What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is to watch the Macy's Parade with my mom while we prepare food for the big Thanksgiving feast!
 Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet is an excellent picture book that tells the true story of the puppeteer of the Macy's Parade. Check out the author website for more information on this interesting Thanksgiving themed book! http://melissasweet.net/

What makes a page turner?

A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.
–William Styron

Great authors create characters using descriptive language and engaging dialogue. They create a setting that is described in such a way that the reader can easily visualize it. What really makes a page turner is a book that has a plot or character that leaves you on the edge of your seat. The reader can't wait to find out where the characters will go and what they will do next.

 Lincolns Grave Robbers by Steve Sheinkin was an excellent nonfiction page turner. This is a great read for any student interested in Presidential or American history. It is also a great book for the suspense mystery fan. Recommended grade level is 5th and 6th. 

The following is a link to the authors website.

http://stevesheinkin.com/

This excellent review will give you  more specific information on this book and other nonfiction children's books.

http://www.nonfictiondetectives.com/2013/02/lincolns-grave-robbers-by-steve-sheinkin.html

Welcome Readers!

My name is Mrs. Brower and I am a Reading Specialist in Middleton, Massachusetts. I work with students to help them become the best readers they can be! I am most passionate about introducing students to books that will get them hooked on reading. It is my goal for all my students to be able to get lost in a book! It is my vision for this blog to be a resource for students, families, and teachers to learn about newly released books that can hook a student on reading!!

The following is an excellent resource where students can read book reviews written by students for grades k-8.
http://www.spaghettibookclub.org/

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage (5th and 6th grade recommended)
Miss Moses Lobeau is a sassy and adventurous girl living in a small town in North Carolina. She becomes the lead "detective" when a shocking mystery is revealed in her small town of Tupelo, North Carolina.
This book is full of the types of interesting characters one only finds in a small town. Each character has a grit that endears you to them. The author creates a sensational setting that allows the secret in this hometown to unravel as a page turning mystery.

Listen to what this student has to say about Sheila Turnages marvelous mystery!

The following is a link to the authors website where you can find more information about this book, in addition to the wonderful sequel Ghosts of Tupelo Landing

http://www.sheilaturnage.com/SheilaTurnage/3XLucky.html

Twerp by Mark Goldblatt

Twerp by Mark Goldblatt (5th and 6th grade recommended)

Julien becomes entangled in the complicated world of sixth grade. He becomes involved in a terrible bullying incident he can't believe he took part in. Throughout the book the author reveals to the reader through detailed description, and  hilarious dialogue who Julien really is, which isn't a bully at all. Readers can appreciate the dilemmas Julien faces, as well as, the wit with which he approaches them. 

Humor, friendship and loyalty are woven through out this engaging novel.

Learn more about this book and the author from the following website

http://www.markgoldblatt.com/