Frankenstein's Fright Before Christmas by: Ludworst Bemonster

Frankenstein's Fright Before Christmas is a new Christmas story for you and your children written and illustrated by Ludworst Bemonster and it's one you don't want to miss.

Did you enjoy the book Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans as a child?  Because just like there are 12 little girls in Madeline there are 12 little monsters in this book.   This book begins where Frankenstein:  A Monstrous Parody (a parody of Madeline) ends.  Frankenstein is sure that he can help all of his friends get the best gifts ever, the gifts they need the most.  But after they receive their gifts they realize that Frankenstein did not receive a gift.  Can Santa help the monsters?

I loved Madeline as a child and I enjoyed this book just as much.  I hope you will check both books out and enjoy them both this holiday season.

Happy Daily Reading Deanna

FUNNY GIRL Funniest. Stories. Ever. Edited by Betsy Bird

Funny Girl is the perfect girl book...I don't like stating that there are "girl" or "boy" books but this one is written by a variety of female authors, illustrators and editors who share their Jr. High/High School experiences that all women can relate too.  Of course anyone can read and enjoy this book!

Each chapter is written by a different contributor and each one is unique and entertaining.  I did find myself giggling at times and I'm sure you will too.  This would be a great book to share with mom and daughter and the lesson here is that a sense of humor is the superpower we all need to have.

Funny things happen all the time as we grow, especially during Jr. High.  It is important to realize that the situation is funny and it isn't the end of the world.  Take time to just laugh at yourself and these authors as you read this book.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Big Words for Little Geniuses by: Susan and James Patterson

I am looking forward to sharing this book with my sixth graders this week.  Susan and James Patterson have collected a variety of words that we all need to know in their book Big Words for Little Geniuses.

I only read page one and knew I had to have this book in my personal library.  Arachibutyrophobia, do you know what that is?  Can you even pronounce it?  Good thing they break the word down so you can pronounce it somewhat accurately.  I don't want to give anything away because some of the fun will be learning the meaning of words as you read this book.  Each letter of the alphabet is represented and you will soon know and begin using words such as dulcifluous, idioglossia, volitant and pulchritudinous.  If you have Bibliomania, which if you are reading this blog you definitely have, you will want to go buy this book as soon as possible.

Share this book with friends and see who knows the meanings of the most of these words.

Happy Daily Reading.
Deanna

Fortunately, the Milk by: Neil Gaiman

I was looking for something fun and fast to read while traveling this past week and this was the perfect selection.  Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman is a delightful story about a dad's adventure when he is simply sent to buy some milk.

Mom is leaving for a conference and has left the children at home with their father.  There is no milk for breakfast and nobody wants orange juice on their cereal.  Dad goes to the store and it takes awhile for him to return home.  When he does return he has an amazing story for his children.  There are aliens, pirates, island people and even a dinosaur who is a scientist.  Dad's story is very entertaining but is it true?  That is something the reader and the children in the story need to figure out for themselves.

I would suggest reading this book as a family because each family member will find this to be a story they won't soon forget.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Are Pirates Polite? by: Corinne Demas & Artemis Roehrig

I love pirates and if you or your child like the too you will enjoy this book.  Are Pirates Polite? by Corinne Demas and Artemis Roehrig and illustrated by David Catrow will not only have you giggling you will learn a few life skills.

This rhyming story shares with readers all the fun pirates have throughout their lives.  It will also answer any questions you have about how polite pirates are.  We've all wondered if pirates can really be mean all the time.  This book will help any parent that wants to teach their children about politeness as well.

Celebrate "Talk Like a Pirate Day" on September 19 by reading this book and then being polite!

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

We're All Wonders by: R.J. Palacio

R.J. Palacio has written and illustrated a great picture book based on her novel Wonder.  We're All Wonders will help all of our younger readers to remember to always be kind.

In this book we learn about Auggie and how he looks different than most children.  He has feelings just like we all do and he hears what others say about his looks.  It hurts his feelings when others laugh and point at him so he wears a helmet for protection.  Auggie moves forward and teaches us that we are all different and that is what makes us each a wonder.

I look forward to sharing this picture book with my young readers.  The chapter book Wonder doesn't stay on the library shelf and I'm sure this picture book will not stay there either.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

The Crooked Sixpence THE UNCOMMONERS By: Jennifer Bell

The Crooked Sixpence is the first book in The Uncommoners  series by Jennifer Bell.  I'm looking forward to book two.

Ivy and her brother Seb spend most of their time living with their grandmother who doesn't remember anything before January 5, 1969, Twelfth Night.  Ivy and Seb's parents do a lot of traveling for their jobs and when grandma gets sick and is rushed to the hospital it is up to Ivy and Seb to help grandma.  When Ivy and Seb return home, leaving grandma in the hospital, they find that someone has been through their home and there is a mysterious message written on a wall, WE CAN SEE YOU NOW.

Ivy and Seb soon find themselves being placed inside a piece of luggage and coming out in a cave.  As they begin to walk they find that they are in a strange land where the common items they use at home are being used in very uncommon ways.  Bells talk, feathers send messages, toilet brushes light up, belts help people fly, etc...  The mystery of how their grandmother lost her memory begins to unfold as they meet people in this land.  They become friends with Valian who they do not completely trust and he doesn't trust them either.  However, they all need each other to stop the Dirge from taking over the land.

Ivy and Seb learn that their parents have been taken and are being held for 24 hours.  They have 24 hours to give the Dirge what they want but they have no idea what that item is.  As they try to save their parents they learn more about their grandmother and her family.  It seems this is where their grandmother used to live.  There was an accident, or maybe something on purpose, that happened on Twelfth Night in 1969.  Some of their ancestors are part of the Dirge and others were fighting for what was right.  Ivy learns that she has special abilities and uses them to help her family get back together.

There is page turning action in this book as the children face all kinds of obstacles.  You will enjoy this story and you may want to use some of your belongings in different more creative ways.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Great, Now We've Got Barbarians! by: Jason Carter Eaton

A young boy with a habit of leaving messes wherever he goes doesn't think anything can happen just because of a mess.  His mother thinks differently and in Great, Now We've Got Barbarians! by Jason Carter Eaton this young boy learns sometimes mom is correct!

At first all that happens is some ants and a mouse but when Vlad and Torr, Barbarians, arrive with a few of their friends things get out of control.  First his sister finds them in her room and then dad finds them in the garage.  The entire house is a mess!  Will our young boy learn the importance of cleaning up after himself?

If you have children who don't like to clean their rooms you need to read this book to them.  They just may end up with the cleanest room in the house!

Happy Daily Reading!
Deanna

Bear's House of Books by: Poppy Bishop

As someone who loves books when I saw this book at my local library I knew it was a MUST read.  Author Poppy Bishop's book Bear's House of Books will be a picture book that all book lovers will cherish.

Four animal friends who love stories read the same book every night at bedtime.  They love their book but wish they had more books.  They begin to explore the forest looking for books and they find one!  It states that it belongs to Bear so they are now searching for Bear's home to return the book.  Once they find Bear's home they find many many books and they love them all.  When Bear returns he is not happy to find others touching his books but he learns that he enjoys reading with them.  Now there are 5 friends who enjoy books.  Will they continue to find more book loving friends?

After reading this book go and visit your local library.

Happy Daily Reading!
Deanna

A Night Divided by: Jennifer A. Nielsen

I cannot even begin to imagine what it was like for families living in Berlin after WWII.  However author Jennifer A. Nielsen in her book A Night Divided, has given me some understanding of the plight of many families during this time period.

I could not put this book down!  You are immediately drawn into the drama of Gerta and her family being divided by the Berlin Wall.  Her father and brother, Dominic, were on the West side of Berlin for a few days and when the wall went up on August 13, 1961 Gerta, her mom, and her brother Fritz were home on the East side.  Their family and many others were now unable to be together.  Gerta's father had been very vocal about his feelings about the government in the East so their family was being closely watched.  They learn that their home is bugged by the government so they are very creative in how they communicate while at home.

When Gerta spots her father on a lookout on the wall she sees him acting out a moves to a song he would sing for her at night.  She believes that her father wants her to dig to the other side of the wall.  It's been four long years since the family was separated and she convinces Fritz to help her dig the tunnel where their father was able to communicate to them through a mysterious delivery of a map.  They are running out of time because Fritz is almost old enough to be placed in the military and he doesn't want to be in the military.  They also learn that even their close friends can be now spies and enemies while an enemy might really be a friend.  Who can they really trust?  Soon their mother is helping with the digging which makes the work go much faster.  Will they make it out alive?  Will they see their father and Dominic?  You will need to read this ASAP to find out!

I have a favorite quote from this book as well.  Fritz tells his sister Gerta "Courage isn't knowing you can do something; it is only being willing to try".  Gerta was willing to try whatever she could to get her family reunited even if she didn't make it she would try.

I really loved this book and appreciate my new found knowledge about Berlin during this time in our world's history.

After reading this book spend sometime with your family.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

7 ate 9 by: Tara Lazar

I am looking forward to sharing this book with my students, I'm sure they will love it as much as I do.  7 ate 9 written by Tara Lazar is a delightful book with an interesting mystery to solve and lots of fun plays on words.

Private "I" has been hired by 6 who is afraid that she will be the next victim of 7 who 6 is convinced ate 9!  Private I begins his investigation interviewing all the numbers he can find.  He also finds a small bit of help from a letter friend of his.  I'm not going to give away the ending, but I know you and your children will love this book.

I laughed at the text as well as the delightful illustrations done by Ross MacDonald.

After reading this book it will probably be time for some math homework.

Happy Daily Reading!
Deanna

The Distance to Home by: Jenn Bishop

Jenn Bishop's book The Distance to Home is one I won't soon forget.  In fact, I'm sure I will always remember the Donnelly family.

Quinnen loves baseball both playing and watching the local minor league team the Tri-City Bandits.  However, this baseball season is not like previous seasons.  Quinnen isn't playing and her family will be hosting a player from the Bandits.  Quinnen and her parents are dealing with the sudden death of Haley, Quinnen's older sister.  Without Haley cheering for Quinnen she doesn't feel that she can ever play the game again.  As Quinnen gets to know the player staying with her and other players on the team she begins to talk about her sister.  She hopes to talk about her more at home as well.  Everyone at the Bandits' ballpark is happy to see Quinnen and as the season continues the entire Donnelly family begins to heal.  Hopefully Quinnen will enjoy a future as a baseball player.

The chapters go back and forth between the current summer and the summer before, when Haley was still living.  I liked exploring the differences of the two summers and found that it made the family's story easier to understand.

I think anyone who enjoys baseball will enjoy this book.  We all have family and friends who love and care about us just as the Donnelly family does...getting to know the Donnellys through this book will be good for anyone as we can all relate to family life.

After reading this book go out a play a game of baseball!

Happy Daily Reading!
Deanna

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by: Rita Williams-Garcia

Rita Williams-Garcia is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction.  Her new book Clayton Byrd Goes Underground does not disappoint especially if you enjoy music, specifically the blues.

Clayton loves to play his Harp with his grandfather (Cool Papa Byrd) and the Bluesmen.  They meet at a local park and play the blues to the delight of all those in the area.  When Cool Papa
Byrd suddenly passes away Clayton feels lost.  His mother didn't approve of what her father did and she doesn't want Clayton to follow in his footsteps.  She sells all of Cool Papa's belongings which angers the mourning Clayton.  When he gets in trouble at school and mom continues to not understand he decides to find the Bluesmen and travel with them.  He runs away finding himself on a subway and playing his harp with other young men who are dancing for money.  Clayton's talent gets these boys more money than they get on their own and they try to get him to stay with them.  More trouble follows before he finds his way back home and finally can mourn his grandfather and hopefully move forward with his family.

I enjoyed the story of Clayton and what I will remember from this book is that we need to listen to one another.  Families go through changes adding members, losing members, etc... be there for each other, really listen and help one another.

After reading this book listen to some blues music.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

If Your Monster Won't Go To Bed by: Denise Vega

As parents it can sometimes be hard to get your child to go to bed but imagine if you needed to get a monster to go to bed??  In Denise Vega's book If Your Monster Won't Go To Bed a young girl gives instructions on how you can get your monster to bed.  Illustrator Zachariah Ohora's drawings are perfect in showing us what will happen as we follow the instructions.

"Time for bed!" are three words that monsters hate to hear.  Our mothers and fathers cannot help us put our monsters to bed because they don't know how to do it properly.  We all know that if monsters don't get their sleep there will be no playing slime ball the following day.  Our young hero lists out exactly what to do in order for your monster to sleep tight so that the next day all is well with us and our monsters.

This is the perfect book to read at bedtime.  Having such great advice on just what to do and what not to do to get your monster to bed might get you to bed a little faster than usual.

After reading this book it's time to lay your head on your pillow.  Sweet Dreams!

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Happy Dreamer by: Peter H. Reynolds

Author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds has created another great feel good story in his book Happy Dreamer.  Peter's books share the message that we can all create and make the world a better place.  If you know a child who seems to dream all the time or has trouble focusing because of their daydreams this book is one you need to share with them.

The young boy in this story has dreams during the day, at night and in many other circumstances.  He has so many dreams sometimes he has creative chaos and it's hard to clean up the chaos.  This is when he feels alone until he begins to dream once again.  He even finds dreams in the clouds.

I enjoyed this book I now feel motivated to dream bigger dreams and to share the dreams with my family and friends.

After reading this story go outside, lay on your back and watch the clouds go by.  Can you see and share what you find in the sky?

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

This Would Make A Good Story Someday by: Dana Alison Levy

A family summer vacation unlike any other is what author Dana Alison Levy takes readers on in her book This Would Make A Good Story Someday.  This was another perfect summertime story that I couldn't put down.  I was laughing at one moment and crying another.  I know readers of all ages will enjoy this book.  You will never forget the Johnston-Fischer family.

Sara has her summer all planned with her two best friends, Em and Vi, they want to reinvent themselves before beginning Jr. High.  Each of them has a list and they plan on helping each other achieve their goals  However, Sara's summer plans change when she learns she will be leaving home and traveling across the country by train with her family.  One of her moms has been given the chance to write a book about their family adventures as they travel.  Sara is NOT happy about being in such tight quarters with her older sister and her boyfriend (he prefers to be called "partner" because "boyfriend" perpetuates societal stereotypes), younger sister,  and two mothers.  She is afraid that all of her embarrassing moments will be in the book and she doesn't want that.  There is also another family that is also traveling for the same reasons.  The other family consists of a boy (Sara's age), dad and two 90 year old "aunties".

There are four different trains they will ride as well as stops along the way.  Some are short stays others for a few days.  Sara begins writing in a journal to fulfill a summer project of writing what you are doing during the summer.  Sara spends most of her time writing.  She tries working on her reinvention project but doesn't get very far with her goals.  She does change her hair and that story is very interesting.   Ladybug, Sara's younger sister travels with a small Roman Centurion (Bruce) she poses this little action figure with anyone who will let her and at various landmarks across the U.S.  There are family arguments along the way too, Laurel, Sara's older sister, decides she doesn't want to go to college any longer she wants to get out in the world and change it for the better.  Laurel and her boyfriend (Root) are all about saving the world.  Root really has a unique way of seeing the world.  There are also family bonding moments, such as when the sisters come together to comfort Ladybug when Bruce goes missing.

When Sara finally decides to join the adventure instead of just writing she becomes good friends with Travis the boy from the other family.  She also begins to enjoy the experiences with family and with her new friend. Ladybug and the two aunties become close friends, especially when a cardboard Elvis joins the trip because now Bruce and Elvis can be buddies.  Stops in Memphis and New Orleans are especially fun family events.  The two families become great friends and are grateful for one another when sadness comes there way.  Their stay at the Grand Canyon is very memorable.

I just cannot give this book the justice it deserves.  I truly loved this story and could relate some of their experiences with my own family vacation experiences.  What resonates from this story is that they truly love one another even with all of their differences.  The book is mostly Sara's words, some from other family members, I hope Sara will continue writing and perhaps a second book will come of her future writing experiences.

After reading this book go and do something with your family.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

The Gruffalo by: Julia Donaldson

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler have created a wonderful story in their book The Gruffalo.  In fact, this book was voted England's favorite bedtime story.

Mouse is taking a walk through the woods.  He meets fox, snake and owl each one of them believes that mouse looks tasty.  However, when mouse tells them he is dining with a gruffalo and that gruffalos enjoy eating roasted fox, scrambled snake and owl ice cream the animals leave mouse alone.  Mouse continues his walk through the woods and when he sees a gruffalo (a creature he was sure didn't really exist) what happens next will have you and your child amazed.  Mouse is one smart animal!

After reading this book I'd love to read your comments describing to me a monster or animal you create just as mouse did.

Happy Daily Reading  Deanna

The Lost Tribes by: C. Taylor-Butler

WOW!  I had to stay up last night to finish this book.  I am so glad that I stopped and talked with author C. Taylor-Butler at the LATimes Book Festival this past April.  Her book The Lost Tribes is the first in a series and it is a must read!

Ben and his sister April live in Paradise Circle in Sunnyslope California.  They have good friends and neighbors here all the parents are friends as well as the children.  When Ben's uncle challenges Ben to find lost treasure all over the world by playing a computer game with challenges and unique graphics Ben is excited for adventure.  April is also given a copy of the game and they decide to make it a competition.  Ben's best friend Grace is soon helping Ben figure out riddles and ciphers.  Within just a day all the children in the neighborhood are playing this game.  They discover it is best to be working together since they all have different abilities that enable them to solve mysteries and gain access to items needed for the challenge.

The graphics seem to be so very real at every destination.  Ben doesn't believe it is just a hologram and that he is still in his room, he is sure he and his friends are actually transported to locations.  At one location Ben is sure he sees his dad with the dad of his friend Carlos.  The children end up back in their rooms each time they are stuck on a clue or have found what is needed at a location.  Ben starts to think the game is more real than fake and wonders if he really does want adventure in his life.  He also is more aware that all of their parents travel quite often and each has secret work spaces at their homes.  The parents are also concerned about storm clouds that are approaching and they are all angry at someone named Kurosh.

When their neighborhood is hit by more than just weather...it really seems like tanks are approaching.  The children are amazed that there is a shield around the homes and they start to learn just a bit about their parents as they are packing backpacks and urging their children to go into one room.  When all the children are told to enter a dark passageway and told to meet at Safe Harbor while their parents stay behind the true adventure begins.  Ben and his friends learn that the things that they experienced in the game will now help them find Safe Harbor.  They travel in dark passage ways, narrow cliff pathways, and end up in a desert.  When they are once again being attacked and on the run Ben's uncle comes to their rescue. What they now learn about their parents is quite unbelievable!  Are they descendants of the lost tribes?  Is earth really in trouble??  Time to read book 2 in the series.

It took me a bit to get into this book but once the game began I couldn't put it down.  I loved the

Me with C. Taylor-Butler

riddles and ciphers (even though I never figured them out) the twists and turns that takes place are exciting and I love how these five friends pull together and create an unstoppable team.  Friends need each other.  I also liked that each chapter had a quote from a variety of people and books.  I plan on writing down a few of these quotes before giving this book to my students.

After reading this book you will want to get started on reading book 2.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

Bug Bear by: Patricia Hegarty

A wonderful picture book that the youngest of readers will ask to read over and over again.  Author Patricia Hegarty and Illustrator Carmen Saldana have created a wonderful story with their book Bug Bear.

Bear is just trying to relax but Bug wants to make his home in the fuzzy, so soft, and so snug fur of Bear.  Bug tries and tries to convince Bear that this would be a good thing but Bear isn't having any of Bug's nonsense.  Finally, Bear seeks help from his friend Owl and Owl has a great solution for both Bug and Bear.  What is Owl's solution?  I wonder if it will really work?  Leave a comment letting me know if you agree with Owl's solution.

After reading this book create your own Bug adventure.  What animal would be a good home/friend for Bug?

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna

The Unbreakable Code by: Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

I could not put this book down!  Jennifer Chambles Bertman has written a page-turner fantastic sequel to Book Scavenger in her newest book The Unbreakable Code.  I suggest you read both of these books if you love puzzles, games, adventure...etc....

Emily and James continue to enjoy solving puzzles at the Book Scavenger website and they look forward to working with Mr. Griswold as advisers for Book Scavengers.  Emily sees her teacher taking a piece of paper from someones purse at a book signing party.  With James' help they are able to obtain this paper and see that it is a cipher for a book hidden in their town.  They figure out the clue and find the book (Tom Sawyer) and learn that there is an unbreakable code that dates back to the time of the gold rush.  It has to do with a sunken ship that is buried underneath the city of San Francisco.  As they try to figure out the unbreakable code they begin to suspect that their teacher is being framed for arson.  Emily and James find out that fires have been set at places their teacher has gone to find hidden books through the Book Scavenger game.  Emily is inside one of the buildings that was set on fire and is anxious to figure out what is going on with the fires and their teacher.  The same book is being found each time by their teacher, what does the book Tom Sawyer have to do with the gold rush?

Emily is loving living in San Francisco and gets worried that her family will be moving again soon.  She really wants to solve the unbreakable code in order to find the gold and help her family financially.  She is more involved at school and learns that she has more friends that she thought.  I enjoyed reading about Emily's experiences planning the school dance and adding a fun game to the beginning of the dance.  Seeing characters grow and overcome fears makes them very real to me.  I'd love to have Emily as my friend.

As more clues and facts are discovered by James and Emily they get closer and closer to solving the code that has been unbreakable for hundreds of years.  They also learn quite a bit about their hometown during this quest which I think all readers will also enjoy learning.

I loved this book.  I have a hard time figuring out the different ciphers but did manage to get one of them!  The premise of this book with games and puzzles all about books is great!  I hope you will comment once you have read this book.  Check out my review of Book Scavenger too.

Happy Daily Reading
Deanna