This informational text about spring contains 1-2 sentences per page and has engaging photographs. As a Blastoff Reader level 2, the sentences are a bit more complex, but still attainable. The organization of the book is easy to follow, flowing from what is spring to animals in spring to humans in spring. The many text features aid in the reader’s understanding of the topic.
Category Archives: Reviewer’s Library Type
Summer
This informational text about summer contains 1-2 sentences per page and has engaging photographs. As a Blastoff Reader level 2, the sentences are a bit more complex, but still attainable. The organization of the book is easy to follow, flowing from what is summer to animals in summer to humans in summer. The many text features including keywords, maps, and diagrams aid in the reader’s understanding of the topic.
Winter
This informational text about winter contains 1-2 sentences per page and has engaging photographs. As a Blastoff Reader level 2, the sentences are a bit more complex, but still attainable. The organization of the book is easy to follow, flowing from what is winter to animals in winter to humans in winter. The many text features aid in the readers understanding of the topic.
The Handbook
Jack is a collector of junk. He loves to go through trash to find something strange. One day he finds a book titled Favorite Turnip Recipes of the World in a box of his neighbors left out on the curb with the garbage when they moved. He puts it away and doesn’t think about it again until his neighbor comes back in a panic because he has lost something. It turns out that the turnip book is actually a handbook for parents. The kids discover this and turn the tables on the parents. Will the parents find the handbook or will the kids continue to trick their parents into no more rules.
This book would appeal to readers who like action and books that challenge authority. The ending wraps up quickly and seems forced especially since each group is so passionate about being correct.
Unschooled
It is spirit week and the fifth grades have been divided into Team Red and Team Blue. Best friends George and Lily have been designated as captains for the two teams. George does not want to be captain, but does not want to let down his team. The competitive Lily is sure that her team will win. The two teams want to win at all cost. With slimed lockers, sabotaged costumes and then a canceled spirit week, will spirit weeks destroy their friendship? Will the fifth grade continue to be seen as the worst class to come through the school?
Ghost Detectors #21, ALL DOLLED UP!
After reading my first Ghost Detectors series book, #21- All Dolled Up!, I am thinking this series is a rival for the Goose Bumps series.
Our two main characters, Malcolm and Dandy (Daniel Dee) have just received a written invitation from one of their mean substitute teachers to comes to her house. The invitation reads, “Dear Malcolm and Dandy, I heard about what you boys did. Please, come to my house as soon as you get this note! I have a chore for you. Sincerely, Ms. Porter” (8)
Ms. Porter’s house is full of dolls everywhere you look. When the boys sit down, Ms. Porter goes for tea and cookies. After Dandy sneezes, the dolls attack him where he sits on the couch. Ms. Porter comes back and says, ” ‘ I see you’ve met my ghost.’ ” (18) Ms. Porter wants the boys to get rid of the ghost.
The boys leave to get their equipment. While at Malcolm’s house, they run into great Grandma Eunice, the only family member who knows they are ghost detectors. Grandma Eunice decides this is a good time to give Malcolm his birthday present early, a bottle of Poltergeist Popper spray from the Sci.con. Then off they go back to Ms. Potter’s house. As Malcolm and Dandy start their job, they are not detecting any ghosts, but when they try to leave the doors shut and lock. Dolls start screaming. Upstairs the boys get separated when Dandy sneezes and are locked in separate rooms. In Malcolm’s room, spiders pour out of a doll house. Malcolm tries the Poltergeist Popper. A blinding light is emitted. Blinding Malcolm. The Poltergeist Popper seems to unlock the doors. Dandy gets hold of Malcolm and leads him downstairs. As Malcolm regains his vision, a giant stuffed bear roars and charges them. The boys leave the house to get more equipment.
Grandma Eunice gives them sunglasses to protect their eyes from the Poltergeist Popper and has them dress up in black suits (Men in Black). Grandma Eunice has Malcolm and Dandy push her in her wheelchair over to Ms. Porter’s house. Together they locate the one doll the ghost is upset over. The one doll (Little Cutie) that was the ghost’s one and only doll as a child. The ghost is upset because Ms. Porter does not love Little Cutie as she does/did. To Ms. Porter, it is just another doll. The ghost will leave when her special childhood Little Cutie doll is given a special loving new home. The ghost leaves when she discovers Grandma Eunice has always wanted a Little Cutie doll. Ms. Porter will find it a small price to pay for Malcolm and Dandy’s getting rid of her ghost.
After the story, there are four thought provoking tie-in questions to the story.
There is one half-page to full-page illustration per chapter.
Glacier National Park
These are designed for younger readers, with an animated Ranger Red Fox as a guide. The book covers geology, history, flora and fauna, activities for visitors and even basic map reading. Large font text uses simple sentences and vocabulary making it accessible for young readers. Colorful photographs, with inserts and captions supports the text. Great introduction for kids
Wild Animal Rehabilitation
This is a very detailed look on the subject of animal rehabilitation. The book provides some basic background, including the beginning of the Audubon Society, and increased environmental awareness in the 60’s. Additionally, it describes how rehab facilities work, including admitting, care, and return to the wild. The pros and cons of animal rehabilitation are discussed at length. Guidance is given for what to do when you find an injured animal as well as suggestions on how to become an animal advocate.
Recommended title for studies of human impact on the environment.
Whisper by: Lynette Noni
Reviewed by: Shelley Walter, OHS Library Secretary
This is based in Australia, underground, and not sure what year. The book is in the first person as a young girl, Alyssa Scott, with special abilities is subjected to experiments and medical tests. She does not speak out loud for fear what her words will do. As the book goes on Alyssa reveals her ability to Speak and her intent comes to be. She has no idea of her power and she finds out through a series of training session.
Alyssa is being trained to control her power by one group of people who tell her they are the good guys. She is then kidnapped by a splinter group that she has been told are the enemy. What Alyssa finds out is the enemy is actually the good guys. The book’s climax is when Alyssa confronts the mad scientist that has been experimenting on her not for knowledge but to steal her abilities. The end is open to a sequel continuing with the prospect of more conflicts between the two groups.
Obstructed
A Hi-Lo comic book style story told with text and pictures. Significant words are enlarged and colored with an interesting font. A possible next step up for graphic novel fans. Obstructed is the second in series of 4. The story imagines that superheroes and villains have united, and follows adventures of Mateo (a villain) at Superhero High School. Nice balance with boys and girls and different races as both hero and villain. Nothing new, but sure to please.