Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson

Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book had plenty of adventure, mystery, twists, turns, cliffhangers (A personal favorite) and some history. I think my students could listen to this as a read aloud. I also know that it would be perfect for my more savvy fifth grade reader. My personal favorite aspect of the book is the way the author used suspense with cliffhanger chapter endings. I don't know what took me so long to get this book, but I am ever pleased I took the time.


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Blog Anniversary!

Now this is how out of it I am... I didn't even realize it is my blog anniversary! Someone had to comment and tell me and I even have a count down thingy to remind me. In honor of the anniversary, I will redirect you to the first review I wrote.
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass.

Barbara O'Connor's Newest Book Trailer

After returning from vacation and finding 422! posts in my Google Reader, I sifted through and picked out some of my favorite blogs to read. I hope I am not too late to present to you a book trailer for Barbara O'Connor's new book, The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis. Humor me and watch it again if you have seen it already, if not... What are you waiting for???


Now who is with me? Get on over there to Amazon and pre-order your copy. Ya know ya want to!

May Carnival of Children's Literature

You may now view the May Carnival of Children's Literature at Into the Wardrobe. I wanted to submit THIS so just pretend I did.
Also of note, I really love the blog Cake Wrecks. I mean LURVE!!! ( A very special kind of love) I never miss a post. So imagine my surprise when I found that they have raided my childhood bookshelf to bring you THESE wonderfully done children's literature cakes. (Sunday is for pretty cakes, not wrecks)

Mother Reader's 48 Hour Book Challenge

If you are in to reading, which I am assuming you are, please take a moment to consider entering into a challenge. It is the Mother Reader's 48 Hour Book Challenge. You can read all about it by clicking on that fancy little button to the side.
Meanwhile, I should let you know that the Kidlitosphere Bloggers of Central Ohio will be getting together the morning of June 6th to enjoy a breakfast together and a visit to the wonderful book store Cover to Cover. (This has become a little tradition for celebrating all kinds of book related events) Since part of the 48 Hour Book Challenge this year challenges you to make a donation to something you feel strongly about, the Central Ohio peeps have decided to donate to Mary Lee of A Year of Reading. She is participating in a Fish-a-thon to rasise money for a nonprofit organizaiton that offers no-cost retreats for breast cancer survivors. Long story short, I don't think I can make the trek up to Columbus that morning so I am pledging $1 for every book taken out of Cover to Cover by ALL the Kidlit Bloggers of Central Ohio. So tally up your books, gang, and send me a bill!

March Carnival of Children's Literature

The March Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Jenny's Wonderland of Books. Check it out!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today and all days!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Read Alike Lists

Have you ever been in a situation where someone asks you what to read next, but you are hard pressed for an idea? Today, The Reading Zone has a post with great Read Alike lists! As in, if you liked this, you might like... It was just what I needed right now to keep my kiddos on their feet and reading when they would rather play in the beautiful warm weather. Check it out!

Spammer

I don't know where else to post this, so I am going to say it here. There is a spammer out there who has gotten a hold of several blogs. The comment is written in Chinese. I had one in my comments today, but I had comment moderation on, so it didn't affect me. Just a heads up that if you don't use Comment Moderation, you may be surprised at what is ending up in your comment section. (I did a little translation, it wasn't pretty)

February Carnival of Children's Literature

The February Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Imaginary Blog. Check it out when you get a chance.

Share a Story- Shape a Future

Please take moment to visit this new site and find out more about the event Share a Story- Shape a Future which begins on March 9th!

The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower by Lisa Graff

The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower by Lisa Graff

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
There was a lot I liked about this book and some that scared me as a teacher. I loved the eventual lesson of the story, but the ease to which the characters committed such serious crimes worried me slightly. I think a discriminating boy or girl could find the lesson in this book. However, I think some kids might not. Of course I am thinking of my age student, a fifth grader. I don't know if I am saying this in a way that makes sense. I would be more than willing to read another book about Bernetta Wallflower and I hope that some day I will get the chance to do so. Hint Hint Ms. Graff.


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Cybils Awards 2009

In case you have been living under a rock or only read my blog and no other (and I am wishing the latter) the CYBILS FINALISTS ARE ANNOUNCED TODAY! Please go HERE! and check it out for yourself. I was quite impressed with the amount of books that are currently in my school library from the list.
Oh and Happy Valentine's Day... if you celebrate that sort of thing.

January Carnvial of Children's Literature

I am writing to point out the January Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Under The Covers. But I also adding that I love Lisa Chellman's blog and I am adding it to my Google Reader. You might want to as well.

We Really Will

Make this your issue!

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One Great Interview

Want to know who the Mystery Author #1 is at BestbooksIhavenotread? It was revealed today and it is a pretty awesome interview with a VERY popular author. What are you waiting for?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I never tire of this series. I just think the humor is so right on! I read often that the book appeals to reluctant readers and I would seriously challenge that. It appeals to ALL readers in fifth grade. Let's face it, we were all a "Greg Heffley" in fifth grade. Unless of course you were a "Rowley" in which case, I am very sorry.

There was a part that had me seriously laughing so hard. (I am not giving anything away here, it will just be much funnier when you read it yourself) Greg had gone to a sleep-over with Rowley. The sleep-over was at a friend of Rowley's house. If you know Rowley, you will know he has many "friends" who are not his age equivalent, but his mental equivalent. Greg said at one point the kids at the party suggested playing a game called "Who Licked Me?" I mean come on... that is funny. -- Okay, maybe in a slightly less mature world.

I suspect my students will soon be calling each other "Ploopy" just as they were all giving the "Cheese Touch." One of my favorite story lines in the book was about Manny's "Tingy." Can't decide if "Ploopy" is a compliment or not? Don't know what a "Tingy" is? Well, I guess you'll have to pick up the book.


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The Anticipation!

In honor of the most anticipated delivery in my household at this moment, I am posting this here video. I grabbed it off Fuse #8.
(Feel free to do a little fast forwarding, but you get the point... TEN MINUTES WORTH? It may be a bit much.)

The Mostly True Adventrues of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I can't wait for this book to really come out! It was wonderful! I don't love war stories, but this was a war story. However, it had everything else I love in a book humor, compassion, brotherly love, and suspense! Can't imagine those together check this book out! Plus it had a ton of factual Civil War history in it.
***EDIT**** This is my Good Reads review from back in October. I picked up this book as an ARC from Cover to Cover. I recently saw the book at Barnes and Noble yesterday, so I guess it is in the stores now.****


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Cybils Short Lists

The lists are out. The Cybils Finalists that is. You can check out each list here.