A Three-Legged Griffin, Some Trolls on a Mission, a Dragon with a Headcold, and Pesky Fairies - Just Another Day in the Woods

Hello, Readers!

This week 2nd graders are discussing Ivy, a fantasy written by Katherine Coville. This story is a charming example of how we can all bring kindness, a positive attitude, and a helping hand in  an effort to foster a world that is full of acceptance and peace. Coville creates endearing (and perhaps a couple of not-so-endearing) characters that readers will enjoy.

Ivy’s grandmother is a healer—to mostly four-legged patients of he forest. Although the woodland creatures love her, the residents of Broomsweep grumble about Grandmother’s unkempt garden. When a kingdom-wide contest is announced to proclaim the tidiest town in the land, the people of Broomsweep are determined to win. That is, if they can get Ivy’s grandmother to clean up her ways. Ivy is determined to lend a hand, but the task proves more challenging when a series of unexpected refugees descends on Grandmother’s cottage. Before the week is over, an injured griffin, a dragon with a cold, and a tiny flock of temperamental pixies will cause a most untidy uproar in Broomsweep . . . and brighten Ivy’s days in ways she never could have dreamed.

Source: publisher's description https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/253068/ivy-by-katherine-coville/9780553539752

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. How do the people of Broomsweep act toward Meg the Healer (Grandma) and Ivy? Why do the townspeople act that way?
2. Talk about Mistress and Mayor Peevish. How would you describe their personalities?
3. Why did Cedric the Three-Legged Griffin and Balthazar the Dragon arrive at Grandma Meg's cottage?
4. How did the arrival of the magical creatures help or hurt the chances of Broomsweep winning the contest?
5. Two other types of magical creatures are a part of this story: fairies and trolls. Describe how they are the cause of some problems. How do the problems get solved?
6. Peter is one character who changed in this story. How did he change? Give an example of another character who changed and explain the changes you noticed.
7. What message did the author want readers to understand after reading this story?
8. Who was your favorite character in this book? Why?

Curriculum Connections:

• Character Traits and Life Skills: Problem Solving, Kindness, Teamwork, Differences
• Writing: Narrative Techniques (the power of three, dialogue)
• Fantasy: Mythological Creatures

What 2nd Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 4.0 out of 5
• "I wondered why did the griffin protect Poof so much?" --Boris
• "My favorite part is when C.T.L. Griffin said, 'I GUARD THE POOF.'" --Ansley
• "I wondered why the trolls go and take Mistress Peevish and Mayor Peevish." --Rivian
• "My favorite part was when Cedric arrived and he made a crash landing." --Jake
• "I want to talk about when Balthazar blasts Mistress Peevish with dragon snot and fire." --Nathan
• "My favorite part was when the trolls attacked!" --Boris
• "I wondered why so much animals keep on going to grandmother's house." --Jake

If You Liked This Book, You Might Try Reading These:

"You're Telling Me I Can't Read This Book? Oh, Okay," . . . Said No Kid Ever.

Ban This Book: A Novel by Alan Gratz

Hello, Readers!

This week 5th graders are discussing Ban This Book: A Novel by Alan Gratz. In my opinion, Gratz is a master at developing determined, realistic characters to whom readers can relate, and he does it again with the cast of characters in Ban This Book.

It all started the day Amy Anne Ollinger tried to check out her favorite book in the whole world, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, from the school library. That’s when Mrs. Jones, the librarian, told her the bad news: her favorite book was banned! All because a classmate’s mom thought the book wasn’t appropriate for kids to read.

Amy Anne decides to fight back by starting a secret banned book library out of her locker. But soon things get out of hand, and Amy Anne finds herself on the front line of an unexpected battle over book banning, censorship, and who has the right to decide what she and her fellow students can read.

In the end, her only recourse might be to try to beat the book banners at their own game. Because after all, once you ban one book, you can ban them all…

Source: https://www.alangratz.com/writing/ban-this-book/

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel and what is your reaction when someone tells you that you cannot do something?
2. What does it mean to be a "banned" book? Do you think some books should be banned from libraries? Why or why not?
3. Describe Amy Anne. How does her personality help and hinder her at the same time? How does she change throughout this story?
4. What troubles Amy Anne about her family life? What advice might you give Amy Anne about dealing with her sisters and about getting her parents to understand her concerns?
5. What are the main reasons Amy Anne is upset Mrs. Spencer's decision to remove books from the school library?
6. What are "good intentions"? Do good intentions always to good outcomes? Share an example from the story to make your point.
7. What is the B.B.L.L.? Do you think it was a good idea? Why or why not?
8. Who does Amy Anne hold responsible for getting her suspended? Who is really responsible, and why?
9. Amy Anne says, ". . . for all the amazing things books can do, they can't make you into a bad person." Agree or disagree, and why?
10. The list of banned books used by the author in this story includes some books Amy Anne doesn't like reading as well as some she feels uncomfortable reading. Why would Gratz think it was important to use a list like this?
11. What message do you think author Alan Gratz wanted readers to consider after reading this book?

Curriculum Connections:

• Social Studies: The Constitution and Bill of Rights, The First Amendment
• Celebrate Children's Book Week and Every Child a Reader
• Find out some of the books that have been challenged or banned throughout history
• Learn about Banned Books Week.

What 5th Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 4.5 out of 5 - We really enjoyed reading and discussing this book.
• "My favorite part was when Amy Anne started the B.B.L.L. an then went insane with banning books." --Alex
• "I wondered how Amy Anne sat in the bathroom for one whole day." --Vibha
• "Why would people ban books that have the slightest degree of violations without policy? That doesn't make sense." --Alex
• "My favorite part was when she played 'hookie'." --Alexa
• "I want to talk about how her favorite book is real!" --Katie
• "One question I wondered was why are there lockers in 4th grade?" --Sophie
• "My favorite part was when Trey's mom lost to Amy Anne." --Aditi
• 
  
• "Did this happen to the author?" --Aditi

If You Liked This Book, You Might Try Reading These:

     

What We're Reading Next:

To the Jedi Academy, Return Victor Must - Youngling Battles Alarm Clocks, New Kids, and Rumors in Year Two

Jedi Academy: The Force Oversleeps by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Hello, Readers!

This week, 4th grade book club members are discussing Jedi Academy: The Force Oversleeps by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. This graphic novel is the fifth book in the Star Wars Jedi Academy series, and it continues to entertain with relatable characters, humorous situations, and simple, yet important, lessons in humanity.

Victor Starspeeder is back at Jedi Academy for year two, but it's not going the way he'd planned. He was thrilled about Drama Club and hoped to get the lead in this year's musical. But a new kid got the role! What gives?! Plus, he keeps oversleeping and arriving at class late.

Worst of all, his big sister Christina is getting ready to graduate from Jedi Academy, and there are rumors going around that she's a Sith! What's a Padawan to do? In times when he feels more alone than ever, Victor will have to trust the ways of the Force and his friends if he's going to survive year two.

(Source: https://www.scholastic.com/kids/book/the-force-oversleeps-by-jarrett-j-krosoczka/)

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. What formats of writing appear in this story, and which was your favorite? Did the multiple formats of writing make it more challenging or more entertaining as you read?
2. New Beginnings - Why is Victor looking forward to this school year? How is Zavyer new and not new at the same time?
3. Friendship - Friendship is a subject that is explored in The Force Oversleeps. What lesson(s) or message(s) did you learn about friendship by reading this story?
4. Family - Describe Victor’s relationship with his sister, Christina. What is going on at school (or on Stargram) that has Victor concerned about Christina? 
5. Emotions and the Force - Why did Yoda say that it was important to talk and get your feelings out instead of letting them stay bottled up inside? 
6. Growth - Which characters changed the most in this story? In what ways? 
7. Learning – What did Victor learn this year, both literally from attending his classes at school, and more importantly, through his experiences with his friends, family, and teachers?
8. Humor - Humor is a big part of the Jedi Academy series. What part did you find the funniest? What strategies or techniques does Jarrett J. Krosoczka use to make the story funny (for example, references to the Star Wars books/movies)?

Curriculum Connections:

• Visit Jarrett J. Krosoczka's web site to learn more about him and the other books he has written and illustrated.
• Character Development (friendship, problem solving, working together)

What 4th Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 4.9 out of 5 - Wow! We loved it!
• "My favorite part was when the 2nd and 3rd years had a light saber tournament." --Varun
• "I want to talk about the Stargram posts." --Rehet
• "How did their father turn Sith?" --Jack
• "I wondered what did his mom and sister talk about?" --Addie
• "My favorite part was the light saber tournament when Krio Vin invades Victor's mind." --Alex
• "Why did Victor want to be a star speeder driver?" --Jeb
• "I wondered how long the Academy has been around." --Ryan
• "My favorite part was when it said, 'If you can't help your sister, annoy her.'" --Hailey
• "How come Viktor got crazy mad about his sister calling him a Nerf Herder?" --Varun
• "My favorite part was when the book showed Victor's report card and he never got an 'A'!" --Anjulia

If You Like This Book, You Might Try Reading These:

      

What We're Reading Next:

Cats and Dogs ... Playing Together? Another Pleasing Graphic Novel by Pilkey

Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties by Dav Pilkey

Hello, Readers!

This week, 2nd and 3rd grade book club members are discussing Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties by Dav Pilkey. This graphic novel is full of humorous puns, heartwarming characters, and page-turning adventure. If you have never given graphic novels a try, I encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and read the Dog Man books. Before young readers have time to realize what just happened, Pilkey will subliminally "illustrate" how to be humans of character through his stories.

He was the best of dogs... He was the worst of dogs... It was the age of invention... It was the season of surprise... It was the eve of supa sadness... It was the dawn of hope...

Dog Man, the newest hero from the creator of Captain Underpants, hasn't always been a paws-itive addition to the police force. While he can muzzle miscreants, he tends to leave a slick of slobber in his wake! This time, Petey the cat's dragged in a tiny bit of trouble—a double in the form of a super-cute kitten. Dog Man will have to work twice as hard to bust these furballs and remain top dog!

(Source: http://www.pilkey.com/book/dog-man-a-tale-of-two-kitties-dog-man-3)

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. At the beginning of the story, Chief gives Dog Man a job to do. Why might it be a bad idea for Dog Man to take that job?
2. How does Petey break out of jail?
3. Is Li’l Petey a clone of Petey? How do you know?
4. When did Dav Pilkey use foreshadowing (a hint that something is about to happen) in this story? See page 51.
5. How did it both hurt and help Li’l Petey to constantly ask, “Why?”
6. Do you like the Flip-o-Rama pages? Do you make sound effects when you do the Flip-o-Rama?
7. Which characters in this story were mean and grumpy? Why do you think they acted that way?
8. Which characters were heroes in this story? How do you know?
9. There are tons of puns (jokes using a word that has multiple meanings or two words that sound similar) in this story. Find an example of a pun you thought was funny.
10. Which characters changed the most in this story?
11. What lesson or message did you learn by reading this story?
12. Do you think Dav Pilkey has pets? What type of pets do you think he has?

Curriculum Connections:

• Visit Dav Pilkey's web site to learn more about him and the other books he has written and illustrated.
• Character Development (friendship, problem solving, working together)
• Art (how to draw characters, how to animate drawings using flip-o-rama)

What 2nd and 3rd Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 4.6 out of 5 - We loved this book, and it made us laugh.
• "My favorite part was the cloning machine." --Caleb
• "My favorite part was Li'l Petey saying, 'Why?' It was weird! And the 'Supa Awesome Science Center Over There'." --Sanika
• "My favorite part was when Li'l Petey made Flippy good." --Boris
• "I wondered how strong was Dog Man to break a chair?" --Rivian
• "My favorite part was when they went into Dog Man's house. On the outside it was small, and in the inside it was big." --Jake
• "How did Li'l Petey do the same 'Grrr ruff ruff' noises like Dog Man?" --Boris
• "My favorite part was when Chief fell down on his back because of Dog Man." --Valeria

If You Like This Book, You Might Try Reading These:

     

What We're Reading Next:

Ten Kids in a Treehouse to Protest Parent Problems - The Ultimate Slumber Party, or a Disaster Waiting to Happen?

The Great Treehouse War by Lisa Graff

Hello, Readers!

This week, 5th grade book club members are discussing The Great Treehouse War by Lisa Graff. Are you ready for this epic "kids versus parents" showdown?

There are a lot of things you should probably know to understand why a bunch of kids decided to climb up a treehouse and not come down. But to really understand it, you'd probably have to go way back in time, and peek through the living room window of a girl named Winifred Malladi-Maraj, on her last day of fourth grade . . .

That was the day everything changed. The day Winnie's parents got divorced, the day they decided Winnie would live three days a week with each of them and spend Wednesdays by herself in a treehouse smack between their houses, to divide her time perfectly evenly. It was the day Winnie's seed of frustration with her parents was planted, a seed that grew until it felt like it was as big as a tree itself.

By the end of fifth grade, Winnie has decided that the only way to change things is to barricade herself in her treehouse until her parents come to their senses - and her friends decide to join her. It's kids versus grown-ups, and no one wants to back down first. But with ten kids in one treehouse, all with their own demands, Winnie discovers that things can get pretty complicated pretty fast! All th rules have been thrown out the window, but does Winnie have what it takes to hold her ground and keep everyone happy?

(Source: inner book flap)

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. Describe Winnie's parents' personalities. How do they cause a major problem for Winnie? What other options could Winnie's parents have tried instead of the "completely even" division of time?
2. Why does Winnie decide to stay in the treehouse instead of coming back down?
3. How do the kids "get away with" staying in the treehouse? What is the history of the tree that allows them to stay there?
4. Was the list of demands put forward by the "Treehouse Ten" reasonable, unreasonable, or somewhere in between? Why?
5. Some people thought the "Treehouse Ten" were rabble-rousers, and some people thought they were heroes. What do you think? Why?
6. What strategies did the adults use to try to get the kids out of the treehouse?
7. When and how did things start to turn bad for the kids? What position did Winnie find herself in when things started to turn bad?
8. Why do you think the kids began to leave the treehouse?
9. Which of Winnie's friends was your favorite character? Why?
10. What did you think of the format of this book (memoir, sticky notes, transcripts, letters, etc.)? Did you find it interesting, confusing, entertaining, etc.? What was your favorite type of writing to read?

Curriculum Connections:

• Visit Lisa Graff's website to learn more about her and the other books she has written.
• Communication Skills (listening, observing closely, making compromises, critical thinking, questioning accuracy of news reports)
• Character and Social/Emotional Development (dealing with divorce, friendship, problem solving)
• STEM (design, architecture, survival)
• Social Studies (embassies and consulates)

What 5th Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 4.2 out of 5 - We really liked it.
• "I want to talk about how at the end Winnie saw how her friends were fighting and got a family member to write." --Katie
• "If I could be a character in this book, I would be Winnie because I like that Winnie stayed up there and didn't come down until her parents came to [their] senses." --Eliza
• "I want to talk about how the kids got in fights." --Aditi
• "I wondered what [the kids] would be like in middle school." --Sophie
• "One question I wondered was how on earth would the kids be so driven and why?" --Alex
• "I love how [Lisa Graff] put in the book pages for how _____ is made." --Jordyn
• "I want to talk about how cool [it was that] they stayed up in the treehouse so long." --Alexa
• "I would be Squizzy because she was funny and loves books like me." --Aditi

If You Like This Book, You Might Try Reading These:

       

Wishes and Unlikely Friendships Bring Hope to a Community

wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Trees can't tell jokes, but they can certainly tell stories. . . .

Red is an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood "wishtree" —people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red's branches. Along with her crow friend Bongo and other animals who seek refuge in Red's hollows, this "wishtree" watches over the neighborhood.

You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red's experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.

Funny, deep, warm, and nuanced, this is Katherine Applegate at her very best—writing from the heart, and from a completely unexpected point of view.

(Source: http://www.wishtreebook.com/#book)

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. RED – What is Red? Describe her personality. Why does Red decide to speak to the kids when she isn’t supposed to speak to humans?
2. BONGO – Who is Bongo? Describe the friendship between Red and Bongo. What differences do they have? Why do you think they are friends? Why do you think Bongo gives Samar little tokens or gifts?
3. SAMAR - Describe Samar’s personality. Why does Samar always come out to sit under Red late at night? What was Samar’s wish? Why isn’t the neighborhood welcoming toward Samar’s family?
4. WISHES – How are wishes both a problem and a solution in this story? Discuss Red’s plans for helping to make Samar’s wish come true.
5. THE ANIMALS - Discuss how the various animals choose their names (crows, frogs, skunks, barn owls, raccoons, opossums). Why are they comfortable with Samar? Why do you think the animals are able to live together as a community?
6. STEPHEN - Describe Stephen’s personality. How does he help to make a difference in the neighborhood on Wishing Day? When Stephen says, “My parents aren’t bad people. They’re just … afraid of things” (p. 125), what does he mean?
7. FRANCESCA – What role does Francesca play in the story? Who and what would be affected by her decision to cut down the tree?
8. SOLUTIONS - “Hollows are proof that something bad can become something good with enough time and care and hope” (p. 25). What do you think Red means when she says this? What are some examples of something good coming from something bad (in this story or in your life)?
9. FRIENDSHIP – On p. 82, Red asks Bongo, “How does friendship happen?” What do you think? What examples of “unlikely friendships” show up in this story?
10. MESSAGES – What message(s) do you take away from this story?

Curriculum Connections:

• wishtree Teacher's Guide provided by the publisher
• Character Development (friendship, problem solving, kindness)
• Social Studies (communities, immigration, traditions)
• Real World Problems (discrimination, community building)
• Language Arts (names, groups of animals)
• Science (deciduous trees, woodland animals)

What 4th Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• We rated it a 4.1 out of 5 - we really liked it.
• "I want to talk about how the wishtree told his story because he believed he would die." --Jack
• "Did the tree have a gender?" --Ryan
• "Who was the one who did the carving in the tree?" --Gabby
• "Why did Francesca want to cut down the wishtree?" --Jeb
• "Can animals actually talk?" --Rehet
• "I want to talk about why the animals all ran up the tree at the last minute." --Hailey
• "I wondered who was the boy who carved the leave sign." --Alex
• "I want to talk about the boy with the screwdriver." --Ryan
• "One word that stuck out to me was buttinsky." --Varun
• "I want to talk about Plan Two when the baby opossum doesn't listen that well." --Addie

If You Like This Book, You Might Try Reading These:

   

What We're Reading Next:

Jedi Academy: The Force Oversleeps by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

How Hard Could It Possibly Be for a Third Grader To Be a "Perfect" Angel?

Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli

First grade babies!
Second grade cats!
Third grade angels!
Fourth grade rats!

So goes the rhyme at George (aka "Suds") Morton's elementary school. Suds has been looking forward to third grade so he can finally be an angel. But what does that mean, exactly?

It means his teacher, Mrs. Simms, will hold a competition every week to see which student deserves to be awarded "the halo" - which student is best-behaved, kindest to others, and, in short, perfect. Suds is determined to be the first to earn the halo, but being good all the time can be pretty stressful. Does he have to be good even outside of school? Does he have to be nice to his annoying little sister? And if Mrs. Simms doesn't actually see him doing a good deed, does it even count? (Source: inside book flap)

Possible Discussion Questions:

1. On page 18, Suds says, "All of a sudden it was like there was no door between my brain and my mouth." What does he mean? Why do you think that was happening? Have you ever been in a similar situation?
2. Why do you think Suds feels a bit uncomfortable about Joey?
3. What does Suds mean when he says he feels "chipmunky?" When have you ever felt that way?
4. What strategy does Suds use to help himself calm down when he worries? What do you do when you need to calm yourself down?
5. On page 48, Mrs. Simms says, "This may be the first class where nobody gets a halo." Why does Mrs. Simms say this?
6. Why does it bother Suds when his sister, whom he calls Zippernose, says, "He always has to be first..."? (page 55-56)
7. What did Mrs. Simms mean on page 63 when she said, "Yes - you must earn your halo. But no - you may not buy your halo. I cannot be bribed."
8. Suds wonders, "Does it count if the teacher doesn't see it?" What do you think?
9. "Being nice means doing something, not doing nothing." Agree or disagree? Why?
10. Even when Suds was doing many good deeds and trying hard to be an angel, he couldn't relax. Why was he still worried? (page 91)
11. Who wins the first halo, and why?
12. Do you think Mrs. Simms has "spies"?

Curriculum Connections:

• Visit Jerry Spinelli's website to learn more about other books he has written.
• Character Development (problem solving, how to deal with stress and worries)

What 2nd and 3rd Grade Book Club Members Thought:

• Our rating: 4.1 out of 5
• "My favorite part was when he saved the dog." -- Joliz
• "I want to talk about why Constantina got the first halo of the year, but George did the same thing." -- Jake
• "One question I wondered was does Mrs. Simms have spies?" -- Rivian

If You Like This Book, You Might Try Reading These:

   

What We're Reading Next:

Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties by Dav Pilkey

It's National Read A Book Day - How Can I Choose Just One?

Hello, Readers!

It's National Read A Book Day 2017. This little fact made me think three different thoughts nearly simultaneously:

So many great stories to read!

1. National Read A Book Day is a "thing"? A real event? I had never heard of it. Who started this day? Is there a specific organization responsible? I know about Read Across America Day and The Global Read Aloud and Poem In Your Pocket Day, but National Read A Book Day is new to me. So, yay! Let's all celebrate reading books by actually reading books today.
2. Shouldn't every day be "Read A Book Day"? I mean the book lover part of me can't imagine not spending some time reading each and every day. There are more books in my "to-be-read" pile than I will ever have time to read.
3. I'm incredibly thankful for children's book authors and the prolific amount of writing they produce. Just look at the stack of books I'm reviewing in preparation for our WILD(er) About Reading book club meetings in the upcoming school year. I am so excited to share these great books with readers in grades 2 through 5 this year. We are going to have some fascinating discussions.

What are you reading today?

What books are you planning to read this school year?

What books will you recommend to your friends or students?

Happy reading!

Three Boys Skip School and Go on a Modern-Day Quest to Honor a Teacher None of Them Will Ever Forget

Hello, Readers!

This week fifth graders are discussing Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson. This funny, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story is told from the points of view of three different characters: Topher, Brand, and Steve, all of whom are students in Ms. Bixby's sixth grade classroom at Fox Ridge Elementary School.

When Ms. Bixby unexpectedly announces that she won't be able to finish the school year, Topher, Brand, and Steve come up with a risky plan - more of a quest, really - to give Ms. Bixby the last day she deserves. Through the three very different stories they tell, we begin to understand what Ms. Bixby means to each of them - and what the three of them mean to each other.

Everyone knows there are different kinds of teachers. The boring ones, the mean ones, the ones who try too hard, the ones who stopped trying long ago. The ones you’ll never remember, and the ones you want to forget. Ms. Bixby is none of these. She’s the sort of teacher who makes you feel like school is somehow worthwhile. Who recognizes something in you that sometimes you don’t even see in yourself. Whom you never want to disappoint. What Ms. Bixby is, is one of a kind.


Through the character's trials and tribulations, we learn that "courage is knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." Kudos to author John David Anderson for writing an amazing and beautiful story. This book will remind you of your most remarkable teachers, your friends, your parents, your siblings, your struggles, your favorite books and quotes. It's a winner.

Discussion questions can be found here, and other links to author John David Anderson's books and website can be found on the Grade 5 page.

Happy reading!

Mystery Unfolds as Olympic-Style Games Played Out in Local Library

Hello, Readers!

This week fourth graders will discuss the second book in Chris Grabenstein's Lemoncello Library series, Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics. Luigi Lemoncello is the local librarian who is a little more Willy Wonka than a silence-promoting shusher. Packed with puzzles, clues, and thrilling surprises, this is a wonderfully fun, action-packed sequel to the New York Times bestselling Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library.

Welcome, boys and girls, readers of all ages, to the first-ever Library Olympiad! Kyle and his teammates are back, and the world-famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, is at it again! This time Mr. Lemoncello has invited teams from all across America to compete in the first ever LIBRARY OLYMPICS. Will it be fun? Like the commercials say: "HELLO? It's a Lemoncello!"

But something suspicious is going on . . . books are missing from Mr. Lemoncello's library. Is someone trying to CENSOR what the kids are reading?! In between figuring out mind-boggling challenges, the kids will have to band together to get to the bottom of this mystery. Now it's not just a game—can Mr. Lemoncello find the real defenders of books and champions of libraries? Let the games begin again!

The book trailer for Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics can be viewed above. Discussion questions can be found here, and you can visit the grade 4 page for more links to Chris Grabenstein's web site.

Happy reading!

PS - If this post seems familiar, you're on to something. A few weeks ago our fifth grade book club members read the same book. It just so happened that fourth graders selected this book to read as well. :)

Will Freddy Win the School Read-a-Thon?

Hello, Readers!

This week second graders are meeting to discuss The Reading Race (Ready, Freddy! #27) from Abby Klein's wildly popular series. Freddy is a first grader who is crazy about sharks and always has a problem he is worried about.

In this story, the race is on! Freddy's class is competing in a Read-a-thon, and the student who reads for the most minutes will win five free books - and the class who reads the most minutes will win an author visit, too! Freddy plans to win this contest . . . even if it means staying up all night! But he has a problem: he believes he's not a very good reader. Will he be up for the challenge, or will his worries get the best of him?

Discussion questions can be found here. You can also check out more of Freddy's funny adventures in one or more of the 34 books in Abby Klein's Ready, Freddy! series. These books are great for elementary readers who are ready for chapter books. Each story is full of illustrations, large font, and chapters that are full of action that keeps readers engaged.

Happy reading!

Mystery Unfolds as Olympic-Style Games Played Out in Local Library

Hello, Readers!

This week fifth graders will discuss the second book in Chris Grabenstein's Lemoncello Library series, Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics. Luigi Lemoncello is the local librarian who is a little more Willy Wonka than a silence-promoting shusher. Packed with puzzles, clues, and thrilling surprises, this is a wonderfully fun, action-packed sequel to the New York Times bestselling Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library.

Welcome, boys and girls, readers of all ages, to the first-ever Library Olympiad! Kyle and his teammates are back, and the world-famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, is at it again! This time Mr. Lemoncello has invited teams from all across America to compete in the first ever LIBRARY OLYMPICS. Will it be fun? Like the commercials say: "HELLO? It's a Lemoncello!"

But something suspicious is going on . . . books are missing from Mr. Lemoncello's library. Is someone trying to CENSOR what the kids are reading?! In between figuring out mind-boggling challenges, the kids will have to band together to get to the bottom of this mystery. Now it's not just a game—can Mr. Lemoncello find the real defenders of books and champions of libraries? Let the games begin again!

The book trailer for Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics can be viewed above. Discussion questions can be found here, and you can visit the grade 5 page for more links to Chris Grabenstein's web site.

Happy reading!

What If a Box Could Create a Real Version of Whatever You Imagine? What Would You Choose?

Hello, Readers!

What if anything you imagined could become real? What would you choose? This week fourth graders are discussing The Imagination Box by British author Martyn Ford. Readers will appreciate the mysterious plot full of red herrings, deceitful adults, and narrow escapes.

It all starts when Professor Eisenstone, scientist and inventor, creates a box that's supposed to turn whatever you imagine into reality. There's only one problem: he can't get it to work. Until Tim shows up. An orphan with an especially keen imagination, Tim brings to life Phil, an eloquent finger monkey with a dry sense of humor.

Tim and Professor Eisenstone work in secret to master the powerful contraption. But when Eisenstone is kidnapped, Tim, Phil, and the professor's granddaughter, Dee, must find the culprits before it's too late. Creating a miniature monkey is all well and good. But in order to rescue his friend, Tim will have to face his darkest fears and unleash the true potential of his own mind. He might even come to realize that we should all "be careful what we wish for."

Discussion questions related to The Imagination Box can be found here. Be sure to visit the Grade 4 page for links to more book-related information. And, if you like this story, you will soon be able to read the sequel entitled The Imagination Box: Beyond Infinity and the last book in the trilogy entitled The Imagination Box: A Mind of Its Own.

Happy reading!

Commiserate with Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things

Hello, Readers!

This week third graders are meeting to discuss Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look. This book is the first in a series of 6 books featuring Alvin Ho, an Asian American second grader who is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’s there, he never, ever, says a word.

What else do we learn about Alvin in this story?

1. He is from Concord, Massachusetts, which is hard to spell.
2. He loves Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and all the superheroes of the world. In fact, he is a superhero himself - Firecracker Man!
3. He is trying very hard to be a gentleman, like his dad, but there are a lot of rules and they are hard to remember.
4. He can talk at home and on the school bus, but never, ever at school. It is just too scary.

Alvin wants to make a friend, but it's really tough when you don't talk at school and you're afraid of everything. And there is a lot more to learn about this amazing kid who is a truly unforgettable character. Fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Judy Moody, and Junie B. Jones will enjoy reading this funny and touching chapter book as well as other books in the Alvin Ho series.

Discussion questions can be found here, and you will find links to related web sites on the Grade 3 page.

Happy reading!

Kate DiCamillo Has Us Going on a Necessary Journey to Find Out Who We Are

Hello, Readers!

This week second graders are meeting to discuss Kate DiCamillo's third installment in the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series entitled Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? In true DiCamillo style, light and love and hopefulness show up throughout this story. This was my favorite book in the series not only for the humorous and lovable characters, but also for the message that all readers can take away: not matter your age, you can always set out to find your purpose, to find out who you are. DiCamillo's inspiring words are brought to life in Chris VanDusen's slightly exaggerated, yet realistic illustrations.

Baby Lincoln’s older sister, Eugenia, is very fond of telling Baby what to do, and timid Baby usually responds by saying "Yes, Sister." But one day Baby has had enough. She decides to depart on a "Necessary Journey", even though she has never gone anywhere without Eugenia telling her what to take and where to go. And in fact Baby doesn’t know where she is headed — only that she was entirely happy in the previous night’s dream, sitting aboard a train with a view of shooting stars. Who might Baby meet as she strikes out on her own (spoiler alert: some great characters), and what could she discover about herself? Will her impulsive adventure take her away from Eugenia for good?

Fans of the Mercy Watson series and the other Tales from Deckawoo Drive books will enjoy this story. It's a great read for early elementary readers and anyone who loves Kate DiCamillo's work. Discussion questions can be found here. You can also visit the Grade 2 web page to find links to Kate DiCamillo's and Chris Van Dusens' official web sites.

Happy reading!

"Sometimes Things Just Happen" and Not All Stories Have Happy Endings

Hello, Readers!

This week 5th graders are meeting to discuss Ali Benjamin's debut novel, The Thing About Jellyfish.

Some hearts beat only about 412 million times. Which might sound like a lot. But the truth is, it barely even gets you twelve years.

Suzy Swanson has always known things that others don't. She can explain the sleep patterns of ants. She knows there are 150 million jellyfish stings on the planet every year. She knows that the average middle school kid contains about 20 billion of Shakespeare's atoms. But she can't understand how Franny Jackson's lifetime could be cut so short ... before Suzy could make up for the worst thing she'd ever done to her friend.

As Suzy retreats into a silent world of her imagination, she finds that the universe won't allow her escape into her grief. Astonishing wonders are all around her ... as are the love and hope she desperately needs to forgive herself.

This achingly heartfelt story explores the defining moment in each of our lives when we first realize that not all stories have happy endings ... but that brand-new stories are waiting to bloom.

Filled with characters who are authentic, supportive, and relatable, this coming-of-age story includes thought-provoking scientific ideas and realistic life experiences that will pull in any reader who enjoys middle-grade realistic fiction, science and problem-solving, and exploring the challenges of making (and keeping) friends.

Discussion questions can be found here. Visit the Grade 5 page for links to some pretty amazing videos and web sites that were referenced in The Thing About Jellyfish.

Happy reading!