Velcome to a collection of ghoulish stories, goofy jokes, and puns so bad they're scary. All brought to you by a man with an arrow in his head!

Reviewed by: hap

Date read: 10/19/2009

ISBN-10: 0802786286

ISBN-13: 9780802786289

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Velma is the youngest child in the Gratch family, and that spells trouble for Velma when she enters first grade. Frieda, her oldest sister, is remembered for her beautiful voice and Fiona, another sister, could run like the wind. So Velma decides to sing the loudest and run the slowest so she can be remembered, also. But that only causes her to be sent to the principal's office. Can Velma find something that she is good at so the teachers will remember her also?

Reviewed by: blk

Date read: 5/19/2009

ISBN-10: 0375935975

ISBN-13: 9780375935978

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'Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa' by Jeanette Winter tells about Wangari Maathai's stuggle to bring the 'green' back to her native Kenya. Due to an increasing demand for lumber, most of Kenya's trees had been cut down. Where it had once been a paradise, Kenya was now battling soil erosion, crop failure, and barren land. Wangari was determined to reverse these changes. She decided to start reforesting Kenya by planting nine little seedlings. She enlisted the help of village woman to plant additional trees. This idea, known as the Green Belt Movement, spread throughout Africa. All across Africa, women were planting trees. In 2004, Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to world peace. In this story, we learn how one person's courage and determination changed the world.

Similar authors: Donna Napoli; Nelda La Teef

Similar books: Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Napoli; Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace by Jen Cullerton; The Market Lady and the Mango Tree by Pete Watson; The Hunter and the Ebony tree by Nelda La Teef; Nobel's Women of Peace by Michelle Benjamin; Path's To Peace: People Who Changed The World by Jane Breskin Zalben

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/28/2010

ISBN-10: 0152065458

ISBN-13: 9780152065454

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Carlotta Carusa is an accomplished, world-famous opera singer. She wants to travel to the West, and sing in new places. On her journey, she calms attacking wolves, stirs up a thunder storm during a drought, and tames a gang of outlaws ready to have a shoot-out with her. She does this all with her melodious voice. I like the way the author references famous operas in her story line.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 5/18/2009

ISBN-10: 0689810636

ISBN-13: 9780689810633

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Newt and Turtle are best friends. Each spring, they crawl out of the mud and greet each other happily. This year, Newt needs help to get out of the mud, and Turtle is there to help. When a cottonmouth slithers into the water to stalk Newt, Turtle calls out a warning just in time. In fact, Turtle is always getting Newt out of trouble. Each time, Newt wonders, 'What can I do for Turtle?' One day, a bobcat pounces on Turtle, knocking him onto his back. He calls to Newt for help, but Newt is across the swamp, dozing and wondering what he can do for Turtle. He comes awake with a start, and realizes that Turtle needs his help. This is a great story of friendship.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 1564022595

ISBN-13: 9781564022592

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