Andrew W. just read...

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Last Straw
Author: Jeff Kinney
Rating (Out of 5): 5
A connection to the book: It makes me what to laugh and it is quite weird.
Genre: Realistic fiction
Recommended?:  yes
Why or why not?   I think people should read this is that you can do some new stuff.

Mrs. B just read...

Title: The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Author: Brian Selznick
Rating (Out of 5): 4
A connection to the book: The setting of the book is a train station that reminded me of the Durham Western Heritage Museum (the old Union Station) in Omaha, one of my most favorite places in town.  It also reminded me of the train stations I visited in Europe when I was young.  Train stations are full of people, so they are also full of different, but interesting, stories!
Genre: Graphic Novel + Historical Fiction
Recommended?: Yes
Why or why not?  You can read this book in a short time even though it has 500+ pages.  There are MANY drawings that describe the action instead of the author narrating it.  This made the book more "fun" to read!  Plus, the drawings were AMAZING!

Mrs. Oswald just read...

Title: Dragon in the Library
Author: Kate Klimo
Rating (Out of 5): 4
A connection to the book: This is a story I read to some of the 3rd grade students last school year but wasn't able to finish. Well, I finished it and I would like to encourage you to read the series as well! It starts with the first book, The Dragon in Sock Drawer, then Dragon in the Driveway and then the 3rd book, The Dragon in the Library. There is a 4th book out already titled The Dragon in the Volcano!
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended?: yes
Why or why not?  This is a great series where two characters who are cousins, Jessy and Daisy continue their adventure to take care of their ever growing Dragon, Emerald (or Emmy for short). There is a lot of mystery and suspense in this series! They are trying to find their friend, Professor Anderson who has been kidnapped. They find that their enemy, St. George is also missing and his girlfriend Sadie Huffington has come to town to find her lost boyfriend. I think you will all enjoy this series !

McKenna H. just read...

Title: Mrs.Piggle-Wiggle's Magic
Author: Betty Macdonald
Rating (Out of 5): 5
A connection to the book: In the last chapter,it is a rainy day.Children are being "waddle-I-doers".I hate rainy days.Like the children in the story.
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended?: yes
Why or why not?  It is a good book to read on a rainy day.

Mrs. Minske just read...

Title: Night of the Spadefoot Toad
Author: Bill Harley
Rating (Out of 5): 4
A connection to the book: Sometimes students and teachers have a special connection which happens in this book.  That was my personal connection to this book.
Genre: Realistic fiction
Recommended?: Yes
Why or why not?  I really liked this book.  It's one of our Golden Sowers this year.  Ben has a special bond with his 5th grade teacher that nobody likes.  They are both into science and she has some property that she shares with him and teaches him about the spadefoot toads that make their home on her property.  Developers want to bulldoze it all and put in apartments, so Ben and his teacher try to stop them.  Will they be able to battle the big developers?  Read and find out.

Mrs. Minske just read...

Title: Witch & Wizard
Author: James Patterson
Rating (Out of 5): 4
A connection to the book: This is a fantasy story, and I like fantasy novels so I guess that would be my connection to this book.
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended?: yes
Why or why not?  I would recommend this book to 5th graders and above. It deals with some scary thoughts. A brother and sister are kidnapped in the middle of the night and taken away by BAD people and then they find out that they are actually gifted! But will they ever be able to go back home??? This is number 1 in a series, so you will have to read the book to find out.

Jessie B. just read...

Title: The Kind of Friends We Used to Be
Author: Frances O'Roark Dowell
Rating (Out of 5): 5
A connection to the book: Me and my friend are so different and over the years we grew apart. Just like in the book Kate is a tom boy and Marylin is a girly girl.
Genre: Realistic fiction
Recommended?: yes
Why or why not?  This is a great book it teaches you even that two best friends are totally different they should still be your best friends.

Dylan E. just read...

Title: Star Wars Specter of the Past
Author: Timothy Zahn
Rating (Out of 5): 5
A connection to the book: When you're trying hard for something you don't give up you try again like is try in to change a vision he saw of his friends where going to be hurt or killed.
Genre: Science Fiction
Recommended?: Yes
Why or why not?  Because a long dead enemy is still alive some how and more challenging things happen for Luke and his friend Mara Jade.