Messy Penny by Roopa Weber

Messy Penny by Roopa Weber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Messy Penny is an adorable book. It has a lovely message and cute illustrations to compliment the story. Like many of us, Penny is concerned about her outward appearance. She experiences frustration about how she looks in a way that is relatable for young children. Penny comes to realize that her beauty comes from inner joy. I really enjoyed this sweet story. I hope to see more Penny books in the future!

Highly recommended for young children and those work with young children.

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I Funny

I Funny: A Middle School Story by James Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not every middle-schooler deals with the issues Jamie Grimm has to face, but, let's face it, every middle-schooler has issues. That's why I think they'll enjoy and relate to Jamie. His life is tough, but he's still able to laugh. I think this is an important lesson for everyone to learn - not just middle-schoolers.

Highly recommended for middle-schoolers . . . and everyone else.

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The Underdogs by Mike Lupica

My first year as a school librarian is winding to an end.  It's been a year of much work and learning. One gift this year has given me is the returned joy of working with kids.  I really enjoyed building relationships with students and experiencing a love of teaching that I haven't felt since my initial years in education.  A perfect example is illustrated by my review of The Underdogs.

The Underdogs by Mike Lupica
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Some of the best books I've read were recommended to me by students. Recently, a 5th grader who was working on a book trailer project for my class asked for help. The conversation went something like this:

5th Grade Boy: Mrs. Salcedo, what city does The Underdogs take place in?
Me: What?
5GB: You know, The Underdogs, what's the city?
Me: I don't know.
5GB: Yes, you do. You know the book about the boy with the football team. You know, the really good book.
Me: No. I've never read that.
5GB (looking at me in total shock): What?! That's the best book ever!
Me: Actually, I don't think I've ever read a football book in my life.
5GB's jaw actually drops and he looks at me more as an alien now than a human librarian. Then: Okay, can I just go over to the library and get the book.
Me: Sure.

A few minutes later.

5GB (clearly hiding something behind his back): Mrs. Salcedo, would you come into the library for a minute.
Me: Okay...
5GB walks over to the circulation desk where I keep the teachers' library cards for check out and pulls The Underdogs from behind his back: May I get your library card?
Me: Yes.
5GB (checks out book in my name): Is this okay? Will you read this? You have to read this! We need to expand your football book repertoire.
Me (wondering where on Earth a 5th grade boy learned to use language like "repertoire"): Sure. Yes, I will read it!

I'm so glad that happened because, yes, I did need to expand my football book repertoire. I was totally unfamiliar with the book and only vaguely knew that Mike Lupica wrote sports books (can't keep them on the shelves). Now, I want to read more Mike Lupica books and more football books. This is a wonderful story about football, but also about love, purpose, teamwork and making a comeback in life. I really loved this book. Thanks, 5th Grader!

By the way, the student also checked in on my reading periodically, including quizzes! I passed every question! :)

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The Case of the Cursed Dodo (The Endangered Files Book #1) by Jake G. Panda

The Case of the Cursed Dodo by Jake G. Panda
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was intrigued when I received a review copy of The Case of the Cursed Dodo. I wasn’t entirely sure what a “jungle noir” book for children was all about. This book is not only a wonderfully original idea, but an absolute delight to read!

So, how do I explain this book? It’s like Casablanca, only with endangered animals. That in itself is cool considering it’s geared toward upper elementary/middle-school readers. Jake Panda is the in-house detective at the Wildlife’s Last Resort, a getaway for endangered species. There are many fun and furry characters encountered here and on Jake’s outside adventures.

It’s also very unique in that the whole book is written as a script. Now, I’m not familiar with reading scripts, but it was really neat that directions for shots and settings were introduced in that way.

As an educator, I could see this book being used to facilitate teaching visualizing to older students who still struggle with this. If you’re like me, when you read a book, there is actually a movie playing in your head. You see/hear/feel everything that’s going on. This is visualizing. It’s a reading comprehension strategy often taught to young students. In my opinion, older kids and adults who don’t like reading fiction probably have difficulty or just don’t visualize what they’re reading. They don’t have a movie playing, so they think reading is boring. Using the Cursed Dodo (and hopefully other books in the series if they follow suit) would be a great way to scaffold visualizing with older readers because it guides what we are to see (experience) in each scene.

As a reader, this was a story I really enjoyed. There are interesting characters (including a wide array of endangered animals – one or two I’d never even heard of), fun plot twists, and great messages about protecting endangered species. The illustrations are very cool as well and add a great deal to the overall presentation of this eBook.

Highly recommended!


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Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

Cress by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE the Lunar Chronicles series!

Cress (Book 3) continues to extend and add complexities to the series as a whole. As with the second book, Scarlet, at first I wasn't sure that I could come to care for Cress as much as the other characters with whom I'd already become connected. Cress is very different from Cinder or Scarlet and I still need to get to know her better through the final installment (Do I really have to wait until November?!). However, her character (and Throne for that matter) grew on me. I was also glad to have Kai and Cinder finally in the same room together again (well, I was glad, then I wasn't, then I was nervous, then I definitely wasn't, then I was, I think . . .).

If you liked the first book at all, give the 2nd and 3rd books a try. The story definitely gets more complex and enjoyable. I also like how more and more of the characters' back stories are being revealed as the story progresses.

Highly recommended, but read the series in order!

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Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me just say . . . I LOVED this book!

At the very beginning, I wasn't sure I could get into it because I loved Cinder so much. I didn't see how I could enjoy and connect with Scarlet and Wolf and their story as much as Cinder and Kai, but I fell in love again!

In this second book in The Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder escapes from prison and accidently acquires a partner in crime, "Captain" Thorne. Their escape and search for answers is played out between chapters telling the story of Scarlet, a young woman who is desperate to find her missing grandmother. Scarlet partners with a street fighter named Wolf to track down her grandmother's kidnappers. Mysteries surrounding Wolf's life and true identity slowly come to light as they get closer to finding Scarlet's grandmother. Will Scarlet get too close? Will trusting Wolf be a mistake?

I can't wait to start book three, Cress!

Highly recommended - read the series in order!

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Cinder by Marissa Meyer (The Lunar Chronicles #1)

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't really know what I was getting into when I started this book. I love all things Grimm, so I was interested in reading another fairy tale revamp, but I didn't know anything about how this one was done.

Initially, it took a bit for me to get into the story. I don't normally associate cyborgs and world wars with fairy tales. Once I got into the story though, I REALLY got into it! There is enough of a nod to the original tale to satisfy the connection, but enough originality to make this story extremely appealing to current YA fans.

Despite trying to shorten my "to read" list, I can't be too upset with Marissa Meyer for adding 3 more books to the list. I must read the whole series now! I have to find out if there will be a happily ever after for Cinder and Emperor Kai!

Highly recommended!

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Longbourn by Jo Baker

Longbourn by Jo Baker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm very hesitant to read any books that claim to continue stories by Jane Austen, but were not written by dear Jane herself. I like reading her original works without alteration, continuation, or even being finished at all because I like the work of Jane Austen.

It was with some reluctance that I took the recommendation of a friend and decided to read Longbourn. One reason I was willing to read it is because it's different. It's not continuing a story but rather supporting the story of Pride and Prejudice with another story. The story of the servantry "downstairs". Events in this book parallel events in Austen's original work.

The main character is Sarah, a young housemaid who desires to experience the world rather than stay trapped in hard work at Longbourn for the rest of her life. The other main characters are the rest of the servants of the Bennet household with supporting characters from servants of the Bingley and Darcy households. Characters readers will recognize from Pride and Prejudice show up in various forms, from brief appearances to having life-changing interactions with the servants.

The author, Jo Baker, seems to have a very realistic perspective of what servants (and soldiers)may have experienced at that time. In comparison to the writing of Austen, Baker uses very graphic language and explicit images at various points throughout the book.

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Sky Raiders (Five Kingdoms #1) by Brandon Mull

Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first book in Brandon Mull's latest series is as enjoyable as his other epic adventures.

This time a boy from our world, Cole, and his friends are kidnapped and taken to a different world as slaves. Of course this is Mull's imagination we are delving into, so these slaves will be used for a type of magic called shaping or to be thieves that steal from castles that float in the sky.

If you love Mull's other tales of strange creatures and magical worlds, then you'll love this as well. If you aren't familiar with the writing of Brandon Mull, I would suggest reading the Fablehaven series first to get a taste of his style and imagination before getting into the more complex story lines woven into the Five Kingdoms series.

Whether you are familiar with the books of Brandon Mull or not, if you love fantasy, this is an author you definitely want on your "to read" list!

Highly recommended.

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Size Matters Not: The Extraordinary Life and Career of Warwick Davis (Autobiography)

Size Matters Not: The Extraordinary Life and Career of Warwick Davis by Warwick Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved reading about the life and experiences of Warwick Davis. I love Willow and thought he was fantastic in that film.
I've thought how amazing it is to be the only major actor to play multiple roles in BOTH of the major film movements that are Star Wars and Harry Potter. I had no idea of all the other movies and projects in which Davis has been involved.
I also enjoyed hearing his positive voice throughout the book. He and his wife have had some very difficult life experiences, but their love of life and each other is repeated over and over. Reading this book gave me very positive vibes and I don't feel ready for this reading journey is over!

Highly recommended!

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The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can think of nothing better to do on a chilly fall morning when I'm feeling under the weather than to stay in bed and read. This time gave me the opportunity to finish The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

This is the dark, yet quirky tale of Bod, a living boy raised by a menagerie of ghosts (and a few other creatures). Throughout the book, Bod meets various living and non-living characters and has some interesting experiences. Being raised in a graveyard has many advantages for the boy, but also the disadvantage of not fitting into (or being safe in) the world of the living. I absolutely enjoyed this book! A book that can allow the reader to experience a variety of emotions is a satisfying read and you definitely get that with this book - fear, sadness, joy, heartbreak, and hope.

This is my highly recommended October read!

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Rise of the Earth Dragon (Dragon Masters #1) by Tracey West

Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another dragon book?!?!  Well, it IS me!

I read this because it was included in a preview set for an upcoming Scholastic Book Fair I'll be having in my library in October. I found a book that I not only want to promote with students, but also share with my own child. My six-year-old loves things like Harry Potter and Narnia, but reads on a mid-second grade level. This is perfect for him because it has castles, dragons, and magic, but is written on a second grade reading level. The pictures also keep a young reader interested in this transitional chapter book. I shared the story of Drake and his discovery that he is a Dragon Master with my son. He got excited and wanted to start reading it together, though he's read much of it himself.
What a great book for young readers interested in fantasy. I can't wait to check out other books in this series.

Recommended for readers who enjoy fantasy and read on a second-grade reading level.

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Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown

Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is such a fun little book. Anyone who has parented a young child and loves Star Wars will really get a kick out of it. Darth Vader and Son is Jeffrey Brown's take on what life would have been like if the four-year-old Luke Skywalker was raised by his father.
This would be a great gift for the Star Wars fan dads in your life!

Highly recommended.

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The World's Greatest Love Letters compiled by Michael Kelahan

The World's Greatest Love Letters by Michael Kelahan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the past few years I've become interested in letter writing. I write pen and ink letters on parchment to my friends and seal them with wax. This interest caused me to pick up this book and I really enjoyed reading it.
This is a collection of private letters written throughout history. It gives some interesting insight into the feelings and beliefs of famous figures in history and literature. In some cases, I was not familiar with the people, but it inspired a desire to learn more about these individuals and their relationships.
Maybe reading this book will also inspire readers to write and mail a letter the old-fashioned way. Getting a text or email still doesn't compare with getting a letter by post!

Highly recommended!

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Emperor Pickletine Rides the But (Origami Yoda #6) by Tom Angleberger

Emperor Pickletine Rides the Bus by Tom Angleberger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the first 4 books, but was disappointed by book #5, which made me nervous about the final installment in the series. But, the final book restored my love of Tom Angleberger and the Origami Yoda series. It definitely did not disappoint and was a satisfying ending to the adventures of Tommy, Dwight, Origami Yoda and all the other characters, both human and origami in nature. Fun and FULL of laugh out loud moments (just ask my husband who got pretty annoyed being in the same room with me while I was reading). Great read! :)

Highly recommended.

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Horton Halfpott: Or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor; or, The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset by Tom Angleberger

Horton Halfpott: Or, The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor; or, The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset by Tom Angleberger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The more of his books I read, the more I adore Tom Angleberger. This book is quirky, goofy, funny and fun . . . for the kind of person who can appreciate strange, quirky humor.

Horton is a severely mistreated kitchen boy at Smugwick Manor. Everything is terrible and mundane, until M'Lady Luggertuck's "loosening". All kinds of things begin to occur around the manor, including robbery, pirating, and love. M'Lady's evil son, Luther, will try to destroy Horton, his long-time friend Bump or his new friend Celia Sylvan-Smythe through any means necessary. Will Horton escape Luther's evil scheme? Find out in this crazy story!

I loved it and hope for more (there's an allusion to more of Bump's story being told in a future book and I hope it's true)!

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Dying to Meet You (43 Old Cemetery Road #1)

Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A few years ago a 5th grade student recommended this book to me. I just got around to reading it and I'm glad I did! It's perfect for middle to upper elementary readers.

A grumpy, old author of children's books about ghosts (who doesn't like children or believe in ghosts) moves in to a summer home that comes with some unexpected additions. The lovely Victorian home includes an eleven-year-old boy, his 190-year-old best friend (a ghost), and a cat (did I mention the author can't stand cats?). All kinds of fun ensues.

A very cool aspect of the book is that it's written in letters with a few pictures. The whole story is told in letters written between the characters. This is a fun, cute story about friendship and ghosts.

A fun, easy read for mid-upper elementary students. Highly recommended.

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File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents by Lemony Snicket

File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents by Lemony Snicket
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lately, I just can't get enough Snicket!

I enjoyed this interjection into the All the Wrong Questions series. This is a collection of 13 short mysteries that Snicket solves while working on his "big investigation" in the town of Stain'd by the Sea. In addition to many of the regular characters and Snicket associates readers know from the series, many new strange and suspicious characters from the seemingly lifeless town are introduced in these stories.

Filled with all the quirky humour and excellent quotable quotes I've come to expect from Lemony in this series. I totally loved it!

Highly recommended!

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I got the job!

I'm going to be a school librarian!!! I am so excited to begin sharing my love of reading and books with elementary school students! My new school has a wonderful administrator and it's a supportive school community. :)

The Boxcar Children (Book #1) by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Boxcar Children (The Boxcar Children #1) by Gertrude Chandler Warner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just finished reading The Boxcar Children. I've never read this classic before, but so glad I read it now!

I absolutely adored the tale of the 4 Alden children and their adventures. The two bothers and two sisters are orphans who find an old train car and make it their home. The children are hardworking, independent, and happy - their life is not glamorous, but they enjoy it!

Though originally published in 1942, I found this book to be really refreshing and one I want to share with children today. My hope is that it would show children the benefits of learning to do things independently, having pride in doing things the best you can, enjoying simple things and being happy with whatever situation you are in life. Lessons that everyone can benefit from!

Highly recommended!

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