Mrs. D’s Reads

Permanent Rose
by Hilary McKay
Grades 5-8

I know I have already pushed this series about the Casson family, but I still feel like not enough people know about them. I just finished the 4th installment, Caddy Ever After,(not yet in our library) and I like these books as much now as before. Start with Saffy’s Angel, and Indigo’s Star and then make your way to Rose, definitely my favorite of the four. But you don’t have to read them in order, or even read them all, to enjoy them

Toot & Puddle: The One and Only
by Holly Hobbie
Grades K-3

If you don’t know about Toot and Puddle, it’s time you found out. This newest story puts their friend Opal in competition with new girl who does everything better than everyone else. These stories have great illustrations, and a wonderful sense of humor.

Flotsam
by David Wiesner
Grades K-6

I am not a fan of all of Wiesner’s wordless books, but this one brings back the excitement I felt when I first saw the book Tuesday. In this one, a boy finds a camera on the beach, and discovers it’s history through a series of mysterious photos. No language, but a rich story nonetheless.

Bright Path: Young Jim Thorpe
by Don Brown
Grades 2-5

Another great picture book biography that will make kids want to read biographies. This one acknowledges Thorpe’s struggles and mistakes, while also creating an inspiring story of an athlete that overcomes some pretty big challenges. The illustrations are a little soft-focus, but allow the imagination to take over.

Walk Two Moons
by Sharon Creech
Grades 5-9

This Newberry winner is over ten years old, but it’s not leaving the shelf as much as it used to. A powerful story of a journey, a family, and a young person finding their own way. This is a great read-aloud.

Good Boy, Fergus!
by David Shannon
Grades K-2

David Shannon fans, especially those who couldn’t get enough of the “No, David” books, will love this book. It uses the same format, but this time with Shannon’s disobedient dog, Fergus. A hoot!

A couple of other books I have read recently that you might want to look at…

The Boy In the Striped Pajamas
by John Boyne
Grades 4-adult

This is a strange but compelling story of the Holocaust. The events of World War II are seen through the eyes of the young son of a death camp commodant. His interpretation of events, and eventual friendship with one of the camp’s young prisoners, create a thought-provoking read. I would not hand this one to a kid without some guidance, but it is worth taking a look at.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing
M.T. Anderson
Grades7-adult

Recently named as a finalist in for the National Book Award, this is another strange but worthwhile book. A part of an oddly formed experiment, Octavian is a young slave boy who has been raised to believe he is a prince. As the American Revolution dawns, and the true nature of Octavian’s existence is revealed to him, the story and his own will evolve. I was not in love with the author’s choice to narrate a part of the story towards the end in letters, but overall the story overcame any of these complaints.

Small Steps
Louis Sachar
Grades 5-8

This is the sequel to Holes, and is not as good as the original, but Sachar does a great job with Armpit’s backstory, and with his struggle to stay on the right side of the law and his own conscience after he leaves Camp Greenlake.

Ms. Todd is Odd!
Dan Gutman
Grades 2-4

This one is part of the “My Weird School” series which is part mystery and part comedy. Kids love these books, and they are a great short read aloud chapter book. Gutman is also responsible for the “Baseball Card Adventure” series which kids also love.

Kidogo
Ann McGrory
Grades K-2

I am a sucker for elephant books, and this one is one of the best. Kidogo tries to discover what he is good at, even though he is very small. Heartwarming illustrations and a great message for all of us.

I Love It When You Smile
by Sam McBratney
Grades K-2

This a sweet little story from the same author as “Don’t you know how much I love you?”. A wonderful read when you have grumpy kids who can’t snap out of it.

I Could Do That!: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote
by Linda Arms White
Grades 2-4

This is not a pure biography, but it is an entertaining and mostly accurate account of the life of Esther Morris, who was the first woman to do a whole bunch of things, including being a judge and helping make voting legal for women. This is the kind of biography that will change students’ minds about biographies.

Bound
Donna Jo Napoli
Grades 5-9

Napoli retells the Cinderella story and sets it in rural China where her Cinderella is the only one in her family without bound feet, so she has to do all the work. However, it is this trait in the end that allows her some choices that her sister and mother do not have. A unique and powerful version of this familiar motif.