Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King

• Genre:  Fantasy/Ecological Mystery
• Grade Level: 3rd - 7th 
• Reading Level: 
• Length: 256 pages
• Publisher:  Arthur A. Levine Books (January 31, 2017)
• My Rating: 4 out of 4
• Readability: Great story, lots of ecological facts and a little mystery/fantasy
• Summary:
  Obe Devlin spends a lot of his time cleaning up the creek that runs through what little is left of his family's once extensive farmland, and worrying about what the developers are doing nearby, and the pollution it is causing--but one day he finds a strange creature by his creek that eats plastic, and soon the animal he calls Marvin Gardens becomes his personal secret, which he believes needs to be protected from pretty much everybody.
• Division 1 and Crossover

This book begs to be a spring read aloud for upper elementary teachers. The focus is on saving our earth from pollution and destruction by the hands of humans who are not taking care of our earth. There are also lots of family dynamics and growing up issues to discuss throughout the story line.

Obe Devlin, an eleven year old, spends lots of his free time picking up garbage along the creek of their rural home. However, land developers have purchased most of the land and are developing the area into a complex of homes. In the past, the Devlin family owned all the land but it was lost because of the grandfather's alcoholism and spendthrift ways.  As Obe is wondering, he discovers a dog/pig like animal that eats plastic. As he spends time with the animal he even names him Marvin Gardens after a place in his father's favorite game of Monopoly. Obe finds that Marvin Gardens has toxic poop which is burning holes into the ground and on the shoes of anyone who walks in it.  The boys in the development housing blame Obe. So, Obe turns to his favorite science teacher for help. 

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

• Genre:  Fantasy
• Grade Level: 4th - 6th 
• Reading Level: 4.8
• Length: 304 pages
• Publisher:  Dial Books (June 2, 2015)
• My Rating: 5 out of 4
• Readability: Great story, hard to put down. 
• Summary:
  "When he realizes that his grandfather's stories of an enchanted circus are true, Micah Tuttle sets out to find the mysterious Circus Mirandus--and to use its magic to save his grandfather's life"--
• Division 1 and Crossover

Micah Tuttle lives with his grandfather as his parents have died in a car accident. His grandfather is dying and his great aunt comes to live with them to help out. She is the character who is mean and hard-hearted and gets no sympathy from the reader. MIcah knows of the stories of a magic circus his grandfather visited as a boy. His grandfather has a saved wish to be granted by the circus and Micah believes it is to save his grandfather's life. Micah sets out to get this accomplished. 

This book is not the type of story I am drawn to.  I tend to lean toward liking realistic fiction. So, this book has not made it to my pile until this past week. I found this book hard to put down and totally engrossing! The characters were wonderful. The story was surprising and the lessons were wonderful. 

I highly recommend this book.  The illustrations between chapters were stunning.  I looked forward to them.  I can see this as a great movie someday!

The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla

• Genre:  Realistic Fiction/Adventure
• Grade Level: 4th - 7th 
• Reading Level: 
• Length: 336 pages
• Publisher:  Harper Collins (January 24, 2017)
• My Rating: 5 out of 4
• Readability: Great story, hard to put down. 
• Summary:
  Charlie, twelve, who has autism and obsessive compulsive disorder, must endure a cross-country trip with his siblings and a strange babysitter to visit their father, who will undergo brain surgery.
• Division 2 and Crossover

This is a new favorite book of mine!  You will fall in love with Charlie and his family as they go on a cross country trip in a RV and stop along the way to explore the USA, search for birds, and make the best out of a difficult situation. The characters are great and very likable. Charlie is a twelve year old who has autism and OCD which makes a wacky trip in close quarters with his family a great challenge. Busy twin brothers, a boy crazy teenage sister, a strange babysitter, and a three legged dog are all part of this great adventure.  It is a story about facing challenges and getting through difficulties in your life. 

Connect the Stars by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague

• Genre:  Adventure
• Grade Level: 3rd - 7th 
• Reading Level: 5.3 (11 pts)
• Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 22, 2015)
• My Rating: 5 out of 4
• Readability: Great story, easy to read, hard to put down. 
• Division 2 and Crossover

Audrey is a 13 year old girl who can tell when people are lying. This causes lots of issues for her and she has basically made herself a hermit and stays away from people in order to not be hurt.  Aaron has the ability to remember everything he reads or hears and is always spouting out facts and information but has not been able to deal with feelings and emotions. He gets into trouble for being a know it all. The main characters are told in alternately chapters in the book.  Marisa writes about Audrey and David writes about David. 

Both kids are offered the chance to go to an adventure camp in the dessert of Texas where 16 kids and a leader spend 6 weeks learning to survive, camp, and spend some renewal time. The kids are giving different tasks to accomplish which test them. They are broken up into groups of four and Audrey and Davis are joined by Louis  and Kate who also have their own personal difficulties they are working through. The problems they face throughout the camp involve personality conflict, internal conflict, survival and a mystery to solve. They mystery is slight compared to the adventure and coming of age story. 

This is a great story full of great characters which you will root for and learn to love.  It is funny, adventurous, mysterious, and heart tugging.  What is not to love!  I recommend it highly. 

Matylda, Bright & Tender by Holly M. McGhee

• Genre:  Realistic Fiction
• Grade Level: 3rd - 7th 
• Reading Level: 4th
• Length: 224 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (March 14, 2017)
• My Rating: 4 out of 4
• Readability:  Loved the beautiful writing style, slows in the middle, great conclusion
• Division 1 and Crossover

This book is a friendship story of a girl and a boy who have such a beautiful and loving bond. They are best friends and in fourth grade decide that they need a pet to love.. A spotted lizard is their new pet. The story is told from the point of view of Sussy, the girl. She realizes that Guy is much better at caring for Matylda, their new pet, but she wants to learn to be as competent. Then, a tragedy happens and Sussy is left alone to deal with  grief and  loss. 

My Girl and Bridge to Terabithia come to mind when I read this book. I also thought Newbery potential!

It is sad but a beautiful story of working through tough situations. Family and friends are supportive and helpful. Sussy, however, has the most to deal with.  The story slowed a bit for me in the middle as Sussy dealt with trying to care for her lizard, but the conclusion was satisfying.  I recommend this book!

Like Magic by Elaine Vickers

• Genre:  Realistic Fiction/Touch of Magic
• Grade Level: 4th - 6th 
• Reading Level: 5th
• Length: 272 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (October 18, 2016)
• My Rating: 3 out of 4
• Readability:  Sometimes confusing, lots of things to look up for background knowledge!
• Division 1 and Crossover

This is a sweet story of three girls searching for friendship one summer. Each girl deals with her own problems and has her own talents. They all visit the library in Salt Lake City and a librarian points out a mysterious friendship box that they can take and return with something placed in the box.  This box is what ties the three characters together at the end.  I looked up the library, and it looks like a place to visit! The librarian reminds me of a magical character who helps the girls find their way. 

In this book, one girl is an artist and different artists are discussed. I looked them up and learned something new! She struggles with not having her mother in her life. Another girl is a musician and again I listened to some of the music mentioned.  She is nervous that her family is changing with the birth of a new baby. Finally another girl is a writer and again, there were some things I looked up. She is painfully shy and has trouble speaking out loud to people.  

I think this book will appeal to many girls for the cover and title alone. Is is a great story even though I did get lost at times with the back and forth of the box ownership.  This book will be further enhanced if you look of the places and art, music, and writing that is mentioned. 

Spaced Out by Stuart Gibbs

• Genre:  Science Fiction/Mystery
• Grade Level: 5th - 8th
• Reading Level: 5.2  (10.0 pts.
• Length: 353 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (April 5, 2016)
• My Rating: 4 out of 4
• Readability:  A sequel to Space Case (A Moon Base Alpha Novel). Fun and fast to read!
• Division 2 and Crossover

I liked Space Case so much that I read the sequel immediately.  I normally do not continue a series when reading for my library kids.  I like to get the idea and then move on to another series. However, I loved the mystery and the science fiction genre smashing.  Genre smashing is what I call two or more genres in one book.  Science Fiction and Mystery along with a lot of humor makes this a type of cozy mystery I love to read in my adult reading.  Nothing too horrific!

In this book, Dash is trying to figure out what happened to Nina the space commander when she suddenly disappears.  We also find that the rich space tourists, the Sjobergs, are up to something as well. It is so much fun to imagine living on the moon and a future life very different than on earth.  I look forward to more in the series!

I love this book review by a young student. She probably has a future career in publishing!

 

Word of Mouse by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

• Genre:  Fantasy/Animal Story
• Grade Level: 3rd - 7th
• Reading Level: 4.5  (5.0 pts)
• Length: 304 pages 
• Publisher: jimmy patterson (December 12, 2016)
• My Rating: 4 out of 4
• Readability:  Fun, Fast, and Easy to Read!   Great pictures, short chapters, wonderful writing.
• Division 1 and Crossover

This book is well written and a wonderful story.  It is written by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein who are some of the best authors in the literary world.  It is also features wonderful illustrations by Joe Sutphin. I highly recommend this book to readers and it would also be a great read aloud. 

Isaiah is a blue mouse who was raised in a test laboratory and can read, type, and is exceptionally smart. He will also probably live much longer than regular mice due to the way he was experimented on. The story opens with Isaiah escaping from the lab, however, the rest of his family or "mischief" of mice were captured from the break out.  So Isaiah has to learn how to survive out in the world. He meets a family of mice and girl who help him to go back and try and rescue his family who are still in the laboratory. 

Each chapter starts with a quote by Isaiah. It is a short saying that hints at what the chapter will be about. For example, Chapter 10:  "Hope is putting faith to work when giving up would be easier." --Isaiah.  In this short chapter Isaiah is looking for food when he hears a mouse singing and follows the song because he is so enamored by the voice. 

The pictures are adorable! Short chapters, pictures, great story, a lesson on using animals for testing, and wonderful lead character  - who could ask for more in a book for kids.  

Ivy by Katherine Coville

• Genre:  Fantasy
• Grade Level: 2nd - 4th 
• Reading Level: 3rd
• Length: 146 pages 
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (March 7, 2017)
• My Rating: 4 out of 4
• Readability:  Fun, Fast, and Easy to Read!   
• Division 1
  
  Ivy's grandmother takes care of animals in their village. She takes care of wild animals and even magical animals.  When the new queen is scheduled to come visit the village, the townspeople tell Ivy and her grandmother that they have to clean up their yard because of the mess. Except, they don't have time, especially when an griffin crash lands in their yard and a sick dragon shows up along with lots of pixies. Turns out the magical creatures are being sent away from other villages and the trolls are taking over with their mischief and mayhem. Lots of fun to read how the problems are resolved.
  
  This is another recommendation by Amazon for best book for ages 6-8 in March.  A great choice!

Hazy Bloom and the Tomorrow Power by Jennifer Hamburg

• Genre: Humorous/School Story/Touch of Fantasy
• Grade Level: 2nd - 4th 
• Reading Level: 3rd
• Length: 176 pages 
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (February 28, 2017)
• My Rating: 4 out of 4
• Readabiltiy:  Funny, Fast, and Easy Read!   
• Division 1

Hazy Bloom is a spunky 3rd grader who one day has a vision of peas flying through the air.  The next day in the cafeteria, a food fight happens and peas are involved!  After more of her visions come true, Hazy and her best friend Elizabeth decide that she has "tomorrow power" and Hazy can actually see the future. Some of her visions don't come about as she imagines they might and she gets into all kinds of trouble jumping to conclusions.  Where does this unusual talent come by? Her aunt Jenna comes to visit and perhaps Hazy has more of a connection to her than she realizes. 

This will be a fun series for elementary girls. I look forward to more books by this author. There are lots of illustrations throughout the book and diverse characters pictured. 

I got this recommendation from Amazon Editor's Best Book of March 2017 for ages 6-8.  I agree!

It Ain't So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas

• Genre:  Historical Fiction/Late 1970's
• Grade Level: 4th - 7th 
• AR Reading Level: 4.7  (10 pt)
• Length:384 pages 
• Publisher: Clarion Books (May 3, 2016)
• My Rating: 5 out of 4
• Readability:  Funny, fast and easy to read. I couldn't put it down. 
• Division: Division 2

Middle schooler Zomorod Yousefzadeh has moved to Newport Beach, CA with her Iranian family in the late 1970's.  Her father is an engineer with the oil industry and has brought his family to live in the United States. Zomorod changes her name to Cindy and does her best to integrate herself into the Californian culture.  Her parents have more difficulty. During this time, the Iran Hostage situation becomes a headline news feature and Cindy and her parents have to cope with prejudiced comments and treatment by Americans around them. 

This book is semi-autobiographical and the author writes with wit and humor. It was very entertaining to read about Cindy's experiences as an immigrant from Iran. The culture and times of the late 70's will be especially interesting to those who were children during this time.

The author explains the history of Iran and what led up to the Iranian hostage situation.  She also has lots of background videos to watch on her website that help with some of the music, history, and culture she writes about.  

Space Case by Stuart Gibb

• Genre:  Science Fiction/Mystery
• Grade Level: 3rd - 7th
• AR Reading Level: 5.3  (11 pt)
• Length:352 pages 
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers;  (September 16, 2014)
• My Rating: 5 out of 4
• Readability:  Fun, Fast and easy to read. I couldn't put it down. 
• Division: Crossover

Dash and his scientific parents and little sister were invited to live on the moon for 3 years. The year is 2040 and a small group of scientists and engineers live on the moon with their families.  They also have one very rich family who are tourists and paid 1/2 billion dollars for a 4 month vacation.  Dash explains that the conditions are crummy, the food is terrible, and he hates the experience. 

One night when he in the communal bathroom after eating a meal that didn't agree with him, he overhears one of the scientists talk about an exciting announcement for the morning.  However, the next morning the scientist is dead. Dash believes there has been foul play and tries to get someone to investigate. He is immediately shut down and sent to his room.  An  investigator from that day's rocket visit comes to his room and asks him to investigate the murder that she believes really did happen. A new girl that also arrived that day gets involved in the murder mystery as well. There is a great ending which led me to check out the second book today.  I don't usually do this!

There is a lot of comedy and dry humor on the part of Dash in this story. A few slapstick scenes are just hilarious.  I enjoyed this book very much and felt that the mystery was well thought out.  I just gave it to a fifth grade teacher to read aloud.  I did warn him about the bathroom humor which some teachers may not wish to read aloud. 

Caveboy Dave by Aaron Reynolds

• Genre:  Graphic Novel/Humor
• Grade Level: 3rd - 6th
• AR Reading Level: 2.5  (1 pt)
• Length:256 pages 
• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers (November 1, 2016)
• My Rating: 3 out of 4
• Readability:  Easy to read graphic novel for elementary kids
• Division 1
  
  Caveboy Dave needs to go on a caveman ritual to become an adult in caveman society. It is called Baby-Go-Boom ritual.  The team of four cave boys and 1 cave girl have to bring home a dangerous animal they have hunted down. Of course, this adventure has lots of slap stick comedy as they try to outwit the dangers they face.
  
  The back cover says "Imagine a prehistoric version of wimpy kid meets captain underpants." I would have to agree.  This is a good  book for the graphic novel section of the library  for elementary kids.  I don't see it having  the quality or merit for a Maud Hart Lovelace selection.

Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy by Susan Vaught

• Genre:  Realistic Fiction/Mystery
• Grade Level: 5th  - 7th
• AR Reading Level: 4.9  (7 pt)
• Length: 240 pages 
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (March 3, 2015)
• My Rating: 2 out of 4
• Readability:  Story is more complex and confusing, some reports and notebook recordings, mystery, easy for me to put down. 
• Division 2
  
  Footer Davis' mother is mentally ill and has been sent to a hospital many times for her bipolar condition.  There has been a fire in the neighboring farm where the grandfather's body was recovered, but his two grandchildren that lived with him were never found.  Footer goes with her neighboring friends to see if they can figure out what happened. As they sneak around Footer begins have hallucinations.  She wonders if she is also mentally ill like her mother.
  
  If finished the book but it was not compelling reading for me. The mystery did not seem to lead the story. They issues with the mother's illness and how if affected Footer was more predominate. 

Ruby on the Outside by Nora Raleigh Baskin

• Genre:  Realistic Fiction
• Grade Level: 4th - 6th
• AR Reading Level: 4.5  (5 pt)
• Length:176 pages 
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (June 16, 2015)
• My Rating: 4 out of 4
• Readability:  Easy to read, more of a slower, introspective and emotional story.
• Division 2 and Crossover 

Ruby is 11 years old and has lived with her aunt since she was a small. Her single mother in in jail for at least 25 years as an accomplice to murder because of being at the crime scene with her boyfriend. The summer before middle school, Ruby makes a new friend in her condo complex.  It is the first time she has had such a great friendship but she fears that her past will catch up with her if she tells her friend about her life.

This novel shares the questions and emotional problems that Ruby faces about her past, her mother's past and how she deals with having a mother in prison. 

Red Butterfly by A. L. Sonnichsen

• Genre:  Free Verse/Realistic Fiction
• Grade Level: 4th - 7th
• Reading Level: 5.1
• Length: 385 pages 
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (February 3, 2015)
• My Rating: 4 out of 4
• Readabiltiy:  Started out slow for me but was a quick read as I got into the book. 
• Division 2 and Crossover 

Kara was abandoned in China as a baby because of a deformity; she has only two stubs on one of her hands instead of fingers.  She is taken in by an American couple teaching English in China.  When they need to leave, because of  government policies, they are unable to take Kara and so the mother stays in hiding with Kara in China instead.  Years pass and they are unable to resolve the situation. When an older sister comes to China to visit and ends up in the hospital, the secrecy is found out.  Because of the parents secrecy, 11 year old Kara is sent to an orphanage for adoption instead of staying with her mother and father. Kara may end up separated from them forever. 

This book starts out slowly but I started to really enjoy the story and cheer and cry for Kara as she experiences some very difficulty situations because of her government and her handicap. It is a very inspirational story of love and a girl caught between two lives.   

 

The Flinkwater Factor by Pete Hautman

• Genre:  Science Fiction/Mystery
• Grade Level: 3rd - 6th
• AR Reading Level: 5.1 (6.0 pt.)
• Length: 256 pages  
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (September 1, 2015)
• My Rating: 5 out of 4
• Readability:  Fun, fast read
• Division 1 and Crossover

Meet Ginger Crump who lives in the town of Flinkwater, Iowa, home of the largest manufacturer of technology devices in the world.  Because of all of the very smart people who live in this town, the children are also very smart too.  Ginger is a 13 year old who finds herself in a mystery when the computer in the town start turning people into mental vegetables. She calls it being "bonked".
She recruits her best friend and genius, Billy George, to to figure out what is happening in their town.  All kinds of things turn up, including a talking dog, a sasquatch, a zombie and Agent Ffelps from Homeland Security chasing them down.

I enjoyed this story and despite the girly cover, it is a great book for both boys and girls.  Fun characters and funny situations make this book a fast read.

One Amazing Elephant by Linda Oatman High

• Genre:  Animal Story/Realistic Contemporary
• Grade Level: 4th - 6th 
• Reading Level: 4th?
• Length: 272 pages 
• Publisher: Harper Collins (February 14, 2017)
• My Rating: 5 out of 4
• Division 1 and Crossover

12 year old Lilly's grandparents and mother are circus performers.  Lilly, however, lives with her father and really doesn't care for the circus lifestyle. Her mother left years ago and has not given Lilly a maternal influence at all.  Her grandfather is also a caretaker of an elephant named Queenie Grace. Grandpa Bill dies suddenly and Lilly flies to Florida to be with the family.  The grief the family shares is also the same grief  Queenie Grace, the elephant experiences.  The alternating chapters are also from the point of view of  Queenie Grace which I always looked forward to

Lilly meets unique characters in this Florida town which is really a place where circus performers vacation during the winter.  She meets a boy who is "Alligator Boy" in the circus and they become good friends.  All of the characters interact as they deal with the loss of Grandpa Bill. . Conflict arises as they realize that the family can no longer afford to take care of Queenie Grace and she needs a new home. The estranged relationship between Lilly and her mother is also addressed. 

This book reminds me of The One and Only Ivan and Water for Elephants. The circus life is unique but family difficulties are universal.  I loved the characters and style of writing and flew through this story. I highly recommend this book.  

The Adventures of Henry Whiskers by Gigi Priebe

• Genre: Animal Story/Fantasy
• Grade Level: 2nd - 4th
• Reading Level: 3rd Grade?
• Length: 160 pages 
• Publisher: Aladdin (January 3, 2017)
• My Rating: 3 out of 4
• Division 1

The setting for this book is England in Windsor Castle in Queen Mary's Dollhouse. 25 generations of mice have lived in this very ornate and lifelike doll house. Henry Whisker's little sister is missing and he goes looking for her with his cousin Jeremy.   There is a car chase when they go into the doll house garage and borrow one of the cars.  Danger also lurks ahead as they accidentally go into the rat's territory. Of course the castle's cat is also part of this dangerous adventure.  

This is a nice book for the beginning chapter book reader.  It is probably too simple for the 3rd-5th grade reader for Division 1.  I chose to read this book because it was an Amazon best book of the month for January 2017.  I got a little bored with the story and give it a 3 out of 4 rating.