Through the eyes of a young boy named Sam, you learn what it was like living in Lexington, Massachusetts during the time of the American Revolution. You learn how Sam, in the middle of the night, must join his father and other minutemen to fight for America's freedom. 'Sam the Minuteman,'perfect for the developing reader, is an interesting, and easily understood historical telling of the Battle of Lexington, which marked the beginning of the American Revolution.

Similar books: Meet Felicity: An American Girl by Valerie Tripp; The Battle for St. Michaels by Emily Arnold McCully; At Home in a New Land by Joan Sanden; Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express by Eleanor Coerr; Dust for Dinner by Ann Warren Turner; The Drinking Gourd: A Story of the Underground Railroad by F.N. Monjo; Prairie Friends by Nancy Smiler

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/6/2009

ISBN-10: 006020480X

ISBN-13: 9780060204808

Check the library catalog

Mississippi (Mibs for short) Beaumont awaits her thirteenth birthday with great anticipation and anxiety. At thirteen, members of her family get their 'savvy.' No one knows what their savvy will be. Her brother Rocket causes electricity to explode whenever he passes. Fish can cause huge thunderstorms whenever he is near a body of water. Her mother does everything perfectly. Two days before her birthday, her father is in a car accident and falls into a coma. On the morning of her birthday, Mibs is sure that her savvy is to wake things up, so she just has to get to her father as soon as possible. She stows away on a pink, bible-delivery bus and finds her own Wizard of Oz adventure. This book won a Newbery honor award in 2009.

Similar authors: Kate DiCamillo

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award 2011

Awards won: Newbery Honor book 2009

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 8/20/2009

ISBN-10: 0803733062

ISBN-13: 9780803733060

Check the library catalog

Commenter: Ann, grade 8

Commenter: Anya, grade 5

Nick Waters was not looking forward to his 3rd period Biology class. His teacher, Miss Bunny Starch, the most feared teacher in the school, had a habit of belittling students and calling on those who were most likely not ready to answer her questions. On top of that, his father, who was fighting in Iraq, hadn't been heard from in days. One thing he was looking forward to was the class field trip to Black Vine Swamp, where Nick hoped to spot the endangered Florida panther. The field trip was interrupted by a fire and the classmates hurriedly made their way to the bus, when one classmate realized that she had dropped her inhaler. The last thing Nick saw, as the bus pulled away, was Miss Bunny Starch bravely walking back to find the inhaler. The next morning, Miss Starch had still not returned and one of his classmates, 'Smoke,' was accused of setting the fire. Nick did not believe that Smoke was responsible and set about looking for clues. That was when he found himself dragged into the battle between a maverick ecologist and a big oil company.

Similar authors: Dave Barry

Similar books: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen and Flush by Carl Hiaasen

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award 2011

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 6/21/2010

ISBN-10: 0375834869

ISBN-13: 9780375834868

Check the library catalog

'The Sea Chest' by Toni Buzzeo is a tender and remarkable story of a little girl's solitary life on a lighthouse island. With only her parents for company, Maita bakes pumpkin pies, takes care of the hens, climbs the rocky cliffs on the island, and prays for a baby sister. One dark and dangerous night Maita's prayers are answered. As a terrible storm sends a ship to the depths of the ocean, it sends her a sea chest containing a special gift. Through an extreme act of love, Maita receives a 'gift that would change her life forever'. You'll truly enjoy reading this heart-warming story and beautifully illustrated picture book as Maita tells her story to a grandniece who awaits her very own,'gift from the sea'.

Similar authors: Cynthia L. Copeland; Maricia K. Vaughan; Peter Roop

Similar books: Elin's Island by Cynthia L. Copeland; Abbie Against the Storm; The true story of a young heroine and a lighthouse by Marica K. Vaughan; Keep the Lights Burning Abbie by Peter Roop

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 6/29/2011

ISBN-10: 0803727038

ISBN-13: 9780803727038

Check the library catalog

This tale of a non-funny jester, a talking Buffalope, and a Golmiran Captain very small in stature is spiced with humor from start to finish. The trio encounter brigands,lupers, an evil King, and it all revolves around Kerin, a lovely princess who will become Queen in one year. However, her Uncle has no intention of giving up the throne and devises plot after plot to ensure Kerin will not take her rightful place as Queen. Sebastion's adventures continue in Sebastian Darke: Prince of Pirates.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 6/5/2009

ISBN-10: 0385734670

ISBN-13: 9780385734677

Check the library catalog