20 Book Summaries by Laura Christie https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20 Mrs. Christie en-us 2017-08-18 11:22:16 UTC 2025-04-24 07:01:57 UTC hello@padlet.com Somebody Wanted Anchor Chart lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/181600827 Use this format for your summaries of your books. Try to make us want to read it but don’t spoil the end. Turn the “then” into a question. For example if the story has a character in a tornado you could ask, “Will John find his family safe in the end?” Books leave us with questions so that is a good book summary strategy.]]> 2017-08-18 11:25:40 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/181600827 Somebody Wanted Something, But So... Then what? lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/181600979 Strategy for Summarizing Text]]> 2017-08-18 11:27:42 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/181600979 Mrs. Christie's Book Challenge Padlet Example lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/181604750 Use my example to see how to set yours up.]]> 2017-08-18 12:09:45 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/181604750 Zathura-Space Adventure lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/182060693 I rate this read a 3 1/2 stars. The adventure the boys are on draws in the reader and I like the lesson that Walter learns to make him a better brother.

Danny and Walter are brothers who don't get along. Danny wants to play the space game he found. Danny faces problems in the game. He deals with a hole in the ceiling, meteors, a robot, and a pirate alien. Walter and Danny know they have to play together to end the game. The game put the boys back in time. Walter says not to play the game and the boys go off together to play catch.

My favorite part is how the author had only Walter remember the game, because he was the character that needed to change his attitude.]]> 2017-08-22 12:33:59 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/182060693 Wish by Barbara O'Connor lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/184703944 I rate this book 4 stars.  It is the third book that I have read by this author, and I liked it better than her other books.

Charlie Reese just moved in with her Aunt Bertha and her Uncle Gus in North Carolina. Charlie spends all day, every day making wishes and the reader does not get to know exactly what they are. Unfortunately, Charlie is having a difficult time in her life.  Her father is in prison for his bad behavior.  Her mother is depressed and doesn't get out of bed, so Child Protective Services have removed Charlie from her mother's care.  Charlie's older sister, a senior in high school, is living with her friend.  Charlie is forced to live with family she had not met before in a small town. To help Charlie get better, her aunt and uncle are supportive and loving.  Charlie makes a great friend, Howard.  Charlie is starting to enjoy having a loving place to live.  Will she have to go back to her mom?
My favorite part is when Charlie finds a stray dog, Wishbone, and makes him her pet.

]]> 2017-09-05 12:15:06 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/184703944 Save Me A Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/184820551 I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.  It is a great book for kids to see how they are similar when they think they are not.

Ravi just moved to America from India, and he is trying to figure out his new school.  Joe finds school difficult and has an auditory processing disability. Both boys are being bullied by Dillon. Dillon steals pencils from Ravi and makes fun of his food that he brings for lunch.  Dillon calls Ravi "Curryhead" because he doesn't think Ravi smells good.  Joe is also picked on by Dillon.  Dillon makes it seem like Joe tripped Ravi.  Dillon calls Joe "Pud" or "Puddy" and makes fun of Joe's weight.  Dillon picks on everyone around him.  It takes time for Ravi and Joe to realized that they have the same problem.  Can they help each other?

My favorite moment is when Ravi's grandpa talks to him and shares about his childhood when he wanted to quit.  Ravi learns from his grandpa's story and it makes him want to keep trying.]]> 2017-09-05 16:16:03 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/184820551 The Genius Files by Dan Gutman lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/193410631 I rate this book 4 stars, because it is full of action.
Coke and Pepsi are twins who are about to turn 13. School is about to be out and the twins are looking forward to summer and having fun. People are chasing after Coke and Pepsi because they are on The Genius Files list.  They are trying to go on a summer trip, but they are being chased by people who want to kill them. Coke and Pep receive ciphers that lead them to the House on the Rock.  Both twins want answers, so they go there. When they get to the Infinity Room, they learn that Dr. Warsaw is the bad guy.
My favorite part is when one of the Bowler dudes gets stuck in the big vat of SPAM.  I can't imagine how bad you would smell when you got out of that mess.  It was also funny because Pep went wild.]]> 2017-10-03 13:29:07 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/193410631 First Quarter lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/193426867 2017-10-03 13:54:24 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/193426867 Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/212281438 I rate this book a 5 out of 5, because it really grabs your attention. It is neat that the author creates historical fiction that then becomes a fantasy. She brings the history to life.

Little Hawk is the main character and he is a Native American getting ready to go on his winter survival quest.He wants to become a man and find his Manitou, spirit guide.Little Hawk did survive the winter, but he had to face and kill a wolf. When he returned home, his village had almost all died of Yellow Fever.  Just his grandmother was alive. Little Hawk and a few others join neighboring tribes that also survived to form a new group. Little Hawk meets John, a settler, and they become friends.  Later, John needs help to save his father and calls to Little Hawk. Unfortunately, Little Hawk gets murdered and becomes a ghost that communicates and follows John. Tensions were growing between the Native Americans and the settlers, which led to war.  John is also murdered, but Ghost Hawk remains watching the same area over time.

My favorite part is when Rachel helps release Ghost Hawk in the end.  She gently guides him to move on because she can tell he is tired and needs to go.  Ghost Hawk had to stay around for hundreds of years, and I am glad Rachel was there to free him.]]> 2017-12-01 14:47:05 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/212281438 Jake by Audrey Couloumbis lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/217216451 I rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars because Jake is a believable story.
Jake is the main character and he lives in Baltimore with just his mom. Jake really wants a bicycle for Christmas, and he is not sure that his mom will get him one. Jake's mom doesn't like bicycles after Jake's dad died, because a truck hit him while riding his bike. Jake and his mom go shopping, and his mom slips in the parking lot and breaks her leg badly. Grandpa, who he never sees, comes to take care of Jake while his mom is in the hospital.  It is hard on Jake because he is not close with his grandpa. By the end, Jake has a better relationship with his grandpa, mom is out of the hospital, and he gets a bike.
My favorite part of Jake is the scene where Jake and his Grandpa go to the YMCA to go swimming. I like how Jake tries something that he is afraid of, and then it makes him brave enough to ask Grandpa why he did not visit them. It was a conversation that they both needed to have with each other.]]> 2017-12-19 13:05:47 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/217216451 The Harlem Charade by Natasha Tarpley lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/221752591 I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because you watch kids uncover missing art from Henriette Drummond.  They also save buildings and businesses from the Councilman's plan.

Jin, Alex, and Elvin are seventh graders who meet because of a mystery of missing art in Harlem. First, Alex, Jin, and Elvin want to figure out who hurt Elvin's grandfather in the park. Then the group wants to find the missing paintings made by Drummond to save Harlem from the mayor's project. The mayor has a group of guys working to find the paintings before anyone else does, and they are willing to go to any lengths to do it. The kids were motivated to find the paintings even if they were in danger. The main characters found the paintings behind a fireplace, but the criminals tried to steal them. Fortunately, the police showed up and they were arrested. Six months later, a new exhibit was created at the museum in their honor.
My favorite part is when Alex is at the museum during the fundraiser for the mayor. I like how she spies on the bad guys, and learns who they are and how to stop them.]]> 2018-01-16 15:47:03 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/221752591 Powerless by Matthew Cody lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/229540511 I rate this book 5 out of five stars because I love the suspense.
Daniel and his family have to move to Noble's Green because Gram is sick. Daniel wants to beat the Shroud and allow his friends to keep their super powers past their 13th birthday. They learned the Shroud was a dark creature that came and took powers, but they did not know if it was Herman Plunkett or Eric? The supers gather to battle the Shroud at the old quarry. The story end with a question, Will Daniel use the ring he received from the Shroud?

My favorite of the book is when Georgie, Daniel's little brother, has powers in the end. I think it is funny to think about a two-year-old with super strength.]]> 2018-02-08 13:18:57 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/229540511 Sharing a Summary for a Nonfiction Book lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/276865686 You can read fiction and nonfiction. Here’s a quick summary pattern for nonfiction. Make sure to add a rating. Then fill in the “hand” facts. Finally close with your favorite new learning.]]> 2018-08-31 12:35:18 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/276865686 I Am Not a Number lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/386595381 I rate this book a 5 out 5 stars, because the story needed to be told. People need to understand how the First Nation children were treated.

Irene Couchie is the main character and she is a Native American girl. Irene lived on a reserve with a loving family. Irene was taken from her family to live at a residential school.  The school was harsh. She was forced to cut her hair, stop speaking her language, and was abused by a nun.The kids are allowed to return home to their families for the summer.  When Irene is home, she shares of the abuse with her parents. Her father decides that he will hide the kids from the Indian agent and not allow them to return to the school. The kids hide and are not taken by the agent, but as the reader worries about how they will be able to continue to hide.

My favorite part of the book is that the Indian agent leaves without taking the children. I also appreciate the nonfiction section because it teaches the history of over a century of this terrible law. My eyes are opened to the injustice of this treatment of First Nation people.]]> 2019-09-19 13:54:19 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/386595381 Unbreakable Code lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/393038855 I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars because it shows the value of the Navajo tribe during WWII.

John and his grandfather are having a talk.  John is going to have to move to Minnesota and he doesn't want to go. Grandpa wants to teach him about his tribal heritage.  Grandpa tells the story of the Navajo code talkers during WWII. He explains how their language was used as code. The code talkers faced battle but played a big part in the success of WWII for America, "Mother Country." At the end of the talk, John is proud of his grandfather and the Navajo. He believes he can do anything.

My favorite part of the story is when John realizes that he grandfather was a hero. It makes him proud of his culture.

]]> 2019-10-03 14:21:39 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/393038855 Front Desk lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/403865036 I rate this read 5 out of 5 stars because it shows the power of the American Dream.

The main character is Mia Tang who is a Chinese immigrant working at the front desk of a motel with her parents. The Tang family hopes to work hard and have a better life in America. Mr. Yao, the owner of the Calivista Motel, is a terrible boss who barely pays the family and is rude. The Tang family helps immigrants by giving them a free night stay when they need help. They are hiding this from Mr. Yao. The book also deals with racism and a “stolen” car. Mia tries unsuccessfully to win a motel through an essay contest. Mia comes up with a plan to buy the Calivista from Mr. Yao by pooling money from many people. Will her plan work?

My favorite part was when Lupe, Mia’s new friend, learn the truth about each other’s lives. I liked this part because they needed a friend and they needed to be honest.]]> 2019-10-29 13:50:55 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/403865036 Bridge Home lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/455068178 I rate this 4 out of 4 stars because it made my heart feel a lot of emotions. 

Viji and Rukku are sisters who ran away in India. The girls wanted to escape the abuse of their father. They had no where to go and they did not have real shelter. They also worried about being enslaved. They met Muthi and Arul who helped them work in trash heaps. Rukku got sick and Viji had to sell the dog for money.  Viji and the boys end up going to the safe home for kids. Viji has to deal with her grief, but she decides to write her story.  

My favorite part is when Rukku makes a lot of money from selling her bead necklaces and buys the green balloon. ]]> 2020-03-05 14:29:36 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/455068178 No Talking lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/506976172 I rate this book 5 out of 5 because it was funny. I like when author's write books that are humorous.
 
 Dave read a book on Mahatma Gandhi and how he would stay quiet for one whole day. Dave thought that it would be a good idea to stay quiet and he did for four hours even though he has a presentation to give. At lunch, he heard Lindsay talking and asked why she talked so much. That’s where it all began! Dave and Lindsay made a challenge where all the fifth-grade boys and girls could not talk more than three words in response to an adult for two full days. If they said more words, they were counted as “illegal words” On the first day, the teachers were confused. They had suddenly all stopped talking. Some of the teachers adapted well to it; others not as great. The principal had an assembly where they were told to stop with the challenge, but of course, they did not. The principal was getting more frustrated, so one day during lunch she got a little angry at Dave. Dave got called to the principal's office where he offered the principal to join in the challenge. The principal excepted and then the whole school was in the no talking challenge-even the teachers. Who would win the no talking challenge the boys or the girls? Does it matter in the end?
 
 My favorite part of the book was when the whole school joined the challenge. It was amazing to see kids lead a movement across the whole school. However, I also liked when the teachers realized the kids were not talking on purpose. They each responded differently. Some liked it and others got mad. I like to think I would find it funny!]]> 2020-04-14 17:39:36 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/506976172 Flipped lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/508489574 I rate this book 5 out of 5 because I like the way the story goes back and forth between two characters.  Point of view changes are fun to see the same events through a different person's experience.

At the beginning of the story, Julie moves in across the street from Bryce.  Julie wants to be close friends with Bryce, but he finds her annoying.  Bryce attempts to avoid Julie as much as possible.  Julie goes out of her way to be kind to Bryce and his family.  She gives him eggs from her chickens for free, but Bryce and his family throw them away.  Later when Julie learns about her favorite tree being cut down, Bryce starts to notice Julie in a different way. Julie really wants to save the tree.  She also works hard to improve her yard with the help of Bryce's grandfather. However, by eighth grade Julie is angry with Bryce and does not even want to talk to him.  Will Bryce be able to regain Julie's trust and friendship? Does Julie start to see Bryce as she used to before?

My favorite part of the story is when Chet, Bryce's grandfather, works with Julie to improve her yard. I liked this because Chet felt like he had purpose and Julie made a difference and felt heard.]]> 2020-04-15 13:37:22 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/508489574 The Fourteenth Goldfish lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/662158007 Summary example using Adobe Spark. You can see all the Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then... elements in my video. Can try this out if you would rather make your summary this way. ]]> 2020-07-24 23:38:43 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/662158007 The House that Jane Built lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/696866213 I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because the book taught me about a real person who made a difference. Jane cared deeply about people and gave her energy to helping change a community.

Jane Addams lived in a town and noticed that not everyone lived like her family. Jane wanted an education and to help others. Jane wanted to build a settlement house in Chicago. She looked for a big house to improve to use for others. Helen, the owner of the house, gave it to her for free. She fed people and gave the neighborhood kids something to do. She helped to create jobs for others. Eventually, there were 13 buildings to help the community. It got 9,000 visitors a week.

My favorite part of the book was when you learn that Helen donated the house to Jane.  The donation meant that she could make her dream of helping others happen.
]]> 2020-08-25 11:46:53 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/696866213 The Three Questions lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/787527057 I rate this book a 3 1/2 out of 4 stars because the boy does not get his answers right away.
Nikolai wanted to know the right way to act. He wanted Leo, the wise turtle, to answer his questions. The boy found a panda who was injured. He took care of them. He still doesn't know the answers, but the turtle tells him he answered them himself.  The turtle explains that he was present with him in the garden,  with the pandas, so the most important ones are the ones we are with in each moment.

My favorite part is when he cares for the baby panda, because the baby's mother was injured. It was the right thing to do.]]> 2020-09-29 12:39:44 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/787527057 Hello, Universe lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/1682892229 I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars, because there are multiple characters that support the story. You wait as a reader for the characters to all come together.

There are several middle school kids that are ready to enjoy their first day of summer. Virgil wants to talk to Valencia, who is deaf, but he is too shy to talk to her. Kaori tries to make money being a psychic and wants to tell Virgil's future. The problem is that Virgil gets stopped by Chet Bullens, the grade level bully, on his way to meet Kaori. Chet pushes him in an old well, and Virgil is stuck.  He has his guinea pig with and is waiting for help to come. Virgil hears stories in his head while he tries to stay calm.  Will help arrive?  Who will find him?

My favorite scene is when you realize why Chet is as mean as he is to others. It makes you realize that everyone has a story and it helps to know what causes someone to be a bully, even though it does not make you like him as a reader.]]> 2021-08-17 21:36:36 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/1682892229 Nine, Ten lchristie2 https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/1705138329 2021-08-30 18:22:48 UTC https://padlet.com/lchristie2/student20/wish/1705138329