By Jeff Kinney, 2007
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th grade will enjoy, especially the boys AR level 5.2
Highly recommend
Take a look inside the journal of Greg Heffley. He is a middle-schooler who's mother wants him to write and so she purchases this... journal NOT a diary. He is only writing this journal so when he is rich and famous and people start asking him questions, he can hand them the book.
Greg tells readers that being liked by girls was easy in elementary school-just be the fastest runner. But in middle school it is about the clothes, how rich you are or having a cute butt. Greg figures he ranks 52 or 53 in popularity. Brother Roderick is cool and Greg just annoys him.
Very humorous, simple drawings. The third book is now available Do-It-Yourself Book !!! I do not recommend this particular book for the library since half of it is a journal for kids to write in-which they will!! Visit the website for Wimpy Kid....
http://www.wimpykid.com/
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Banned Books
I have been to the public library looking for several books listed as 'banned' on the ALA website. The books were listed as 'LOST.' I have a feeling these books were not returned on purpose.
What were the books and did I finally get access to them?
Annie On My Mind by Nancy Greene I purchased this book and it was wonderful!
Chocolate War by Cormier A request was placed to get a copy from another branch.
Have you tried to check out a controversial book only to find it was 'LOST'
What were the books and did I finally get access to them?
Annie On My Mind by Nancy Greene I purchased this book and it was wonderful!
Chocolate War by Cormier A request was placed to get a copy from another branch.
Have you tried to check out a controversial book only to find it was 'LOST'
Onslow Lejeune Reading Council
Onslow Lejeune Reading Council will meet at Carolina Forest Elementary Thursday December 11th at 5pm. We will be planning our author visit. Hopefully Jan Brett can come when she is visiting her daughter who is a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune in March or April.
Jan Brett-author of The Mitten.
Do you know anyone interested in joining our group? New members are welcome! We currently have 27 members.
Jan Brett-author of The Mitten.
Do you know anyone interested in joining our group? New members are welcome! We currently have 27 members.
Twilight -the MOVIE
Hi Media Specialists... don't forget to tell your classes that the movie
Twilight is showing Friday, November 21
This is a love story but the boys are beginning to show interest.
Caution: The first three books in the series are excellent for high school and middle school.
The fourth book may not be an appropriate selection for middle school!
It deals with the two main characters having sex-but they are married, breaking the bed, and becoming pregnant. Consider selecting (not censoring) books 1, 2, 3 and not 4 if in a middle school library.
Twilight is showing Friday, November 21
This is a love story but the boys are beginning to show interest.
Caution: The first three books in the series are excellent for high school and middle school.
The fourth book may not be an appropriate selection for middle school!
It deals with the two main characters having sex-but they are married, breaking the bed, and becoming pregnant. Consider selecting (not censoring) books 1, 2, 3 and not 4 if in a middle school library.
The Bailey School Kids
Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones (1990). Story does not seem dated even though it was published 18 years ago...
*3rd, 4th, 5th grades. Story moves quickly, appeals to boys and girls.
Highly recommend this series
The third grade class at Bailey Elementary was so bad, they had run off several teachers. All that was about to change when principal Mr. Davis introduced red-haired Mrs. Jeepers. She wore a polka-dotted dress with a green broach that seemed to glow. When a child began to act out, she rubbed her broach and instantly order was restored. Except with Eddie. He flew paper airplanes, chewed gum, burped and still Mrs. Jeepers remained calm. The children thought she must be a witch or a vampire. Two of the students sneak into her house one night to inspect what might be a coffin-they saw the movers haul it into the basement when she moved into the creepy Clancy house. They reached the box but couldn't open it. The next day, Mrs. Jeepers says her sleep was disturbed by burglars... was the teacher sleeping in that box? It is left to the readers' imagination.
Finally, Eddie is acting up so badly one day, Mrs. Jeepers takes him into the hall to speak to him. He returns but is very pale. He promised to never make Mrs. Jeepers mad again... her green broach never glowed the rest of the year.
*3rd, 4th, 5th grades. Story moves quickly, appeals to boys and girls.
Highly recommend this series
The third grade class at Bailey Elementary was so bad, they had run off several teachers. All that was about to change when principal Mr. Davis introduced red-haired Mrs. Jeepers. She wore a polka-dotted dress with a green broach that seemed to glow. When a child began to act out, she rubbed her broach and instantly order was restored. Except with Eddie. He flew paper airplanes, chewed gum, burped and still Mrs. Jeepers remained calm. The children thought she must be a witch or a vampire. Two of the students sneak into her house one night to inspect what might be a coffin-they saw the movers haul it into the basement when she moved into the creepy Clancy house. They reached the box but couldn't open it. The next day, Mrs. Jeepers says her sleep was disturbed by burglars... was the teacher sleeping in that box? It is left to the readers' imagination.
Finally, Eddie is acting up so badly one day, Mrs. Jeepers takes him into the hall to speak to him. He returns but is very pale. He promised to never make Mrs. Jeepers mad again... her green broach never glowed the rest of the year.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Captain Underpants and the Big Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy
Captain Underpants and the Big Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy: Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets the 6th Epic Novel
Recommend with reservation... but hey, it gets boys reading!
by Dav Pilkey 2003
Read more about the author by clicking on the link below.
Did you know Dav was the class clown and was often sent to sit in the hallway, where he would spend his time drawing and creating cartoon stories?
http://www.pilkey.com/
Appeals to 2nd, 3rd, & 4th grades
George Beard and Harold Hutchins admit that they are not the smartest kids at school but they are definitely the most mischievous. They change a sign to read “Please wash your hands in the toilet,” which one kid does. In their How-to demonstration they show how to make ‘squishies’ with ketchup packets. One teacher uses the trick on the Principal Krupp who thinks George and Harold did it. The book contains many illustrations done by Dav Pilkey himself. It is a quick read and gives lots of laughs, particularly for boys who may be reluctant readers.
*Some schools have banned this book because some students play out the pranks.
Recommend with reservation... but hey, it gets boys reading!
by Dav Pilkey 2003
Read more about the author by clicking on the link below.
Did you know Dav was the class clown and was often sent to sit in the hallway, where he would spend his time drawing and creating cartoon stories?
http://www.pilkey.com/
Appeals to 2nd, 3rd, & 4th grades
George Beard and Harold Hutchins admit that they are not the smartest kids at school but they are definitely the most mischievous. They change a sign to read “Please wash your hands in the toilet,” which one kid does. In their How-to demonstration they show how to make ‘squishies’ with ketchup packets. One teacher uses the trick on the Principal Krupp who thinks George and Harold did it. The book contains many illustrations done by Dav Pilkey himself. It is a quick read and gives lots of laughs, particularly for boys who may be reluctant readers.
*Some schools have banned this book because some students play out the pranks.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Goosebumps series: Be Careful What You Wish For
By R.L. Stine 1996 Click here to visit the Goosebumps Web site.
http://www.scholastic.com/goosebumps/
Recommend
Appeals to 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th grade
Samantha Byrd is the tallest girl, no make that the tallest kid in her 7th Grade class. Those long skinny arms and legs go everywhere and make Sam feel like a klutz. She is teased by one girl in particular, Judith. She is also picked on by Anna but that is because Anna is Judith’s best friend. Judith tells her to fly away like a ‘bird,’ calls her ‘stork,’ trips her in class, and tells her how terrible she is on the basketball team.
One cold, windy afternoon while Sam is riding her bike (mostly to escape the anger she feels from being teased) she meets a lady that seems neither old nor young but has hands that feel like ice. The lady is looking for a particular street and for the help she offers Sam three wishes. Sam’s first wish is that she be the strongest player on the basketball team. The next day, the girls on her team are weak while Sam still has her energy. She is no better at the game than before but she is definitely better than anyone else on the team. Two days after the wish the girls on the team are all sick with something like influenza. When Sam stops by to see Judith, the mean girl accuses her of being a witch who cast a spell.
Sam asks the magical lady to undo this wish.
The second wish Sam asks for Judith to disappear. The next morning when Sam wakes up, her brother, dad, and mom are not at home. Sam rides her bike to school only to find no one there either. She wonders how she will get dinner. When the magical lady reappears she tells Sam magic is not perfect.
Her third wish, Sam wants Judith to think she is the greatest person in the world. Judith is changed from a mean 7th grader to an adoring more-than best friend. Judith wears a sideways ponytail just like Sam’s. She wants to sit with Sam at lunch and gushes compliments. When Sam can’t take it anymore, she meets the magical lady again and asks to be turned into a bird. The wish is granted and Sam flies away.
http://www.scholastic.com/goosebumps/
Recommend
Appeals to 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th grade
Samantha Byrd is the tallest girl, no make that the tallest kid in her 7th Grade class. Those long skinny arms and legs go everywhere and make Sam feel like a klutz. She is teased by one girl in particular, Judith. She is also picked on by Anna but that is because Anna is Judith’s best friend. Judith tells her to fly away like a ‘bird,’ calls her ‘stork,’ trips her in class, and tells her how terrible she is on the basketball team.
One cold, windy afternoon while Sam is riding her bike (mostly to escape the anger she feels from being teased) she meets a lady that seems neither old nor young but has hands that feel like ice. The lady is looking for a particular street and for the help she offers Sam three wishes. Sam’s first wish is that she be the strongest player on the basketball team. The next day, the girls on her team are weak while Sam still has her energy. She is no better at the game than before but she is definitely better than anyone else on the team. Two days after the wish the girls on the team are all sick with something like influenza. When Sam stops by to see Judith, the mean girl accuses her of being a witch who cast a spell.
Sam asks the magical lady to undo this wish.
The second wish Sam asks for Judith to disappear. The next morning when Sam wakes up, her brother, dad, and mom are not at home. Sam rides her bike to school only to find no one there either. She wonders how she will get dinner. When the magical lady reappears she tells Sam magic is not perfect.
Her third wish, Sam wants Judith to think she is the greatest person in the world. Judith is changed from a mean 7th grader to an adoring more-than best friend. Judith wears a sideways ponytail just like Sam’s. She wants to sit with Sam at lunch and gushes compliments. When Sam can’t take it anymore, she meets the magical lady again and asks to be turned into a bird. The wish is granted and Sam flies away.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The Saddle Club: Horse Shy
by Bonnie Bryant 1988 Yearling Books
For girls ages 8 to 12
Strongly recommend
The only parts of this book that may date it are the girls going to the library and using the card catalog and old newspapers, which today would be on microfilm and no mention of use of cell phones or texting.
Stevie is the leader of this trio of horse-crazy girls at Pine Hollow Stables. She is a tomboy who is not afraid to tell half-truths to stay out of trouble or get her way. Lisa has just begun riding but stable owner Max can already tell she has talent. Lisa organizes things around the stable and is a hard worker. Carole is an experienced rider but just moved to the Quantico, VA area with her father, a Marine Corps colonel. In one chapter, Carole accompanies her father to Camp Lejeune and while he is at the base on business, she visits her aunt who is her mother’s sister. *The TV series is set in Australia. Carole’s mother died the previous year and she hopes her father will find a new wife (this part is probably not realistic but tries to maintain the book’s upbeat storyline). This threesome makes up the ‘Saddle Club’ who vow to always be “horse crazy.”
Veronica is the nemesis of the Saddle Club. She comes from a wealthy family but shows disdain about caring for her expensive horse, Cobalt who should only be ridden by an expert horseman.
The girls go through a series of situations in which they make decisions about responsibility, honesty, and loyalty.
In Horse Shy the girls are intent on finding out all they can about Maxmillian Regnery, the founder of Pine Hollow. While at the library they meet Mr. Thompson, an older gentleman who tells them about the beginnings of the stables. Turns out, Max was the son of Irish immigrants who came to America in 1850. Max tried to be a blacksmith like his father but was no good at it. He worked several other jobs until he stumbled on tending horses. He tended horses and saved every penny and when the original owner died, Max bought the stables and it is now being run by the third generation Max and his mother.
Visit the Saddle Club Web site for character descriptions, story outlines, games, and Members Only activities.
http://www.saddleclubtv.com/page/Home
For girls ages 8 to 12
Strongly recommend
The only parts of this book that may date it are the girls going to the library and using the card catalog and old newspapers, which today would be on microfilm and no mention of use of cell phones or texting.
Stevie is the leader of this trio of horse-crazy girls at Pine Hollow Stables. She is a tomboy who is not afraid to tell half-truths to stay out of trouble or get her way. Lisa has just begun riding but stable owner Max can already tell she has talent. Lisa organizes things around the stable and is a hard worker. Carole is an experienced rider but just moved to the Quantico, VA area with her father, a Marine Corps colonel. In one chapter, Carole accompanies her father to Camp Lejeune and while he is at the base on business, she visits her aunt who is her mother’s sister. *The TV series is set in Australia. Carole’s mother died the previous year and she hopes her father will find a new wife (this part is probably not realistic but tries to maintain the book’s upbeat storyline). This threesome makes up the ‘Saddle Club’ who vow to always be “horse crazy.”
Veronica is the nemesis of the Saddle Club. She comes from a wealthy family but shows disdain about caring for her expensive horse, Cobalt who should only be ridden by an expert horseman.
The girls go through a series of situations in which they make decisions about responsibility, honesty, and loyalty.
In Horse Shy the girls are intent on finding out all they can about Maxmillian Regnery, the founder of Pine Hollow. While at the library they meet Mr. Thompson, an older gentleman who tells them about the beginnings of the stables. Turns out, Max was the son of Irish immigrants who came to America in 1850. Max tried to be a blacksmith like his father but was no good at it. He worked several other jobs until he stumbled on tending horses. He tended horses and saved every penny and when the original owner died, Max bought the stables and it is now being run by the third generation Max and his mother.
Visit the Saddle Club Web site for character descriptions, story outlines, games, and Members Only activities.
http://www.saddleclubtv.com/page/Home
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Blubber by Judy Blume
Although this books was published in 1974, it still has relevance today. Fifth-grader Jill becomes one the class bullies along with pack leader Wendy. The object of their merciless teasing? An overweight girl named Linda. After Linda gives a report on whales, Wendy convinces the class to call Linda 'Blubber.' She is teased about her lunch which includes Hostess cupcakes and is teased when she changes her lunch to just celery, cheese and few saltine crackers.
At Halloween Jill goes out with her best friend Tracy Wu. They egg the inside of the mailbox of man they think hates children but the man snaps their picture and Linda (Blubber) threatens to tell who they were even though they wore pillow cases over their heads.
Wendy's teasing of Linda includes lifting her dress to show the boys Linda's underwear, having one girl hold Linda in the bathroom while another stripped her (term for taking the blubber off a whale), tripping her, leaving Linda to sing an embarrassing word alone in the class performance, and forcing Linda to eat what Wendy said was a chocolate covered ant-causing Linda to throw up. Linda never tells for fear that it will only make things worse.
When Jill's parents receive a letter from the messy mailbox victim, Jill tells Wendy who swears Linda (Blubber) is the tattletale. Jill decides Linda deserves a trial but Wendy insists the accused does not get a lawyer for representation. When Jill says that without a lawyer for Linda (Blubber) she won't participate, Wendy says she is turning into a chicken like her chink friend, Tracy. At that point Jill becomes the target of the teasing, being cornered in the bathroom by Wendy and her friends, sitting alone at lunch.
Soon after another one of Wendy's directives to the other girls to pick on Jill, Jill asks the other girls why they do as Wendy says and don't they have minds of their own? Jill makes friends with another girl in class and her life goes on a little quieter.
*the two girls pee in the yard when no bathroom is close by
*the Asian character is called 'chink'
*Jill's mom locks herself in the bathroom to smoke although she is trying to quit
*some cursing, Jill's parents say it is okay at home
For girls age 8-11 Grades 3-6
At Halloween Jill goes out with her best friend Tracy Wu. They egg the inside of the mailbox of man they think hates children but the man snaps their picture and Linda (Blubber) threatens to tell who they were even though they wore pillow cases over their heads.
Wendy's teasing of Linda includes lifting her dress to show the boys Linda's underwear, having one girl hold Linda in the bathroom while another stripped her (term for taking the blubber off a whale), tripping her, leaving Linda to sing an embarrassing word alone in the class performance, and forcing Linda to eat what Wendy said was a chocolate covered ant-causing Linda to throw up. Linda never tells for fear that it will only make things worse.
When Jill's parents receive a letter from the messy mailbox victim, Jill tells Wendy who swears Linda (Blubber) is the tattletale. Jill decides Linda deserves a trial but Wendy insists the accused does not get a lawyer for representation. When Jill says that without a lawyer for Linda (Blubber) she won't participate, Wendy says she is turning into a chicken like her chink friend, Tracy. At that point Jill becomes the target of the teasing, being cornered in the bathroom by Wendy and her friends, sitting alone at lunch.
Soon after another one of Wendy's directives to the other girls to pick on Jill, Jill asks the other girls why they do as Wendy says and don't they have minds of their own? Jill makes friends with another girl in class and her life goes on a little quieter.
*the two girls pee in the yard when no bathroom is close by
*the Asian character is called 'chink'
*Jill's mom locks herself in the bathroom to smoke although she is trying to quit
*some cursing, Jill's parents say it is okay at home
For girls age 8-11 Grades 3-6
Onslow Lejeune Reading Council
Join the reading council! Network with other teachers, librarians... The cost to join is $15. Our next meeting is November 13 at Logan's Restaurant on Western Blvd at 5:00pm. Please email Jessica, the current president to let her know you will be attending.
Jessica.Greene@onslow.k12.nc.us
Jessica.Greene@onslow.k12.nc.us
Magic Treehouse #14 Dragon King
Magic Tree House #14 Day of the Dragon King (1998) by Mary Pope Osborne
Reading level 2nd grade - 5th grade
Strongly recommend
Eight-year old Jack and younger sister Annie have discovered a tree house in the woods behind their house in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania. It belongs to a magical librarian from King Arthur’s time named Morgan le Fay who travels through time to collect books (This is the premise for each of the books).
In this book the brother and sister, considered Master Librarians, are to travel to ancient China when books were written on bamboo strips and the Great Wall was being built. They are to find the first writing of the Chinese legend before the Imperial Library is destroyed-the emperor is having books burned.
The children arrive in the strange land appropriately dressed as Chinese citizens and make their way into the walled city on the back of an ox cart driven by a farmer who used to be a scholar before the emperor took over. The children learn that books are being destroyed because the new leader doesn’t want people to have knowledge or think for themselves.
The children find the book, which had fallen off a stack about to be burned. Annie grabs it and Jack puts it in his bag. Annie and Jack dodge arrows while being chased by the angry men of the emperor. They run to a tomb to hide knowing the men won’t follow, get lost inside, and through a magical experience find their way out. When the children get back to the tree house, Jack wishes them back to Frog Creek where they hand over the bamboo book to Morgan who informs them of their next adventure.
*Fairly quick read, appeals to both boys and girls. I did not have to read the other books to understand this one.
Here is the Website to the Magic Tree House website with games, author, and news sections. http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/magictreehouse/
Reading level 2nd grade - 5th grade
Strongly recommend
Eight-year old Jack and younger sister Annie have discovered a tree house in the woods behind their house in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania. It belongs to a magical librarian from King Arthur’s time named Morgan le Fay who travels through time to collect books (This is the premise for each of the books).
In this book the brother and sister, considered Master Librarians, are to travel to ancient China when books were written on bamboo strips and the Great Wall was being built. They are to find the first writing of the Chinese legend before the Imperial Library is destroyed-the emperor is having books burned.
The children arrive in the strange land appropriately dressed as Chinese citizens and make their way into the walled city on the back of an ox cart driven by a farmer who used to be a scholar before the emperor took over. The children learn that books are being destroyed because the new leader doesn’t want people to have knowledge or think for themselves.
The children find the book, which had fallen off a stack about to be burned. Annie grabs it and Jack puts it in his bag. Annie and Jack dodge arrows while being chased by the angry men of the emperor. They run to a tomb to hide knowing the men won’t follow, get lost inside, and through a magical experience find their way out. When the children get back to the tree house, Jack wishes them back to Frog Creek where they hand over the bamboo book to Morgan who informs them of their next adventure.
*Fairly quick read, appeals to both boys and girls. I did not have to read the other books to understand this one.
Here is the Website to the Magic Tree House website with games, author, and news sections. http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/magictreehouse/
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles (2)
Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles: The Nixie's Song book 2 (2007) by Holly Black, Illustrator Tony DiTerlizzie (good illustr)
Strongly recommend
Nick Vargas isn’t the coolest boy at school but he keeps his quirkiness to himself. Not Laurie, though. She is his new stepsister and she believes in ‘faeries’ (this spelling is correct) and doesn’t care who knows. One hot afternoon in their Florida neighborhood, Nick and Laurie discover a Nixie (a mythical, female water creature appearing in Scandinavian and Germanic folk tales) named Taola. Nick and Laurie try to relocate her back to where her sisters might be, nearer to the water. When the stepbother and stepsister arrive to inspect the area, they are chased by a Giant who seems only soothed by Taola’s melodic voice. Nick and Laurie are off an adventure to find out how to get rid of the Giant and return the Nixie to her home.
*This book uses imagination and fantasy to weave a captivating story.
Visit the Spiderwick Chronicles Web Page http://www.spiderwick.com/
Sunday, November 2, 2008
What are you reading in your spare time?
Please let us know what you are reading whether it is a book for young adults, fiction, romance... Other media specialists want to know! Click here to read what others are saying...
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