“For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew
AR Level: 3.0
Review and Comments:
This is a story about two beasts who describe the same experience in their lives from very different perspectives. Continue reading Try to Look at it From My Perspective: A Review of ‘A Tale of Two Beasts’
“A small body of determined spirits fired by unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Grade 4-5 [according to common core]
Grade 3.2 [according to Scholastic]
Grade 4 [AR level]
Interest Level:
Grades 3-5
Review and Comments:
Stone Fox is a story about courage and determination. It is a story about a young boy’s love for his grandfather and his dog that will touch the heart of the reader. Continue reading A Determined Spirit: A Review of ‘Stone Fox’
“As soon as I saw you, I knew a grand adventure was about to happen.” – Winnie the Pooh
K – Grade 3 [approximately]
Grade Level Equivalent:
3.4 [The text could likely be read independently by a student whose reading skills are at the level of a typical third grader during the fourth month of school.]
Review and Comments:
‘Finding Winnie’ is a fascinating and true prequel to Winnie-the-Pooh and his familiar adventures. It is a story within a story that begins when a young boy named Cole asks his mother to tell him a true story about a bear – the authentic story of Winnie-the-Pooh. Continue reading A Friend of the Heart: A Review of ‘Finding Winnie, the True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear’
“……‘home’ must always be the loveliest spot in the world, no matter what fairer lands may lie under alien stars.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of the Island
Grades K-1 [according to common core]
3.1 [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reads on grade could read the book independently]
Review and Comments:
Finding the perfect home is a challenging goal for Mr. and Mrs. Mallard. They are looking for the ideal place to raise a family – a quiet neighborhood, close to the waterfront and places of interest, and a safe location. Their Boston area search continues until they settle on a cozy little island in the middle of a pond in the Public Garden. Everything is going well until Mrs. Mallard determines the area is too dangerous so they extend their search. Of course being mallards they explore the area that encompasses the Charles River. Eventually they find a splendid location on a small quiet island on the river. They settle in and then spend some time touring the surrounding area. Along the way they meet a policeman named Michael who feeds them peanuts. Michael becomes their friend and a favorite stop on their daily stroll. Continue reading Home Sweet Home: A Review of ‘Make Way for Ducklings’
“If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.” – St. Francis of Assisi
Grade 3.3 [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]
Review and Comments:
Wonder Horse by Emily Arnold McCully is a book about a horse named Jim Key who was truly a phenomenon because of his remarkable abilities. The story is also about the amazing and inspirational life of an exceptional man named Bill Key, the owner of the horse. Continue reading A Remarkable Phenomenon: A Review of ‘Wonder Horse: The True Story of the World’s Smartest Horse’
“All look to You in hope and You feed them with the food of the season. And, with generous hand, You satisfy the desires of every living creature.” Psalm 145: 15-16
Grades 4.1 (according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]
Review and Comments:
It is that time of year when the promise of a new season is in the air and thoughts of gathering food for winter begin. The blueberries are ripe on Blueberry Hill so Sal and her mother decide it is the perfect time to gather a bountiful harvest. Mother makes good progress and fills her pail quickly. Sal however discovers berries are the best when they go directly into her mouth and completely skip her pail. Mother is preoccupied while gathering berries, so tired Sal finally settles herself in the midst of bushes bursting with blueberries. Continue reading A Time to Gather: A Review of ‘Blueberries for Sal’
“When you’re pinned against a wall, and you have no options except to overcome, you discover how strong you really are.” -Unknown
Grades 4-5 [level according to common core)
Grade 4.9 [level according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]
Interest Level:
Grades 3-5
Review and Comments:
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl is a story about the sly and cunning Mr. Fox. He must provide for his family so every night he considers the cuisine that three different farms can provide. Farmer Boggis raises chickens, Farmer Bunce raises ducks and geese, and Farmer Bean raises turkeys and grows apples. This bounty always provides a tempting menu of delicious dinners. The farmers however do not look at Mr. Fox as a clever fellow. They consider him a thief plain and simple. They are determined to stop him at all costs so they form a coalition with one goal – to catch Mr. Fox and stop his thievery. Continue reading Daring in Adversity: A Review of ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’
“Poetry is a packsack of invisible keepsakes.”–Carl Sandburg
K-1
Review and Comments:
Pocket Poems by Bobbi Katz is an anthology of 55 short poems that are both humorous and thought provoking. They cover subjects from nature themes to a twist on traditional stories like ‘Humpty Dumpty’, ‘The Old Woman in the Shoe’, and ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’. There is even a poem written in English and Spanish entitled “You – Tu.” Teachers will find the poem using homophones and a few poems about punctuation marks good additions to English lessons. My particular favorites are “The Drum” and [from]” Arithmetic.” The poems are written by classic authors such as Emily Dickinson and Carl Sandburg along with contemporary authors like the author of the anthology, Bobbie Katz. Continue reading Rhythmical Creation of Beauty in Words: A Review of ‘Pocket Poems’
“When one is convinced that his cause is just, he will fear nothing.”–St. John Bosco
Reading Level:
Grades 2-3
Review and Thoughts:
A boy + an alley cat + tigers + a rhinoceros + a lion + a gorilla + crocodiles + a dragon = ADVENTURE!
“Never shall I forget the times I spent with you. Please continue to be my friend as you will always find me yours.” Ludwig Van Beethoven
K-1
Review and Thoughts
Reading the story of Owl at Home by Arnold Lobel makes the reader feel like a guest visiting the home of an innocent and trusting friend. There is time spent by a nice warm fireplace, a comfy bed, and a peaceful seaside setting. With every vacation however, there are also unexpected events. This short holiday provides a glimpse into Owl’s simple life which to him is quite extraordinary. Continue reading Visiting a New Friend: A Review of ‘Owl at Home’
