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If you have a book recommendation to share, see Mrs. Jeffrey in the LRC or email it to: tjeffrey@naperville203.org! We are looking to share more books with each other! if you have a recommendation while Mrs. Jeffrey is on leave please give it to Mrs. Smilgys in the LRC or email her at: rsmilgys@naperville203.org.
The Chaos King by Laura Ruby
I would recommend this book for people who like fantasy because it is entertaining and very funny. It is filled with adventure, is funny, and after reading the first chapter you won't want to put it down. Georgie Blooming can turn herself invisible, but sometimes she has problems with one part of her body showing. She can sneak out and no one can see her, and she can turn other people invisible. Sometimes everything does not turn invisible, like her nose which people think is a floating nose. Bug, another character, saved Roma, from a giant sloth that likes chocolate by feeding him M&Ms. ~Kyle Kozarits (12/17/08)
Lowji Discovers America by Candace Fleming
Lowji is a boy from India who moves to the United States with his parents because his mother found a computer job in Hamlet, Illinois. Lowji is not happy about leaving his best friend, Jamshed, but Jamshed suggests that he look for the ""silver lining"" in this cloud. As he learns more about America and many purely American expressions he finds that there is plenty of silver. This is an interesting and funny book about a boy's adaption to a new life in America. ~Mrs. Smilgys (11/25/08)
Letters from Wolfie by Patti Sherlock
If you like stories with strong characters that won't seem to stop for most things in the world, this is a book for you. Mark is a boy who grew up with the friendliest dog in the world named Wolfie. Danny, Mark's older brother enlists in the military to go over to Vietnam. Danny tells Mark that the army needs scout dogs so Mark decides to donate Wolfie. Mark later realizes that the chances of getting Wolfie back were very slim. Mark tries everything to get his friend back: protests, letters, and one appearance on television. Mark is a strong character that powers through all of his obstacles while going through a huge transformation throughout the book. This book is a great book for people who like learning about our country's past and some animal lovers. ~Christian (11/7/08)
39 Clues: Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan
If you enjoy action and adventure then this book is one you must read. The story is about Amy and Dan Cahill--two absolutely normal kids. Or at least they think so until they find that they are part of the most important family in history. Together Amy and Dan work to try and solve the 39 clues. They travel to quite a few different places with their au pair, Nellie. They go through many near death situations in their search for the second clue, and face many people who will try to do anything to stop them. This is a very interesting and action packed read--almost anyone will love it! ~Saira (11/7/08)
Hawksong
For years, two lands have been fighting each other. When one group can turn into birds and the other group shape-shift into snakes, things can get pretty dangerous. In order to stop the war and bring peace about, the rulers of the two lands, Zane and Danica, agree to marry. Hawksong is an enjoyable read, partly because it is similar to Twilight, just much shorter. Zane gives off an Edward Cullen vibe as an affectionate, super good-looking guy who wants to prove to the standoffish Danica (Bella, anyone?) that she can trust him. ~ Miss Cooper (10/23/08)
A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schiltz
A Drowned Maiden's Hair is about an orphan named Maud who is adopted by three sisters. Maud, despite her tough exterior, is just a kid who wants to be loved and sometimes makes bad decisions in the process (she's reminiscent of The Great Gilly Hopkins, another excellent read). She helps the sisters in their séance business scam in order to please them, even though she knows it is wrong. This well-written book with believable characters was my favorite 2009 Rebecca Caudill nominee – until I read The Lightning Thief. ~ Miss Cooper (10/23/08)
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
This book is so cool, and I'm glad it is nominated for the Rebecca Caudill! It kicks off the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which sets the Greek gods and myths in modern day America. When Percy finds out that he is the son of a god and has neat powers, he has to face weird run-ins with grudge-holding gods and monsters while trying to find Zeus' stolen lightning bolt and thus saving the world. The Lightning Thief and the following Percy books are funny and exciting, and among my favorites at the LRC. ~ Miss Cooper (10/23/08)
Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sister by Leslie M.M. Blume
If you like really interesting stories told by people who have traveled the world and know just about everything it seems there is to know, you will fall in love with this book right away. Cornelia lives with her annoying housekeeper, who she likes to shoo away with her big words from her favorite books--her dictionaries. She is very antisocial, but then she meets her neighbor, Virginia, who tells her of all her adventures with her sisters from around the world, and she goes through a huge transformation. She now has friends and enjoys being with people more from her adventures with Virginia. This is a fun, interesting, and adventurous read for everyone. ~Cynsy (9/12/08)
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall
If you loved The Penderwicks from last year's Caudill list, you will enjoy the return of the sisters in the continuation. The girls return to their home on Gardam Street with their father, who has been summoned to date from a letter from their late mother. The sisters are not so happy with this new development and the story, though predictable, follows with tales of the sabotage and tales of Mr. Penderwick dating. A fun summer read! ~ Mrs. Jeffrey (6/16/08)
the otherworldlies by Jennifer Anne Kogler
I had the opportunity to preview an advance copy of this novel for a young author that will visit Madison on May 14th. The fantasy/science fiction/ mystery all wrapped up into one gives the reader a mix of genres to appreciate. Fern McAllister spends half the book on an adventure to figure out what her mysterious symptoms and problems mean, and once she finds out, the rest of the book becomes an adventure with her twin brother and a new friend. We look forward to Ms. Kogler's visit to Madison! ~ Mrs. Jeffrey (5/6/08)
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Science fiction and adventure fans will enjoy this "tale" that we hope is just a tale where the moon is hit by a meteor and the world becomes plagued with tsunamis, earthquakes, and other unimaginable damage. Think of a world with no electricity, telephones; even snail mail is inconsistent. the diary format of a high school girl named Miranda gives eerie details of what the Earth becomes. Will Miranda and her family survive while most of the people in the town do not? It gets a little slow and depressing towards the middle/end, but you won't want to put it down to find out what happens! One of the better Caudill books so far. ~ Mrs. Jeffrey (4/7/08)
Eggs by Jerry Spinelli
This title may make you stop and say "huh?" but this is a typical Spinelli novel where you do not know what is going to come next. Two unlikely friends, David and Primrose, have adventures and commiserate over their family life. David's mother died in an accident and now lives with his grandmother, while Primrose has a bedroom in a car to stay away from her psychic mother. You'll have to read it to figure out where the eggs come into play. ~ Mrs. Jeffrey (3/26/08)
The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
This is a 2009 Rebecca Caudill nominee. Even though it is a historical fiction book, it would be great for any realistic fiction reader. It gives a behind-the-scene look at the making of the atomic bomb during World War II, although at the time, they just call it "the gadget" since it is a top secret project. Dewey Kerrigan lives with her father and doesn't have many friends, but this turns into a story of friendship and sacrifice. ~ Mrs. Jeffrey (3/18/08)
No Talking by Andrew Clements
A light read by a popular author. The boys versus the girls in this fifth-grade no talking competition for two days. Funny and an easy read. ~ Mrs. Jeffrey (3/18/08)
Gossamer by Lois Lowry
Not my favorite of the Caudill books; this one was a little hard to follow at times. A cute, simple story about where dreams come from and the story of a young boy who hasn't had the easiest time growing up. Can the dream givers give him a happier life at night? ~ Mrs. Jeffrey (3/18/08)
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