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Pinkwater, Daniel. MRS. NOODLEKUGEL
Pinkwater, Daniel. MRS. NOODLEKUGEL Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.3 ISBN 0763650536 Looking out the window of their new home in a tall apartment building, Nick and Maxine see a little old fashioned house surrounded by huge buildings. Secretly, with the help of Mike, the janitor, they find it and meet the owner, a plump old lady named Mrs. Noodlekugel. She kindly invites them in for freshly baked cookies and tea. Maxine and Nick are delighted with their visit, especially when they meet her cat who bakes, plays the piano, and elegantly serves the tea. Read to discover the talents of Mrs. Noodlekugel’s four far sighted, prize winning mice, who also join them for tea. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Offill, Jenny. 11 EXPERIMENTS THAT FAILED
Offill, Jenny. 11 EXPERIMENTS THAT FAILEDSchwartz & Wade, 2011Does your school have a Science Fair? Do you know how to do a science experiment? 1) Ask a question. 2) Make a prediction (hypothesis). 3) Gather your supplies. 4) Write down the directions, 5) Record what happened. You might not want to do the 11 experiments in this book, with experiments like “Can a kid make it through the winter eating only snow and ketchup?” or “Do dogs like to be covered in glitter?” But you will have to read the book to find out the experimental results! (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Messner, Kate. MARTY MCGUIREScholastic, 2011Marty is a third grade girl who prefers blue jeans to dresses, and outdoor fun things like frog hunting instead of playing princess. She loves second grade. Before heading off for summer vacation, Marty’s second grade teacher tells the class how wonderful third grade will be. There will be lots of special activities, including a school play. But things don’t start out well for Marty. She loses her best friend to another classmate. As if things aren’t bad enough, when The Frog Prince is announced as the school play for this year, and all the roles are assigned, Marty is given the role of the princess! How can a girl like Marty, who prefers science, nature and slimy creatures, find a way to succeed as a princess in the school play? Will she eventually find something to like about third grade? You will enjoy getting to know Marty McGuire. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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McNamara, Margaret. THE THREE LITTLE ALIENS AND THE BIG BAD ROBOT
McNamara, Margaret. THE THREE LITTLE ALIENS AND THE BIG BAD ROBOT Schwartz & Wade, 2011Three little aliens are all grown up and ready to head into space and find their own homes. Each alien settles onto his own planet, and soon a big bad robot comes to call. The three little aliens find safety together in the third alien’s home. Does this story sound familiar? It is a funny twist on the Three Little Pigs! You will laugh at the aliens and their silly antics, and you will love the illustrations that help you get to know the planets in our solar system. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Kirby, Stan. CAPTAIN AWESOME TO THE RESCUE
Kirby, Stan. CAPTAIN AWESOME TO THE RESCUE New York : Little Simon, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.5 ISBN 1442440902 Eugene McGillicudy is an eight-year-old boy who loves adventure and superheroes. He even has a superhero alter ego, Captain Awesome. On the first day of school, his teacher gives him the job of taking care of the class hamster, Turbo. A couple of days later, when Eugene goes out for recess, he notices that Turbo is missing. He sees a trail of bedding and suspects he knows where Turbo is, but has to leave for recess anyway. When he returns it is time to become Captain Awesome and rescue Turbo. Read to find out if Captain Awesome can find Turbo, catch the hamsternapper, and solve the case. He just might find a sidekick and new friend in this first exciting adventure of the hilarious Captain Awesome series. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Joyce, Williiam. THE FANTASTIC BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE
Joyce, Williiam. THE FANTASTIC BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.8 ISBN 1442457023 Morris Lessmore loves words, stories and books. He is very happy. One day a terrifying hurricane blows all he loves away. He is left in a strange colorless land. Morris aimlessly wanders until he comes upon a lovely lady who is being pulled along by flying books. She gives Morris her favorite book. This book befriends Morris and leads him to a library filled with extraordinary stories. Morris’ world is filled with color again as he takes care of the books and they take care of him. Morris shares his books with others and even writes his own. Eventually Morris passes his story and his love of books to a new young caretaker. This book began as an award winning wordless animated film. There is also an app which creates Morris’ amazing world. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Florian, Douglas. DINOTHESAURUS
Florian, Douglas. DINOTHESAURUS Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009Twenty poems humorously describe dinosaurs: their surroundings, their habits, and their appearances. Douglas Florian uses collage to artistically render each poem. His muted illustrations done on paper bags prominently include letters and realistic pictures. The illustrations and poems work together to create short funny pictures of each dinosaur. Florian includes a Glossarysaurus and a list of Dinosaur Museums and Fossil Sites for those readers wishing additional information. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Henkes, Kevin. PENNY AND HER DOLL
Henkes, Kevin. PENNY AND HER DOLL New York : Greenwillow Books, 2012 IL K-3, RL 1.9 ISBN 0062081993 Penny, a small girl mouse, receives a perfect gift from her Grandmother, but there is a problem. Penny was in the garden with her Mom when her gift, a beautiful doll, arrived. Penny loved the doll right away. She had pink cheeks, a pink bow and a pink dress with big buttons but no name! Penny struggled to find just the right name for her just right dolly. Everyone else in her family, after all, has a name. Read this short chapter book to discover the name Penny bestows on her doll. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Grandits, John. TEN RULES YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THE SCHOOL BUS
Grandits, John. TEN RULES YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THE SCHOOL BUSNew York : Clarion Books 2011Can you remember the first time you had to ride the school bus? Was it something you were looking forward to, or dreading? Kyle is ready to start kindergarten, but riding the school bus makes him very nervous. His older brother tries to help by making a list of ten rules for Kyle to follow. Breaking the rules could get him laughed at, yelled at, or even pushed around or pounded! After looking over the list, though, Kyle gets even more scared than before. On his first day, he breaks several rules – he sits in the back row, makes eye contact with another student, and worst of all he talks to a girl. You’re sure to find something to connect with in this humorous story about facing your fears and coming up with your own ways to survive. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Going, K. L. DOG IN CHARGE New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL K-3, RL 1.6 ISBN 0803734794 Dog earns a big hug and a scrumptious treat when she sits, stays, and dances on her back paws for her owner. “Good Dog. Smart Dog, the very best Dog,” says her owner, as she puts Dog in “charge” of their five cats, while the family goes out shopping. Proudly, Dog begins her training. But….. when she commands the cats to sit, and stay, oh no, 1,2,3,4,5 cats don’t obey, in fact they disappear. Brilliantly, Dog pulls out the “Good Kitty,” treats to train the cats, except the treats smell too good. Can Dog stay in charge? (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Vawter, Vince. PAPERBOY New York : Delacorte, 2013 IL 5-8, RL 5.5 ISBN 0375990585 It was just going to be for a month. He was just helping out a friend. But taking over paper delivery duties in July 1959 turns into a life lesson for one young boy. The job is harder than he thought. The Memphis heat is almost unbearable. But he enjoys the opportunity to practice his throwing skills. His biggest concern is the Friday collections. He has a severe stutter and is very nervous about having to talk to strangers. But that is not all he encounters that summer. Along the way, he meets Mr. Spiro who loves to read; Mrs. Worthington who may be hiding some things; and a young boy who just stares at the television all day. All of the people he meets during the summer lead him to understand his own world just a bit better.
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Hautman, Pete. THE CYDONIAN PYRAMID
Hautman, Pete. THE CYDONIAN PYRAMID Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0-7636-5404-3 In the first book of the Klaatu diskos series, we met Tucker Feye. When his parents disappeared, he began to see strange shimmering disks above the house. When he stepped in one, he found himself on a strange journey through different time periods. During the journey, he keeps running into a strange girl that his father had brought home after one of his disappearances. In the second book of the series, we see the same events but this time from Lah Lia's point of view. We learn about her background and how she is caught up in the diskos and meets Tucker Feye. We also learn more about the Digital Plague and the origins of the Lah Sept
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Chadda, Sarwat. THE SAVAGE FORTRESS
Chadda, Sarwat. THE SAVAGE FORTRESS New York : Arthur A. Levine Books, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.4 ISBN 0545385164 Ash Mistry is rethinking his desire to spend time in India. When he was back in England, it seemed like a great idea. Now after three weeks of heat and boredom, he would love a little excitement. And he gets his wish. But as they say, be careful what you wish for. When the family goes to visit his uncle's colleague, Ash accidentally picks up a golden arrowhead and he finds himself fighting the demon himself. He is unable to save his aunt and uncle but there may be time to save his sister from Ravana, the demon king. There is a lot of Hindu mythology in this book but it is explained and you will find yourself really rooting for the overweight gamer from England to overcome the demon king and save the world.
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Falconer, Ian. OLIVIA AND THE FAIRY PRINCESSES
Falconer, Ian. OLIVIA AND THE FAIRY PRINCESSES New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL K-3, RL 2.3 ISBN 1442450274 Olivia is back and having identity crises. Who should this irrepressible pig be when she grows up? She definitely does not want to be a pink frilly princess. That is what everybody else (even some boys) want to be! And why, she plaintively asks, can’t there be other kinds of princesses like an African princess or an Indian princess. With humor Olivia investigates many options, perhaps a nurse or a reporter! Her solution – pure Olivia. Read Olivia and the Fairy Princesses for a laugh-out-loud happy ending! (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Chin, Jason. ISLAND : A STORY OF THE GALAPAGOS
Chin, Jason. ISLAND : A STORY OF THE GALAPAGOS New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2012 IL K-3, RL 5.8 ISBN 1596437162 They swam, flew and drifted to the island. After a million years, animals and plants had arrived at the Galapagos. Author-illustrator Jason Chin follows the life and death of one of a series of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean. Find out how and why the inhabitants adapted to their new environment, and who discovered some of these unusual creatures? (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Barnett, Mac. CHLOE AND THE LION
Barnett, Mac. CHLOE AND THE LION Disney Hyperion Books, 2012 IL K-3 ISBN 1423113349 Have you ever wondered how authors and illustrators work together to create a great picture book? Mac Barnett and Adam Rex show us that working together is not always easy. Mac wants to write a story about a girl named Chloe who meets a lion on the way to the circus. The storytelling goes hilariously awry when Adam tries to use his illustrations to make the story more exciting. Things get sillier when Mac fires Adam and learns that good illustrations are not as easy as they seem. The story will have you laughing out loud and searching for a writing partner of your own! (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Swanson, James L. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SHOT!
Swanson, James L. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SHOT! New York : Scholastic, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0545490073 Fifty years ago, John Kennedy was president of the United States and enjoying a visit to Dallas. No one could have known what would happen on November 22, 1963. In this book, we learn about the days that led up to that fateful day. The assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, hadn't even planned on shooting the President until just a few days before. But an article about the President's visit in a local newspaper caught his eye. You will learn about Oswald's background and desire to do something extraordinary. And you will learn about the details surrounding the President's assassination.
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Shurtliff, Liesl. RUMP : THE TRUE STORY OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN
Shurtliff, Liesl. RUMP : THE TRUE STORY OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN New York : Knopf, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 4.1 ISBN 0307977943 So you think you know the story of Rumpelstiltskin? Well not so fast. It may not have happened the way you heard. In this version, a young boy is born and his mother dies before she can say his whole name. All anyone hears is Rump. Can you imagine? Being called Rump? You just know there are going to be lots of jokes made about it. And so it is. Rump lives in a land far away. He is forced to work in the gold mines and trade gold for food. But he is not having much luck. He just can't make enough to feed his grandmother and himself. When he finds a spinning wheel that had belonged to his mother, he decides to try it out. The only thing he can find to spin is the straw from his mattress. And guess what? It turns into gold. When he trades it to the evil miller for food, things start to get really bad. The miller lies to the king and says his daughter is the one with the magic. Now Rump can either try to save Opal or just keep his magic for himself. No matter what he decides, he will never stop trying to learn his real name. His name will reveal his destiny.
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McKinlay, Megan. BELOW Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 5.1 ISBN 0763661260 Cassie never got to see her hometown. The day she was born, they drowned the town. The lever was pulled and everyone cheered as the town sunk beneath the water never to be seen again. The lake where the town was submergered is off-limits and no one is allowed near that area. It has been 12 years since the town disappeared but Cassie still feels drawn to the town she has never seen. She and her friend Liam sneak in and swim in the area where the town was and believe they can see part of the town under the water. What will they find when they explore the area? And what questions will be answered?
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Lawler, Janet. OCEAN COUNTING Washington DC : National Geographic, 2013 IL K-3, RL 2.5 ISBN 1426311168 You may look at this and think that it is just a counting book. But you would be wrong. Yes, it is a counting book but it is so much more. If you love ocean animals, then you will also learn about some interesting animals as you count to ten. Did you know that parrotfish cover themselves with gooey mucus before they go to sleep? The photographs in the book will let you see these interesting creature in detail.
Wednesday, November 06, 2013
Today's podcast 11/06/2013
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Today's podcast 11/06/2013
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Grey, Mini. TRACTION MAN AND THE BEACH ODYSSEY
Grey, Mini. TRACTION MAN AND THE BEACH ODYSSEYNew York : A.A. Knopf, 2012IL K-3, RL 3.0ISBN 0375869522Traction Man is back and ready for a new adventure. This time, his family brings him to the beach for the day. All does not go smoothly for Traction Man and his loyal sidekick, Scrubbing Brush. Truffles buries Traction Man in the sand. He is saved but then washed out to sea. He is saved but then imprisoned in a sand castle with the Dollies. How will our hero escape this time?
Today's podcast 11/05/2013
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Pinkwater, Daniel. MRS. NOODLEKUGEL
Pinkwater, Daniel. MRS. NOODLEKUGEL Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.3 ISBN 0763650536 Looking out the window of their new home in a tall apartment building, Nick and Maxine see a little old fashioned house surrounded by huge buildings. Secretly, with the help of Mike, the janitor, they find it and meet the owner, a plump old lady named Mrs. Noodlekugel. She kindly invites them in for freshly baked cookies and tea. Maxine and Nick are delighted with their visit, especially when they meet her cat who bakes, plays the piano, and elegantly serves the tea. Read to discover the talents of Mrs. Noodlekugel’s four far sighted, prize winning mice, who also join them for tea. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Offill, Jenny. 11 EXPERIMENTS THAT FAILED
Offill, Jenny. 11 EXPERIMENTS THAT FAILEDSchwartz & Wade, 2011Does your school have a Science Fair? Do you know how to do a science experiment? 1) Ask a question. 2) Make a prediction (hypothesis). 3) Gather your supplies. 4) Write down the directions, 5) Record what happened. You might not want to do the 11 experiments in this book, with experiments like “Can a kid make it through the winter eating only snow and ketchup?” or “Do dogs like to be covered in glitter?” But you will have to read the book to find out the experimental results! (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Messner, Kate. MARTY MCGUIREScholastic, 2011Marty is a third grade girl who prefers blue jeans to dresses, and outdoor fun things like frog hunting instead of playing princess. She loves second grade. Before heading off for summer vacation, Marty’s second grade teacher tells the class how wonderful third grade will be. There will be lots of special activities, including a school play. But things don’t start out well for Marty. She loses her best friend to another classmate. As if things aren’t bad enough, when The Frog Prince is announced as the school play for this year, and all the roles are assigned, Marty is given the role of the princess! How can a girl like Marty, who prefers science, nature and slimy creatures, find a way to succeed as a princess in the school play? Will she eventually find something to like about third grade? You will enjoy getting to know Marty McGuire. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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McNamara, Margaret. THE THREE LITTLE ALIENS AND THE BIG BAD ROBOT
McNamara, Margaret. THE THREE LITTLE ALIENS AND THE BIG BAD ROBOT Schwartz & Wade, 2011Three little aliens are all grown up and ready to head into space and find their own homes. Each alien settles onto his own planet, and soon a big bad robot comes to call. The three little aliens find safety together in the third alien’s home. Does this story sound familiar? It is a funny twist on the Three Little Pigs! You will laugh at the aliens and their silly antics, and you will love the illustrations that help you get to know the planets in our solar system. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Kirby, Stan. CAPTAIN AWESOME TO THE RESCUE
Kirby, Stan. CAPTAIN AWESOME TO THE RESCUE New York : Little Simon, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.5 ISBN 1442440902 Eugene McGillicudy is an eight-year-old boy who loves adventure and superheroes. He even has a superhero alter ego, Captain Awesome. On the first day of school, his teacher gives him the job of taking care of the class hamster, Turbo. A couple of days later, when Eugene goes out for recess, he notices that Turbo is missing. He sees a trail of bedding and suspects he knows where Turbo is, but has to leave for recess anyway. When he returns it is time to become Captain Awesome and rescue Turbo. Read to find out if Captain Awesome can find Turbo, catch the hamsternapper, and solve the case. He just might find a sidekick and new friend in this first exciting adventure of the hilarious Captain Awesome series. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Joyce, Williiam. THE FANTASTIC BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE
Joyce, Williiam. THE FANTASTIC BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.8 ISBN 1442457023 Morris Lessmore loves words, stories and books. He is very happy. One day a terrifying hurricane blows all he loves away. He is left in a strange colorless land. Morris aimlessly wanders until he comes upon a lovely lady who is being pulled along by flying books. She gives Morris her favorite book. This book befriends Morris and leads him to a library filled with extraordinary stories. Morris’ world is filled with color again as he takes care of the books and they take care of him. Morris shares his books with others and even writes his own. Eventually Morris passes his story and his love of books to a new young caretaker. This book began as an award winning wordless animated film. There is also an app which creates Morris’ amazing world. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
-
Florian, Douglas. DINOTHESAURUS
Florian, Douglas. DINOTHESAURUS Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009Twenty poems humorously describe dinosaurs: their surroundings, their habits, and their appearances. Douglas Florian uses collage to artistically render each poem. His muted illustrations done on paper bags prominently include letters and realistic pictures. The illustrations and poems work together to create short funny pictures of each dinosaur. Florian includes a Glossarysaurus and a list of Dinosaur Museums and Fossil Sites for those readers wishing additional information. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
-
Henkes, Kevin. PENNY AND HER DOLL
Henkes, Kevin. PENNY AND HER DOLL New York : Greenwillow Books, 2012 IL K-3, RL 1.9 ISBN 0062081993 Penny, a small girl mouse, receives a perfect gift from her Grandmother, but there is a problem. Penny was in the garden with her Mom when her gift, a beautiful doll, arrived. Penny loved the doll right away. She had pink cheeks, a pink bow and a pink dress with big buttons but no name! Penny struggled to find just the right name for her just right dolly. Everyone else in her family, after all, has a name. Read this short chapter book to discover the name Penny bestows on her doll. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Grandits, John. TEN RULES YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THE SCHOOL BUS
Grandits, John. TEN RULES YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THE SCHOOL BUSNew York : Clarion Books 2011Can you remember the first time you had to ride the school bus? Was it something you were looking forward to, or dreading? Kyle is ready to start kindergarten, but riding the school bus makes him very nervous. His older brother tries to help by making a list of ten rules for Kyle to follow. Breaking the rules could get him laughed at, yelled at, or even pushed around or pounded! After looking over the list, though, Kyle gets even more scared than before. On his first day, he breaks several rules – he sits in the back row, makes eye contact with another student, and worst of all he talks to a girl. You’re sure to find something to connect with in this humorous story about facing your fears and coming up with your own ways to survive. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Going, K. L. DOG IN CHARGE New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL K-3, RL 1.6 ISBN 0803734794 Dog earns a big hug and a scrumptious treat when she sits, stays, and dances on her back paws for her owner. “Good Dog. Smart Dog, the very best Dog,” says her owner, as she puts Dog in “charge” of their five cats, while the family goes out shopping. Proudly, Dog begins her training. But….. when she commands the cats to sit, and stay, oh no, 1,2,3,4,5 cats don’t obey, in fact they disappear. Brilliantly, Dog pulls out the “Good Kitty,” treats to train the cats, except the treats smell too good. Can Dog stay in charge? (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
-
Vawter, Vince. PAPERBOY New York : Delacorte, 2013 IL 5-8, RL 5.5 ISBN 0375990585 It was just going to be for a month. He was just helping out a friend. But taking over paper delivery duties in July 1959 turns into a life lesson for one young boy. The job is harder than he thought. The Memphis heat is almost unbearable. But he enjoys the opportunity to practice his throwing skills. His biggest concern is the Friday collections. He has a severe stutter and is very nervous about having to talk to strangers. But that is not all he encounters that summer. Along the way, he meets Mr. Spiro who loves to read; Mrs. Worthington who may be hiding some things; and a young boy who just stares at the television all day. All of the people he meets during the summer lead him to understand his own world just a bit better.
-
Hautman, Pete. THE CYDONIAN PYRAMID
Hautman, Pete. THE CYDONIAN PYRAMID Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0-7636-5404-3 In the first book of the Klaatu diskos series, we met Tucker Feye. When his parents disappeared, he began to see strange shimmering disks above the house. When he stepped in one, he found himself on a strange journey through different time periods. During the journey, he keeps running into a strange girl that his father had brought home after one of his disappearances. In the second book of the series, we see the same events but this time from Lah Lia's point of view. We learn about her background and how she is caught up in the diskos and meets Tucker Feye. We also learn more about the Digital Plague and the origins of the Lah Sept
-
Chadda, Sarwat. THE SAVAGE FORTRESS
Chadda, Sarwat. THE SAVAGE FORTRESS New York : Arthur A. Levine Books, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.4 ISBN 0545385164 Ash Mistry is rethinking his desire to spend time in India. When he was back in England, it seemed like a great idea. Now after three weeks of heat and boredom, he would love a little excitement. And he gets his wish. But as they say, be careful what you wish for. When the family goes to visit his uncle's colleague, Ash accidentally picks up a golden arrowhead and he finds himself fighting the demon himself. He is unable to save his aunt and uncle but there may be time to save his sister from Ravana, the demon king. There is a lot of Hindu mythology in this book but it is explained and you will find yourself really rooting for the overweight gamer from England to overcome the demon king and save the world.
-
Falconer, Ian. OLIVIA AND THE FAIRY PRINCESSES
Falconer, Ian. OLIVIA AND THE FAIRY PRINCESSES New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL K-3, RL 2.3 ISBN 1442450274 Olivia is back and having identity crises. Who should this irrepressible pig be when she grows up? She definitely does not want to be a pink frilly princess. That is what everybody else (even some boys) want to be! And why, she plaintively asks, can’t there be other kinds of princesses like an African princess or an Indian princess. With humor Olivia investigates many options, perhaps a nurse or a reporter! Her solution – pure Olivia. Read Olivia and the Fairy Princesses for a laugh-out-loud happy ending! (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
-
Chin, Jason. ISLAND : A STORY OF THE GALAPAGOS
Chin, Jason. ISLAND : A STORY OF THE GALAPAGOS New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2012 IL K-3, RL 5.8 ISBN 1596437162 They swam, flew and drifted to the island. After a million years, animals and plants had arrived at the Galapagos. Author-illustrator Jason Chin follows the life and death of one of a series of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean. Find out how and why the inhabitants adapted to their new environment, and who discovered some of these unusual creatures? (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
-
Barnett, Mac. CHLOE AND THE LION
Barnett, Mac. CHLOE AND THE LION Disney Hyperion Books, 2012 IL K-3 ISBN 1423113349 Have you ever wondered how authors and illustrators work together to create a great picture book? Mac Barnett and Adam Rex show us that working together is not always easy. Mac wants to write a story about a girl named Chloe who meets a lion on the way to the circus. The storytelling goes hilariously awry when Adam tries to use his illustrations to make the story more exciting. Things get sillier when Mac fires Adam and learns that good illustrations are not as easy as they seem. The story will have you laughing out loud and searching for a writing partner of your own! (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
-
Swanson, James L. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SHOT!
Swanson, James L. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SHOT! New York : Scholastic, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0545490073 Fifty years ago, John Kennedy was president of the United States and enjoying a visit to Dallas. No one could have known what would happen on November 22, 1963. In this book, we learn about the days that led up to that fateful day. The assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, hadn't even planned on shooting the President until just a few days before. But an article about the President's visit in a local newspaper caught his eye. You will learn about Oswald's background and desire to do something extraordinary. And you will learn about the details surrounding the President's assassination.
-
Shurtliff, Liesl. RUMP : THE TRUE STORY OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN
Shurtliff, Liesl. RUMP : THE TRUE STORY OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN New York : Knopf, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 4.1 ISBN 0307977943 So you think you know the story of Rumpelstiltskin? Well not so fast. It may not have happened the way you heard. In this version, a young boy is born and his mother dies before she can say his whole name. All anyone hears is Rump. Can you imagine? Being called Rump? You just know there are going to be lots of jokes made about it. And so it is. Rump lives in a land far away. He is forced to work in the gold mines and trade gold for food. But he is not having much luck. He just can't make enough to feed his grandmother and himself. When he finds a spinning wheel that had belonged to his mother, he decides to try it out. The only thing he can find to spin is the straw from his mattress. And guess what? It turns into gold. When he trades it to the evil miller for food, things start to get really bad. The miller lies to the king and says his daughter is the one with the magic. Now Rump can either try to save Opal or just keep his magic for himself. No matter what he decides, he will never stop trying to learn his real name. His name will reveal his destiny.
-
McKinlay, Megan. BELOW Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 5.1 ISBN 0763661260 Cassie never got to see her hometown. The day she was born, they drowned the town. The lever was pulled and everyone cheered as the town sunk beneath the water never to be seen again. The lake where the town was submergered is off-limits and no one is allowed near that area. It has been 12 years since the town disappeared but Cassie still feels drawn to the town she has never seen. She and her friend Liam sneak in and swim in the area where the town was and believe they can see part of the town under the water. What will they find when they explore the area? And what questions will be answered?
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Lawler, Janet. OCEAN COUNTING Washington DC : National Geographic, 2013 IL K-3, RL 2.5 ISBN 1426311168 You may look at this and think that it is just a counting book. But you would be wrong. Yes, it is a counting book but it is so much more. If you love ocean animals, then you will also learn about some interesting animals as you count to ten. Did you know that parrotfish cover themselves with gooey mucus before they go to sleep? The photographs in the book will let you see these interesting creature in detail.
Monday, November 04, 2013
Today's podcast 11/04/2013
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Pinkwater, Daniel. MRS. NOODLEKUGEL
Pinkwater, Daniel. MRS. NOODLEKUGEL Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.3 ISBN 0763650536 Looking out the window of their new home in a tall apartment building, Nick and Maxine see a little old fashioned house surrounded by huge buildings. Secretly, with the help of Mike, the janitor, they find it and meet the owner, a plump old lady named Mrs. Noodlekugel. She kindly invites them in for freshly baked cookies and tea. Maxine and Nick are delighted with their visit, especially when they meet her cat who bakes, plays the piano, and elegantly serves the tea. Read to discover the talents of Mrs. Noodlekugel’s four far sighted, prize winning mice, who also join them for tea. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Sunday, November 03, 2013
Today's podcast 11/03/2013
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Offill, Jenny. 11 EXPERIMENTS THAT FAILED
Offill, Jenny. 11 EXPERIMENTS THAT FAILEDSchwartz & Wade, 2011Does your school have a Science Fair? Do you know how to do a science experiment? 1) Ask a question. 2) Make a prediction (hypothesis). 3) Gather your supplies. 4) Write down the directions, 5) Record what happened. You might not want to do the 11 experiments in this book, with experiments like “Can a kid make it through the winter eating only snow and ketchup?” or “Do dogs like to be covered in glitter?” But you will have to read the book to find out the experimental results! (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Messner, Kate. MARTY MCGUIREScholastic, 2011Marty is a third grade girl who prefers blue jeans to dresses, and outdoor fun things like frog hunting instead of playing princess. She loves second grade. Before heading off for summer vacation, Marty’s second grade teacher tells the class how wonderful third grade will be. There will be lots of special activities, including a school play. But things don’t start out well for Marty. She loses her best friend to another classmate. As if things aren’t bad enough, when The Frog Prince is announced as the school play for this year, and all the roles are assigned, Marty is given the role of the princess! How can a girl like Marty, who prefers science, nature and slimy creatures, find a way to succeed as a princess in the school play? Will she eventually find something to like about third grade? You will enjoy getting to know Marty McGuire. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Friday, November 01, 2013
Today's podcast 11/01/2013
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McNamara, Margaret. THE THREE LITTLE ALIENS AND THE BIG BAD ROBOT
McNamara, Margaret. THE THREE LITTLE ALIENS AND THE BIG BAD ROBOT Schwartz & Wade, 2011Three little aliens are all grown up and ready to head into space and find their own homes. Each alien settles onto his own planet, and soon a big bad robot comes to call. The three little aliens find safety together in the third alien’s home. Does this story sound familiar? It is a funny twist on the Three Little Pigs! You will laugh at the aliens and their silly antics, and you will love the illustrations that help you get to know the planets in our solar system. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Today's podcast 10/30/2013
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Kirby, Stan. CAPTAIN AWESOME TO THE RESCUE
Kirby, Stan. CAPTAIN AWESOME TO THE RESCUE New York : Little Simon, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.5 ISBN 1442440902 Eugene McGillicudy is an eight-year-old boy who loves adventure and superheroes. He even has a superhero alter ego, Captain Awesome. On the first day of school, his teacher gives him the job of taking care of the class hamster, Turbo. A couple of days later, when Eugene goes out for recess, he notices that Turbo is missing. He sees a trail of bedding and suspects he knows where Turbo is, but has to leave for recess anyway. When he returns it is time to become Captain Awesome and rescue Turbo. Read to find out if Captain Awesome can find Turbo, catch the hamsternapper, and solve the case. He just might find a sidekick and new friend in this first exciting adventure of the hilarious Captain Awesome series. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Monday, October 28, 2013
Today's podcast 10/28/2013
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Joyce, Williiam. THE FANTASTIC BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE
Joyce, Williiam. THE FANTASTIC BOOKS OF MR. MORRIS LESSMORE New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.8 ISBN 1442457023 Morris Lessmore loves words, stories and books. He is very happy. One day a terrifying hurricane blows all he loves away. He is left in a strange colorless land. Morris aimlessly wanders until he comes upon a lovely lady who is being pulled along by flying books. She gives Morris her favorite book. This book befriends Morris and leads him to a library filled with extraordinary stories. Morris’ world is filled with color again as he takes care of the books and they take care of him. Morris shares his books with others and even writes his own. Eventually Morris passes his story and his love of books to a new young caretaker. This book began as an award winning wordless animated film. There is also an app which creates Morris’ amazing world. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Today's podcast 10/27/2013
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Florian, Douglas. DINOTHESAURUS
Florian, Douglas. DINOTHESAURUS Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009Twenty poems humorously describe dinosaurs: their surroundings, their habits, and their appearances. Douglas Florian uses collage to artistically render each poem. His muted illustrations done on paper bags prominently include letters and realistic pictures. The illustrations and poems work together to create short funny pictures of each dinosaur. Florian includes a Glossarysaurus and a list of Dinosaur Museums and Fossil Sites for those readers wishing additional information. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Today's podcast 10/26/2013
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Henkes, Kevin. PENNY AND HER DOLL
Henkes, Kevin. PENNY AND HER DOLL New York : Greenwillow Books, 2012 IL K-3, RL 1.9 ISBN 0062081993 Penny, a small girl mouse, receives a perfect gift from her Grandmother, but there is a problem. Penny was in the garden with her Mom when her gift, a beautiful doll, arrived. Penny loved the doll right away. She had pink cheeks, a pink bow and a pink dress with big buttons but no name! Penny struggled to find just the right name for her just right dolly. Everyone else in her family, after all, has a name. Read this short chapter book to discover the name Penny bestows on her doll. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Friday, October 25, 2013
Today's podcast 10/25/2013
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Grandits, John. TEN RULES YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THE SCHOOL BUS
Grandits, John. TEN RULES YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST NOT BREAK IF YOU WANT TO SURVIVE THE SCHOOL BUSNew York : Clarion Books 2011Can you remember the first time you had to ride the school bus? Was it something you were looking forward to, or dreading? Kyle is ready to start kindergarten, but riding the school bus makes him very nervous. His older brother tries to help by making a list of ten rules for Kyle to follow. Breaking the rules could get him laughed at, yelled at, or even pushed around or pounded! After looking over the list, though, Kyle gets even more scared than before. On his first day, he breaks several rules – he sits in the back row, makes eye contact with another student, and worst of all he talks to a girl. You’re sure to find something to connect with in this humorous story about facing your fears and coming up with your own ways to survive. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Today's podcast 10/24/2013
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Going, K. L. DOG IN CHARGE New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL K-3, RL 1.6 ISBN 0803734794 Dog earns a big hug and a scrumptious treat when she sits, stays, and dances on her back paws for her owner. “Good Dog. Smart Dog, the very best Dog,” says her owner, as she puts Dog in “charge” of their five cats, while the family goes out shopping. Proudly, Dog begins her training. But….. when she commands the cats to sit, and stay, oh no, 1,2,3,4,5 cats don’t obey, in fact they disappear. Brilliantly, Dog pulls out the “Good Kitty,” treats to train the cats, except the treats smell too good. Can Dog stay in charge? (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Monday, October 21, 2013
Today's podcast 10/21/2013
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Hautman, Pete. THE CYDONIAN PYRAMID
Hautman, Pete. THE CYDONIAN PYRAMID Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0-7636-5404-3 In the first book of the Klaatu diskos series, we met Tucker Feye. When his parents disappeared, he began to see strange shimmering disks above the house. When he stepped in one, he found himself on a strange journey through different time periods. During the journey, he keeps running into a strange girl that his father had brought home after one of his disappearances. In the second book of the series, we see the same events but this time from Lah Lia's point of view. We learn about her background and how she is caught up in the diskos and meets Tucker Feye. We also learn more about the Digital Plague and the origins of the Lah Sept
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Today's podcast 10/20/2013
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Chadda, Sarwat. THE SAVAGE FORTRESS
Chadda, Sarwat. THE SAVAGE FORTRESS New York : Arthur A. Levine Books, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.4 ISBN 0545385164 Ash Mistry is rethinking his desire to spend time in India. When he was back in England, it seemed like a great idea. Now after three weeks of heat and boredom, he would love a little excitement. And he gets his wish. But as they say, be careful what you wish for. When the family goes to visit his uncle's colleague, Ash accidentally picks up a golden arrowhead and he finds himself fighting the demon himself. He is unable to save his aunt and uncle but there may be time to save his sister from Ravana, the demon king. There is a lot of Hindu mythology in this book but it is explained and you will find yourself really rooting for the overweight gamer from England to overcome the demon king and save the world.
Using Aurasma for booktalks
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Today's podcast 10/19/2013
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Falconer, Ian. OLIVIA AND THE FAIRY PRINCESSES
Falconer, Ian. OLIVIA AND THE FAIRY PRINCESSES New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL K-3, RL 2.3 ISBN 1442450274 Olivia is back and having identity crises. Who should this irrepressible pig be when she grows up? She definitely does not want to be a pink frilly princess. That is what everybody else (even some boys) want to be! And why, she plaintively asks, can’t there be other kinds of princesses like an African princess or an Indian princess. With humor Olivia investigates many options, perhaps a nurse or a reporter! Her solution – pure Olivia. Read Olivia and the Fairy Princesses for a laugh-out-loud happy ending! (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Friday, October 18, 2013
Today's podcast 10/18/2013
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Chin, Jason. ISLAND : A STORY OF THE GALAPAGOS
Chin, Jason. ISLAND : A STORY OF THE GALAPAGOS New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2012 IL K-3, RL 5.8 ISBN 1596437162 They swam, flew and drifted to the island. After a million years, animals and plants had arrived at the Galapagos. Author-illustrator Jason Chin follows the life and death of one of a series of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean. Find out how and why the inhabitants adapted to their new environment, and who discovered some of these unusual creatures? (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Today's podcast 10/16/2013
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Barnett, Mac. CHLOE AND THE LION
Barnett, Mac. CHLOE AND THE LION Disney Hyperion Books, 2012 IL K-3 ISBN 1423113349 Have you ever wondered how authors and illustrators work together to create a great picture book? Mac Barnett and Adam Rex show us that working together is not always easy. Mac wants to write a story about a girl named Chloe who meets a lion on the way to the circus. The storytelling goes hilariously awry when Adam tries to use his illustrations to make the story more exciting. Things get sillier when Mac fires Adam and learns that good illustrations are not as easy as they seem. The story will have you laughing out loud and searching for a writing partner of your own! (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Today's podcast 10/15/2013
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Swanson, James L. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SHOT!
Swanson, James L. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SHOT! New York : Scholastic, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0545490073 Fifty years ago, John Kennedy was president of the United States and enjoying a visit to Dallas. No one could have known what would happen on November 22, 1963. In this book, we learn about the days that led up to that fateful day. The assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, hadn't even planned on shooting the President until just a few days before. But an article about the President's visit in a local newspaper caught his eye. You will learn about Oswald's background and desire to do something extraordinary. And you will learn about the details surrounding the President's assassination.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Today's podcast 10/14/2013
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Shurtliff, Liesl. RUMP : THE TRUE STORY OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN
Shurtliff, Liesl. RUMP : THE TRUE STORY OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN New York : Knopf, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 4.1 ISBN 0307977943 So you think you know the story of Rumpelstiltskin? Well not so fast. It may not have happened the way you heard. In this version, a young boy is born and his mother dies before she can say his whole name. All anyone hears is Rump. Can you imagine? Being called Rump? You just know there are going to be lots of jokes made about it. And so it is. Rump lives in a land far away. He is forced to work in the gold mines and trade gold for food. But he is not having much luck. He just can't make enough to feed his grandmother and himself. When he finds a spinning wheel that had belonged to his mother, he decides to try it out. The only thing he can find to spin is the straw from his mattress. And guess what? It turns into gold. When he trades it to the evil miller for food, things start to get really bad. The miller lies to the king and says his daughter is the one with the magic. Now Rump can either try to save Opal or just keep his magic for himself. No matter what he decides, he will never stop trying to learn his real name. His name will reveal his destiny.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Today's podcast 10/13/2013
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McKinlay, Megan. BELOW Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 5.1 ISBN 0763661260 Cassie never got to see her hometown. The day she was born, they drowned the town. The lever was pulled and everyone cheered as the town sunk beneath the water never to be seen again. The lake where the town was submergered is off-limits and no one is allowed near that area. It has been 12 years since the town disappeared but Cassie still feels drawn to the town she has never seen. She and her friend Liam sneak in and swim in the area where the town was and believe they can see part of the town under the water. What will they find when they explore the area? And what questions will be answered?
Friday, October 11, 2013
Today's podcast 10/11/2013
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Lawler, Janet. OCEAN COUNTING Washington DC : National Geographic, 2013 IL K-3, RL 2.5 ISBN 1426311168 You may look at this and think that it is just a counting book. But you would be wrong. Yes, it is a counting book but it is so much more. If you love ocean animals, then you will also learn about some interesting animals as you count to ten. Did you know that parrotfish cover themselves with gooey mucus before they go to sleep? The photographs in the book will let you see these interesting creature in detail.
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Today's podcast 10/08/2013
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Jarkins, Sheila. THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO FLAMINGO IN THE CAVE
Jarkins, Sheila. THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO FLAMINGO IN THE CAVE McHenry, IL : Raven Tree Press, 2012 IL K-3, RL 2.0 ISBN 1936402009 Marco Flamingo and his friends are off on an adventure. Unfortunately, along the way, their car breaks down. While walking to get help, Marco spots some caves and decides to go exploring. But his friends are way to scared to go in. Until something outside scares them even more.
Monday, October 07, 2013
Today's podcast 10/07/2013
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Hoppey, Tim. PEDRO THE PIRATE McHenry, IL : Raven Tree Press, 2012 IL K-3 RL 3.1 ISBN 1936299186 Pedro dreams of being a pirate. Can you imagine having your own ship and living the pirate's life? When the opportunity arises to prove his worth, Pedro steals a locket from a mermaid. He is so happy that he has proven himself as a pirate. When the mermaid asks Pedro why he took her locket, he laughs and just says that's what pirates do! But is Pedro really ready for the pirate life?
Sunday, October 06, 2013
Today's podcast 10/06/2013
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Dey, Lorraine. THE RAIN FOREST PARTY
Dey, Lorraine. THE RAIN FOREST PARTY McHenry, IL : Raven Tree Press, 2012 IL K-3, RL 2.9 ISBN 1936299283 Have you ever thought that everyone has a special talent except you? Everyone else is good at something but you are just you. Well, Hector does. As he and his friends are getting ready for the rain forest fiesta, he is sad that he has no special talent. Or does he?
Friday, October 04, 2013
Today's podcast 10/04/2013
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Bascomb, Neal. THE NAZI HUNTERS
Bascomb, Neal. THE NAZI HUNTERS New York : Arthur A. Levine Books, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0545430992 During World War II, a young man named Adolf Eichmann came into his own. Rising through the ranks in the German army, Eichmann found himself appointed to head up the Nazi Final Solution. And he was very good at the job. He claimed to have caused the extermination of 5 million Jews. But when the war was lost, he hid in the hills and then escaped to Argentina. Although it took many years, he was finally located and brought to Israel to stand trial for his horrendous war crimes. This is the story of how Eichmann was located after the war and his trial in Israel.
Thursday, October 03, 2013
Today's podcast 10/03/2013
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Aguirre, Ann. HORDE New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2013 IL YA ISBN 1250024633 Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out to find reinforcements for the battle against the freaks. They know that there is a good chance that the town of Salvation will be destroyed before they can return but they have to try. The freaks have organized and thousands of them are attacking. What has changed? Why are the freaks acting like this? Is it possible that they are working together as a tribe? Is there any way that the humans can survive an all out organized attack?
Wednesday, October 02, 2013
Today's podcast 10/02/2013
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Aguirre, Ann. OUTPOST New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2012 IL YA ISBN 0312650094 Having been banished from their tribe and rescued from the ruins, Deuce and Fade have found a new home in Salvation. Tegan and Stalker have joined them and the four teens are living in comfort and surrounded by hope. The town has strong walls and can defend against the freaks. When planting season arrives, they volunteer to join the patrol that will protect the planters. But the freaks attack and destroy the crops. Deuce senses something different about the freaks. They are acting more as if they are a tribe rather than the mindless savages they are used to. Is it possible that the freaks are changing? And what does that mean to the people of Salvation?
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Today's podcast 09/29/2013
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Townsend, Michael. CUTE & CUTER
Townsend, Michael. CUTE & CUTER New York : Knopf, 2013 IL K-3, RL 3.2 ISBN 0375857184 Janie Jane just loves cute things. For her birthday, her parents give her the cutest thing! A puppy who loves to yip, yip, yip. Janie Jane calls him Sir Yips-A-Lot and they do everything together. Throughout the whole year, they spend every moment together. When Janie Jane's birthday comes around again, her parents give her the cutest little -- kitten. She is so cute. Just the cutest thing ever. And now Sir Yips-a-lot has a competitor. What is going to happen when these two cuties are competing for Janie Jane's attention?
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Today's podcast 09/28/2013
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Suma, Nova Ren. 17 & GONE New York : Dutton, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0525423400 Lauren is beginning to have visions. She believes that several girls are talking to her. These girls all have one thing in common. They are all 17 and they have all gone missing without a trace. But Lauren believes she can hear them and maybe even see them. At least save Abby, the one who she hears most often. But what if Lauren is the next to be taken? She is also 17 and she is terrified that she is the next girl to go missing. As we live in Lauren's shoes, we see a world that may be spinning out of control. And we wonder why Lauren is having these visions.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Today's podcast 08/25/2013
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Shapiro, David. TOOL TIME TWIST : A BRIEF HISTORY OF TOOLS THROUGH TIME
Shapiro, David. TOOL TIME TWIST : A BRIEF HISTORY OF TOOLS THROUGH TIME Portland OR : Craigmore Creations, 2013 IL K-3 ISBN 0984442278 I can't go into a hardware store without looking through the tools and wondering what they are for. And I wonder how people long ago used tools and what they looked like. This book shows us the history of 20 tools invented as long ago as 2.5 million years. From sticks and stones to power tools, take a quick look at the history of tools.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Today's podcast 08/24/2013
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Shapiro, David. FLOWERS BY NUMBER
Shapiro, David. FLOWERS BY NUMBER Portland OR : Craigmore Creations, 2013 IL K-3 ISBN 0984442286 Do you like flowers? I surely do. These beautiful flowers illustrate this counting book. It is fun to count to 10. Add some interesting flowers, and you have a lovely way to learn to count.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Today's podcast 08/17/2013
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Rose, Deborah Lee. JIMMY THE JOEY
Rose, Deborah Lee. JIMMY THE JOEY Washington DC : National Geographic Child, 2013 IL K-3 ISBN 1426313713 This is the story of an orphaned koala. His mother was hit by a car and the little koala, or joey, was left in the street on his own. There was no way he could survive. But he was found and brought to the Koala Hospital. There they worked to keep him alive and then to help him survive. He was placed with a volunteer who took him home with her. This is the story of Jimmy the joey who was saved and thrived thanks to the wildlife rescue workers.
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Reynolds, Aaron. PIRATES VS. COWBOYS
Reynolds, Aaron. PIRATES VS. COWBOYS New York : Knopf, 2013 IL K-3, RL 4.5 ISBN 0375858741 Arrgh. Ahoy maties. Do you speak pirate? Or are you more of a cowboy and nastier than week-old chili and twice as gassy? In this tale, we find some pirates looking for a place to bury their bounty. When they wander into a town, they find out that there is definitely a language barrier. The pirates don't understand what the cowboys are saying. And the cowboys are getting angry since they don't know what the pirates are talking about. Can these two find common ground?
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Today's podcast 08/15/2013
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Quick, Matthew. FORGIVE ME, LEONARD PEACOCK
Quick, Matthew. FORGIVE ME, LEONARD PEACOCK Boston : Little, Brown, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0316221333 Today is Leonard's 18th birthday. And he has a special celebration in mind. He wonders if his mother will remember. She is away on business and never seems to care what he does. Chances are she will forget as usual. You would think that a mother would remember giving birth. His friends won't remember since he has none. He's a misfit. The kids make fun of him and he is always bullied in school. His teachers probably aren't told when birthdays are so they won't know. They don't really care anyway. Except for one. Leonard's former best friend should know but he has become so hurtful to Leonard. Little does Asher Beal know, but he is really the guest of honor at Leonard's celebration. No cake and ice cream. Just a loaded gun.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Today's podcast 08/14/2013
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McGinnis, Mindy. NOT A DROP TO DRINK
McGinnis, Mindy. NOT A DROP TO DRINK New York : Katherine Tegen Books, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0062198505 Lynn and her mother live alone in a future world where water has become scarce and you need to fight for your survival. The two women know they must defend their pond or else risk being killed. When her mother is killed by wolves, Lynn is now alone and trying to survive. Anyone who comes near her pond is met with a bullet. Lynn has never known life other than this one. There is a neighbor nearby but they only communicate by waving. Lynn has only met the man once. But all this is about to change with the arrival of a down and out family who are camping nearby. Lynn takes in the young daughter when the mother is unable to care for her. Now the lives of Lynn, her neighbor and the newcomers are entwined and Lynn will never live life the same again.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Today's podcast 08/13/2013
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McCall Smith, Alexander. THE MYSTERY OF MEERKAT HILL
McCall Smith, Alexander. THE MYSTERY OF MEERKAT HILL New York : Knopf, 2013 IL 3-6 ISBN 0345804589 Precious Ramotswe is looking forward to meeting the new kids at school. She wants to be a detective so she loves meeting new people and finding out new things. She and her family live in Botswana in Africa and there are not many children in the school. The new students will not be in her grade but she makes a point of introducing herself at recess. She becomes friends with Teb and Pontsho. And it turns out that they have a very special pet at home -- a meerkat! Together the kids will work to solve a mystery that involves the family.
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Mass, Wendy. LAST PRESENT New York : Scholastic Press, 2013 IL 3-6 ISBN 0545310164 Amanda and Leo still can't speak to each other. And they are involved in another birthday mystery. Their friend's little sister has become catatonic and the kids are told it is because Angelina was not able to complete her birthday blessing. Now it is up to Amanda and Leo to go back in time and make sure the birthday blessing is completed. But, they need to be successful at least three times in order to break the spell. Angelina tells them exactly what when wrong at each birthday and what they must do to correct the situation. Can they do it?
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Today's podcast 08/11/2013
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Look, Lenore. BRUSH OF THE GODS
Look, Lenore. BRUSH OF THE GODS New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2013 IL K-3, RL 3.0 ISBN 0375970010 A young boy living a long, long time ago in China wants to learn calligraphy. That is Chinese writing. But whenever the boy tries to make his strokes the way his teacher shows him, something happens. His brush just seems to do what it wants and instead of the letters, his page is filled with paintings of flowers or animals. When he begins to paint on the walls around the city, the paintings seem to come to life. He becomes a famous painter and is asked to draw a mural for the palace. Learn about this painter who lived very long ago.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Today's podcast 08/10/2013
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Kerley, Barbara. THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR YOU
Kerley, Barbara. THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR YOU Washington DC : National Geographic, 2013 IL K-3 ISBN 1426311141 Outside your window is a world waiting for you. What do you want to do when you grow up? Do you want to explore? To go on adventures? To discover new things? This book shows how the things you like to do are also the things that adults like to do. Do you like to jump in puddles? Well, maybe that is the beginning of a career in scuba diving!
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Ian, Janis. THE TINY MOUSE New York : Lemniscaat USA, 2013 IL K-3 ISBN 193595430X Tiny Mouse is so bored. He decides he needs an adventure. And he gets one. He sneaks on-board a ship about to set sail. He soon realizes he is not meant for the sea life when he gets terribly seasick. Other problems are in store for our Tiny Mouse. Will he find a way out of all this? For a special treat, listen to Janis Ian singing the story of Tiny Mouse. A CD is included.
Thursday, August 08, 2013
Today's podcast 08/08/2013
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Huget, Jenniger LaRue. THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME
Huget, Jenniger LaRue. THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2013 IL K-3, RL 3.4 ISBN 0375867392 What do you do if your baby sister gets all the attention? And you older brother gets to stay up a whole hour later than you? And your mother threw away your collection of candy wrappers that you were saving? Maybe you should run away. That will show them. Don't know how that works? Well check out this book and you will learn all about running away from home.
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Hambleton, Vicki. SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER : HOW TO WRITE, GET PUBLISHED, AND MAYBE EVEN MAKE IT BIG! New York : Aladdin, Beyond Words, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 6.0 ISBN 1582703590 The title of this work says it all. Filled with practical advise on how to achieve your dream of becoming a writer. Whether your dream is to be the next children's book star or write for the movies, it is all here. There is advice from authors, editors, and other people in the business that help you understand the steps involved with getting your work to the point of publication. If you have dreamed of becoming a published writer, this is a good place to start your research.
Tuesday, August 06, 2013
Today's podcast 08/06/2013
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Gardner, Sally. MAGGOT MOON Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0763665533 In an alternate United Kingdom in the 1950s, Standish is living in a dystopian society. Standish and his grandfather are living in Zone 7 and barely surviving. Food is scarce and the military is everywhere. His parents have disappeared after speaking out about the conditions. Now Standish goes to school each day and is bullied because of his learning disability. But once Hector and his family move in, they become like a family. Hector and Standish become very close friends and dream of flying to Jupiter to escape the curelty of the Motherland. But even their dreams of living in the land of Croca-Colas and Cadillacs cannot change the harshness of their surroundings. The boys have found a hole in the wall that keeps them in Zone 7 and they venture out. They know that it is dangerous. But they see a different side of life there. The wall gets higher and higher every day and the boys know they can't go in there again. But what happens when someone from the other side comes to them?
Monday, August 05, 2013
Today's podcast 08/05/2013
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Gilman, Charles. SUBSTITUTE CREATURE : TALES FROM LOVECRAFT MIDDLE SCHOOL
Gilman, Charles. SUBSTITUTE CREATURE : TALES FROM LOVECRAFT MIDDLE SCHOOL New York : Quirk Books, 2013 IL 3-6 ISBN 1594746400 Robert is looking forward to the Valentine's party at Lovecraft Middle School. He plans to give Karina a card. Sure she's a ghost who can't leave the school and died many years before, but she is his best friend. Well, Glenn is too. Things are always a bit off at the school although no one would believe them if they told them. When a nor'easter hits the school, the decision is made to bus all the children home and close the school. But the substitute teacher has other ideas. Robert, Glenn, and Karina are trapped in the school along with Robert's mother, the school nurse, Mac, the custodian and Lionel, the rich kid. Although Lionel has offered to pay anyone who will come and rescue them, the blizzard is so fierce that no one can help. What strange things are going to happen at Lovecraft during this long night?
Sunday, August 04, 2013
Today's podcast 08/04/2013
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Empson, Jo. NEVER EVER Auburn, ME : Child’s Play, 2013 IL K-3 ISBN 184643551X Nothing exciting ever happens to her. Never ever. As she walks along, she doesn't notice the things around her. She just complains that nothing ever happens. Never ever, ever. What do you think? Never EVER???
Saturday, August 03, 2013
Today's podcast 08/03/2013
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Dudley, Rebecca. HANK FINDS AN EGG
Dudley, Rebecca. HANK FINDS AN EGG New York : Peter Pauper Press, 2013 IL K-3 ISBN 1441311580 In this wordless picture book, we find Hank enjoying his walk through the woods. When he comes across an egg on the ground, he searches to find it's home. Way up on the tree top is the nest that the egg belongs in. But how will Hank get the egg back into the nest? He tries to stand on a log to put it back but he just cant reach high enough. Is there any way that Hank can get the egg back where it belongs?
Friday, August 02, 2013
Today's podcast 08/02/2013
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Dicmas, Courtney. HAROLD FINDS A VOICE
Dicmas, Courtney. HAROLD FINDS A VOICE New York : Child's Play, 2013 IL K-3 ISBN 1846435501 Harold is a parrot with a special talent. He can imitate every sound he hears. He can sound like a toilet flushing. He can sound like the vacuum cleaner. He can even sound like a big ocean liner or a small little snail. But what does he sound like when he is being himself? Can he find his own voice and learn to love the sound?
Thursday, August 01, 2013
Today's podcast 08/01/2013
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Dowell, Frances O'Roark. TEN MILES PAST NORMAL
Dowell, Frances O'Roark. TEN MILES PAST NORMAL New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011 IL YA ISBN 1416995854 As a 9 year old, Janie thought living on a small goat farm was a dream come true. But as a 14 year old, that dream is becoming a nightmare. She needs to milk the goats, and muck out the area. She is tired of going to school with manure scented shoes. Not that the other kids would notice her anyway. She only has one friend and the two of them decide to join Jam Band. Here they meet Monster, yep that’s his real name. Monster Monroe helps the girls understand that they need to stop hiding and live large. Can Janie find the self confidence she needs to break out of her shell?