Super Facts for Super Kids
Ready-To-Read, Level Two
by Theo Feldman
Illustrated by Lee Cosgrove
Full color photos
Simon Spotlight
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division
2020
32 pages with glossary
ISBN: 9781534467750
Easy to read format with short chapters, colorful illustrations by Cosgrove and awesome photos of tigers. make this book a fantastic pick. Young readers will learn there are six types of tigers and where each type of tiger lives. Kids will learn words like predator, prey, camouflage and apex (which most adults probably don't know--apex means top predator. Tigers are not hunted by any other animal for food).
Tigers are fast! If you think you can outrun a tiger, think again! Alas, poor tigers may look like a big cat but they can't purr. They can hiss, growl and chuff. Little known fact: Tigers LOVE to swim!
Fun read for reluctant readers who will be impressed by their new-found knowledge about tigers. A must have purchase for any young reader who loves animals and tigers!
Highly recommended ages 7 and up and for struggling readers.
Super Facts for Super Kids
Reader-To-Read Level Two
By Elizabeth Dennis
Illustrated by Lee Cosgrove
Simon Spotlight
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division
2020
32 pages with illustrations and photos (glossary)
Easy to read and filled with fun facts about sharks, this entertaining book is a must-have! Readers learn that there are more than 500 different types of sharks including the lesser known carpet sharks and swell sharks--they can get bigger by swelling up. There is a big difference in sizes of sharks too! Did you know one type of shark is shorter than a pencil? It's the American pocket shark--you could actually fit one in your pocket!
There is so much more to this amazing animal--like superpowers. Because of the placement of their eyes on either side of their head, sharks are able to see in many directions all at once--super-vision! Sharks can swim faster than tigers can run, and not only that, sharks sense of smell is second to none. They can smell one drop of blood in ten billion drops of water!
Clever illustrations and dialog bubbles will keep readers engaged. Text with facts is presented in boxes no longer than half of the page. This design will keep pages turning and reluctant readers reading! And that is a SUPERPOWER!
Highly, highly recommended for future marine biologists, zoologists, scientists and today's animal lovers, and ecology minded young readers.
Grade 3 and up. Second grade readers who love to read should try this book.
The Invasion
based on the novel by K.A. Applegate and Michael Grant
Adapted by Chris Grine
Scholastic Graphix
2020
240 pages (fully illustrated, color)
ISBN: 9781338226485
Five friends witness a UFO landing in a construction site near their homes and have a close encounter with an alien from another world. He (?) is injured and appears close to death, but he tells the kids that another species is loose on Earth and it's here to destroy humankind. Called Yeerks, they are parasites, who inhabit other species' bodies (including humans) and there are many of them already here and living as humans.
He gives them a box of Andalite technology which allows them to morph into other creatures, but warns them not to stay morphed for more than two hours or they will be unable change back. The Andalite tells them they must find Visser Three, defeat him and save the planet.
The kids scatter when they hear danger, and watch in terror as the friendly alien is killed by slug-like aliens. They realize the power they hold and their mission to save themselves and their world. The kids practice morphing with some comic results. The boys have a hard time learning to morph back to human form WITH their clothes. Tobias becomes a red tailed hawk, Jake a dog, Rachel an elephant. In order to beat the worms, they'll need to harness their new powers and hatch a plan.
Reluctant readers will gravitate to the super hero aspects of the story. Colorful graphic illustration panels make this an easy reader that will delight readers.
Highly recommended grade 4 and up. This will likely be available through Scholastic Book Fairs (if any schools are able to have them) and online book fairs.
Book 1
by Veera Hiranandani
Illustated by Christine Almeda
Penguin Workshop
2020
117 pages (sneak peek of book 2 follows)
ISBN: 9780593096901
Third grader Phoebe is excited to go to school since she'll be in class with BFF Sage (a boy). Mom gave her a new sparkly notebook where she can write her lists. Even more exciting, a new student joins their class. Her name is Camille and she's from France. Phoebe is immediately interested to meet someone from far away, and when Camille opens her lunch, it's the most fascinating, yet strange thing Phoebe has ever seen.
Camille unwraps a tiny loaf of bread, a butter lettuce salad with DUCK in it and a smelly cheese with blue dots on it. Dessert is fresh strawberries she sprinkles with powdered sugar. Poor Phoebe! Her lunch is as boring as bologna. While Camille brings in upscale dishes with eccentric ingredients, Phoebe eats the same old stuff every day. Sage gets jealous because Phoebe is paying more attention to Camille and her wonderful lunches than to him, her lifelong friend.
Dinner at Phoebe's house is an afterthought. Like most working couples, Phoebe's parents use frozen and pre-packaged foods that are quick to cook but lack fun or finesse. Phoebe hopes to be invited to Camille's house where she is sure they must eat off china with linen napkins. Finally, Phoebe is invited to dinner!
Phoebe continues to be mesmerized by Camille's fantastic lunchbox, and she even tries to make her own lunch more upscale. When Sage begins sitting at another table, Phoebe decides to split her time with Sage and Camille. She makes one of her famous notes and gives each of them a copy. Every other day, Phoebe will sit with Sage. On the the other days, she'll sit with Camille. Sage is angry! When he makes fun of Camille's lunch, she runs to the bathroom in tears. Phoebe calms her and makes new lists.
Phoebe tells Sage no matter who has what interesting food, he is her friend forever. Phoebe invites both friends to a picnic lunch where she makes new dishes and the three of them decide food is for sharing no matter what!
Highly recommended! Easy to read, accessible font with handwritten notes from Phoebe and illustrations throughout. Quick chapters for emerging readers. Age 8 and up.
by Joy McCullough
Atheneum
2020
209 pages
ISBN: 9781534438491
Readers who love alternating characters and point of view will enjoy this easy to read middle grade contemporary. Two very different kids: Sutton, a science girl who lives with her dad and Luis, an shy but creative introvert find themselves forced to become friends (or at least allies) when since their parents are dating.
Luis would much rather bury his head in fiction and stories and Sutton would rather code and tinker with robotics. When they find themselves lost and alone in a huge park while hiking with their parents. It'll take both of them to find their way to safety because after all, two heads are better than one.
A sweet story of two parents who find each other and date, fall in love and make it work for their children. Lower middle grade; grades 3-5. The characters are ten-years old, and most MG readers over grade five may find this book too young for them.
Grades 3-5; lower middle grade.
 | Poetic, but difficult for me. This book triggered a few things for me. I was a child growing up in Okinawa, Japan, at the same time period the author writes about. Viet Nam was next door, and our Air Force base at Kadena kept our airspace safe over our island. I remember sonic booms on a daily basis and U.S. fighter jets in the air all the time. It's a story of family, loss, love and hardship. A gritty, real read which may prove hard to read for anyone with ties to the Viet Nam era. Five stars for a great story which was tough to read. Highly recommended for adult book clubs. | |
by Michael Burgan
Illustrations by David Malan
Penguin Workshop
Penguin Kids
2020
107 pages with bibliography
ISBN: 9781524788469
A fascinating, easy-to-read account of a real life person in history that Bram Stoker based his famous story on. Dracula means "son of Dracul" and has two meanings: devil or dragon in the language of a small village of Wallachia, Romania. Stoker had grown up with stories of zombies and the living dead as a boy in rural Ireland, and he was fascinated by tales of folklore. The fact that Stoker made Dracula a Count gave his title character access available to uncommon wealth, castles and land. Dracula could easily move about the country without raising any questions. Stoker's story was not a huge hit in his lifetime, but many versions of Dracula have made the story live on after his death, becoming more famous on stage, in books and on film.
Considered the most famous version is the performance by Bela Lugosi in 1931. Lugosi stands as the epitome of the character. Today, Dracula and vampires are still popular culture. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," books by Anne Rice, and the "Twilight" series are proof that Count Dracula and Stoker's legacy lives on.
Highly recommended for reluctant readers, chapter book readers, emerging readers, ELL, and anyone who loves the horror genre and vampires. Grade 5 and up.
That's right/write! You have one month, but if you write words every day, you will finish a novel. Here is everything you need to know nanowrimo.org You can have friends join you or meet your community. Virtual writing events and help is everywhere! Share with your friends on social media! Let's have a great month!
Deb Caletti
Simon Pulse
2020
368 pages
ISBN: 978153442697
Sixteen-year old Sydney feels on the verge of something big; she calls the something “it.” It is going to happen, and she can feel it. She’s not excited to be spending the summer with her has-been film star mother even though her vacation involves living in a fantastic mansion on the beach. Sydney knows how it will go: her mother will ignore her (mostly), go on shopping sprees, and play the femme fatale for her “fans.” Lila Shore has always been unreachable for Sydney. Worshipped by millions, Lila is enslaved by her beauty and sex appeal. When her star, youth, and beauty begin to wane, and her daughter’s beauty begins to be noticed, Lila feels threatened. To make matters worse, Lila’s living with volatile and abusive Jake, a true bad guy who deals in stolen art and has nefarious connections.
One night can change your life. One act. One action.Although this book has been marketed as a “thriller,” it does not have the fast-pace and implosion a thriller is expected to have. Sydney spends most of the book worrying about how people view her (men and boys, mostly). Her thoughts about her body filling out and maturing seem more tween than teen, although her insight is mature enough. The sweetness and swoony-ness you’d expect from a romance is lacking and falls flat. The quality of writing and the author’s prior books will insure teen readers consider this book.
Recommended for readers of Deb Caletti grade 8 and up. Mature situations.
by Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz
Dial Books For Young Readers
Penguin Random House
2020
40 pages
ISBN: 9780525554028
UPLIFTING! POSITIVE! A HEALING MESSAGE FOR RIGHT NOW!
What an uplifting, positive read! This is not an alphabet book although letters are the characters. In a walled city of capital H's, everyone is the same: they are happy and protected. One curious little h wonders about the world outside the walls: what do others look like? Are there others? Are they like me?
She finds a small opening in the wall and spots an i. The two letters reach through the wall, and realize: TOGETHER, we are something entirely new: HI! The big H's are not happy and wall up the hole. Soon, other letters in other cities are sending messages to each other. Little h realizes if she can't go through the wall, there may be another way.
As the smaller case letters teach the big letters to reach out and listen to others, the walls between all the letters come down. This isn't a book about letters. It's a book about reaching out to others who are different, listening to what they say, learning about them and living in harmony with them.
What a beautiful book for all times! We need this book right now! You need this book right now! The world needs this book right now!
by Janet Fox
Viking
Penguin Random House LLC
2020
371 pages
ISBN: 9780451478696
In this sequel to The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle, author Janet Fox weaves history with middle grade fantasy. Set mostly in WWII, young Isaac Wolf must flee war-torn Prague, the Nazis and evil spirits who are after him. Although it is not necessary to read the first book, it is helpful. I would advise reading the books in order.
As the war threatens and Prague is falling, before Isaac's parents disappear, they give him a pendant, an eternity knot, which they are sure will keep him safe. It leads Isaac to Rookskill Castle where a band of magical kids are learning to use their powers to help the Allies win the war. Isaac soon finds himself on a quest to travel through time (with an antique watch) and find magical artifacts that will save him, his family, and the world. Trouble is: Isaac isn't the only one searching for the artifacts.
The cover has spooky Scooby Doo appeal (look at that friendly, big dog!), and middle grade readers will love all the hints they can pick up from the cover alone. Who doesn't want to read a book with dragons, wolves, creepy, evil spirits, ancient scrolls, magic potions, swords, a huge stone castle set in an eerie woods? It is refreshing to have a Jewish main character in middle grade fantasy, and I love that Janet FOX names him Isaac WOLF!
Recommended for kids who love fantasy and magic schools. Grade 5 and up. Be sure and read The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle first.
by Michael Rex
Illustrated by the author
G.P. Putnam's Sons
Penguin
2020
40 pages
ISGN: 9781984813626
Captivating comic cover art depicts a friendly-looking green monster following the kids and their dad as they go off on an adventure: a goon hunt! They wander into a forest, a swamp, a graveyard and a haunted house only to find what they came looking for: a goon! They have to run! Back through the graveyard, back through the swamp, back through the forest and back to the safety of their beds...but! Beware! (no spoilers here!)
Young readers will squeal with delight as monsters are revealed lurking on each page. Their pet dog wearing a hot dog costume is sheer genius! The dog's personality is featured in each illustration as he shakes in terror, runs in fear, holds the flashlight as if his life depended on it. Michale Rex truly knows how to tickle the young reader's (and their parents)!
A MUST HAVE for young readers who love a Halloween story: doesn't everyone???
Highly recommended!
This is a poem/song lyrics I wrote for an entry in Fall Writing Frenzy 2020
Losing the Light
--Thompson McLeod
Running scared, running fast
Path to nowhere, stepping into the past
Not giving up, not giving in
Absolution for my sins
Running fast, running scared
Only one thought, only one prayer.
Let me be the answer you see
Let me be the road to the free
Let me be what you seek: your key
Let me be your shining star, your burning sun, your turbulent sea
Losing the fight
This is the path to nowhere
Trying to make it right
Let me be the reason you care
Running fast, running scared
Not giving in, casting out sin
With only one prayer:
Let me be the answer you see
Let me be the road to the free
Let me be what you seek: your key
Let me be your star, your sun, your sparkling sea.
Losing the light,
I know this path leads to somewhere
Don’t stop, put in the fight
Wait for me, I’ll be there
I need your light
This is the road to somewhere
Wait for me to make it right.
And this is my badge of honor:
