20,000 Leagues Under the Sea retold from the original by Jules Verne-by Lisa Church*

"Classic Starts" series
My son loved 20,000 Leagues Under Sea so he wanted to read another version.
*Highly recommend this series "Classic Starts".

The Last Days of Jesus by Bill O'Reilly illustrated by William Low*

Mr. Reilly begins this book by stating up front that this book is not to prove Jesus was the Messiah; rather to reveal the historical figure.
Very well researched and provides interesting facts about that time in history.
He leaves out some important aspects like how Christ heals the solider's ear after Peter cuts it off and how there were two other thieves hanging with him when he died.

A vital book to read.
Text features: table of contents, photographs, picture captions, diagrams, maps, time line, glossary, index, "further reading recommendations"

*Highly recommend.

The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde illustrated by S. Saelig Gallagher*

A giant, who has been visiting his ogre friend,  has a beautiful garden where children love to play.  When he returns and sees the children in HIS garden, he builds a high wall to prevent the children from imposing on him.  As a result, winter never leaves.  Then something occurs that changes the giant's heart .. . changes it for eternity.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: inferring, cause/effect

Click, Clack, Peep! by Doreen Cronin illustrated by Betsy Lewin*

The newest addition of Ms. Cronin funny farm books.
Back on the farm with Farmer Brown and his clever animals.  Duck receives a very special package -an egg.  All the animals anticipate its hatching . . . once it hatches, they all wish they could shove it back into the egg so they can sleep!!  Parents will relate all too well to Duck's solution.
A funny ending, of course!
*Highly recommend.

I Don't Want to Be a Frog! by Dev Petty illustrated by Mike Boldt*

Frog and his father go back and forth discussing why not and why it is good to be a frog.  It takes a rather scary creature to convince Frog that he is great the way he is!
The entire story is told via speech bubbles so a fun book for reader's theater and to build fluency.

Strategies: fluency/reading with expression, cross checking
*Highly recommend.

AlphaBest by Helaine Becker illustrated by Dave Whamond

A clever, unique alphabet book-in ABC order the reader can enjoy a story of a "superhero" pursuing a villain around an amusement park.  The only words, however, are adjectives (in alphabetical order)!  Each word is shown in its regular form, comparative form and then superlative form.  A surprise ending.
Great book to share when introducing these types of adjectives.

A page in the back is devoted to explaining these adjectives with teaching tips.

Warning: The superhero and villain do go through a "haunted hut".

Hot Dog! Eleanor Roosevelt Throws a Picnic by Leslie Kimmelman illustrated by Victor Juhasz

This book shares about the picnic Eleanor Roosevelt has in honor of the King and Queen of England.  People of the United States are horrified that she is serving hot dogs!!
I found it really interesting that it was the first time any British King or Queen were stepping on our soil since the Revolutionary War!  This gathering provides a solid foundation for the U.S. and Britain when they join forces against Hitler during World War II.
More interesting facts about Eleanor and her husband in the "author's note" section.

Carl and the Baby Duck by Alexandra Day*

"My Readers-Classic Stories-Classic Characters Level 1"
Mama Duck needs Carl's help.  Her duckling is lost.  Carl searches all over until he finds the duckling in a very logical place.
Perfect book for beginning readers-pictures support the text and larger words are able to be  broken into word parts.
*Highly recommend.
Complete a venn diagram after reading this book and Carl and the Kitten.  Great book to introduce comparing.
Strategies: connections, compare/contrast, predict, story elements/retelling, sequencing

The Priest with Dirty Clothes by R.C. Sproul illustrated by Justin Gerard*

A grandfather tells a story to his grandchildren about a priest who stood in the presence of the King with dirty clothes.  The King's Son rescues the priest by putting on the dirty clothes and giving the priest His own clothes.
Questions provided in the back to further discussion opportunities.
*Highly recommend.

The Lightlings by R.C.Sproul illustrated by Justin Gerard*

As in all of his picture books, Mr. Sproul has a child ask a parent a difficult question.  The parent then refers the child to his/her grandfather.  The grandfather then tells a story with allegories to explain faith and salvation.
In this story the Grandfather explains to Charlie why he is afraid of the dark in story about fairy creatures who disobey their King of Light.  As a result, they fear the light until Lightling baby is born who shines like the sun, bringing light once again into their dark world.
*Highly recommend.

The Milo and Jazz Mysteries #1 The Case of the Stinky Socks by Lewis B. Montgomery illustrated by Amy Wummer*

Milo sends away for his own detective kit from an ad in his Whodunnit magazine.  His first task is to find a real mystery, solve it, write up the case and return it to the magazine.  In return, Dash Marlowe, super sleuth, will share more detecting secrets.
Milo reluctantly joins forces with his neighbor Jazz as they solve the mystery of her brother's missing lucky socks.  He is convinced he cannot pitch well without wearing them (they have never been washed!).  With diligence and logic, Milo and Jazz solve their first case.
Funny, short chapters with keep transitional and independent readers entertained.
This series is a perfect fit for 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade classroom libraries.
*Highly recommend.
Lewis B. Montgomery's real name is Mara Rockliff, a local author.

Magic of the Black Mirror by Ruth Chew

This book was my brother's.  My second grader found it at my parents' house and read it to himself.  He said it was exciting.
Will and Amanda travel back in time where Native Americans rule the land.  My son said that they cannot find the black mirror to return home.
For children who like time travel, fantasy and Native American stories.

The Cat, the Dog, Little Red, the Exploding Eggs, the Wolf and Grandma by Diane and Christyan Fox

A cat is trying to read the traditional Little Red Riding Hood story but dog keeps interrupting the cat with his logical questions and interpretations.

The Duck in the Fridge by Jeff Mack

A boy's father explains why he always reads Mother Goose to him before bed.  Most of this book focuses on the crazy time the father had when he found a duck in his fridge.

Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band by Kwame Alexander illustrated by Tim Bowers

Expressive illustrations.
In rhyming text, Mr. Alexander shares the story of Acoustic Rooster who wanted to win this year's Barnyard Talent Show.  He decides to create his own jazz band featuring Duck Ellington, Bee Holiday and Poncho Ernesto Cruz (Pork Chop).
Lots of references to the jazz greats.
In the back there is a musical glossary, a list of musicians and songs referred to in the story with a historical explanation and a jazz timeline.

The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency #1 The Case of the Missing Moonstone by Jordan Stratford illustrated by Kate Murphy*

Mr. Stratford asked himself, "What if Ada Bryon and Mary Shelley knew each other and were friends?" and created this fun series.  Ada reminds me of Sherlock and Mary reminds me of Watson.  The setting is in London where girls and women are treated with less respect than men.  This social divide does not prevent the girls from solving their first case and apprehending a ("not so very clever") criminal.  Other interesting characters whom Mr. Stratford includes are: Charles Dickens (as a boy), Charles Babbage, and Percy Shelley.
In real life people refer to Ada as the first computer programmer.  Mary Shelley, of course, wrote the first science fiction novel, Frankenstein. 
A great map of London in 1826 is included in the front and in the back Mr. Stratford explains the real characters and true interesting facts about their life.
Lots of figurative language-personification, metaphors, similes.
Funny, clever.  A must read!
**Highly recommend.
Look for book #2 in Aug. 2015-The Case of the Girl in Grey

Gingerbread for Liberty! by Mara Rockliff illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch*

"How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution"
Ms. Rockliff is a local author so my sons and I were able to meet her when she showcased this book.
Christopher Ludwick, a German-born baker, wants to fight in the American Revolution but his wife tells him he is too old and fat!  Her opinions do not prevent him from leaving and approaching George Washington.  He asks Mr. Ludwick to bake gingerbread for the troops!  To General Washington's surprise, Mr. Ludwick also agrees to talk to the Hessians at the British camp.  His gregarious personality has surprising results!
This book proves heroes come in all shapes and sizes and that all our gifts are important.
The illustrations resemble gingerbread cookies.  The end pages contain a simple gingerbread cookie recipe.
Ms. Rockliff also shares other interesting tidbits about Mr. Ludwick in her author's note.
**Highly, highly recommend.

Red Rock Mysteries #1 Haunted Waters by Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry*

My oldest son enjoys listening to Red Rock Mysteries radio productions so I thought I would check out the books.
Bryce and Ashley alternate chapters telling the story.  The chapters are short and exciting-perfect for reluctant readers and for building reading stamina.
Bryce and Ashley are new Christians adjusting to living in Colorado and having a stepfather, Sam.  When Sam takes them to an old mining town, unwanted excitement pursues them.  It all begins when Ashley takes a photograph at the museum and takes a picture of the wrong man at the wrong time.
Outside of this excitement, both thirteen year olds are dealing with peer issues-Ashley watches a movie with her friend that she knows is inappropriate and Bryce has a bully relentlessly pursuing him.
*Highly recommend.

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville*

I read this aloud to my two sons-ages 8 and 5 and they thoroughly enjoyed it.
As Jeremy is trying to escape some class bullies, he stumbles into a small shop he has never seen.  When he leaves the shop he is carrying a beautiful ball with instructions how to care for it.  What is the ball?  A dragon's egg!  Taking care of dragon is quite challenging but Jeremy grows to love her.  He also deals with an unkind art teacher and annoying girl who likes him.
Some sad parts and very funny parts.

Warning/points to discuss:  Mary Ann, a girl in Jeremy's class, has a crush on him and "threatens" to kiss him after school (1st chapter).  At one point in the story, the author states alludes that Jeremy says a "bad word".  Word is not written in the text.

Guided Reading Level: R (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalency: 5.9
*Highly recommend.

Here's Hank-Bookmarks Are People Too! #1 by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver*

Mr. Winkler and Ms. Oliver have now made Hank Zipzer available to the younger reading crowd with the series Here's Hank.   In these books Hank, his best friend Frankie and new friend Ashley are in second grade.  Hank struggles with focusing and dyslexia.
In this book Hank auditions for a part in play written by his teacher but cannot read the words (after much practice all weekend!) so she creates a "special" part for him -a bookmark.  Class meanie, Nick McKelty, relentless picks on Hank and threatens him not to "steal the show".

The book is written in a new font called Dyslexie developed by Christian Boer, a dyslexic.  The font makes letters more distinct and further spaced apart which enables dyslexics and any reader to read faster, easier, better.
*Highly recommend.
Great series for 1st-3rd grade classrooms.
Warning/points to discuss:  There is a zombie part in the play.

Great Illustrated Classics-20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne adapted by Malvina G. Vogel*

My second grader read this book and this what he said about it-"It was cool! They got the pieces of the submarine from different countries and the crew.  They built a huge submarine with the pieces.  The Captain wants to live in the sea because his wife and child were killed on land.  He says that anyone who goes on board may never leave because they may talk about the submarine.  He wants to keep the submarine a secret."
My second grader really looked forward to reading this book each day!
*Highly recommend.

Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda*

My sons and I read two Saint Valentine books this week; one written by Ann Tompert (reviewed last year) and this one.
In this account, Mr. Sabuda develops a relationship with the jailer and his blind daughter as they come weekly to his home for eye ointment. When Valentine is arrested for his Christian beliefs he gives the jailer a card for the daughter.  He had signed it "Your Valentine" and had included a yellow crocus.  It is said that the daughter regains her sight.
Strategy: compare this book to the one written by Ms. Tompert

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander**

Newbery Winner-2015
I admit-the only reason I checked this book out of the library to read was because it won the Newbery Award this year.  I am so glad I did!
**Highly, highly recommend it.
Told in verse form, Josh shares with readers a few months of his life.  He and his twin brother play  basketball together-receiving lots of pointers from their famous basketball player father.
Then life changes for Josh-his dad's health is deteriorating, his brother has a girlfriend and he estranges himself from his twin brother.  For the first time in his life, he feels alone and must choose how to play the game of life.
The family unit is a strong one-where the parents care, are involved and make sure their sons experience the necessary consequences.
Lots of basketball terms but even I understood most of it.
Interspersed are Mr. Bell's (the dad) basketball rules (which can be applied to life) and vocabulary words which Josh defines.
Strategies: inferring, figurative language (lots of it!), connections, cause/effect, main idea, check for understanding
So clever and unique! I loved the use of figurative language and variety of poetry.
Points to discuss: heart disease/ heart attacks, death, Josh catches his brother Jordan kissing his girlfriend Alexis

Honey by Sarah Weeks*

I love Ms. Week's realistic fiction (see Pie)!
Fifth grader Melody has enjoyed her life with her father in the mid-west.  When she was born, her mother passed away and that is all she knows.  Her father is reluctant to share any information about her mother.  Then she overhears her father speaking on the phone late one night and calls the person "Honey".  Could her father have a romantic interest that he is not sharing with her?  Melody and her best friend Nick set out to discover just who her father is calling "Honey".  Lots of funny mishaps and an erroneous conclusion occur which move the plot along quickly.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: predicting, figurative language, expanding vocab.
**So fun- a list of nail polish names Melody creates for Bee-Bee, the new salon owner, are included in the back!

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

**Newbery Honor Book in 2015**

Ms. Woodson shares her memories in free verse from the time she was born until about fifth grade.
She cleverly reveals racial issues in the 1960's-1970's, tragic events within her family, her search to find a place to call home (the south or NYC), her struggle in learning to read, and her deep desire to write and share stories.  I loved how she shared her journey as a young writer.
Beautiful language and very well written.
Points to discuss: Lots of history--Her southern grandmother was a Jehovah Witness and Ms. Woodson's mother continued taking the children to the Hall in NYC yet Ms. Woodson's uncle was Muslim; her mom left her father when she was a baby and then had a baby out of wedlock-this father is never mentioned; Angela Davis and the Black Panthers are mentioned a few times (and admired); her one teacher is a feminist

Family tree is included in the front of the book and the back of the book contains photographs from both sides of the family.

Dragon's Extraordinary Egg by Debi Gliori

Bib, the penguin, begs his mother to  read his favorite bedtime story about a dragon taking care of an egg.
Can you guess who the grandmother is in this story?

Danger in the Darkest Hour by Mary Pope Osborne Super Edition#1*

Jack and Annie land Nazi occupied France.  Their mission is to bring magic to Kathleen.  But when Teddy forgets to hand off the Wand of Dianthus,  Jack and Annie must rely on their skills.
*Highly recommend.
Exciting.
Facts about World War II are in the book.
Lexile Level: 520

Secret Files #9 The Hardy Boys The Great Coaster Caper by Franklin W. Dixon illustrated by Scott Burroughs*

My second grader read this book to himself.
Frank and Joe help their friend Phil create a miniature model roller coaster for a design contest.  Someone destroys his model so Frank and Joe set out to found out "who did it".
*Highly recommend series.

The Notebook of Doom-#1 Rise of the Balloon Goons by Troy Cummings

Alexander is new in town and is not anticipating his first day of school.  To increase his apprehension, weird events occur-like his new school being in a funeral home, his dad's tires losing air.
At his birthday party,  he discovers the culprits and must try to be brave to rescue a classmate.

Very short chapters so a great series for reluctant readers and for building stamina.
Grade Level Equivalent: 2nd grade
Guided Reading Level: N (3rd grade)

Nuts to You by Lynne Rae Perkins

When Jed, the squirrel, is snatched by a hawk, his two friends TsTs and Chai travel the buzzpath (power lines) to where TsTs saw him drop from the hawk's clutches.  As they journey together, they discover something more menacing that is quickly approaching their community along the buzzpath.

Very humorous!  Great word choice and lots of figurative language. Cute funny illustrations sprinkled throughout the book.
Was a bit preachy about cutting down trees (why I do not highly recommend it-otherwise it is a fun book with the opportunity to expand readers' vocabulary and thinking while reading.).
Told from the squirrel's point of view so reader must use his/her schema and infer what the squirrels mean.

Strategies: inferring, schema, check for understanding/monitor reading(one group of squirrels has an unique dialect, the point of view switches at different chapters)

Emmanuel's Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson illustrated by Sean Quails*

"The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah"
Emmanuel was born with one functioning leg.  His mother ensured he was self-sufficient by encouraging him to pursue life, not permitting his disability to hinder him.  For example, he hopped to and from school -a 2 mile trek, shone shoes to earn money and eventually left his mother and siblings to earn money in the city when his mother fell ill.
As an adult he biked around Ghana to prove that a "disability does not mean an inability".
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: inferring-character traits, main idea

First Snow by Peter McCarty

Pedro comes from afar to visit his cousins Sancho and  and his siblings.  During his visit it begins to snow.  He has never seen snow and is not sure if he likes.  Gradually he accumulates and has a change of heart about winter.
Illustrations consist of a pastel  palette against a creamy background.
The characters comprise of many different animal creatures.
Strategies: connections, predicting

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

This book won the Caldecott Award for 2015

"He" is waiting for a friend to imagine him so he can leave his birth island (where all imaginary friends are created).  But no one imagines him so he leaves the island to search for his friend.
Cute!

Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo*

A Caldecott Honor book-2015
A young boy visits his grandmother in the city for the first time.  He is quite uncertain about this new environment.  Nana senses his apprehension and cleverly creates a fancy red cape for him to wear in the city.
As he wears his new cape, he views the city with new eyes.
Strategies: compare/contrast (contrast-how the boy felt about the city in the beginning vs. the end OR another idea-contrast how the boy and nana's views of the city are different), retelling/story elements, inferring

I love how the illustrations reflect the boy's opinion of the city!
*Highly recommend.

Carl and the Kitten by Alexandra Day*

A perfect series for a K-1st grade classroom!
"My Readers -Classic Stories Classic Characters Level 1"

One of Mama Cat's kittens is missing-actually stuck in the tree.  Can Carl, the dog, figure out a way to rescue the very scared kitten?

Strategies: predicting/confirming predictions, sequencing, retelling/story elements, cross checking

*Highly recommend.  If I taught K-1st grades, I would include this "Carl" series in my classroom library.

Tractor Mac Tune Up by Billy Steers*

One day Tractor Mac is not working right so Farmer Bill takes him to the tractor hospital.  Mac fears he will never return to the farm and help Farmer Bill.
Love the diagrams on the end pages-Mac's engine and all the parts of Tractor Mac.
Love the illustrations in this series.
*Highly recommend.

Tractor Mac-Family Reunion by Billy Steers*

Mac the tractor believes he is unique until he sees many others like him on a train load and then at a tractor dealership.  He begins to question who his family is.
Diagrams on the end pages-Steam train and Tractor Mac
*Highly recommend.

Tractor Mac Builds a Barn by Billy Steers*

Tractor Mac helps Farmer Bill build a new barn.
Once again, Mr. Steers includes a diagram on the end pages- in this one, there are parts of a barn that makes it strong.
My preschooler and I made a text to text connections today which helped us learn something new!  Mr. Steers shares the tradition of placing an evergreen on the roof top for "good luck".  Previously we had noticed a tree on top of Jonathan Bean's house in his book Building Our House and had wondered about it.  Now we know!!
*Highly recommend.

Tractor Mac by Billy Steers*

Sibley, the work horse, is proud of what he accomplishes on the farm for Farmer Bill.  Then one day Farmer Bill arrives home with a tractor named Mac and Sibley feels useless.  Will he ever be a productive part of the farm again?
Sweet illustrations!
Love the diagrams on the end of pages of the parts of a horse and its gear and a diagram of a tractor and its parts.
*Highly recommend.
Perfect for tractor crazy kids!

The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods*

I love Violet Diamond!  She is funny, genuine and so real.  
Ms. Woods has an amazing gift of making a character come alive.
Violet is biracial and is trying to figure out who she is and where she belongs.  Her mom is white; so is her older sister.  Her African American father died before she was born.  She has no interaction with his side of the family.  With her tenacity, Violet discovers a way to meet her black grandmother and discover an entire new part of herself.
***Highly recommend.

The New Red Bed by Sindy McKay illustrated by Erin Marie Mauterer

"We Both Read Level 1 Gr. K-One"
I had  never heard of this series until I spotted it at our library last week.  The parent reads one page that has longer text and then the child continues the story on the next page that contains only a few words.  If a more challenging word is included, it is always introduced in bold on the parent side.
The stories are longer so probably good for building stamina.
Colorful illustrations.
Lots of word families/rhymes.

A-Z Mysteries The Missing Mummy by Ron Roy*

My second grader read this book to himself.
Dink, Josh and Ruth Rose are trying to find a missing child mummy for the local museum.
*Highly recommend series.
If I taught 2nd-3rd grade, I would include this series in my classroom.
Perfect for transitional readers.

Dot and Bob by David McPhail*

"Green Light Readers-Level 1" -Getting Ready to Read"
Perfect story very beginning readers!  Lots of sight words with picture support.
If I taught K-1st grade, I would include this title in my classroom library.
My preschooler who is in the beginning stages was able to read this to me and enjoyed it!
Dot has a dog named Bob.  He likes to dig.  When Dot and her mom plant a tree, Bob puts his digging skills to good use!
*Highly recommend.
Questions listed in the back to check for comprehension.

Rocket's 100th Day of School by Tad Hills*

Step into Reading Step 1 "Ready to Read"

Rocket stories are so sweet!  This one is perfect for Kindergarten and First grade students to read on the 100th day of school.
Rocket diligently collects items for his 100th day of school.  His new friend squirrel permits him to store the items in his home.  When the 100th day of school arrives and Rocket collects his items, the five acorns are missing.  Hmm.  I wonder what happened to them?  How will Rocket find five more items quickly?
**Highly recommend!

The more difficult words are supported with pictures.  Perfect book for beginning readers.
Strategies: cross checking, accuracy/word attack strategies, predicting/confirming predictions, story elements/retelling

Who Would Win? Lobster vs.Crab by Jerry Pallotta illustrated by Rob Bolster*

This series compares two creatures, sharing facts and attributes about each one.  Then Mr. Pallotta has them combat each other and decides who will win based on their attributes.
In this book, he compares a lobster and crab.
Boys really love this series!
**Highly recommend.
Text features: labels, picture captions, fact boxes, bold/colored font, headings, maps, diagrams, cross section, close ups
If I had 2nd-4th grade classroom, I would have this entire series in my classroom library. As of Feb. 2015 there are 13 titles in the series.
Guided Reading Level: P (third grade)
Teaching strategies: compare/contrast, teaching nonfiction text features

Bear and Bee by Sergio Ruzzier*

I loved this sweet story of misconceptions.
Bear wakes up from hibernation in search for honey.  But his fear of bees causes him to panic and then make a great discovery.
A perfect book to discuss schema (lack of it).
Great for beginning readers.
*Highly recommend.
I did not like Mr. Ruzzier's second book about these two characters as much as this one,

Hunters of the Great Forest by Dennis Nolan*

A wonderful addition to the "genre" of wordless books.
A group of hunters set off on an expedition.  Each one is carrying an useful object.  They encounter many kinds of danger and end up with a wonderful treasure!
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: sequencing, inferring, retelling/story elements, predicting

Dog and Bear Two's Company by Laura Vaccaro Seeger*

Three short stories about a stuffed bear and dog.
Perfect for beginning readers to build stamina.
If I taught K-1st I would add this series to my classroom library.
*Highly recommend.

Dog and Bear Three to Get Ready by Laura Vaccaro Seeger*

Three more sweet, humorous stories about a stuffed bear and a dog.
Perfect for beginning readers building stamina.
If I taught K-1st grade, I would purchase this series for the classroom.

Bee and Bear Too Busy by Sergio Ruzzier

The continuing saga of Bee and Bear.  Bee is too busy to spend time with Bear throughout the day.  Can the two friends find time to enjoy each other's company?
A perfect series for beginning/transitional readers.
I liked the first one better Bee and Bear.

Goatilocks and the Three Bears by Erica S. Perl illustrated by Arthur Howard

At first I was not impressed with this story (it seemed like it was not very original) but then the author adds some humor -goat humor!
Goatilocks (a goat with curly hair) sneaks in the bears' home to find lots of appetizing items.  Will the bears be able to forgive her?
Strategies: compare/contrast, connections

Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds illustrated by Floyd Cooper*

An African American boy narrates from his point of view how Rosa Parks refuses to move from her seat.
I loved this perspective.
*Highly recommend.

Merry Christmas, Merry Crow by Kathi Appelt illustrated by Jon Goodell

A crow is gathering various pieces of trash.  What could he want with them?
The illustrations are beautiful.

Dinner with the Highbrows by Kimberly Willis Holt illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker*

"A story about good (bad) manners"
When Bernard Worrywart is invited to the Highbrows (who live in a fancy house), his mother spends a week teaching him manners before he eats with such high society.
A funny book to gently teach manners!

The Hardy Boys Secret File #7 The Disappearing Dog by Franklin W. Dixon illustrated by Scott Buroughs*

Frank and Joe's classmate, Max, claims he can make anything disappear.  But when a prized dog keeps vanishing, Frank and Joe decide to investigate.
My second grader loves this series.  He read this book to himself.
*Highly recommend series.
Guided Reading Level: N (third grade)
If I taught 2nd-3rd grade, I would purchase this series for my classroom library.

The Story of Buildings by Patrick Dillon illustrated by Stephen Biesty*

Children who love building and architecture will pore over this book.
In the beginning the author describes the history of building and building materials.  Then majority of the book shows various famous buildings around the world and their unique characteristics and history.
Text features: fold out pages, labels, time line, diagrams, headings, subheadings, cutaways, index
*Highly recommend.

The Last King of Angor Wat by Graeme Base

The latest from Mr. Base.
Four creatures, tiger, gibbon, water buffalo and gecko all believe they could be a great ruler.  A mysterious elephant shows up and sets up a challenge.  Their reactions and choices along the journey confirm their strengths and reveal their weaknesses.
A reminder that we all need to improve in an area and life gives us a chance to change.

Big Bad Detective Agency by Bruce Hale

Some creatures has trashed the three pigs' house.  Who is the suspect?  The Big Bad Wolf, of course!  He has until sundown to prove someone else is the culprit.
A funny chapter full of sarcasm and encounters with other fairy tale/folk tale creatures.

Perfect material to use with a fairy tale/folk tale unit or when students are writing their fractured fairy tale or from a villain's point of view.

Warning/points to discuss: Some characters are not nice and some name calling (I was reading it aloud to my second grader and preschooler so for them I did not appreciate that aspect.).

The Madman of Piney Woods by Christopher Paul Curtis*

**Highly recommend.
Through a powerful story about two thirteen year old boys in the early 1900's, Mr. Curtis reveals how one's past and its hurts can either destroy one's life or transform one into a more compassionate person.
Mr. Curtis shares the prejudice of an Irish woman and her tragic past; an African American man suffering from post traumatic disorder; two boys entering manhood trying to make sense of the adult world.
Characters are very well developed.  Humor is intertwined with the serious issues.

Strategies: check for understanding/monitor reading (Red and Benji take turns telling the story-alternating chapters), synthesizing, inferring,  main idea

A companion book to Elijah of Buxton (but you can read Madman without reading this one and understand it fine.).