Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Summer Reading: The Guardians

Book Title: The Guardians: Toothiana Part 1- A Tooth is Lost

Author: William Joyce

Summary: There is a new guardian, called Toothiana, coming in town. She exchanges baby teeth with gifts and coins. But she is also fierce and powerful, too. The teeth she collects contain forgotten memories of childhood which are invaluable to the Guardians. Pitch, the nightmare king, is an enemy of the Guardians. The teeth are also invaluable to him. In this part of Toothiana, a girl, named Katherine, loses her last baby tooth, and Toothiana will soon be arriving to swipe it!

I liked this book, since it is a Guardian book that has lots of detail and adventure.

I'd recommend this book for people who like Guardian books, adventure and action, and little chapter books.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Summer Reading: The Adventures of Ook and Gluk- Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future

Book Title: The Adventures of Ook and Gluk- Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future

Author: Dav Pilkey

Summary: It is the year 500,001 BC, and two cavemen, named Ook and Gluk, find a time portal that sends them to the year 2222. They meet the world's most evil corporation in the future and it's up to them to stop the corporation from hurting cavemen. They find a wise new friend that can help them, but can they save the day in time before 500,001 BC is completely changed?

I like this book, since it is from the creators of Captain Underpants, it is humorous, and is in a comic version. I also liked it taking place in the future.

I'd recommend this book to people who like science fiction, futuristic stories, adventure, and comic stories.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Summer Reading: Your Life but Better

Name: Your life but better
Author:Crystal Velasquez

 This book is actually taking the reader on a journey of a teenage girl's life in her school. The author really put a lot of detail that you actually feel like your in the story.
 I liked this book and the other book

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Summer Reading: Cookie

Name: Cookie
Author: Jacqueline Wilson



 Her  dad was called Cookie when he was in school and everyone in her school calls her ugly.
Her dad sometimes loses his temper and starts throwing tantrums. She and her mom move to a place called Rabbit Cove and live their life from there.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Summer Reading: Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083

Book Title: Surviving Antarctica: Reality TV 2083 (original title is "No Child's Game: Reality TV 2083)

Author: Andrea White

Summary: It is the year 2083, when people learn their school lessons from television! After high school, though, people have to pay a fee to go into television college. If someone does not have enough money, they play a game, called Toss, where you get a lucky chance to win a money prize. But many people lose the Toss, too. So, five kids, that have very different personalities, are going on an expedition to Antarctica, which will be displayed on TV by the Department of Entertainment (DOE). Whoever does the best in the enormous journey will earn $10,000, and whoever is rated the most popular person out of the five will win $90,000! But the head of the DOE wants to use all her effort to make trouble for the five of them. Can they all survive in the below zero temperatures and the dangerous adventures that lurk in Antarctica?

I liked this book, since it taught me many descriptive and figurative words and phrases. I also like it because it is a futuristic book that has lots of adventure. 

I would recommend this book to people who like future events, adventure, and like reading about fiction books that take place in historic places, such as Antarctica.

Monday, July 22, 2013

Summer Reading: The Old Man and the Sea

Book Title: The Old Man and the Sea
Author: Ernest Hemingway
Summary-
  This book is about an old fisherman. Sadly, the old fisherman hasn't caught a fish for eighty-four days! Just one morning he sets out to sea, hoping that he gets hold of a fish. Finally something pulls on his hook! The fish doesn't give up and keeps swimming far away from the docks. Throughout the book you will read about different adventures he goes through, some of them are deadly. Will the fisherman come back to the dock in one piece?

I loved how this book had figurative and descriptive language. Throughout the story I learned several new words I could use in my own writing.

I would recommend it to people who are interested with adventure. You won't regret reading this book.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Summer Reading: My Life as a Book

Book Title: My Life as a Book

Author: Janet Tashjian

Summary: Summer has arrived, and Derek Fallon is looking forward on doing his usual summer plans. But his parents want him sent to Learning Camp, which felt like prison to him. Who would dream of going to school in the summer? But ever since Derek's mom realized that he need to read way more books rather than books by Calvin and Hobbes, Derek had been spending every minute avoiding his mom's idea. One day, he finds an old newspaper that includes a family secret, involving him as a baby. What adventures shall happen to him as he finds shocking discoveries that lead closer and closer to the secret? And what will he think about reading after he encounters the secret?

I like the book because it shows everything in Derek's point of view. Also, I liked the topic of the story, since it was very unique.

I would recommend this book to people who like adventurous books and like learning many new words.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

New Dinosaur Discovered

Not found in New Jersey, but found in one of our favorite states, is a new dinosaur distantly related to the Triceratops.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/07/130717-new-dinosaur-utah-nasutoceratops-paleontology-animals-science/

Summer Reading: The Key to Rondo

Book Title: The Key to Rondo

Author: Emily Rodda

Summary: Uncle Henry was the owner of a music box. He passed it on to Aunt Bethany, who passed it on to Leo Zifkak. Leo was given the music box because he seemed as responsible as Uncle Henry. There was something strange about the box, which was why it needed a very caring owner. The thing that was strange was the rules of it. The rules were to wind the box three times only, to not wind the box in the middle of the tune, to never move the music box anywhere while the music plays, and to not close the lid until the music has stopped. But when Mimi, Leo's awkward cousin, winds the box four times, butterflies from the picture on the box start to peel off and become reality! It was from a magical world, called Rondo. A sorceress, called the Blue Witch, also comes out of the box and takes Mimi's dog, Mutt, inside Rondo. Now, Leo and Mimi must stop the Blue Witch before she does something horrible to Mimi's dog. Also, the two of them must find the true secret to the music box. Can they do it in time, though?

I liked this book a lot, since there was lots of adventure, action, and suspense inside. Also, I like books that usually involve entering unusual worlds.

I would recommend this book to people who like enormous adventure books and fictional worlds.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Summer Reading: Fablehaven

I just finished reading the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. It's a series of 5 books about a brother and sister who discover that their grandparents are in charge of a very unique nature preserve. Instead of endangered animals, the preserve houses many different kinds of magical creatures. Over the 5 books, Kendra and Seth have a lot of adventures and meet many different magical creatures.

If you enjoy characters like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, then I think you will enjoy these books. I'm going to try and get this series for the classroom library (I borrowed them from the public library). I'm also interested in reading some of the other books by this author.

These books are a little challenging for a fifth grade level if you aren't familiar with magical and mythical creatures. I wouldn't worry if you're not sure how to say a word like "naiad" out loud, but instead concentrate on creating really good pictures in your head. It will really help put yourself in the story.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Summer Reading: The Apollo 13 Mission

Book Title: The Apollo 13 Mission

Author: Judy L. Hasday

Summary: Even if Apollo 11 had already reached the moon, Apollo 13 was also aiming to travel there. But it all changes as an explosion happens in the spacecraft. Liquid oxygen started to leak out and into space! Soon, they would be stranded 200,000 miles away from Earth. The three astronauts inside decided to move to the lunar module, even if it wasn't fit for an emergency like this. Problems start forming in the lunar module, such as the lack of space and carbon dioxide poisoning. Can they make it back to Earth in time before all of their supplies run out?

I like this book, because it actually shows the Apollo journeys before the disaster, too. Also, it is packed with suspense and adventure that increases, page by page.

I recommend this book for people who like science with suspense, and adventurous stories.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Summer Reading: Half Moon Investigations

Book Title: Half Moon Investigations

Author: Eoin Colfer

Summary: Fletcher Moon was not like ordinary kids. He had a nickname which he had to tolerate, called "Half Moon". Also, he easily found out things like a detective since he was little! Even though his family doesn't appreciate this skill, he doesn't mind at all. After graduating Internet Class, he became the youngest private detective there ever was. The proof was a silver badge with his name on it. But even if he's a great detective, there are many twists and turns throughout his life. For instance, his badge was stolen and his classmate hires him to solve mysteries. It eventually makes one enormous problem that is hard to solve. Can Fletcher Moon solve the big problem that is forming?

I liked the book a lot, since it was filled with suspense and action. I also liked it because the big case that was forming was explained very well throughout the book, with descriptive words.

I recommend the book for people who like suspense, action, and mystery.


-D

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Summer Reading: Titanic: Voices from the Disaster

Book Title: Titanic: Voices from the Disaster

Author: Deborah Hopkinson

Summary: This book is about when the RMS (royal maiden ship) Titanic sunk from a journey from Southampton to New York. Most people thought she'd never sink, because she was a glorious and beautiful ship, which was so big. But there was not enough lifeboats and people weren't aware of the disaster. The book also shows the points of view some survivors had when this huge event happened, and how they managed to survive.

I liked the book a lot, since it took you through all of the events of the Titanic in order, and you could visualize how the Titanic sank. I also liked it because it was a very exciting adventure.

I would recommend this book to people who like to read about adventure, and like reading about mysterious things that have happened in history.
-D

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Summer Reading: Harriet the Spy

Harriet the Spy
By: Louise Fitzhugh
Summary-
 Harriet is a girl who "spies" on people and takes notes about them. She risks getting into trouble as she writes mean and nice descriptions about others. Suddenly after a game of tag, her notes get into the wrong hands. Her friends read every single word she wrote about them. Will Harriet save all of her relationships between her friends?

 I liked that Harriet the Spy contained several descriptive language that made me learn numerous interesting words.

 I would recommend this book to people who are pleased with adventure. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't stop.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Library Open

Just a reminder that the school library is open starting today from 9:30-11:30. It will remain open until the end of July.