Graphic Novel

Title: A Cat Named Tim and Other Stories
Author: John Martz
Publisher: Koyama Press
Publication Date: 2014
ISBN: 9781927668108

Summary: This graphic novel is great for struggling readers and to introduce the genre to readers! This graphic novel contains four short stories about Tim and his friends Doug, Mouse, Connie, and Mr. and Mrs. Hamhock. This graphic novel has very little text in it and few frames but still carries the flow of a graphic novel. Tim and his friends are always getting into shenanigans, but are always laughing at the same time. Anything can happen in their world! Struggling readers won't be overwhelmed by the text but can still make a story by using inferences. Also, for young readers, this a great story to introduce the genre of a graphic novel because this book is intended for younger readers. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Poetry

Title: Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant

Author: Jack Prelutsky

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Publication Date: 2006

ISBN: 9780060543174

Summary: This anthology of poetry for children takes household objects and animals and combines them. With beautiful and unique illustrations, these poems comes to life for the reader. Children can easily relate to the poem because the household objects in the poem are something most children know about.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Title: The Carnival of the Animals

Author: Jack Prelutsky

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN: 9780375864582

Summary: This anthology is a group of poems that match the animals from Saint-Saens portrayed in his famous work back in 1886. You can real this alone on with the CD that is available with it. Children can see the different literary devices that can be used in poems clearly in these examples. 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Title: It's Thanksgiving!

Author: Jack Prelutsky

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: 2008

ISBN: 9780060537111

Summary: This shorter anthology contains poems all about Thanksgiving. Children can enjoy poetry about this holiday that talks about the food, the parade, and the family you can spend it with. This book contains 12 poems.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Historical Fiction

Title: The Gardener
Author: Sarah Stewart
Publisher: Square Fish
Publication Date: 2007
ISBN: 0374325170

Summary: This book takes places during the depression era and Lydia moves to the big city to live with her Uncle Jim, a banker. She brings stationary and a suitcase full of seeds and starts planting away. She hope all those plants she is growing will cheer everyone up, even Uncle Jim.

Rating:  4 out of 5



Title: The Butterfly
Author: Patricia Polacco
Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: 2000
ISBN: 0399231706

Summary: Monique's village is invaded by Nazis and war has begun. She thinks she sees a ghost one night and it is actually a little Jewish girl at the end of her bed. Her whole family has been hiding in Monique's basement this whole time. The two become quick friends until one day the family is discovered and their friendship turns into a nightmare. 

Rating: 4 out of 5



Title: The Cats in Krasinski Square
Author: Karen Hesse
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: 2004
ISBN: 0439435404

Summary: During War World II, a little girl is living in a Polish city, Warsaw Ghetto, wearing a Jewish armband and trying to live in a city that is not hers anymore. In an effort to help the people behind the Ghetto's wall, her and her family come up with a plan to distract the soldiers with a hoard of cats to give supplies and food to the others beyond the wall. 

Rating: 5 out of 5

Informational Books

Title: Balloons Over Broadway
Author: Melissa Sweet
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Companty
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 9780547199450

Summary: This book is about Tony Sarg: the man who was the original puppeteer of the of the Macy's Parade. This books tells about his life as a child and his journey through life working for Macy's and then create giant upside down marionettes for the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars



Title: Weather Words and What They Mean
Author: Gail Gibbons
Publisher: Holiday House Book
Publication Date: 1990
ISBN: 9780823408054

Summary: Everyone talks about the weather but not everybody understands all the words used. Common weather terms that are not commonly understood are defined clearly in this book. Also, many weather facts are also included in this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars



Title: Hurricanes!
Author: Gail Gibbons
Publisher: Holiday House Book
Publication Date: 2009
ISBN: 9780823422333

Summary: Gail Gibbons goes on to explain what a hurricane is and how it forms. The book also goes on to explain where hurricanes typically form and what people can do to protect themselves. Gibbons also clearly and simply explains how meteorologists now can predict when a hurricane will be forming.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Fantasy Books

Title: Jumanji
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Publication Date: 1981
ISBN: 0395304482

Summary: Judy and Peter are left alone by their parents so they decide to go out to the park and they find a board game called Jumanji. As they start to play the game it comes to life! All sorts of animals and even a hunter are in the house and reaking havoc among the town. Judy and Peter have to finish the game for all the pieces to go back in the box so their parents and guests don't find out when they come back from the opera.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars



Title: The Polar Express
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
Publication Date: 1985
ISBN: 0395389496

Summary: A young boy, who used to adore Christmas, hears a train whistle roar and he finds the train is waiting for him. He sees a conductor who then proceeds to look up at his window. The conductor explains the train is called the Polar Express, and is journeying to the North Pole. The boy then boards the train, which is filled with chocolate and candy, as well as many other children in their pajamas. Throughout the train things happen that can only be explained by magic! The boy eventually gets to the North Pole where he sees so many elves and eventually Santa Claus. The boy has faith restored in Christmas and has a bell that he brings back as proof but when his parents shake the bell it doesn't make a sound leading them to think it is broken. However, the boy knows you have to believe in Santa to hear it.

Summary: 4 out of 5 stars



Title: Zathura
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Publication Date: 2002
ISBN: 0618253963

Summary: The Budwing boys, Danny and Walter, don't get along. When their parents go out for the evening, small arguments escalate until finally Walter, the elder, chases his little brother out of the house and into the park, where he tackles him to the ground. As they wrestle, they catch sight of a board game propped up under a tree. It is called "Jumanji, a Jungle Adventure." Shoving the "baby game" at his brother, Walter heads for home, with Danny trailing behind. As Walter sits down in front of the TV, Danny examines the game. Lodged underneath the Jumanji game board, the little boy finds another game called "Zathura,". Danny starts to play on his own, struggling to read the card, and the game comes to life in their house. Soon they are out in space and have to finish the game. On Walter's turn he gets sucked into a black hole and all hope seems to be lost until Walter is back at the park wrestling with his brother like earlier in the day. Danny wants to bring the game home but Walter says no and plays catch with his brother instead.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Realistic Fiction

Title: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Author: Judy Blume
Publisher: Dutton Children's Books
Publication Date: 1972
ISBN: 9780525469315

Summary: Peter Hatcher's life with his little brother, Fudge, makes him feel like a fourth grade nothing. Fudge is never far from trouble but always seems to get away with everything and Peter has had enough of it. When Fudge takes Dribble, Peter's turtle he's had enough of it! Fudge ate Dribble sending him to the hospital for an extraction. Unfortunately, Dribble died in Fudge's stomach leaving Peter grieving his loss even though nobody seems to care. Later one, the Hatcher's adopt a dog in place of Dribble who Peter names Turtle. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. 



Title: Ramona's World
Author: Beverly Cleary
Publisher: Morrow JuniorBooks
Publication Date: 1999
ISBN: 068868167

Summary: Ramona believes that fourth grade will be the best year yet! She has wonderful handwriting, a new baby sister named Roberta, and a new best friend Daisy. However, Ramona doesn't know what fourth grade has in store for her. She must improve her horrible spelling, be a good role model for Roberta, and her mom wants her to spend more time with the awful Susan. Sometimes Ramona fails, quite hilariously, but she learns something very important with the help of her friends and family: sometimes being imperfect is perfectly fine.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars



Title: Frindle
Author: Andrew Clements
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 1998
ISBN:  978-0689818769

Summary: Nick Allen loves school and has plenty of great ideas, but is he a trouble maker? One day in school he learns how words a created and decides to create one of his own, frindle. Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there's nothing Nick can do to stop it.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Traditional Literature

Title: Princess Justina Albertina: A Caoutionary Tale
Author: Ellen Dee Davidson
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Publication Date: 2007
ISBN: 9781570916526

Summary: Princess Justina Albertina is a spoiled little girl who demands her nanny to get her a pet. No pet is just right in the eyes of Princess Justina Albertina and she keeps sending her nanny back out to get a new pet. Then her nanny pick out the perfect pet gryphon and the pet eats the princess.

Rating: 5 out 5 stars.



Title: Strega Nona
Author: Tomie dePaola
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 1975
ISBN: 067166283X

Summary: Strega Nona, Grandma Witch, is a source of potions, curses, and magic in the town of Calabrian. She had a magical pasta pot that intrigues hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden when she visits Strega Amelia. While she is gone, Big Anthony recites the magic versus over the pasta pot and only disaster results. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.



Title: One Grain of Rice
Author: Demi
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: 1997
ISBN: 059093998X

Summary: There once was a raja who thought he was fair. But every year he kept nearly everyone's rice for himself. Then when a famine came he refused to share the rice and the people went hungry. A village girl, Rani, makes a clever plan to get the rice back. She does a good deed for raja and in return demands one grain of rice doubled every day for thirty days. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. 

Beginning Reader

Title: Penny and Her Marble
Author: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: 2013
ISBN: 9780062082039

Summary: Penny is walking her doll down the street as far as she can go to Mrs. Goodwin's house. When she arrives there she finds an extra special marble in her front lawn. Penny takes the marble and loves it! Suddenly, the thought of the marble being Mrs. Goodwin's crosses Penny. Did she steal the marble? The guilt overcomes Penny and she puts it back the next morning only to find out that Mrs. Goodwin put it in her front lawn for somebody to take.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars



Title: Mouse Soup
Author: Arnold Lobel
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Publication Date: 1977
ISBN: 0060239670

Summary: A mouse was sitting under a tree reading a book when all of a sudden a weasel sneaks up and takes him back to his house to make mouse soup. The mouse tells the weasel a soup is only good with stories and the weasel believes him. The mouse tells him four different stories and at the end he tells the weasel he must get one thing from each story to put into the soup. While the weasel is having a difficult time getting the story ingredients for the soup, the mouse scurries home to eat his supper and finish his book. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars



Title: Happy Pig Day!
Author: Mo Willems
Publisher: Hyperion Books For Children
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 9781423143420

Summary: Today is Happy Pig Day and Piggie could not be more excited! Gerald is a little upset because he is an elephant and not a pig so he thinks he cannot participate in Happy Pig Day. Piggie reassures him that anyone who loves pigs can celebrate Happy Pig Day. Gerald joins in on the celebration with Piggie and other friends!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars 

Picture Books

Title: Where The Wild Things Are
Author: Maurice Sendak
Publisher: Harper Collins Publisher
Publication Date: 1963
ISBN: 0060254939

Summary: Max is causing mischief in his wolf suit all through the night so his mother sends him to bed without his dinner. Soon after, his room starts to grow into forest and Max travels in his private boat to where the wild things are. He becomes king of the wild things and has an all night rumpus until he gets hungry and goes back home where his dinner is waiting for him still hot.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars



Title: Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator
Author: Mo Willems
Publisher: Blazer and Bray
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 9780062004000

Summary: Alligator loves to get surprises from Amanda, but also hates waiting for her to come back. Alligator finds ways to pass the time while Amanda is out or reading a book until she brings home a surprise for Alligator. It is a new friend for Alligator! Alligator does not like the surprise at first but by the end of the night Alligator and Panda are friends.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars.


Title: Waiting
Author: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: 2015
ISBN: 9780062368447

Summary: A pig, bear, dog, bunny, and owl are all waiting for different things. They look out the window and wait and eventually see what they are waiting for. They also see other marvelous things outside of the window. One day a cat with patches comes and joins them and is waiting for something not outside the window. She is a Russian cat doll and four other kitten pop out!

Rating 3 out of 5 stars

Decodable Books

Title: Nan and Pap
Author: Veronica Angel
Publisher: Reading A to Z
Publication Date: Unavailable
ISBN: Unavailable

Summary: This decodable book focuses on the phonics element of the short a sound. This book shows Nan and Pap and where they take naps. It also shows Nan's pan.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars


Title: A Nap and a Map
Author: Lili Henderson
Publisher: Reading A to Z
Publication Date: Unavailable
ISBN: Unavailable

Summary: This decodable book reviews the phonics elements n, a, and p and introduces the phonics element of m. You meet Pam and Pap who like to take naps on various things. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars



Title: Dan the Tan Man
Author: Susan Hartley
Publisher: Reading A to Z
Publication Date: Unavailable
ISBN: Unavailable

Summary: This decodable book reviews the phonics elements of n, a, p, m, s, t, o and d. The book introduces the phonograms of -an and -ad. Dan runs away from Nan who puts up and ad to find him. 

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Wordless Picture Books

Title: Journey
Author: Aaron Becker
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publishing Date: 2013
ISBN: 9780763660536

Summary: A lonely girl draws a magic doors in her bedroom that takes her to places all over the world. With a special red marker she can draw objects and they come to life. Towards the end she is captured by an evil emperor and only her magic marker can help her and possibly give her what she wants most.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars



Title: Tuesday
Author: David Wiesner
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date: 1991
ISBN: 0395551137

Summary: As Tuesday night comes about strange things start happening at the pond. Frogs from the pond are able to float around in the sky! Who knows what shenanigans they will get into during the night and who can explain this phenomenon? 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars



Title: DRAW!
Author: Raul Colon
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication Date: 2014
ISBN: 9781442494923

Summary: A boy is alone in his room reading a book about Africa. He starts to take out his sketchbook and his imagination takes him on a safari. He goes on an adventure drawing portraits of all the animals he sees during his journey. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Board Books!

Title: Moo, Baa, La La La!
Author: Sandra Boynton
Publisher: Little Simon Books
Publication Date: 1995
ISBN: 9781416950356

Summary: The books starts off telling the reader what different noises animals make, but the book says pigs say la la la. The book then corrects itself saying pigs go oink. The book continues to tell what other noises animals makes and asks the reader what sound they make at the end.

Rating: I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.




Title: The Going to Bed Book
Author: Sandra Boynton
Publisher: Little Simon Books
Publication Date: 1982
ISBN: 9781416927945

Summary: Everyone on the boat is starting to get ready for bed. Then all of a sudden the characters do something not normally part of a bedtime routine!

Rating: I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.



Title: Welcome Summer
Author: Jill Ackerman
Publisher: Scholastic 
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: 9780545151641

Summary: This book is all about the fun activities to do during the summer! This book also includes touch sensory details within the illustrations for young readers.

Rating: I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.