Jellaby

      Hook

"Turn back.... There is nothing for you here...Return to your home... It is safe there. "(pages 18 and 19)

"So I suppose your.. gonna eat me, huh?"(page 23)


"...But I don't want you out on your own after dark...who knows whats out there"(page 34)


Recommendation

Have you ever discovered something you're afraid to tell to someone? Well, in this book, Portia does.She goes wandering in the night discovers an owl and a mysterious monster. But will she keep it a secret from her friends and family? She sneaks him up to her room and asked him some questions but he won't talk.  Portia finds out his name is Jellaby. Mom is in the kitchen doing the dishes and Jellaby is in the front yard. Will Portia hide him before Mom sees him?

blog by:Eliza B.
book by: Kean Soo
genre:graphic novel

The Best School Year Ever

The "Hook"

"My little brother, Charlie, once asked my mother what the teachers do for the rest of the day.
'They get things ready-books and papers and lessons.' 'That's not what Leroy Herdman says,' Charlie told her. 'Leroy says as soon as the kids are gone, they lock all the doors and order pizza and beer."(page 4)
" I just know something's going to happen,' Maxine said. 'I keep hearing this strange noise on the bus.'
I don't know how she would hear anything except kids hollering, but Eloise Albright said she heard a strange noise too. Some kids said they smelled something on the bus, but who doesn't?-egg sandwiches, poison ivy medicine, Alice Wendleken's Little Princess perfume.
Lester finally asked his mother if there was anything wrong with their bus, but she just said, 'Yes, it's full of kids.'
Then Bus 6 was assigned to take the third grade to a dairy farm to study cows, and Ollie Herdman refused to go. 'Not me,' Ollie said. 'Not on that bus!'"(page 88)

Recommendation
The Herdmans are at it again! The Herdmans are nothing BUT trouble. From putting their cat through misery to being mean to everyone at school, you definitely don't want to run into them. But just in case you do, I would suggest to say "no" if they ask you any kind of question that involves you or anything else unusual. They probably even have a daily check list:
1. Get in trouble
2. Create trouble
3. Annoy ALL teachers and ALL other kids
4.Do something bad every time you get the chance
Will Woodrow Wilson School survive with the Herdmans always causing trouble? Read this book to find out!
Book By: Barbara Robinson
Blog By: Sheridan M.
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Night Cry

HOOK

     "He didn't answer. He was shaking.

    'Please try, Jason,' she pleaded. 'Please do it for me. I want to help you.'

    He nodded, his face white.

    Frantically she dragged him from room to room looking for a hideout....Was he waiting there for her, then?...
    She opened the door and yanked out the rack, slipping it behind the stove. Gathering up the tablecloth, she stuffed it in as bedding and helped Jason crawl inside. Just as she closed the door, she heard a strange sound as though someone were climbing up the side of the house.  There was a thud on the porch, footsteps. She rushed over and picked up the telephone.  The line was dead." (page 125) 

RECOMMENDATION

 Have you ever been scared of something you once loved? Well, Ellen has.  Ellen is a 13 year old girl who lives with her dad now because her brother and mother have both died.  Before Ellen's dad left, the Cory family came into town to open the new auditorium.  Just when things started to get worse, Ellen's dad has to leave for a business trip. While her dad is away, she meets Gerald. On the second trip for her dad, she finds out that the Cory boy, Jason , has gone missing. When everyone suspects Granny Bo, Ellen insists on not going down to Granny Bo's home and seeing if she stole Jason.  But when Ellen returns she finds the exact words on her father's notepad that were on the ransome note. She starts to wonder.  What could this mean?  Did Ellen's dad steal Jason or did someone else frame Joe and Granny Bo?  Find out and read this book!

WARNING: Some parts can be very sad,depressing, and very nerve racking.  May not be suitable for kids under the fourth grade reading level.

Book by :Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Blog by: Alexis Tucker
Genre: mystery/ suspense

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

"HOOK"
   
       "Mr.President, sir, this is Walter Wall. What a sumptuous hotel this is! The decorations are superb!'
'Have you noticed that all the carpets are wall to wall, Mr. Walter Wall?' said the president.
I have indeed, Mr. President.'
'All the wallpaper is wall to wall, too, Mr.Walter Wall.'
Yes, sir Mr. President! Isn't that something! It's going to be a real pleasure running a beautiful hotel like this! Hey! Whats going on over there? Something 's coming out of the elevators! Help!"  (page 67) 


Recommendation

Have you ever dreamed to go in outer space or ate weird chocolates that made you younger by 30 years exactly. Well you probably haven't, but Charlie and his family have. Mr. Wonka is just about to give the factory to Charlie, but a weird elevator takes them into outer space! Now, Charlie has to deal with man eating vermicious knids, the government thinking their going to bomb a flying hotel, and his grandparents being babies! Find out if Charlie can survive!

Book By: Ronald Dahl
Blog By: Joey P.
Genre: Science Fiction

Drooling and Dangerous The Riot Brothers Return

The "Hook"

"We raced downstairs, slipped on our coats, and tiptoed out the front door. Mr. Overhoser had already gone back inside.

The night air was freezing. Orville shivered. 'Poor Jonathan. We have to get him out before he turns into an ice cube.' We crept down our driveway.
'Shhh!' I stopped. 'Did you hear something?'
We crouched behind our bushes. Orville looked at the Overhoser's house. 'All clear,' he said. ... We were about to lift off the lid when a voice boomed behind us. (pages 54-55)
"' Sirty dockball!' Orville yelled. Everybody took off his or her socks, rolled them into balls, and started playing our new version of basketball. Stinky socks balls were flying! Bare feet were jumping! Arms were flailing! Kids were shouting! It was a beautiful sight. And then the door opened. A flying sock ball hit..."(pages155-156)

The Recommendation
Making riots are fun, right! If you think so, this book is right for you. The Riot Brothers, Wilbur and Orville Riot are the big time trouble makers. Each day they make up a new mission, whether it's to be spies or to just switch things around. Wilbur and Orville are the ones to go to if your looking for a good riot! They even  have Riot Brother Rules (11-15):
"11. Do not tell grown-ups how to play secret games .
12. If one person is about to get in trouble the other one must create a distraction outside the nearest window.
13. Whoever wakes up first must wake the other.
14. You have to dance and squawk like a plucked chicken every time you break a rule.
15. You can't do the same mission twice."(pages 175- 176)

So I suggest you should follow those rules...unless you want to dance and sqwauk like a plucked chicken!

Book by: Mary Amato
Blog by: Sheridan M.
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets

"Hook"

"Harry was looking at him through a misted window. But there was no mistaking him- 'Tom-Tom Riddle?' Riddle nodded, not taking his eyes off Harry's face. 'What do you mean she won't wake?' Harry said desperately.'She's not-she's not-?' 'She's still alive,' said Riddle. 'But only just.'...( page 307)

'The diary,'said Riddle.'My diary. Little Ginny's been writing in it for months and months, telling me all her pitiful worries and woes- how her brothers tease her, how she had to come to school with secondhand robes and books, how' -Riddle's eyes glinted- 'how she didn't think famous, good, great, Harry Potter would ever like her.... 'No,' Harry whispered. 'Yes,' said Riddle, calmly. 'Of course, she didn't know what she was doing at first.( pages 309 and 310)

"Dear Tom, he recited, watching Harry's horrified face, 'I think I'm losing my memory. There are rooster feathers all over my robes and I don't know how they got there. Dear Tom, I can't remember what I did on the night of Halloween, but a cat was attacked and I've got paint all down my front. Dear Tom, Percy keeps telling me I'm pale and I'm not myself. I think he suspects me... There was another attack today and I don't know where I was. Tom, what am I going to do? I think I'm going mad... I think I'm the one attacking everyone, Tom! (page 310)

He pulled Harry's wand from his pocket and began to trace it through the air, writing three shimmering words:

                                                    TOM MARVOLO RIDDLE 


Then he waved the wand once, and the letters of his name rearranged themselves....
'You see?' he whispered. (page 314)


"Dobby leaned toward Harry, his eyes wide as headlights. 'Dobby heard tell,' he said hoarsely,'That Harry Potter met the Dark Lord for a second time, just weeks ago...that Harry Potter escaped yet again.' Harry nodded and Dobby's eyes suddenly shone with tears. 'Ah, sir,' he gasped, dabbing his face with a corner of the grubby pillowcase he was wearing. 'Harry Potter is valiant and bold! He has braved so many dangers already! But Dobby has come to protect Harry Potter, to earn him, even if he does have to shut his ears in the oven door later... 'Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts!"  (pages 15 and 16)


Recommendation
          Have you ever made a decision that could change your entire life? I know someone who has, Harry Potter. Harry Potter was so excited to be going back to Hogwarts. Until he gets an unexpected visit from Dobby, a house elf. He is here to tell Harry Potter not to go back to Hogwarts, and if he does, disaster will strike.  And strike it does. Will Harry Potter be able to survive attacks, a deadly serpent, an unexpected visitor, and a diary? Or, will he have to surrender everything he's been fighting for, everything that he has grown to love. Will the most unexpected people be in trouble the most? Will Hogwarts have to shut down ...for good? You will have to read this book to find out!

Blog by: Julia C
Book by: J.K. Rowling
Genre: Fantasy

The Wednesday Wars

            "HOOK"


            "On the counter was the late edition of the Home Town Chronicle.
              And on the front page, there was an action shot-of me, Holling Hoodhood, flying high in the air across the intersection of Lee Avenue and Main Street, my legs splayed out as though I really was flying-which I guess I was. Underneath was the headline, which was this:

        Local Hero Holling Hoodhood Soars Across Intersection To Rescue Sister

You could see her in the picture, too, but mostly just her buttocks." (page 128)

  Recommendation

Have you ever had a hard time with your teacher? How about had to embarrass yourself in front of all your friends? Or, been hit by a car and got a bruise on... well you know...butt? If you said yes to any of these happenings, you probably can relate to Holling Hoodhood. Holling is a normal boy just like every other kid. It's 1967 and he's just trying to get through the seventh grade. He thinks his teacher absolutley hates him. She brings him in at lunch and reads Shakespear poems. Who reads Shakespear any more? Well, Mr. Goldman (the baker) does. He performs an embarrising play in front of all his friends. Find out if Holling can survive an embarrising play, rats falling from a ceiling, running track with bullies and most importantly, the seventh grade.

Blog By: Joey P.
Book By: Gary.D.Schmidt
Genre: Realistic Fiction and Historical Fiction

Tango

Hook:

"Miss Gustie, a prolific knitter, used her deft fingers to untangle the chilled, wet body from the trap's webbing. 'It's a pup... 'He's alive,' Miss Gustie told the onlookers, who stood in reverent silence behind her. 'He's alive,' Pircilla, the postmistress, repeated. 'It's a miracle!' Pastor MacDougal pronounced." (page 21)

"One fitful night, Tango dreamed that his sister Esperanza was gazing out of a window near the top of a red and white striped lighthouse. Tan-go... Tan-go... Esperanza called in a voice both mysterious and inviting. Keeping time with the blinking beam of light, she chanted, Without hope... without hope... nothing is... nothing is." (pages 75 and 76)

"No, Tango would be mercilessly slaughtered. 'If Rat-Boy wants his heart back, he has no choice.' Briar smirked. 'Where, exactly, is this supposedly fair fight going to take place?" (page 190)

Recommendation:
Tango is a shipwrecked Yorkshire Terrier. Found in a lobster trap on an island called Victoria By The Sea, Tango is taken in by a lonely woman named Augusta. Separated from his true family the only way to get back to them is... the heart. His I.D. Tag! Who has this you ask? A gang of rag-tag Wharf cats! The only way Tango can get his heart back is if he wins a duel. With whom? You have to find out. Will Tango be reunited with the family he loves? Or will he be trapped on this island with these strangers? Read Tango and find out!

Book by:  Eileen Beha
Blog by: Madison H.
Genre: Fiction

Mr. Poppers Penguins

The "Hook"




"He had succeeded in removing the outer boards and part of the packing, which was a layer of dry ice, when from the depths of the packing case he suddenly heard a faint 'ork'. His heart stood still. Surely he had heard



that sound before at the Drake Expedition movies. His hands were trembling so that he could scarcely lift off the last of the wrappings. There was not he slightest doubt about it. It was a penguin."(Pages17-18)









Recommendation









Do you like animals ? Especially penguins? If so, read the book Mr. Popper's Penguins. This book is about the Popper famly and their 12 silly penguins! It all starts when Mr.Popper recieves a penguin from an anartic explorer. Then, he gets sent ANOTHER penguin from an aquarium to keep thefirst one company. BOOM! The two penguins have 10 BABIES! So now , there are 12 penguins in the Popper household. To stay out of poverty, the penguins enter the show buisness. Will the penguins survive? Or wind up messing everything up? Find out by reading this book!









Blog by: Jack B.



Book by: Richard and Florence Atwater





Genre: Fantasy

"Hook"
"Luke was the first to see the great wave. It was enormous -forty-footer-curling over the side of the Phoenix like a giant hand about to crush the small ship.
He shouted 'Captain and then the monster broke. To Luke it seemed like Crack!'
The mainmast snapped like a toothpick under the weight of the thundering sea An avalanche of rope and canvas pelted down. As if in slow motion, the broken peak of the mast topled over, striking Captin Cascadden acrossed the shoulders." (page 58)
"Will! Wake up!' Will rolled over and cast a baleful eye at his sister.
' Beat it, Lyss. You're not supposed to be in here.'
'Come on!' She dragged him out of the narrow bunk. His elbow smacked Ian in the back of the head as he splashed to the deck... 'Ow!' The younger boy sat up. 'What's going on?'
'Yeah!' stormed Will. 'This better be good, Lyssa
'Radford's gone!"(page 75)
Recommendation
Do you like adventure books? Well, I have an adventure book just for you. Luke, Charla, Ian, Will, Lyssa,and JJ have to go in a program called "Charting a New Course." The program is on a boat in the Pacific Ocean. But, when the captian and his mate disappear, the kids are forced to live on the boat. One day, when Lyssa trys to get the boat started, the engine blows up. Find out if the kids can survive the gianormous explosion in Island Book:1 Shipwreck.



Blog by: Joey P. and Jack B.
Author: Gordan Korman
Genre: Adventure