19. Mouse Scouts by Sarah Dillard

1st in a series
Library Book
2016, Alfred A. Knopf
118 pgs.
Fantasy - Anthropomorphism - Early Chapter Book
Finished 4-2-17
Goodreads rating:  3.67 - 123 ratings
My rating: 5
Setting: Contemporary anywhere, USA

First line/s:  "Violet placed her acorn cap on her head.  It made her forehead itch and her ears stick out, but that didn't matter!"

My comments:  There are three reasons that I really like this beginning chapter book.  First, it's about mice that are scouts....every Daisy and Brownie in the US can relate to this, the song, the pledge, the handbook, the uniform (including the acorn hat!).  Second, at the end of each chapter are step-step directions...for kids....about how to go about beginning and growing a garden, including taking care of pests!  It's like a nonfiction book written in fiction form.  I'm not a nonfiction lover, but would sit down to read this informative book in a second as a kid.  And third, I love some of the language that Sarah Dillard uses.  Although written for really young kids, she uses words that can be understood just from the context of the sentence in which they're written.  Looking forward to reading another in this series to see whether she follows the same format, because it's wonderful.

Goodreads synopsis:  Meet Violet, Tigerlily, Hyacinth, Petunia, Junebug, and Cricket, six new Mouse Scouts who are trustworthy and strong, thrifty and brave . . . and destined to be friends to the end! Best friends Violet and Tigerlily can’t wait to start earning their merit badges. But their troop leader, Miss Poppy, is one strict rodent. And earning their first badge—planting a vegetable garden—is hard work. Will the troop drive unwanted pests from the garden and earn their Sow It and Grow It badge? And will they ever get Miss Poppy to smile? 

Early Reader Series - The Fairy Tree by Ellen Potter

Piper Green series.
By Ellen Potter
Illustrated by Qin Leng

Piper Green is a feisty, savvy, funny 2nd grader who lives on an island (off Camden) in Maine.  She takes a lobster boat to a nearby island to go to school.  The stories are sweet and delightful as well as very funny.

1.  Piper Green & the Fairy Tree
2.  The Sea Pony
3.  Too Much Good Luck
4.  Going Places

Ellen Potter's WEBSITE.

3. Piper Green and the Fairy Tree by Ellen Potter

Illustrated by Qin Leng
Although this sounds like a fantasy, it is NOT!
Library book
2015, Alfred A. Knopf
95 pgs.
First chapter books, CRF
Finished 1-9-16, read at work during down time
Goodreads rating: 4.13 - 359 ratings
My rating: 5
Setting: Contemporary Island off the coast of Maine

First line/s:  "There are two things you should know about Peek-a-Boo Island:  1.  All the kids on the island ride a lobster boat to school.
2.  There is a Fairy Tree in my front yard."

My comments:  Piper Green is in 2nd grade, her younger brother Leo is married to a piece of paper named Michelle and has sticky-note kids, and her older brother Erik, now in high school, spends his week on the mainland to go to high school.  They live on a small island off Camden, Maine, and dad is a lobster fisherman.  The kids ride a lobster boat to a nearby island to school  Piper has a mind of her own...and the story is sweet and quite delightful.

Goodreads synopsis:  From award-winning author Ellen Potter comes a charming new chapter book series where kids, lobster boats, and a hint of magic are part of everyday life.
      There are three things you should know about Piper Green:
1. She always says what’s on her mind (even when she probably shouldn’t).
2. She rides a lobster boat to school.
3. There is a Fairy Tree in her front yard.
      Life on an island in Maine is always interesting. But when a new teacher starts at Piper’s school—and doesn’t appreciate the special, um, accessory that Piper has decided to wear—there may be trouble on the horizon. Then Piper discovers the Fairy Tree in her front yard. Is the Fairy Tree really magic? And can it fix Piper’s problems?

14. Space Taxi: Archie Takes Flight - Wendy Mass & Michael Brawer

Space Taxi #1
2014, Little Brown Books for Young Readers
112 pgs.
SciFi for kids
Finished 2/27/`6
Goodreads rating:  3.72
My rating:1
Setting: Anywhere, USA

First line/s:"Beep!  Beep!  Beep!  Beep!  It's not everyday a kid like me gets to wake up at midnight."

My comments:  I'm really glad that there are so many people out there who liked this book.  I love Wendy Mass.  I hate giving a negative review.  I'm going to test this out on kids, but I thought it was really stupid.  Over-the-top stupid.  I'll definitely change my rating if I find any kids who like it!

Goodreads synopsis:  Archie Morningstar learns a big family secret and helps save the universe. All before breakfast! 
          It's not every day a regular kid like Archie gets to wake up at midnight. But today is Take Your Kid to Work Day, and Archie is finally allowed to ride along in his dad's taxi cab. He has been waiting eight years, eight months, and eight days for this moment to arrive.
          But he's about to discover his dad is no ordinary cab driver...In fact, he drives an intergalactic space taxi! All night long, he shuttles aliens from one corner of the universe to another. And being a space taxi copilot is no easy task: Archie must steer them into wormholes, keep them from crashing into planets, deal with a very unusual cat...and save the universe from an evil mastermind!
          Space Taxi marks the debut of a brand new chapter book series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Mass and teacher Michael Brawer, filled with humor, adventure, and plenty of science to impress your friends and teachers!

43. Judy Moody, Mood Martian - Megan McDonald

Judy Moody #12
read by Barbara Rosenblat (who was great, but I didn't like the way she read Stink)
Listened to CD with Ella driving around PA
2014, Candlewock & Brilliance Audio
208 pgs.
genre/audience
Finished 7/6/15
Goodreads rating: 4.11
My rating: 4
Ella's rating:  4.5

My comments:  Judy Moody is a riot...but even funnier is her brother, Stink.  It was fun getting reacquainted with Judy, her family, her friends,  and her antics in this 12th book of a really wonderful series.  Keep 'em coming, Ms. McDonald!

Goodreads synopsis:  It’s Backwards Day, so Judy Moody double-dares herself to become Queen of the Good Mood for one whole week. Can she do it?
          Will the real Judy Moody please stand up? In honor of Backwards Day, Judy Moody decides to turn that frown upside down, make lemonade out of lemons, and be nice to stinky little brothers. In fact, Judy becomes a NOT moody, cool-as-a-cucumber neat freak for one whole entire day. But when her combed hair, matching outfits, and good moods hang around for days after, her friends begin to worry. Could this smiley Judy be an imposter?

41. Mr. Cooper is Super! - Dan Gutman

My Weirdest School #1
listened to cd in the car with Ella
read by Andy Paris
2015 Harper Collins
112 pgs.
Early Reader - 3rd grade protagonist
Finished 6/23/15
Goodreads rating: 3.96
My rating: 3 (Ella says 4)

My comments:  I've read a few of the titles from the original set of these books (My Weird School), and found them funny and clever. (My Weird School), and found them funny and clever. (Perhaps because the others I've read were realistic fiction and this one was fantasy, and therefore unexpected?)   This one will be loved by young kids, I'm sure, but the story seems silly rather than funny.  However, since there's place for both with kids, this book will be quickly placed on my classroom shelf.

Ella's synopsis:  AJ and the gang (Alexia, Michael, Neil, and Ryan) watch Mr. Granite (their about-to-be-gone teacher) climb up a ramp and into a spaceship.  The class's new teacher is Mr. Cooper.  Mr. Cooper always dresses up like a super hero.  Mr. Granite comes back, but only to return the key to the teacher's lounge.

Goodreads synopsis:  With more than 8 million books sold, My Weird School really gets kids reading!
       In this first book in the hilarious new My Weirdest School series, part of the internationally bestselling My Weird School series, A.J.'s third-grade teacher, Mr. Granite, is retiring after a million hundred years. It turns out the new teacher, Mr. Cooper, is even weirder than Mr. Granite! One day he's Rat Man and he teaches about rodents. The next day he's Lava Man and he teaches about volcanoes. But what happens when a real superhero is needed? Will Mr. Cooper protect the school from evil, or just embarrass it to death?
       Perfect for reluctant readers and word lovers alike, Dan Gutman's hugely popular My Weird School series has something for everyone. Don't miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and the gang.

Early Reader Series - Eleanor by Julie Sternberg

Eleanor Series
by Julie Sternberg
illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Harry N. Abrams

These books are written in verse format.  They're charming as well.

“Eleanor’s ingenuous free-verse monologue should strike a chord with readers, especially those who may have had to cope with the loss of a loved one. Cordell’s halftone cartoons convey the story’s pathos and humor, as well as Eleanor’s changeable moods.” –Publishers Weekly 

1.  Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie, 2011
2.  Like Bug Juice on a Burger, 2013
3.  Like Carrot Juice on a Cupcake, 2014

Julie Sternberg's website.

61. Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie - Julie Sternberg

#1 Eleanor
illustrated by Matthew Cordell

2011, Amulet Books

120 gs.

Early Reader - CRF - in verse

Finished 9/21/2014

Goodreads rating: 3.77

My rating:  4/ Loved it

Paperback Swap - Hardcover!

Setting: Contemporary city (she lives upstairs in an apartment building, very New Yorky in feel and illustrations)

1st sentence/s:  
     "I had a bad August."
      A very bad August.
      As bad a pickle juice on a cookie.
      As bad as a spiderweb on your leg.
      As bad as the black parts of a banana.
      I hope your August was better.
      I really do."

My comments:  This is a very charming book, written in verse, with lots of illustrations,so it's somewhat of a graphic novel, too. Eleanor is about to start 3rd grade, but her beloved babysitter (the daily kind), Bibi, has had to move to Florida.  Eleanor is distraught.  It's a book that's easy-to-read but not babyish.  And it's the beginning of a series!

Goodreads book summary:  When Eleanor's beloved babysitter, Bibi, has to move away to take care of her ailing father, Eleanor must try to bear the summer without Bibi and prepare for the upcoming school year. Her new, less-than-perfect babysitter just isn't up to snuff, and she doesn't take care of things like Bibi used to. But as the school year looms, it's time for new beginnings. Eleanor soon realizes that she will always have Bibi, no matter how far away she is. 
          Written in a lyrical style with thoughtful and charming illustrations throughout, this remarkable debut novel tells a poignant story of friendship and the bittersweet feelings of growing up.

Early Reader Series - WHO WAS Biographies by Various Authors

Who Was Abraham Lincoln? (2008) 5.5 - 720L
Who Was Albert Einstein? 2002 (Brallier/Parker) 5.8 - R - 810L
Who Was Alexander Graham Bell? (2014) 720L
Who Was Amelia Earhart? (2002) 4.3 - 610L
Who Was Anne Frank? (2007) 4,6 - N - 660 L
Who Was Annie Oakley? (2002) 5.8 - 0 - 870L
Who Was Babe Ruth? (2012) 690L
Who Is Barack Obama? (2009) 5.1 - Q - 740L
Who Were the Beatles? (2006) 4.5 - R - 670L
Who Was Ben Franklin? (2002) 4.4 - S - ?????????????
Who Is Bill Gates? (2013) 720L
Who Was Charles Darwin? (2005) 5.1 - P - 760L
Who Was Christopher Columbus? (2013) 640L
Who Was Clara Barton? (2014) 960L
Who Was Claude Monet? (2009) 4.7 - 740L
Who Was Daniel Boone? (2006) 4.5 - N - 620L
Who Was Dr. Seuss? (2011) 5.3 - 820L
Who Was Eleanor Roosevelt? (2004) 4.5 - P - 620L

Who Was Elvis Presley? (2007) 4.2 - O - 610L
Who Was Ferdinand Magellan? (2004) 5.0 - 710L
Who Was Franklin Roosevelt? (2010) 710L
Who Was Frida Kahlo? (2013) ????????
Who Is George Lucas? (2014) 930L
Who Was George Washington? (2009) 5.0 - 720L
Who Was Harriet Tubman? (2002) 4.6 - R - 650L
Who Was Harry Houdini? (2002) 5.8 - R - 780L
Who Was Helen Keller? (2003) 4.1 - Q - 570L
Who Is J. K. Rowling? (2012) 860L
Who Was Jackie Robinson? (2010) 4.5 - S - 670L
Who Is Jane Goodall?  (2012) 700L
Who Was Jim Henson? (2012) 4.9 - 750L
Who Was John F. Kennedy? (2004) 5.8 - N - 790L
Who Was Johnny Appleseed? (2005) 5.1 - Q -  790L
Who Was King Tut? (2006) 4.9 - S - 690L

Who Was Laura Ingalls Wilder? (2013) 710L
Who Was Leonardo daVinci? (2005) 4.7 - N - 650L
Who Was Louis Armstrong? (2004) 5.2 - O - 780L
Who Was Louis Braille? (2014) 780L
Who Was Marco Polo? (2007) 5.2 - R - 780L
Who Is Maria Tallchief? (2002) 5.1 - R - 740L
Who Was Mark Twain? (2004) 6.1 - P - 910L
Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.? (2007) 5.2 - 750L
Who Was Maurice Sendak? (2013) 820L
Who is Neil Armstrong? (2008) 5.4 - 810L
Who Was Nelson Mandela? (2014) 850L
Who Was Pablo Picasso? (2009) 4.6 - 700L
Who Was Paul Revere? (2011) 4.8 - U - 710L
Who Was Queen Elizabeth? (2008) 5.3 - 750L
Who Was Roald Dahl? (2012) 670L
Who Was Roberto Clemente? (2014) ???????????
Who Was Ronald Reagan? (2004) 5.4 - P - 780L
Who Was Rosa Parks? (2010) 4.8 - S - 700L
Who Was Sacagawea? (2002) 4.4 - N - 650L
Who Was Sally Ride? (2013) 800L
Who Was Sitting Bull? (2014) ???????????

Who Was Steve Jobs? (2012) 660 L
Who Is Steven Spielberg? (2013) 940L
Who Was Thomas Alva Edison? (2005) 5.3 - O - 790L
Who Was Thomas Jefferson? (2003) 5.3 - P - 680L
Who Was Walt Disney? (2009) 4.9 - 720L
Who Was William Shakespeare? (2006) 4.8 - N - 690L
Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? (2002) 5.3 - N - 790L

Early Reader Series - Stink by Megan McDonald

Stink Series
by Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Candlewick
(Reading Levels 2.5 - 3.0, Lexiles 480-580, Levels L, M, N)

These books have references to poetry, figurative language, research....and they're REALLY well written. James Moody ("Stink") is Judy Moody's younger brother. She figures prominently in the book. "You're only as short as you feel." How can you beat that? The illustrations are the same as Judy Moody. Black and white and fun.

1. Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid, 2005
2. Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker, 2006
3. Stink and the World's Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers, 2007
4. Stink and the Great Guinea Pig Express, 2008

Early Reader Series - My Weird School by Dan Gutman

Illustrated aby Jim Paillot
Harper Trophy
Ages 7-10

A. J. hates school. He is in the second grade at Ella Mentry School. But he sure runs into some interesting people there! Funny and charming.

1-Miss Daisy is Crazy! (the teacher) 2004, 86 pgs. 700L
2-Mr. Klutz in Nuts (the principal) 770L
3-Mrs. Roopy is Loopy (librarian) 680L
4-Ms. Hannah is Bananas! (art teacher) 590L
5-Miss Small is Off the Wall! (gym teacher) 660L
6-Mr. Hynde is Out of His Mind! (music teacher) 610L
7- Mrs. Cooney is Loony! (school nurse) 580L
8 - Ms. LaGrange is Strange! (lunch lady) 650L
9-Miss Lazar is Bizarre (custodian) 650L
10-Mr. Docker is off His Rocker! (science teacher) 580L
11-Mrs. Kormel is Not Normal! (bus driver) 640L
L12-Ms. Todd is Odd! (substitute teacher) 600L
13-Mrs. Patty is Batty! (Halloween) 630.L
14-Miss Holly is Too Jolly! (Christmas) 670L
15-Mr. Macky is Wacky (social studies teacher?) 620L
16-Ms. Coco is Loco (gifted & talented/poetry teacher) 2007, 102 pgs.
17-Miss Suki is Kooky! (famous author of endangered animals)
18-Mrs. Yonkers is Bonkers! (computer) 640L
19-Dr. Carbles is Losing His Marbles! (president of the Board of Ed.) 610L
20-Mrs. Louie is Screwy! (crossing guard)
21-Ms. Krup Cracks Me Up! (museum docent) 540L

......and ON TO THIRD GRADE ! ! ..........

MY WEIRD SCHOOL DAZE series
1-Mrs. Dole is Out of Control (PTA president) 610L
2-Mrs. Sunny is Funny (summer lifeguard) 510L
3-Mr. Granite is from Another Planet (3rd grade teacher) 580L
4-Coach Hyatt is a Riot (female Pee Wee footbal coach 530L
5-Officer Spense Makes No Sense! (security guard) 510L
6-Mrs. Jafee is Daffy! (vice principal) 580L
7-Dr. Brad Has Gone Mad! 540L
8-Miss Laney is Zany! 530L
9 - Mrs. Lizzy is Dizzy 610L
10. - Miss Mary is Scary 470L
11 - Mrs. Tony is Full of Baloney 620L
12 - Ms. Leakey is Freaky 550L

MY WEIRDER SCHOOL series
1 - Miss Child Has Gone Wild 600L
2 - Mr.Harrison is Embarrisin'
3 - Miss Lilly is Silly
4 - Mrs. Burke is Berserk
5 - Ms. Beard is Weird 650L
6 - Mayor Hubble is in Trouble
7 - Miss Kraft is Daft
8 - Dr. Nicholas is Ridiculous
9 - Ms. Sue Has No Clue
10 - Mrs. Jack is a Maniac
11 - Miss Klute is a Hoot
12 - Mrs. Lane is a Pain

MY WEIRDEST SCHOOL series
1 - Mr. Cooper is Super!

Early Reader Series - Mercy Watson by Kate Di Camillo

Illustrated by Chris VanDusen
Candlewick
(Reading Levels 1.9 - 2.3, Lexiles 380-390 Levels K+)

Kate DiCamillo has a Mercy Watson website that's full of fun.

Now here's a series where a clever, funny story and very clever, comical illustrations work together perfectly. Just perfectly. Such characters! Such humor. Great fun.Mercy Watson, a pig, a plain old non-talking, food-loving pig, lives with Mr. and Mrs. Watson in her own room with her own bed. She loves to eat and sleep and ... well, that's about it, I guess. But what an adventure she unwittingly gets herself into.

1. Mercy Watson to the Rescue (2005)
2. Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride (2006)
3. Mercy Watson Fights Crime (2006)
4. Mercy Watson, Princess in Disguise (2007)
5. Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig (2008)
6. Something Wonky This Way Comes (2009)

Early Reader Series - Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park

Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Stepping Stone Books, Random House
for: ages 6-9 (Junie is in K and 1, see below)

Holy Cow, there looks like a LOT of stories in this series. The edition I read for my first book (#1, read 17 years after they were first published) had a page of stickers in the back. And the story was very, very funny!

Kindergarten:
1. Junie B. Jones & the Stupid Smelly Bus, 1992
2. Junie B. Jones & a Little Monkey Business
3. Junie B. Jones & Her Big Fat Mouth
4. Junie B. Jones & Some Sneeky Peeky Spying
5. Junie B. Jones & the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake
6. Junie B. Jones & That Meanie Jim's Birthday
7. Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warrn
8. Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed
9. Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook
10. Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal
11. Junie B. Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy
12. Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy
13. Junie B. Jones Is (almost) a Flower Girl
14. Junie B. Jones & the Mushy Gushy Valentine
15. Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in her Pocket
16. Junie B. Jones Is Captain Field Day
17. Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl

First Grade
18. Junie B, First Grader (at last!)
19. Junie B, First Grader: Boss of Lunch
20. Junie B, First Grader: Toothless Wonder
21. Junie B, First Grader: Cheater Pants
22. Junie B, First Grader: One-Man Band
23. Junie B, First Grader: Shipwrecked
24. Junie B, First Grader: BOO...and I Mean It!
25. Junie B, First Grader: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (Ps So Does May)
26. Junie B, First Grader: Aloha-ha-ha
27. Junie B, First Grader: Dumb Bunny

Early Reader Series - Judy Moody by Megan McDonald

Judy Moody Series
by Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Candlewick
Reading Levels Around 3rd for most

Judy Moody. Sure, I've heard of her for years. Many entering-fifth-grade-ers have been reading these books. I never had. No I have. JUDY MOODY IS A KICK! She is real, clever, imaginative, has lofty goals, smart, and is a fantastic friend (and sister!). She is also very, very funny. First class, top-notch writing, situations, artwork. Megan McDonald has a new fan. I want to read them all.
And, check out the Judy Moody website!!

1-Judy Moody (Was in a mood. Not a good mood. A bad mood.) 2000
2-Judy Moody Gets Famous, 2001
3-Judy Moody Saves the World, 2002
4-Judy Moody Predicts the Future, 2003
5-Judy Moody, M.D., The Doctor Is In, 2004
6-Judy Moody Declares Independence, 2005
7-Judy Moody Around the World in 8 1/2 Days, 2006

Judy Moody and Stink: The Holly Joliday
The Judy Moody Mood Journal
Judy Moody's Double-Rare Way-Not-Boring Book of Fun Stuff to Do

Early Reader Series - Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows

Ivy and Bean Series
by Annie Barrows
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
For: 6-9 year olds

Annie Barrows has a great Ivy + Bean Website here!

These books are about two 7 year-olds: Bean is messy and lively and loves playing tricks. Ivy looks neat and bookish and boring. W R O N G! In these fast-paced, humorous stories, Ivy and Bean, fast friends, get themselves into such situations! Laugh-out-loud funny, very clever, and very real. No a bit boring or simplistic, either in writing style or plot. It doesn't talk down to kids at all. Totally delightful.

1. Ivy + Bean (2006) 2.7 - M - DRA 24 - 510L (here's a book trailer on YouTube!)
2. Ivy + Bean and the Ghost That Had to Go (2006) 3.2 - N - DRA 30 -  580L
3. Ivy + Bean Break the Fossil Record (2007) 2.7 - 520L
4. Ivy + Bean Take Care of the Babysitter (2008) 440L
5. Ivy + Bean: Bound to be Bad (2008) 2.7 - 500L
6. Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance (2009) 3.1 -  530L
7 - Ivy + Bean: What's the Big Idea? (2010) 3.2 - 550L
8 - Ivy + Bean: No News Is Good News (2011) 2.7 - 500L
9 - Ivy + Bean Make the Rules (2012)
10 - Ivy + Bean Take the Case (2013)

Early Reader Series - Cam Jansen by David Adler

Cam Jansen Series
by David Adler
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
(new cover art by Joy Allen)
For: 6-10 year olds
(Reading Levels 2.2-2.7, 480-500 Lexile, Level L, DRA 28)

Cam Jansen is a fifth grader with a photographic memory. She and her best friend Eric solve mystery after mystery using her talented mind.

1. Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds
2. Mystery of the U.F.O.
3. Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones
4. Mystery of the Television Dog
5. Mystery of the Gold Coins
6. Mystery of the Babe Ruth Baseball, 1982
7. Mystery of the Circul Clown
8. Mystery of the Monster Movie
9. Mystery of the Carnival Prize
10. Mysteryof teh Monkey House
11. Mystery of the Stolen Corn Popper
12. Mystery of Flight 54
13. Mystery of the Haunted House
14. The Chocolate Fudge Mystery
15. Triceratops Pops Mystery
16. The Ghostly Mystery
17. Scary Snake Mystery
18. Catnapping Mystery
19. Barking Treasure Mystery
20. Birthday Mystery
21. School Play Mystery
22. First Day of School Mystery
23. Tennis Trophy Mystery
24. Snowy Day Mystery
25. Valentine Day Mystery
26. Secret Service Mystery
27. Mystery Writer Mystery
28. The Green School Mystery
Specials: (3 Stories in One Book):
The Summer Camp Mysteries
Sports Day Mysteries

42. Gooney Bird Greene Collection - Lois Lowry

Gooney Bird Green Books 1 - 4

audio read by Lee Adams - superb!
6 unabridged cds (7:01) Listening Library, 2009

1 - Gooney Bird Greene  (2002) 96 pgs.
2 - Gooney Bird and the Room Mother (2005) 80 pgs.
3 - Gooney the Fabulous (2007) 96 pgs.
4 - Gooney Bird is So Absurd (2009) 112 pgs.

(382 pgs. total)

Finished 7/17/14

Early/Intermediate Readers, the characters are in the 2nd grade

Goodreads Rating: 4.01

My Rating: 4/ Loved it

Bosler Library

Setting:  Contemporary Anywhere, USA

My comments:  Though pretty much implausible, this book is nonetheless enchanting.  I've read the first book previously, loved it. This time I listened with my 2nd grade granddaughter, who LOVED it.  Lee Adams, who read it, is TERRIFIC. Mrs. Pidgeon is a dream teacher.  And all four books (which I highly recommend reading in order) are full of writing and poetry lessons.  The implausibility is Gooney Bird herself.  I've taught a lot of creative, clever, extremely intelligent kids and Gooney Bird is still not quite a a believable character for me.  But who cares?  She's great! (And so is Mr. Leroy, the principal.  Every principal in the world should take pointers from this guy....

Goodreads Review:  This four-story collection includes:

Gooney Bird Greene There’s never been anyone like Gooney Bird Greene at Watertower Elementary School. She is the star of story time and keeps her class on the edge of their seats with her “absolutely true” stories. But do her classmates have stories good enough to share?

Gooney Bird and the Room Mother Gooney Bird wants to have the lead role of Squanto in her class Thanksgiving pageant. But that role will go to whoever finds someone to be the room mother. Gooney Bird finds a room mother alright, but promises not to tell who it is until the day of the play. But will the mystery room mother really show up?

Gooney the Fabulous Gooney Bird has a fabulous idea after her teacher reads fables to the class. Her fabulous idea is that each student create their own fable and tell it to the class! Everyone but Nicholas is excited about their stories and costumes. Can Gooney Bird find out why Nicholas is unhappy and get him to join in the fun?

Gooney Bird Is So Absurd On the day that Gooney Bird wears her special brain-warming hat to school, Mrs. Pidgeon is teaching her class about poetry. But just when things are going well, the kids get some terrible news. And Gooney Bird will need all the inspiration her brain can muster to organize the most important poem the class has ever written. 

So Many SERIES Out There!

Suggested series I have not yet read:
Billy B. Brown and Hey Jack , two series by Sally Ripp
(as seen on My Book Boost blog)

I spent a large part of the summer checking out series books, especially the dearth that are now available for beginning chapter book kiddos. Here's a sampling of some that I've either discovered or rediscovered (and I'll be adding more as I get the chance):

Cam Jansen Series
by David Adler
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
(new cover art by Joy Allen)
For: 6-10 year olds
(Reading Levels 2.2-2.7, 480-500 Lexile, Level L, DRA 28)

See listing of books on separate page on this website

Eleanor Series
by Julie Sternberg
Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

See listing of books on separate page on this website.

Field Trip Mysteries
by Steve Brezenoff
Illustrated by C. B. Canga

Four sixth graders, led by Gum (James) Shoo, solve mysteries they stumble upon during field trips.  Although the protagonists are older, this book is highly recommended for beginning chapter book readers as the story, characters, and sentence structure are all pretty simplistic.  Yes, even first and second graders.  There are 20 books in the series as of October, 2017.

1.  The Painting That Wasn't There

Gooney Bird Green Series
by Lois Lowry
Illustrated by Middy Thomas
1.  Gooney Bird Greene
2.  Gooney Bird and the Room Mother
3.  Gooney the Fabulous
4.  Gooney Bird is So Absurd
5.  Gooney Bird on the Map



Ivy and Bean Series
by Annie Barrows
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
For: 6-9 year olds
(Reading Levels 2.7 - 3.2, Lexiles 510-580, Levels M & N)

See listing of books and comments on separate page of this website.





Judy Moody Series
by Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Candlewick
Reading Levels Around 3rd for most

Lots more "stuff" on the Judy Moody page on this website.



Junie B. Jones Series
by Barbara Park
Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Stepping Stone Books, Random House
for: ages 6-9 (Junie is in K and 1, see below)

Check out the Junie B. Jones page on my website.





Mercy Watson Series
by Kate Di Camillo
Illustrated by Chris VanDusen
Candlewick
(Reading Levels 1.9 - 2.3, Lexiles 380-390 Levels K+)

Go directly to the Mercy Watson page on this blog.

Mouse Scouts
by Sarah Dillard
Alfred A. Knopf
1.  Mouse Scouts (Sow and Grow a Garden)
2.  Mouse Souts Make a Difference
3.  Mouse Scouts Camp Out






My Weird School Series
by Dan Gutman
Illustrated aby Jim Paillot
Harper Trophy
Ages 7-10

Go to this website's separate pag on this great series.

Piper Green and the Fairy Tree SERIES
by Ellen Potter
Illustrated by Qin Leng
Alfred Knopf
2nd - 4th grade

Check out the book titles and more information here.

Sofia Martinez
by Jacqueline Jules
Illustrated by Kim Smith
Picture Window Books
K-2nd grade
(Guided Reading Level K/ 2.2 - 2.5)

In no particular order:
My Secret Recipe
Abuela's Birthday
Picture Perfect
Singing Superstar
The Missing Mouse
The Marigold Mess
Lights Out
The Beach Trip
My Family Adventure



Stink Series
by Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Candlewick
(Reading Levels 2.5 - 3.0, Lexiles 480-580, Levels L, M, N)

Stink has his very own page on this website...





"WHO WAS" Biography Series
Mosey on over to a separate page to view all the titles and further information










Zigzag Kids Series by Patricia Reilly Giff
Illustrated by Alasdair Bright
Wendy Lamb Books, Random House

This looks like Giff's trying to update the Polk Street Kids series with a group of young elementary students (K up) who go to an afternoon program at the Zelda A. Zigzag School in these more contemporary times. Barack Obama as our president is mentioned....

1 - Number One Kid
2 - Big Whopper (about Destiny) 2010
3.  Flying Feet
4.  Star Time
5.  Bears Beware
6.  Super Surprise
7.  Sky High