Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic

Desmond Pucket Makes Monster Magic
by Mark Tatulli

Desmond Pucket has created many ingenious, gross pranks.   Unfortunately, the sixth-grader's creative tricks have gone too far and he finds himself left with just three chances to prove that he has changed.  If he doesn't, then it will be a new school and missing out on the class trip to Crab Shell Pier.   Will the prankster be able to change his ways?

What a funny book!  I found myself laughing many times as I read this story.   In addition to the humorous writing, author Mark Tatulli includes many hilarious illustrations that only add to the humor of this great book.   Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and similar books will want to read this book!

Book website: http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/landing/desmondpucket/


Book trailer:
 

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda

Mrs. Harkness and the Panda
by Alicia Potter
illustrated by Melissa Sweet

In 1934 very few had ever seen,  or even knew of, the panda.   Few had dared to travel to the bamboo forests of China to see the mysterious animal, but Ruth Harkness knew her husband was one who would be able to make the journey.  Although she wanted to go with him to China to find a panda, at the time very few felt women should be explorers.    Waiting at home while her husband journeyed through China, she received the heartbreaking news that her husband had died in China before completing his quest.   Despite the doubts of many, Mrs. Harkness decided to travel to China and brave the bamboo forests so that she could complete her husband's quest to find a panda.

This is a well-written story about the history of the panda and how the first panda was brought back to the United States.   While sharing this story with students, be sure to include the author's note at the end, which explains how, in the 1930s, the views of animal conservation were very different than they are now.   The author also explains that, although what Mrs. Harkness did nearly eighty years ago would likely not be done today, her actions helped bring world-wide attention to the panda.   

Jangles

Jangles: A Big Fish Story
by David Shannon

No one has ever caught the legendary fish Jangles, but many have tried!   A young boy recounts the incredulous tales his father has told him about the amazing Jangles, a huge trout residing deep in Big Lake.   His father tells him of numerous attempts to catch the famous local fish, from the use of entire turkeys as bait to throwing dynamite into the water to lure the enormous trout out!    Despite the many attempts to catch Jangles,  no one had been successful.   That is, until one fateful day when the boy's father had an unusual, memorable encounter with the famous trout that changed his life.

   This entertaining story is a great book to use to help teach about tall tales.   I recently shared this book with some of my classes and we discussed the use of exaggeration when telling tall tales.   As always, David Shannon's illustrations are wonderful!

Have You Seen My New Blue Socks?

Have You Seen My New Blue Socks?
by Eve Bunting
illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier

Poor Duck can't find his new blue socks!   He asks all his friends, but no one has seen them.     As Duck continues to unsuccessfully look for his blue socks, he grows sadder and sadder until one young friend helps him find is socks in a very obvious place!

This story is a cute rhyming tale with fun, bright illustrations of Duck and his helpful friends.    This will be a great read aloud for younger grades followed by discussions about our own experiences of losing items that are special to us. 

Navigating Early

Navigating Early 
by Clare Vanderpool

 The return home of Jack's father, a Navy captain, at the end of World War II should have been a time of joy and celebration. However, it is the sudden death of Jack's mother that brings home his father after four long years at war. Jack, while mourning the unexpected death of his mother, must also adjust to life with a father he has not seen in many years. His life is further disrupted when his father announces that Jack will be attending a boarding school in Maine, far away from his lifelong Kansas home.

While struggling to adjust to his new life at the Morton Hill Academy, Jack meets the unusual Early Auden. Fascinated by this unique boy, Jack decides to join Early in a journey during their school break. During their long quest along the Appalachian Trail they meet a wide assortment of characters, face dangerous situations, and learn more about each other and themselves.

Navigating Early is a wonderful story of friendship, family relationships, and self-discovery.   I enjoyed reading this book and following the journey of these two unlikely friends as they navigated to find what they were looking for.   I think this book has the potential to appeal to many types of readers.  Fans of realistic fiction that addresses friendships and family relationships will enjoy this book and the World War II setting will appeal to those who prefer historical fiction.  

Author's website:  http://www.clarevanderpool.com/home.html

Flora & Ulysses

Flora & Ulysses
by Kate DiCamillo 
illustrated by K.G. Campbell

After rescuing a hungry squirrel from a disastrous encounter with a neighbor's new vacuum, ten-year-old Flora realizes that the injured animal has suddenly developed unusual talents. Flora, a fan of comic-books, is thrilled with the squirrel's new "superpowers" and is determined to keep Ulysses (named after the vacuum that injured him) despite strong resistance from her mother, an author whose is preoccupied with completing her latest romance novel. As Flora, her neighbor Tootie Tickham, and Tootie's young nephew William marvel over the talented Ulysses, they must also protect him from the attempts of Flora's mother and others to get rid of unusual squirrel.

This humorous tale, combined with its entertaining comic-like illustrations, is a well-written story and very deserving of the Newbery Medal it recently won! Fans of  Kate DiCamillo's other works will likely enjoy this fun story and readers who prefer graphic novels may appreciate the comic-style illustrations.   What a great book!

Author's website:  http://www.katedicamillo.com/

Book trailer:

A Tangle of Knots

A Tangle of Knots
by Lisa Graff

Cady, a young orphan, lives in a world where many people have unique "Talents".   Cady's is the ability to create the perfect cake for anyone.   When the head of her orphanage, Miss Mallory (who has the Talent of being able to make the perfect match for any orphan) places her with a kind man named Toby, Cady finds herself living above the Lost Luggage Emporium, an unusual store owned by an unusual man simply called The Owner.  Also living in the building is Marigold, a girl desperate to find her own Talent, and her family (each with their own unusual Talent).   While this cast of characters goes about their lives, The Owner continues with his own, sinister mission to reclaim what was lost to him many years ago.  

This is a fun, sweet tale that,  as the story progresses,  reveals numerous twists and connections  that bring the characters together in many unexpected ways.   Full of likeable characters, many humorous moments, and appealing cake recipes, this story is a great read and highly recommended to those who like a heartwarming story with a bit of magic.

Author's website: http://www.lisagraff.com/index.html

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
by William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer
illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

Growing up in a poor Malawi village, fourteen-year-old William lived without electricity as well as other resources many of us take for granted.    When a drought hit his village, food and money became scarce.   Forced to leave school, William began to visit the local library.   Through books, he was able to learn more about how things worked, including how a windmill could help bring electricity and water to his village.  Without the money or materials for a windmill, William was able to salvage materials from the village junkyard to build his country's first windmill, bringing electricity to his village for the first time.  

This biography is a wonderful tool for teaching about wind energy as well as how life is in other cultures.   I recently used this book to teach several classes about how some countries do not have many of the conveniences that we do and also discussed the use of wind as an energy source.

Author's website:  http://williamkamkwamba.typepad.com/ 

Related video:  This video includes interviews with William's family and others from his village.

One for the Murphys

One for the Murphys
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

After a vicious attack by her stepfather, twelve-year-old Carley is placed into foster care.    Life with the Murphy family couldn't be more different than living with her fun-loving mother and short-tempered stepfather.  Feeling abandoned and betrayed her mother, Carley initially resists the patient attempts of Mrs. Murphy to help her recover from the emotional pains of being betrayed by her mother.    Although Carley slowly begins to accept the Murphys,  her mother's return into her life threatens to take her away from the stable, loving family she has come to think of as her own. 

One for the Murphys is a beautiful story that brought out a variety of emotions in me as I read it!    I read this book in one day, unable to put it down.  I highly recommend this book for fans of realistic fiction.

Author's website:  http://lyndamullalyhunt.com/

Book trailer: 

Like Bug Juice on a Burger

Like Bug Juice on a Burger
by Julie Sternerg
illustrated by Matthew Cordell

Eleanor does not like camp.   In fact, she really hates it.   It's full of bugs, strange noises, and food that she doesn't like.    To make matters worse, she is the worst swimmer in her cabin.   To her, camp is like bug juice on a burger and she just wants to go home.   How will she ever survive ten days at camp?

Like Bug Juice on a Burger is a light, humorous story about a nine-year-old girl dealing with being away from home for the first time.   Eleanor is a likeable character that many girls will be able to relate to.  

Author's website: http://www.juliesternberg.com/