WGS Book Almanac: February 2012

Interrupting Chicken

Interrupting Chicken

by David Ezra Stein

Genre: Fantasy/AR 2.2

I was so excited when my principal brought me this book several weeks ago. Before she purchased it for the library, I borrowed it from the public library to read to students. Besides being an informal way of assessing basic fairy tale knowledge, it is a fun book to use to teach young students how to listen without interrupting. It is also useful for reminding adults why little ones need to interact with the stories they hear. Mainly, it's just plain fun. Watch the author's book trailer below and see for yourself.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Rodrick Rules - a student review

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
by Jeff Kinney
Genre: Realistic Fiction/AR 5.2

Greg Heffley's brother Rodrick is been annoying to Greg. Greg wants to stop his brother somehow but he might have a plan. When his mom and dad go on a trip Rodrick has a big party even though they said not to. Will this be Greg's chance to bust Rodrick? - by Dakota H.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs - guest review

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!
by A. Wolf
Genre: Fantasy/AR 3.0

We have all heard the story of the Three Little Pigs, right? Well, before people were able to get their hands on many books, they used to tell stories. So, before I read this story to Mrs. Pettitt's class, I told them the story of the Three Little Pigs (which all of them had heard). Then we read "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" by A. Wolf. This story is told from the wolf's point of view. All he wanted to do was bake his granny a birthday cake! After we read the wolf's version of the story we voted to decide if he was innocent or guilty. The vote was really close. Check it out. Who will you believe? -by Lisa Campbell

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - a student review

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
by Dr. Seuss
Genre: Fantasy/AR 3.0

I think you should read this because you will like this. It will teach you to not steal. The grinch will steal. At the end he will learn the cristmas spirit. - by J.M.

Summer of the Sea Serpent - a student review by RTG

Summer of the Sea Serpent
by Mary Pope Osborne
Genre: Fantasy/AR 3.8

This story is really good because it is adventures. Their on Merlin misson they are tring to save Merlin. They meet two freinds on the way. At the end they save Merlin. -by RTG

The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb - a student review

The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb
by R.L. Stine
Genre: Fantasy/AR 4.0
I like this book because it is about mummies. It's a really good book about this boy named Gabe and his crazy cousin named Sari. They get trapped with Sari's dad in Khala's tomb. - by CDG

Touchdown for Tommy - a student review

Touchdown for Tommy
by Matt Christopher
Genre: Realistic Fiction/AR 3.3

I like touchdown for tommy because it made me want to play football and it made me want to be a qb and it made me want to be a rb. - by Anonymous

The Knight at Dawn - a student review by Thomas W.

The Knight at Dawn
by Mary Pope Osborne
Genre: Fantasy/AR 2.9

What I like about this book is that I learned a lot from this book. And it was fun to read it. I learned that castles have moats around them with alligators in them. That was scary! They also have secret rooms with old armor and flour in them. - by Thomas W.

Belly Button Boy - a student review by Kalina S.

Belly Button Boy
by Peter Maloney
Genre: Fantasy/AR 3.9

It is cool because he grows a plant in his belly botton and a gardener has to pull it out and puts the plant in a jar. -by Kalina S.

Black Beauty - a student review by Jami C.

Black Beauty
by Anna Sewell
Genre: Fantasy/AR 7.7

I like this book because when Black Beauty was sold to Joe Green or, not a very good person, he never gave up trying. That makes me want to try harder on every thing I do. Black Beauty was even nice to rude horses like Ginger. Later on they even became friends. So that makes me want to not be mean or rude. Black Beauty makes me feel happy for him. -by Jami C.

Junie B. Jones is a Graduation Girl - student review by Mckenzie C.

Junie B. Jones is a Graduation Girl
by Barbara Park
Realistic Fiction/AR 3.0

What I like about this book is, that all the students in room nine are excited to get there gaduation gown and Mrs. told them to keep it in their box. But Junie b. didn't. She took it out because she couldn't wait and accidently messed it up and trys to fix it by putting purple dots on it. I like it because it teaches you to not panick and try to fix it. -by Mckenzie C.

Heidi - a student book review by Reanna B.

Heidi
by Johanna Spyri
Genre: Adventure/AR 5.1

I like this book because it is a funny book about a little girl named Heidi about the age 5. She moves to her grandfather's house but people call him Uncle who lives in the Swiss mountains near the little town called Dorfli. She meets a boy named Peter who tends the goats. Later in the story she meets another girl named Clara Sesemann who is in a wheelchair but, Heidi will help Clara learn to walk with help from some freinds at the Swiss mountains. -by Reanna B.

Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren

Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren
by Barbara Park
Genre: Realistic Fiction / AR 2.7

Every second grader loves to read the Junie B. Jones books. Yet, when I ask them if they would like to have Junie B. in their class, they all shake their head, look at me as if I'm crazy, and say, "No way!" Poor Junie B. She's so misunderstood. That's why I chose this book to review (of course, I've read them all). When new student Warren arrives at school, Junie B. and both of her "bestest" friends are smitten. After many shenanigans and attempts to win his favor, Warren tires of the girls and begins to sulk over missing his old friends. Lucille and Grace become irritated with Warren and say those words that every elementary school teacher hates to hear, "I don't want to be your friend." Not Junie B. though. She sits down by Warren and keeps trying to make him feel better. When Warren asks, "Why don't you just go with your stupid friends and leave me alone?" Junie B. answers, "'Cause I am being nice, that's why..Plus also I am understanding of your feelings. On account of Mother said that is how I make friends." Yes, and I would just add you also make friends by being yourself. Good going Junie B.

Windcatcher - a Student Review by Logan A.

Windcatcher
by Avi
Genre: Adventure / AR 4.0

Windcatcher was a very good book because it was about a boy that had bought a sailboat called a snark. The snark was not a big boat. But it did not matter Tony (the boy's name) did not care. Because he could buy it! He had $300.00 to spend. His dad told him to put it in the bank. But he bought it anyway!! - by Logan M.

Fantastic Mr. Fox - a Student Review by Hannah G.

Fantastic Mr. Fox
by Roald Dahl
Genre: Fantasy / AR 4.1

This book was about a fox family taking food from three farmers and the farmers want to kill the fox family. The farmers are going to dig them up with shovels. Now the foxes have to dig for their lives. The farmers are getting tractors to dig up the foxes. Now, the foxes have a plan to keep digging to a certain place and dig under the farmers farm. The farmers are still digging with the tractors. Now Mr.Fox find bader and ask him to help him and bager was telling him that they are all animals have to dig for their lives and Mr. Fox said we are going to have a feast and they got plenty of food for them. And the farmers are still digging for them. - by Hannah G.

Into the Dream - a Student Review by Mackenzie M.

Into the Dream
by William Sleator
Genre: Fantasy / AR 4.9

This book was about a boy and a girl who had the same nightmare of a little boy going to a shiny object with a big monster behind him called Stardust. My favorite character was cookie a big brown dog! I liked this book because it was a mystery and entertaining. You should read this book because it is a mystery and is an entertaining book!!! - by Mackenzie M.

Bridge to Terabithia - Student Review by Maggie J.

Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson
Genre: Realistic Fiction/ AR 4.6

Bridge to Terabithia is a very good book. It is about a young boy named Jess Araons meeting a girl that is his age named Leslie Burke. Together they build a made up kingdom called Terabithia. My favorite character is Leslie Burke because she has a huge imagination. This book is one of my all time favorites! You should really read this book it is marvelous! - by Maggie J.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cabin Fever - Student Review by Tyler M.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Cabin Fever
by Jeff Kinney
Genre: Realistic Fiction / AR 5.8

The things I like about Diary of a Wimpy Kid is that it shows how Greg and his best friend Rowley are snowed inside there freezing house so now that ruins there chances of playing in the snow. This book is an astonishing book about a kid named Greg that writes a diary. [really he calls it a journal] The main chacters are: Greg, Rowley, Rodrick, Manny, mom,and his dad. Character traits: Curious kids that are always getting into trouble. Adjectives that describe them: troublemakers, thoughtful, and curious. - by Tyler M.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie - Student Review by Hunter C.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

by Laura Joffe Numeroff

Genre: Fantasy / AR 2.7

I like when the mouse took a nap. - by Hunter C.

Junie B. Jones is a Party Animal - Student Review by Caroline C.

Junie B. Jones is a Party Animal

by Barbara Park

Genre: Realistic Fiction/ AR 2.8

In Junie B. Jones Is A Party Animal Junie B. goes to a slumber party at Lucille's nana's house.I like the part when they sneak out of bed and go to the guest room and jump on the bed.I also like the part when Lucille puts on her night gown and twirls around. - by Caroline C.

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus - Student Review by Adyson H.

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

by Barbara Park

Genre: Realistic Fiction/AR 2.9

I like this book because it is funny and cause junie is the worst in whole class. then when she gets on the bus she don't like it. - by Adyson H.

The Book That Eats People - Student Review by Allison S. and Alton J.

The Book That Eats People

by John Perry

Genre: Fantasy/AR 3.9

I love this book because it eats people. I don't no who ate Sam Ruskin. I thank the book ate him. It is his fault he didn't wash his hands that is why the book ate him. - by Allison S.

The Book Eats People And He Disguised Himself As Dolphin Tales. And you should read it. - by Alton J.

Student Book Reviews

Starting today, I will begin posting student reviews to this blog. I showed second graders how to access the blog and complete the review form on one of their favorite books. They did a great job as you will see in their guest reviews. Not everyone is comfortable publishing their work to the world, so I gave students the option to send their reviews to me privately. Therefore, only the students who wanted me to share their book reviews will be posted here. I hope more of them will be comfortable sharing what they have written in the weeks to come. Meanwhile, enjoy these guest reviews.

School Time!

School

by Emily Arnold McCully
Genre: Fantasy/AR 1.0

I haven't actually checked the circulation records, but I think this book has been checked out by every first grader this year. We have 2 copies in the library collection, but they weren't often on the shelf for the first half of the year. The Caldecott winning illustrations capture the excitement of a new school year. In fact, they tell more of a story than the actual words. I'm so glad our first graders are drawn to it and the beautiful images of school represented here.

Career Exploration: Computers

Computer Engineer
by Melissa Maupin
DDN 004 MAU (2001) AR 6.4

Computer Programmer (not pictured)
by Rosemary Wallner
DDN 005.3 WAL (2001) AR 6.2

I'm continuing my trip through the nonfiction section starting at the beginning 000s. Computer books get outdated quickly. So, it's not surprising to find myself reviewing another pair of computer books that are showing their age. These books focus on advice for the person considering computers as a career. Much of that guidance remains valid today, including emphasizing math and communication skills as well as a willingness to learn about new technology. It's that new technology that's missing from this book. Fortunately, I just submitted my book order for this year and I have included some updated books on the world of computers.

Night Crossing

Night Crossing

by Karen Ackerman

Historical Fiction/AR 5.3

The story of a family's decision to leave Nazi-controlled Austria is told mostly from the perspective of young Claire. With history behind us, we know the decision was best for the family, but the family had many reasons to doubt their decision. What if they were caught trying to escape? How can they leave all of their things behind? What about their friends and family who are staying behind and think they are making the wrong choice? This is a short book and a good introduction to the history of the Holocaust.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)