Amos Kincaid's journey through life is quite the adventure. Set in the mid 1800's, pioneer life comes alive with trappers, Indians, life on the Oregon Trail, and everything in between. We watch as Amos grows up, learn right along with him survival and coping skills, and most importantly, discover what it means to have a special gift passed from generation to generation. Amos is the son of a son of a son of a son with the dowser's gift-the ability to locate water. This gift threads through the story, unifying the elements of mother, father, son, and all the people whose lives touch one another. The audiobook is an incredible listen. Will Patton's voice draws you into the story and you feel like you are right there living the life of a pioneer.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 7/21/2010

ISBN-10: 0805080201

ISBN-13: 9780805080209

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A wacky school that was built 30 stories high and the ridiculous things that happen there. Sequel to Sideways Stories from Wayside School.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 2/16/2010

ISBN-10: 0688078680

ISBN-13: 9780688078683

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Commenter: St. Charles Reader, grade 0

It is 1967 when Holling Hoodhood starts 7th grade at Camillo Junior High in Long Island. His teacher Mrs. Baker hates him, all because of Wednesday afternoons. Half of his class goes to Catechism at 1:55 and the other class goes to Hebrew school at 1:45. That leaves Holling, the only Presbyterian, and Mrs. Baker alone for the rest of the afternoon. There is no sense in covering material she would just have to repeat for the other students, so Holling does chores. He cleans chalkboard erasers, sharpens pencils and once, only once, is asked to clean the pet rats' cage. Then Mrs. Baker has a brilliant idea; she would have Holling read Shakespeare! Will Holling survive 7th grade? Is Mrs. Baker really trying to find a way to kill him? Read The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt to find out.

Awards won: Newbery Honor 2008

Reviewed by: cal

Date read: 5/19/2009

ISBN-10: 054723760X

ISBN-13: 9780547237602

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During the 1930's and '40's, Hollywood was known for making three great monster films: Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man. Bela Lugosi played Dracula and Boris Karloff gained fame as the monster in Frankenstein. Do you have any idea who played the title role in the Wolf Man? Probably not. So - here we have the poor werewolf - stepchild of all monsters. Luckily, this book will tell you all you want to know about werewolves, from the rumors of them in ancient Rome, to the werewolf trials in Europe during the Middle Ages, to werewolves on the Internet! You'll learn about truly evil ones, and noble ones. Most importantly, you'll learn how to recognize a werewolf in its human form, and what to use if you find yourself being attacked by one.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0525652078

ISBN-13: 9780525652076

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The mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an unlikely assortment of heirs, one of whom stands to inherit $200 million. But, in order to collect it, he or she has to expose the murderer, who also happens to be one of the heirs. This book won the Newbery Medal in 1979.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/12/2009

ISBN-10: 014240120X

ISBN-13: 9780142401200

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Commenter: Anya, grade 4