hall. Shannon Hall also wrote the Princess Academy.
This book is a fantasy book with a very strong female character.  You will love Dashti for her bravery as well as her strength and kindness.

Great summer read!

Mrs. Martinez

Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller

Helen's Big World:

the Life of Helen Keller by Doreen Rappaport

June 19, 2014

Helen's Big World is a picture biography about Helen Keller. So much has been written about Helen Keller and her amazing perseverance guided by Annie Sullivan. This is another great biography recreating the struggles that Helen Keller overcame and her relationship with her gifted teacher. 

Inspiration for all children comes from reading about Helen's life, and this is a beautiflly illustrated story. 

Nubs: A True Story of a Mutt, a Marine and a Miracle

Nubs was an Iraqi dog of war who never had an owner or even a home.  Nub's life changed one day when he stumbled upon Marine Major Brian Dennis.  Major Dennis fell in love with Nubs right before leaving Iraq.  This true story is a heart warming reminder of the good in people.  
Nubs embarked on an incredible journey to the United States to become reunited with Major Dennis and to retire from his life of war.  This story will tug on your heart strings and make you reflect on all the good that our world has to offer!  Grab some tissues and prepare to be moved!
Mrs. Corbett's latest post about "Tuesday" reminded me of this book about Nubs.  It won 2nd place on the 2014 Bluestem Award List!  He will surely become #1 in your heart!

Down Girl and Sit: Home on the Range

What a perfect early chapter book for first thru third graders.  Down Girl and Sit are funny, cute, best friend dogs who don't like being fenced in.  

In this adventure Down Girl and Sits' owners take them on a vacation to the Wild West where they encounter animals and places they have never seen before.  They get themselves into a lot of trouble when they perceive animals and places incorrectly.  Part of a series, this book will be loved by students who enjoy books about animals and the Wild West!  Fun!

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling, by Mary Rose Wood

I just finished reading The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The  Mysterious Howling, it is the first book in a series of four.  I can't decide how I feel about it, which is giving me reason to pause and ponder the book longer than the last page, so I suppose that is saying something.

Set in historical England, Penelope Lumley has just graduated from Sawbourne, a school for poor, orphan girls. With her superior training by Miss Mortimer, Penelope seeks employment as a governess with the Ashtons, a  very wealthy family. Mysteriously, Lady Constance and Lord Frederick Ashton have taken charge of three children who have, up until now, been raised by wolves on the Asthon property. Penelope is given the task of civilizing them. 

For some reason, someone is interested in sabotaging the success of Penelope and the children, be it for sport, or because they really don't them at Ashton Manor, I cannot decipher. Here in lies the problem... the author has given you very little to draw a conclusion about, and you have little choice but to read the sequel if you want to find out what happens next.

So, I guess I now add some more books to my reading list. 

Carnivores, by Aaron Reynolds and Dan Santat

Shark, Lion and Wolf are alljust a little bit tired oftheir reputation and arefeeling a bit remorsefulabout all of the animals thatthey devour. After a briefstint at trying to bevegetarians, the trio decidesthat being a carnivore isn'tall bad... it is just what they do. 

The Aurora County all-Stars, by Deborah Wiles

"Good garden of peas," this was a great book! On the Wheaton Public Library Battle of the Books list, it was one that I had not read before. I am not sure how this one escaped me because I have been a fan of Deborah Wiles for quite some time. The Aurora County All - Stars brings together some of my favorite charaters from Love Ruby Lavender.

Twelve year old House, the town's pitcher, hasn't been able to play baseball in over a year due to a "girl." He has spent his year of recovery keeping an old mysterious man company. When the man dies, House's struggles with the loss. He doesn't want people to know that he has been spending time with this recluse. However, his relationship with the man is betrayed by his friend, and his secret is revealed. 

The big baseball game is coming up, and House is determined to get his arm working and get in shape so he can play, but Frances, the girl who broke his arm, is bound and determined to put on a pagaent at the same exact time of the team is due to play the big game. House must come up with a solution to this conundrum. 

From the start, you can't help but love House, he is just an every day kid, with a big heart and strong determination. He is a character that everyone loves and looks up to. 

Never Smile at a Monkey, by Steve Jenkins

This fascinating non-fiction book was recommended to me by my student Emma, who loves non-fiction and animals (though she is becoming a fictioin fanatic as well). 

Steve Jenkins writes a book of warnings on what you should not do when you encounter certain animals in the animal kingdom. For instance, did you know that hippos, who are very territorial, will do just about anything to protect their habitat, they are not a species to mess with, by size alonge, you are sure to be in trouble. If you were ever to encounter a blue ringed octopus, you best swim as fast as you can away from it as it is the most poisonous animal in the animal kingdom, and there is no antidote for the poison. However, if you manage to stay alive for 24 hours after being poisoned, chances are you will survive. 

These are just a few of the amazing adaptations these animals have develoved over time to prevent predators from eating them, and maintaining their species. This is a highly informative book that you will find fascinating to read. 

Ginger Pye, by Eleanor Estes

Jerry Pye wants a dog more than anything, all he needs is a $1, because in the 1950s, that is all it cost to get a dog. So begins the story of the Pyes and their new dog Ginger, who could possibly be the smartest, most lovable dog in Cranbury, Connecticutt. But, beware of the the "unsavory" person with the yellow hat, who Jerry, and sister Rachel are convinced is out to steal Ginger Pye. 

When their fears come to fruition, Jerry, Rachel and the whole town of Cranbury are out to find Ginger Pye. 

This timeless tale is filled with love, humor and hyjinx as the Pye family become dog owners, and Ginger becomes part of the family. Filled with great vocabulary, beautiful writing, and a dear family story line that would appeal to all readers, Ginger Pye is a great read for the whole family. 

Jimmy the Joey: The True Story of an Amazing Koala Rescue

Jimmy the Joey is a charming non fiction narrative about a Koala Bear named Jimmy who is orphaned at a very young age. Rescued by the Koala Hospital (yes, they have one of those down under), the author chronicles his journey back to the wild. 

The photos of Jimmy follow his journey as he is prepared to be released into the wild. This is a cute story, and provides insight into all that has to be done to help an animal prepare for a return to a natural habitat. The end of the book highlights how the story and photo journalism came about.

This is a great book for all ages - there is something for everyone. It would be great for an older sibling to read to brothers and sisters. 

Brave Girl - Clara and thE Shirtwaist Maker's Strike of 1909 by Michelle Markel

A picture book biography of Clara Lemlich and her fight for worker's rights in the early 1900's.  I find this time period fascinating and am amazed at the strength and persistence of immigrants like Clara who arrived in America determined to succeed amidst many obstacles. So many lessons to be learned from this account of Clara's life and the beginnings of rights for workers! Girl power! Love it.

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Flora & Ulysses, by Kate DiCamillo

"Holy unanticipated occurences!"

I picked this book up yesterday and made it my first read of the summer, and what a surprising read it was! Filled with great vocabulary, an interesting plot and a strong female character, this 2014 Newbery winner is a delightful, and an adventurous read. 

Flora, a self proclaimed cynic has seen disapointment in life, and in order to deal with disappointment, she reads comic adventures, literature that her mom does not believe as worthy. The comic book series both she and her father adore is, The Illuminted Adventures of the Amazing Icandesto! When Flora realizes that she has the opportunity to lead an adventurous life just like Incandesto, she jumps at it. Upon rescuing a squirrell from a vacuum cleaner, Flora realizes that this squirrell just could be an adventure hero, and she is bound and determined to see him reach his full potential, she just has to get everyone to believe. The characters that Flora meets along the way - Tootie, William Spiver and Dr. Meescham, along with her father and "evil mother" create a very entertaining, farfetched tale that you just can't help but believe in. 

This is great for readers of all ages, but especially third graders and beyond. 

Tuesday Tucks Me In by Former Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan

One of my reading goals this summer is to expand my reading of nonfiction text. I love this nonfiction narrative! Tuesday is a service dog who diligently helps his owner and the author, Luis, after Luis returns from the Iraq War. The story is told in 1st person....by the dog, Tuesday. It shows the loving and caring relationship between Luis and Tuesday. I'm ecstatic that this author also wrote the memoir, Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him. I'm guessing this was written previous to Tuesday Tucks Me In.  It will definitely be my next read!

Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett

This cute and funny story tells the story of a baby princess and a piglet who get switched around. The king and queen think it's a curse because that sort of thing "happens all the time in books." The farmer and his wife give the same reason when they decide their piglet was replaced with a real baby girl. Throughout the book, the silly mix-ups are explained away as things that happen in other fairy tales (and the characters point to the stories they are speaking of). In the end everyone lives happily ever after ... just not in the way you might think. 

If you like this one, I also love two of Jonathan Emmett's other books: Diamond in the Snow and Someone Bigger.

The Shadow Throne, by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Last night, I finished The Shadow Throne, and the trilogy, WOW!!!  Following Sage/Jaron as he fought to save his kingdom has been an entertaining adventure filled with plot twists and hidden foreshadowing. 

Jaron's kingdom is at war, and his battle leads him back to Avenia, back to the pirates, and back into captivity with plenty of action, plot twists, and mistakes along the way. As always, Jaron is planning his strategy as he goes, never sure of the outcome, but always confident in his success in the end, even when things look dire, Jaron is able to find away to turn the tables in his favor, though this to me, does not seem contrived or impossible. 

Sometime this summer, I plan to reread the series and look for the subtle bits of foreshadowing that I clearly missed the first time through. I think this is what I loved most about the series. Parents who are still reading out loud to their children will not be disappointed in this one, it has something for everyone. 

This is definitely a good trilogy for adventure/fantasy readers. There are a lot of similarities to the Ranger's Apprentice books by John Flanagan, and his newer series Brotherband.