Bookworm Buzz

Dear Reader,

I hope that you have continued reading and have found some great books that you love and want to share with other readers. I have a few that I want to share with you. Poetry is one of my favorite genres, and Patricia MacLachlan's new book, Word After Word After Word combines poetry and prose together to tell the story of five friends and their experiences with a Poet who comes to visit their classroom. Sound familiar? I kept making connections to our poet, Ms. Liz. This is a short read which is just right for fourth graders, and I know that you will just love it! Another book, written in free verse poetry is Locomotion, by Jacqueline Woodson. This book will be o.k. for many of you, but may be a someday book for some of you. Older siblings will enjoy this book. This story is about Lonnie Collins Motion and his sister Lili, who have to live with different foster families after their parents die unexpectedly in a house fire. Lonnie's teacher helps him deal with his feelings by writing poetry. This book was a National Book Award Finalist and the sequel, Peace, Locomotion comes out in paperback at the end of July. I loved this book too and can't wait to read the sequel.

Andrew Clements has started a new series called Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School. This book is a mystery/adventure that takes place in Massachusetts near the ocean. This book is filled with action and suspense from the first chapter until the last. Benjamin and his friends have to keep their school from being destroyed to make way for an amusement park, and there are some unsavory adult characters that they have to deal with. Book 2 in the series will be coming out in January of 2011. This book is just right for end of the year fourth graders as there are many vocabulary words that deal with sailing, and require good reading stamina in order for the story to make sense. If you read it, let me know what you think.

Graphic Novels are also a favorite genre of mine. The Summer Vacation From the Black Lagoon, by Mike Thaler, is a quick read and just right for all fourth graders. This book follows Hubie as he begins his summer vacation and the many adventures he has before the new school year begins. Those of you who are avid Black Lagoon fans with enjoy this book, and those of you looking for some quick laughs will enjoy it too. Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown by Jarrett J. Krosocka, is the latest in the Lunch Lady series. This graphic novel tells the story of the Lunch Ladies and the Breakfast Bunch kids and their adventures with the mysterious swamp monster who haunts their summer camp. This book is just right for fourth graders. Those of you who have been following this series as devoted fans may be a little disappointed with this book. It is my least favorite so far because it doesn't have the same easy flow and creativity as the other books in the series. Basically, it just didn't keep my interest like all of the other books. Krosoczka is a talented writer and I will keep up with the series, but I thought it was important to let you know that this just wasn't one of my favorites. If you feel differently after reading it, let me know. I would love to hear what you think about this book.

Today I am starting a new graphic novel called, Ghostopolis, by Doug Tennapel. I can't wait to get started! Look for my review later in the week.

Read on, readers!

Love,

Mrs. W