A Light in the Attic poems and illustrations by Shel Silverstein

Humorous, unique poems with interesting illustrations!

Some poems I did not care for ("Kidnapped", "They've Put a  Brassiere on a the Camel") nor did I like the use of the word "stupid" throughout.

-We own this book.

The Green Ember #1 by S.D. Smith illustrated by Zach Franzen*

Heather and Picket, both rabbits, have spent their childhood days romping in the meadow behind their elm tree home and listening to father's stories about good King Jupiter.  Then one day a mysterious lady rabbit visits their home to talk with their parents and the children are sent to "pick berries".  To their horror, their beloved home is soon in flames and wolves descend into the meadow.  Fearing for their lives, the two siblings run to discover their parents have kept family secrets and even world secrets from them.
During their frantic escape, they meet underground, secret citadels where rabbits are congregating and preparing to overcome the evil that pervades their world.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library (but it was an inter-library loan-not from my county).
Part of a series.

The Weapon of Prayer by E.M. Bounds

Passionately, Mr. Bounds makes a case for prayer.
I highlighted a lot of thought-provoking statements throughout this book.  I do not totally agree with all of Mr. Bounds' theology (that we can change God's mind via prayer . . .what are his views about God's sovereignty?) but this book really compelled me to think.
-I own this book.

King Stork by Howard Pyle illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman

A drummer, walking home from the wars, puts aside his weariness to carry an elderly gentleman across the river.  Once across, the withered elderly man transforms into a tall, handsome man who is really the king of storks.  To reward him, the king gives the drummer a bone whistle and feather which have magical properties.
The drummer continues his trek into a town where he reads a proclamation-"If any man can outwit the clever princess, he could have her as a wife plus half the kingdom.  If he, however, fails at any task, he will be beheaded".  The drummer decides to accept the challenge and is forever grateful for the magical whistle and feather.
I was excited to read this story aloud to my boys but will have to refrain from doing so!!
The illustrations are beautiful but Ms. Hyman has adorned the princess with a gown that exposes her chest and even nipples through the cloth.  The drummer also beats the princess at the end with a switch.
Warning: scantily clad princess (chest), the drummer beats the evil out of the princess (when he is beating her she turns into a cat, wolf and then snake), heads of men who failed at outwitting the princess are displayed in an illustration .
-Borrowed from the library.

I Survived The Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980 by Lauren Tarshis illustrated by Scott Dawson

Ms. Tarshis originally began this series because her three sons did not like to read.  It seemed to her that there were tons of books that appealed to girl readers but not boys.  So she created a series which would encourage reluctant boy readers to pick up a book and enjoy it.  She was very successful.
Some girls, however, wrote to her and asked why there were not girl main characters in this series.  As a result, Ms. Tarshis decided to have a girl as a main character in her latest book.
In my opinion, books with strong female characters abound and was greatly disappointed to see this switch!
Jessie and her best friends, twin brothers Sam and Eddie, find themselves within miles of Mount St. Helen's when it erupts.  With determination, Jessie escapes the rubble and finds help to rescue her friends.
-Borrowed from the library.
Perfect for reluctant readers.
Guided Reading Level: R (beginning of 4th grade)
Grade Level Equivalent: 4th

Moo by Sharon Creech*

A novel in verse.
Twelve year old Reena and her family move from a huge city to rural Maine after her father loses his job.  The family "befriends" (against Reena and her brother Luke's will) a peculiar neighbor lady, Mrs. Falala.  Their parents "volunteer" the children to take care of her cow, Zora.  Reena discovers as she mucks out the barn and works with obstinate Zora that she loves the job and even shows Zora in the local fair.  Luke, meanwhile, overcomes his fear of Mrs. Falala by teaching her how to draw.
Although one part of the book is sad, the overall tone of the story is delightful and refreshing.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Candymakers by Wendy Mass*

Twelve year old Logan who has never left his parents' candy factory, Life Is Sweet, competes in the Confectionery Associations' annual contest to create a new kind of candy.  Three other twelve year olds from his town arrive at the factory to learn the basics of candy making and to create their candy with the assistance of the factory's experts.
The four tweens develop an unlikely friendship when they realize someone is trying to sabotage the Life Is Sweet factory.
Ms. Mass slowly reveals each character's story and why he or she reacts in certain ways, disclosing a few mysteries along the way.
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.5
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.
I will soon be reading the sequel-The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase.
Strategies: predicting, inferring, check for understanding (the book is divided into each character's point of view so the reader needs to monitor, stop and check for understanding)

Points to discuss: Miles witnessed a drowning and is obsessed with the "afterlife" and what he could have done to save the girl who drowned.  Some lying occurs.