Rita & Ralph's Rotten Day by Carmen Agra Deedy

Rita and Ralph are best friends who meet at an apple tree between their two houses to play every day. One day Ralph accidentally hurts Rita in a game of Sticks and Stones. Rita is mad, and Ralph is sorry. What follows is the story of how mending a friendship is not always easy, but it is always worth it!

Carmen Agra Deedy was inspired to write this book by the hand game, "Mr. Wiggle & Mr. Waggle," which is included in the back of the book in case you want to learn it.

I recommend this lovely book to K-2 students.

Mrs. N.

The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes

The King of Kindergarten is another back-to-school read aloud that I plan to share in the future. The 5-year-old in this story is excited about starting school because his mommy tells him that he is going to be the King of Kindergarten! He brushes his "royal chiclets" (teeth) before a "big yellow carriage" (bus) takes him to the "grand fortress" (school). His first-day in his "Kindergarten Kingdom" is wonderful! His teacher reads books to the class, they have recess, lunch, and nap time, and they get to sing, dance, and play music. He cannot wait to return the next day.

I love the color-filled pages of this book, especially the illustration of the quilt on the very first page. I also love the happy and positive mood of this book. It should really help excite new kindergartners about starting school!

Mrs. N.

Lena's Shoes Are Nervous by Kath Calabrese and Juana Medina

I discovered Lena's Shoes Are Nervous: a first-day-of-school dilemma at the public library while I was looking for a good back-to-school read aloud. The story is about Lena's first day of kindergarten. As she wakes up and gets ready for school, she realizes that she has a very big problem...her shoes are nervous. Her sweet dad tries to help, but it is ultimately her headband with the bright green flower that is able to listen to what her shoes are feeling and convince them to be brave.

I really like the artwork in this book. Most illustrations are colorful line drawings, but my favorite pages feature part black-and-white drawings with only a few strategically colored-in elements. I also really like the story because it conveys the combination of nervous excitement that accompanies the first day of a new school year, for students and for teachers!

I recommend this book to K-2 students.

Mrs. N.

Ali Cross by James Patterson

Like John Grisham, James Patterson is one of those authors who writes equally well for adults and for children. Patterson's new Ali Cross series for the middle-grade audience springs to life from his blockbuster Alex Cross series for adult readers. Ali is detective Alex Cross's son who is eager to follow in his dad's footsteps as a police detective. In this first volume, Ali's friend Abraham goes missing, and Ali is absolutely determined to find him. At the same time, a string of burglaries targets Ali's very own neighborhood, and his father is on trial for an act of police brutality that he did not commit.

I recommend Ali Cross to upper elementary students who liked the Theodore Boone series or who enjoy mysteries and/or action stories. The story is set in the modern-day and deals with topics ripped from today's headlines in a way that is unbiased and illuminating.

Mrs. N.

The Space We're In by Katya Balen

The Space We're In is the story of Frank, a "normal" 10-year-old boy who loves soccer, coding, and playing with his friends. The problem is that Frank's younger brother Max is not "normal;" he is autistic. And because Max is different, Frank has to deal with those differences too...differences like Max's noises, his screaming, and his embarrassing, sometimes public, melt downs. When people make fun of Max, Frank is ashamed that he does not take up for him. Frank loves his brother, but living with Max is hard on his entire family.

When Frank's mother becomes ill, Frank blames Max for demanding so much from her. But when tragedy strikes, Frank realizes that he was wrong,--wrong about the cause of his Mother's illness and also wrong for not seeing Max for the wonderful brother he is.

I recommend this book to students 3rd grade and up who enjoy reading about people with differences or who live with challenging differences themselves. Author Katya Balen does a good job of capturing the challenges of both living with autism and living with someone with autism. 

Warning: The story is a sad one, and you may cry, but the ending is uplifting.

Mrs. N.

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

I ordered Hello, Universe for our school library right after it won the Newbery Medal but have just now gotten around to reading it. What was I waiting for?! This story is full of so many things I love in books...varying points of view, humor, wonderful, misfit characters, and a satisfying ending. It is about how four kids' lives unexpectedly intersect and bring about changes they could never have foreseen.

Virgil Salinas is a shy, quiet 11-year-old boy who feels like he doesn't fit in anywhere, not even in his own family. Kaori Tanaka, also 11, is Virgil's friend who believes she is psychic and, with the help of her younger sister Gen, offers her services to the public. Next is Valencia Somerset, one of Virgil's classmates who is smart, deaf, and Virgil's secret crush. Finally, the bully of the story is Chet Bullens, a thoroughly unlikable kid whose act of meanness sets the plot in motion.

I had a great time listening to this story as an audio book and even laughed out loud more than once. Erin Entrada Kelly's character development is top notch! If you are a 4th-6th grader who likes adventures set in realistic neighborhood settings, I recommend Hello, Universe. It has something for every kind of reader.

Mrs. N.

Stay by Bobbie Pyron

In Stay 11-year-old Piper Trudeau's family has recently become homeless. The story begins with the family moving into a homeless shelter in a new city. While her parents look for work, Piper must adjust to life without a home...standing in line to receive meals, sharing a bed with her younger brother Dylan, riding the "homeless" bus to her new school. One of the things she misses most about her former life is her Firefly Troop, the girl scout troop she belonged to back home.

Things begin to look up for the Trudeau family when they are accepted into a family shelter that sponsors Firefly Troop 423. Finally Piper is able to make friends who understand her situation because they are in the same situation themselves. She also begins to notice and even befriend some of the homeless people around the city, many of whom have pets. In particular, she befriends a little dog named Baby who lives in the park with his owner Jewel. One horrible day Baby and Jewel get
separated, and Piper realizes she must be the one to reunite them.

I like how the author tells her story by alternating between Piper's perspective and Baby's perspective because that helps the reader truly empathize with both characters. I also appreciate how Piper's experience with homelessness opens my eyes to the fact that people become homeless for a lot of different reasons, any one of us could become homeless during our life time, and whether we have a home or not, ALL people are worthy of love and respect.

I recommend this touching book about a compassionate hero to dog-loving students 4th grade and up.

Mrs. N.

A Bear Named Bjorn by Delphine Perret

A Bear Named Bjorn is a collection of stories originally published in France. (Of course, the text has been translated into English!) Readers will immediately notice the unusual colored pages of this book; they are mint green instead of the usual white. The only other color used is black for the line drawings included on each page. This book reminds me of both the Little Bear book series by Else Holmelund Minarik and the Winnie the Pooh stories by A.A. Milne. Each chapter is a separate story involving the same characters, Bjorn and his woodland friends. My favorite story, "Nothing," follows a day in the life of Bjorn. "Not much happens in a bear's life," the story begins, "Often Bjorn does nothing at all. But he's never bored." 

I recommend this story collection to young readers ready to take a small step into the world of chapter books. A Bear Named Bjorn has six brief, fully illustrated chapters that invite children to imagine what it might be like to live life as a bear.

Mrs. N.

We Could Be Heroes by Margaret Finnegan

We Could Be Heroes tells the story of two wanna-be heroes: 4th graders Hank Hudson and Maisie Huang. Hank is a quiet, rock-loving boy with autism, and Maisie is a bossy, dog-loving girl with epilepsy. Maisie charges into Hank's life with a mission to save Booler, her next-door neighbor's Rottweiler. Like Maisie, Booler has epilepsy. Because of his seizures, his owner keeps him chained to a tree in his backyard. Maisie is determined to set him free, but she needs Hank's help. And so the adventure begins.

Author Margaret Finnegan's spot-on portrayal of autism and epilepsy are based on her own daughter's experiences living with both. This book's theme of friendship and the concept that "different is not less" make for a sweet and satisfying read that is especially appropriate for 3rd - 4th grade readers. I recommend it to students who enjoy heart-warming adventures and who love dogs.

Mrs. N.

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems

As most of my young students know, I love Mo Willems! His illustrations are simple and easy to draw, his text is perfect for beginning readers, and his stories are funny. The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! is the latest in Mo's Pigeon series, which began with the beloved Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (By the way, that book was inducted in the Picture Book Hall of Fame!)

In this story Pigeon is pitching a fit about not wanting to start school. As the reader soon realizes Pigeon is really afraid...afraid his teachers won't like him, afraid he will not be able to learn everything, and afraid he won't know what to expect. The thing that finally turns the whole situation around is when Pigeon discovers that he will go to school on a bus! What a perfect ending that takes readers right back to the beginning of the delightful Pigeon series.

I recommend this book to early readers who either love or want to discover Mo Willems's Pigeon series. I also think teachers would enjoy reading the book aloud at the beginning of the school year because Pigeon is not the only one who gets stressed out starting back to school.

Mrs N.

Gross As A Snot Otter by Jess Keating

The subtitle for Gross As A Snot Otter is Discovering the World's Most Disgusting Animals. It is another addition to author Jess Keating and illustrator David DeGrand's "The World of Weird Animals" series.

Each disgusting animal featured in this nonfiction book is given a two-page spread. One page is a color photograph of the animal, and the opposite page is an explanation of the creature's most odd and disgusting traits. A column of facts is also provided, which includes names the animal is known as, size, diet, habitat, and threats. While choosing a grossest animal is difficult, I would have to say the Surinam Toad freaked me out the most. The male basically plants the female's eggs onto her back. where her skin grows around them as protection. The toadlets hatch by punching through their mother's skin, approximately 100 at a time. EWWW!

I recommend this book to students with an interest in animals, a strong stomach, and an appetite for learning new things they can use to gross out their friends and family.

Note: While the book is full of photographs and cartoon illustrations, younger readers will need assistance reading it.

Mrs. N.

Smell My Foot! by Cece Bell

My first Cece Bell book was El Deafo, an Newbery Honor book in the graphic novel section of our library. Smell My Foot! is the first in Bell's Chick and Brain series, and it was selected as one of this year's Geisel Award Honor books. It is an early reader book divided into four chapters. The writing is simple and repetitive, perfect for students beginning to read on their own!

Chick is, as you might have assumed, a young chicken. Chick is obsessed with good manners and insists that everyone use them all the time. Brain is a human who wears nothing but boxer shorts. Brain appears rather dimwitted on the surface but is actually smarter than you think. This story, which also involves a dog named Spot, is sure to make you laugh! Young fans of graphic novel style will enjoy the clear, colorful illustrations, which are divided into panels like a comic book.

I recommend Smell My Foot! to early readers who like a good laugh.

Mrs. N.

This Is Not That Kind Of Book by Christopher Healy

Most readers develop preferences for certain genres (or types) of books. For example, I like to read realistic fiction the most, but I also enjoy a bit of light fantasy and even some nonfiction too. In This Is Not That Kind Of Book author Christopher Healy plays with mixing different types of books together. The story's characters are each from a different type of book (alphabet book, fairy tale, joke book, and so on), and they are on a mission to discover exactly what type of book they are in. What they discover is that there are no rules or limitations to a writer's imagination.

I recommend this book to lower grade students who enjoy reading humorous picture books. I also think teachers could make good use of this story when introducing the topic of literary genres.

Mrs. N.

Douglas by Randy Cecil

Douglas is the illustrated story of a mouse who lives in a movie theater and survives on popcorn people drop when they miss their mouths. One day she takes a nap in the pocket of a young girl's sweater and finds herself away from home for the first time in her life. (In case you think I've made a mistake; I haven't. Douglas is indeed a female mouse!) In her quest to return home, Douglas faces many obstacles (hungry street cats for one) and makes a new friend.

While this book may appear lengthy for a young reader, it is actually written more like a picture book with illustrations on every page and limited text. Cecil breaks his story into four acts which are subdivided into very short chapters. I recommend this book to young readers who are ready for beginning chapter books and who appreciate quirky but beautiful illustration work.

Note: Randy Cecil's book Lucy comes before this book and is considered a companion book. I have added it to our library wish list!

Mrs. N.

White Bird by R.J. Palacio

For those of you who liked the book Wonder, R. J. Palacio continues the theme of kindness in her new book White Bird.  Besides theme, the only thing White Bird has in common with the Wonder story is the character Julian. (As you may remember Julian is the main kid who bullies Auggie Pullman.)

At the beginning of the story Julian "Facetimes" his Grandmere (grandmother) who lives in France. He needs her help with a school project. From that point on, the story is narrated by Grandmere. She tells Julian the fascinating story of her survival as a Jew in Nazi-occupied France. The story also beautifully explains how Julian got his name.

I was surprised to discover that this amazing graphic novel was both written and illustrated by R. J. Palacio. The tale Grandmere tells, while fictional, is based on much research of real events that occurred in WWII France.

I recommend this book to students in 4th-6th grades. You will especially enjoy it if you have a little background knowledge about WWII and are interested in that time period. Because it is a graphic novel, I found it quick and easy to read. This was also because the story is so interesting that I had a difficult time putting it down.

Mrs. N.

Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker

I loved this book! It is the story of Ware, an 11-year-old boy who is forced by his parents to spend yet another summer at the Parks and Rec summer program while his parents work. Ware is a sensitive kid with the soul of an artist, and he just doesn't fit the "normal kid" mold that his parents seem to want for him. Instead of attending the summer program, Ware secretly climbs the fence between the Parks and Rec building and the demolished church on the lot next door. There he meets Jolene, a fiercely independent, parent-less girl. Thanks to Ware's imagination and ingenuity and Jolene's knowledge of gardening and the "real world," the two construct both a castle and a potentially profitable papaya garden. The summer is the best summer of Ware's life until a developer buys the lot from the city and threatens to destroy their world.

While I have read many of Sara Pennypacker's books (the beloved Clementine series, The Summer of the Gypsy Moths, and Pax), Here in the Real World is Pennypacker at her best. The chapters are short and easy to read, and the story is full of beautiful messages.

I heartily recommend this book to students in 3rd-6th grade who enjoy realistic fiction!

Mrs. N.

Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America by Susan Bartoletti

Have you ever heard of Typhoid Fever? What about Typhoid Mary? In this time of school closures due to the COVID 19 pandemic, this nonfiction account of Mary Mallon (aka Typhoid Mary)'s life is extra interesting!

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the Salmonella Paratyphi bacteria. It is spread by poor hygiene (improper hand washing) and contaminated food and water.

Terrible Typhoid Mary tells the story of Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant who lived in New York City and worked as a cook in the early 1900's. She was one of the first identified as a healthy carrier of the disease and is believed to have infected 51 people with typhoid fever during her career. She was arrested and forcibly quarantined to a cottage on North Brother Island off the coast of New York City where she lived out the remainder of her life.

I recommend this book to 4th-6th grade nonfiction lovers who are particularly interested in reading about epidemics, science, and history.

Mrs. N.

Mr. Terupt Falls Again by Rob Buyea

This is book two in the Mr. Terupt series. It has been several years since I read the first, Because of Mr. Terupt. In that one, Mr. Terupt is a beloved 5th grade teacher, and the narrators are seven of the students in his class: Peter, Alexia, Danielle, Jeffrey, Jessica, Anna, and Luke. The plot follows the students through their unforgettable 5th grade year at Snow Hill School. I remember loving how the author changes perspectives by changing narrators with every chapter (much like R.J. Palacio's book Wonder). That way the reader knows each major character's inmost thoughts and feelings directly.

Mr. Terupt Falls Again picks up where the first book leaves off--in the summer between 5th and 6th grade. Mr. Terupt is looping up with his class to teach 6th grade, and his students are helping him move classrooms. From there the story follows the same seven students through their last year at Snow Hill School.

Because this book deals with a couple of mature topics, I recommend it to 5th and 6th graders who like realistic fiction. It has an even mixture of boy and girl characters, action, and even a little elementary school romance. I especially like that this story shows us a peek into the healthy and beautiful classroom environment a wonderful teacher can build with his/her students.

Warning: This is one of those stories that is much better read in series order! Since it had been many years and many, many books since I read the first Mr. Terupt, I felt a little lost at times. Readers should consider reading the 3-book series in relatively quick succession.

Looking forward to reading the third book Saving Mr. Terupt soon!
Mrs. N.

Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech

Saving Winslow is a sweet, wholesome story of a boy named Louie who nurses Winslow, a miniature donkey, back to health. Winslow, in turn, helps to fill a hole in Louie's life created when his older brother Gus joined the army. The story is also about Louie's friendship with a quirky new girl named Nora for whom Winslow is also filling a few holes. The book proves that people, and donkeys, are stronger than we think they are.

This tale of love, friendship, and letting go will be especially appealing to readers who liked Charlotte's Web or to to readers who love animals and understand their unique ability to connect with humans. The chapters are very short, and the book is a quick read. I recommend it to readers grade 3 and up.

Mrs. N.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler

This book is the first in Liz Kessler's Emily Windsnap series. Readers are introduced to 7th grade Emily and her mom who live on a houseboat. The story begins with Emily finally getting her mom's permission to take swimming classes at her middle school. Not long after she submerges in the water of the school swimming pool, her legs fuse together and she discovers that she is a mermaid! As she comes to terms with her newfound identity, she begins to piece together her true family history. While she had always believed her dad left her as a baby, she learns that he was actually imprisoned by Neptune for fraternizing with a human being. Emily, her mom, and two of their friends (one human, one mermaid) set out on the adventure of freeing her dad.

I recommend this book to students grades 3 and up who enjoy suspending reality and immersing themselves in the fantasy world of mermaids and Greek mythology.

Mrs. N.

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library is the first book in a 5-book series by Chris Grabenstein. Grabenstein has written many, many books for children. He frequently co-authors series with James Patterson such as I Funny, House of Robots, and Treasure Hunters. This particular book has been made into a movie for Nickolodeon.

The story is about 12 12-year-olds who are invited to be the first and only guests of the opening night lock-in at the new public library in their town. The library is funded by billionaire game maker Luigi Lemoncello, famous for both his board games and his video games. It is not your average library but rather a fantastical, futuristic place that will remind you of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory (if you have read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl).

While the children enter the library expecting fun, games, and prizes, they soon find out that in order to win the best prize of all they will have to find the secret passageway out of Mr. Lemoncello's Library. Readers will enjoy the challenge of following book-related clues and solving puzzles right along with the main characters.

I recommend this book to 4th - 6th grade students who like the idea of an interactive story. If you like solving riddles and playing mind games, you will find this book thrilling! If you love the idea of being locked in the most amazing library you have ever imagined, this book is for you. If you are a fan of reality TV shows in which people get kicked off in the process of trying to win the grand prize, you will enjoy this story. It is faced-pace and full of action while being full of fantasy too.

Mrs. N.

Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina

I chose to read this book because it won the Newbery Medal last year. (Remember the Newbery is the annual award for the best book for children.) Merci is part of a close Cuban-American family living in Florida. She is a 6th grader at Seaward Pines Academy, an expensive private school to which she, along with her older brother Roli, received a scholarship. The story takes place during her 6th grade year, a time period that brings a lot of changes. At school, tomboy Merci has to deal with the fact that several of her elementary school friends are suddenly interested in boys. The ringleader of her problems is Edna Santos, a snotty, spoiled brat of a girl who likes the new boy Michael Clark, Merci's school-assigned Sunshine Buddy. At home, Merci's beloved grandfather, Lolo, is no longer acting like himself. He has started falling, forgetting things, and getting angry for unexplained reasons. This worries Merci, and she misses the close relationship they have always had.

Middle school is hard but it can also be humorous. Author Meg Medina shows both truths through the adventures of her lovable, strong heroine Merci.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to students in 4th -6th grades. Students with a background from a Spanish-speaking country may especially enjoy this book as it incorporates Spanish words/phrases, foods, etc. throughout.

Mrs. N.

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

Love That Dog is a short, touching book of poetry written by the main character, a second-grader named Jack. Jack's poetry tells the story of his experience with Miss Stretchberry's poetry unit at school. The unit begins shortly after Jack's beloved dog has died. At first Jack believes poetry is for girls, and he does not think he has anything to write about. Eventually, though, Jack discovers Walter Dean Myers, a poet he loves and admires. He also realizes that he actually does have something very important to say in his own poetry...something about his love for his dog.

I recommended this book for 2nd-6th grade students who love pets and who already appreciate writing as a way to express life's difficult experiences. I also recommend this book to students who have not yet discovered the satisfying and healing power of writing.

Mrs. N.