Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett (mystery - grades 6 -8)
Petra and Calder, sixth graders, find unusual coincidences and events that lead them to the center of an art scandal. A priceless painting by Jan Vermeer is missing and the thief is demanding that the art world take a closer look at paintings that may be forgeries. Petra and Calder follow clues and their powers of intuition to try and solve the crime. The book includes codes, pantominoes, and puzzles in the illustrations for those students that enjoy puzzle solving. It is an interesting book that keeps you entertained from beginning to end.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Book Reviews
Here are some new reviews of books that I recently read. Feel free to post comments if you read the books or if they sound like something you would like to read.
Vive La Paris - by Esme Raji Codell
fiction - grades 5 -8
Paris McCray is an African American girl in 5th grade that is taking piano lessons with Mrs. Rosen, a holocaust survivor. Mrs. Rosen teaches Paris about France and offers her unsolicited advice. Paris also learns about the bully in her brother's life and other bullies in the world. Paris misunderstands Mrs. Rosen when she explains that she had to wear a yellow star and had numbers tattooed on her arm. Paris thinks she was in some kind of "club" or "gang". Paris learns about the holocaust and is overwhelmed. Now she knows what people are capable of and it affects her deeply. The dialect of the characters are true to form and yiddish expressions are sprinkled throughout the story. It is an enjoyable book to read but deals with very serious issues.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 - by Christopher Paul Curtis
historical fiction - grades 4 - 7
Newbery Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Award
This is a humorous and well written book about an African American family. It is told from the viewpoint of Kenny, a 4th grader explaining some of the antics in school and with his brother and sister. The family travels in their big old car from Flint, Michigan to visit Grandma in Birmingham, Alabama. As historical fiction, the book offers a glimpse into what life was like for African Americans in 1963. They are there during the church bombing and experience one of the tragic moments in American history. This book is written with the same sense of humor as Bud, Not Buddy, Curtis' Newbery Award book and is a great read.
Vive La Paris - by Esme Raji Codell
fiction - grades 5 -8
Paris McCray is an African American girl in 5th grade that is taking piano lessons with Mrs. Rosen, a holocaust survivor. Mrs. Rosen teaches Paris about France and offers her unsolicited advice. Paris also learns about the bully in her brother's life and other bullies in the world. Paris misunderstands Mrs. Rosen when she explains that she had to wear a yellow star and had numbers tattooed on her arm. Paris thinks she was in some kind of "club" or "gang". Paris learns about the holocaust and is overwhelmed. Now she knows what people are capable of and it affects her deeply. The dialect of the characters are true to form and yiddish expressions are sprinkled throughout the story. It is an enjoyable book to read but deals with very serious issues.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 - by Christopher Paul Curtis
historical fiction - grades 4 - 7
Newbery Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Award
This is a humorous and well written book about an African American family. It is told from the viewpoint of Kenny, a 4th grader explaining some of the antics in school and with his brother and sister. The family travels in their big old car from Flint, Michigan to visit Grandma in Birmingham, Alabama. As historical fiction, the book offers a glimpse into what life was like for African Americans in 1963. They are there during the church bombing and experience one of the tragic moments in American history. This book is written with the same sense of humor as Bud, Not Buddy, Curtis' Newbery Award book and is a great read.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
BOOK REVIEWS
Following are reviews of some books that were recently read
Feel free to add any comments or suggest other books you think students might like.
Rules by Cynthia Lord (grades 4 - 7)
This is a sensitive and poignant story of twelve year old Catherine whose younger brother, David has autism. Catherine is thrust into the role of caregiver and we see how his autism impacts her daily life. Trying to help him, Catherine makes very clear rules such as, "It's fine to hug mom, but not the clerk at the video store" and "No toys in the fish tank". Catherine makes a new friend, Jason, at David's clinic that is severely disabled and they communicate using word cards. But Catherine is embarassed and tries to keep her friendship with Jason a secret. It is a humorous, yet touching and emotional story as Catherine learns important lessons about who she is.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (grades 3 - 5)
Edward Tulane is a beautiful porcelain rabbit that is adored by his owner, Abilene. She treats him with love and respect but he is accidentally thrown overboard while the family is traveling on an ocean liner. This book tells the story of the rabbit's journey, from the rabbit's point of view. He is found by a fisherman and loved by others until his journey has a surprise ending many years later.
Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff (grades 5-8)
This is a beautifully written book about a twelve year old girl's experiences as an orphan living with foster families. She is living with an elderly artist that is suffering from Alzheimer's while she remembers what it was like to live with another family. Hollis longs for a family of her own but doesn't know what that really means or feels like. Whenever she gets too close, she feels the need to run away.
Frindle by Andrew Clements (grades 3 - 5)
When Nick tries to question a teacher about how words get in the dictionary, she plants the idea in his head that "We decide". So Nick invents a new word for a pen, "frindle". The idea spreads like wildfire and causes disruption in the school. But Nick learns that everything is not as it appears and that some of the best lessons are learned by taking a stand and doing what you believe is right. The book is entertaining and amusing but also gets you to think about how we learn and make ideas our own.
Owen & Mzee - The True story of a Remarkable Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff (non-fiction grades 1 -4)
During the tsunami of December 26, 2004 in the Indian Ocean, a baby hippo was orphaned and washed ashore on the small coastal town of Malindi in Kenya. They named the hippo Owen and he was offered a place to live in Haller Park, an animal sanctuary. Owen crouched behind Mzee, a 130 year old tortoise that lives there, for protection. Park workers later found the hippo and the tortoise snuggled together and they became inseparable. This true story provides one of hope and possibilities under tragic circumstances.
Toys go out - Being the adventures of a Knowledgeable Stingray, a Toughy Little Buffalo, and someone called Plastic by Emily Jenkins (grade 2 -4)
This is a delightful story about the life of the toys in the toy room as they wonder about the world around them. Plastic doesn't know what she is and when she looks up the word "plastic" she reads, "Capable of being shaped or formed. Also artificial". That doesn't sound good to her at all untill Tuk Tuk, the towel in the bathroom, tells her she is a rubber ball. She happily goes rolling and bouncing away. When the girl celebrates her birthday, her favorite toys find out it is their birthday too.
Following are reviews of some books that were recently read
Feel free to add any comments or suggest other books you think students might like.
Rules by Cynthia Lord (grades 4 - 7)
This is a sensitive and poignant story of twelve year old Catherine whose younger brother, David has autism. Catherine is thrust into the role of caregiver and we see how his autism impacts her daily life. Trying to help him, Catherine makes very clear rules such as, "It's fine to hug mom, but not the clerk at the video store" and "No toys in the fish tank". Catherine makes a new friend, Jason, at David's clinic that is severely disabled and they communicate using word cards. But Catherine is embarassed and tries to keep her friendship with Jason a secret. It is a humorous, yet touching and emotional story as Catherine learns important lessons about who she is.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo (grades 3 - 5)
Edward Tulane is a beautiful porcelain rabbit that is adored by his owner, Abilene. She treats him with love and respect but he is accidentally thrown overboard while the family is traveling on an ocean liner. This book tells the story of the rabbit's journey, from the rabbit's point of view. He is found by a fisherman and loved by others until his journey has a surprise ending many years later.
Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff (grades 5-8)
This is a beautifully written book about a twelve year old girl's experiences as an orphan living with foster families. She is living with an elderly artist that is suffering from Alzheimer's while she remembers what it was like to live with another family. Hollis longs for a family of her own but doesn't know what that really means or feels like. Whenever she gets too close, she feels the need to run away.
Frindle by Andrew Clements (grades 3 - 5)
When Nick tries to question a teacher about how words get in the dictionary, she plants the idea in his head that "We decide". So Nick invents a new word for a pen, "frindle". The idea spreads like wildfire and causes disruption in the school. But Nick learns that everything is not as it appears and that some of the best lessons are learned by taking a stand and doing what you believe is right. The book is entertaining and amusing but also gets you to think about how we learn and make ideas our own.
Owen & Mzee - The True story of a Remarkable Friendship by Isabella Hatkoff (non-fiction grades 1 -4)
During the tsunami of December 26, 2004 in the Indian Ocean, a baby hippo was orphaned and washed ashore on the small coastal town of Malindi in Kenya. They named the hippo Owen and he was offered a place to live in Haller Park, an animal sanctuary. Owen crouched behind Mzee, a 130 year old tortoise that lives there, for protection. Park workers later found the hippo and the tortoise snuggled together and they became inseparable. This true story provides one of hope and possibilities under tragic circumstances.
Toys go out - Being the adventures of a Knowledgeable Stingray, a Toughy Little Buffalo, and someone called Plastic by Emily Jenkins (grade 2 -4)
This is a delightful story about the life of the toys in the toy room as they wonder about the world around them. Plastic doesn't know what she is and when she looks up the word "plastic" she reads, "Capable of being shaped or formed. Also artificial". That doesn't sound good to her at all untill Tuk Tuk, the towel in the bathroom, tells her she is a rubber ball. She happily goes rolling and bouncing away. When the girl celebrates her birthday, her favorite toys find out it is their birthday too.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
HAMC Blog
We are always ordering new books in the library!
Check here often to see the newest books. Feel free to add your comments on a book that you read. It might help others.
New Books in the library arrived today! October 11, 2007
Come see what is available.
New titles include:
PICTURE BOOKS
A Mezuzah on the Door - by Amy Meltzer
12 ways to get to 11 - by Eve Merriam
Dirt - by Steve Tomecek
Hey! Get off our Train - by John Burningham
One nosy pup - by Carol Wallace
My Pony Jack - by Cari Meister
ELEMENTARY CHAPTER BOOKS
Punished - by David Lubar
Hank Zipzer in the Night I flunked my Field trip - by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Hank Zipzer in the Curtain Went up, my pants fell down - by Henry Winkler and Lin oliver
Nate the Great and the Fishy Prize - by Marjorie Sharmat
Nate the Great and the Sticky Case - by Marforie Sharmat
My Secret Unicorn - Starlight Surprise - by Linda Chapman
My Secret Unicorn - Dreams Come true - by Linda Chapman
Dragon Slayers Academy - Revenge of the Dragon Lady - by Kate McMullen
The High-rise private eyes in the case of the Climbing Cat - by Cynthia Rylant
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOKS
The Lightning Thief - by Rick Riordan
I am the Cheese - by Robert Cormier
Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa - by Micol Ostow
Vince Carter - biography - by John Albert Torres
Murder on the Orient Express - by Agatha Christie
The People of Sparks - by Jeanne Duprau
Check here often to see the newest books. Feel free to add your comments on a book that you read. It might help others.
New Books in the library arrived today! October 11, 2007
Come see what is available.
New titles include:
PICTURE BOOKS
A Mezuzah on the Door - by Amy Meltzer
12 ways to get to 11 - by Eve Merriam
Dirt - by Steve Tomecek
Hey! Get off our Train - by John Burningham
One nosy pup - by Carol Wallace
My Pony Jack - by Cari Meister
ELEMENTARY CHAPTER BOOKS
Punished - by David Lubar
Hank Zipzer in the Night I flunked my Field trip - by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Hank Zipzer in the Curtain Went up, my pants fell down - by Henry Winkler and Lin oliver
Nate the Great and the Fishy Prize - by Marjorie Sharmat
Nate the Great and the Sticky Case - by Marforie Sharmat
My Secret Unicorn - Starlight Surprise - by Linda Chapman
My Secret Unicorn - Dreams Come true - by Linda Chapman
Dragon Slayers Academy - Revenge of the Dragon Lady - by Kate McMullen
The High-rise private eyes in the case of the Climbing Cat - by Cynthia Rylant
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOKS
The Lightning Thief - by Rick Riordan
I am the Cheese - by Robert Cormier
Emily Goldberg Learns to Salsa - by Micol Ostow
Vince Carter - biography - by John Albert Torres
Murder on the Orient Express - by Agatha Christie
The People of Sparks - by Jeanne Duprau
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