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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