Mr. Popper's Penguins, by Richard and Florence Atwater

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

By Richard and Florence Atwater

Post by, Calvin, Age 10

I love this book it is one of the best books I have ever read. My favorite part is when the police and fire man put their hats on the penguins and seals. I am some what like MR. Popper I like to read about football just like he likes to read about the poles. I recommend this book because it tells about a funny story and teaches you about some things that penguins do in their life. I like the book better than the movie because it explains more about what is happening in his life.  

Strider by Beverly Cleary

Strider By Beverly Cleary

Reading level: 4.8

Point value: 3.0

By: Stormie, 10 years old

Strider is one of the best chapter books I have ever read because it has drama (But not too much) parts that will make you laugh and others “Awww” about. This book is about 2 friends (Barry and Leigh) when they're at the beach near there house they find a dog. They coax the dog to go home with them and Leigh names the dog Strider. The two friends make joint custody over Strider (Joint custody: When two people share something.) Strider ends up being liking Leigh better when Barry goes to Los Angeles to visit his real mother and step father. Everyday Since Leigh and Barry found strider they would go running on the beach. I want to tell you more but if I did I would tell you about the whole book!

I would rate this book on a scale of 1 to 10 a 9.

For additional information on Beverly Cleary, visit her website, http://www.beverlycleary.com/.

Hoot, by Carl Hiaasen

Hoot

By Carl Hiaasen

Calvin, Age 10

Hoot is a great book it has a lot of funny sentences in it. The author is very creative when it comes to writing books. I like this book and it was one of the best books I ever read but the chapters are long.  When the chapters were too long I took a break. That made it easer for me to read.

My favorite part was when the police officer looked into the port-a-potty and then jumped out and then said I guess they all look big when they are swimming underneath your butt.

Cryptid Hunters, By Roland Smith

Cryptid Hunters

Roland Smith

AR 11.0, Level 4.9

 Blog By: Thornburg, Age 10

Cryptid Hunters is the best book I have ever read because it has so much creativity plus it has dinosaurs (Mokele-mbembe) and it has laughable parts.

It’s about 2 kids (Marty and Grace) that are in boarding school. They found out that their parents got in a helicopter wreck and people were looking for them but they were never rescued. Then their uncle they didn’t even know of sent them an email. Someone named Phil picked them up and took them to Cryptos Island. That’s when they met Laurel Lee. She was rescued out of a kayak. She and Wolfe had a long discussion and Grace heard it all.

Then they went to the Congo (by falling out of a jet while trying to retrieve Bo.) They got through the Congo by, getting away from Butch, finding Mokele-mbembe, and getting away from Blackwood.

P.S. A wonderful book.

Thanks, Thornburg, for sharing your review with us.  For additional information on Roland Smith and his books visit: http://www.rolandsmith.com/.  If you liked Cryptid Hunters, you might like the 2nd book in the series, Tenticles.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lim

Grade level 5.5 

Pts7.0                                              

I had two students who read this book at the same time. They both wanted to blog about this book.  As a result,  following you will see the review of two students. Thank you, Emily and Taylor.

Review by Emily, 10 years old 

Have you ever been to Hong Kong, China, or Taiwan? Well Grace Lin has been to Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan and wrote about Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. I love Where the Mountain Meets the Moon because it uses similes and metaphors. I also love this book because I can picture what is happening and when it is happening. Hey folks out there I think you should read this book because it is the best and your mind will explode. The story is about the poor village of fruitless mountain--where there is lots of work to do and little food or time to rest—a young girl named Minli decides to set off on a journey to find a way to improve her family’s plight. Lin’s story takes you on a magical adventure with a vivid settings and wondrous characters. If you want to find out more about Grace Lin then go to her web site (www.gracelin.com) Grace Lin is an award-winning author and illustrator.

Review by Taylor, 10 years old

Have you ever been to Hong Kong, China, or Taiwan? No? Well I read a book on a girl that is Chinese and her name was Minli.  This authors name is Grace Lin. She is an awesome writer. She wrote a book on where the mountain meets the moon, year of the dog, year of the rat, and also dumpling days so if you want to read some of these books then go to a public library and find books on Grace Lin. I recommend that you read this book (Where the Mountain Meets the Moon) because it uses similes like (it is as hot as a red pepper on a sizzling summer day).Or it also uses metaphors like (her hands were shaking leaves).I also love this book because I know what is happening and when or where it is happening. Here now I am going to tell you all about the author. Grace Lin is the award winning author and illustrator. Where the mountain meets the moon is partially inspired by her travels to Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. Grace is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of design and lives in Massachusetts. If you want to talk or see her website then go to (www.gracelin.com).                                                                                                   

Now I am going to tell you about some of minli’s adventure. In the poor village of fruitless mountain where there is lots of work to do and little food or time to rest a young girl named minli set of a journey to find her way to get fortune in her home. Now you can read the rest of this book. And then you will find out what happens next.