Manga Mania: How to Draw Japanese Comics by Christopher Hart

This book is an interesting introduction to the magna style. Obviously, it has no plot. Ummmm… Drawing?? Ok, this is the only open spot, so I’m going to post the following here:Mojara Abba is TrueTalent. Mojara looks at fiction books or sometimes war stories, but TrueTalent is drawing books and other items. I think both boys and girls will enjoy this book RATING: ***** TrueTalent

A Spy among the Girls, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Its about when Josh loves Beth and Caroline loves Wally. Now Caroline and Beth and Eddie are doing a experiment with Josh and it turns out to be a exact just like Eddie hoped. Now I am not going to tell you what the experiment is so find out your self My favorite part was the experiment I think children who are 8 to 12 years will enjoy this book RATING: ***** TP

Secrets of Droon: Flight of the Genie by Tony Abbott

This book is about two boys two girls a wizard and his spidertroll .They have to save a imprisoned genie. My favorite part of the book is when Neal pretends to be Duke Snorfo and gets Sparr really mad. RATING: ***** Zaft

Puppies in the Pantry by Ben M. Baglio

This book is about a girl named Mandy and she is trying to find a movie star dog named Charley that is lost. While Mandy is looking for Charley she went to the Animal Ark place and got a cute little poodle for a women who’s dog died so she was very lonely all by herself at home. At the end of the book she finds that scared dog, Charley but after one week they have to move because they are done with the movie that they were doing. Mandy also got to see her dog, Jess, get puppies too. Now Mandy has a lot of work to do for the puppies but she can still have a lot of fun too. I wonder if Mandy’s friend, James, will have his dog find a girl dog and she has puppies? My favorite part of the book was when Mandy, Jess, her friend James, and his dog, Blackie found Charley in the woods hurt by it's leg. I also liked it when Jess had her lovely puppies in the pantry too. I think children who are 7-11 years old will enjoy this book RATING: ***** Sarah Tootsie Beach

Secrets of Droon: Race to Doobesh by Tony Abbott

This book is about 3 kids Eric, Julie, and Neal, who need to get the magic ring of midnight and blow up a magic forge. Can they do this with the help of a young wizard princess named Keeah, a spider troll named Max and a young boy sorcerer named Spar,? Read this book to find out! My favorite part of this book was when Spar turned Neal into a monster that’s name is Loudertail, which doesn’t talk normally only talks in yelling, has a tail, and has 3 feet! I think children who are 8-10 years old will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will enjoy this book RATING: ***** Clarice Anderson

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

This book is about a odd girl who comes to town and has nobody to tell her what to do or to go to bed because she has no parents and one day she meets these two kids and there names are Annika and Tommy and Pippi and them become best friends on the very first day she moves in. My favorite part is when she was making cookies and she had to much batter and it didn’t fit on the pan so she spreaded it out on the floor and it went from wall to wall that’s how big it was it is so funny and she had to practically move all the furniture in the kitchen so she could spread it out on the floor and Tommy and Annika were squeezed into the corner so they wouldn’t step on it. I think children who are 5th grade and down will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will prefer this book RATING: ***** NN

Katie Kazoo Bad Rap by Nancy Krulik

A girl named Katie and her friends really want to get tickets to a Bayside boys concert. Their friend Becky Stern was bragging because she got tickets to the concert. But one day Katie turned into one of the Bayside Boys, when she turned back into her self she was sitting in the boys apartment room! Then than one of the Bayside Boys, Spike saw her and gave her and her friend Suzan front row seats at the concert. My favorite part of the book was when the Bayside Boys gave Katie the tickets. I think children who are 8-9 years old would enjoy this book RATING: Mrs. Glockenhimershmootz

The Lost Years of Merlin #1 by T. A. Barron

The book is about a young boy who gave himself the name of Emrys who washed ashore on Wy Caddar, or Wales. He washes ashore with a mother who trys to help him in every way, but couldn’t help him when he discovered his powers and burnt out his eyes. He goes out to sea and washes up on Fincanyara, a legendary island in between the Otherworld and Earth. Can he save Fincanyara and uncover his lost past? Read on to find out. My favorite part was probably when they found out that Emrys’ father was Strangmar. The suspension that it creates makes you want to find out what side Emrys will chose. Will he save himself from Rhia Graw or, like his father, will he be beaten and have his mind forced into slavery? Read on to find out I think children who are 10 to 13 years old will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will enjoy this book RATING: ************************************************************************************************* Majora Abba

The Seven Songs of Merlin by T. A. Barron

This book is about a young man living on the legendary isle of Fincanyara. One day he summons his mother on to Fincanyara from Wy Cadder, currently known as Wales. When the death shadow sent for him hits his mother, he has no option but to go and get the elixir of Dagda. However, first he must master the souls of all seven songs of wizardry to be able to slay the legendary ogre guarding the Otherworld Well, the only way to get to the otherworld except for dieing. Will he get the elixir and save his mother, or will he die in his noble task? Read on to find out. My favorite part was when they found out Rhiahonn was Merlin’s sister. I think children who are 9-12 years old will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will enjoy this book RATING: *********************************************************************************************** Majora Abba

The Thief Lord, by Cornelia Funke

This book is about homeless kids led by a kid named Scipio. When an older brother and his younger sibling run away from home in the U.S.A, they run to Venice, the country of their dead mother's birth. There they meet Hornet, a girl who is in the gang of thieves led by Scipio. Will they unveil Scipo’s true life? Or will they live the rest of their lives led by Scipio and his web of lies? Read on to find out. My favorite part of the book was when Victor the detective was caught with his walrus mustache. I think children who are 9 to 12 years old will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will enjoy this book RATING: ******************************************************************************************** Morjara Abba

Katie Kazoo Love Stinks by Nancy Krulik

A girl named Katie who thought valentines day was about crushes and love but in the end she figured out it’s about friends and who you care about. My favorite part was when Cinnamon had the party with free candy at her candy shop so the kids would come back and at the beginning everyone was mad at each other but in the end every one was friends again. I think children who are 9-11 years old will enjoy this book Girls will enjoy this book RATING: ***** NN

My Brother's Keeper, by Mary Pope Osborne

My book is about a girl named Virginia, her Pa, And her brother Jed. Her family gets split up and Jed gives Virginia his journal while Virginia Stays with her neighbors, Mrs. Mc Cully and Jane Ellen bake bread for the injured soldiers. Her brother Jed was missing then found with a broken leg. There are lots of adventures in this book. My favorite part was when the war started. I like this part because there’s a lot of action. They describe every thing that happens. I think children who are any age will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls would enjoy this book RATING: ***** NN

Frindle by Andrew Clements

A boy named Greg invents a new word for pen which is Frindle but his teacher doesn’t like it so they start a war and then a news person hears of the new word so she tells the ABC news and Greg becomes a millionare. My favorite part of the book was when Greg becomes a millionare. I think children who are 8+years old will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will prefer this book RATING: ***** Dr. Smif

Katie Kazoo Switcheroo Any Way You Slice It by Nancy Krulick

A girl named Katie who turns into the pizza man Louie who is going out of business because of a new restaurant went in called Olives and Oreganos. Then Katie decides to have a pizza eating contest to get some money to stay in business but she does not know how to cook a pizza but the good news is that Louie had already made some pizza before. Soon a lot of people had dropped out and Katie hade to make a pizza and it was horrible. Soon Katie turned back into herself and Louie went back in business. My favorite part was Katie made the pizza and she made a mess every were. I think children who are 9 years old will enjoy this book I think boys and girls will prefer this book. RATING: ***** Lucy Bonza

Our Strange New Land

Capitian Smith said that everybody has to get food every day and the people steal food from the Indians. Boys can only go to school and girls can’t go to school. A lot of people are dying and she feels so bad for them. Her pa built a house for his family. The Indians hide themselves very good. If somebody had a baby the mother would die or the baby would die. I think girls will prefer this book RATING: *** NN

Dog at the Door, by Ben M. Baglio

Mandy Hope’s parents are vets and she might be one too. One night Mandy finds a dog outside her house and the dog is very pregnant. Mandy finds the owner for Kimble Pippa and Jake. Her name is Vera Morly. My favorite part was when Kimble has her puppies. I think children who are 7-11years old will enjoy this book I think girls will prefer this book RATING: **** GB

Phineas L. Macguire… erupts by Frances O’Roark Dowell

My book is about Mac R. and Mac doing a science fair together. My favorite part is when Mac did a magic trick about Mac R. disappearing and Ben reappearing because Mac R. is mean and Ben is nice but they're really the same person. I think children who are 8-10 years old will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will prefer this book RATING: ***** EB

Mr. Klutz is Nuts! by Dan Gutman

This book is about a school that has a very wacky principal named Mr. Klutz. When A.J., the main character, is sent to the principal’s office, he gets a bribe. Mr. Klutz gives him a chocolate bar if he will do his homework. Then, Mr. Klutz starts bribing the whole school. Can A.J. and his friends stop Mr. Klutz before he promises something REALLY crazy? My favorite part of the book was when Mr. Klutz told the school that if they do 1,000,000 math problems, they’ll get a chocolate party and he’ll kiss a pig on the lips. I think children who are any age will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will prefer this book RATING:***** DJ

Baseball Fever, by Johanna Hurwitz

The book is about a boy named Ezra who has a baseball fever but his dad doesn’t approve of it. My favorite part was when Ezra and his dad went to the baseball Hall of Fame. I think children who are 9-11 years old will enjoy this book I think boys will prefer this book RATING: **** and a half Dr. MonkeyFeet

Dolphins in the Deep by Ben M. Baglio

Its about a girl named Mandy and her friend Joel go on vacation with his grandpa and see dolphins so Now Mandy went to see a dolphin watch there she met a girl named Lauren and a dolphin trainer named Mel. The two dolphins are named bob and bing. There so happy training with each other and doing shows together until bob gets sick very sick and its all because of the manager food he’s giving them. His name is will Boston. Then bob dies and bing is lonely, he won’t do tricks, eat, have fun, or talk to them pour bing . now Lauren is saying bings going to get sick and die. So they made a plan to set Bing free. But will Boston goes after them! Will they be able to get Bing free in the nick of time? Read on and find out! I like the end of the book its very thrilling, though I cant tell you. I will tell you if you like animals, spine chilling , funny books, and mystery books this is the book for you! Pleasse please please read this book I know you’ll love it. You must trust me. But its not what you’d expect, it made me cry when Bob died. I think children who are 8-12 years old will enjoy this book I think girls will prefer this book RATING: ***** KittyKatCrazy

Million Dollar Strike, by Dan Gutman

This book is about two boys named Squishy, and Ouchie and a guy that owns a bowling alley and his name is Gazebo Zamboni. Mr. Z (Zamboni) does not want Bowl-A-Rama to close down, Squishy and Ouchie think that Mr. is a murderer, but he is really nice to them after awhile. Squishy wrote an essay about it how he does not want the bowling alley to close down, then his essay is put in an article, and saves Bowl-A-Rama. Then Ouchie keeps saying he is awful at bowling and one day he gets a strike worth $1,00,000! My favorite part of the book was when Ouchie got a strike worth $1,000,000, and he was SUPER happy, and he didn’t know what to say and he almost fainted, and Mr . Zamboni told him how he could get a strike and he bet him $1,000,000 that he would miss and he got the strike. I think children who are 8-12 years old will enjoy this book I think both boys abd girls would enjoy this book RATING: ***** Doggyluva

The Missing Cat Mystery, by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The book is about the boxcar Children find a cat a try to return it to the owner. Then they figure out that there are two cats that look like that. The boxcar children cannot figure It out! Read along to find out if the mysterious cat will receive an owner and spotzie will be found. Favorite Part: The whole darn thing!!! I think children who are 7-9 years old will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will enjoy this book ********************* Buggoon

Shiloh, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

The book is about a boy who found a dog and found out that his owner is a mean man and he asks if he can keep him but the says no and the boy has to figure out a way to save the dog. My favorite part of the book was when after many struggles and sacrifices Marty finally got to bring the dog home. I think children who are 10 years old will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will prefer this book ***** NN

Nate the great and the Halloween hunt by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

This book is about a magnificent detective named Nate the great (a kid) who is on a case about a missing cat named little hex he is Nate’s friend Rosmond’s cat My favorite part of the book was when Nate found Little Hex. I think children who are 8 years old will enjoy this book I think both boys and girls will prefer this book RATING: *** and a half Dr. Finglehimeer

My 3 favorite books:

• The Falconer
• The Jean Auel Earth's Children Series
• Whatever I am currently reading!!!

The Book Thief

"The Book Thief", by Zusak...For adults...a GREAT read. The book itself in quasi-diary format, set in Nazi Germany...with Death's eerie voice as the narrator lends an alternative style of dismal overtones that help convey the situation as it was during that time period. I haven't finished yet...can't wait to get home! See the Barnes & Noble website for more details: http://www.bn.com/

Just read "To Be a Slave" (Lester) and "Slave Dancer" (Fox) for a 5th grade teacher concerned with the use of the "N" word...both books were excellent, and although the pc-ness (political correctness) of the "N" word is up for discussion, I felt the accurate portrayal of history overpowered any reservations we may have had. I would recommend both books...they were different, in that "Slave Dancer" was historical fiction, and "To Be a Slave" was a compilation of accounts from prior slaves. But again, both exemplified the conditions of the era and were extremely well-written.

Just finished reading many of Edgar Allan Poe's works (haven't read them since I was a teenager!!!) Sinister, creepy, and full of mystery from the father of the modern detective story. Read carefully...you might not sleep tonight!!!