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.