“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.” ― St. Catherine of Siena
Reading Level:
Grades K-1 [according to common core]
Grade 3.1 [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:
I looked forward to reading this historical fiction, my favorite genre, and wasn’t disappointed as the story and illustrations drew me in from the first page. This very touching account is based on a real life story of a little girl and her mother soon after WWII when life continued to be very difficult. Supplies and food were limited and no one had any money. The fact that Anna needed a new winter coat presented quite a dilemma for her mother. Continue reading A Mother’s Plan: A Review of ‘A New Coat for Anna’→
“The things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.” Aristotle
Reading Level:
Grades K – 1 [according to common core]
Grade 1.1 [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a child reading on grade could read the book independently]
Interest Level: Grades K – 3
Review and Comments:
Little Mouse is going to spend some time in the barn collecting the yummy tidbits dropped by the animals. He is very excited to begin his day but first he must get dressed. The story follows the progression of Little Mouse getting dressed from his underpants to his jacket. He reminds himself to put the tags in the back and talks himself through pushing buttons through button holes. When he is completely dressed his mother points out that mice do not wear clothes! In a flash, Little Mouse is free of clothing and scampering to the barn. Continue reading A Childhood Lesson: A Review of ‘Little Mouse Gets Ready’→
“The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.”–Psalm 67:7
Reading Level: Grades K – 1 [according to common core]
Grade 3.6 [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]
Interest Level: Grade K – 3
Review and Comments:
This is the story of the life cycle of an orange beginning with a blossom and ending with friends sharing the sweet fruit. As all organisms go through stages of development this story shows how bees, rich soil, sunshine, and rain help the fruit mature into edible deliciousness. Then the reader follows the processing of the fruit. It is carefully picked, transported through different locations, and finally arrives at the grocery store. Continue reading The Land Has Yielded Its Produce: A Review of ‘An Orange in January’→
“……‘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
Reading Level:
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’→
“So many things are possible just as long as you don’t know they’re impossible.” – Norton Juster
Reading Level:
Grades 4-5 [according to common core]
Grade 5.4 [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade level could read the book independently]
Interest Level:
Grades 3-5
Review and Comments:
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster tells the story about a boy named Milo who has an extraordinary adventure that literally changes his life. When the reader meets Milo he is displeased with pretty much everything. He seems stuck in his frustration and doesn’t “see the point in most things.” He isn’t satisfied with school or even the world! One afternoon he is again grumbling to himself when he notices a package in the corner of his room. An attached note reads “For Milo, who has plenty of time.” The package contains “one genuine turnpike tollbooth.” Surprisingly, Milo follows the instructions and assembles the tollbooth, chooses a destination called Dictionopolis, and is off on his trek hoping “he isn’t wasting his time.” Milo’s journey through the tollbooth is so unexpected and curious that he actually begins to anticipate the unfolding experience. It exposes him to the richness, beauty, and complexities of words mingled with the most exceptional characters he will ever meet. Continue reading Opportunities of a Challenged Learner: A Review of ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’→
“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
Reading Level: Grades 2-3 [according to common core]
Grade 3.3 [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]
“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
Reading Level: Grades K-1 (according to common core)
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
Reading Level:
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’→
“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back, relax, all you need is a book.” Dr. Seuss
Reading Level:
Grades K-1 [according to common core]
Grade 2.5 [according to Scholastic – reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]
Interest Level:
Grades K-2
Review and Comments:
Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg is a treasury of poetry, familiar fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters and corresponding illustrations that compliment every detail of the text. It all begins with a little poem that invites the reader to play a game of “I Spy.” Then the fun begins. Young readers, even non readers, will love to listen carefully to the short rhyme on each page so they can identify familiar characters and then search for those characters in the illustrations. The text is simple and repetitive and the very detailed and colorful pictures make the search lots of fun. This book is the perfect opportunity to introduce a few fairy tales and nursery rhymes to children or retell old favorites. Continue reading I Spy a Fun Read!:A Review of ‘Each Peach Pear Plum’→
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Dr. Martin Luther King
Reading Level:
Grade 2-3 [level according to common core list]
Grade 4.5 [level according to Scholastic which reflects the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently]
Reading Level: 
Reading Level: Grades K – 1 [according to common core]
Reading Level: 
Reading Level:
Reading Level: Grades 2-3 [according to common core]
Reading Level: Grades K-1 (according to common core)
Reading Level:
Reading Level:
Grade 2-3 [level according to common core list]