Join best friends Smoosh and Mallow, two adventurous aliens, as they discover a fun amusement park in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read. When they find one of the roller coasters is closed, they don’t let it stop the fun! This easy-to-read, entertaining story encourages early readers to keep going, enjoy humor, and engage with imaginative adventures. Perfect for guided reading and independent practice for emerging readers.
This Level 1 Ready-to-Read story takes readers on an underground adventure with a mysterious tunneler. The Tunneler digs in the tunnel but where he is going and why isn’t revealed until the end. This easy to read story keeps early readers engaged with a surprise ending the sparks curiosity and discussion. Perfect for guided reading and independent practice for emerging readers.
This is a funny and heartwarming holiday story. The most underrated Halloween candies are ready for a brand-new adventure, celebrating Christmas! The candy corn crew is tired of being left out once Halloween ends. This year, they’re determined to join the Christmas fun with the other holiday sweets. But there’s a problem: the Christmas candies don’t think candy corn belongs in their holiday. Can these little candies find a way to share the joy and spirit of Christmas with everyone? With playful rhymes, bright illustrations, and a sweet message about acceptance and belonging, this story is a perfect pick for the holiday season!
Keith Baker writes about cheerful pea pals in an engaging story for Halloween. In this playful picture book, the lovable peas dive into all the best parts of spooky season: costumes, candy, pumpkins, and plenty of fun. With its lively rhymes, colorful illustrations, and friendly Halloween excitement, this story is sure to be a hit with primary-aged students. Teachers and librarians will love sharing it as a read-aloud that celebrates imagination, friendship, and the joy of dressing up. A perfect pick for October storytimes and classroom celebrations.
Reviewed by Jaelyn 12th grade – How to Lose a Best Friend is a real and honest book that more teenagers, especially the “Gen Z” generation should read. Zeke and Imogen were best friends for as long as anyone could remember. Everyone wanted them to get together, including Zeke. Imogen didn’t feel the same. This book was labeled as fiction which I do agree with but the concept of the story, the plot twist, and emotions were all very real. I really liked the storyline of the book and how on the back it says “What would you do if you were in love with your best friend… and they didn’t love you back?” It’s something I’ve experienced and I think many others have as well. This book could be used as a life lesson. I didn’t like how this book gave us “2 years later” but only lasted for a few pages. There should have been more or a second book.
Reviewed by Baylie 12th grade – Chronically Dolores is centered around a girl, Dolores Mendoza, who suffers from a chronic bladder illness. The book follows her daily struggles and her slow path to self-acceptance. Dolores befriends Terpsichores-Jones, an autistic homeschooled girl, making a pact to help each other in their challenges. Dolores wishes to rekindle her old friendship with her friend Shae, while Terpsichore hopes to attend public school. Waganen’s use of first person helps connect you with Dolores, feeling the exact emotions she feels when she is embarrassed/self-conscious about her illness. I liked when Dolores reviewed bathrooms, as that is something with a bladder disease would do that is also funny to think about. This book shines in its lack of a concrete ending. It instead focuses more on the challenges and the growth of Dolores and Terpsichore Berkenbosch-Jones. They grow more confident in themselves about their respective disabilities, learning to accept themselves for who they are even if they don’t get the exact results that they aim for in their “pact”. This is something that I would recommend for people to try something new, as when most go for fantasy or horror fiction, this book shows that realistic stories can still be just as entertaining. Would read again!
A young child is about to start at a new school. Instead of wearing his favorite red shoes, he chooses sneakers to fit in. Others comment on how quiet his mom is, but he knows that at home she is different. The story shows how the mom and the boy show different sides of themselves when they are in public and when they are at home. Finally the boy is brave and wants to be his authentic self which encourages the mom to be as well. The illustrations were more muted in color when talking about outside mom and vibrant when we learned about inside mom. I like the message of the story, but it seemed a little disjointed in parts and left me with questions.
The Curious Explorers Club wants to know where sea turtles live. Alex has the answer in her journal, but the Explorers want to discover the answer on their own. Throughout the story the explorers discuss why a sea turtle would or would not live in a certain location. Alex’s journal pages give facts about sea turtles.
The pictures are colorful, engaging and fill the page. The pictures and dialog feel geared towards younger readers, but the fact pages are text heavy with a lot of information on a two page spread. Resources at the end list websites for information about sea turtles and protecting sea turtles. This is the third book in the series Alex’s Field Guides.
Written by Max Brallier & Joshua Pruett, Illustrations by Jay Cooper & Douglas Holgate, Color by Joe Eichelberger
A song of Swords and Stuffies is book 3 of the Last Comics on Earth graphic novel series.The Laser Blade Hero Squad has come into the picture when they arrive in Apocalyptia and save all from a vicious monster. They agree to ally with our heroes while the Savage Aloner is called home on a mission to save his people from being “cutified”. What is this crazy impairment that has affected the entire land? Will our heroes be able to save the world from ending up all being cute?
This series will be enjoyed by those who love the Last Kids on Earth, DogMan, and Captain Underpants. I would recommend this book series if you have students who enjoy silly humorous graphics and can afford another Dogman type series.
Words by Renee Ahdieh, Pictures by Alea Marley
Emilio is a kind sloth who goes about his day with his dear friends always listening to what they have to say and asking how they are. He also lets them know how he is and always has a cheerful demeanor.
This is a wonderful book about being a kind and listening friend. It really highlights how fulfilling it can be to be a good person with a positive insight to life. Emilio is a great example for young students who are in the process of learning what being a friend means. If these are the type of books you need in your library I would recommend this one as an extra purchase.