If you’ve got the other Mallory books in your library and you’ve got students who are fans, go ahead and get this one, too, but as a stand-alone book I wouldn’t bother.  It tells the story of ten-year-old Mallory planning a sleepover, trying to balance her best friend’s vision of the party to end all parties and her parents’ instructions to keep things small and quiet.  Not surprisingly, a whole series of things go wrong as the party spirals out of control, and the book ends with Mallory acknowledging where she made bad choices, apologizing to injured parties, and promising to be wiser in the future.  The girls’ problems were believable and predictable.  My biggest gripe with the book was the behavior of the parents: the book focuses on all Mallory should have done to avoid the problems, but to me the failings of the parents were much more obvious — as adults they should have been able to foresee the possible problems and been involved.  The book lays way too much of the blame for what happened at Mallory’s feet, instead of holding the idiotic parents responsible.

Ollhoff chronicles major events and people that were significant in bringing about the end of segregation in the 1950s and 1960s.  Televising the protests, people, and events shared the racism, hatred, and violence with the world.  Pivotal issues including school segregation, the murders of Emmett Till and Medgar Evers, peaceful protests of Martin Luther King, Jr., activist Malcom X, Rosa Parks, and the Montgomery bus boycott are described and explained in a straightforward manner.  The struggle for equal rights required the involvement of people who were willing to take a stand against injustice.  Readers get a basic understanding of these events, the issues, and the involvement of the people associated with this period in U. S. history.  Photographs are well chosen to portray each event or person.  Other books in the series are: The Civil War, Courage and Growth, Pioneers of Equality, The Roots of Humanity, and Years of Slavery.  Excellent introduction to this crucial time.

Here is a perfect party planning guide from thinking about when and where to hold a party to the thank-yous, if needed.  This book offers activities for 7 party themes as details are discussed for planning any party.  Theme ideas in the book are: detective, vampire, magic, Hawaiian, backwards, rock star, and medieval.  After deciding what who, what, when, where, hints for making invitations, decorations, menu concerns, and activities are suggested.  A supply page has labeled photos of tools and supplies needed to create the themes mentioned.  A recipe is given for a backward party.  Clear photographs help illustrate instructions.  Many cool ideas and things to consider for successful entertaining.   Other kinds of cool parties in the series are for: Family, Holiday, International, Slumber, and Sports.  Recommended addition for elementary libraries.

Beginning with an introduction to the scientific method, several experiments explain how and why plants grow as they do.  Investigations include how seeds sprout, how plants take in water, the importance of sunlight in growth, both above and below ground, and how pine cones release seeds.  Each experiment starts with a hypothesis, contains a step-by-step procedure, examples of charts to record observations, and an explanation of what happened.  These experiments use items easily found at home.  Instructions are easily read and many large photographs accompany the text.  Books for further reading are written at a similar reading level.  Glossary, index, and websites included.  Other books in the series are experiments with: liquids, magnets and metals, rocks, and soil.

The “gross factor” in this book is sure to attract readers.  This is a head-to-toe look at some of the microscopic organisms that live on or in our bodies.  Most microbes are harmless or help our bodies work properly.  Ways to prevent harmful pests from causing discomfort or illness are given.  Bold words are defined on the page as well as included in the glossary.  “Ewww Facts” provide additional information.  Large bright photographs accompany the text.  Microphotographs of the tiny “bugs” are colorful and labeled.  Books for further reading, internet sites for more details, games and activities, and an index are included.  Other books in the series tell of microscopic creatures living in our food, Food Intruders, living in our homes, Uninvited Guests, and in our backyards, Yard Monsters.

Dan Gutman prepared a real treat for readers with this juvenile fiction book.  The story moved quickly and was exciting and funny at times, keeping me engaged from start to finish.  The reading level (Accelerated Reader level 5.2, 5 points), content, and main characters are all well-suited  for the target population.  The main characters range from 3rd to 6th grade and are well-developed throughout the story.  This book is set a small town called Cape Bluff in Kansas which tends to be hit regularly with tornadoes.   After the latest tornado, the town held a meeting to discuss the damages.  They decided to hold a talent show fund raiser to help with repairs and boost spirits.  As kids discerned their acts and adults prepared for the show, the plot thickens until the breathless ending.  I look forward to book talking this story with my students.

School Bus, Tractor, Train, and Fire Truck all have specific jobs.  When Fire Truck returns from fighting a fire, his friends tell him how brave he was.  Suggestions on how to support young readers in making connections and understanding the text are provided.  Bright and colorful illustrations fill the pages.  Sentences are simple with many words repeated.   A small list of story words is in the back.  Other books in the series are : Lucky School Bus, Busy, Busy Train, and Helpful Tractor.

The extremely broad topics of life, what it is and how it started, and of our own planet’s existence are described and explained.  Clear and easily understood information is presented about how certain conditions must be met for an astounding variety of life to exist.  Scientists propose that not only may life exist in other places in our solar system but in places outside our system (exoplanets) as well.  Stunning photographs, illustrations, and charts are captioned and many side bars provide related information.  One learns how closely seemingly unrelated circumstances are required for other types of life to exist.  This book provides a great, basic understanding of known truths, as of today, which encourages further thinking and research.  In the back are:  a timeline of planet discoveries and how exoplanets are named, a glossary, index, many other books to read, and an extensive list of websites.  Excellent resource for classroom and middle school libraries.

Instead of throwing out old buttons or beads, save them to spruce up an outfit or container.  Use your imagination and create pictures.  Apply thread, pipe cleaners, and glue to construct jewelry or toys.  This book for young readers gives fun craft ideas to make with items commonly found around the house.  Other books in the series target cardboard, jars and pots, old clothes, paper, and plastic.  Reuse that trash and turn it into a treasure.

Beginning with a large, simple shape, the next lines are shown in red.  Details are added, some lines erased, finish with color, and VOILA! a completed picture!  Not only are there steps for several pirates but for all things related to pirates – animals, weapons, ships, treasure, islands.  But the book is not yet finished.  Next is how to write a story in 5 easy steps, from pre-writing to publishing.  A simple story is included.  Some books on how to be a pirate, draw pirates, or learn about pirate legends and lore are suggested.  Two internet sites show where to write a story online or play writing games.  The index completes this fun book.  Other books in the series are on drawing and writing about aliens and space objects, animals, cartoon people, princesses, and superheroes.   Sure to be popular in grade school libraries.