Brian loves collecting comics, and he is in awe of just how much some of the older comics are worth. That's why his deep, dark secret bothers him so much. When he was little, he accidentally ruined his dad's copy of the first Superman comic. He now knows it was worth more money than their house, and his dad still hasn't recovered from the loss of his prized possession. When the General Store owner, Mr. Somerset, gives Brian a mysterious, blank comic called TimeQuest, Brian discovers the comic will allow him to travel back in time. He and his friend Paul decide to use the power to try to replace the comic Brian destroyed.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 3/25/2010

ISBN-10: 1886910626

ISBN-13: 9781886910621

Check the library catalog

In this story set during war time, we meet Ada Ruth, her mother, and grandmother. The family doesn't have enough money, and Ada Ruth's mother needs to leave to find work. She tells Ada Ruth, 'They're hiring colored women in Chicago since all the men are off fighting in the war.' Ada Ruth misses her mother terribly, and while a tiny kitten Ada Ruth and her grandmother find brings her some comfort, nothing can heal her sadness at missing her mother. She and her grandmother hope for the time when a letter will come saying her mother will be 'Coming on home soon.' This is a thoughtful tale, artfully written, about the emotional experience of missing a parent who has to be away. The book received a Caldecott Honor award for its illustrations.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0399237488

ISBN-13: 9780399237485

Check the library catalog

Commander Toad, 'brave and bright,' commands the spaceship, Star Warts, and its intrepid crew, Mister Hop, Lieutenant Lily and young Jake Skyjumper. In this first book in the series, the Star Warts approaches a planet which turns out to be all water. The crew lands, or dives, and encounters the very unfriendly Deep Wader, who desires to make a meal of our heroes. This very funny adventure will have you wondering if the crew will escape before becoming the monster's supper.

Similar authors: Daniel Pinkwater

Reviewed by: vfv

Date read: 10/3/2012

ISBN-10: 0698113551

Check the library catalog

Each student in Howie's fourth grade class has to start a business as a school project. The student who makes the most money will win the H. Marion Muckley Junior Business Person of the Year award. Howie throws himself into 'A Boy for All Seasons,' his lawn-care service. For extra credit, and to increase profits, he writes a book detailing the experience. Nothing goes exactly as planned. He has to pay his classmates for their services: advertising, photography, and business cards. His customers aren't pleased with his lawn-care, and they don't always pay. And, he has to hire help. Howie can't run a successful business, but he does finally have a great idea!

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/1/2009

ISBN-10: 0823416429

ISBN-13: 9780823416424

Check the library catalog

Robin is furious when her mother takes her away from her group of friends in Denver to move to the tiny town of Prairie Dog, Oklahoma. When Robin shows up for her first day at her new school, the secretary mistakes her for the substitute principal who is scheduled to begin her duties two days later. Instead of correcting her, Robin plays along with the mistake. Soon, she's planning a school-wide water balloon fight and watching television in her office. When a girl like the one her friends bullied in Denver shows up in her office, though, her past catches up with her. Can Robin fool everyone, or will her tricks come crashing down around her?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 2/24/2010

ISBN-10: 0802795609

ISBN-13: 9780802795601

Check the library catalog