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.

The Legend of Spud Murphy

This book was recommended to me by one of the first grade classes that read it as a read aloud. First graders (and second graders) will love this silly book as a read aloud. Some would be able to read it independently. I can see 3rd, 4th, and
5th graders also enjoy reading it as a "fun" book. The two brothers in the book are "sentenced" to spending 3 afternoons a week at the library. They are terrified of the librarian, Spud Murphy as there are rumors that she has a "spud gun" under her desk and is ready to use it on any child that makes a noise or ventures off the carpet. As they are serving their sentence however, the boys discover they actually might enjoy reading!

Grade Level: 2nd, - 5th
Read Aloud: 1st - up

The Mystery of Kill Devil Hills

This is a book I have had for years but never read it. I bought it when I taught 4th grade Ohio history since the book is about the Wright Brothers. I recently purchased the entire series of Carole Marsh Mysteries for Fouse and thought I better read this so I could "sell" it to the kids. The characters are the grandchildren of the author. There are some real photographs of the characters within the book. I was initially attracted to the books because they involved real places and historical events. This book takes place on the sand dunes of Kill Devil Hills as preparations are being made for the Centennial of Flight festivities. The kids must find the priceless missing plane in time for the festivities. The content of the book is appropriate for elementary kids and also will teach about different places and events.

Grade Level: 3rd- 5th

Dexter the Tough by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Dexter is mad at everyone. He does not want to go to a new school, does not want to live with his grandmother, and does not want his parents to be on the other side of the country in Seattle. Dexter arrives at his new school in time to start a new writing project with his class. Through the writing process Dexter learns what he is really mad about his dad's illness.

Grade Level: 4th - 6th

Punished by David Lubar

Logan and his friend Benedict are in the public library when Logan runs into (literally) a very unusual man. Logan soon learns what the unusual man means when he "punishes" Logan. Logan is speaking in only puns. His little sister thinks he is funny, his parents believe he is going through a phase, and his friends and teacher find him annoying. In order to return to normal Logan must complete some "word" tasks. This book does a great job of explaining words like palindromes, oxymorons, and anagrams. Some of the humor of the book may be lost if being read aloud.

Grade level: 3rd-5th