A Boy's Best Friend by Janice Ford

Genre: Children's Picture Book
Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is a collection of five short stories. The first story is “Steven Meets Stuart”. Steven loves animals. He has done a lot of research. He wants a pet. He chooses what he believes is the perfect pet a puppy. He tries to persuade them to get him one for Christmas. He finds nothing under the tree that would be a puppy. Imagine his surprise when his dad brings in a surprise box.

The second story is “Adventure Time with Steven and Stuart”.

Steven loves his new dog.  What is even better is that he has learned his dog can talk to him. One day while exploring the woods behind his house he hears a noise in a bush. He finds a bunny who is stuck. Stuart tells Steven the problem and he is able to help the bunny.

The third story is “The Great Big Monster!”

Like a lot of children, Steven is scared of storms, especially when the wind sounds like a monster outside his window.  Stuart jumps in bed with Steven but is just as scared. But mothers always make things better. Steven and Stuart are allowed to sleep in their parent’s bed.

The fourth story is “Steven Makes a New Friend”.

Steven and Stuart are exploring their neighborhood when they come across a small girl with a stuffed elephant. She looks sad. Steven learns she wants to go into the forest to pick some flowers for her mom. However, the last time she went in she got lost.  Steven and Stuart are there to help this little girl.

The final story in this collection is “School is Fun”.

Steven loves his dog Stuart so much. He is excited to let his dog know that their teacher is allowing the students to bring their pet to school for a special project.  Steven can’t wait to show his dog to all of his classmates. It is one of his best days ever.

This collection was a joy to read. It was bubbly and showed how much love and friendship can come from having a pet. It also shows how we can be there for others.  Another great job from this author.

What Waits In The Water by Kieran Scott

Genre: Middle Grade, Horror
Source: I own a copy

Hannah and her new step-sister are total opposites. Hannah is a swimmer and loves the water. Katie can't swim and plays softball.  When Hannah is invited to her best friend Jacob's lake house she is excited. She and Jacob have been best friends since they were very young. She had heard so much about their lake house. Hannah had not planned on her new step-sister tagging along. On the way down to where they will meet Jacob, Hannah realizes there is something between Jacob and Katie. It isn't bad enough she has to spend the weekend with her step-sister there. She learn there are no parents and Jacob has invited two other friends.

Strange things happen. Hannah is racing Jacob when she is suddenly pulled under water. Later she sees something she identifies as a monster. The new friend Colin seems attracted to her. He is the one who tells the story of the drownings in the lake. When Hannah, Katie and Jacob visit the burned island across the lake Hannah finds a box with a diary. It is the diary of a girl who has gone missing.  Was she a victim of the lake? Hannah and Katie watch as their new friend Alessandra is pulled under the water. She surfaces and screams for help before she disappears.  All Hannah and Katie want is off the island.

This was definitely a very creepy, edge of your seat book. I read it in a little over two hours. I have spent a lot of time talking about it to my students. That is how good this book is. Now I must read the other book "What Waits in the Woods". I am sure it will be just as good.

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic

Source:  From my classroom shelves

 

Usually this book is passed from student to student and checked out. However, the last student put it into my book bin to be checked back in and I snagged it.  I will tell you from the beginning I am not a big graphics fan. Every student who has read this has told me I need to read it. I agree with them, it was great.

This could have been taken right out of my classroom. I am always hearing students talking about what course is best.  We have those students who will argue until they are blue, that art is the best subject. Then we have those students who love the sciences, or math, or English.

The characters face the very things students new to our school or new to middle school face. They worry about bullying, making friends, family problems, will their teachers like them or will they like their teachers. This is what made this book ring true. The author took a lot of time to flesh out her characters. These are some of the most diverse characters I have seen in a book.   I loved this book and understand why all the students kept recommending it to me.