Tom Swift Young Inventor #3 The Space Hotel by Victor Appleton*

My third grader read this book to himself.  He is really enjoying this series.
Since Tom's father's business, Swift Enterprises was a major investor in the world's first space hotel (APOGEE), Tom and Sandy (his young sister) are one of the first guests to view it.  Of course, as he and his sister enjoy the new technology, Tom uncovers a sinister plot he must foil.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
Reading Level: 5.7

Amon's Adventure by Arnold Ytreeide*

A Family Story for Easter
Amon, Jotham's son (from Jotham's Journey),  is now a man according to the Jewish custom.  Little does he know how fast he will be required to mature as his father is falsely accused and sent to be crucified.  Then he must wrestle with his faith, belief in Jehovah and this man called Jesus as he encounters evil within the Jewish religion.
Very exciting!  My boys loved it!
They liked Jotham's Journey better than this one, though.
We own this book.
*Highly recommend.

Creepy Critters- Worms by Sian Smith*

*Highly recommend.
Perfect nonfiction book about worms for toddlers and preschoolers.   Large photographs and rhyming text make this book wonderful to share with a large group of little ones.
Text features: table of contents, headings, photographs, close up, labels
*Borrowed from the library.

Inside the Worm's Hole by Meish Goldish*

"Snug as a Bug Where Bugs Live" series
Informative photographs and text relate how beneficial and wonderful worms are!
Text features: diagrams, labels, photographs, close ups, fact magnifying lenses, maps, headings, table of contents, cross sections/cutaways, glossary ("science words"), index, read more.
Also included is a "science lab" idea to extend the learning.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
Part of a series-Inside the Ants' Nest, Inside the Spider's Web, Inside the Bees' Hive, Inside the Tarantula's Burrow and Inside the Cricket's Burrow. 

Yukon Sled Dog by Judith Janda Presnall illustrated by Mark Elliott

The author shares how a sled dog is trained from birth through the actual race.
On the last page the author offers the history of sled dogs and their training and  the Iditarod.
*Borrowed from the library.

The Really Groovy Story of the Tortoise and the Hare by Kristyn Crow illustrated by Christina Forshay

The hare and the tortoise bump into each other at the county fair and challenge each other to a race.  The ending results in an unexpected friendship.
*Borrowed from the library.
Strategy: connections (T-T)

The Race of the Century retold and illustrated by Barry Downard

Through odd, humorous photographs and illustrations, the traditional tale is retold.  The media builds excitement and prolongs the Hare's agony!
*Borrowed from the library.
Strategy: connections (T-T)

Bad Boys Get Cookie by Margie Paltini illustrated by Henry Cole

The two "Bad Boys" (the wolves from fairy/folktales) adorn their fedoras to help the baker "find" his runaway cookie.  Their sweet teeth (? the author says "sweet tooths") dictate their humorous chase.  Other fairy tale/folk tale creatures appear adding humor and connections.
Strategies: inferring, connections (T-T)
*Borrowed from the library.
Pair with the first book-Bad Boys 

The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story by Jan and Mike Berenstain

Brother, Sister and Honey Bear are anticipating Easter and the promise of candy!  Once at church, their Sunday School teacher and the drama performed by the bear teens redirects their focus.
*Borrowed from the library.

Maybe a Fox by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee

Sylvie is Julies older sister (by one  year) and has kept the memory of their alive for Jules.  Together the girls throw wish rocks into the river behind their Vermont home despite it is one their father's "do not" rules.  Sylvie always has the same wish- "to run faster". She runs everywhere and can only slow herself down by holding onto objects (or Jules).  One morning before school, Sylvie runs through the snow to the Slip and never returns.  A root hidden by the freshly fallen snow caused her to trip and fall into the river and drown.
Jules and her father suffer in their grief.
Meanwhile, in the woods behind the yellow home, are wild creatures with destinies.  The bear, ransacking Mr. Archer's farm and neighbors' garbage plays a vital role, unbeknownst to him.  All he cares about his stomach.  The catamount, a large cat, silently follows a war-torn veteran who is mourning his best friend, also a war veteran.  Then, Senna, a vixen, knows she was born a spirit animal who must run, run faster and keep Jules safe.
All the worlds collide for a breath-taking ending yet a sad one.
Points to discuss/warnings: death/grief/anger, spirit animals, Sylvie and Jules wonder what happens after you die and discuss how "maybe turn into wind" maybe you turn into a fox and run, run and run".  Spoiler Alert- Senna is really Sylvie's spirit who saves Jules from falling into the Slip and drowning too.
I really liked the book and thought it was well-written.  It was just so sad!!
*Borrowed from the library.

Hero Tales Volume II by Dave and Neta Jackson*

"A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes"
The Jacksons carefully research each individual and then share his/her story in three captivating narratives.  Before each set of three stories, there is a short biography of the person's entire life.  Each narrative is labeled with a character trait focus.  At the end of each narrative is a verse and questions to delve deeper into meaning.
Individuals featured in this book:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Bunyan, Peter Cartwright, Jim Elliot, Elizabeth Fry, Festo Kivengere, Eric Liddell, Watchman Nee, John Newton, Florence Nightingale, John Perkins, Amanda Smith, Corrie ten Boom, Cameron Townsend, David Zeisberger
**Highly, highly recommend.
We own this book.

The Rain Stomper by Addie Boswell illustrated by Eric Velasquez*

It is the first day of spring and Jazmin is excited to welcome it with a parade in which she will twirl her baton.  To her dismay, a thunderstorm quickly squelches any hope for a parade.  With plenty of onomatopoeia and personification, Ms. Boswell portrays the intensity of the storm.  Jazmin reveals her frustration and also her spirited-personality by venturing out into the storm and becoming a "rain stomper".
Mr. Velasquez exhibits Jazmin's intensity well and also depicts her active stances in a realistic manner.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
Strategies: connections (T-S), figurative language (personification, onomatopoeia) 

Bloom by Doreen Cronin illustrated by David Small*

This book is a bit different from Ms. Cronin's typical stories!!
In a glass kingdom, Bloom, a powerful fairy, is banished because she leaves a trail of mud and dirt wherever she treads.
The fragile kingdom is soon in disrepair.   So the king and queen search for Bloom so she can work her magic.  The royal figures, however, do not like her solution---mud--and leave in disgust.  With desperation, they send their least intrusive kingdom member-Genevieve.  Once Genevieve finds Bloom, Bloom quickly teaches her the solution to the problem and ultimately teaches her that "there is no such thing as an ordinary girl".
*Highly recommend.
A fun story!
Strategy: inferring author's message/fable moral
*Borrowed from the library.

The Legend of the Sand Dollar by Chris Auer illustrated by Rick Johnson

An Inspirational Story of Hope for Easter
Kerry is disappointed that she is going to be separated a couple of days from her parents during her Easter vacation.  Upon arriving at the beach, her cousin Jack distracts her from the sadness with a glorious boat ride to an island where he shares the legend of the sand dollar and its correlation to Christ and a relationship with Him.
I had never heard of the included poem about sand dollars and the legend.
The story was not well developed and just served as a very shaky foundation to share the legend.
*Borrowed from the library.

The Worm Family by Tony Johnston illustrated by Stacy Innerst

The seven members of the worm family move from location to location, desperately trying to find a home where other creatures will accept and appreciate them.  Is there any place where all creatures believe that a worm is "an utterly Glorious Thing"?
*Borrowed from the library.

Beasts of Olympus -Steeds of the Gods #3 by Lucy Coats illustrated by Brett Bean

Pandemonius, the son of Pan, cares for the animals at Mount Olympus' stable.  Then Poseidon asks him to care for his Hippocamps who are ill.  During his visit in the ocean, Pandemonius meets a new friend, Eunice who longs to care for the Hippocamps instead of brushing Amphitrite's hair.  Impressed with Pandemonius' care, Poseidon demands that he train his Hippocamps for a race versus Helios' horses.
Then Helios approaches Pandemonius for help too.  How can he please both gods at the same time?
Warning: The author refers to Pandemonius as "Demon" throughout the entire book.  It really bothered me as I read it.  He was not a demon working for Hades but just reading the name "Demon" left me unsettled.  Pandemonius also uses a special mixture to help the horses run faster- a bit of cheating?  Words like "stupid" and "brat" are utilized throughout the story.
*Borrowed from a teacher.
This is the 3rd book in the series.
Guided Reading Level: Q (beginning 4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.5

Miracle Man The Story of Jesus by John Hendrix**

**Highly, highly recommend.
Through rich, insightful illustrations and powerful stories of Jesus, Mr. Hendrix shares his love for the Savior and how His miracle of eternal life continues.
The illustrations contain symbolism so be careful to examine.  My third grader noticed aspects to the illustrations that I missed as I focused on reading aloud the text.  This is a book to be relished, reread and shared many times.
The author's note is a must read too.
A Master Piece!
We own this book.

Thunder-Boomer! by Shutta Crum illustrated by Carol Thompson*

The heat is oppressive at the farm.  Mom declares that they need a "thunder-boomer" to bring reprieve.
When one arrives, everyone dashes to the house for cover.  The narrator's favorite chicken, Maizey, however, is still out in the storm.  When dad rescues her, she seems annoyed.  What is she hiding?  Cute ending.
The title is cleverly designed.
Lots of onomatopoeia words!  A perfect book to share when introducing onomatopoeia words.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.

Guess Who, Haiku by Deanna Caswell illustrated by Bob Shea*

Through Haiku, Ms. Caswell gives readers the chance to guess which animal it represents.  The illustrations also give clues. This book was too easy for my kindergartner.  For preschool-1st graders, I recommend not showing the illustrations.
A great book to use when introducing inferring to a younger audience.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
Strategies: predicting, inferring

The Wheels on the Race Car by Alexander Zane illustrated by James Warhola*

Taking the familiar tune "The Wheels on the Bus", Mr. Zane changes the words to fit a race car scene.
End pages recommend motions for each verse.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
Am planning to use for "race" theme for summer reading program at the library.

Hurry Up and Slow Down by Layn Marlow

Hare approaches life with quickness while Tortoise meanders through each activity.  Then Hare asks Tortoise to read their favorite book aloud . . .Tortoise really wants to drink his chamomile tea.  Which approach will choose?!
I like the illustrations even more than the story!
*Borrowed from the library.