BOOKMARKS ARE PEOPLE TOO! by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver

Hank Zipzer, star of a long-running series of chapter books, now has books for younger readers. In this story, Hank and his friends are in second grade and they are putting on a play in class. Hank's reading problems and a bully cause Hank all kinds of trouble, but Hank keeps a good attitude and makes the best of things.

This is a great introduction to Hank and his friends. It shows a student who struggles at school but is still optimistic and positive and keeps trying. I'm excited to introduce this series to my younger students and siblings of older kids who already love Hank's crazy adventures. The book had a similar feel to the Roscoe Riley books by Katherine Applegate, a favorite at my school. Also, there's a cool informational page at the front of this book about the typeface they used for the story. You can find out more at dyslexiefont.com. There are two books available now in the series, and book three releases in October.

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 3.9

   

INVASION OF THE UFONUTS by Laurie Keller

Arnie and his friend Peezo have a falling out because Peezo thinks Arnie is a doughnut from outer space. It seems that alien doughnuts are invading and abducting Earthlings in order to save the doughnuts of Earth. When Arnie is abducted, he will have to think quickly to save his friends and doughnuts everywhere.

This is a fun, quirky book. The illustrations, complete with side comments (Look at the front cover for examples - like Peezo saying, "What's a UFONUT??") are fantastic. My students can't get enough of Arnie the Doughnut - the waiting list for the first chapter book is always at least 6 kids long. I know they will love this, too. Even my most reluctant readers come by the library every week asking if Arnie is back on the shelves. Check out Arnie the Doughnut - the picture book sets up the story and the chapter books pick up from there.

4 out of 5 stars
There is no AR reading level yet.

JUDY MOODY AND STINK: THE BIG BAD BLACKOUT by Megan McDonald

* I received 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.

Judy and Stink and their family hunker down to wait out a hurricane and black out. Their grandma comes to wait out the storm with them. They play musical board games and everyone tells a hurricane story. They eat s'mores and live without electricity for a few days - and they love it!

I received an advance e-copy of this book from the publisher, Candlewick Press.  I enjoyed this story. It was a great story to read in the winter when snow days are always a possibility! The books that center on Judy and Stink (Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt; Holly Joliday) are extra fun because all the pictures are in full color. Those were available in my e-copy and they were excellent. The hurricane stories were probably my favorite part of this story, especially the ones from the grown ups. Musical board games is a pretty fun idea, too - I could see a classroom party including something like that! This story was a lot of fun!

4 out of 5 stars

This book releases on April 8, 2014.

Cautions: The kids' grandmother brings a Ouija board with her and the family plays it.

KUNG POW CHICKEN: LET'S GET CRACKING! by Cyndi Marko

* 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.

Gordon the chicken (a second grader) and his little brother Benny fell in a vat of toxic sludge and became superheroes - Kung Pow Chicken and Egg Drop. At the Fall Festival, someone is selling weird cookies that make everyone's feathers fall out! Kung Pow Chicken notices a little old lady selling itchy sweaters to all the naked chickens, and she is making a killing. Something is not right!

This was cute, colorful and fun! This pokes fun at some of the superhero staples like toxic sludge and leotards. This is a fun, simple mystery. My students will love this! This is a new piece in the Branches line of books by Scholastic that targets the earliest readers. There are more books planned for the series - they are pictured below. Book 2 releases in March and book 3 comes out in June.

MAGIC BONE SERIES by Nancy Krulik

   

Sparky the puppy finds himself in trouble all the time - he doesn't mean to knock things over or make his two-leg, Josh, mad by digging up the yard. Then Sparky finds a magic bone - one that takes him first to London and then to Hawaii for some adventures.

These books could not be any cuter! Fun, fun, fun. Another great transitional chapter book series. Sparky has an endearing "voice" that is very puppy-like (innocent, eager) and funny. This is like the Palace Puppies series in that the dog tells the story, but Sparky's voice feels more manic and puppy-like. Just darling! My students will LOVE these books. More, please!!

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading levels of 2.6 and 2.5 respectively

Book three comes out next week and book four will release in March 2014.

RESCUE PRINCESSES and NOTEBOOK OF DOOM

     

These are two new transitional chapter book series being promoted by Scholastic.

At a special event to introduce young princesses and princes to the area kings and queens, Princess Emily and her new friends uncover a plot to capture animals in the royal forest in The Secret Promise. The "Rescue Princesses" are born as the girls swear to help animals whenever they are in danger. This simple story will have great appeal to readers who enjoy princess or animal stories - and I have plenty of students who love BOTH who will think this is outstanding! With an AR reading level of 4.5, this will be perfect for my first and second graders who are reading way above grade level but who aren't ready for middle grade books. (3 out of 5 stars)

In Rise of the Balloon Goons, Alexander and his dad have moved to a new town. At the old school building, Alexander finds a notebook that describes odd monsters like the "playing mantis" and the "rhinoceraptor." And if that wasn't creepy enough, Alexander is convinced there are balloon creatures following him and causing trouble. The only guy who believes Alexander is a bully named Rip. When the balloon goons take Rip to their fortress, Alexander follows them, hoping to save Rip and the town. This is another simple story that will appeal to young readers ready to try chapter books.  The "monster" aspect is fairly mild, but parents should be sure their kiddos are ready to read about these quirky monsters without having nightmares. (3 out of 5 stars. AR reading level of 3.3)

Both of these series are growing - you can see some of the other titles below:

                  
      

PALACE PUPPIES SERIES by Laura Dower

   

Sunny and Rex are royal puppies. Sunny is the slightly older and a smidge more disciplined golden doodle while Rex is the rash, impulsive beagle. In book one, Princess Annie and Prince James are trying to plan a birthday party for the cranky and destructive Jackson, the puppies want to help. In the second story, the puppies go to the beach for the first time and Rex gets lost. Annie and James are frantic. Can Sunny track down her puppy friend?

Cute early chapter books for readers ready to start moving away from picture books (although, I think there's always time for a picture book - for any reader!).

3.5 out of 5 stars
No AR reading level yet.

There are two more books available or coming soon in the series:

   

PICTURE DAY and BORIS ON THE MOVE

   

(I received copies of these from Scholastic at ALA this summer)

Both of these are what I call early chapter books or transitional chapter books. I love finding books like this that I can recommend to my Kindergarten through second grade students who want to make the transition to chapter books.

Picture Day is about a girl with her own style who has to go to school for picture day in a non-ruffled, non-special outfit. I can think of specific students who will share Missy's dismay at wearing something "plain" for school pictures. (AR reading level of 2.5)

Boris on the Move is about a boy who longs for adventure. But camping at the local conservation park was NOT what he had in mind. In the end, Boris might find more adventure than he bargained for. (AR reading level of 2.0)

Three out of 5 stars. These books kick off new series from Scholastic. Pictures of other volumes are listed below.
      
      

PET HOTEL SERIES by Kate Finch

     

Meg and Charlie and their parents move in with Great-Aunt Saffron at the Diamond Hotel. The hotel is so run down, though, no one will stay in it. After a couple opportunities to pet-sit, the kids decide the Diamond would make a great pet hotel. In the first two books, they post puppies, cats, rabbits and birds.

Sweet stories. Great early chapter books for younger elementary students who are ready to dive into chapter books. These will appeal to fans of the Puppy Place books as well as Animal Ark and other animal series. My students will go crazy for these!

3.5 out of 5 stars

Calling All Pets has an AR reading level of 3.7

A Big Surprise has an AR reading level of 4.1

Book 3 released in September, and book 4 releases in January

    

CINDERELLA SMITH by Stephanie Barden

This is a cute story about Cinderella Smith, a girl who got her nickname because she has a habit of losing shoes. In this book, Cinderella makes a new friend, deals with old friends who don't seem to have time for her, and studies the characteristics of "wicked step-sisters."

This was a delightful surprise! Honest, relate-able discussion of relationship issues both for Cinderella at school as well as for her friends at home.  I would love to add this whole series to the library. I think my students will love Cinderella! This is just the right book for my younger readers who are reading a grade level or two above their age.

4.5 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 4.2

Other books in the series:
     

ELLIE MCDOODLE: NEW KID IN SCHOOL by Ruth McNally Barshaw

Ellie's family is moving and Ellie documents and doodles the adjustment in her journal. Getting used to a new community and new school gives Ellie lots to write and doodle about.

I fell in love with Ellie. What a great character! Her family is terrific, the feelings shared in her journal feel authentic and honest, and the tone is hopeful even when things don't go right. This book was just perfect!

5 out of 5 stars
AR Reading Level of 3.2

There are other books in the series - I haven't read them yet, but they are on my wishlist for our school library!

         

ARNIE THE DOUGHNUT by Laurie Keller

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Arnie is loving his doughnut life until he is bought by Mr. Bing and learns his purpose in life is to be eaten! Arnie is horrified, and Mr. Bing can't bring himself to eat Arnie.  Maybe, if they work on it awhile, they can come up with a new plan for Arnie.

A quirky and fun story about a likable character. I'll be reading this one out loud to students this year! Like my favorite Keller book, The Scrambled States of America, the side comments sprinkled throughout the illustrations are a great bonus to a fun story.

3.5 out of 5 stars
AR Reading Level of 3.3

Arnie is watching Mr. Bing's big bowling tournament. But Mr. Bing is having a run of bad luck, throwing gutter balls all of a sudden. Arnie and his friends are on the case to find out what has happened to Mr. Bing's game.

This chapter book was really cute! I am looking forward to sharing this mystery with my students. I think Arnie will be a big hit.

4 out of 5 stars
AR Reading Level of 3.6

The second chapter book, Invasion of the Ufonuts, releases on February 25, 2014.

GALAXY ZACK and AMELIA BEDELIA - Early Chapter Books

   

These two books are early chapter books for kids ready to stretch their reading muscles with longer material. In Hello, Nebulon!, Zack and his family move to the planet Zebulan. Everyone's pretty excited about the move except Zack who left his dog and his best friend behind on Earth. Not only is Zack sad about what he leaves behind but he's pretty anxious about what's ahead. How different will Zebulon be? Will he make any friends? Will the pizza there be gross?  This is a cute start to a new series, a good introduction to Zack, his family and the world of Zebulon. The second book in the series, Journey to Juno was also good and there are several more titles available for pre-order. The first book has an AR reading level of 3.0.

Books starring Amelia Bedelia as a child have moved from picture books to chapter books. I didn't love this first one - it felt like they were trying too hard with the literal language confusion Amelia is known for, but I am hopeful that my students will enjoy it. There are two books in the series available now and a third on the way. AR reading level of 3.9.