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The Amazing World of Stuart by Sara Pennypacker

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The Amazing World of Stuart by Sara Pennypacker

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If you enjoy humor and like to let your imagination soar, this is the book for you!

"Stuart and his flaky family have just moved to town, and there's plenty to worry about. Stuart is very good at worrying, but not so good at waiting. Impatient for an adventure, he makes himself a cape out of a hundred old ties, and from then on, he has one preposterous adventure after another."

Mrs. Peterson
3rd Grade

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This unique book is really more of a collection of short stories, each one taking place during a different summer, but featuring the same memorable characters as they age. Each summer away from Chicago is unforgettable for different reasons.

During the years of the Great Depression, leading into World War II (1929-1942), Joey and Mary Alice are sent by their parents each summer from Chicago out to the country to visit Grandma Dowdel, who is definitely NOT your average, warm and fuzzy grandma! This Grandma tells tale tales, owns a shotgun, and thinks nothing of "bending" the rules at any time to make sure that justice is served in her small town.

Joey and Mary Alice quickly learn that Grandma Dowdel is tough as nails, but as time goes on, they begin to mature and notice that she is also very kind and caring.

I have read this book many times and it is laugh-out-loud funny in many parts, yet sometimes touching, too. The characters are memorable and wonderful, and the story paints an interesting picture of how the Depression affected Americans in different ways.

This book is best suited for older elementary and middle school readers, who might better understand the vocabulary and better appreciate Grandma Dowdel and her strange ways!

- Mr. O'Connor, Grade 5

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Lulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKay

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Lulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKay

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My daughter and I enjoyed this book over the summer.  This is the first book in the series.

Lulu is great with animals. She goes to school with her cousin and best friend, Mellie. Their teacher, Mrs. Holiday, does not care for animals.  The class takes a walk to the park one day and Lulu ends up with an egg in her possession.  What will happen at school?  Will Mellie help her?  Will Mrs. Holiday find out?  This was an enjoyable book.

Dr. Trifiatis
Kindergarten

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This book is a perfect way to learn about cultures and girl power. Every year I read the first page to the students to get them excited about "good beginnings."

"Leaving Home...forever. "Like many girls her age in India, thirteen-year-old Koly is getting married. When she discovers that the husband her parents have chosen for her is sickly boy with wicked parents, Koly wishes she could flee. According to tradition, though, she has no choice. On her wedding day, Koly's fate is sealed.What Koly never dreams of is that she will be a widow in that very same year. When her sickly husband dies, Koly is left without any rights, sentenced to a life of hunger, loneliness, and servitude to her cruel mother-in-law.Just as Koly begins to accept the hardships of her existence, her life once again takes a devastating turn. Young Koly is stranded in a city of unwanted widows who must wander the streets for hours begging for food. On the edge of starvation, Koly finds the strength and courage she needs to survive. Blending together the ancient traditions of her village life and a newfound independence, Koly learns to live for herself and pour her feelings into the beautiful art of embroidery.

-Ms. Newkirk grade 3

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When I taught fourth grade, I would read this book aloud every year! I just love this heartwarming story about the love of a family. Everyone can relate to this book. You will laugh and cry as you read about the crazy day to day life of this family of eight.
The story is told from the point of view of the oldest son, Cliff. He talks about how difficult it is to be the oldest. You get to know all five of his younger siblings.
This is a must read.

Mrs. Giannattasio
Kindergarten

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Walk Two Moons (Or anything by Sharon Creech

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Walk Two Moons (Or anything by Sharon Creech

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I just adore Sharon Creech as an author! Walk Two Moons is a particular favorite, but I also love The Wanderer, Ruby Holler, Granny Torrelli Makes Soup, Love That Dog, Hate That Cat, Absolutely Normal Chaos and every other one!

I especially loved Walk Two Moons, because it had a very unexpected plot twist toward the end of the book. Sharon Creech really has a way of teaching us about life by looking at characters who might seem different from us, but whose traits we can recognize in ourselves.

Sharon Creech writes books that allow her readers to grow in empathy and understanding for the human experience.

-- Mrs. Watson, Fifth Grade

YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!

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The Lemonade War (The Lemonade War Series) by Jacqueline Davies

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The Lemonade War (The Lemonade War Series) by Jacqueline Davies

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I'm currently reading this book with my son (first grader) for his school's program called, "One School, One Book".  We are enjoying it together and thinking math while we read!

Fourth-grader Evan Treski is people-smart. He’s good at talking with people, even grownups. His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math-smart, but not especially good with people. So when the siblings’ lemonade stand war begins, there really is no telling who will win—or even if their fight will ever end. Brimming with savvy marketing tips for making money at any business, definitions of business terms, charts, diagrams, and even math problems in this funny book!

-Mrs. Mittelstadt :-)
First Grade

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The Clementine series is one of my favorites to read aloud to my class every year.

Clementine is named after a fruit which she does NOT like!  So she gives her little brother vegetable names in every chapter like Potato, Broccoli, and Onion.

The Clementine series deals with problems all kids have at school, with friends, and in their families.

There are 7 books in the series for you to enjoy!

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By Johanna Spyri, this was my favorite book as a child. I can still remember phrases from the book describing grandfather and the mountains and his cheese and goat milk! Heartwarming story! I still have an original copy! Sharon Amato

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This is the most recent of Ms. Giff's books, published this year. She uses her experience as a child growing up on Long Island during WW II to create wonderful historical novels from a child's perspective. In Genevieve's War, she writes a beautiful narrative of a child who spent a summer in France with her grandmother, and how the war  changed their lives and their relationship. It illustrates  how your thoughts about another person can change if you are open to the best in others. This would be a great book for 3-5th graders.
- Mrs. Viesto

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This is a wonderful story about the power of our words. The animals in the savanna are unkind to Pinduli because she looks different. Pinduli devises a clever plan to teach the others that our differences are what make us stronger. I love this book not only because of its message, but because of the beautiful illustrations and the way in which Janell uses her words to paint a picture. -Ms. Ulreich, Assistant Principal

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Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

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Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

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Perfect for all ages, Shel Silverstein's poems are creative, silly and sometimes serious, too! One of my absolute favorite books when I was an Ox Ridger!  Read them to your child or enjoy them yourself!
-Mrs. Henry, Kindergarten

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Serenity, New Mexico seem like the perfect town for Eli and his friends to grow up in. No crime, no lying, no fighting. No one would ever want to leave. But one day Eli and his friends decide to take a bike ride out of town to explore. Something crazy happens that no one expects and it has Eli and his friends questioning everything, from what happened that day, to who their parents really are. But more importantly, who are they?  What seems like a perfect town is far from perfect.  This book had me turning pages from the get go.  I couldn't wait to find out why the town was so strange, and where these 30 kids really came from!  Grades 3-6; Reading level R.
-Mrs. Tabaka, LMS