Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Furious Jones and the Assassin's Secret

 

Wow, I really liked this.  Yes, it was violent - with a title that includes assassin and set up against a syndicate that is a given.  Was it too violent?  For my 4th and 5th graders maybe.  For the older students in the MSBA readership maybe not.

Furious lost his mother just a few months ago and in the span of 24 hours witnesses the murder of his father and grandfather.  Then he finds out that his mother was not an accountant but a CIA operative.  His dad, an author, hid clues to all of their murders and the syndicate in his soon to be released book.  But who can Furious trust and can he stop the killing before they get to him.

Very intense, graphic - similar to Alex Rider in a way.  Not sure I can put it in my library but I liked it a lot.

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates

 

This was a typical notebook, DWK variety book.  Tom is a 5th year (set in England) and annoys his sister, wants to be in a band, doesn't do much homework -typical middle school both stuff.  Is it fabulous no - will the boys read it yes.

Audrey (Cow)

 

I loved this book so much!!!  Told from different viewpoints which would make it a fun read-aloud, readers theater, analyze different voices and reliability...so much yes.  A great caper, humorous.  I loved Audrey and her voice and the other characters who interacted.  Just a love fest for me!!!!

The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure

 

Loved this little mystery.  Great clues, misdirection, humor, cute characters!!!  I can't wait to show this to my 2nd and 3rd graders - especially if they are already fans of Cronin's books. 

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Two More for the Day

  

I have read other books that talk about money and its history that felt more cohesive.  The writing in this seemed rushed like the author was just talking really fast.  There were some funny bits and some good insights but this wasn't my favorite.

 

I have never read a biography of Ali.  I felt like the format of this was interesting to start with but then got dense for me.  I would have been interested to learn more about his life after the limelight - his family, etc.  I did like how the events in history in the 60s and 70s were highlighted to give context.

A few shorties...

  

This is a really beautiful book.  It would be a good discussion starter about what Juneteenth is...

  

Really cool book by Lois Ehlert about how she became an illustrator and how she creates her work.  Great as a companion to her books and as part of an author/illustrator study,

  

This was a nice book...poem celebrating baseball...Great for Poetry Month and the start of baseball season...