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[professorboris]

Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

This is book 7 (and the most recent) from the Lunch Lady series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. And since we owned the first six, it only made sense to go out and purchased Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes, which we did at our local bookstore, Babar books.

So what can I say about Lunch Lady or the Breakfast Bunch (our children heroes from the books)? It's fun. It's funny. Lunch Lady kicks butt. The kids from the Breakfast Bunch pretty much kick butt too, but in a different way. The books have a very positive message. AND Lunch Lady and the Mutant Mathletes promotes Math... how more educational do you want to get?

Oh, and did I mention that one of the Breakfast Bunch kids is a young girl, strong-willed, opinionated, witty, smart, and a great leader?

Now, if you have never read a Lunch Lady book, I suggest starting at the beginning. There's something to be said about growing with the characters. I also have to admit that this was not my favorite in the series. This is not too surprising, of course, one out of the seven books is bound to NOT be my favorite.

But, it is still a worthwhile read. Looking forward to Lunch Lady's next adventure with the Breakfast Bunch.

[professorboris]

Another Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup

Another Whole Nother Story is the second novel by (the Incomparable) Dr. Cuthbert Soup and the follow-up to A Whole Nother Story.

I found it quite hard to get into Another Whole Nother Story. I'm not sure why. Maybe I was just tired of reading (suffering a little from reading-glut). Maybe it was just too much time between this story and the first story, that it took some time to get back into the characters. Or maybe I was just burnt out from the academic school year (it was a tough one this year). However, it definitely was not because of the book, because once I got into it, I remembered why I loved Dr. Soup's first story.

It was full of adventure and action. It was full of silliness & lol humour. There were also great character's from Jibby and his crew, to Mr. Cheeseman and his three smart, polite, and relatively odor-free children, to Pinky the hairless, psychic terrier. Oh, and how can I forget Rat-face Roy.

I loved that the children were smart and were essential to the success of the "mission." But maybe what I loved more was that the adults were not idiots. The story required both children & adults to work together; adults treating the children respectfully & including them in the plans, and the children being respectful towards the adults... where appropriate of course :)

[professorboris]

Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas by Cary Fagan

Yes, you read that right: Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas by Cary Fagan. I know, I was surprised, and if I am totally honest, a little disappointed (at first) when I realized that this instalment of Jacob Two-Two was not written by Mordecai Richler. Let me explain.

I have read Mordecai Richler's first two Jacob Two-Two books already and loved them (Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang & Jacob Two-Two and the Dinosaur). I knew there was a third book, I just did not remember the title. When I found Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas in the Mordecai Richler section of my library, I just assumed this was the third Jacob Two-Two book without really looking at the cover. Besides, the cover did have Mordecai Richler's name, in the spot where you would usually find the author's name. Tricky tricky Tundra Books.

I liked Mordecai Richler's Jacob Two-Two... I did not know Cary Fagan's Jacob Two-Two... So, it was the old, "I don't like that which I do not know." Even as I started to read the book I found that the feel and the voice were different; not too surprising considering that it was a different author. I found Jacob Two-Two quite whiny and annoying. No wonder no one listened to him! :)

However, as Jacob and his family set out onto the High Seas aboard the SS Spring-a-Leak (Now if THAT doesn't spell trouble...) and the adventures began, I felt like I was reading about the Jacob Two-Two I had grown to love. Cary Fagan did a fantastic job of getting the feel of adventure, satire and humour from Mordecai Richler's Jabob Two-Two books. Cary also did a great job of squeezing Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas chronologically in between Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang & Jacob Two-Two and the Dinosaur. I, at least, did not catch any "issues".

In the end, I fully enjoyed Jacob Two-Two on the High Seas. And look forward to another Jacob Two-Two instalment from Cary Fagan.

[professorboris]

The Legend of Spud Murphy by Eoin Colfer

The Legend of Spud Murphy by Eoin Colfer was a surprisingly great book. I don't know what I was expecting: a nice, easy, simple, fun read. Those were all true, but I also got a great story about the joys and passions for reading.

The two eldest Woodman brothers get "punished" or "banished" to the local library three times a week during summer holidays. That's when the overactive imaginations of young boys goes into overdrive. We learn about and meet Spud Murphy, the old librarian, who apparently uses a gas-powered potato-spud launcher gun to keep the kids inline at the library.

Well in this semi-hostile environment Will and Marty develop a love for books. Such a great encouragement for kids to read.

The story was funny, original and promotes libraries and reading. What more do you want from a book!

The illustrations also added so much to the overall story. Glenn McCoy does a great job. I actually laughed out loud from the pics of Spud Murphy "figure skating" in her woolen slippers across the polished hardwood floors of the library.

[professorboris]

Big City Otto: Elephants Never Forget by Bill Slavin

Big City Otto: Elephants Never Forget by Bill Slavin is the first--and only, so far--installment of the adventures of Otto the Elephant. It was a fun little read.

It wasn't groundbreaking, but the story was fun, as I said, and the artwork was great, with a cartoonish feel to it. I can see the target audience--grades 3 to 6-- really enjoying this book. I'll have to read it with my daughter to see her reaction to it. She'll be a better judge, or maybe more precisely, I'll be able to judge based on how enthralled she gets by the artwork and story.

So what is Big City Otto about? Well, Otto decides to go to New York to look for his friend Georgie the chimp, who had been kidnapped by the man with the wooden nose. While in New York, Otto gets mixed up with the Alligari Boys, the alligator mafia :)

The most bizarre aspect of the book is that no human seems to be bothered by the fact that all these animals can talk and interact with them. The Alligari Boys seem to be criminals the cops have been after for a while. And, yet, the humans still keep zoos, with talking animals in them. Strange. But it's a book. It's a story. It's make-believe... so it works, quite well.

[professorboris]

Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss

What a great story, with a great message.

I read "Bartholomew and the Oobleck" by Dr. Seuss more than a week ago now to my five (soon to be six) year old daughter. She loved it and so did I.

Bartholomew and the Oobleck may not be a typical Seuss story. What I mean is that it does not depend on rhyming verses. It stands alone on the strength of the story. The story is based on the day the king of Didd got angry with the sky. He was no longer happy with just rain, sun, fog and snow. He wanted something different... and he got it along with somethings he did not bargain for. However, Bartholomew knew from the start that nothing good could come of this, and he tries to convince the king otherwise.

Bartholomew's faithfulness to serve the king is never compromised, even as he tries to convince the king the error of his decision. Bartholomew's character is truly beyond reproach, and a fantastic role model for children. Just one of the many reasons I love this book.

Again, wonderful message. Wonderful story. A classic from Dr. Seuss.

[professorboris]

Judy Moody Was in a Mood by Megan McDonald

Judy Moody Was in a Mood by Megan McDonald is the first chapter book I have read to my five (soon to be six) year old daughter. Up until finishing Judy Moody, my daughter really only had an interest in books with lots of illustrations, so I was happy to get through a chapter book with her.

After finishing Judy Moody Was in a Mood, I understood what attracted my daughter to the book and the story. I also understood why the Judy Moody books are so popular. The characters are great, particularly Judy herself. What an independent, go-getter, drive young lady Judy is. The stories are also simple enough to follow, but filled with lots of creativity, diversity and charm.

Judy's moods are great too, and my daughter particularly loved the Me-collage that was sort of the central theme that each adventure and chapter revolved around.

I think I really like the book only because Judy wants to be a doctor when she is older... love see kids dream big!

[professorboris]

How to Steal a Dragon's Sword by Cressida Cowell

How to Steal a Dragon's Sword by Cressida Cowell is book 9 of the How to Train Your Dragon series following the adventures (or misadventures) of a young, awkward runt-of-a-Viking boy hero, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third.

Wow, that's a mouthful.

Seriously, I LOVE Hiccup's adventures. I love how he has grown and matured; how he uses his wits and cleverness to overcome; how FATE seems to be on his side! I also love how Cressida Cowell has weaved this story over 9 books and counting. I am always amazed by writers who can write numerous books, which can all stand alone by themselves, but are also interwoven into a greater, larger story. Cressida Cowell has done just that with the How to Train Your Dragon series of books.

I have to say that How to Steal a Dragon's Sword is not my favorite story in the series (that was How to Break a Dragon's Heart: Book 8), but this does not mean that I did not love it and thoroughly enjoyed it. The stories are also getting a little darker and more intense than at the start, but it fits and makes sense. How to Steal a Dragon's Sword, without giving anything away, also takes us to numerous emotional highs and lows.

In a nutshell, How to Steal a Dragon's Sword delivers on the adventure, intrigue, humour, swashbuckling, dragons and vikings... and does not disappoint.

[professorboris]

Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg

When you think you have made a mistake think of it as an opportunity to make something beautiful.

That's the premise behind Barney Saltzberg's Beautiful Oops! And that premise is not lost on both old and young alike.

Beautiful Oops! is a Board/Pop-up book that my five year old has not stopped reading since we borrowed it from the library a week and a half ago. She loves the art in it. She loves how a tear in a paper, or an ink blotch, or some spilled paint, or a folded corner, or a crumpled up paper, all get transformed into something beautiful.

I love Barney Saltzberg's art and the simplicity of the book. And I absolutely love the message. Raising children can be hard enough. But when a book comes along that helps, at least with understanding that mistakes and failures lead to other opportunities, well then that book and it's author should be applauded!

Thank you, Barney!

[professorboris]

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

I found this book in the children's literature section of my public library. However, this story transcends being only a #kidlit book. This is a #YAlit book. This is an adult lit book. I believe that all people should read this story. Even, read it out loud to your youngest children... and get ready to answer why there are tears in your eyes. :)

Now, I have written this before but let me say it again I am not a literary expert or an English major, and so I will not judge Mockingbird on this basis. However, I am a reader and I do know what stories touch me, make me cry, make me laugh, entertain me, draw me in, and Mockingbird is such a story.

Mockingbird is written from a fifth-grade girl, Caitlin's point of view. What makes Caitlin's character so special and interesting is that she has Asberger's syndrome. If Kathryn Erskine had just written Mockingbird to be a story of Caitlin's interaction with the world around her, I believe it still would have been a wonderfully eye-opening, touching story. However, Kathryn Erskine delves into some even deeper issues.

Mockingbird also explores how a family deals with the death of a family member. Caitlin and her dad are left picking up the pieces after Cailtin's older brother, Devon, dies. Cailtin's character shows much growth and maturity as she seeks closure for herself and her dad.

Again, if this was it for Mockingbird, I'm sure I would be singing it's praises. However, another element is added to the story. Devon's death came about from a Middle school shooting. This brings with it all the emotions, the pain, the anger, that a whole community needs to deal with in such a situation. Mockingbird, in this light of the school shooting, explores the relationships of Caitlin and her dad; of Caitlin and Michael (the son of a teacher that was killed); of Caitlin and Josh, a school bully (and the cousin of one of the shooters); and a numerous cast of other supporting characters that are all intertwined.

I really do not have the words to express everything I felt while reading this story. I cried through many moments. I laughed at others. And I grew as a person.

I want to end of with a quote from the author's note, at the end of the book:

... I am certain of one thing. If we all understood each other better, we could go a long way toward stopping violence.

'Nuf said.

[professorboris]

Lunch Lady And The Field Trip Fiasco by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

This is book 6 of the Lunch Lady series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka.

Lunch Lady is not your typical old, sweet, lunch lady. She is a butt-kicking, crime-fighting, justice-serving, mash-potato-smashing kind of lunch lady. When my daughter and I came across the Lunch Lady at our public library about a year ago, we fell in love with this character and the adventures, she and the Breakfast Bunch go through.

In this story, Lunch Lady and the Breakfast Bunch uncover a plot to steal all the art from the museum and replace them with bad copies. Maybe the funniest part in the story is that the art-expert fails to notice anything wrong with the exhibits :)

I also really like Dee, as does my daughter. She is the girl from the Breakfast Bunch, and except that she is a bit more outgoing than my daughter, she reminds me so much of my daughter; very quick, witty and bright... and a little rebellious :)

[professorboris]

Pigs! by Robert Munsch

I love Robert Munsch's use of repetition... repeated phrases. Again, I can't get enough of his storytelling style.

So in Pigs! Megan learns that pigs are not so dumb. She's put through her paces trying to round them all up. And the pigs have some fun peeing on some shoes :) amongst other things they do.

Pigs! is another collaboration with illustrator Michael Martchenko, and I find that he always has some "extras" in his illustrations. Some of the pigs expressions are just great and worth a laugh or two.

[professorboris]

Murmel Murmel Murmel by Robert Munsch

I love the wackiness of Robert Munsch's books and the zaniness of his characters. Murmel Murmel Murmel is no different. Our heroine finds a baby in a hole in her sandbox. She then sets out to find a parent for this baby, who seems to only say Murmel Murmel Murmel. :)

Great little story. I love Robert Munsch's writing style... or is it really a storytelling style.

And a shout out to my daughter's favorite illustrator's name... Michael Martchenko!

[professorboris]

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

I have never read the story before yesterday evening. I have seen the movie, but I have to say, I prefer the book.

The Polar Express was a Caldecott Medal recipient in 1986. And though I am not a literary expert or an English major, even I can see a classic Christmas story when I read it. Wonderfully illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. And a beautiful story of believing, faith, and the magic of Christmas. The story/message is very subtle, but the image of the ringing silver bell is beautiful.

Not sure how much my daughter liked it, though she was listening attentively, and she guessed immediately that the silver bell was in the last gift opened on Christmas day. I'm sure that the reading of the Polar Express will become a Christmas tradition in our family for years to come.

[professorboris]

The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems

OK, so we read a lot of Pigeon books tonight! We would have read The Pigeon Loves Things That Go! as well, but we couldn't find it :)

Anyway, back to The Pigeon Wants a Puppy. This may be my favorite. I know that Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! won a Caldecott Honor, but I still like this one better. Maybe it's because I like dogs. Maybe it's because Pigeon is at his neurotic best in this one. Maybe it's because of my daughter's reactions to the story and the way I read it to her. Or maybe I'm just a little neurotic myself.

It's probably a little bit of each one.

So the story is that Pigeon wants a puppy, and "we" won't let him have one. Of course, Pigeon has NO idea what is needed to care for a dog... but we get a very funny interesting twist at the end.

Have not mentioned this before, but one of my favorite things about the Pigeon books, is that Mo Willems uses the whole book to tell the story, even the inside illustrations of the front and back covers. It's one of my daughter's favorite parts too. Great fun!

[professorboris]

The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too! by Mo Willems

Have to start by saying, my 5 year old and I read the board book version... because that's the one we... uhm, I mean my 2 year old received for Christmas.

A board book loses some of the story, of course, from the full picture book, but it still carries enough of the Pigeon's neurosis to come out in so few pages. Besides it is a great way to introduce your youngest one to the Pigeon without worrying too much about the book being damaged.

Having said all that, my 5 year old and I still enjoyed this story. We love how the Bus Driver tricks the Pigeon into showing his emotions. And maybe the best part is when the Pigeon realizes he's been had :) haha!

Happy! Happy! Happy!

[professorboris]

The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems

Introducing the Duckling! Again, a great story by Mo Willems. Love the interaction between the Pigeon and the Duckling. The Duckling is sly and a little conniving, while the Pigeon is... well, the Pigeon :)

Favorite line: "Can you believe this guy"

I do have to say I find it a little disturbing that we're talking about eating a hot dog that was found on the floor someplace. I understand pigeons will eat anything, but still :)