Cleo expects that this will be a day like any other until an accident flips her day upside down. What will happen when Cleo has to visit the hospital? After Stitches Saturday, she will never expect an ordinary day again: anything can happen. This is a great story about a girl who has to summon everyday courage when the unexpected occurs, and she does so with the help of her amusing, supportive family.

Similar books: Alice's Birthday Pig by Tim Kennemore

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 10/29/2010

ISBN-10: 0399246711

ISBN-13: 9780399246715

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Ever since Annie Richards' brother died in a freak hockey accident, Annie has been aware of all the dangers that surround her. She never rides her bike without a helmet (or elbow pads, knee pads and ace bandages on each ankle). Her mother worries about Annie's worries, but is too deep in her own grief to help her. Her father barely notices that Annie is even there. Her best friend turns on her when Annie gets upset and runs home at her hamster's funeral and Doug Zimmerman just won't take the hint to get lost. Her only comfort is the very helpful book she found at the neighbor's garage sale, The Everyday Guide to Preventing Illness. It helped her avoid all sorts of dangers like Ebola, Malaria and Salmonella. Then she meets her new neighbor, Mrs. Finch. Mrs. Finch is working through her own grief. Can Gin Rummy, chocolate chip cookies, and Charlotte's Web really help them both back to a sense of normality? Grab a box of tissues and read Umbrella Summer.

Similar books: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

Reviewed by: caroll

Date read: 9/11/2009

ISBN-10: 0061431877

ISBN-13: 9780061431876

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When mother and father elephant are lost at sea, little elephant is left all alone. That is until Old Uncle Elephant, 'who has more wrinkles than there is sand,' comes to take care of him. Lovingly, Old Uncle Elephant fills little elephant's days with trumpeting the dawn, making wishes, trying on all their clothes at once, composing songs, and making up stories. This is a sweet and gentle story of the love between an uncle and a nephew masterly contained in an easy to read beginning chapter book.

Similar books: Small Pig by Arnold Lobel; Mouse Tales by Arnold Lobel; A Kiss For Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik; Am I Beautiful by Else Holmelund Minarik

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 8/5/2009

ISBN-10: 0060239808

ISBN-13: 9780060239800

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Joe is turning fourteen, and he is determined to get the best birthday present ever: a thousand-dollar black and chrome motorbike just like the one his friend is getting. Then, he will finally have his summer to himself, able to go where he pleases. When he asks, his dad flat out refuses, saying Joe doesn't know the value of money. His father says that he can have the bike if he earns the money himself, working on his dad's farm with the laborers. He's determined to prove to his father that he knows what hard work is. As the summer continues, though, Joe finds out there's a lot more going on at the farm than he knew, and some of the people he works with may be in trouble.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 4/30/2010

ISBN-10: 0374380325

ISBN-13: 9780374380328

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An orphaned brother and sister discover that they can travel through time by thinking of the place and date where they want to go. They meet up with friends and get themselves into trouble.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/12/2009

ISBN-10: 0671732749

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