Coming Soon to Our Library…

Lantern Sam and the Blue Streak Bandits, by Michael Beil

I knew I had to read this book.

When I read about the book, I learned that there is a talking cat, and I feel like my cats at home would love to talk to me! I also knew the book took place on a train from New York City to Chicago, and I thought that would be cool. I had no idea I would have so many personal connections to this book, though!

In the first few pages, the book mentions Albany, which is where I live. That’s kind of cool, right? It’s not often you can read books that mention your hometown. However, Albany is the capital of our state, so I wasn’t that surprised. I was surprised, however, when Ashtabula, Ohio came up as the main character’s hometown. When I was younger, my grandfather had a farm very near Ashtabula. I spent 2-3 weeks there every summer for almost 15 years when I was growing up! I was so excited to have that personal connection, but it got even better!

Another major character is on her way to Conneaut Lake Park. Conneaut is the actual town my grandfather’s farm was in – and it’s a REALLY small town! Every summer, my grandfather took all his workers to Conneaut Lake Park. I was there many times myself. It is a really small amusement park, and it’s very old. There is a roller coaster there called The Blue Streak, like the title. I was never old enough to go on it, though. 🙂 I did, however, ride a roller coaster called the Wild Mouse. I hated it! It was so scary because the cars seemed like they would shoot off the edges of turns instead of going around a curve smoothly. I love roller coasters now, though.

One of my favorite things when reading books is an unexpected personal connection. It makes me feel like the book was written just for me – like the author and I have really important things in common. Being surprised by a book in that way doesn’t happen very often, so I feel lucky when it does. Has that ever happened to you? Let us know in a comment!

I’ll keep you posted about Lantern Sam! On top of the personal connections, it’s a very intriguing mystery!

Ninja Red Riding Hood!

Check out this awesome book trailer for a new book by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat! If you’ve read The Three Ninja Pigs, you’ll love this one, too!

Boys of Blur, by N.D. Wilson

My heart is racing because I just finished a really great book! Check out the cover of N. D. Wilson’s Boys of Blur:

Because there are two boys running on the cover, I thought this book was going to be about sports – but it’s not. It’s got magic, mystery, and zombies! The setting of this book is really unusual. It takes place in a fictional town in Florida. In this town, they grow sugar cane, and much of the story takes place in these sugar cane fields – “the muck.” Creepy!!

I love the way that N.D. Wilson writes – I was on the edge of my seat! If you are looking for a slightly scary, fast-paced read, this is the book snack for you!

 

Bears!

I explored two new picture books this weekend, and they both surprised me!

WhenI first looked at Brother Hugo and the Bear, by Katy Beebe I thought it might be boring. It’s about a monk who needs to rewrite a book because a bear ate part of it. I was really surprised to learn all about how books were made in the 1100’s. They had to do all the ink-making and writing by hand! The illustrations were beautiful, and the style was different from other picture books. This would be a great book snack for students who are interested in the how books were made in the past.

The second book that surprised me this weekend is Three Bears in a Boat, by David Soman. I wasn’t sure what kind of a book I was going to be reading, but I absolutely loved it. The artwork is so beautiful, and they experience wonderful adventures! I can’t wait to share this tasty  book snack with all my Loudonville friends!

Fly Away, by Patricia MacLachlan

I’ve just finished my first book of the summer! Fly Away by Patricia MacLachlan. This is a very short and simple story about a family on a visit to Aunt Frankie’s farm. I really like how the author is able to make me feel like I know the characters as people in such a short time. Lucy is the main character, but we get to know her whole family: Dad, also known as Boots, Mom, older sister Gracie, younger brother Teddy, and Aunt Frankie. Aunt Frankie is one of my favorite characters because she’s tough and independent, but also very loving.

This book would be a tasty book snack for students in second through fourth grade. It would be a good fit for students who enjoy realistic fiction, and even poetry.

Summer is for Reading!

One of the best things about summer is more time to read! I have already started a list of new books I am going to read this summer. I’m planning on visiting the library quite a lot! Check back often to see what I’m reading, and see what your friends are reading! Here are the first books that I am planning on reading this summer:

 

First Books of Summer!

What are your reading plans for the summer? Do you have any recommendations for your friends? Leave a comment below!

Linda Urban is Coming!

This week will be a very exciting week at our library! Linda Urban is coming on Thursday, October 10! Have you read any of her books? I think my favorite is The Center of Everything, but I really love her other books, too.

I really like how Linda Urban’s books focus on the characters. I feel like they could be students here at our school – like they could be someone I know. Do you feel the same way?

One of the great things about an author visit is having the opportunity to ask a real, live author questions. I am very curious to learn about how Ms. Urban always seems to have just the right words. What will you ask??

 

Vacation Reading!

Hello friends! Guess where I am writing to you from? The sunny, hot state of Florida! I read an awesome book on the flight down here: a graphic novel called One Dead Spy. It’s part of Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales series. Did you know that Americans had spies during the American Revolution? This book tells the story of the first American spy just as he is being led to his end. It’s quite funny, and I really learned a lot about the American Revolution!

I also really loved how the book looks. I am a picky graphic novel reader, so it really has to keep my interest With both the art and the story. This book had both!

What about you? Do yiu like graohic novels? Why or why not?

A Tangle of Knots, by Lisa Graff

I’ve finished my first chapter book of the summer, and I loved it! A Tangle of Knots, by Lisa Graff, is an interesting story told from many different points of view. Sometimes the story can be confusing because I wasn’t sure how all the pieces fit together, but if you stick with it, it all becomes clear!
In this book, people have Talents, which means they can do something (usually something ordinary) really well. For example, there is a character who is Talented at knitting, and can knit sweaters, scarves, and other things really quickly. There are other characters in the book who are Talented at tying knots, matching people, and spitting. The main character’s Talent is baking cakes. Yum! The author has included several cake recipes, too!

I would recommend this book snack to anyone in grades 3-5, especially to anyone who loves a little dash of fantasy. If you like this book, I would also recommend Pie, by Sarah Weeks, and Everything on a Waffle, by Polly Horvath. We will have this book in the library when school starts again, but I have to warn you: if you want to borrow it, you’ll have to make a cake from the recipes and bring me a slice! 🙂

 

By the way, what do you think of the cover?