Review: Mac Undercover

Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I will start by saying I am a huge Mac Barnett fan! I received this ARC at Txla this spring and placed it in my Summer TBR pile and today was the day I read it. I was not disappointed. It has all the hallmarks of a great Mac B read. It is quirky and filled with sly and offbeat humor (my favorite kind)

The premise of the book is that Mac B the author was, as a child Mac B the kid spy. He spied for Queen Elizabeth... I could stop there and i am sure you would want to read this! I swear that Barnett writes his books to be performed and this is no exception. I can hardly wait to read this book aloud to my fifth graders, even though it would probably be more appropriate to read to 4th and below. There is a great amount of history involved and some great vocabulary. My favorite is the redacted instructions for breaking into the Louvre....so funny! He is sly about inserting factual tidbits among the humor and I can see many discussions while reading.

This is destined to be a series and I am most excited about that. The book will be released in September and I urge you to preorder your copy now.


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Review: Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World

Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Pénélope Bagieu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book at TLA this past year and read the first couple of comics and then once I returned home it languished in my TBR pile.
Today I picked it up and started reading it again. This book is a grapic novel comprised of 29 individual comics about rebel ladies who rocked the world. It shouldn't have taken me, the more than 5 hours it took to me to read it. However, the pace of reading slows down considerably when one must Google each person after reading their short story.
This book is so fascinating and so amazing. I had not heard of the majority of these women, but I am so glad I have read about them now. Some of them I might share with my fifth graders in the fall, although some might get me nasty emails from parents, so I won't make it available to read on their own.
I would encourage you to read it though. There are woman in here who many of us know of, such as Temple Grandin, Mae Jemison, and Nellie Bly. So many of these were women who I had never heard of, each of them doing extraordinary things. There is Sonita Alizadeh, I young rapper from Afghanistan who rapped about children being sold in marriage, She was 15 at the time and her family had already tried to sell her. She is just one of the many that I googled..
I feel empowered and inadequate all at the same time.


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Review: Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading

Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading by Kylene Beers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For any ELA teachers out there, I highly encourage you to read this book. It was recommended to me, by a good friend, and when I left the library to return to teaching reading, I knew I had to read it.

The book is setup around 6 signposts that we can teach children so that they can learn to notice things in what they are reading. The authors read and reread the most common books taught in classrooms and discovered that these 6 signposts almost always occurred, and some always occurred. By teaching children what to look for, they can notice changes that occur in characters. They can identify theme and conflict.

My book is all marked up and I have spent much time looking for more. I am excited to use these signposts as I teach the curriculum this next year. The book contains model lessons to introduce the signposts as well as many other forms and charts to help you be successful.



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Review: Home Sweet Motel

Home Sweet Motel by Chris Grabenstein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chris Grabenstein has become one of my favorite authors and this first book in his wonderland series is no exception.
This book had me laughing with the corny jokes that were part of his character's personality. I love how he develops characters. They are always so believable and you can easily imagine what they look and act like. All of the main and minor characters are so well-fleshed out, from the crabby history teacher to the protagonists. If you met a character more than once you got a real sense of who they were. That is a real accomplishment as far as I am concerned.

Home sweet motel, tells the story of a family owned beachfront hotel, that the bank is trying to take over. The family needs to come up with $100,000 in 30 days in order to keep the hotel and hungry investors are eyeing the prime spot of real estate. Young P T and his business minded friend Gloria are successfully trying to raise money , but are met with obstacles that force them to stop their business ventures. When they learn that there is a way to earn $150,000 they go for it, even when faced with career criminals and very annoying adults. Will they save the day and the motel they both call home? It is a wonderful ride!

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Review: Because of Mr. Terupt

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My best friend has been after me for years to read this book. In fact last summer, we made a deal I would read Mr. Terupt and she would read The Phantom Tollbooth, one of MY favorites she has never read. Neither one of us read our books. Fast forward to now and I am making a change from the library back to teaching Fifth grade Reading, which is one of my great loves and favorite things. I was discussing books I might want to do next year and the BFF brought up this book again. My sister was on the feed and asked about it, I told her the story and the pact...etc. Well my sister very quickly read both books, showing us who was truly boss and now I had two people bugging me to read this book.

So read it I did.... this morning..... in one sitting...... I am emotional wreck! The book is amazing, it is great for teaching character change and characterization in general. It is fabulous for teaching voice and POV, and it is emotionally wrenching. I knew going in it would be, but I had been assured that it ended well, or I would have NEVER read it.

Once again both my sister and my friend have proven that they know more than I do, because I love this book and it WILL be in my classroom curriculum next year.

I don't want to give away too much of the book, but it is told from the POV of seven students in the fifth grade class. Each of these students have a stereotypical character. Think Breakfast Club for the Elementary set. What it teaches though, is the power of relationships; at its heart that is what I take from it. The power of us all in it together. I can only hope it touches my students the way it touches me. It has all the feels...

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Review: Who Was Frida Kahlo?

Who Was Frida Kahlo? by Sarah Fabiny
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this book because I will be using it to in the classroom next year. I didn't know much about Kahlo before I started reading it and found it interesting. I think a great test of a nonfiction book is when you finish and immediately start researching more on the subject. That happened here as well. It should probably get 3.5 stars, but since that isn't an option I will leave it at three.
This is an easy to read book in a fabulous series. I recommend it especially for anyone who is interested in Mexican Folk Art or Frida Kahlo in general. She was a woman of great personal strength and fortitude.

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Review: Hello, Universe

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wonderful book! I love the idea and the message of the book. It is about friendship and it is about fate and it is about the universe listening to us. All of it is beautiful! I love the way it all weaves together and I LOVE the ending!


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Review: Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix

Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book well enough. It is interesting to read a children's book about a chef I was familiar with.
The illustrations were wonderful and added to the entire vibe of the book.

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Review: Restart

Restart by Gordon Korman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read my first Gordon Korman book a year ago.... I know late to the party. I loved the Mastermind trilogy. I ordered all his books that my distributor had in stock and this was one of those books. I was immediately intrigued.
The premise is that a horrible bully wakes up from an accident with total amnesia. People are afraid of him and small children cry when he is near and he has no clue why. He starts from scratch and makes friends that his football buddies tormented.
This story is great on many levels. For one, I really like the notion that we can reinvent ourselves. This wasn't the case here necessarily, but at one point it was stated that he pretty much got a do-over on his life. This is also a story of redemption and forgiveness. There is true change and through actions feelings change, including the feelings of those once bullied. I don't think we as adults necessarily would be so willing to forgive.
It also explores in a small way that we really know so little about the brain and what a traumatic injury to the brain can do to a person's personality.
I had started this back several months ago and quit reading it for a variety of reasons, but one of the students recently read it and told me I should finish it because it was very good and she had read it in two days. I will be very glad to tell her tomorrow that I finished the book, and I agree it is really good.

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Review: Wedgie & Gizmo

Wedgie & Gizmo by Suzanne Selfors
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was such a cute book. I found myself giggling throughout the story.
Wedgie is a corgi, who may or may not be a little intellectually challenged. Gizmo is a genius guinea pig, an evil genius, bent on world domination... Hilarity ensues.
The story is told from the point of view of the animals in alternating chapters. The humans are met, through conversations that they have and how the animals see them. In addition to just being a silly book, it also deals with very real issues like a blended family and moving to a new place. The feelings the humans have in this story are very real and realistically portrayed.

I found myself wanting to read this book aloud, which is great, I will work hard to get multiple teachers to read it aloud to their classes next year. It will be a great read aloud for third grade and the older grades will enjoy reading it independently.

All in all this is a great addition to the Bluebonnets and I look forward to hearing the author speak more about the book.

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Review: Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics

Bravo!: Poems About Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beautiful! I felt tears welling up a few times. I have spent my entire career working with Hispanic children and I knew of so few of these people. I felt some shame at that. I want to share this book with students. I hope many will read it. I will definitely be highlighting this one!

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Review: Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World about Kindness

Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World about Kindness by Donna Janell Bowman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this book! It is a mark of a great book when you instantly want to go and research and learn everything you can about the subjects of the book. This book did that for me. It is beautifully written and the illustrations are wonderful.
I can see this book appealing to many students and the fact that it is a true story makes it all the better.
Briefly, the story is about a man and his horse who inspired and shored up the humane movement for the treatment of animals. In addition, it is a great story of kindness.
Great addition to the Bluebonnets!

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Review: Grandpa's Ha-La-Loo-YA Hambone

Grandpa's Ha-La-Loo-YA Hambone by Joe Hayes
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was okay, but it wasn't even enjoyable enough that I would highlight it in the library. I don't know what exactly I didn't like about it, but it was just meh for me.

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Review: Garvey's Choice

Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I finished this book and I am crying and smiling and filled with hope and wonder. Get ready because this might be my longest review yet!
I love children's books, I am in a field where I read them often and spread the love for them I hope. This book however, I will recommend to EVERYONE! Adults and children alike should read it. There is a message for all of us in this book. Those who know me, know that I often have to mark up books I read and there are often a multitude of tape flags marking things I love. This rarely happens with children's books. I read them differently and for a different purpose, but this book is marked up.... I will have to keep this one.
The first quotation I marked was only a few pages in, "Do friends make better mirrors"? I often don't listen to my friends when they say nice things to me because I figure they are biased, but maybe I have it all wrong and they see me better than anyone. It makes you think, doesn't it.

This is a book of poetry, Tanka to be precise. The word imagery is beautiful and haunting, here are but a few... "drown the ordinary sound of meanness flung my way", "sneak past any rough wall of words I'm at risk of slamming into" and "ugly name-calling leaves me with bloody bite marks."

The shift and change in tone as the title character gains a new view of himself is beautiful and uplifting.... I need to stop gushing. This book is beautiful, it is a quick read and it can lift your spirit and make you think, both are good qualities in a book.
Read this book. Shed a tear. Smile and maybe be changed a little.... Pretty great for a little Children's book!

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Review: Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing

Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing by Kay Haring
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Keith Haring's art, and this book is a beautiful tribute to the artist. It is written by his sister and the love she had for him is palpable. I felt myself wanting to cry because of the beauty of the story and the beauty of the artist. I learned more than I knew and there are extensive notes in the back that give a more in-depth look at the man he was. I am looking forward to hearing Kay Haring speak at convention and getting more insight into this artist who left the world too soon.

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Review: The Unlucky Lottery Winners of Classroom 13

The Unlucky Lottery Winners of Classroom 13 by Honest Lee
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I finished this book a few days ago and I have been hesitating to write a review. I didn't like this book, and it might be because I am getting too old. I felt this book portrayed teachers and students in a very negative light. Instead of finding it humorous I found it insulting and irresponsible. I am actually surprised that it is on the Bluebonnet list.

The premise is that a teacher wins the lottery and splits her winnings equally among her class. The "hilarity" ensues.... I did not find it humorous and I did not find it meaningful.

The only thing that might save this book is that I could see some good conversation taking place about the book.

Sadly, I am afraid kids will love it... More irresponsibility and negative influence. I would prefer more positive influence.

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Review: Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At first I wasn't crazy about this book, I did not feel it had as much book content as the first one had. As I got closer to the end I was enjoying it more. It treats the subject of banned books very well and in a way students can understand. Chris Grabenstein is one of my favorites and this series in particular is one I enjoy.
This book is sure to be a favorite of the voracious reader.

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Review: The Island of Dr. Libris

The Island of Dr. Libris by Chris Grabenstein
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Chris Grabenstein, but I did not love this book. I felt that the ending was too abrupt and that the change in the characters was trite and unrealistic.

Having said that I still gave it three stars because it has his humor, which I appreciate so much. The characters each had their own personality that was distinct from each other, which also makes it enjoyable to read. The classic book characters that came to life were also very enjoyable and believable both within the context of this book, and their own characterization as created.

This book falls under the newer genre called magical realism, which I am still not sure I am a fan of.

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Review: Be Frank With Me

Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It took me forever to read this book. There were a myriad of reasons that I will not go into. I must say however, that none of them are a reflection of the readability or pleasure found in these pages.

I am a career educator. I have been a teacher and I have been a librarian. In those years, I have always loved the quirky ones. I have often been the ONLY one who did. I do not know if my affinity for these students is based on my own quirkiness, or on the mother bear aspects of my personality that never were fulfilled by having my own child. I have ached when students, and sometimes teachers, were less than kind. In reading this I loved and ached for Frank. I often had to put the book aside because I needed a break. In Frank I remembered every student I has loved and laughed with. I remembered every story of interaction with these students that I told to friends over and over again. Frank was endearing and I wanted to scoop him out of the book and hold him.

I think one thing I liked so much about this book is that it showed how everyone was touched by this little boy, and changed by him. His mother who loved him so fiercely, while keeping everyone else away. The caretaker that lost her heart to him, and realized she was not who she thought she was. The man who couldn't be responsible, yet still was so often there when Frank needed him, and HIM, who found joy again.

I only gave this book four stars, not because it was not wonderful, but because I hated that it ended. I hated that my heart might not ever be the same again. I hated that I just have to imagine that Frank will be okay as I have had to hope and imagine that students who leave me will be okay.

So if you meet a quirky kid, find the joy they can give you, don't dismiss them too quickly because they are weird. Let them light up your life and teach you some things about yourself. And do yourself a favor, Read this book, I'll be frank with you, it will touch your heart.


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