Book Reviews

Safe At Home by: Sharon Robinson

A true to life book about a pre-teen boy who moves to New York City and is made to play baseball during the summer. He doesn't like baseball, he likes basketball, and worse yet he and the team bully are made team captains. Learn how he grows and learns to like where he is living and what he is doing. A GREAT story as you journey with him on his travel to acceptance.

Room One by: Andrew Clements

Another wonderful story by Andrew Clements. If you like Frindle, or A Week in the Woods, you will love this story. Ted loves mysteries and comes across a real life one. In his quest to solve the mystery he must make some difficult choices. A great read for anyone in 3rd or 4th grade.

Rules by: Cynthia Lord

What do you do when you move to a new town and want to make friends, but have an autistic brother. This is the story of a young girl and her experiences during this process. It is heart warming and real. You can feel her pain, embarrasment, and joy. This is a book for fourth grade and above.

Bridge To America - By Linda Glaser

This is a thought provoking and moving book about a young Jewish boy in Poland who immigrated to America with his family in the 1920's. The descriptions of poverty are vivid, as are the sights, smells and sounds Fivel encounters on his journey to his new home. A wonderful book for students in fourth grade and above.

Journey to the Bottomless Pit - the Story of Stephen Bishop and Mammoth Cave

By Elizabeth Mitchell

Based on the true story of Stephen Bishop, a slave guide in Mammoth Cave Kentucky. The book is fast moving, and give the reader a gentle view of some of the injustices of slavery. The exploration and commercialization of Mammoth Cave is discussed. This is a great book to read if you like adventure or reading about real people. There is a timeline of Stephen Bishop's life at the end of the book. Recommended for students in grades 3 and above.

Punished! - By David Lunbar

A very funny book about what happens when Logan is "cursed" and can only speak in puns. His crazy adventures lead him on a journey to break the curse. The readers will enjoy the work play in this book. This a wonderful book for good second grade readers and anyone in third grade and above.