Nightbird by Alice Hoffman*

I could have read this book in one sitting!
Intriguing plot that weaves the past with the present plus an appealing setting (I wanted to pack my bags and wander in Twig's orchard, taste her mom's pies and help Twig and Julia revive the herb garden!!).

In the 1770's two families lived side by side in Sidwell, Mass.  The one son from one family fell in love with the one daughter from the other family.  Then the Revolutionary War broke out-the boy's family was on the Colonist side while the girl's family sided with the British.  Their families forbade them to see each other.  Despite their families' demands, they decided to run away together.  On the night of their planned escape, the boy never shows . . . the girl waits all night, all day, a week, a month, a year.  She places a curse on the boy and  future male generations-they would grow wings.

Fast forward to the present-Twig's family has a secret.  No one knows she has an older brother James .  . .who has wings.  Twig and her mother keep to themselves on the family farm and orchard.  Twig has no friends; no father.  Then a family moves in next door to Twig and starts to remodel the "witch's" house who placed the curse on Twig's family.
Is this a summer of change-for Twig to finally have a friend, to break the curse and for a long-lost father to return?
Some reviewers did not like how everything is resolved neatly and perfectly but I did!  I like nice endings where everything works out!!
**Highly recommend.  Well-written.
Apple pie recipe included in the back.
Warnings/points to discuss: witch/curse; parent separation

The Secrets of Eastcliff-by-the Sea by Eileen Beha illustrated by Sarah Jane Wright*

"The Story of Annaliese Easterling and Throckmorton-Her Remarkable Sock Monkey"
Throckmorton, a sock monkey, was made lovingly by Annaliese's great grandmama and given to her the day she was born.
Throckmorton brings Annaliese much joy in an otherwise somber, joyless household.  Motherless, friendless, Annaliese confides in Throckmorton daily.  She longs to know more about her mother but her father, Judge Easterling, forbids the mention of her name.
Then Great-Grandmama Easterling invites all the sock monkeys she has ever made and their owners to her 90th birthday party.  At the party and days that follow many secrets are discovered and many hurts are forgiven.
All because a sock monkey is who is he suppose to be: loving, loyal, very good listener, and forever smiling!
**The story is told from the sock monkey's point of view.
Points to discuss: The punch at the party is supposedly spiked and the boys rather enjoy it!!  Divorce/parent abandonment.

By Mouse and Frog by Deborah Freedman*

Mouse begins her day wanting to write a story.  To her dismay, Frog keeps interrupting her ideas and creating havoc!
Great book to practice fluency (think Reader's Theater!).
Strategy: fluency (expression, punctuation)
We enjoyed the humor in this book!
*Highly recommend.

You Nest Here with Me by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple illustrated by Melissa Sweet*

Ms. Yolen is Ms. Stemple's mother.
In this rhyming book, they share how various birds nest and constantly bring it back to the mother tucking in her daughter into bed with the refrain, "But you nest here with me.".
Although this book is simple enough for a toddler to enjoy, the listener can learn about birds.
I loved how in the back the authors and illustrator provided a two page spread with more information about the birds featured in the book.
*Highly recommend.

Sheep Go to Sleep by Nancy Shaw illustrated by Margot Apple*

The newest addition to Ms. Shaw's sheep books!
Sheep cannot fall asleep.  Who will help them?  A loyal collie, of course!
At the end Ms. Shaw references the nursery rhyme "Little Boy Blue" so an opportunity to make a text to text connection.
A great bedtime story.
Perfect to use when teaching "long e" and word families.
*Highly recommend.

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

Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman illustrated by Zachariah OHora

When the Bunny family finds a baby wolf wrapped in a bundle on their doorstep, they immediately are smitten.  No one listens to the voice of reason-Dot, the daughter-who proclaims, "He's going to eat us all up!".  She perseveres with her warnings throughout the story until she and Wolfie are alone at the Carrot Patch (ie grocery store) and encounter a bear.
Some surprises which make the story fun to read/share as a read aloud!
Mr. OHora wrote and illustrated Stop Snoring, Bernard!  It is great to view his illustrations again.
*Highly recommend.
Strategies: predicting, character traits, word choice/expanding vocab.