Bookworm Buzz

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of the best books I have read this year, really, really amazing.  A must read for parents, teachers, principals,  high school,  and middle school students. It is a challenge for many new 4th graders, but would probably be o.k. for spring 4th graders.  I have my friend, Mrs. Landrigan, to thank for recommending this book to me.  I laughed, I cried, I couldn't stop reading, and finished it in one day!!!!  The book begins with a quote from one of my favorite Natalie Merchant songs and held my interest until the last word.  I kept wanting more, and these characters will stay with me for a while. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author told the story from the point of view of the different characters, it helped me get a unique perspective on the story.  Don't miss out on one of the best books of the year, put it on your summer reading list, if you can wait that long!!


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Bookworm Buzz

Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Another installment in the Lunch Lady Series.  A bit far fetched, even for Lunch Lady fans.  The Boston accent on the "custodian," wasn't funny, in fact it was a bit disrespectful.  The fact that the characters didn't want to be on the "math team," because it was just for nerds was also disappointing.  Perhaps I missed the author's point here.  Being on a math team is very cool, and I think Krosoczka tried to make that point at the end, but by that point I had lost interest in the story.  Hopefully the next Lunch Lady will be as good as #6, Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco.


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Bookworm Buzz

The Battling Bands by Frank Cammuso
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Not my favorite, but it was o.k. A little difficult to follow, especially if you haven't read the first two books.  Just right for 4th graders, butI recommend reading the series in order to understand the characters.


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Bookwoorm Buzz

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another great historical fiction to add to your list!  This book is a bit of a challenge for most 4th graders due to some of the themes and lack of background knowledge in reference to the historical references.  I loved the relationship between the sisters and their unique personalities.  Their relationship with Cecile, their poet mother, is definitely talk worthy.  My middle school friends should definitely give this book a try.


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A Big Bite

What a week it was in room 23!  The rain on Monday helped us get right back into the swing of things for the last big push of 4th grade.  In eight weeks you will be 5th graders!  We finished chapter 10 in math, learned more about wild weather events and the Midwest region of the United States.  We organized our books bags, and wrote more poetry.  On Thursday we celebrated Poem in your Pocket day, and Shane read The Pasture, by Robert Frost, on the announcements in the morning.  The highlight of our week was the  Hopi Program from the Haffenreffer Museum at Brown University!  Mrs. Silvia was our anthropologist for for our trip to the Hopi reservation. The pictures above show just some of the highlights from this program.  We learned about the history and culture of the Hopi people and were able to participate in some Hopi customs, like the naming ceremony, and the  butterfly dance. We ground corn and made pinch pots.  Everyone had an opportunity to hold the artifacts from the museum.  It was one of the best "virtual field trips," we have ever had.  Thanks to the PCC for providing us with this great opportunity.  Next week, Ms. Liz, the JFK poet in residence will be with us to guide us on our poetry journey this year.  I can't wait for everyone to meet her, she is so cool!

Poetry Please!

Another wonderful poem, this one is by Cate.  She used her Douglas Florian painting as her muse.

Sunset Over the Meadow

By:Cate 

(inspired by Robert Frost)

Whose Meadow this is

I think I know

He lives in our village though

Where the grass won’t grow

The grass is soft here

And feels of silk

The flowers are blooming

Different colors are flowing

Turquoise, violet and pinks glowing

All these are flowing

But I must pass because…..

I have miles to go before I sleep

And miles to go before

I

Sleep

Bookworm Buzz

Grown-Ups Are Dumb! by Alexa Kitchen

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

4th graders will enjoy this book and some of the silly stories by 10 year old Alexa Kithche, but will quickly realize that they are JUST AS TALENTED as the authoress herself. You too can be a cartoonist, just stay motivated and keep working!

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