School! Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble Elementary School by Kate McMullan

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Harvey N. Trouble is the silliest school that you will visit. Spend a week in this book and you will meet a cast of characters with abilities only their names define, like Ron Faster, who is a fast runner and Ivanna Snack who is always hungry. Almost everyday they are late to school because their bus driver, Mr. Stuckinaditch is always stuck in a ditch. Will a day go by when the janitors Mr. Quitoo and Mr. Iquit not quit their job? Will Miss Ingashoe, the principal, ever find what's missing? Read this book of funny characters and find out why you never get in trouble there.

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

There are two sides to Rafe Khatchadorian: on one side he is a talented artist, has illustrated and written a book of his own, is generally funny and on the other side he is a total cut-up getting into heaps of trouble. Sixth grade can be really hard. Especially when the school bully "Miller the Killer" is making your life difficult. Plus, Rafe is making trouble of his own by breaking the school rules. But is he really doing it, or is his "friend" Leo causing all the stir? His mom is mad at him, his teacher and principal are furious and he is spending a lot of time in detention. Will Rafe change his wayward ways? Read this hilarious book and find out.

How I Nicky Flynn Finally Get a Life and a Dog by Art Corriveau

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

After the divorce of his parents, Nicky Flynn and his mom move into a one bedroom apartment. He has started a new school in a different city. One day his mom surprises him with a retired guide dog named Reggie. Reggie has these strange behaviors that Nicky can't quite figure out and mom is threatening to return him. As he walks Reggie aroudn the neighborhood, he starts to piece together part of his dog's past. But Nicky is determined to find Reggie's old owner. Learning about Reggie's roots helps Nicky confront his own past disappointments and understand the importance of building new relationships in his live that center on responsibility, trust and honesty.

The Boy Who Could Fly by James Norcliffe

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Have you ever dreamed of being a bird flying high in the sky? Soaring above the clouds would be fun and you could watch everyone below. It seems like it would be a great way to see the world. Michael is desperate to escape from the orphange where he lives. When a boy-bird called the Loblolly Boy perches himself on a tree branch, he makes a deal with Michael. He will switch places with him. Michael is convinced that he will have his freedom so he agrees to change bodies with the Loblolly Boy. But as the mystery begins to fade, Michael quickly learns that being a Loblolly Boy is very lonely. He is invisible to everyone but the "Sensitives" who are a rare group of people that can actually see him. Michael must be careful of the collectors who want to cage him because of his rarity. There is a strange man with a butterfly net lurking about. Can he see the Loblolly Boy? Read The Boy Who Could Fly and find out.

Juniper Berry: a Tale of Terror and Temptation by M.P. Kozlowsky

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

How far would you go to get everything you want? What would you give up in order to achieve that goal? Juniper Berry used to be the center of her parent's world. Then everything changed. Now her parents hardly recognize her. One day she follows them out to a horrible tree with a scary crow. Her parents magically walk into the tree and disappear. Is the tree the reason her parents have changed? Will she ever get them back or will she follow them?

The Memory Bank by Carolyn Coman and Rob Shepperson

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

When Mr. & Mrs. Scroggins leave Honey on the side of the road they tell her sister Hope to "forget about her." Hope is filled with worry and desperate to find her sister. She has failed to make deposits to the memory bank and they have come to collect. They take her to the memory bank vault where she can make more memory deposits. There she feels safe and that is something she never felt with her parents. But there is a war going on between the Clean Slate Gang and the World Wide Memory Bank. As Hope gets a tour of the bank, the Clean Slate Gang launch an attach. Will this attack prevent Hope from ever finding her sister? Read The Memory Bank and find out...

Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

The year is 1918 and Rosalind is an English girl living in India. Her father is at war. His wish is for Rosalind to get her education in England, but her mother is against it. Rosalind learns of a peaceful protester named Gandhi, who wishes to have an India free from English rule. She makes two mistakes and her father finds her behavior dishonorable and she fears being sent away from all she knows and loves.

The Loser List by H. N. Knowitt

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Danny Shine did not give his favorite pen to Chantel Davis, the bossy girl in school, when she demanded him to. Chantel threatens to add his name to the Loser List in the girl's bathroom. Not believing in such a list, Danny calls her bluff. Now everyone is looking at him funny and calling him names. He gets sent to detention, loses his best friend, and is pressured by some bullies. Could life get any worse? How will Danny remove his name from the Loser List?

Jack Plank Tells Tales by Natalie Babbitt

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Jack Plank used to be a good pirate and his friends liked him a lot. However, Jack was sent back to land because there was one thing he wasn't good at: plundering. He decides to look for a job that suits him. During his stay at a boardinghouse, he explains to everyone the reasons why he can't do the jobs they recommend. Nothing seems right for him. But with every explanation his gives, has the guests helping Jack find his most suitable career yet.

The Postcard by Tony Abbott

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Jason travels to Florida after the sudden passing of his grandmother whom he has never met. He is disappointed about having to leave his friends in Boston and is cranky that the weather is so hot. As he helps his dad get his grandmother's affairs in order, strange occurences start to happen. A mysterious phone call, an old faded postcard from the past, a bizarre funeral with suspicious guests and an old magazine story spark a mystery that Jason is determined to unravel about his grandmother's life.

The Pirate Captain's Daughter by Eve Bunting

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

After the death of her mother, Catherine decides that she would like to embark on adventure and join her father on his next voyage. She knows he is pirate and a captain of the ship the Avarice. It is forbidden to take a girl onboard the ship. Catherine has to disguise herself as a boy, but if the secret is discovered, Catherine and her father will experience severe consequences for their betrayal.

The Purple Kangaroo by Michael Ian Black

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

A mind-reading monkey tries to guess what you, "the reader" are thinking. The monkey guesses wrong and a purple kangaroo pops out on the page. But wait till you get to the end of this book. Maybe the monkey isn't so wrong after all. If you like stories by author, Mo Willems, you will definitely love this one. If you haven't read any of Willems' books, be sure to check them out along with The Purple Kangaroo.

Socksquatch by Frank W. Dormer

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Socksquatch is a big, hairy beast that is looking for just the right kind of sock to warm his cold foot. First he sees Wayne, but all he has is fur. Frank has one but it's too big for Socksquatch. Socksquatch throws a tantrum. Martin tries to help but can't. Will the Damsel, who is in distress herself, be able to save Socksquatches' toes from the cold.

Sarah Emma Edmonds Was A Great Pretender: the True Story of a Civil War Spy by Carrie Jones

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Are you daring, courageous and bold? Have you pretended to be someone you are not? You may be a risk-taker like Sarah Emma Edmonds. In 1841, Sarah was born in Canada. She always had a sense of adventure. Her father always wanted a son and Sarah new that boys had more freedom than girls. When she grew older, Sarah cut her hair short, dressed as a man and pretended to be a Bible salesman. In 1861, during the Civil War, Sarah became a male nurse and helped the Union Army. Using silver nitrate to darken her skin, she pretended to be an African-American male while she was spying against the Confederate soldiers. She was very versatile in the acting roles she played when she posed as an Irish peddler woman and an African-American laundress woman to gain information about the war. Nothing would stop Sarah except a visit to the hospital where she feared being discovered. Read more about the bravery and patriotism of this unique person named Sarah Emma Edmonds.

Monday is One Day by Arthur A. Levine

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

A countdown of days begin. Moms and dads all over have a busy work week. They can't wait for the weekend so they can spend all day with their kids. Saturdays and Sundays are the best days. But everyday is an "I love you" day in this book.

Mini Racer by Kristy Dempsey

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

A unique selection of animals and their interesting vehicles make their way toward the finish line. They pass through some obstacles like hills, winding, streets, bumpy roads. Some wipe out and lose their place, while others are determined to surge forward and win the race. They make a pit stop for gas and engine checks just like they would in the Dayton 500. You will be surprised to see which animal win this race. Can you guess who? No speeding before reading!

Kazaak by Sean Cassidy

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Rupert shows Spike the benefits of being a porcupine with quills. When his spiky tail swings, it make the sound "Kazaak!" Rupert pierces fruit with his quills, he shows Spike how to camouflage himself and protect himself from bear. But what happens when all his quills are gone? Oh, no, here comes bear! What will Rupert do to stop Bear from eating him? Will Spike be eaten too?

How to Hug by Maryann McDonald

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

The message is sweet and simple in this book about hugging. It teaches the proper and polite ways to hug. A person can get a hug when they are happy or sad. It's also okay to say no to a hug. But once you give a hug, one may be returned to you. You will hug this book because you will love it!

Ferret Fun by Karen Rostoker-Gruber

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Two ferrets, Fudge and Einstein, get a cat visitor named Marvel at their house. Marvel thinks they are rats and taunts them. She would LOVE to eat them. As she opens her cage to make them her tasty meal, the ferret's owner, Andrea ruins her plan. The ferrets wonder what they should do and a plan begins to hatch. Marvel is lured into the closet and when boxes fall on her, she runs out scared. Will Fudge and Einstein ever become friends with Marvel? Read and find out.

Billions of Bats by Scott Nickel

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno from Arongen

Buzz Beaker is the smartest kid in school. That was until Sarah Bellum, the new kid, arrived. Buzz sets out to mastermind Sarah to prove he is the smartest. But his plan backfires and she beats him at his own game. In class, Sarah develops "The Cosmic Copier" and she uses her pet bat to show off her new invention. But something goes terribly wrong and there are bats EVERYWHERE! Will she learn that two heads are better than one?

The Dunderheads by Paul Fleischman

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno from Arongen

Miss Breakbone is the meanest teacher. She is particularly cruel to her class of misfits called the Dunderheads. She has a drawer locked with things she took from students. Junkyard loves to collect things and found a cat statue for his mother. Miss Breakbone seized the statue with a promise that Junkyard would never get it back again. Everyone looks up to Einstein. They need his help to solve this problem. The kids form a team and sneak into Miss Breakbone's house to get the statue. Will they get caught? Is there more trouble to be found? Read The Dunderheads to find out more...

Gabby and Gator by James Burks

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno from Arongen

The local newspaper says that a gator is terrorizing the town. Gator is very sorry to gobble up the town dogs, but he is extremely hungry. Gabby is a very lonely and doesn't have any friends. Then she meets gator. She finds out gator's worst fear is the toliet. She cheers him up and befriends him. The class bully gets gator locked away by animal control. Gabby fears she has lost her best friends so she sets out to save him. Will her plan succeed or will she lose Gator forever? Read Gabby and Gator to find out.

George's Marvelous Medicine

Hook:

"Open your mouth wide, Grandma," George said. The old hag opened her small wrinkled mouth, showing disgusting pale brown teeth. "Here we go!" George crided out. "Swallow it down!" He pushed the spoon well into her mouth and tipped the mixture down her throat. Then he stepped back to watcvh the result. (pg 32).

Storyteller by Patricia Reilly Giff

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen


An old drawing on the wall in her aunt's home sparks Elizabeth's interest in her ancestor known as Zee. The story goes back and forth between the 21st century and the 18th century. Zee lived in upstate New York with her family on the farm. When the revolutionary war breaks out, families and neighbors are divided. After a tragic event, Zee is forced to find her father and brother on the battlefield. As Elizabeth retraces Zee's history, a kinship forms across the centuries and their two lives are intertwined.

Emily's Fortune by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Reviewed by Mrs. Bruno at Arongen

Emily becomes an orphan after her mother dies in a tragic carriage accident along with her employer, Miss Nash. On her way to her aunt's house, traveling alone with her pet turtle Rufus, she meets Jackson. Shy and innocent, Emily is unaware of the danger that lurks around her and is lucky to have Jackson's protection, especially with the "Catchum Child-catching Service" looking to snatch up strays and orphans. Street-smart Jackson helps Emily outsmart her wicked uncle Victor who is relentless in finding her. But will Jackson's tricks work? Will Emily stay safe and make it to her aunt's house? Read Emily's Fortune and find out...