Crank by Ellen Hopkins

I picked this book up on a whim, because it looked different. The book is wrriten in free verse which I wasn't even sure if I would like, but thought I would give it a try. This is a story of a young girl who becomes addicted to crystal meth. The story is semi-based on the author, Ellen Hopkins, own daughter. It is impossible to put down once you pick it up! You forget that you are reading "free verse" after the first few chapters and get lost in the story of the "good girl" Kristina, who transforms into "bad girl" Bree. Before you let your preteen read this book though, remember that its about a girl who becomes addicted to meth!

(I really apologize that this is such a poorly written review... I'm trying to come back to this after almost a year off... and I can't remember how to write!!!)

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

Young Trisha is excited when she goes to school. She is excited to learn how to read and to taste the sweetness of books. However, as she goes through school, she realizes that she isn’t able to keep up with the other kids. When she reads, the letters get jumbled, and it is hard for to see the words. She fakes her way through her classes, and is relentlessly teased by her classmates…that is until she gets a new teacher, Mr. Falker. Mr. Falker is able to build a relationship with Trisha, see her difficulty, and work with her until she is able to overcome her difficulties. This is a delightfully heartfelt story that every teacher should read.

Highly Recommended *****

Blumberg, R. (1985). Commodore perry in the land of the shogun. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books.

A Newberry awarded book, this is the story of Commodore Perry and how he worked to build diplomatic relations between America, and the then very secluded Japan. Does a great job describing the cultural differences between the two groups, which led to difficulty in building these relations. This book would be a great tool when instructing students about Japanese history.

Highly Recommended *****

Stanley, J. (1992). Children of the dust bowl: The true story of the school at weedpatch camp. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

The “Okies” face a difficult time. Their land is dry and wind storms plague them. They are unable to farm, and it is hard to support their families. With the temptation of work, many trek across the country to California. Once there however, they were treated as second class citizens by the native Californians. The “Okies” weren’t allowed in public places, and often were not even given the jobs that they came for. They lived in dire poverty, and their children too faced opposition. In an attempt to give the Okie children the education that they deserve, Leo Hart fights to have a school built for the Okie children. This amazing story of the school at Weedpatch Camp, will remind readers of the importance of hard work, and being willing to fight for what you believe in.

Highly Recommended *****

Stewart, M. (2009). Movie blockbusters. Pleasantville, NY: Gareth Stevens Pub.

This book reviews the top ten movie blockbusters! From Titanic, to Jaws, to The Wizard of Oz, and The Lord of the Rings, this book has plot outlines, quick facts, and other information about these popular movies. Students will enjoy being able to read about some of the most well known books of all time!

Highly Recommended *****

Curtis, C. P. (2007) Elijah of buxton. New York :Scholastic Press.

Elijah is famous for two things: first, he is the first freeborn child in Buxton. Second, when he was a baby, he threw up on Frederick Douglas. When Elijah finds out that the preacher swindled money from his friend, he decides to go to United States to get it back. Elijjah transforms from a child into a young man in this story, as the first freeborn child in Buxton finally learns what it means to be freeborn.

Highly Recommended *****

Fletcher, S. (2007). Dadblamed union army cow. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

Dadblamed Union Army Cow is based on the true story of a cow that follows her owner throughout the war. The cow, while a nusance at times, ends up being incredibly useful to the union army. When I read this book to my students they loved reading with me “moo” and “that dadblamed cow!”. This book is a great way to start talking to students about the Civil War.

Highly Recommended *****

DuPrau, J. (2003). The city of ember. New York: Random House.

This story takes place in the city of Ember. This is a dire time for ember, a city in total darkness. Supplies are running low, along with the light bulbs. Regularly now, the cities lights flicker, and everyone holds their breath hoping that the lights will stay on. Twelve-year-old Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet, join together to try to decipher a torn up letter, in the hopes of saving the city. As their search grows, they find corrupt politicians and citizens desperate for survival.

Highly Recommended *****

Hahn, M. D. (2006). Witch catcher. New York: Clarion Books.

Jen’s father has just inherited an old castle in a rural town in West Virginia from a distant uncle. As they move into the home, Jen immediately becomes suspicious of her father’s new girlfriend, Moura, who is a local antiques dealer. When Jen finds a hanging glass ornament in the tower (which Moura says is a witch catcher), and her cat breaks this ornament, suddenly a fairy named Kieryn appears. Jen works with Kieryn to save her family, who has also been trapped in witch catchers. But these fairy’s intentions are hard for Jen to decipher…

Highly Recommended *****

Riordan, R. (2005). The lightning thief. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Read with caution! The lightning thief is the first of five books in the Percy Jackson series. You will not be able to put them down! Young Percy Jackson finds out that he is a demigod. When a minotaur chases Percy to summer camp, he suddenly realizes that his best friend is a satyr, and his professor was a centaur. Percy, his satyr friend Grover, and another demigod Annabeth, they set out across the country to prevent a war between the gods. This is a great way to get students interested in Greek history and mythology! Even adults will become excited to learn the myths that are found in the Iliad and the Odyssey.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED *****

Prelutsky, J. (1996). A pizza the size of the sun. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Prelutsky does a great job of writing high interest poetry for children. Similar to Shel Silberstein, Prelutsky invites the reader to the world of poetry with silly topics and outlandish comments. This is a great resource to start talking to students about rhyme scheme, stanzas and lines, as students will be happy to analyze and discuss poems such as Bugs! Bugs! or I Think My Computer is Crazy.

Highly Recommended *****

Hopkinson, D. (2008). Abe Lincoln crosses a creek: A tall, thin tale (introducing his forgotten frontier friend). New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.

Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek is the story of young Abe Lincoln and his childhood friend, Austin Gollaher. Austin and Abe decide to cross a creek, when the water becomes turbulent, and in the end Austin saves the future 16th president of the United States from falling into the creek. The author cleverly invites the illustrator into the story, discusses the way history can be interpreted, and includes a thought provoking conversation on the moral of the story. Students are sure to love this story!

Highly Recommended *****

Winter, J. (2005). The librarian of basra: A true story from iraq. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc.

The Librarian of Basra is based on the true story of Alia Muhammad Baker, the chief librarian in Basra, Iraq. When war seems to be coming, Alia works to hide her collection of books. When no one is looking, she hides these books in her home, and in a local restaurant. After her library is burned to the ground during the war, Alia is able to save more than 30,000 books of her collection. Every librarian, or other persons who sees values in books should read this story of courageous Alia Muhammad Baker.

Highly Recommended *****

Verla, K. (2007). Rough, tough charley. Berkeley, California: Tricycle Press.

This story uses rhyme to tell the story of Charley Parkhurst. As a youth, Charley runs away from the orphanage, and finds work caring for horses. As Charley grows, Charley becomes known for his ability to care for horses, and was a stagecoach drive through the old west. Before his death, he joined the Odd fellows, and lost an eye. At his death, the doctor found a shocking surprise! Charley was a woman! Turns out Charley may have been one of the first women to vote in the state of California.

Rough, Tough Charley is a great book to use during women’s history month, and during lessons that ask students to challenge gender roles.

Highly Recommended *****

Watt, M. (2009). Chester.

Melanie Watt is trying to write a book about a mouse. Unfortunately, Chester her cat, decides that he would also like to write a book… about himself! He writes all over poor Melanie’s story, and they feud over what the book is about, and WHO will be writing it. While this story is meant for younger students, I read it to my fourth grade classes, and they loved it! Chester’s sharp humor made them all giggle, and was one of the most popular read aloud’s this year.

Highly Recommended *****

Selznick, B. (2008). The invention of hugo cabret. New York: Scholastic Press.

A young boy named Hugo, finds himself in the most dire situation: alone and left to care for a series of clocks in the city of Paris, France. He finds himself stealing food and gadgets for himself, as he attempts to fix a man made out gears in order to find a message from his deceased father. Through the use of vivid illustration and text, Selznick creates a fantastic adventure, as we follow Hugo’s encounters with a young girl, a man with one eye, and an old man. Readers will loose track of time as they loose themselves in this award-winning book.

Highly Recommended *****