"Captain Underpants and the Big Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy" by Dav Pilkey

Rating:  Thumbs up!

Review: 

I was a little lost at first but then my son filled me in on what was happening as I read.  It is a good book for kids.  I think boys would especially like it because it is really gross.  Melvin, a nerd, turns himself into a big booger monster.  He becomes a star athlete because no one wants to go near him.  Yet, his boogeriness gets out of control! I can see why the kids would laugh when they read this series!  But at the same time I could understand why parents may be against it.  It is crude!  But hey if the kids like it and they are reading, why not?  There' s no vulgar language.  It's just plain gross humor! Now I have to read the next book!

"It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie H. Harris and Michael Emberley

RATING:  Thumbs Up!

REVIEW:  This is a great book that covers very important topics like puberty and sex.  The book clearly provides tasteful information for children to understand the changes that are going to be taking place in their bodies. It also talks about the birds and the bees but not in any distasteful  or dirty way.  Throughout the book there is a bird and a bee that coverse about the various topics.  It is a book that I think any parent should feel comfortable using when teaching their child about these topics!

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," by J.K. Rowling

RATING:  Thumbs Up!

Review: 

      I didn't think I'd say it but, I really did enjoy reading this book.  I was originally turned off by these books because they are so long!  But I'm glad I finally did it!  It's a lot better than the movie.  I enjoyed the courage young Harry Potter has to find out  who is petrifying the students.  He uses black magic to fight against Valdemort.  But he realizes that even though he is capable of the same powerful magic as Valedmort he chooses to use it for good.  I can see why this is a challenged book.  But hey, if you don't like the subject matter, don't read it. Don't ban it!

"The First Part Last" by Angela Johnson

Rating:  Thumbs up!

Review:

     I really enjoyed this book because it tells about the reality of children having children.  Bobby decides to raise his newborn daughter on his own when his girlfriend Nia dies due to complications in the pregnancy. It forces him to mature and look for a better life for him and his daughter.  This book would be more appropriate for children who are in their tweens. 

"The Graveyard" by Neil Gaiman

Rating:  Thumbs Up!

Review: 

      I really enjoyed this book because of the suspense!  I wondered if Bod was really going to escape from Jack.  But more importantly I wanted to know why Jack was so desperate to kill him and why he killed Bod' family.  I have recommended this book to several of my 4th and 5th graders and they seem to really like it too! 
       Just a little bit more... Bod's parents are murdered and he escapes as a baby.  He crawls into a nearby graveyard where a guardian takes care of him. The guardian is not a living being.  Bod is safe in the graveyard but longs to roam among the living.

"It's a Book!" by Lane Smith

REVIEW:   Thumbs-Up!

Summary:

I love this book!  It is so funny!  The end of the story just makes the book awesome!  What a great play on words.  I love the illustrations as well.  But it is a book that truly explains how our society has become so involved in technology that some of our kids today rarely open a real book!  I definitely recommend it.

"The Matchlock Gun" by Walter D. Edmonds

RATING:2 Thumbs Up!

REVIEW:

        I really enjoyed this historical fiction book!  I think kids would love to read the story of this brave young boy who had to step up to the plate and save his family from the invading Indians.  The story takes place during the French and Indian War.  Edward is the main character and is only ten years old but must act as the man of  the house to keep his family safe while his father is out fighting the enemy in a militia. Edwards mother teaches him how to use the matchlock gun given to them by his grandfather.  One night, Edwards courage is put to the test when the mother sees Indians approaching their home to destroy it.  She runs to tell Edward to get the gun but on her way she is injured.  But Edward is still able to get the gun in time to save his mother!  It is an awesome story and the illustrations are beautiful!