Miss Meadows' Best Book Pick... "The Giving Tree"

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is about a little boy and his friendship with a tree.  The tree spends its whole life trying to make the boy happy by playing with him and giving him the things he needs, such as apples and wood.  Even though the boy wanders far away during his life, in the end, they find each other again and are happy.  I recommend this book because it demonstrates selflessness and the power of people and love over material possessions.

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at E SIL.

Mrs. Jones' and Ms. Lourenco's Best Book Pick... "Stone Fox"

Stone Fox by by John Reynolds Gardineris a story about a young boy who is trying to help his sick grandfather from losing the farm due to back taxes....the main reason that his grandfather is "sick." The boy cooks up a plan to enter an Alaskan dog sled race to earn enough money to win the race and pay the taxes that his grandfather owes.  It's an extremely sweet and well-written story  (the author uses a lot of examples of "show not tell to describe actions in the story) with a surprising twist at the end.
                                                                                                                by Mrs. Jones

This is a wonderful story about human compassion and the true love that people can have for one another as well as animals.  I recommend this book because it will make you smile and cry and believe in humanity.          
                                                                                                                by Ms. Lourenco

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at F GAR.

Ms. Koskoski's Best Book Pick... "Caps for Sale"

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina is folktale about a peddler, his monkeys, and all their "monkey business" they get into.  The peddler's job is to sell caps, and he wears them all on his head while he walks from town to town shouting "Caps, caps for sale, fifty cents a cap"!  Read the book to find out what the monkeys do while the peddler sits down to take a nap under a tree.

I would recommend this book because it is a popular, funny, award winning book that has sold over two million copies.  It has repetitive text that lets even the youngest of readers speak the lines and join in the reading experience.  For more experienced readers, Caps For Sale allows you to practice fluency and expression with a fun and engaging text.  This book brings back wonderful, childhood memories for me and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at F SLO.

Ms. Fennell's Best Book Pick..."Savvy"

Savvy by Ingrid Law is originally intended for young adults, but I honestly think that adults can benefit from this book as well. It is a book about an extraordinary family where they receive a special power (savvy) on their 13th birthday. The main character, Mibs, just turned 13 and is anxious about what her savvy will be. I love this book because it lets kids and adults know that we have our own special savvy to contribute to the world.

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at F LAW.

Mrs. Hill's Best Book Pick... "Where the Red Fern Grows"

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls is about a boy and his two hunting dogs.  If you are a dog lover you must read this book!  It is about a young boy's hunting adventures with his two dogs.  I remember reading this book when I was in the 5th grade.  I was sitting on my floor in my bedroom, leaning against my bed, reading the last chapter, crying and sobbing because it is such a heartfelt story.  A must read for everyone!

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at F RAW.

Mrs. Mitchell's Best Book Pick... "Maniac Magee"

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli is a book is about a young boy who runs away from home.  It talks a lot about diversity and differences.  The boy makes great friends, helps an elderly man learn to read and makes a difference in the communities of blacks and whites.  I would recommend this book because it is exciting, easy to get into and opens your eyes to racism.


Link to the library catalog to find it. Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at F SPI.

Mrs. Alford's Best Book Pick... "Charlotte's Web"

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White is a timeless classic chapter book about a young girl named Fern who saves the runt of a pig litter and makes him her pet.  She feeds him so well. that the pig, who she named Wilbur, is in danger of becoming dinner.  Wilbur makes several friends in the barn, but none so special as the spider, Charlotte.  Charlotte creates magical writings in her web to try to save Wilbur's life.  This story is a beautiful tale of friendship that children and adults everywhere still love.


Link to the library catalog to find it. Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at F WHI.

Ms. Rosenella's Best Book Pick... "Pink and Say"

Pink and Say is by one of my favorite authors, Patricia Polacco. It is about two boys both fighting for the Union Army during the Civil War. They have very different perspectives and reasons for fighting. It is a story that sheds light on why some are willing to die for freedom as well as a powerful story of friendship and bravery.


Link to the library catalog to find it. Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at F POL.

Brielle's Fave... "All the Lovely Bad Ones"

All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn is about 2 kids who go to see their grandmother at the inn called Fox hill. While they are there they think it would be funny to play a ghost prank on all the visitors, so Cory, the younger sister, dresses up very scary and makes loud moaning noises. When she does that she awakens Ms. Ada Jaggs, a woman who took little boys that misbehaved and got into lots of mischief. She only fed them 1 time a day and if they did 1 little thing wrong she would beat them with her cane. What will Cory and her brother do to stop this evil witch!?!

                                                               Written by 4th grader, Brielle


Link to the library catalog to find it. Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at F HAH.

Mr. Chakmakian's Best Book Pick... "A Bad Case of A Stripes"

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon is about a little girl who, for an unknown medical reason, changes in ways that resemble her environment.

I like this book because it emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's identity and not changing your personality or behavior just because your friends or other classmates want you to.

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in at E SHA.

Gabi's Fave... "Home on the Range"

Home on the Range from the Down Girl and Sit series by Lucy A. Nolan is about two dogs hanging out and running wild on a dude ranch.  I recommend this book because it is super funny!

                                                                Written and Recommended by 4th Grader, Gabi

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it and other books from the series out in the fiction section at F NOL.

Alana's Fave "John Henry"

John Henry by Julius Lester is an historical book that is fiction. It's about John Henry's life and his music. At the end his big heart burst after hammering so long and so hard.

You can go to the white house and at the top of the building lay John Henry. He used whale bones to hammer and play music. I recomend this book because John Henry was a leader, bold but not thundering and standing up for what he believes. I think we should look up to John Henry. He even has a rainbow song.

In this fun and musical tale, there is a lot to learn. Even if you don't leap out of your mom's arms and start growing.

                                               Written by 3rd grader, Alana

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out at 398.2 LES.

Mrs. Pittman's Best Book Pick... "From the Mixed Up Files..."

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg is about a young girl named Claudia who has a lot of responsibility at home and is tired of it!  She decides to run away to New York City to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Because she needs money, she also invites her brother Jamie along for the adventure.  Jamie has acquired quite a bit of money by cheating at cards with his friend on the school bus.  The two of them have quite an adventure hiding out in the museum, and become involved in a big mystery surrounding one of the museum's statues.

I loved this book because I wanted to be Claudia!  I was the oldest of four children with a lot of responsibility and I dreamed of running away like Claudia.  By reading the book, I felt that I went on the adventure with her.  You should go too!

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at F KON.

Mrs. Williams' Best Book Pick... "Swimmy"

Swimmy by Lio Lionni is about a little fish who helps other fish overcome their fear of the environment they live in. I recommend this book because I like how Swimmy uses his strength, fearless motivation, and love of life to help others enjoy their surroundings as much as he does. It's a fantastic example of how teamwork can provide positive results for everyone involved!

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold word above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at E LIO.

Mrs. Pattison's Best Book Pick... "The Lightning Thief"

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is about a boy who discovers he is the son of Posiden, the Sea God.  He also finds out there are many "half-breeds" who live among humans and there is a special school for those half-human/half-god children.  There are also those who would destroy these half-breed children.  In the first book, Percy has to find out who has stolen Zeus' lightning bolt.  He has a lot of adventures and makes many friends (and enemies) along the way.

I would recommend this book because it goes pretty deep into the history of the Greek gods and Mythology.  It gives a good base for studying these myths and helps the characters to come alive and become likeable, or fearful.  The characters are very real and the adventures are exciting.

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at F RIO.

Mrs. Madeja's Best Book Pick... "Wemberly Worried"

Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes is about a little mouse named Wemberly who worries about everything! As the first day of school approaches, Wemberly has an entirely new set of things to worry about- will she make friends? Will the teacher be nice? Will she know where the bathroom is? As a Kindergarten teacher, I read this book at the beginning of every year to help our newest Otters realize that while starting anything new can be a bit scary, things will work out! And it is ok to be nervous- everyone is at the beginning of a new school year, even the teacher! :)

Click here to get to the catalog (copy and past the bold words above into the catalog) or just check it out in the fiction section at E HEN.