Murder Afloat brings to life a part of history that many of us don't know much about. Unscrupulous oyster ship owners would kidnap their crews off the streets of Baltimore because men would not volunteer for the dirty, cold and starving conditions on the ships. Benjamin Orville has his life changed in a flash. Ben is taken out of his upper class life when he is kidnapped with German immigrants and put to work on an oyster ship. Through many trials and tribulations, Ben survives and must make a decision about the rest of his life. I would recommend this for a reading out-loud book and a book for a reluctant reader.

Reviewed by: cjones

Date read: 3/14/2011

ISBN-10: 1423104161

ISBN-13: 9781423104162

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Bobby's the class clown, and that's how he likes it. Mr. Matous, his teacher, usually plays along, but when Bobby stops doing his work, Mr. Matous takes it seriously. The principal, Dr. Deal, wants to send Bobby to the School for Intervention, but Mr. Matous persuades her to give Bobby one last chance. To make up for his behavior, Bobby must organize a school-wide event, the Great Laugh-Off. Can Bobby joke his way out of trouble?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 2/4/2010

ISBN-10: 0060266023

ISBN-13: 9780060266028

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This book is about a boy named Robby whose house is wild, fun, and a big mess. Robby is afraid that a social worker, Mrs. VanGent, will take him away from his family, because it's so different. Robby needs to make his family normal now!

Reviewed by: Guest

Date read: 5/20/2009

ISBN-10: 0440407885

ISBN-13: 9780440407881

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Roscoe Riley doesn't understand why his mom calls Super-Mega-Gonzo Glue 'don't-you-dare glue,' but he does know he is supposed to bring art supplies to school. Glue seems useful. It also seems useful later in the day when his teacher has a problem. As his family says, 'Roscoe to the rescue!' Roscoe knows he can help his teacher keep her job using only the glue. What could go wrong?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 10/29/2010

ISBN-10: 0061148822

ISBN-13: 9780061148828

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Twelve year old Lanesha's mother died when she was born. Mama Ya-Ya, midwife, healer, able to see the future, has raised her in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans ever since. Lanesha has 'the sight', which means she can see ghosts, including her mother. When Hurricane Katrina begins to form offshore, Mama Ya-Ya declares that this will be a bad storm. Lanesha realizes that this time she needs to take care of Mama Ya-Ya, and she needs to use everything she has been taught. The fury of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath come alive through the eyes of Lanesha.

Awards nominated: 2013 Rebecca Caudill Nominee

Awards won: ALSC Notable Book 2012; School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Reviewed by: donna

Date read: 6/4/2012

ISBN-10: 0316043087

ISBN-13: 9780316043083

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