The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book, a Newbery Award winner, begins with the murder of an entire family...well entire, that is, except for a one-year-old boy. This toddler escapes to an ancient graveyard where he is adopted by a ghost couple and guarded by a being who is neither dead or alive. Readers come to know this remarkable boy as Nobody (Bod) Owens. Bod is raised in the graveyard and is taught mysterious, ghostly skills such as the ability to fade from view when necessary. Gaiman maintains a level of suspense throughout the novel by periodically shifting the storyline to the murderer known as the man Jack. The man Jack is determined never to give up his search for Bod, and he will not be satisfied until he is dead. Will life outside the graveyard ever be possible for Bod or is he forever confined to the safety of the graveyard? Those readers who relish surprise endings will be rewarded.

Since the story's plot is complex and very supernatural, I recommend the book to strong readers who enjoy the fantasy genre. By the way, I listened to this book on CD and thoroughly enjoyed Neil Gaiman's narration!

Mrs. N.

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

This book was another recommendation from my 10-year-old niece. In fact, it is her all-time favorite book so far! (That's saying a lot because she is an avid reader.)

Out of My Mind is the story of 10-year-old Melody, an incredibly smart girl with cerebral palsy. Like R.J. Palacio with Wonder, author Sharon Draper does a tremendous job of allowing her readers to view life from the perspective of someone living with a disability. It is eye-opening! While I have known a few people with cerebral palsy, I never realized how frustrating they must feel living with a functioning brain trapped in an essentially paralyzed body.

Overall, Melody's story caused me to take an honest look at how I relate to people who live with varying types of disabilities. For this reason, I believe Sharon Draper has accomplished what so many authors strive to accomplish; she has written a book with the power to change lives for the better.

Highly recommended for upper-grade elementary students.

Mrs. N.

A Little Bit of Spectacular by Gin Phillips

My daughter posted an earlier review of Gin Phillips' first children's book, Hidden Summer, which I read and really enjoyed. A Little Bit of Spectacular is Mrs. Phillips' second book for children. Like her first, it is set in Birmingham, Alabama where she lives. This one is great for readers who like a little mystery in their fiction. Olivia, the main character, is struggling to adapt to her recent move to Alabama. One day she finds an intriguing message written on the bathroom wall of her favorite coffee shop--"We are Plantagenet--and this begins her quest to determine the meaning and the person (people) behind the message. Olivia finally begins to make headway in solving the mystery after she makes her first friend, Amelia (the "Frog Girl"). Like all good books, this one leaves readers with a bigger, more important message...there is a little bit of spectacular in each one of our lives if we just open our eyes to see it.

Mrs. N.

All the Answers by Kate Messner

Have you ever wished for the ability to know the answers to every test you take at school...without studying? Have you ever wanted to know what's going to happen before it happens? These common fantasies are explored in All the Answers. The story centers around a blue pencil that Ava Anderson finds in the family junk drawer the morning before her math test. During the test, she discovers that the pencil answers questions for her in a voice that only she can hear. This is the beginning of an adventure in which Ava and her best friend Sophie come to realize the pros and cons of having all your questions answered.

I borrowed All the Answers from my 10-year-old niece who explained that it was one of her all-time-favorite books. I recommend it to students who like to read fantasy mixed with realistic fiction. I also recommend it to those who struggle with anxiety as Ava does. In the end, her experience with the pencil teaches her an important lesson about living life in the moment.

By Mrs. N.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Al Capone Does My Shirts is a story set in the 1930's on Alcatraz Island outside of San Francisco, California. The island is home to Alcatraz, the infamous maximum-security prison that was once located there. Moose's Dad gets a job at the prison so that his sister Natalie, who has severe autism, can go to a special school in San Francisco that will meet her needs. His family moves to the island while the famous American gangster Al Capone is incarcerated there. As Moose and Natalie adjust to their new life, they have adventures with several other children who live on the island and eventually with Al Capone himself!

While the story is fiction, Ms. Choldenko did extensive research on life on Alcatraz Island before writing this book. She even interviewed people who lived there during the setting of her story. This makes the plot believable. For that reason, I recommend this book to students who enjoy realistic fiction. Also, students who have a sibling with special needs will enjoy relating to Moose and Natalie's relationship.

P.S. My family listened to this book on CD while traveling on vacation. If you haven't tried an audiobook before, it really helps pass the time on long trips!

By Mrs. N.

Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Hooked on historical fiction and excited to read another book by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, I read Jefferson's Sons next. This book is about Thomas Jefferson's secret children, the ones whose mother was Sally Hemings, a slave at Monticello. The story is told from the perspective of three different slave children, including two of his own sons. (I love when children narrate!) The subject matter of this book fascinated me, and I found myself wanting to know more about this part of Jefferson's life. I really appreciated the amount of research the author put into writing this story; she based as much of it on fact as possible. If you are interested in getting a glimpse into the lives and minds of slaves whose father was the president of the United States, read this book.

 Kimberly Brubaker Bradley books bring important historical time periods alive and make them personal for the reader. I highly recommend this author to upper grade readers who like historical fiction and maybe even those who don't think they do.

By Mrs. N.

The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Summertime and the living is easy! I am loving having the time to read great books for children (and adults)!

For fans of historical fiction, I have discovered a wonderful author...Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. I read The War that Saved my Life first; it is the story of what happens to10-year-old Ada and her younger brother Jamie when they are sent away from London during Germany's attack on England in WWII. While their Mam's abuse and neglect is appalling, the love and acceptance they find once they leave the city is heartwarming and so well-deserved. The book expanded my definition of family and reminded me of how important it is to be loved and valued for exactly who you are. It also included just enough adventure and suspense to keep me reading to the end!

Mrs. N.