Classics Review: The Birchbark House

Title: The Birchbark House
Author: Louise Erdrich
Length: 239 pages
Genre: Historical fiction
Stand alone or series: Stand alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-7

Three adjectives that describe this book: slow, memorable, interesting

A book designed to transport you into the daily life of an Ojibwa family in the mid 1800s. Not only does The Birchbark House meet this goal, but it does so quite vividly. This is not a plot-driven novel, but instead all about the characters and setting. It follows a family over the course of one year, so we experience all that it takes to survive in the Great Lakes region. The characters hunt, fish, and farm. They create clothing, spend time with friends, and celebrate with their neighbors. They build homes suited to each season, and must survive a challenging winter. They encounter changes brought by the white men, and make decisions about how to deal with these changes. This is a quiet story, but would be great for any middle grade reader who is interested in the lives of native peoples.

On a side note - As an adult reader, I kept sensing the clock ticking in the background, knowing that the story is set in 1847, and that the characters in this story would not continue the rhythms of life, as established by their ancestors, for much longer. It was a strange feeling to be the observer who knows more than the characters about their futures.

3.5 stars

Book Review: The Terrible Two Gets Worse

Premise: Niles and Miles are back. This ranking team, known as The Terrible Two, are ready for another year of pranking their school, especially their power-loving principal, Principal Barkin. Unfortunately, one of their pranks leads Principal Barkin to losing his job, and now he's been replaced with a much more stern principal, who is out to shut down all pranking. 

Title: The Terrible Two Gets Worse
Author: Mac Barnett and Jory John
Length: 224 pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: Book 2 of 2 so far
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-5
Format: Digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

Three adjectives that describe this book: funny, easy-to-read, disappointing

I straight-up loved Book 1. It was so fun! I frequently recommend it to my 4th and 5th grade students who are looking for something funny to read, and so far they have all loved it. So, my students and I were super excited for Book 2. The first third or so totally lived up to my expectations. I Laughed Out Loud on almost every page. Unfortunately, I'll have to break the news to them that I didn't end up loving it, and that I'm not sure I'll get a copy for our classroom. Here's why -

The pranks in the first book were elaborate, creative, and harmless. There were awesome diagrams accompanying several, and they did a brilliant job of incorporating the cows of Yawnee Valley. The first book was outrageous, and that's why so many of us love it.

This second installment simply doesn't do the same things. The pranks are too typical, easy for kids to duplicate, and far from harmless. They put peppers in people's drinks, pull the fire alarm, and drop someone's pants. I've seen this book referred to as mean-spirited, and I totally agree. To make it worse, there are no cows! Where is the creativity? Where is the outrageousness? Where are the diagrams, a la Rube Goldberg???

Book Review: Warren the 13th

Premise: Warren lives in a hotel that has been in his family for 13 generations. But now, his uncle isn't taking good care of the place, and has married a strange, heartless woman. With no guests, Warren is trying desperately to keep the hotel going, as his aunt destroys the rooms in her quest to find the mysterious "All-Seeing Eye," a treasure she claims is hidden in the hotel.

Title: Warren the 13th and the All-Seeing Eye
Author: Tania del Rio
Length: 224 pages
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-6

Three adjectives that describe this book: mysterious, creative, fun

This book has all the hallmarks of a fun middle grades book. A well-meaning protagonist, his questionable friends, useless adults, creative humor, and a delicious villain who is both creepy and fun to laugh at.

I was surprised how captivating this book was. I expected it to be quirky. And it was - with details like an uncle who sleeps in the lobby because he's too lazy to go up to his bedroom and a hotel guest who looks and acts like a pirate, but isn't one. There were so many terrific quirky elements thrown in that kept Warren the 13th super fun and engaging.

But what surprised me was how captivating the plot was as a mystery. There were twists and turns and dark corridors and clues and mazes and cellars. The whole thing had a lovely, mysterious, film noir feel and I loved it.

And look at those illustrations!

Plus the layout of the book is beautiful, and will keep middle grade readers going, providing them with visual support and keeping their curiosity/engagement piqued. Check it out:

And if you aren't intrigued enough, be sure to visit the wonderfully-crafted Warren the 13th website and watch the trailer below:

Book Review: Dead Boy

Premise: Crow died 2 years ago. But he's still alive. Sort of. He doesn't sleep or eat anymore, and his sometimes maggots crawl out of his ears, but other than that he's a pretty normal kid. Except that Crow isn't allowed to leave his house. And his parents won't tell him how he died. And then, a new neighbor moves in next door and Crow gets a chance for true friendship. Together they discover the secret of Crow's death.

Title: Dead Boy
Author: Laurel Gale
Length: 256 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 4-7
Format: Digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

Three adjectives that describe this book: surprising, engaging, creative

I was expecting Dead Boy to be interesting and fun, a little gross and probably humorous. It was all of the things, but it was also entirely more. Much richer, stronger, and complex than it appears at first. There's something for everyone here.

Dead Boy is a story that reinvents itself over and over. First, it explores the tribulations of being a dead-ish kid. Not a zombie, a dead kid who's still mostly functional. Then, we turn to a friendship and family drama tale. Just as you think you know where the story's going, BAM you get an adventure novel with a crazy does of magic/fantasy/quest. It feels a little Indiana Jones! And in the end, you realize that somehow it was a coming of age story all along.

I found Dead Boy to be completely novel, highly engaging, and really well-done. It would be easy for many authors to struggle with piecing all those elements together cohesively, but somehow they flow together seamlessly with just the right balance of action, dialogue, description, and exposition. Highly recommended.

4.5 stars

Book Review: Milo Speck

Premise: Milo is looking for a sock when he gets pulled through the dryer into a land of giant ogres who love to eat little boys. As Milo tries to find his way home, he uncovers am incredible secret agency and an deadly scheme.

Title: Milo Speck, Accidental Agent
Author: Linda Urban
Length: 272 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-5
Format: eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Publication: September 1, 2015

Three adjectives that describe this book: fun, creative, fast-paced

Milo Speck is a super fun story. The cover makes it look like Milo shrinks, but actually he ends up in a land of giants/ogres. The ogres provide quite a bit of comedy with their short attention spans and general lack of intelligence. It's pretty slapstick, perfect for middle grade readers who have a silly sense of humor.

There are some interesting characters, too, in this fast-paced plot-driven story. Urban manages to squeeze in quite a lot of depth. There are secret-pasts for some characters, betrayal by others, and transformation for several.

Heads up, though - the premise and cover made me think, "This looks purpose for readers who need more support!" But, actually, the story is pretty complex, and some of the language is a tricky. For instance, the main character, Milo, really enjoys putting "esque" on the ends of words. He says things like, "The chair looked tree-esque."

Overall, I really enjoyed Milo Speck. It was a quick, engaging, light story with unexpected complexity.

4 stars

Classics Review: The Book of Three

Premise: When Hen Wen, an oracle pig, goes missing, Taran sets off on a quest to find her before the evil Horned King and his men. Along the way he joined by a diverse band including bards, magicians, and dwarfs. They must escape capture, battle magical creatures, and ultimately find that pig.

Title: The Book of Three
Author: Lloyd Alexander
Length: 190 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: First book of a trilogy
Content appropriate for: Grades 4-8
Format: Audiobook from the library

Three adjectives that describe this book: action-packed, fun, lacking

I read this book as part of the Classics Club challenge to read 50 classics books in 5 years. My list is comprised entirely of children's books.

I bet if I were in the target audience (maybe grades 4-6) I would love this book. There was a ton of action and the story moved quickly. As a teacher of students in this age group, I know that most of them are looking for books with a lot of action, most haven't quite figured out how to incorporate character development and world-building. So this book is perfect for them. A straight-forward quest novel, moving from one danger to another, with some comic relief built in.

With Lord of the Rings coming about 20 years before this book, it felt almost as if Lloyd Alexander was trying to bring that format to younger readers. Yes, Tolkien gave us The Hobbit for young readers, but even that has quite a bit of complexity that is more suited to upper-middle grades and YA readers. So, The Book of Three fills a nice void for the 1960s.

Cartoon version of Hen Wen the pig & Taran the pigkeeper

But I wanted more development, both character AND world. We jumped from one event to another, with an array of characters who get little more than a cursory exploration. Folks join the band of questers without much thought, or any backstory. And the questers, themselves, make decisions about where to go and changes in course without any real clarity about what is happening. I pretty much stayed confused. Where are they going? Why? What does it look like? Who are those villains?

And the ending really really irritated me. We had to experience the climax battle with the villain second-hand because the main character was unconscious through the whole thing. Boo. Such a cop out. The Book of Three may have broken some ground for middle grade quest novels, but I'm glad that later titles made the genre more compelling and complete.

Serafina is True Middle Grade Horror

Premise: Serafina has always lived secretly in the basement of a mansion, warned by her father to never go outside where the dark forest waits. But then one night a wealthy child in the mansion goes missing, and Serafina is the only witness. As more children begin to disappear, she knows that she must follow the clues to save them.

Title: Serafina and the Black Cloak
Author: Robert Beatty
Length: 304 pages
Genre: Mystery, Horror, Fantasy
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 4-7
Format: Digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley
Publication: July 14, 2015

Three adjectives that describe this book: dark, gripping, mysterious

Serafina and the Black Cloak was much scarier than I expected! It was engaging, complex, and made me question my reading-before-sleeping habit.

I found it really interesting how Beatty wove the actual history of the Biltmore Estate with fantasy and horror elements. At times I was caught off-guard when fantasy elements crept into the story. We'd be going along with fancy mansion-life and dank basement-life, and then BAM mythical creatures in the forest!

A scene from the book trailer with the Biltmore Estate in the background

For a book to be truly scary, you must have a scary villain. So how does the villain in Serafina measure up? He is definitely scary. And creepy. And strange. His skin seems to be falling off and he comes for you steadily in the dark. I was definitely creeped out by him.

Villain in a black cloak. From the author's website.

The only reason I docked a star for Serafina and the Black Cloak is because most of the reveals were kind of evident well ahead of being revealed. Hopefully, upper-middle-grade readers will find them to be more surprising.

Fast-paced and dark, this book will appeal to any MG reader who wants to be truly spooked and enjoys a good mystery.

Author Website

Classics Review: A Long Way from Chicago

Premise: Joey and Mary Alice spend one week each summer in a small town with their grandmother, a liar, shotgun shooter, and terrible influence. Set during the 1930s, and told in 9 short stories (one for each summer), this book is wildly unforgettable.

Title: A Long Way From Chicago
Author: Richard Peck
Length: 160 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1 of 3
Content appropriate for: Grades 5-7

Three adjectives that describe this book: hilarious, unique, entertaining

I have been avoiding this book forever. Absolutely nothing about it appealed to me. Luckily I'm doing the Classics Club challenge, so I needed to read it. I read A Long Way From Chicago as an audiobook, and it's the perfect book for that format - the novel is really a collection of 7 stories, so the audiobook feels like having your own personal storyteller. The narrator, Ron McLarty, has great comedic timing and his voices for Grandma Dowdel and her neighbors were spot-on.

The situations in this book are over-the-top, in a similar style to adult Southern Fiction. It's full of fun caricatures like a shotgun-toting Grandma and an arrogant local sheriff. This book made me laugh out loud and holler, "Get it Grandma!" I also thought it painted a good picture of life in the 1930s.

This week I started it as a read aloud and my students are absolutely loving it. I'm trying to stick to that storyteller feel, and the classroom is full of laughter.

Sidenote: Parents, guardians, and teachers may want to know that this book contains several references to alcohol and one scene with drunk old men in their underwear.

TBR Pile Challenge Update

We are only 4 months into 2015, and I already have 6 out of 12 books completed for the TBR Pile Challenge, hosted by Adam at Roof Beam Reader.

The TBR Pile Challenge List 

1. Dragonwings by Laurence Yep (2001)

2. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien (1971)

3. The Menagerie by Tui T. Sutherland ~ Completed 4.19.2015 ~ Review Below
4. Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence ~ Completed 4.9.2015 ~ My Review
5. Flawed Dogs by Berkeley Breathed ~ Completed 2.20.2015 ~ My Review
6. We Are Not Eaten by Yaks by C. Alexander London ~ Completed 4.20.2015 ~ Review Below
7. Watership Down by Richard Adams (1972)
8. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper (1973)
9. Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve ~ Completed 4.5.2015 ~ My Review
10. HIVE by Mark Walden ~ Completed 1.4.2015 ~ My Review
11. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh (1964)
12. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel (2004)

Alternates

1. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander (1964)
2. The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley (1984)

Like last year, I am using half of my TBR Pile List to make progress on the 50-book Classics Club Challenge.

Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty proud to be half way through the list 2 months early. Go me! My favorite book of these 6 has been Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve. It is a really cool dystopia about cities that migrate on giant mechanisms and eat one another.


Just this past week I finished two books on the list, so I thought that I'd combine the reviews here:

Title: The Menagerie
Author: Tui T. Sutherland
Genre: Fantasy (book 1 of 3)
Length: 288 pages
Audience: Grades 4-7

Seventh grader Logan Wilde gets involved in tracking down a group of missing griffin cubs. The cubs have escaped from a secret facility that houses and protects mythical creatures. Along the way we encounter arrogant unicorns, temperamental pheonixes, and an adorable mammoth. This book was a fun, but light read. There are ample doses of humor, adventure, mystery, and unicorns. The Menagerie is totally accessible for the target audience, so lots of middle grade students love it. However, for me, it didn't feel very original and just blended into the crowd of other similar MG fantasies (Fablehaven, Spiderwick, etc).
Rating: 3 stars


Title: We Are Not Eaten by Yaks
Author: C. Alexander London
Genre: Fantasy (book 1 of 4)
Length: 384 pages
Audience: Grades 4-6

Two TV-obsessed kids end up on a quest to find the lost Library of Alexandria, the same quest on which their mother disappeared 3 years ago. London gives this story an intentionally over-the-top tone with ridiculous obstacles (being thrown from a plane and surviving via a raft/poncho), outrageous villains (evil witches who love television), and strange allies (Buddhist oracles). It's super fun and works well for students who love both silliness and adventure. However, the humor felt kind of forced to me. Some of the characters were really annoying - the protagonists with their constant complaining and desire to watch TV, and the main villain with his excessive arrogance.
Rating: 3 stars


Both of these books remind me that I am not the target audience. Some books appeal to middle grade readers and adults equally well, others seem to appeal more to one or the other. I really think both of these books would be loved by lots of readers in grades 4-7. They didn't work for me, but since I'm not the target audience... take that for what it's worth.

Classics Review: Nancy Drew #1

Premise: Wealthy Josiah Crowley has died, but his relatives and friends are shocked to find that he left his entire estate to the mean, already-wealthy Topham family. When Nancy learns that Josiah had promised an inheritance to many needy families, she goes searching for Mr. Crowley's hidden will.

Title: The Secret of the Old Clock
Author: Carolyn Keene
Length: 192 pages
Genre: Mystery
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1 in the long-running Nancy Drew series
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-6
Format: Hardback gifted to me by a student

Three adjectives that describe this book: simple, predictable, disappointing

I read this book as part of the Classics Club challenge to read 50 classics books in 5 years. My list is comprised entirely of children's books.

Apparently Nancy Drew books really work for lots of people. There are a great many nostalgic 5-star reviews. Now as a 30-something, this was my first time reading a Nancy Drew, and I was underwhelmed. 

Nancy comes off as a bit snobby and entitled. The supporting characters are ridiculously flat, and always single-minded. The central mystery hinged on locating a missing will, and I found myself not caring much about it. I mean, of course she'll find the will and the poor folks will get the money they've been promised. Duh. Classic, over-done scenario.

Overall, it probably only warrants 2 stars from me, but the extra star is because so many people credit Nancy with getting them started as readers.

Book Review: Flawed Dogs

Premise: Sam the Lion is a young dachshund, bred to be a show dog. But when Sam meets Heidy, a young human, his destiny is forever changed. Sam and Heidy have a perfectly wonderful relationship, until a jealous poodle frames Sam for an unspeakable crime. Suddenly alone, injured, and on the streets, Sam must face the unimaginable, while dreaming of revenge.

Title: Flawed Dogs
Author: Berkeley Breathed
Length: 216 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-6
Format: Classroom library paperback

Three adjectives that describe this book: creative, fun, surprising

Children's dog stories have a sordid history - being either over-the-top lovey (Lassie is a good example) or devastatingly sad (Old Yeller). The dogs in children's stories don't fare well. They get sick, attacked, and (often) die.

That's why I was surprised to read the Goodreads reviews of Flawed Dogs. One reviewer after another couldn't believe that a children's book had dogs that were suffering. "How can this book be for children?" they asked. Most of the outrage stems from the opening scene, in which our central character is forced into a dog fight.

Yet, my fifth grade students have been recommending this book to me for years. Many of them heard it read aloud by one of our third grade teachers, and they couldn't believe that I had never read it. You read that right - THIRD graders love this story. Still, after all those eager recommendations, Flawed Dogs sat on my bookshelf for over a year with that cheesy cover.

The truth of Flawed Dogs is that it is neither too sad nor too cheesy, although it has both elements. Yes, Sam faces horrible experiences, but Berkeley Breathed infuses his story with a surreal realism that is somehow lighthearted. Sam's fellow dogs, and the shenanigans they get involved in, are just on the edge of outrageous.

I especially loved the group of unwanted dogs that Sam befriends, including one that can fly by extending his jowls and another that farts rocket-boosting flames. Ultimately these dogs crash Westminster and it's a jolly good time.

The best way to describe this book, is that it's basically a dog version of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, but with some dark humor mixed in.

If you enjoy the somewhat heartbreaking tale of a character overcoming adversity to find love and acceptance, Flawed Dogs is a unique choice!

Classics Review: The Watsons Go to Birmingham

Premise: Kenny's older brother, Byron, is getting into trouble. Whether it's picking on Kenny, or starting fires, his parents don't know what to do with him. So the Watsons decide a trip south from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama is in order, so that Byron can spend the summer with his grandmother.

Title: The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

Length: 210 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Content appropriate for: Grades 4-6

Format: Audiobook narrated by LeVar Burton

Three adjectives that describe this book: amusing, engaging, memorable

I read this book as part of the Classics Club challenge to read 50 classics books in 5 years. My list is comprised entirely of children's books.

I first read The Watsons Go to Birmingham in 2001, just a year after its publication. At the time, I wasn't paying much attention to middle grade literature. *Hanging my head in shame*  Now, after inundating myself in middle grade and YA lit for the last 3 years, I see this book in a whole new way.

Let me first say that I listened to the audio version of The Watsons, narrated by the amazing LeVar Burton. I will always think of him first as Geordi (Star Trek) and next as the Reading Rainbow host. I wondered if this familiarity with Mr. Burton would interfere with my ability to believe in the character voices. But, LeVar Burton rocked this narration. His character voices are distinct, but they are also infused with the personality of each character. From lighthearted Dad, to cool-daddio Byron, and self-conscious Kenny, Mr. Burton gave us a real sense of who these people are.

Although the cover and premise may make you think, "Oh no! Not another serious book about Civil Rights," The Watsons Go to Birmingham is super fun. Curtis works in lots of funny moments. To get a good sense of the feel of the story, check out this book trailer, produced by the Lexington, KY library system:

I think what makes The Watsons so special is that it's NOT a book about the Civil Rights movement or about being black in America. 

So many books about this era put The Struggle front-and-center. And that's great. But it has led my rural, white students to think of black history only as either slavery or Civil Rights, without all of the other elements or seeing black people as simply people.

This book spends the first 150 pages or so establishing that this is just a normal family. They are regular people. We don't really discuss or experience racism until the last section of the book. This works because it eases us into the terror felt by regular Birmingham families around the church bombings. We care about these characters as people, and feel truly horrified that such violence could be visited upon them.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham is truly deserving of all its recognitions.

Side Note: I haven't seen the Hallmark movie version of this book (2013), but when I was searching for a video to include in this post, I was irritated at how they added in so many Civil Rights elements that weren't in the book - protests and sit-ins and so on. That really undermines my point, that a great book about the Civil Rights era doesn't actually have to be about the Civil Rights Movement.

Book Review: H.I.V.E

Premise: Otto Malpense may be only 13 years old, but he's already a criminal mastermind. That's why he was handpicked, without his knowledge or permission, to attend HIVE, a premiere school for villains. But Otto doesn't want to be at HIVE. Can he and his new friends be the first villainous students to ever escape?

Title: H.I.V.E. - Higher Institute of Villainous Education
Author: Mark Walden
Length: 320 pages
Genre: Science Fiction (advanced tech)
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1 of 8 (so far)
Content appropriate for: Grades 4-7
Format: Paperback from the used bookstore

Three adjectives that describe this book: predictable, action-packed, lacking

This book has been really hard for me to review and rate. At breakfast this morning, I asked Ashley to help me think through my feelings about H.I.V.E. I just couldn't get a handle on why I felt so meh about it.

She asked if the world-building was any good. After all, in a book about a top secret school for training villains, the good world-building is essential. The answer is, yes, the school is thoroughly imagined, wonderfully written, and very interesting.

She asked me if the plot involved a conflict that kept me interested. What's a good book without a plot? The answer is, yes, but... The idea of devising and implementing a complex escape plan is compelling, but the way Walden put the pieces together was way too predictable for my liking.

She asked if the characters were interesting and if the author made me care what happens to them? If you don't care about the characters, then why bother? The answer is kind of, but not really.

See - Otto and his friends want to escape H.I.V.E, but WHY? Walden never explains his reasoning or shows him wrestling with the options. From the moment he arrives, Otto wants to leave. No explanations.

Character development is present. I can tell you about each character's background and their skill set. But what's missing is their motivations. And it turns out that without motivations, it's impossible to care about what happens to the characters.

Book Review: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Premise: Minli's family is poor, working in the fields all day for just enough food to eat. Enchanted by her father's folk tales, Minli sets off on a quest to find The Old Man of the Moon, who she believes can change her family's fortune.

Title: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Author: Grace Lin
Length: 278 pages
Genre: Fantasy / Folk Tale
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-5

Three adjectives that describe this book: easy to read, entertaining, mystical

In Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, Grace Lin weaves together traditional Chinese folktales with her own twists and additions to create a beautiful story that captures the beauty of this ancient genre. In the wonderful Author's Note at the end of the book, Lin explains where some of her inspiration came from, noting that it's sometimes difficult to parse out exactly which pieces in the book are traditional Chinese tales, which are her own invention, and which elements are a mix of the two.

Although this book is nearly 300 pages long, it reads incredibly quickly. I finished it in about a day. I think this speed is a mix of both short-ish chapters, and a well-crafted story. The writing is complete, with detail to develop world and character, but nothing extraneous.

The novel is littered with separate tales, interrupting the flow of the story. I found this odd, until they all started to fit together. In the end, these tales turned out to be one of my favorite elements. Reading this book was kind of like examining a quilt, where all the parts fit perfectly.

And Grace Lin's illustrations!? Oh man - this whole book is beautiful! If you can, get the print edition because the colors and layout are SO worth it!

Overall, I absolutely adored this book. From the traditional Chinese feel, so carefully crafted by a talented, modern author, to the outstanding character development and pacing, to the beautiful presentation of the story. I can see why this book won a Newberry Honor and continues to be placed on all kinds of reading and honors lists. Outstanding!

4.5 stars

Mystery + Science + Humor = Nick and Tesla

Premise: This 4th installment of the series centers on a science museum that seems to be being sabotaged from within. Using science and invention, Nick and Tesla must find the culprit and save the museum.

Title: Nick and Tesla's Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove
Authors: Bob Pflugfelder & Steve Hockensmith
Length: 272 pages
Genre: Mystery
Stand Alone or Series: Book 4 of 4 (so far)
Content appropriate for: Grades 4-6
Format: Digital ARC provided by the Quirk Books via NetGalley

Three adjectives that describe this book: creative, fun, entertaining; 
Bonus adjective: nerdy

I just love these mysteries. All of the standards are there: central puzzle, clues, suspects, and daring attempts to get evidence. In addition, all the Nick and Tesla books add humor, science, and inventions you can build at home.

I really enjoyed this one because there was even more humor than in the other three. This time most of it was provided by Nick and Tesla's best friends and some of the museum staff like an owl mascot and an IT man obsessed with his rock band. In previous books, I didn't like that a lot of the humor came from their uncle's science mishaps and lack of social skills. However, the authors have Uncle Newt a more positive light, but still quirky. A terrific change!

I also like how the Nick and Tesla books emphasize that both being smart and doing science/engineering are cool. Preach!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. My only concern is how my students will handle so many references to historical figures and scientific history since they won't recognize much of it.

Book Review: The Magician's Fire

Premise: Harry Houdini and his two best friends are starting to command a crowd for their escape acts. All's well until Harry's elderly mentor, Herbie, disappears in a cloud of purple smoke. Certain that Herbie is in danger, Harry is determined to find and rescue him even if it means risking his own life.

Title: The Magician's Fire
Author: Simon Nicholson
Length: 240 pages
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Series or Stand alone: Book 1 of a new series, Young Houdini
Content appropriate for: Grades 3-6
Format: Digital ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

Three adjectives that describe this book: mysterious, exciting, dangerous

I wasn't expecting much out of this book. While the cover is exciting, there's something about it that seems kind of predictable. But I was still looking forward to reading it because year after year, my 5th graders love Harry Houdini.

Shortly into The Magician's Fire I was proven wrong. This book is fun, fast-paced, and well-written. Populated with magic tricks, illusions, sneaky villains, and death defying escapes, it was a really fun read.

The level of character development (quite a bit for 3 primary and 2 secondary characters) and plot complexity (one straightforward tale with some twists) makes it a great selection for the middle grades. The use of the iconic figure of Harry Houdini will also make it a grabber for less-confident readers.

Historical Fiction can be challenging for middle graders, but historic New York City was painted in clear details that made for a great backdrop.

My only complaint is that I kept wondering how much of young Harry's story was based on fact. An author's note to this effect  would have been a great addition.

* Excellent post by Simon Nicholson about his inspiration to write this book
* The Magician's Fire website with educator guide and excerpt

Classics Review: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Premise: When 13 year-old Brian finds himself stranded and alone in the North Canadian wilderness, he struggles against nature to keep himself alive.

Title: Hatchet
Author: Gary Paulsen
Length: 186 pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Series or Stand Alone: Book 1 in Brian's Saga (5 books)
Content appropriate for: Grades 4-8
Format: Paperback from classroom library

Three adjectives that describe this book: adventurous, predictable, easy-to-read

I am in the middle of the Classics Club challenge to read 50 classics books in 5 years. My list is comprised entirely of children's books.

When I read Hatchet in 5th grade, I loved it. This time around, I really enjoyed the first half, but struggled with the ending. Brian's crash and first days of survival are palpable. The images in Paulsen's writing are clear and meaningful. The whole thing feels dangerous and immediate.

Then about halfway in, Paulsen decided to skip ahead 40 days and tell everything in flashback-y snapshots. This sudden shift really caught me off guard. I struggled with it. The tone slowed down, and so did the sense of near-death danger that was making Hatchet so great.

Finally, the very end is so sudden and cut short that it felt a bit like Paulsen got tired of his own story. We're going along with survival in the woods and then BAM a rescue plane appears and all is well in a neat little package.

So basically, I would give the first third of the book a near 5 stars, but it just goes downhill from there.