Andi Unexpected

TITLE:  Andi Unexpected
AUTHOR:  Amanda Fowler
ILLUSTRATOR:
PUBLISHER:  Zonderkidz
COPYRIGHT:  2013

I have a special book review for you today.  My son received this book Andi Unexpected by Amanda Fowler to read and review.  He read it super fast and really enjoyed it.  Here is his review which he dictated to me:

Andi's parents died in a plane crash, and she went to live at her aunt's house.  Her aunt Amelie was excited for Andi and her older sister Bethany to come because she was lonely.  Andi wants to move up to the attic because her sister is annoying.  Andi and her new friend Colin find a trunk in a trap door.  They find out it belonged to a relative named Andora which is Andi's full name.  The trunk is a mystery for them to find out about the other Andora. 

I thought it was cool that Andi and Colin were trying to solve the mystery of the trunk.  It's not a scary book, just a normal book.  It is a chapter book without pictures.  I liked this book and want to read more of this series.  I think it is a good book.  Personally, I think people who like mysteries or good books will like to read this.  It is for boys or girls. 

The book was sent to us from the publisher for our honest review.

The One and Only Ivan

TITLE: The One and Only Ivan
AUTHOR:  Katherine Applegate
ILLUSTRATOR:  Patricia Castelao
PUBLISHER:  HarperCollins
COPYRIGHT:  2012

About the book:

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

My thoughts:
My son and I read this book together and both enjoyed it.  It is a sweet story of a gorilla who has lived in a mall for many years.  It is written from the gorilla's perspective which made it interesting to imagine his thoughts.  It is divided into short segments, all differing in length, and seem more like journal entries I thought. This is a story of friendship between animals, helping each other, and keeping your word.   

This is on the Texas Bluebonnet List.  

Out of My Mind

TITLE: Out of My Mind
AUTHOR:  Sharon M. Draper
ILLUSTRATOR: N/A
PUBLISHER: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
COPYRIGHT: 2010

I have finished the most amazing book!  I checked it out from our local library after seeing it on the shelf at the school library while volunteering.  They cover caught my eye.  The librarian there told me what a great book it is, and I've looked forward to reading it.  She was right, it is wonderful.  I think all teachers should have to read this book.  It is such a touching story and very eye opening to me.

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper is the story of Melody, an 11 year old girl who is extremely smart. She has never spoken a word though.  She has cerebral palsy and is in a wheel chair.  Everyone...teachers, doctors, and classmates.... assumes she is not capable of doing anything.  She has a few people who believe in her though and a couple of good teachers who see her potential. All Melody wants is to be normal and do things like the other kids she sees at school instead of being stuck in the "special" classroom all day.   

This is such a touching story, and one I will always remember.   (I was nearly crying at the end and I don't cry over books!)  There are so many lessons that can be learned from Melody's story, both by young people and adults.  I highly recommend this book to you.

The AR level for the book is 4.3. 

A Perfect Place

TITLE: A Perfect Place  Joshua's Oregon Trail Diary
AUTHOR:  Patricia Hermes
ILLUSTRATOR:
PUBLISHER: Scholastic, Inc.
COPYRIGHT: 2002

Joshua and his family have reached Oregon in this second book in the Joshua's Oregon Trail Diary series.  After a long difficult journey from Missouri, things continue to be difficult for Joshua's family and fellow travelers.  Was the trip west worth it? 

These chapter books are in the 3rd grade reading range and would be of interest for students probably in grades 2-4.  They are written from Joshua's perspective so children will be able to relate to what he is feeling through all the trials his family faces. 
 
My son and I have read books 1 and 2 in this series and have enjoyed both of them. Once we started reading we did not want to put them down to find out what would happen to Joshua.  We look forward to reading book 3 as well as others in the My America series.

Play, Louis, Play!

TITLE: Play, Louis, Play!:  The True Story of a Boy and His Horn
AUTHOR: Muriel Harris Weinstein
ILLUSTRATOR:  Frank Morrison
PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury USA
COPYRIGHT:

Learn about the childhood of famous musician Louis Armstrong in this book.  It is creatively written from the perspective of his horn!  It tells how young Louis worked to make money for his family and the role music played in his life.

This chapter book would be enjoyable for elementary aged children. It is easy to follow the story and enjoyable as well because it is written from the horn's perspective.

My son and I read this book together because it was on the Texas Bluebonnet list.  We both enjoyed the story and thought it was well-written.