MRS. HARKNESS AND THE PANDA by Alicia Potter

Fantastic non-fiction book about the discovery of the panda bear! Mr. Harness was exploring in China, looking for signs of the panda, an animal thought to be mythical. When he died on his exploration, his wife decided to take up the search, even though women were not explorers in those days. She was eventually successful, and brought the first panda to the United States. 

Such a great story! Cute animals, inspiring love, and a great example for girls and boys about pursuing your passions and your dreams.

5 out of 5 stars

AR Reading level of 3.5

THE MAP TRAP by Andrew Clements

Alton is a map fanatic. He makes maps of the usual stuff like directions and where things are located. But he also makes secret maps - like who the popular kids are or what food in the cafeteria makes people sick. When Alton's secret maps go missing and are held for ransom, Alton better act quickly before the secret maps go public and ruin everything.

If you accept the definition of "geek" as someone who is passionate about something cool and smart, this is a "geek" story. The map things are very cool and I loved reading about Alton and his passion. I even learned about geocaching, something I think my students would find cool. This is a great school story about friendship, social behavior. The solution to Alton's problem was great, too.

4 out of 5 stars
AR Reading level of 5.3

THE YETI FILES: MEET THE BIGFEET by Kevin Sherry

Blizz the Yeti and his Bigfeet family are having a family reunion. Blizz is determined to find his missing cousin, Brian, and keep his family from the prying eyes of a cryptozoologist who wants to the world to know about the Bigfeet.

A fun, silly book that will be part of our fall Scholastic Book Fair. There's lots to see in the illustrations, which makes this great for young readers ready to try out chapter books. There are talking animal and mythical creatures like a North Pole Elf and a unicorn. Plenty of "kid humor" like bathroom behavior, etc. I think this is sure to be a hit with my students!

4 out of 5 stars
AR Reading level of 2.9

THE CASE OF THE STOLEN SIXPENCE by Holly Webb

Maisie Hitchins longs to be a detective like the famous detective, Gilbert Carrington, who lives nearby. Before she knows it, Maisie has TWO cases to work on - the mystery of who tried to drown a puppy and the mystery of who is stealing money from the butcher.

This was excellent! Because Maisie's grandmother is a landlord, the people boarding with her bring interesting contributions to the story. The results of her investigations aren't quite with Maisie was expecting but they are satisfying anyway. The illustrations are cute and really add to the story. I am looking forward to adding this book to the school library. The next book in the series (pictured below) releases on March 3, 2015

5 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 4.8

I SURVIVED THE DESTRUCTION OF POMPEII, 79AD by Lauren Tarshis

Marcus and his father are slaves in Pompeii in 79 AD. They are eager to escape their ruthless captors, but when they discover the rumblings of Mt. Vesuvius are hinting at something much more dangerous than some shaky ground, they want more than freedom from slavery. They want to escape Pompeii before it is too late.

This was a great father/son story that included interesting information about the history of the Roman empire. Includes a description of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius as well as a believable explanation of how a slave would have been able to read the signs about what was about to happen. A fantastic addition to this popular series!

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 5.1

Next book in the series releases on February 24, 2015. A "True Stories" book is out now.

   
 

LOOT by Jude Watson

March and his dad live a free-wheeling, chaotic life as thieves, but when his dad dies on a job, March is on his own and on the run. He makes some friends, find a long lost sister he never knew, and embarks on a series of heists that could lead to his death.

This was a great con/heist story with plenty of tension and adventure. For the four main characters, life has made it hard to trust anyone, even each other, which  adds a great layer to the tension of the story. Plenty of set up here for sequel.

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 4.2

ECONOMICS THROUGH INFOGRAPHICS by Karen Kenney

I love infographics and have eyed this series as a possibility for our school library for some time, but this was my first opportunity to see one up close. The format is generally one paragraph per page/topic that outlines basic information and then a visual display that digs a little deeper. Topics in this volume include factories/assembly lines, comparison costs for common products (like a Big Mac or Starbucks) in various countries, imports and exports, currency exchanges, and changes in the work force over time. Includes a glossary and index as well as recommendations for further reading on the subject. Free e-resources are also mentioned, but I did not explore those.

4 out of 5 stars
AR Reading level of 5.0

I would definitely get this series for the school library - what an enjoyable read! Some of the other books in this series are pictured below. So far there seems to be 12 books in the series.

         

* I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for free in the hope that I would review it honestly on my blog. Regardless, I only review books I enjoyed. I don’t believe in passing on negative reviews. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

THE IRON TRIAL by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

Callum Hunt is an unpopular, angry boy with a damaged leg and mysterious past. Those things define him until he is admitted to the Magisterium to study magic. Call is the worst student in the trials because his father has warned him all his life that he needed to fail the trials. But he is accepted anyway, and once there, Call starts to get a sense of who he is - but things aren't necessarily what they appear in a world filled with magic. 

Wow. This was engaging and intriguing right from the beginning.Mysteries are probed, secrets are revealed and plenty of questions are left for the next book in the series. The characters are typical teen/pre-teens dealing with issues of friends, popularity and identity as they try to decide the kind of people they want to be. Plenty of questions left to draw readers forward in search of answers. I would recommend this to fans of the Harry Potter books. This has a different tone, but a similar premise with the magical training school.

4.5 out of 5

AR Reading level of 5.6

* I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for free in the hope that I would review it honestly on my blog. Regardless, I only review books I enjoyed. I don’t believe in passing on negative reviews. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

IF YOU'RE READING THIS by Trent Reedy

Mike Wilson's dad was killed in the war in Afghanistan when Mike was a boy. Now he's almost 16, and he has a lot of questions. His life has been difficult and platitudes about how his dad was a "hero" are empty when Mike doesn't know how his dad died. Then the letters start coming - letters Mike's dad wrote to him from Afghanistan in anticipation of Mike's 16th birthday and offering advice and challenges in case his dad never made it home.

This was lovely. Mike is a great character - hard working, responsibly, with deep questions. He's trying to figure out life without his dad around and with his mom facing her own struggles. I've never been part of a family walking through deployment or losing a loved one to war, but the description seemed reasonable and realistic. The story is intense and emotional but not so detailed as to be too much for teen readers. Themes include racial tension, a budding romance, bullying, team, identity, family and responsibility.

4.5 out of 5 stars
AR Reading level of 4.6
AR Interest level of Middle Grade + (Middle school and up)

* I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for free in the hope that I would review it honestly on my blog. Regardless, I only review books I enjoyed. I don’t believe in passing on negative reviews. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

GOODNIGHT FOOTBALL by Michael Dahl

A family enjoys an evening football game.

This was so cute! The text is fairly simple. The illustrations are lovely, with great color. There's no definition of the football terms (sack, third and one, end zone); it is not an informational text (but it could have been with a little tweaking). The goal was obviously to write a goodnight story and an ode to football, family and fun at the game. The family at the center of the story seems to be African-American, and the crowd illustrations show some diversity. Bottom line: This is a cozy lap book, perfect for football season. It would work for fans of high school, college and/or professional football.

4 out of 5 stars
AR Reading level of 1.8

* I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for free in the hope that I would review it honestly on my blog. Regardless, I only review books I enjoyed. I don’t believe in passing on negative reviews. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

LEROY NINKER SADDLES UP by Kate DiCamillo

Leroy Ninker, reformed thief from the Mercy Watson series, is a cowboy in need of a horse - and he finds Maybelline through a newspaper ad. She may be old and missing some teeth, but Leroy loves her. There are three rules to life with Maybelline, though, and there will be trouble if Leroy forgets them.

Cute story that will appeal to fans of the Mercy Watson series as well as readers who are ready for illustrated transitional chapter books. My students who have been begging for more Mercy Watson stories will be pleased to get this in our library.

3 out of 5 stars
AR Reading level of 3.7

* I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for free in the hope that I would review it honestly on my blog. Regardless, I only review books I enjoyed. I don’t believe in passing on negative reviews. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

THIS IS A MOOSE by Richard T. Morris

What starts as a simple movie shoot about a moose quickly gets out of hand when none of the animals act like they should.

Fun!! Includes a great glossary of film terms at the end. I especially enjoyed the illustrations. This will be a fun read aloud for home or school.

Four out of five stars
AR reading level of 1.9.

ONE DEAD SPY by Nathan Hale

Book one in the Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series of graphic novels. This one tells the story of the American Revolutionary spy, Nathan Hale, as well as other stories of the American Revolution.

This was great!! The graphic novel format and the set up between Hale and his executioners who listen as he tells his stories made this so much fun to read. This is a kid-friendly book, with asides from other characters that give a break every now and then to the historic pieces and clarify things readers might not know. I learned things from reading this - and I had fun doing it! Includes actual quotes from historic figures (includes some language). Notes at the end indicate where the author took artistic license or when history is not 100% sure what happened.

This summer I was at a teacher meeting, and I had packed another book in this series in my bag in case there was down time. Instead of down time, I saw a student sitting in a chair while his mom was helping with things for the teachers. I offered him the book and he jumped right in. He returned it to me once school started and said he loved it and read it twice. This is a series I am putting into the library as soon as possible!

5 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 2.6 with a target audience of middle grade readers.

Other books in the series:
       

RUMP by Liesl Shurtliff

"Rump" is not much of a name in a mountain community that believes your name influences your destiny. But "Rump" was all his mother got out before she died. Could there be more to his name - and to his destiny? It will take piles of straw, a spinning wheel, witches, trolls and towers for Rump to find out.

Great expansion of the Rumplestiltskin story. Told from Rump's perspective, readers get a great insight into Rump's longing for identity and purpose. The pieces come together like a great mystery. This would make a nice addition to a fairy tale collection with the Whatever After series, E.D. Baker's stories, and the Twice Upon a Time series. I also love that this story has a non-princess hero. I will be urging the teachers in my building to add this to their classroom libraries and to read them out loud with their students!

5 out of 5 stars
AR Reading Level of 4.4

April 14, 2014 - Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beakstalk (sorry for the photo quality - this picture is from a presentation at a conference this summer).

HOW TO LOSE A LEMUR by Frann Preston-Gannon and TURTLE ISLAND by Kevin Sherry

   

Two more picture books from my summer reading!

In Lemur, a boy attracts the attention of first one lemur and then more. No matter where he goes, they follow. While annoyed at first, in the end, he decides that the lemurs weren't so bad after all.

In Turtle Island, animal sailors crash and take refuge on the shell of a giant turtle. Soon they make a great life together, but the animals have to leave in order to find their families, and the turtle is alone once again.

Fun animal stories about friendship!

3 out of 5 stars for both
AR Reading Level for Lemur is 2.7
Turtle Island does not have an AR level at the time of this writing.

BEEKLE by Dan Santat and SPARKY! by Jenny Offill

   

These are two fun pictures books I read this summer.

Beekle is an imaginary critter who waits and waits to be claimed by a child, but after waiting for a while, Beekle heads out to find his friend for himself.

When a girl wants a pet, a sloth fits all of Mom's requirements. Sparky is not a stereotypical "great pet," but he is just right all the same.

The illustrations for both of these books are what grabbed my attention. I love Dan Santat's work anyway, and Beekle is just darling. Sparky has been getting a lot of attention in book-related media - and for good reason. He is adorable!! Pick these up for the illustrations, stay for the sweet stories!

4 out of 5 stars for both books
AR reading level for Beekle is 2.3
AR reading level for Sparky is 3.0

DISNEY AFTER DARK by Ridley Pearson

Finn is a DHI - a Disney Host Interactive. He and four other kids were filmed and their likenesses were turned into holographic hosts at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. It was good money for college and came with some park perks but it also came with something darker. When he sleeps, Finn crosses over into the holographic version of himself at the park. And something dark and malevolent is prowling around the park at night. Only Finn and the other DHIs have a chance to save the park - and maybe the world.

This is the first in a seven-book series anchored in all things Disney - the parks and the cruise ships. The story was more action-driven than character-driven; I didn't have a good sense of any of the characters when the story was finished. This would be a fun series for someone with a decent knowledge of Disney World. Beware of spoilers for younger readers regarding characters and costumes. There is a dark side to the story, not unlike the monsters in a Percy Jackson book (the Small World dolls come to life and attack the kids, for instance). This might be more alarming for kids who actually go to Disney World and come face to face with these creatures, unlike the monsters from PJ.

3 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 4.2

THE CASE OF THE TIME-CAPSULE BANDIT by Octavia Spencer

Randi's dad has moved them out of New York and to the middle of nowhere. He had no idea that Randi had become something of a neighborhood detective in New York, tracking down flower thieves and other area nuisances. Randi is ready to apply her detective skills to her new town's missing time capsule. If it's not found, the whole town could go bankrupt. Randi will have to work with two other sleuths to get to the bottom of the mystery and save her new community.

This was a good mystery. The ensemble of kids was likable. Yes, the "mean girl" character is a stereotype. But the main character is fantastic - fiesty, a black belt in tae kwon do, a martial arts aficionado, and daughter of a popular mystery writer. So far I have not seen any indication of a sequel.

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 4.6

LIVE AND LET SHOP by Michael P. Spradlin

Rachel Buchanan was caught joy riding in a stolen car. Since everyone else ran off, Rachel is left to face charges of Grand Theft Auto - or sell out her friends. Rachel is in very big trouble. But the judge offers her a way out that doesn't require her to give up her friends - she can spend a year at Blackthorn Academy and have all charges dropped. Rachel's not sure a boarding school across the country is a great idea, but it is better than juvie. How bad could it be? Blackthorn is not bad but it is also not quite what it appears to be. There's a spy piece and a mythology piece to the story which may appeal to Percy Jackson or Pegasus fans.

The overall story was good, but there was one move that set up the end that seemed so obvious I was pulled completely out of the storytelling. Otherwise, the story was good, the characters were enjoyable.

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 4.9 - this is more of a middle school to high school story

I AM ABRAHAM LINCOLN/I AM AMELIA EARHART by Brad Meltzer

   

These picture books highlight moments in the early life of our 16th president and Amelia Earhart that pointed to the people they would become. The Lincoln book is a great book about character, bravery and speaking up for those without a voice. The Earhart book emphasizes the people who said she couldn't do something and then watching her do it anyway. Both books have a great message and both are very inspiring.

5 out of 5 stars for both!
AR reading levels: 3.3 for Lincoln and 3.0 for Earhart

The next two books in the series release in June and September respectively