New early elementary novels on the way

Thanks to Net Galley, I was able to preview some new early elementary books coming out this summer and fall.  The books were all enjoyable for different reasons, and I hope that I will be able to add all of them to my library very soon.

THE CREEPS, Book 1: THE NIGHT OF THE FRANKENFROGS by Chris Schweizer

These totally smart misfit friends start off in the middle of yet another explosion of epic proportions.  Of course, they have been blamed for it, but they were simply trying to save the school from total destruction.  Now they have to spend the next few weeks cleaning up the school to make up for all of the chaos they caused.  While cleaning they come across another plot to take over the school.  What else can they do but save the school, yet again?  With a touch of Scooby Doo and Agents of Shield, these individually intelligent kids put their brains together to solve the mystery of the Frankenfrogs. I look forward to reading more books in this series and recommending them to my students.

THE WORST WITCH AND THE WISHING STAR by Jill Murphy

When I chose to read this book, I was oblivious to the previous six titles in the series.  Obviously, as I read the book I discovered the world of Miss Cackle's Academy for witches, and I got to know the lovable, blundering, well-meaning young witch, Mildred Hubble.  Mildred is once again in the middle of a muddle of problems.  Now in her fourth year at the Academy, she is chosen to be responsible for lighting the lamps for one third of the school every day and putting them out every morning.  This seems easy enough, but Mildred, ever the animal-lover, finds a stray puppy and immediately decides to take it in as her own.  You will have to read to find out how Mildred gets out of this mess.  I was surprised to find a copy of the THE WORST WITCH in my library, and of course, I read that also.  I have enjoyed getting to know Mildred, and hope to recommend these books to my younger Harry Potter fans, who are not quite ready for the darkness of that series.

SYDNEY & SIMON GO GREEN! by Paul A. Reynolds and Peter H. Reynolds

I have long loved the books by Peter H. Reynolds, THE DOT, ISH, etc., so I was excited to see that he had worked on an early elementary novel.  This is the story of twins, Sydney and Simon, who meet a young sea turtle, Greenie, that was injured by garbage in the ocean.  The kids decide to take a look at how their family and school are affecting the environment in how much trash they create.  They use math, science and observational skills to determine that the trash they create is more than they could or should be creating.  With the help of a teacher and the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Lab, they come up with a plan, and even a song, to help create awareness about the ways to reduce waste in their community.  I loved the message for kids and teachers in this book.  We can all make a difference in big and small ways.

One of my favorite projects created by the Reynolds team at Fablevision is The Testing Camera, a powerful video telling the story of one young student dealing with the dreaded testing day.  The message is for students, parents and teachers, and it is simple - students are more than a snapshot of data.  

You can find these books soon at your local library or at your local independent booksellers.

Katie Woo - What's in Your Heart, Katie?

Katie Woo is a wonderful character created by Fran Manushkin and Tammie Lyon.  She is curious, fun, and sometimes gets into a little trouble.  First and second grade students love to read about her adventures as she becomes like a good friend to them.  In this book, Katie Woo gets a notebook from her mom to write in like a journal.  She walks students through the ins and outs of keeping a journal.  She makes it easily understandable and fun! I believe that my younger students will enjoy reading this book and then starting their own journals.  I have a few students in mind who will be introduced to this book for sure.

If you want to know more about Katie Woo, you can go to her very own website!

Katie is the star of many books, so of course, she has her own videos!  Find Katie Woo at your local library.

How To Read a Story

I think that is it amazing that I still get so excited to open my Scholastic book boxes.  You would think that I wouldn't since I ordered all the books inside, but I still do.

Today, in my Scholastic box was this book by Kate Messner, How To Read a Story.  The adorable young boy in the story is giving you (the reader) instructions on how to read a story.  I love that he teaches us the importance of choosing a story, reading clearly, and sharing the pictures.  My young students will love the illustrations and simple text that explain the often overlooked steps in choosing the right book, and then how to enjoy it.

Share this with a young reader today!

The Terrible Two

Do you hear the cows?  Well, if you were in Yawnee Valley, you would!  And now ace prankster extraordinaire, Miles Murphy, has moved to Yawnee Valley.  He needs to keep up his prankster image and prove to his new classmates that he is the one to look out for on April 1st or any other day of the year.  Only there is a slight problem when he arrives at school, and the greatest prank in Yawnee Valley history is sitting on the steps of the Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy.  How will Miles prove he is the greatest prankster?  Who is the competition?  How will he ever get away with anything as long as Niles Sparks, the biggest brown-noser in the school, keeps following him around like a lost puppy?

Don't tell anyone, but The Terrible Two have their own top secret website.  You can go here to visit it, but don't let anyone know that I told you, especially not Miles or Niles...


And don't click on this cow.  You won't get redirected anywhere that you might want to go.

Check out this book and many other funny and entertaining books by Mac Barnett and Jory John at your library.

Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon

We first met Francine Poulet, animal control officer, in the Mercy Watson series, but now she is back with her own book in the latest Kate DiCamillo series, Tales from Deckawoo Drive.  I thought she was a hoot in Mercy Watson, but now we journey with her as she questions the only version of herself that she has ever known - Francine Poulet, animal control officer.  She has never been afraid, but one night she encounters a racoon, that seems to be screaming her name, "Frrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnyyyyyyy!"  She takes an awful tumble off a roof while trying to capture said creature, and then wonders if she was really meant to be Francine Poulet, animal control officer.  Maybe she was meant to be Francine Poulet, retail clerk on a stool?  Eventually she meets a determined young boy who sees the real Francine and encourages her to be her true self.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this book through NetGalley, and I hope you will pick it up at your local library when it comes out on August 25.

I think this book was meant to be read out loud and shared, so here is Kate DiCamillo's PSA on the value of reading aloud to children.