Reading Abounds

Title:  Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics Series:  Mr. Lemoncello's Library - Vol. 2 Author:  Chris Grabenstein Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 136325 Description:    In this sequel, Kyle and his teammates compete with groups from all over America in the first-ever Library Olympiad, hosted by Mr. Lemoncello. Rubric Rating:  Level 4 - Love It Why I Read It:   Read Aloud Selection and loved the first book. Notes:    Kyle Keeley and his friends love Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.  But it turns out that other kids around the country think it isn’t fair that they didn’t have a turn to escape Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.  So in response, Mr. Lemoncello creates the first ever library olympics! Children around the country compete in games to be chosen to represent their district.  Soon one competitor seems to stand out – a one Marjory Muldauer – who believes libraries should be libraries qua libraries, not mini amusement parks like Mr. Lemoncello’s.  And it turns out that

  Title:  Game Over, Pete Watson Author:  Joe Schreiber Illustrator: Andy Rash Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 97559 Description:  When video game obsessed Pete Watson discovers his dad is not only a super-spy but has been kidnapped and is now trapped inside a video game, he has to use his super gaming skills and enter the game to rescue him. Rubric Rating: Level 1 - Leave It Why I Read It: Chosen as a Read Aloud Notes:    When Pete sells his father’s old Commandroid 85 video arcade system in a yard sale in order to earn enough money to buy the new brawl-a-thon 3000 he has no idea the events that he has set in order.  His father is really a super-spy and he’s trapped inside the very video game he has just sold. Pete, along with his former best friend Wesley, must work to rescue not only his father but every other spy that has been endangered by his actions.  No one is who they seem and even the president gets involved. I found this story really far-fetched.

  Title:  Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting Series: A 14 Day Mystery Series #2 Author:  by Erin Dionne Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 82274 Description:  While at Wilderness camp on the Boston Harbor Islands, Ollie must navigate new friends, new enemies, and a high-stakes game of tag, so the last thing he needs is a mystery. But then Ollie meets Grey, an elusive girl with knowledge of the island’s secrets, including the legend of a lost pirate treasure, which may  not  be a legend after all. Rubric Rating:  Level 2 - Like It Why I Read It:   Picked as a Read Aloud Notes:   Turns out that this is actually the second book in a series.  Generally, this didn’t affect the reading of this book with the exception that it made reference to the outcome of the first adventure.  Ollie, having spoiled an art heist in the first book, is sent away to Scout camp to escape the media frenzy that his life has become. As he cannot speak to anyone about his experiences, O

Title: Blood in the Water Series: Tides of War - Volume 1 Author: C. Alexander London Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 87271 Description:   Cory McNab is a member of the Navy's Marine Mammal Program where he is partnered with a search-and-recovery dolphin named Kaj, and their new mission is to help locate a spy submersible lost in North Korean waters, but first they have to win the trust of the Navy SEALs who are assigned to deal with the problem. Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It Why I Read It: Chosen for a Read Aloud. Notes:    After Cory drops out of the Navy Seals he’s unsure whether or not he wants to even return to the military but after his brother is attacked by a great white shark and he is rescued by a wild dolphin Cory knows what he’s meant to do.  He joins the Navy’s Marine Mammal program and is partnered with a dolphin named Kaj. When a spy submersible goes missing in North Korean waters Cory and Kaj are called upon by the Navy Seals for a search and rescue

Title:  If You're Hoppy Author:  April Pulley Sayre Pictures:  Jackie Urbanovic Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 48676 Description:  In rhyming text reminiscent of the traditional song, "If you're happy and you know it," present various animals that are hoppy, sloppy, growly, flappy, or slimy, scaly and mean. Curriculum Links:  Character Education - Integrity Drama Kindergarten Music Physical Education Reading - Visualizing Science - Animals Writing - Lyrics Lori's Notes:  Design:  This is a lovely picture book.  I love how the bunny and frog are hop/stretching their way toward the side of the book - like they're about to reach out and turn the page.  The front and end pages are animal tracks with the animal feet appearing on the title page - the feet are at the top of the page mid hop!  The font is large and rather round and should be readily readable from a distance.  The use of colour to highlight the call and response text was a n