Meet Melonhead and Moxy Maxwell

Melonhead and Moxy Maxwell are two great, loveable characters who also find trouble. They are real characters that kids can relate to and enjoy in two separate books. You can compare these characters to Clementine, Stink, Judy Moody or Fudge. These two great chapter books for children in grades 3-5^th are both funny and heart-warming with two characters that never have a dull moment!

Melonhead by Kate Kelly is a spin-off from the book Lucy Rose. Melonhead is short for Adam Melon. Adam lives in Washington D.C.  with his parents, who both work on the hill. With Adam there is never a dull moment. In this first book Adam and his friend Sam have been given a school assignment of a science experiment of “reinventing”, meaning recycle the old into the new. Sam and Adam are excited about this new assignment and their adventures unfold as they go about concocting, creating and reinventing some sort of invention. This is a hilarious story that includes a great experiment with diapers, (how many cups of water can they hold before exploding) as well as many melonhead disasters along the way. This is a laugh out loud funny series.

Melonhead

Melonhead and the Big Stink

Lucy Rose: Here’s the Thing About Me

Lucy Rose: Busy Like You Can’t Believe

Luce Rose: Working Myself to Pieces and Bits

Lucy Rose: Big on Plans

Now let’s meet Moxy Maxwell. In her first book, Moxy Maxwell Does not Love Stuart Little, Moxy doesn’t like being told what to do, especially what to read. She loves to read, but only what she wants to read. Moxy is 9 years old and has a twin brother who pretty much does the opposite of Moxy and Moxy likes to procrastinate, really procrastinate. In fact she is the “tween” of procrastination. The twins have a summer reading assignment and now it is the day before school is to start and Moxy still hasn’t read the book, Stuart Little. Her brother, on the other hand read the book the first day of summer. But now there isn’t much time left, and even though Moxy carried the book around all summer with the intention of reading it she never did. Now her mother has demanded that she read the book or she won’t be able to participate in her water ballet recital. In fact she has strict instructions from her mother to not leave her room until she has read all of Stuart Little or there will be “consequences”. Of course that isn’t possible with Moxy. Come join Moxy for a day in her life and see what crazy things ensue, like cleaning her room, training the dog, inventing an automatic swinging hammock as well as planting a peach orchard.  

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Like Writing Thank-You Notes

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Like Practicing the Piano but She Does Love being in Recitals

 

Dragonbreath

Dragonbreath  is a great little series by Ursula Vernon about a little dragon, Danny Dragonbreath, who can't breath fire yet but he has no fear.  The story is great for reluctant readers, grades 2-4, with comic like pictures.   Come follow him on his hilarious adventures including diving into the deep depths of the ocean to the attack of the ninja turtles.

A great review from School Library Journal says it all:
Danny Dragonbreath feels like a loser in more ways than one. No matter how hard he tries, he can't muster up even one lukewarm dragon's breath. Now he's in trouble with his teacher at the Herpitax-Phibbias School for Reptiles and Amphibians. He handed in a carelessly written paper on the ocean and received a well-deserved F. Now he must rewrite the paper. To research the topic he talks to his cousin, a sea serpent. Along with Danny's iguana friend, Wendell, Edward takes them on an underwater adventure to the Sargasso Sea. The adventure becomes life-threatening when Danny and Wendell are attacked by a giant squid. Danny must save his friend and does so with a long-awaited fire breath. Not only is Danny a hero but he gets an A on his re-submitted paper. The exchanges between the less-adventurous and nervous Wendell and nonchalant Danny make this a laugh-out-loud read. The text is generously illustrated with engaging, comic-book style cartoons in green, black, and white, many full page and others that cover several spreads. This humorous adventure story will appeal to reluctant readers and children seeking early chapter books.—Tina Martin, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL

The importance of summer reading!

Why is Summer Reading Important?

Why do public libraries have summer reading programs and why are they so important? Each year studies have shown that when children continue to read over the summer there is no “loss” of reading skills. This is why it is imperative that children participate in summer reading programs through the public libraries. These programs encourage reading, encourage participation in a special summer programming, that could really be considered an enrichment program that are geared towards kids to make coming to the library and reading fun. Reading is important because it is also essential to helping students become better readers, writers and spellers. It encourages self-selection of books, which can be very motivating for reluctant readers.

The reason why these programs are so powerful is because they provide activities and a range of reading materials to accommodate all diverse learners and learning styles. The goal isn’t only to advance literacy rates among children and engage them in reading related activities but to also foster a love of reading. This also involves parents and all family members, young and old. Summer reading increases the success of reading experiences as well as providing a great access to books and other materials that libraries provide.

Putting books into the hands of the children, isn’t that what it is all about?

Hooked on Books

My new logo. Now that summer has officially started in this household I'll be posting much more. Any questions, or you want a specific reading list, please leave a comment or you can reach me at llemon11katz@gmail.com. Happy Reading!

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.