Planting the Trees of Kenya

This picture book which was published in April 2008, is the story of Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The book describes how Maathai returned to her native Kenya to find the land bare, the people hungry, the trees gone, and the streams empty. Using her biology background she taught the women to plant and care for trees that eventually led to the revitalization of her homeland. This would be a great book to show students that one person can make a difference.

The Get Rich Quick Club by Dan Gutman

It's summer and the CEO of the GRQ Club, Gina Tumolo, is determined to earn 1 million dollars before the end of the summer. Vice President Rob Hunnicutt comes up with a scheme to pretend the members of the club have seen a UFO. This plan works great until one of the club's members starts to feel guilty and reveals the hoax to the newspaper. This is a quick read that kids will enjoy. Footnotes are included to better understand Creative Director Quincy Biddle's Australian lingo.

Grade Level: 3rd, 4th, 5th

Marley, A Dog Like No Other

Marley, A Dog Like No Other is based on John Grogan's #1 New York Times bestselling book Marley & Me. The original book was adapted for younger readers. I have read both and the younger reader version is a little faster reader and is just as funny. I am not a dog person but I enjoyed reading about this rambunctious dog and all that he got himself in to, often times thinking, "That is why I DON'T have a dog!" The book would be appropriate for kids 4th grade and up. The ending is obviously sad when Marley must be put to sleep but overall is a pretty funny book for kids.