Category: Transitional Chapter Book Review

REVIEW: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro

REVIEW: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free copy of this book as part of my work as a judge for the 2017 Cybil awards.]

Summary

Zoey finds out a big secret about the forest by her house as her mom gets ready for a business trip. Magical creatures live there! Before her mom leaves, she tells Zoey about a talking frog she found as a kid. Using her science skills and animal knowledge, Zoey’s mom had been able to help the sick frog. But she thought she was the only one who could see the creatures. Zoey’s dad can’t. But now that she knows Zoey can, Zoey can watch for any creatures in need while her mom is gone.

Near the end of her mom’s trip, Zoey finds a sickly dragon. She and her cat, Sassafras, try to take care of it while Zoey uses her own science skills to figure out what is wrong. When her first idea seems to work, but the dragon is still sick, Zoey is desperate for her mom to come home. What will happen if Zoey can’t figure out what is wrong with the dragon?

Review

This was adorable! I mentioned this in a Saturday Smorgasbord earlier this year, but I wanted to give it a full review because I enjoyed it so much. It’s smart and fun – just what I love in a book, especially one for kids exploring chapter books for the first time.

Zoey and Sassafras are endearing. Zoey is smart and curious and resourceful. Sassafras is a typical cat with hints of attitude at times. But mostly he is insightful and a fantastic partner for Zoey. The author does a great job of describing the interactions between the characters. I just wanted to hug them

The fantasy piece is a fun hook for readers. Kids who love creatures like dragons will love this as will kids who love traditional animal stories. The science pieces – reptile facts, instructions for running an experiment – are perfect for 2nd and 3rd grade students. This would be a great series to give to your favorite young reader as well as your favorite lower elementary teacher.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Wedgie and Gizmo 1&2 by Suzanne Selfors

REVIEW: Wedgie and Gizmo 1&2 by Suzanne Selfors

Posted on by Jaymie

[Thanks to the author, Suzanne Selfors, for the  Advanced Reader Copy of Wedgie and Gizmo vs The Toof which I won in a social media contest. All opinions here are my own.]

Summary of Wedgie and Gizmo

Wedgie is a Corgi who lives with Mom, Abuela, Jasmine and Jackson. When he wears a cape, something Jasmine gave him for Halloween, he is “Super Wedgie.” His cape gives him super powers! When he runs in circles in front of the door, barking, with his cape flapping behind him, a “force field” is activated and the door opens (by one of his family members).

Gizmo is a guinea pig who lives with Dad and Elliott. Gizmo is an evil genius. He has taught himself to read, and he builds evil lairs (behind the dryer) and uses pigeons to carry letters to his love.

When Dad and Mom get married, Elliott and Gizmo have to move. And that means everyone has some adjusting to do. Wedgie has to “adjust” to more people to LOVE and herd. Gizmo has to adjust to living in a Barbie Playhouse while waiting for a new cage. He also engages in battle with his new nemesis Wedgie, as well as Abuela, “The Elderly One.”

Will Gizmo get to accomplish all of his evil plans? And will the humans in the story be able to adjust to all of the changes that come with becoming a step family?

Review of Wedgie and Gizmo

This book is a HOOT!! I loved Wedgie and Gizmo. Wedgie is adorable and earnest and endearing. In my head, he sounds like Doug from the movie Up. He also reminds me of the dog in the Magic Bone series. What a great voice the author gives Wedgie! Gizmo is awesome in a completely different way. I love how he interprets the things around him – Elliott is his servant, etc.

There’s great humor in this story. The nicknames the animals have for each other are terrific. This could be a ton of fun to read out loud to a class – lots of shared laughter. Amazon says this is for ages 8 and up. I think this would work for any elementary classroom where kids are reading independently (for length). Family interactions for this blended family give the story a more serious tone at times, but Wedgie and Gizmo help keep the overall tone light.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

Wedgie and Gizmo vs the Toof (Book 2)

 Gizmo is certain that he needs a “Drone of Destiny” and a hoard of other guinea pigs  in order to take over the world. But he is convinced that Wedgie (“Thorgi” – the Corgi in a Thor cape) will try to stop him, along with his new partner Pinkie the Pig, aka “The Toof.”

Wedgie loves his new friend Pinkie (“Funny Dog”), and he wants Jasmine to be happy. All Jasmine wants is for Wedgie to win a prize in the Pet Parade event at her school. She is desperate to win a trophy like her new step-brother Elliott always does. But Gizmo’s plans and Wedgie’s impulsive nature may keep Jasmine from realizing her dream.

 

Review

This was another terrific story with these dynamite characters. This begs to be read out loud with a “Doug” from Up sort of voice for Wedgie and a Bond villain sort of voice for Gizmo.

One of the things I liked about this story was that it works on a couple different levels. The obvious level is Gizmo’s schemes and Wedgie’s cluelessness. It’s pure gold all on its own. But there’s the layer of things happening in the human world – between Jasmine and their new neighbor Emily, and also the ways that Jasmine is trying to find her place in this new family configuration. This layer of the story is a little more subtle. Some younger readers might need coaxing to engage with that layer of the story, but older readers will enjoy the deeper story. Both layers are terrific!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: Hamlet and Cheese by Megan McDonald

BONUS REVIEW: Hamlet and Cheese by Megan McDonald

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

For Spring Break, Stink’s friend, Sophie-of-the-Elves is going to Shakespeare camp at the college. They’ll learn about Shakespeare’s plays, practice Shakespearean insults, and even learn sword fighting. Stink can’t resist signing up for that! Even though he’s the only boy at camp, he’s determined to get the full Shakespeare experience.

The other downside to camp is Stink’s nemesis, Riley Rottenberger. She seems determined to have a Romeo-and-Juliet kissing moment with Stink before the end of camp. Thankfully, Judy and Sophie help him make an anti-smooching shield! Hopefully it will be enough against Riley.

Review

This is a fun addition to the Stink Moody series for kids transitioning to chapter books for the first time. When my son was in first and second grade, these were some of his favorite books.

The Shakespeare theme was fun. The book covers some of the basics of plays like Hamlet as well as information about how the theater worked in Shakespeare’s day. This could get kids interested in learning more about Shakespeare and his works.

I didn’t care for the kissing emphasis for this age group, but it worked out all right in the book. If kids are reading this with support, this might be a good way to introduce the idea of consent. I know it may seem like an over-reaction to a simple kids story, but no one should have to worry about someone kissing them when they don’t want to be kissed. I’ve worked at an elementary school; it does come up even with kids that young. In my opinion, it’s important to set a good standard for kids early on. I think our culture is bearing that out right now, too.

This is a fun series for younger elementary readers. Thanks to Netgalley and Candlewick Press for the chance to read an electronic review copy of the latest book in the series. The illustrations were not available on my review copy, but Peter H. Reynolds always does a fantastic job. His illustrations are a big part of the charm of the series.

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes

REVIEW: Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Beatrice Zinker is an unusual child. She prefers to live life upside down. Hanging from trees or bunk beds, tipping over to see how things look from another perspective. Beatrice is happy to be unusual, even if it makes her sister say “Oh no” and her mom say “Now what?” with some regularity.

Beatrice becomes pretty well known for her unique approach to life. Her second grade teacher even gives her an award at the end of the year for being the “Best Upside Down Thinker.” And this gives Beatrice a great idea for a secret mission for 3rd grade with her best friend, Lenny.

But on the first day of third grade, nothing goes the way Beatrice planned. Lenny doesn’t wear her ninja outfit, and she has a new friend from her neighborhood. Chloe wants to play veterinarian, and Lenny wants to do that rather than help Beatrice. What’s going to happen to the secret mission now?

Review

This is a cute transitional chapter book for kids learning to read longer-than-picture-book stories. Beatrice is a sweet character (the illustrations for this book are absolutely darling), earnest, and completely committed to seeing the world in her own unique way.

Stories like this often have main characters feeling left out, afraid of losing a friend, wondering if she should change to keep her friend. While Beatrice does feel left out and tries some things to keep connected to both Lenny and Chloe, she never questions who she is. Which is awesome! Beatrice is determined to be true to herself AND keep her friend. There’s a great lesson there.

This will make for a good early elementary series. Beatrice’s teacher has her hands full but will hopefully come to appreciate Beatrice like her second grade teacher did. The secret mission is great, and I’m eager to see how that develops in future books.

Thanks to Disney-Hyperion and Netgalley for an electronic review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥½