October+books

October 2010


 * I.Q. Book Two: The White House by Roland Smith**

Smith's writing is so natural and easy to read. It took me a while to remember who is who from the first book, but not impossible. The action starts immediately and pulls you in to the story. It does get pretty intense (there are deaths of terrorists and a car bomb that kills several), but also instructive about the White House and its staff. There's a mole inside the White House and there is a destructive ghost group in the DC area, infiltrated by The Leopard. Q and Angela do what they can to save the day. Cliff hanger ending looking for another book. 

Stink is defending Pluto as a planet. Vs Riley Rottenberger who is saying Pluto is dead. They have to debate which is true with their second grade class. Antics ensue. 2nd+
 * Stink: Solar System Superhero by Megan McDonald**

** Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Bradley, C. Alan **
This is an novel written for adults, but the protagonist is an 11 year old third daughter, Flavia de Luce who has a passion for chemistry and more especially poisons. She investigates a murder that points to her father, going back to her father's school days. I bought it on the recommendation of Micki Amick. It was an entertaining read for me, but I'm not sure if it will grab a middleschooler. YA for difficult level of vocabulary and necessary schema. Set in 1950's English countryside.

**Witch and Wizard by James Paterson**
Totalitarian leadership by The One Who is The One (huh?) is challenged by Whit and Wisty Allgood (is this a little obvious?) who have just discovered they actually are a wizard and witch. The ruling power is %100 icky evil. No gray areas here. The plot is quick moving and satisfying if implausible. Includes a girlfriend in another dimension and truly flaming moments. I was not super impressed, but it's an easy read for YA. YA for violence, romance. (Truancy is a better read for mature readers)

**Freddy in peril by Dietlof Reiche**
Book Two written by Freddy the Golden Hamster. I thought this was a 2nd grade series about animals but it's definitely written for more mature kids. Freddy reads and writes using a Mac. His owner knows as well as one other adult. In this book a Mad (really-crazy) Scientist kidnaps (hamsternaps?) Freddy to do animal experimentation that involves live disection of his brain! Pretty stressful! Lots of help from his animal friends who are excellent characters. Good read. 3rd+

** Dive: book one:the Discovery by Gordon Korman **
Excellent narrative. Flashes back to 1665 and life on the Griffen, an English bounty boat loaded with gold, but sinking. Back to the summer interns who suspect their scientists are up to something. None of them are expert and they all have secrets. Of course, it's only the first of a trilogy that needs to be read. Good read. 4th +

**School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari**
In the style of Series of Unfortunate Events, this is an over the top story of four odd children with serious phobias: spiders, water, death and closed spaces. They go to the School of Fear with Ms Wellington, Schmidty and Macaroni the bulldog. It's ridiculous but a fun read. 4th+

**Small Steps: the Year I got Polio by Peg Kehret**
Excellent memoir of Kehret's brush with death and paralysis. Really well written with all of the humor and grief a 13 year old would go through as she is literally ripped away from everything she knows and has to battle back to regain every step. Moving but in no way is it sappy. Chapter 7 would be a good read aloud for memoir unit. Excellent for good 4th +.

**Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins** I put this off because I knew it was a war story, but it was a moving, informative, thoughtful story. Written in two parts: Chiko is the son of a doctor who has been imprisoned for disloyalty to the Burmese government. He is forced into the army and becomes friends with street-smart Tai. In part two we follow Tu Reh, a Karenni resistence fighter and also 15. Their paths cross and the complications of war become apparent. Nicely written. Could be YA because of oblique references to a Karenni girl's oppression by the Burmese attackers. But it is a war story, and that's part of the horrors. Invaluable for understanding the refugees currently attending Sable. 5th+

**Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School: We the Children by Andrew Clements** I sense a book deal trying to cash in on the 39 Clues pattern. This is Book One. The premise is pretty good. A mysterious boat captain built a school on the harbor side 200 years ago. Now it's scheduled for demolition to build an amusement park. The janitor hands off a coin to Ben and then dies that day. The replacement janitor is really a businessman connected to the park. What's going on? Also a side story of sail racing in the harbor. OK 3rd+

**The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger** Really quick read comparable to Wimpy Kid. A bunch of sixth graders have to deal with Dwight who is perennially weird until one day he starts answering questions with a finger puppet Yoda who gives remarkable advice. This is the case files. Pretty cute. And deals with classic reactions to/by kids in school. Could lead to some discussions. 4th+ **Guinea Dog by Patrick Jennings** Another really quick read. Rufus just wants a dog--is that so much to ask? So his mom brings home Fido-a golden guinea pig who acts exactly like a dog. A WishGranting petshop?? The framework is a little far fetched and the story problem is a little weak, but the dialog is right on the mark. And the fifth grade interactions are great. This isn't great lit, but it was fun. And that's saying a lot nowadays… 3rd+ **A Jigsaw Jones Mystery: the Case of the Runaway Dog by James Preller** Good second grade read aloud. 12 chapters. Lost dog is the mystery and Jigsaw has to write a list of things he's thankful for, for Thanksgiving. Includes a nice touch of inviting a lonely old man to dinner. Also a visit to a no-kill animal shelter. 2nd+ **Rapture of the Deep by L.A. Meyer (a Bloody Jack Adventure)** Another satisfying romp. On the day of their wedding, the British Intelligence powers inform Jacky must repay her debt to the Realm by going on a secret mission to raise a million pounds of gold from a sunken Spanish vessel. This story covers Key West, and Cuba, specifically Havana. There is an intimidating Spanish warship, an old pirate friend, Jaime on the British Dolphin, and Jacky on her own NancyB. Her flirtations are outrageous as her outfits. Lots of informative materials from the time frame. YA for lots of sexual joking. And violence. And some language. **This is just to Say: poem of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman** Apologies and responses inspired by William Carlos Williams written by sixth grade students in Florence Scribner School, NYC. Some humorous (Dodge Ball Crazy) and some so touching (to Einstein my dog). Some light (Brownies-oops) and some so serious (to my dad Next Time). 45 pages of awesome poems. All ages. Excellent. **Night Wings by Joseph Bruchac** Paul and Grandpa Peter are kidnapped to lead some evil treasure hunters to Pmola's treasure on Mt Washington. Heavy with Abenaki tradition. I think this is one of Bruchac's better stories. Some good moments of wisdom sharing without being didactic. Lots of suspense. 4th+ (some violence) **Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry by Jack Prelutsky.** Nice combo of memoirs, writing tips, and actual poems. His memoirs are especially funny. This is a don't miss book. 3rd+ Chapter beginnings would be good for read alouds for memoir units. **Runaway Twin by Peg Kehret** Sunny Skyland finds enough money to follow her desire to find her twin sister. This is a shorter version of Walk Two Moons. The true meaning of family is the point. The danger of her cross country trip is underplayed, but everything is logically explained. I liked this one, but it's not on my top ten list. Satisfying. 4th+ **The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan** How does he keep churning these out?? Another almost 600 page tome full of Greek gods and their offspring, but now with their Roman counterparts thrown in. Yet the plot moves like lightning (ha that's part of the plot) and includes truly funny moments too. Satisfying ending even though there is a necessary sequel. Main characters here=Jason with a major case of amnesia, Piper who grows stronger in each chapter, and Leo who suffers from serious self-doubt but ends up being the key to victory. Excellent. 4th+