Thursday, April 26, 2012

Dear Mr. Henshaw / comments by Macey W.

A boy named Leigh who's parents got divorced and he lives with his mom. His dad is a trucker and never spends time with Leigh. Leigh wishes his dad could be there with him sometimes. At the end, Leigh's dad surprises them. And Leigh writes to his favorite author. 3 stars by Macey W., 4th grade, 2011-2012

Doctor DeSoto / comments by Addison S.

It is about a mouse and his wife and they are both dentists. But because they are mice they have to be careful on who their patients are. But they get a wolf as a patient. And the wolf wants to eat Dr. DeSoto. 4 stars by Addison S., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Olive's Ocean / comments by Addison S.

It is about a girl that dies and has some hopes. But when she died she never got to have those hopes come true. But a girl she knows finds her diary page and reads it ad one of the hopes its to be this girl's best friend. 4 stars by Addison S., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night / comments by Addison S.

This is about different animals that have promises or are invisible. But they describe what their life is like and now they go through it. But when they told their story they put it into a poem. They did a very good job explaining about what they go through. 3 stars by Addison S., 5th grade, 2011-2012

The Tale of Despereaux / comments by Paige C.

A mouse falls in love with a princess, but gets sent to the dungeon because he talked to her. He gets out of the dungeon to save the princess because a rat and a servant girl named Miggery Sew are plotting to lock her in the dungeon forever. In the end, the mouse named Despereaux saves the princess and the rat and servant girl have a change of heart. 4 stars by Paige C., 4th grade, 2011-2012

Monday, April 16, 2012

Princess Academy / comments by Tori S.

It is about a 14-year old girl named Miri who wants to work in the quarry (a place where linder stone is produced) and learn quarry-speech (mountain people sing silently to someone or many others telling about memories, or warning) on Mount Eskel. When she has to go and learn to be a princess with her friends and possibly be a bride of a prince tensions start to rise. They are taken away from their family to learn poise, diplomacy, etc... and possibly marry someone they don't know! But, Miri made things easier (like the harsh punishments of their teacher Tutor Olana) and became academy princess (because she had the highest grades). The ball they had been working toward came, and the prince was stiff at first, but then turned out to be very nice. After the ball, bandits held the girls (20) hostage. After trying and failing to escape, Miri used quarry-speech to get help. This worked and after a while they finally got every girl to safety. A few days later Britta, Miri's friend, became the princess while Miri gets to be with Pedar her best friend (that is a boy). It's not your typical fairy tale!

It is titled this because the girls go to an academy to learn the principles of a princess.

4 stars Amazing!

by Tori S., 5th grade, 2011-2012

A Visit to William Blake's Inn / comments by Tori S.

This book is about a boy, William Blake, and his animal guests. Two angels are washing feather-beds, and two dragons are making bread. Then they describe Williams' odd "Celestial Limousine" and talk about the boy's room and his bed (a friendly bear). It also talks about the sun and moon waking guests, the marmalade man arriving, and the king of cats at breakfast. The wise cow slept on a cloud, two sunflowers decide to move into a better room. The cow tries to make way, room and believe, while Blake gives a walk on the Milky Way. Not last or least William calls for the fire, the Marmalade man has everyone dance, and the King of Cats sends a postcard to his special someone. Closer to the end, tiger asks for a bedtime story, and Williams tells him the Tale of the Tailor. I have guided you on a journey of the book, short and sweet. Please read this.

It is titled this because William runs an inn and it tells about the adventures the guests have.

3 stars

by Tori S., 5th grade, 2011-2012

The Summer of the Swans / comments by Tori S.

It is about a girl named Sara and a boy named Charlie who are brother and sister. Charlie can't speak and nobody knows why. They decide to go see the swans. Charlie threw bread they had brought, to the swans and never wanted to leave. When they left he was sad and unhappy, but Sara had to drag him home so she could dye her Donald Duck orange shoes blue. When no one would fix his button on his pj's (Charlie is a light sleeper) he "ran away" to see the swans. He got lost looking for the swans at night, in the forest. The next day Sara and many others went looking for him. Sara found him and he wouldn't let go of her.

It was given this title probably because Charlie went looking for the swans by the lake in the summer.

3 stars

by Tori S., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Dear Mr. Henshaw / comments by Claire T.

A boy named Leigh writes on pieces of paper to an imaginary man named Mr. Henshaw. He writes about how each day was and his life. Leigh has a lot of adventures. He has his ups and downs also.

It was given this name because a boy named Leigh writes to an imaginary person who is Mr. Henshaw.

4 stars

by Claire T., 4th grade, 2011-2012

Doctor DeSoto / comments by Claire T.

Doctor DeSoto is a dentist that helps animals with their teeth. He will not help animals that can hurt him. One day a fox comes and begs for Doctor DeSoto to help him. Doctor DeSoto finally says yes and helps the fox.

It was given this title because it is about a doctor who is a dentist. Who is also a mouse.

2 stars

by Claire T., 4th grade, 2011-2012

Show Way / comments by Claire T.

It is about a big family that had each family member sew something on a quilt. It is a true story about the author. She is a black lady that wrote about her ancestry.

It was given this title because all the people in the family made a quilt and it meant something.

2 stars

by Claire T., 4th grade, 2011-2012

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night / comments by Tori S.

This book goes from evening to dawn, exploring different creatures from racoons to mushrooms, Each creature has its own poem, picture, and a short factual note. First they talk about a raccoon welcoming you into the night. Then a snail at moonrise comes to guide you - a long comes the Primrose Moth then the Dark Emperor (an owl) who silently watches the sky. The trees tell you their story, and the night spider gives you some advice. The porcupette comes next to tell you about itself. The crickets speak, and chirp while the mushrooms come to tell their story. Elf's drift in water and walk on land, while the bats sleep because it's dawn. The moon descends and that's the end (read the facts beside each picture to help you understand each creature better).

The Dark Emperor is an owl which can watch the forest through the night and each creature has its own poem in the night and that is why it is titled such.

3 stars

by Tori S., 5th grade, 2011-2012

The Bronze Bow / comments by Carrie S.

This is based in the time of Christ. Daniel (the main character) is full of hatred and vows victory for God. Then he meets Jesus and his life is changed. Then his sister dies because of him and Jesus brings her back to life.

It is titled this because Daniel and his friends read some scriptures and hear it.

4 stars

by Carrie S., 4th grade, 2011-2012

Joyful Noise / comments by Tori S.

This is a poem book that goes through the feelings and lives of insects. The insects are interesting to read about, like the grasshoppers that start the story/poem book. The water striders, mayflies, and bookworms come next telling about their students (ws), shortish lives (mf), and love life (bw). The fireflies tell you about their glowing lights in the night, my favorite. The moth sings to a proch light, and water bugs/boatmen "stroke!" to shore. Next a wasp digs a tunnel for its children to be safe, and some cicadas "talk" about their day. A work and queen bee tell their very different stories. Whirligig beetles twirl, and whirl, and sadly a requiem (mass given for a dead person) is given (though it is very peaceful and thoughtful). House crickets are "camping" out under a stove, and a caterpillar writes a diary.

This is a poem book and is meant to be read by two people and almost all of the insects make a noise so it is called "Joyful Noise."

2.5 stars

by Tori S., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Hope was Here / comments by Tori S.

This book is about a 16 year old girl named Hope, who moves to Wisconsin with her mom's sister, Addie. (Her real mom gave her to Addie because of a weird reason.) G.T., the manager of a restaurant they work at, has cancer and still decides to run for mayor. Long story short, the current re-running mayor is telling lies to get re-elected. G.T. and Addie fall in love as do Braverman (the grill person) and Hope. Many surprises happen to characters as the story goes along. (Fair warning; G.T. dies.) Even though the ending is sad, it's one superb book.

4 stars

by Tori S., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Dear Mr. Henshaw / comments by Paige C.

A boy named Leigh suffers through his parent's divorce where he doesn't see his dad because he is a trucker. His favorite author, Mr. Henshaw, is the one he asked for advice on writing a story. Even though Mr. Henshaw gives him bad advice, Leigh writes a story for a contest at school, and ends up going to lunch with an author.

4 stars

by Paige C., 4th grade, 2011-2012

Hatchet / comments by Aaron C.

Brian has divorced parents so he was about to fly to his father when his mom gave him a hatchet. He was flying north and the pilot had a heart attack. Brian did not know what to do or which direction to fly in so he flew until he ran out of gas. He crashed in a lake. He was hurt but not bad. He built a shelter and experienced a tornado and he found a survival pack in the plane.

4 stars

by Aaron C., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Dear Mr. Henshaw / comments by Aaron C.

It is about a boy named Leigh Botts who has divorced parents. He begins writing to a famous author named Mr. Henshaw in second grade. He writes to him more and more. One letter is on a book report in 6th grade. Mr. Henshaw gets very mad because of the very long list of questions so Mr. Henshaw likes his real name is messing a round.

3 stars

by Aaron C., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Millions of Cats / comments by Abbey G.

This is a book about an old couple, and the old woman wants a cat. Her husband goes out and finds a trillion cats. He took them all home. The woman only wanted one cat. He asked who was the prettiest and the cats got in a fight and they ate each other. Only one cat survived because he didn't answer the question. They kept this cat.

3 stars

by Abbey G., 4th grade, 2011-2012

Show Way / comments by Abbey G.

It is about the author's life story. It begins in the time of slavery and then as each generation grows up and slavery starts to vanish. Each person helps make a "show way" - a quilt with a secret meaning. The quilt tells about leaving to live a better life.

It is given this title because the quilt they make is called a show way.

3 stars

by Abbey G., 4th grade, 2011-2012

26 Fairmount Avenue / comments by Addison S.

This book is about a family that lives in an apartment. They are in the process of building a house but suddenly a hurricane comes. But they figure out that the house is ok. It just goes through the lives of being the new kids on the block.

It is titled this because it is a simple but enjoyable book. It is about a sweet loving family.

4 stars

by Addison S., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Doctor DeSoto / comments by Bennett F.

Doctor DeSoto is a mouse in the dentistry business. When he is faced with a dangerous challenge, he must be careful. Will he survive or will he be a main course?

It is titled this because Doctor DeSoto is a doctor for teeth or dentistry. I enjoyed it because I want to be a dentist.

3 stars

by Bennett F., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Doctor DeSoto comments by Gavin F.

It is about a mouse dentist that treats all kinds of animals. His assistant is his wife. He is treating a fox with a tooth ache that wants to eat him after their work is done. Dr. DeSoto and his wife make a special formula that won't let you open your mouth for a day.

It is titled this because Dr. DeSoto is the main character.

3 stars

by Gavin F., 3rd grade, 2011-2012

Doctor DeSoto / comments by Paige C.

Doctor DeSoto is a dentist mouse. He and his wife get an "innocent" fox as a patient. They normally would say "no" but this fox seems nice, so they let him. They find out the fox wants to eat the dentist and his wife so they make a plan to stop him.

It is titled this because Doctor DeSoto is the main character.

2 stars

by Paige C., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Doctor DeSoto / comments by Paige C.

Doctor DeSoto is a dentist mouse. He and his wife get an "innocent" fox as a patient. They normally would say "no" but this fox seems nice, so they let him. They find out the fox wants to eat the dentist and his wife so they make a plan to stop him.

It is titled this because Doctor DeSoto is the main character.

2 stars

by Paige C., 5th grade, 2011-2012

Joey Pigza Loses Control / comments by Nick R.

In this book, Joey Pigza meets his father. He joins his father's baseball team for awhile. He finally can't stand his dad and runs from the final game and calls his mom to come get him.

It is given this title because in the book Joey loses control.

4 stars

by Nick R., 5th grade, 2011-2012