Category: Five Star Kids

REVIEW: The Frindle Files by Andrew Clements

REVIEW: The Frindle Files by Andrew Clements

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Josh Willet’s Language Arts teacher, Mr. N, is like someone from the stone age! No computers in class. An honest-to-goodness CHALKBOARD in the classroom. And handwritten homework. What century is this guy living in?!

One night while working on his (handwritten) homework, Josh’s pen runs out of ink. The one he borrows from his mom has the word “Frindle” written on it. Josh looks up the word online and get’s an unbelievable surprise. The kid who invented the word Frindle? Nicholas Allen?

He looks just like Mr. N!

So Josh opens a new file on his computer, names it “The Frindle Files,” and starts investigating his teacher and this “Nick Allen,” the creator of Frindle.

Review

This. Was. Incredible.

It’s everything I wanted it to be. I should never have doubted Andrew Clements.

This has a familiar and similar dynamic as the original book without being an outright copy. And it’s sharp and contemporary without trying too hard. The main characters of The Frindle Files are like Nick and his friends from Frindle – smart and clever kids who aren’t perfect but who have good intentions. Their grown ups – both at school and at home – want what’s best for the kids. And that’s provided with both freedom and boundaries.

And the teacher/student relationship is everything I loved from the original.

Of course, I re-read Frindle for a refresh before diving into this – and I’m so glad I did. It made the call backs so easy to recognize. And I cried happy tears through both books. Clements fans and Frindle fans – do NOT miss this!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Rise of the Cat by Judd Winick

REVIEW: Rise of the Cat by Judd Winick

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When our story truly begins, after the lava-filled teaser, Polly is in a magical disciplinary hearing. And for her perceived “crimes,” Polly gets sent to the magic school Wombatton. But she doesn’t have to go alone. Her brother Pip goes with her, along with a new friend, Noria, who is a robot.

The teachers and other kids at Wombatton are horrible to Noria – not unlike the people in Polly’s tribe had been.  But while Polly and Pip try to defend her every time there’s trouble, things get worse when Noria is accused of setting weird monsters on the school.

Review

This is OUTSTANDING! And it wrapped up way too quickly. I would have read a story 3x as long in a heartbeat. The bigotry toward Noria is infuriating, but she at least has Polly and Pip on her side, both sticking up for her and helping her puzzle out who is really conjuring the monsters.

Kids new to the Hilo series could probably pick this up without too much trouble – although reading the first 9 books would be SO satisfying! There are helpful references and flashbacks to previous stories to help newcomers jump right in.

Series fans will likely be as distraught as I was over the quick finish. I exclaimed out loud, alone in my office during my lunch break, “That’s IT?!” I need MORE! The year-long wait between books feels almost painful. This is probably my favorite book in the whole series so far – I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Hand this to graphic novel fans, readers who love books with magic schools and magic users, kids who love SASSY cat stories, as well as all of your Hilo fans.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Animals Assemble! by Mike Maihack

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Animals Assemble! by Mike Maihack

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When Spider-Man hears there’s a supervillain in Central Park, he’s eager to get in on the action. But one by one, the Avengers show up, asking him to pet sit for them so THEY can go to Central Park to fight the villain.

Review

Mike Maihack’s art style is EXACTLY what I love. So I’ve been a fan since his Cleopatra in Space graphic novel series (middle grade – check them out!). He shares cartoons online, and his Batgirl and Supergirl series is a delight every time. I’m a serious fan.

So when he started talking about his new early reader graphic novel series for Marvel, I was eager to check it out. Just after Christmas last year I took a week off social media to focus on reading, and this was the first book I read.

It’s fantastic! I’m sad I’m not teaching any more or hanging around a lot of first and second grade kiddos because I would LOVE to share these with kids. The art work is exactly as amazing as I expected it to be. But I was equally delighted by the story!

The story is “simple” in that young kids will easily follow it. Spider-Man gets left holding the pets while the Avengers get to go fight a villain. He’s dedicated to his assignment, but he’s also disappointed. In the end, it all works out happily – and along the way are some laugh-out-loud moments. I would absolutely read this again. It would be a hoot to read with a kiddo. And any new characters in the book that kids might not know open the door to other books and comics they might enjoy.

This is geared toward readers 7-10. I think it would also appeal to younger kids who might be reading independently as well as those who are looking for some “read together”/lap reading options with superheroes. I HIGHLY recommend this series. Book 2 is out now, Quantum Quest, and I’ll be reviewing that next week. Book 3, Cosmic Chaos, releases this summer. Do not miss the Mighty Marvel Team-Up series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

REVIEW: Birtle and the Purple Turtles by Tara J. Hannon

REVIEW: Birtle and the Purple Turtles by Tara J. Hannon

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Tootie makes a new friend in Turtletown, but they are a curious looking turtle.  But “Teeny” and Tootie discover they have SO much in common, they quickly become best friends. Even though they found her a shell so she looks more turtle-like, though, Teeny really isn’t enjoying the food or activities the other turtles like. And she’s afraid to let Tootie know.

Review

This is amazing! I adored Tootie’s enthusiasm and encouragement. What a perfect friend to have during an identity crisis! And Teeny is so sweet and worried about not fitting in. The artwork is adorable, and the color scheme was perfect for me. This is a lovely story about friendship and acceptance and identity. I highly recommend this graphic novel for chapter book readers. This is labeled “Volume 1,” so I hope that means there will be more adventures for these two friends.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

 

REVIEW: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

REVIEW: Ink Girls by Marieke Nijkamp

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Greenwillow Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Cinzia is apprentice to a printer who gets on the wrong side of the ruling family with something she writes. Cinzia is able to escape arrest, but only with unexpected help from the mysterious Contessina Elena. Together they go looking for the proof needed to convince the Principessa that the magistrate – her brother – is up to no good.

Review

This was excellent! I loved the story and the girls. It’s an inspiring tale about the power of words, truth, friendship, and community. The artwork is gorgeous and pulls the story together so well. There are some author’s notes about the time and setting for this fictional city as well as information about the avvisi, the flyers Cinzia and her mestra printed.

This belongs in graphic novel collections in classrooms and homes and libraries. I think the “sweet spot” for this is 10 to 14 year olds, but it will also appeal to some younger and older readers. This would also be an excellent discussion group selection for upper elementary and middle school kids.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding

REVIEW: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein

REVIEW: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers! If you are looking for gift ideas on this Black Friday, be sure to check out my Holiday Hint List of book recommendations.

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Game designer Luigi Lemoncello builds a fantastical public library in his home town and then invites a group of kids to take a early peek inside by spending a night in the library. But the lock-in turns into a game when the kids have a chance to solve the puzzle of how to escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.

Review

Outstanding! I have been a fan of this book – really, of the whole series – from the beginning. And this is a fantastic graphic novel adaptation of the first book in the Lemoncello’s Library series. It’s been too long since I read the original for me to be able to comment on what was trimmed out for length. But the story here hangs together brilliantly.

This would be a great introduction for kids who aren’t familiar with the prose novel or kids who think the novel looks intimidating. Graphic novel adaptations can be a great onramp for some kids before they try out the full book. I also think this is a fun option for kids (and teens and adults) who already love the original and want to explore a visual version of the story and characters. Do not miss this one! Highly recommend.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

THROW BACK: Gabby and Gator by James Burks

THROW BACK: Gabby and Gator by James Burks

Posted on by Jaymie

This review was originally posted on my Bring on the Books blog on May 13, 2013. My students couldn’t get enough of graphic novels like this. The cover image here is updated since my original post and the book’s initial release.

Summary and Review

An outcast girl and an alligator that survived flushing find friendship together.

This was absolutely delightful! I liked it so much, I bought two for our school library because I think my students will enjoy it, too. The story starts by establishing each of the characters separately and establishing the “mystery” of a monster in the sewer. Then, when the two meet, they develop this wonderful, quirky relationship that is just right for both of them. Gabby and Gator make a great team. As a fun little bonus, there are line drawings at the bottom of the right-hand pages, and if you flip them quickly you can see Gabby and Gator dance. Great fun!

5 out of 5 stars

THROW BACK: The False Prince by Jennifer A Nielsen

THROW BACK: The False Prince by Jennifer A Nielsen

Posted on by Jaymie

This review was originally posted on my Bring on the Books blog on March 20, 2012. When this book first released, I often found it shelved with teen books. I think it probably best fits an Older Middle Grade age group, so 10-14. This is the first in what is now a four-book series by Jennifer A. Nielsen. 

Summary

Sage is an orphan – cocky, clever and independent. When he is bought and taken from the orphanage, his plan is to run away at the first opportunity. But the man who buys him has plans for Sage and the other orphans with them. He’s going to turn one of them into a prince – and the rest will probably die. Sage will have to decide who he wants to be and what he is and is not willing to do to be that person

 

Review

Amazing! Outstanding! Brilliant! I have not felt this strongly about a book since I first read The Candymakers. This could easily be my “best book of 2012.” It will be a hard one to beat. Sage has a great voice, and I was drawn into his story from the first page. There’s a Hunger Games-ish feel to the relationship between the boys as they know only one will be chosen to play the prince and the others will likely be killed. The whole story is masterfully put together. I could hardly get to sleep after finishing it because I was so excited about how it all came together. This is going to be the first of a trilogy. This is one I will buy for myself (this copy is for our school’s library), share with my son, rave about to my students – and any random stranger I can get to listen.

5 out of 5 stars – I’d give it more if I could!

Recommended for: readers 4th grade and older, those looking for stories with mystery and adventure.

 

THROW BACK: The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett

THROW BACK: The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett

Posted on by Jaymie

This review was originally posted on my Bring on the Books blog on March 8, 2013. This is another book that was a hoot to read aloud with students. 

Summary

On the same day, a farmer discovers a small pig in his wagon and a queen is holding her baby girl. In one rash move, the baby tumbles from the tower into the wagon and the piglet is bounced from the hay up into the princess’s crib. The farmer and his wife believe a fairy has turned their pig into a child as a gracious and benevolent act while the king and queen believe an angry fairy has turned their princess into a pig because she wasn’t invited to the christening. The girl grows up sweet and charming while the pig is just a pig. Eventually, the farmer and his wife realize what has happened. Sadly they head off to the castle to make things right….

Review

I won’t spoil the fun by telling the end. Instead I’ll only say this book was a delight to read from beginning to end. I found this one at the Scholastic Book Fair at our church and my first thought after reading this was, “Why wasn’t THIS book in my preview pack!” I thought it was far better than anything else Scholastic had included in their pre-packaged preview sets for advertising their spring fairs. I can’t wait to read this one to my students and rave about it to every teacher and parent who comes through our fair at the end of the month. This was a winner!

5 out of 5 stars

 

THROW BACK: The Really Really Really Big Dinosaur by Richard Byrne

THROW BACK: The Really Really Really Big Dinosaur by Richard Byrne

Posted on by Jaymie

This review was originally posted on my Bring on the Books blog on November 2, 2012. This did become a book I would read to my students frequently – and it was always a hit! This is the sort of book that kids want to read again when it’s done so they can check out the illustrations for all of the hints they missed the first time through. One of my favorite memories is a kid blurting out something he noticed in our first read through and having him Shhh (with a wink) so the other kids could discover it too.

Summary and Review

A little dinosaur is minding his own business, counting jellybeans, when a bigger dinosaur walks by. Being a friendly little guy, the small dinosaur offers the bigger dinosaur one. But the bigger dinosaur is a bit of a bully, and he decides he wants all of the jellybeans. But they don’t belong to the little dinosaur. He says they actually belong to his BIG friend. The two dinosaurs argue back and forth about who’s the biggest and best until the big dinosaur finally meets the little dino’s very BIG friend.

Fantastic!! So funny! I can imagine reading this to my students – they will love it!!

5 out of 5 stars