Princess Emma's adventures continue when she journeys to Upper Montevista to meet Eadric's parents. From the very beginning, there is trouble. Bradston, Eadric's brother, has been kidnapped by trolls, and Eadric's mother won't let Emma use magic. Trolls prove to be terrifying foes, and put both Emma, and Eadric's, strengths to the test. This is book four in the Tales of the Frog Princess series.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 1599902184

ISBN-13: 9781599902180

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Laketon Elementary has a nickname for their 5th grade kids, it 'The Unshushables'. But that all changes when Dave Packer reads about how the Mahatma Gandhi practiced complete silence for 1 day a week to bring order to his mind. Though Dave is known to talk nonstop, he is determined to give the idea a try. During school the next day, Dave runs into Lynsey, another chatterbox, and they end up challenging the boys against the girls in a no-talking contest for 48 hours. The only time they can talk is when an adult asks them a direct question at which time they can only answer in 3 word sentences. Can 'The Unshushables' really keep their months shut for the 48 hour contest? Will the parents and teachers figure out what is behind the changes in the kids' behavior? Read this entertaining book and find out.

Similar books: Frindle; Week in the Woods

Awards nominated: Bluestem 2011

Reviewed by: bklyczek

Date read: 5/10/2010

ISBN-10: 1416909834

ISBN-13: 9781416909835

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Commenter: Hap, grade 8

David's always getting in trouble. Whether he's tracking in mud, banging on pans, jumping on his bed, or playing with his food, he hears, 'No, David!' Here, we see David misbehaving again and again, in colorful, comic glory, like when he opens his mouth and we see a gaping hole like the night sky filled with half-chewed food. Won't David be hurt that the only words he hears are scolding? At the end, David's mom surrounds him in a warm hug.

Similar books: David Gets in Trouble by David Shannon; David Goes to School by David Shannon

Awards won: Caldecott Honor Book 1999

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 7/26/2010

ISBN-10: 0590930028

ISBN-13: 9780590930024

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Oddfellow's Orphanage is the whimsical tale of Oddfellow Bluebeard and the charming band of misfits who live with him. The orphans are quite unique. Delia is a mute albino, Imogen is covered in tattoos, Ollie has an onion for a head, and Hugo is most certainly a hedgehog. They live in an enormous brick house, whose grounds are covered in bushes shaped like sea monsters and other mythical creatures. During their lessons, they learn fairy tales and astronomy, and in the afternoons are entertained by a family of dancing bears. Throughout the book the plucky orphans face challenges, go on adventures, and learn that a person's true family is not always the one that they are born into.

Similar books: Dying to Meet You by Kate Klise, Matilda by Roald Dahl

Reviewed by: lauraf

Date read: 9/27/2012

ISBN-10: 0375869956

ISBN-13: 9780375869952

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Oggie Cooder has a talent -- he can charve better than anyone else in Truman Elementary School. Cheese would change Oggie Cooder's life forever. While sometimes the road to fame and fortune is paved in gold, there are other times when it's made of cheese. Processed American cheese, to be exact. When The Hidden Talent Show comes to town, he suddenly becomes the star of the school, showing everyone how to charve cheese into all kinds of shapes. Will Oggie's talent bring him fame and fortune in Hollywood? Or will Oggie be happy just being 'one of the guys' in Truman Elementary School?

Awards nominated: Bluestem 2011

Reviewed by: bklyczek

Date read: 5/18/2010

ISBN-10: 0439927943

ISBN-13: 9780439927949

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Commenter: Anya, grade 5