This adorable series ends with the ultimate celebration-a wedding! The three cousins, Lily, Rose and Tess, return to Aunt Lucy's to help with the wedding and to be in it!
Six short chapters-perfect for transitional readers.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
The cousins, Lily, Rose and Tess, have lived with Aunt Lucy for their entire fourth grade year. Now their parents are returning from their world tour with the ballet, taking the girls to their respective homes. The girls are weepy. Michael, Aunt Lucy's boyfriend, and Aunt Lucy encourage the girls to think of the future. To welcome their parents home, they plan a party. During the party an event occurs that causes much celebration for everyone!
Five shorter chapters that encourage stamina-perfect for transitional readers.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
To occupy their time over winter break, they decide to ask Mrs. White to teach them to sew. She agrees if in exchange they assist her in cleaning out a trunk. As they sort through the treasured memories, Mrs. White suggests the girls maintain a diary between the three to record their memories. Michael invites Aunt Lucy and the girls over for a winter solstice party, where they enjoy earthy food and exchange thoughtful gifts.
Three chapters -perfect for building stamina for transitional readers.
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
I have read and loved several other of Cynthia Rylant's book series. I cannot believe I have lived twenty-four years without reading this series. The people, the setting and the ideas/adventures are whimisical and ideal-a wholesome delight.
Over summer break three cousins, who live with their Aunt Lucy while their parents tour the world performing ballet, decide to start a cookie business. When they fill and deliver their orders, they meet delightful individuals-Mrs. Haverstock and her brother Michael and Mrs. White. Why does Michael blush whenever Aunt Lucy is mentioned? The girls scheme a match-up!
Although these books are for transitional readers, they are well written and include apt word choice.
**Highly, highly recommend. A six book series
Perfect for transitional readers.
-Borrowed from the library.
This picture book celebrates the energetic, dynamic nature of poems through lively poems. A great book to use when introducing poetry.
-Borrowed from the library.
Britt was a soccer star and depended on this talent for a scholarship to UCLA. Then she blew out her knee. Tests also revealed she had a condition that would prevent her from playing or paticipating in any contact sport/activity. Amazingly, her English teacher, who is wealthy, offers her and three other students a chance to win ten thousand dollars. The students would travel to England, participate in a literary scavenger hunt, and write journal entries about their experience. Britt is not a scholar but is competitive and needs that ten thousand dollars! Along the way she meets Luke, a British teen with wit, sensitivity and dimples. Love was not in her plans!
As I was reading this novel, I realized I do not like romance novels. A bit of romance woven into historical fiction, fantasy, and other genres is fine. .. but not novels that focus mostly on romance!
In the acknowledgements, the author gives the impression that she is a Christian.
Consideration/Warning: Descriptions of Britt and Luke "falling in love" and kissing are detailed. The novel is labeled "YA"-young adult.
Fans of Brambly Hedge series by Jill Barklem will also love the Thimbleberry Stories. Nigel the chipmunk thrives on maintaining in his cozy cottage on Thimbleberry Lane. Although he prefers to stay home, he also ventures out into the countryside to visit his friends Little Owl, Claudis, Copper, and Mudpuppy. The illustrations by British artist, Maggie Kneen, are delightful. I especially adore the border illustrations. They add whimsy.
My main reason for reading this book was to add to my book list for beginning readers. However, the word choice, sentence complexity, and amount of words on a page are not ideal for beginning or struggling readers. It would be a good choice for transitional readers who are beginning to read longer chapter books. I would recommend it also for younger advanced readers and for reading aloud to astute toddlers and preschoolers.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Wallace and Grace own and operate a Night Owl Detective Agency. Edgar the rabbit asks them to chase away a ghost he spied in the garden while he was eating kale. Wallace and Grace are scared but take the case.
Colorful illustrations will appeal to transitional readers.
*Highly recommend for building stamina.
Six books in the series.
-Borrowed from the library.
Nicky's Uncle Everton drops off his dog for her before he travels the world. Barkus is the perfect dog-smart, does tricks, gets along with people, only barks when he wants to, and doesn't bite. He adds spice and adventure to Nicky's life (even at school) and introduces the family to another new pet.
Lots of illustrations and simple text to support beginning/transitional readers.
3 books in the series
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Hello, Hedgehog! series (6 books in series)
Hedgehog has a new bike. He and his friend Harry have a fun time together on their "wheels".
Graphic novel style/comic book style. The short chapters will appeal to new readers or reluctant readers.
Perfect for building fluency & stamina. Also perfect for paired reading-one person reads Hedgehog's lines and another reads Harry's lines.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
Award-winner-Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner
Charlie and Mouse are energetic, imaginative brothers who will bring smiles to transitional readers. Illustrations are on most pages. Repeated phrases and words will give new readers confidence in reading chapter books.
As of now there are five books in the series. In August 2022 a sixth book will be published, Charlie & Mouse Are Magic. The illustrator used to live in Hawaii. The illustrations depict that Charlie and Mouse live in an area like Hawaii.
*Highly recommend.
Consider: In book #1, Charlie and Mouse visit their neighbors. One house they visit belongs to Mr. Erik and Mr. Michael. These neighbors are not mentioned in the books #2-5.
Award-winner- Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor
Told from perspective of King, a dog, this sweet story for transitional readers involves King's favorite peanut butter treats which go missing. Kayla thinks he snitched them. Can King find the real thief?
*Highly recommend. Five short chapters will build transitional reader's stamina and confidence. So far this series has seven books. In August 2022, the eighth book will be available called, King and Kayla and the Case of the Lost Library Book.
-Borrowed from the library.
This picture book is based on Phillip Keller's book, Lessons from a Sheep Dog.
Lass is a neglected dog living in the city. Mr. Keller sees an ad for her in the newspaper and buys her, hoping to train as his sheep dog. With love and patience he wins Lass's loyalty and affection. Mr. Keller links the relationship he has with his sheep dog to how believers love and obey Christ. After each chapter, Mr. Gebauer provides discussion questions and explanations about the connections. He also created more dicussion questions for after the story. Themes for each chapter are also highlighted.
After reading Phillip Keller's book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, I wanted to read more books by him. Unfortunately, the county's library system does not have any of his books. I requested this picture book via inter-library loan.
*Highly recommend.
Award Winner: Will Eisner Award (for creative achievement in American comic books)
Narwhal and Jellyfish meet for the first time, not really believing that the other creature is real.
Three short chapters in graphic novel format Seven books in the series (so far-#7 coming this fall 2022)
Point to discuss: old earth view: pg. 22 "Jellyfish have been around for millions of years. Well before dinosaurs!"
Strategies: fluency (two people can read aloud together-one person can be Narwhal and the other person can read Jellyfish's "lines"), stamina
*Highly recommend for beginning readers and reluctant readers
-Borrowed from the library
Eva decides to celebrate spring by organizing the first ever Bloomtastic Festival. Through diary format, Eva shares her dilemmas as she tries to plan and implement the festival by herself.
I found the story and characters superficial. I am trying to find series for transitional readers that are clever and that value children as intelligent humans. This one won't be making the list!
Sixteen books in the series so far.
Points to discuss: One owl, Sue Clawson, is mean to Eva. Eva also says not nice comments about her. Their relationship is somewhat improved by the end of the book.
72 pages long with lots of sketches and space on the page
-Borrowed from the library.
The life-cycle of a queen rusty-patched bumble bee is displayed in this book featuring scratchboard illustrations. The wonder of this bee points to an amazing Creator! Additional facts are included in the back. I did not know that native bees (like the rusty-patched bumble bee) are better pollinators than honey bees. Buzz pollination is also an interesting ability!
-Borrowed from the library.
*Award winner- Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Winner-YALSA-ALA
Part of her Medical Fiascoes series
What a fascinating and immersive book! As I was reading this to myself, I would read aloud parts to my oldest son and also to my husband (whoever was in the same room as me!).
Ms. Jarrow writes about President Garfield and his killer, Charles Guiteau, in such an entertaining and engaging manner, one forgets the book is nonfiction! She reinforces how interesting history is. Although she reveals both men's upbringings, she focuses mainly on the political climate, the reason behind the plot to kill Garfield, the actual assissination and then the medical community's failing attempt to properly care for Garfield. At times it is graphic (his medical condition, medical procedures etc), so sensitive readers may not enjoy those details. Sidenotes abound, strengthening the fact that history involves many enthralling rabbit trails!
**Highly, highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library. I asked my local library director to buy this book for our library. She did!
Carol does not want to spend the summer prior to her seventh grade year in the middle of a New Mexico desert on her grandfather's decrepit sheep ranch. Tempers flare; tension mounts. Carol, her parents, her half-sister and toddler brother are repairing the ranch in order to sell it. Her grandfather has dementia and needs to move into a care facility. Despite her misgivings about the summer, Carol (or Caro-leeen-a, as her grandfather says), finds herself drawn to her grandfather and his stories.
An interesting mix of realistic fiction and fantasy. I enjoyed the grandfather's stories and the repeated theme of being proud of one's roots. Ms. Eagar has written an unique story. I found the end a bit dramatic.
Points to discuss: estranged family members/family conflict, dad drinks beer sometimes, big bang theory/evolution considered truth, death- a beloved character dies and also a pet dog, petty junior high girls and their shallow interests/fitting in, her half-sister, Alta, is moody and selfish
2nd edition (revised and update)-2020
To refresh and to improve my knowledge about dyslexia, I am reading a couple of books about it. Although I did not read this entire book, I learned a lot! Since I will be assessing an elementary student's reading capabilities soon, I wanted to be aware of the signs of dyslexia. As a result, I focused my reading on diagnosing and how to help them learn to read. The authors make the information accessible.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
I liked this book better than Mrs. Adachi's original book!
Using her Lazy Genius principles in the kitchen, Mrs. Adachi helps readers to identify problem areas and to build routines and habits to make anything kitchen/food related less stressful and more enjoyable. Every section she includes five Lazy Genius steps: prioritize, essentialize, organize, personalize, and systemize. Part One defines these five concepts. Part Two applies them to space, meals, planning, food, prep, and table. Part Three applies them to techniques, taste, tools, tasks, and tips. The book would be worth buying for just Part Three!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
As a girl seaches for shells and walks the beach, she describes her contemplative time with her grandparents at their beach house. The main character's favorite shell is a junonia (not stated but depicted in the illustrations). As a result, it pairs perfectly with Junonia, a chapter book also by Kevin Henkes.
Beautiful acrylic illustrations.
A great book to instill and to encourage wonder and appreciation for God's vast creation.
Point to discuss: In the illustrations, an old-earth view is purported.
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.
Every year for her birthday, Alice and her parents leave gray Wisconsin for Florida's warmth. This year she will be celebrating her tenth birthday. Looking forward to commemorating the passage to double digits with "her" people: the Wishmeiers and their grandchildren, Helen Blair from NYC, Mr. Barden, who is in his nineties, and Kate, her mom's college friend, Alice discovers this year the guest list and the routines will be disturbed with a newcomer, Mallory, a six-year-old. Alice also has to deal with her intense desire to find a rare shell, the junonia.
A gentle story filled with emotional thoughts about growing up. Mr. Henkes fills the pages with descriptive, emotional language. I enjoyed reading it just for the word choice and the superb writing. I am not so sure how many kids will enjoy this slow-paced story filled with emotions.
Right after the dedication page is a two-page spread of illustrations of Florida seashells. Beautiful, apt illustrations head each chapter.
Points to discuss: Alice decides to name God, "junonia" and declares him a female, disappointments, intense feelings/emotions, divorce and the emotions that accompany it
Pair with-Little Houses by Kevin Henkes ( a picture book about shell searching)
-Borrowed from the library.
