Come meet the Penderwicks!

Come meet the Penderwicks. They are a family who believes in truth and honor, yet can’t seem to stay out of trouble. There's oldest sister Rosalind, responsible for the rest; stubborn, feisty Skye; dreamy Jane; and shy little Batty, whose best friend is Hound, a large dog more loyal than obedient.

Jeanne Birdsall has published three books about the Penderwicks. The third Penderwick book, The Penderwicks at Point Mouette just came out in May. Jeanne Birdsall plans on writing five altogether. She is busy on her fourth right now.

 

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

 From School Library Journal

 Grade 4-6–In Jeanne Birdsall's humorous novel (Knopf, 2005), four motherless sisters—Rosalind, 12, Skye, 11, Jane, 10, and Batty, 4—their absentminded professor dad, and the family dog share a summer retreat on the Massachusetts estate of Arundel. Owned by the frosty Mrs. Tifton and her lonely son, Jeffrey, Arundel's pretentious mistress treats the oddly-matched Penderwick sisters and their doting father as social misfits. Feisty Skye and sensitive Jeffrey become best friends, drawing the reluctant Mrs. Tifton and the entire Penderwick clan into a series of hilarious misadventures, including runaway pets, an encounter with a bull, and a first crush. The sisters are determined to help Jeffrey escape being sent to the Pencey Military Academy, Where boys become men and men become soldiers. Susan Denaker's gentle narration of this 2005 National Book Award winner perfectly captures the subtle humor and charm of each character. Fans of Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family or Maud Hart's Betsy-Tacy novels will love this updated version of a comfortable childhood adventure. Just the ticket for an extended family car trip.–Celeste Steward, Alameda County Library, Fremont, CA

The Penderwicks at Gardam Street 

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-The Penderwick sisters are back. Their Aunt Claire has come for a visit, bringing with her a letter from their late mother that encourages their father to date, and an immediate crisis ensues, as the girls assume that this is the first step on the treacherous road to having a stepmother. After frantic consultation, they implement the "Save Daddy" plan, designed to set him up with perfectly dreadful women so that he will not want to date again. Numerous subplots add to the domestic drama. Skye struggles with her temper on the soccer field. Rosalind and neighbor Tommy experience a frustrated romance. Skye and Jane switch homework assignments, leading to a school performance of Jane's Aztec drama, with everyone thinking that it was penned by Skye. While the solution to the dating dilemma can be seen from the beginning, the sisters are so caught up in their drama that they can't see who's right next door. Laugh-out-loud moments abound and the humor comes naturally from the characters and situations. Especially funny is the scene in which the youngest Penderwick hides in the car hoping to spy on one of her father's dates. Like much of the book itself, this scene resolves itself in a tender moment between father and daughter. This is a book to cherish and to hold close like a warm, cuddly blanket that you draw around yourself to keep out the cold.-Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette 

In the third book about the Penderwicks, when summer comes around, it's off to the beach for Rosalind . . . and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey. That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)—a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, with a rocky shore, enthusiastic seagulls, a just-right corner store, and a charming next-door neighbor. But can Skye hold it together long enough to figure out Rosalind's directions about not letting Batty explode? Will Jane's Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Is Batty—contrary to all accepted wisdom—the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune? And will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls . . . these girls who are his second, and most heartfelt, family?

It's a rollicking ride as the Penderwicks continue their unforgettable adventures in a story filled with laughs and joyful tears!

Personally I can’t wait for book number 4 and 5 to come out. Reading these books are just simply easy and enjoyable.  Kudos to Jeanne Birdsall for a series about a very “real” family.

Author Cynthia Voigt

Read Newbery Medal Author, Cynthia Voigt. Her newest and fabulous book, Young Fredle, just out this year is another great animal story for grades 3-5th. 

Meet Young Fredle, a house mouse, that suddenly finds himself fending for himself in the outside world. He has to learn to survive among the field mice outside. Unfortunately it was a Peppermint Pattie that was Fredle's undoing. A kitchen mouse who was already too curious for his own good, Fredle becomes ill from consuming too much chocolate and is pushed out of the family's nest. The Missus traps him and releases him outside, a terrifying place for a creature with no familiarity with grass and sky, let alone raptors, snakes, and raccoons. Fredle's adventures and attempts to return home (and what is home, anyway?) are chronicled in a way that makes readers begin to grasp what it must be like to be a mouse, and the struggle to understand where he fits in. The allure of the world versus the beauty of belonging is just one of the many complex issues addressed in this engaging story about a plucky little mouse who, after his adventures, returns to his family and sets out to change things for himself and others like him.- Review from School Library Journal

Angus and Sadie for grades 4-6th. Two border collie puppies adopted by a Maine farm couple try to decipher what Mister and Missus really want and how to fulfill their role as faithful and useful companions. The pups are polar opposites. Angus is an alpha male with an abundance of self-confidence. Sadie is submissive, introspective, and dominated by her brother. Of course, Mister quickly believes that Angus is the more talented of the pair but Missus reassures Sadie that she is special, too. When Angus's bossiness reaches a peak, Sadie proves to be courageous and smart and he begins to respect her. There is an old-fashioned style to this story about the different personality traits in siblings and learning to respect those differences. -Review from School Library Journal

Two wonderful reads for the child that is an animal lover. Angus and Sadie are actually two characters in Young Fredle, which makes it important, but not essential, to read Angus and Sadie first. 

Cynthia Voigt is a former teacher and author of more than 20 books, including the Newbery Medal winner, Dicey's Song and A Solitary Blue which was a Newbery honor book. Cynthia lives in Maine with her family where these two books take place. Makes for some great summer reading.

Some great Series!

Here are a two fabulous series that are great for kids grades 5-8th. Check them out.

The Mysterious Benedict Society - a fabulous read for grades 5-9. Check out this starred review from School Library Journal. A similar read to Roald Dahl's book.  
After Reynie Muldoon responds to an advertisement recruiting "gifted children looking for special opportunities," he finds himself in a world of mystery and adventure. The 11-year-old orphan is one of four children to complete a series of challenging and creative tasks, and he, Kate, Constance, and Sticky become the Mysterious Benedict Society. After being trained by Mr. Benedict and his assistants, the four travel to an isolated school where children are being trained by a criminal mastermind to participate in his schemes to take over the world. The young investigators need to use their special talents and abilities in order to discover Mr. Curtain's secrets, and their only chance to defeat him is through working together. Readers will challenge their own abilities as they work with the Society members to solve clues and put together the pieces of Mr. Curtain's plan.

The Brixton Brothers by Mac Barnett. A modern day mystery series for boys and girls, grades 4-6. Book 1 and Book 2 are both out. This series reminds me of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew put together but for the 21st century kid.

Great Boy Reads!

The boy reader is a different type of reader. Here is a list of books that will appeal to boys in grades 2-5^th. It is just as important to transform boys into lifelong readers just like girls. And sometimes getting a boy to sit down and read a great book can be challenging. Here is a list of books about all sorts of boys, the athletic boys, the nerdy boys, the superhero boys, boys who want to be spies, and boys who just want to have fun, lots of icky, gooey, sticky fun. Check them out! Many of these books are the first in a series. And some authors like Dan Guttman and Jon Scieszka, have a plethora of books to check out. The list is in alphabetical order by author. Enjoy!

 

Game Day by Tiki and Ronde Barber

Teammates by Tiki and Ronde Barber

By My Brother’s Side by Tiki and Ronde Barber

Kickoff by Miki Barber

Beast Quest by Adam Blade

Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi

Andrew Lost by J.C. Greenburg

My Weird School By Dan Guttman (Anything by this author)

Secret Agent Jack Stalwart: Book 1 by Elizabeth Hunt

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and other Scary Things by Lenore Look

Max Disaster #1 Alien Eraser to the Rescue by Marissa Moss

Stink by Megan McDonald

Hot Dog and Bob Adventures by Bob Rovetch

Calvin Coconut: Trouble Magnet by Graham Salisbury 

Time Warp Trio by Jon Scieszka

Wiley and Grandpa’s Creature Features by Kirk Scroggs

The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Adam Sharp: The Spy who Barked by George Stanley

Melvin Beederman Superhero by Greg Trine

Shredderman: Secret Identity by Wendy Van Draanen

Oogie Cooder by Sarah Weeks

One of the great authors who writes for boys is Jon Scieszka. Check out his fabulous boy site called guys read at http://www.guysread.com.

 

Girl Teen Books

Sarah Deesen is one of the best girl teen authors around. I absolutely love her books! Her newest one coming out soon is called, What Happened to Goodbye.  Amazon

Her books are all about relationships, family issues, coming of age, self-image and much more. But what I like about her books and the style of her writing as well as the content is that they are classy, appropriately written so that the teens today can relate to what they are reading. Sarah Dessen is a teacher, a writer, and a mom. What more can I say. If you haven't read any of her books, check them out. Better yet, get a few at the library.

"The books I read when I was teenager, the good ones anyway, have stuck more in my mind than anything since. I still love books, but while I couldn't tell you complete plots of novels I read even six months ago, I do remember even the smallest descriptive details from Lois Lowry's A Summer to Die or Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I think it was because back then books were still somewhat new to me, and when I found an author who seemed to say just what I was feeling, it really struck me and resonated. I hope that my books do that for the people who read them: I think it's the best thing to which any writer can aspire." Sarah Dessen

                                                  I promise you won't be dissappointed!

10 Reasons why the Internet is not a substitute for the library!

This might be hard to read, so check out the link yourself. There should be these signs in all libraries around the country, especially in the schools!

http://www.boingboing.net/2011/04/14/librarysign.jpg

Non-Fiction Books

Great non-fiction books for children are pretty popular right now. Check out Nic Bishop at http://www.nicbishop.com. He is one of my favorite non-fiction authors right now because his books are filled with powerful images taken through the lens of his camera with great facts to boot. His books include: Butterflies, Lizards, Frogs, Spiders, Marsupials, and many more.

Check them out at the library, or at amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Bishop-Lizards-Booklist-Editors-Choice/dp/0545206340/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302661494&sr=8-1.

What makes his books so popular are the striking photographs and graphic imagery that he uses to stimulate little eyes. His latest book, Lizards, has just won Booklist Editor’s Choice Youth Award.