Matilda by Roald Dahl illustrated by Quentin Blake*

I read this aloud to my boys, and we liked it so much we read it throughout the day (usually we read just before bed).  Mr. Dahl is a superb, captivating writer.  Some books are painful and difficult to read aloud, but the words from this book easily roll off the tongue.  It was a delight to read aloud!

5 1/2 year old Matilda is a genius.  Her family, however, disregards her gifts.  When she enters school, her teacher, Miss Honey, recognizes her intelligence and soon befriends her.  Life at school would be wonderful except the school's headmistress, Miss Trunchbull,  is a terror.  Her behavior is so unbelievable parents do not believe their children's complaints plus the teachers fear her so do not challenge her.
Then Miss Honey confides in Matilda about her childhood and Matilda knows she needs to do something to rescue Miss Honey from her plight.
We will soon watch the DVD to compare it to the book.
*Highly recommend but read the warnings.
-I own this book.
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Warnings: Miss Trunchbull is cruel and physically abuses the students (in atypical, grandiose ways-like holding them up by their ears, throwing them by their pigtails etc); suicide is mentioned; inferred murder; the word a** is mentioned; Matilda's dad is crook and boasts about his lies and cheating lifestyle.

The Kingdom of Fantasy #8-The Hour of Magic by Geronimo Stilton*

My fourth grader read this book to himself in one day!
Geronimo returns to the Kingdom of Fantasy to figure out why the Timepiece was spinning faster and faster and causing Blossom, the Queen of Fairies,  to age.  
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommended by my fourth grader.
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4

The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies*

My six year old really wanted me to read this aloud to him and his older brother (his older brother could have read it to himself no problem) so I did.
Evan Treski is mad.  His eight year old sister,  Jessie,  is so smart while he struggles in every area at school.  Now, with five days until school begins for the year, he discovers that his sister is skipping third grade, will be entering fourth grade and will be in HIS class!  His jealousy and insecurities mask themselves in anger and meanness.  He says some cruel words and begins The Lemonade War.  Whoever sells the most lemonade by Sunday, takes the loser's earnings.
The competition becomes really fierce and both Evan and Jessie have to live with the severe consequences to their actions.
The chapters alternate between the two sibling's point of view.
An economics/business word is each chapter's title.  The word is defined too.
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.1
Points to discuss/warnings: Evan and Jessie's dad left them and their mom a couple of years ago.  Both of them say really mean words to each other and are quite cruel to each other ("I hate you" and words like "stupid" "dumb" "jerk" are frequently used). Lying occurs and keeping things from their mother is frequent.
I was able to discuss the importance of not jumping to conclusions and the importance of communicating with my sons through this story.  I also pointed out how jealousy fosters anger and horrible acts.
My oldest son did not enjoy how meanly the siblings treated each other.
*Highly recommend but be prepared to discuss warnings above.
-We own this book.
*First book in a series. http://www.lemonadewar.com/

I Survived The Hindenburg Disaster, 1937 by Lauren Tarshis*

Hugo, his parents, his four year old sister Gertie and their dog Panya are traveling from Frankfurt, Germany to  New York on the Hindenburg.  After spending a year in Africa, the family is returning to New York because Gertie is sick with malaria.  As Hugo enjoys the accommodations on the Hindenburg and explores with his  new friend, Marty, he learns there is a spy aboard and if he/she is discovered, the Nazis will shoot him/her on the spot.  Little does he know that greater danger awaits him.
*Highly recommend.
*We own this book.
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Recommended for reluctant readers and boy readers.
I especially liked Ms. Tarshis' question/answer section about the Hindenburg in the back as I did not know much about zeppelins or the Hindenburg.  She also shares other books about the topic that will appeal to readers if they want to learn more about the subject.
This series is one of my favorites for elementary readers.

Room One by Andrew Clements*

This week we listened to this book on CD as we traveled to and from school.
My third grader picked out this audio book.

Ted Hammond lives in a small town, Plattsford, Nebraska.  He attends school at the Learning Center where all the students are in one room-Room One.  Nine students, one teacher can be found learning in Room One (and once a week cleaning inside and outside their school since there is no money for a custodian or maintenance crew!).
Ted is the only sixth grader so when his teacher, Mrs. Mitchell, is meeting with other students, he buries himself in mystery books.
Then one morning during his paper route, he spies a girl's face in a window of an abandoned farm.  What is she doing there?  Ted is determined to find out.   A real mystery to test out his detective skills!

His teacher Mrs. Mitchell is dealing with her own problems.  Once the four eight graders move onto high school next year, the board is thinking about shutting down the school.  Everyone knows if the school dies, the town dies.

Can two seemingly different problems be resolved with the same solution?

I really appreciated how Mr. Clements created an admirable character in Ted.  So many characters for this age group are snarky and rude.  Ted is honest, hard working, kind and a problem solver.
*Highly recommend.
Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 5th grade
Borrowed from the library.

The Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab

This book has all the components of a Hallmark movie!
Each  December a Christmas tree appears in the middle of the small town, Pine River.  Town residents then write down Christmas wishes and hang them on the tree. Various individuals then select the wishes and make them come true!
Four children and their life circumstances are featured in this book.  Each of them doubt that their wishes will be granted . . . healing for a seeing-eye dog has cancer, a family needs a new home, a boy longs for his mother who is overseas fighting for the country, and a girl wishes her grandmother would value how she has been created.  Then the four children come together, determined to discover who is behind the Christmas wish tree each year.
A sweet story of friendship and belonging.
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4
I own this book.

Geronimo Stilton The Enchanted Charms (The Seventh Adventure in the Kingdom of Fantasy)*

My eight year decided not to buy toys with his spending money but this book and another book!  He loves this Kingdom of Fantasy series!  This is his review.
"He went to find seven enchanted charms so he defeat the wizard of the Black Pearl.  He liked it because it was exciting and he defeated the wizard of the Black Pearl."
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4th grade

Geronimo Stilton -The Search for Treasure -The Sixth Adventure in the Kingdom of Fantasy*

My second grader read this book and this is his review-
Geronimo competed in a sailboat race.  While he was competing, he fell into the sea and was carried to the Land of Fantasy.  (My son just informed me in order for Geronimo to enter the Land of Fantasy he must fall asleep.)  When  he went into the ocean, an evil witch (even more evil than Cackle) was chasing him.  His task was to find the red ruby and the sapphire gem and put them together so there would be peace forever in the Kingdom of Fantasy.
It was very exciting!

Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4th

The Amazing Voyage #3-in The Kingdom of Fantasy by Geronimo Stilton

My son is devouring the books in this Kingdom of Fantasy series.
He said-Geronimo received an armored suit from a talking boat named Horizon (who was made from the talking forest).  He traveled to the land of nightmares which use to be the land of dreams but when Crackle, the queen of witches took it over, she transformed it into nightmares.  Geronimo is to save the the queen of fairies-Blossom and destroy the black dragon.  With his sword of light, Geronimo destroys the black dragon, rescues Blossom and restores the kingdom to peace and goodness.
*Highly recommend.
Warnings/points to discuss: witches, nightmares
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)

I Am Walt Disney #11 by Grace Norwich illustrated by Phil Parks*

Beginning with Walt Disney's childhood, Ms. Norwich shows how Disney developed a hard work ethic at a young age and how he pursued his dreams despite a lot of set backs.
Written in an interesting manner which will keep even reluctant readers' attention.
Text features: table of contents, introduction, bold font, character overview, time line, picture captions, photos, fact boxes, headings, two sections of extra fun facts about Disney, glossary, places to visit, index
*Highly recommend
Lots of other titles in the series-Sacagawea, Albert Einstein, Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr., George Washington, Harriet Tubman, George Lucas, Roberto Clemente, John F. Kennedy.
A must series for any 2nd-5th grade classroom!
Guided Reading Level: S (4th/5th)
Grade Level Equivalency: 5th grade

The Return of the Dragon by Rebecca Rupp*

Sequel to The Dragon of Lonely Island.
The children return to the island and Fafnyr.  Once again they listen to his stories but his existence may be threatened by a wealthy man.
My second grader read this to himself (years earlier I had read it aloud to him).  He said he enjoyed the second one even more than the first one.  He asked if a third book was published.
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalency: 6.7

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to NOT Reading by Tommy Greenwald illustrated by J.P. Coovert

Charlie Joe despises reading.  He will do anything, ANYTHING to prevent him from reading.  This book relates the measures he takes to avoid reading and the consequences he experiences from his decisions . . .including losing a girl he has liked forever!
He graciously includes 25 non-reading tips.
Typically middle school drama.
Mr. Greenwald has developed an interesting character---you leave the book liking Charlie Joe a lot, even if you disagree with his view of reading!
Guided Reading Level: S (4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalency: 5.4