BOOK FAIR: The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester by Barbara O'Connor

Summary
Owen is trying to make the best of things. He and his family are living with his grandfather (and the grouchy nurse taking care of him). The neighbor girl is an annoying know-it-all. He's captured the best toad ever, but Tooley doesn't seem to be doing very well. Even his search for the thing he heard fall off a train in the night isn't going well. His best friends, frustrated because they aren't finding anything, leave Owen on his own. 

Just when it seems like nothing will ever go his way, Owen finds it. He finds the thing that fell off the train. And it's a doozy!


Review
I don't want to ruin the fun by saying what Owen finds, but the story really kicks off from there. While this was a good story, it wasn't my style of story, so I had trouble really getting into it. I think my students will enjoy it, though, because they will want to find out what Owen discovers and what happens next. The ending was very satisfying.


3 out of 5 stars
AR level of 4.7

Recommended for: readers 9 to 14, may appeal to boys more than some girls

Cautions: none

BOOK FAIR: Faith, Hope and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Summary
Faith, Hope and Ivy June is another book in our Scholastic Book Fair this year. It is the story of two girls, Ivy June and Catherine, who live in Kentucky and participate in an exchange program. For two weeks, Ivy June lives with Catherine and her family in Lexington. She goes to Catherine's private school, meets Catherine's friends and sees what life is like in the city. Then Catherine lives with Ivy June for two weeks in rural Kentucky where Ivy June lives in the mountains (no cell service) with her grandparents (there wasn't enough room for her at her parents house) in a house without indoor plumbing.

The point of the exchange program is for the girls to explore their assumptions and prejudices about one another because of where and how they live. Each girl keeps a journal where she writes honestly about those assumptions and their experiences during the exchange.

While Catherine is at Ivy June's each of the girls experiences a personal tragedy. Have they learned enough about one another - and about themselves - during the exchange program to help one another through such a difficult time?


Review
I really enjoyed this story. Ivy June is a great character. I love her approach to the exchange experience - especially how she deals with Catherine's step-grandmother! The journal entries are a nice way to show what the girls are thinking. I like that the author added some strife between the two girls at spots during the exchange and before the climax. It felt natural coming from what the reader knows about the girls and their personalities.

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is the author of Shiloh and other books for tweens. I shared the book with my students and one said she had already read it and loved it. I think my students, especially the girls, will enjoy the story.


4 out of 5 stars
AR level of 5.8

Recommended for: students 10 and up, readers who like relationship/friendship stories

Cautions: none

TUESDAY: Trouble with Chickens by Doreen Cronin

Summary

JJ is a retired search and rescue dog who tells his story like a grizzled old detective. Mama Chicken has two missing chicks and she wants JJ to help her find them. But nothing is what it appears to be on the surface, and JJ will have to figure out whom he can trust if he's going to solve the mystery.

Review

Fun story - good mystery for young readers with plenty of twists and turns and interesting characters. Observant readers will notice that the shape of the chapter numbers indicates which chapters are told by the villain. Voices for each character are distinct.

Recommended ages are 6 to 12. Sequel called The Legend of Diamond Lil is scheduled for release February 28, 2012.

4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: Elementary readers, mystery lovers, classroom read alouds, example of voice for writing teachers

Cautions: None

BONUS BLOG: Trends in Children's Books

Positive article about the future of children's books. The graphics are great. A lot of the results mirror my own experience about books - the importance of libraries, buying on impulse, influence of a series or a familiar author on a future purchase.

MAGAZINE WEEK - Day 3

 

Another magazine I love is the Children's Books editions of Publisher's Weekly. This is another high cost magazine - $12 - but it is the one I read the most carefully of all the magazines I buy. 


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