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Johnson, Peter. THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF JOHN SMITH, JR.; AKA HOUDINI
Johnson, Peter. THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF JOHN SMITH, JR.; AKA HOUDINI New York : Harper, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.6 ISBN 0061988901 John Smith, Jr., nicknamed Houdini after his favorite hero, hears an author speak and decides that he too can write a book following the authors’ rules for writing for teens. Hoping to write a best seller so he can buy his father a new car and pay for college, his writings humorously explore his life and interactions with friends and family. His fear of the town bully and the one armed Vietnam vet and worries for his own brother serving in Iraq lead him to better understand himself and others around him. See how this alters his world view. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Monday, February 17, 2014
Today's podcast 02/17/2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
Today's podcast 02/14/2014
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Hopkinson, Deborah. TITANIC : VOICES FROM THE DISASTER
Hopkinson, Deborah. TITANIC : VOICES FROM THE DISASTER New York : Scholastic, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 7.6 ISBN 0545116740 Have you ever wondered what it was really like to be aboard the Titanic when she sank? In Titanic: Voices from the Disaster, Deborah Hopkinson collects eyewitness accounts from crew, passengers, and those involved in the rescue effort. These account are woven together to present an eerie witness to perhaps the most famous shipwreck ever. The book moves along as the Titanic maiden voyage slowly unfolds. Photographs taken by a passenger who got off the ship before she set sail on the open sea, help the reader feel what it was like aboard the floating city. Information is provided in the back of the book about the final fate of the passengers whose accounts are included. An extensive list of sources and websites is also included in the back. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Today's podcast 02/13/2014
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Hiaasen, Carl. CHOMP New York : Knopf, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.2 ISBN 0375868429 Wahoo and his father, a professional animal wrangler, live along the Everglades with an odd assortment of animals. When Derek from Expedition Survival reality show arrives, he wants to use Wahoo’s real animals for their scenes. Derek almost drowns with his real-life stunt grabbing Alice, the gigantic alligator. After his near-death experience, Derek decides to use the Everglades for his next scene. After only one day, Derek gets bitten by a bat and gets lost in a storm. Read to see who wins on the reality show – the animals or Derek. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Today's podcast 02/12/2014
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Gantos, Jack. DEAD END IN NORVELT
Gantos, Jack. DEAD END IN NORVELT Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011. Jack is sure it was an accident when his father’s souvenir Japanese rifle fires while he is playing with it, but he has been grounded for the summer. The only thing his parents will allow him to do this summer is help his elderly neighbor write obituaries for the people who are dying in their town, and they sure seem to be dying off fast. Set in Norvelt, Pennsylvania, read this humorous mystery to find out why! (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Today's podcast 02/11/2014
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Frost, Helen. HIDDEN Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011 When two girls meet at summer camp, they soon realize they have a secret past. Years earlier, Darra’s father accidentally kidnapped Wren who was hiding in the car he stole. That event changed both of the girls’ lives and shaped who they are now. Darra tried to help Wren escape without her father getting into trouble, but he ended up in jail anyway, for which she blames Wren. Wren couldn’t understand why Darra and her mother put up with her father’s abusiveness and wouldn’t call the authorities. A novel in verse, read Hidden to find out if they will be able to resolve their differences during summer camp and come to terms with the past before someone gets hurt. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Monday, February 10, 2014
Today's podcast 02/10/2014
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Bowen, Fred. REAL HOOPS Atlanta : Peachtree, 2011 IL 3-6, RL 4.4 ISBN 1561455660 Ben and Logan are looking forward to freshman basketball tryouts and know that if the team is going to be any good they need a point guard who can handle the ball well. When Hud transfers to their school, the prospects for a winning team are looking up. Ben and Logan have played basketball with Hud at the Recreation Center downtown and he is top notch, but can they convince him to be a team player so they can have the winning team they have been dreaming about? Read Real Hoops to find out. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Sunday, February 09, 2014
Today's podcast 02/09/2014
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Barrow, Randi. SAVING ZASHA Scholastic 2011 World War II is over and Russia does not want anything to do with Germany, a country that attacked them so brutally.. Mikhail, a 13 year old boy from Russia, finds a sick and dying man who has a German shepherd. Mikhail’s family decides to keep Zasha a secret from the rest of the townspeople and vows to hide and protect her. Mikhail discovers Zasha is pregnant. There is a man nearby who is trying to breed a Russian superdog and would love to add a German shepherd to the breed. Find out what happens to Zasha and her puppies. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Today's podcast 02/08/2014
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Weeks, Sarah. PIE New York : Scholastic, 2011 Do you have a favorite pie that just makes your mouth water whenever you think about it? Then you will love this story about Alice and her very special Aunt Polly who is quite the celebrity in the town of Ipswich, Pennsylvania. Aunt Polly has a small bakeshop where she bakes and generously gives away the most amazing pies. She has even won the coveted Blueberry Award 13 times for her tasty treats! When Aunt Polly dies, it sets off a mad search throughout the town for those secret pie recipes. Alice inherits Lardo, Aunt Polly's cat with an attitude. When it is revealed that Lardo has inherited the recipes, he suspiciously disappears and Alice imagines the worst. Will Alice and her friend Charlie be able to get to the bottom of this tasty mystery? You may as well join the search. Who knows? Perhaps you will find a few new pie recipes to try! (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Thursday, February 06, 2014
Today's podcast 02/06/2014
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Turnage, Shelia. THREE TIMES LUCKY
Turnage, Shelia. THREE TIMES LUCKY New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 3.9 ISBN 0803736703 Mo and her best friend Dale live in Tupelo Landing, North Carolina. It is the start of summer and these two eleven-year-olds have no plans bigger than watching Dale's brother race stock cars and helping out at Mo's family diner. Their summer plans quickly grow complicated after a member of their small-town community is found dead. When Dale is considered a suspect and Mo's adopted father disappears, the kids become increasingly entangled in the murder investigation. Mo is a great character with a funny sense of humor. You will like this book for the unusual setting, the surprising twists and the fast-paced adventure, but you will love this book for Mo: a terrific main character with a funny sense of humor and irrepressible spirit. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
Today's podcast 02/05/2014
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Stout, Glenn. SOLDIER ATHLETES
Stout, Glenn. SOLDIER ATHLETES New York : Sandpiper, 2011 IL 5-8, RL 6.7 ISBN 0547417292 Some athletes do more than just play the game and earn a paycheck. Some athletes serve their country, the United States, in times of war. Whether they served before their career, after their career, or in the middle of their sports career, these four athletes made a difference by being American Patriots first, and professional athletes second. Every one may know Ted Williams was one of the greatest hitters ever to play baseball. Did you know he also served in the Air Force? Rocky Blier played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and also served in Viet Nam. Chicago White Sox’s Carlos May and Arizona Cardinal’s Pat Tillman also served their country. Find out more about these soldier athletes in the informational text. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Sunday, February 02, 2014
Today's podcast 02/02/2014
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Singer, Marilyn. MIRROR, MIRROR : A BOOK OF REVERSIBLE VERSE
Singer, Marilyn. MIRROR, MIRROR : A BOOK OF REVERSIBLE VERSE New York : Dutton Children's Books, 2010 IL 3-6, RL 4.1 ISBN 0525479015 The first poem in this book will challenge your thinking: “Who says it’s true—down is the only view? If you believe that, this poem will challenge you. Up is something new.” Want to try it? Read the poem in reverse, a method that author Marilyn Singer made up. “Something new is up. You will challenge this poem if you believe that the only view is down. It’s true, Says who?” Each of the poems in this book is based on a fairy tale, and tells both sides of the story. After your read the poems, you will want to try reverso yourself. (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Today's podcast 01/22/2014
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Scattergood, Augusta. GLORY BE
Scattergood, Augusta. GLORY BE New York : Scholastic Press, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 4.3 ISBN 0545331803 For Gloriana Hemphill (Glory for short) summer means her Fourth of July birthday at the Hanging Moss Pool. But the summer she’s turns twelve, the town council closes the pool to fix a (imaginary) crack in the bottom. The winds of change have blown into Hanging Moss, Mississippi that summer of 1964. There is turmoil in the town when some folks from up north arrive to help get the black folks registered to vote, and integrate the community pool. Glory doesn’t see what the big fuss is all about, and just wants the pool to be opened. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that there are injustices that need to be addressed.. She writes a letter to the town paper, but not everyone wants to hear what Glory has to say about Independence Day and the direction things have started to take in her town. In her own way, she’s growing up, and taking a stand. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Today's podcast 01/21/2014
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Nivola, Claire A. LIFE IN THE OCEAN : THE STORY OF OCEANOGRAPHER SYLVIA EARLE
Nivola, Claire A. LIFE IN THE OCEAN : THE STORY OF OCEANOGRAPHER SYLVIA EARLE New York : Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012 IL K-3, RL 5.0 ISBN 0374380686 If you are dazzled by the sea, you will love this beautiful biography of Sylvia Earle, an oceanographer who designed vehicles for deep sea exploration, set diving depth records, swam with whales and even lived underwater for two weeks! As a child, Sylvia was enchanted by the natural world. The illustrations bring that world to life with detailed pictures filled with different species of mammals, birds, insects and fish. It is exciting to see the ocean through Sylvia’s eyes and to learn more about ocean life along the way. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Monday, January 20, 2014
Today's podcast 01/20/2014
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Lunge-Larsen, Lise. GIFTS FROM THE GODS : ANCIENT WORDS AND WISDOM FROM GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY
Lunge-Larsen, Lise. GIFTS FROM THE GODS : ANCIENT WORDS AND WISDOM FROM GREEK AND ROMAN MYTHOLOGY New York : Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011 IL 3-6, RL 6.9 ISBN 0547152299 Did you know that Hypnos, the god of sleep, was so powerful he could put anyone to sleep whenever he desired? In one story from Gifts From the Gods, Hera wanted Zeus, who supported the Trojans, put to sleep so she could help the Greeks battle against the Trojans in the Trojan War. Hypnos reluctantly agreed and sprinkled sleep onto Zeus. While Zeus slept, Hera helped her Greek heroes drive out the Trojans in battle. The word hypnotize, putting someone into an artificial sleep, comes from the myth of Hypnos. There are many more stories just as entertaining about your favorite Gods and Goddesses. You will also discover how the Greek & Roman Gods inspired words in our language derived from their gifts. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Today's podcast 01/18/2014
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Kerley, Barbara. THOSE REBELS, JOHN AND TOM
Kerley, Barbara. THOSE REBELS, JOHN AND TOM New York : Scholastic, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 4.8 ISBN 0545222680 Thomas Jefferson is tall, shy, a good student, an impressive dresser, and likes to solve problems by writing about them. John Adams is short, a talker, an outdoorsman, dresses plainly, and likes to solve problems by arguing about them. Two men – very different in appearance and character - but the same when it comes to how they feel about King George (from England) and their country (the American colonies) In the summer of 1775, Tom and John meet with others in Philadelphia to talk about the problems the colonies are having with King George and what they should do. How do two men, so very different, approach the problems facing the soon-to-become United States of America? Will they agree on anything? (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Friday, January 17, 2014
Today's podcast 01/17/2014
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Horvath, Polly. MR. AND MRS. BUNNY - DETECTIVES EXTRAORDINAIRE!
Horvath, Polly. MR. AND MRS. BUNNY - DETECTIVES EXTRAORDINAIRE! New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 5.9 ISBN 0375867554 12-year-old Madeline is shocked when she receives a ransom note stating that her hippie parents have been kidnapped. Worse still, the note is written in a secret code she can’t even read. When a car swishes by with many pairs of staring red eyes, Madeline thinks she spotted a fox driving the vehicle. Luckily, she meets a team of bunnies wearing fedora hats, who happen to be detectives. With the help of the bunny detectives, she chases marmots, states her case in front of the scary Bunny Council, and even questions a pack of evil foxes, as she searches for her parents. Will Madeline and Mr. and Mrs. Bunny solve the “Case of the Missing Parents?” (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Sunday, January 05, 2014
Today's podcast 01/05/2014
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Healy, Christopher. THE HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM
Healy, Christopher. THE HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM Walden Pond Press, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 5.0 ISBN 0062117432 Rejected by their princesses, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rapunzel, four princes must set out on quests to impress their ladies with their bravery and knightly skills. In their travels, each of them discovers an evil plot that will destroy their respective kingdoms. The problem is that the bards who spread the news around all of the kingdoms through their songs often leave out important details such as the prince’s names and heroic deeds. So all four princes (Prince Liam, Prince Frederick, Prince Duncan, and Prince Gustav) are called “Prince Charming,” and not one of them gets credit for their daunting feats against trolls, bandits, dragons, witches and other evil beings. The other problem is that the princesses are all very brave and clever and don’t “think” they require the lackluster abilities of the princes to save their kingdoms. Will these four princes manage to sharpen their wits and hone their fighting skills enough to save their kingdoms and become real heroes? (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Tuesday, December 03, 2013
Today's podcast 12/03/2013
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Fishman, Cathy Goldberg. WHEN JACKIE MET HANK
Fishman, Cathy Goldberg. WHEN JACKIE MET HANK New York : Marshall Cavendish, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.8 ISBN 076146140X Have you ever heard of Jackie Robinson? He was the first African-American baseball player to play in the major leagues. Although this event took place over 50 years ago, When Jackie Met Hank, reminds us that black baseball players weren’t the only ones that had challenges. Hank Goldberg was a Jewish player. People called him names and were prejudiced against him, too. On May 17, 1947, Jackie and Hank collided during a baseball game. The fans in the stadium began to chant, “Fight, fight, fight.” What do you think happened? You will have to read the book to find out! (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Monday, December 02, 2013
Today's podcast 12/02/2013
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Applegate, Katherine. THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN
Applegate, Katherine. THE ONE AND ONLY IVANIvan is a gorilla living in a steel and glass cage in a roadside zoo. His friends are an elephant named Stella, Bob, a stray dog, and Julia, the daughter of the custodian. After living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade for 27 years, Ivan has grown used to having humans watching his every move. But his world changes when Stella has a baby named Ruby. Ivan makes a promise to Stella and wants to help make Ruby’s world better than the dirty, trash-filled, ill-kept place where they live now. Read this touching story of friendship and human/animal interaction (which is based on true events) to see if Ivan and Ruby’s life can change. (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Sunday, December 01, 2013
Today's podcast 12/01/2013
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Angleberger,Tom. FAKE MUSTACHE, OR, HOW JODIE O'RODEO AND HER WONDER HORSE (AND SOME NERDY KID) SAVED THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FROM A MAD GENIUS CRIMINAL MASTERMIND New York : Amulet Books, 2012 IL 3-6 RL 4.6 ISBN 1419701940 Fake mustaches are all the rage among the seventh grade boys of Hairsprinkle. The best one is the Heidelberg Handlebar Number Seven made with real human hair.. Casper receives $400 for a birthday gift and decides to buy the mustache and a first-class man about town business suit. That very night, banks in Hairsprinkle begin to be robbed and the suspect wears a man about town business suit and a handlebar mustache each time. Feeling suspicious, Sven decides he has no choice but to turn in his best friend to the FBI. Read to find out what happens to Casper and Sven. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)