Book of the Day: We are in a Book

We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Elephant and Piggie are back and as cute as ever. In this addition of their adventures the friends realize that someone, the reader, is watching them and that they are in a book. After laughing hysterically at their ability to make the reader say whatever words they want them to say Elephant realizes that the book will end. What will happen to Elephant and Piggie? Kids will love this book about books. As always Elephant and Piggie speak in short sentence, there are a lot of repetitive words, the words are large, this is great for beginning readers.




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Book of the Day: Confessions of a Former Bully

Confessions of a Former Bully by Trudy Ludwig


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Katie is a bully, or maybe I should say she used to be one. She got in trouble too many times for the way she was hurting Monica and her consequences included meeting with the counselor and finding a way to make up for the hurt she caused. Katie realized that there was a lot she didn’t know about bullying and that her way of making up for her actions was to write a book about bullying. This journal format book, complete with sketches and “Quick Fact” cards taped in, is a heartfelt introduction into a child’s reaction to bullying. Katie explains it like it is, why kids bully, what you can do if you are a bully or a victim, and how to get help for yourself and your friends. This is the perfect book for any elementary school kid, teacher and parent.




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The Storm in the Barn

The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan



My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It is 1937, Kansas, the age of dust. No one has seen or smelled rain in 7 years. The only storms are Dust Storms; howling wind, billowing dust, dirt blackened sky, deadly. Jack is lonely, unneeded by his frustrated father, and generally considered worthless. When he stumbles upon an abandoned barn that feels and smells strange he begins to wonder if maybe he is going mad, or maybe, just maybe, he can do something to help his family and everyone else.

Storm in the Barn is a story told in words and pictures, a graphic novel. The scenes show the depressing landscape of the dust bowl and characters facial expressions reveal their inner thoughts. The few words are poignant and add just enough to move the story along. This is an exciting view into surviving the Dust Bowl, with mysterious creatures and everyday heroism thrown in. Highly Recommended.

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