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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The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child by Donalyn Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So . . . I am not the type of educator who typically picks up a book on education during my free time unless I am required to (like now during my Spring Break week), BUT . . .

The Book Whisperer was recommended to me by a fellow educator who doesn't really know me, but heard me talking about my passion for reading and encouraging students to read and said, "You really need to read this book. [Donalyn Miller] really shares your ideas about encouraging readers."

I happened to pick the book up last weekend and have poured through it this week. This is an excellent book that reminds us we are not just trying to get students through a year/test, we have the opportunity to foster life-long readers. Educators should be developing students into people who love reading because it is an important part of life - not just something that gets us through school and then we're done with it.

I love, love, love this book and highly recommend it to educators of all levels, everywhere!

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The Dragonlord's Heir (The Ascalon Trilogy #1) by Christina Kenway

The Dragonlord's Heir by Christina Kenway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you love dragon-slayer stories I’ve got a winner for you! The Dragonlord’s Heir is the first book in a planned trilogy by Christina Kenway and it’s awesome!

I really enjoyed the story of Logan, a regular boy being raised by his Mom and living a normal life. His life does a 180 on his thirteenth birthday. After some scary dreams and being followed by a creepy stranger, the truth about his father is revealed. Logan is a descendent of Saint George-a person capable of protecting the world from dragons. At the moment he turns thirteen, Logan is the Dragonlord and he has quite a bit of catching up to do as far as what this means and what’s involved. By the way, he doesn’t have much time to figure it all out because there are people out to kill him.

This is a super fun read for middle-grade readers who love fantasy. I really enjoyed the book. Logan’s impulsive nature drives me a little crazy, but is totally legitimate for a thirteen-year-old boy. His often bad decision-making makes sense because he’s been raised completely clueless about the world of the Dragonlord and the Order that protects him. I think middle-grade readers will identify with Logan’s struggles because he really comes across as a regular kid thrown into a completely strange situation.

It’s a very enjoyable read that has me excited for the second book in the series!

Highly recommended!


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