Lions and Gladiators and Fires, Oh My! Third Graders Go Back to Ancient Rome with Rescue Dog

Hello, Readers!

This week third graders meet to discuss the historical fiction book Ranger in Time: Danger in Ancient Rome (#2 in the series) by Kate Messner.

Ranger is a golden retriever who has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog. In this adventure, he travels to the Colosseum in ancient Rome, where there are gladiator fights and wild animal hunts! Ranger becomes friends with Marcus, a young boy who must be saved from a runaway lion, and Quintus, a new gladiator who must prove himself in the arena. Will Ranger be able to help Marcus and Quintus escape the brutal world of the Colosseum?

This story is full of historical details, plenty of action to keep readers engaged, and full-page illustrations to support the text. At the end of the book, a glossary is included to clarify meaning of ancient Roman terms, and there is an author's note about the research that went into learning about Rome.

To preview discussion questions, click here. Be sure to visit the Grade 3 page for more links to web sites related to Kate Messner, her books, and ancient Rome.

Happy reading!

A Class Election Full of Woeful Worries and Punny Word Play

Hello Readers!

This week 2nd graders will meet to discuss The Class Election from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler. Hubie is back and worrisome as ever in this story. Readers will find themselves giggling at all of the puns and word play throughout the book (i.e., "This is going to be a campaign in the neck.")

Mean Mrs. Green is forcing everyone in 3rd grade to run for something in the school election, but everyone just wants to run for their lives! YIKES! Hubie is running for president against Doris. But he doesn't think he stands a chance against the free ice cream that she's giving away to voters. Plus, to stay in the race he has to do crazy stuff like shake Coach Kong's paw and Mrs. Green's claw, and kiss a bunch of babies. Hubie's chances look slim. Will being the candidate who stands for something be enough to win him the race in the end? Or will Hubie lose the election and get vote out of the school?

To preview discussion questions, click here. Please visit the Grade 2 page for more information related to author Mike Thaler and other books in the Black Lagoon series.

Happy reading!

Kid Campaigns to be President of YOU-nited States

Hello Readers!

This week 4th and 5th graders are meeting in collaboration to discuss The Kid Who Ran for President by Dan Gutman. Could a kid really run for president? Could a kid really become president? Are there any similarities between this book and real life? Meet the candidate: Judson Moon.

"Hi! My name is Judson Moon. I'm twelve years old and I'm running for President of the YOU-nited States." That's how I introduced myself to about a zillion people. I must have kissed a zillion babies, said a zillion hellos, shaken a zillion hands . . . Will I get a zillion votes? The answer might surprise you.

Can you picture a kid as President? Imagine what we can accomplish -- together -- in a country where parents listen. Where teachers give no homework. Where every lawmaker obeys a single kid -- me! How am I going to pull this off? Who knows! Read the book to find out.


Gutman's book is a fast-paced page turner that is a funny read and cleverly disguises a helpful dose of factual information to help the reader understand the election process in the US. To preview discussion questions, click here. Please visit the Grade 4 page or the Grade 5 page to find out more about author Dan Gutman and the books he has written. You will also find links to the website for the real Kid President.

Happy reading!

Third Graders Explore White House Mystery on the Eve of Election Day

Hello Readers!

Just in time for Election Day 2016, 3rd graders are meeting this week to discuss The Election-Day Disaster (Capital Mysteries series #10) by Ron Roy.

The morning after the White House Halloween costume party, KC and her best friend, Marshall, wake up to a trick, not a treat. With the presidential election only a week away, someone has posted damaging photos of the president on the Internet, photos that were digitally doctored! Will they ruin President Thornton's chances for a second term? Or can KC and Marshall rescue the election? We will be exploring clues, suspects, and "red herrings," as we try to solve this mystery.

Please visit the Grade 3 page to preview discussion questions and to explore author Ron Roy's website. If you are interested in other books related to elections and presidents, check out my post about entertaining election season reads.

Happy reading!