The Mysterious Benedict Society

  I just started this new book and with 485 pages… I am thinking this one might take me ’til next week at least.  I am excited though.  It’s reminding me of the Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket series with a touch of the Blue Balliett’s art mysteries. Have you read The Mysterious Benedict Society?  Click on the comment line below and drop me a note.

Mrs. Neddo

Veggie Man

Check out this voicethread made by Jen S. in Mrs. Roberts’ Class. 

Healthy Hylanders

Our student council is sponsoring a door decorating contest for wellness month.  Watch this voicethread to learn more!

New York: the Empire State

This new book about New York State caught my eye when I saw how the illustrator has divided up each two page spread.  Each fall, some of our fourth graders are given an assignment to describe a region of New York State. The authors, a mother-daughter team, describe 15 regions with brief fact-boxes that describe the region’s sports, nature, government, and tourist attractions. 
One error to clarify with students…glaciers did not slice Long Island away from Pennsylvania.  I think it was the weight of the glaciers that pushed Long Island up and then the warmer climate and erosion raised the level of the water to create the Island.  
One note to the teacher… the Capital Region section mentions our legislators, but shows a picture of City Hall.  Minor problems with an enjoyable read aloud for our fourth graders, who will surely know the difference between the capital buildings!

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat-Part III

Well, that was a great combination of magical fantasy and a good mystery. I loved all the dark, rainy nights Emmy and her friends spied in windows, hid behind dressers, eavesdropped in stairwells, and snuck out at night to rendezvous with rodents against the evil Professor Vole.  And the Rat is so funny!  He always has a quick smart remark that will have you laughing.  He is so full of himself!    Also, I forgot to mention that the Shrinking Rat is the Shrinking Rat of Schenectady!  I was so surprised to see Schenectady mentioned.  I highly recommend this for grades 3 and up.  

Coming Soon-New Graphic Novels

These two graphic novels look to be smash hits.  I hope they will ship over the February break.  Head on down to the library to reserve your copy today!
Jellaby and from the Amulet series, The Stonekeeper.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Interview

Jeff Kinney, the author of the Wimpy Kid series, was just interviewed by NPR about the new Rodrick Rules.  Yes, my son groans in the car when I listen to NPR, and maybe you do too… but this was a good interview.  Only seven minutes.   Jeff Kinney tells how he came up with his story and what’s next for Greg in Book 3, 4, and 5.  Jeff Kinney originally wrote this series for adults!  Whoa!  Check it out! 

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat-Part II

I am about half way through the book in one night!  I love it, love it!   It reminds me of Roald Dahl’s Matilda with all the magic and sinister characters plotting against an innocent young girl.  When I got to the Pawball (soccer for rodents) tournament I couldn’t help but think of The Mouse and the Motorcycle and Runaway Ralph. 
I can’t give away too much- the plot and action is interconnected from one surprise to the next.  I love figuring out the mysterious happenings.  For instance, how the rat’s bite changes the humans and their search for a cure at a creepy shop owned by Professor Vole.  He is a totally creepy guy that actually hunts down Emmy and the Rat at school and later tries to trap them at his shop, The Antique Rat.  Or why the sinister nanny, Miss Barmy has Emmy visiting a silly school psychologist every two weeks. What’s with that?!  Thanks to help from Emmy’s new friend, Joe, and the Rat I just figured out how Miss Barmy is keeping her parents away on vacation so long!  Revenge against Miss Barmy is so sweet thanks to the potions at the creepy Antique Rat shop.  Thank goodness it’s a snow day.  I can’t wait to finish this one!  Ta-ta for now!

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat

  I have just started this new book by Lynne Jonell.  It got rave reviews and so I ordered it.  When it arrived I wondered about the cover.  Would it help or hinder a person looking for a new book to read.  Some call it a classic.   What do you think?  Don’t forget you can share your two cents with the comment button below.
When I first opened the book, I flipped the pages looking to see how many pages there were.  Hmmm…. 346.  Then I noticed something moving on the pages.  At the top of each page is a border of a tree from which the rat falls as you flip with your thumb from front to back.  This is a cool feature by illustrator, Jonathan Bean.  

Here’s the  book jacket blurb…
“Emmy was a good girl.  At least she tried very hard to be good. She did her homework without being told. She ate all her vegetables, even the slimy ones.  And she never talked back to her nanny, Miss Barmy, although it was almost impossbile to keep quiet, some days.  She really was a little too good.  Which is why she liked to sit by the Rat.  The Rat was not good at all…”

Feathers- 2008 Newbery Honor

“Hope is the thing with feathers/that perches in the soul/…” 
Emily Dickinson

This is Frannie’s story of hope and faith at a time in her life when she worries about her mother’s pregnancy after losing three babies.  Frannie also worries about her good-looking deaf brother and the hearing girls who reject him.
Frannie is not pretty or smart, but she is good person who struggles with her faith and wonders about the new boy nicknamed “Jesus Boy.”  Trevor, the class bully gave this nickname to the new white boy at their all black middle school.  The new boy looks and acts like Jesus with his long hair, pale skin, and quiet calmness.  The tension builds between Jesus Boy and Trevor to an ending that is just right, but not perfect for all of the characters.  Click here for a sound clip and movie.
This 2008 Newbery Honor winner was a quick read at just over 100 pages and I highly recommend it for a mature fifth grade reader.