Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park

Plot Summary:

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park is the first book in the series. Junie B Jones is just about old enough to go to school She seems excited until she finds out that she must ride the “Stupid Smelly Bus.” She pleads with her mother to not let her ride the bus but fails. While on the bus, she soon sees that her nightmares about the bus are true! Junie B. decides to hide in the school so she won’t have to ride the bus finally she is found and all is well.

Impression about the book:

Students what are acquiring a new language will be confused at the expression Junie B. Jones makes. The sentences she says are inaccurate and her language is filled with the words like stupid and hate. The story line is funny but because of the inappropriate use of language.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

This book is not recommended to emergent reader due to the inaccuracies in the grammar. These funny readers can help students who have mastered the English language. I do not recommend are these readers for those who are learning to read.

Suggestions for library use:

Although Junie B Jones’s books are quite funny, they can be used as a read aloud rather than a recommendation to an emergent reader. This series is good for children K-6 or upper elementary students.

American Girls: Meet Addy: An American Girl

Plot Summary:

American Girls: Meet Addy: An American Girl by Connie Porter is set during the Civil War. Addy is upset because her father and brother have been sold to a new owner. This leaves Addy and her mother alone. Addy escapes with her mother from her plantation home soon after her brother and father are sold leaving their baby sister Esther behind. Addy discovers that her journey is nothing like she had envisioned. Addy and her mother arrive at a safe house and are later transported by abolitionists to a ship. This ship will take them to Philadelphia and finally to freedom. She discovers that freedom is not what she had dreamed up in her mind.

Impression about the book:

This series is good for children 9-12 or upper elementary to middle school students. It allows for children to read about issues that occurred in the past such as what slaves endured when they escaped towards freedom. These books are easy reads and can help build fluency.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

This is a good book to read. I recommend this book as an insight to the life of African Americans during the Civil War.

Suggestions for library use:

These multicultural readers can help students who are learning about the historic events that occurred in America during the 1800’s. Also it can be a good read during Black History Month.

American Girls: The Silent Stranger: A Kaya Mystery by Janet Shaw

Plot Summary:

American Girls: The Silent Stranger: A Kaya Mystery by Janet Shaw is about the mysterious woman who is found in the snow. The tribe is preparing for the winter when a woman is spotted in the village. The woman is badly burned and does not speak. Kaya attempts to help the woman but she cannot communicate. The only one the woman seems to trust is Kaya’s dog which she befriends. Kaya worries that she might take her beloved dog, Talto. One day Kaya follows the woman to where her accident occurs. It is then that she realizes that the woman must be on her was. Kaya gives her the beloved dog. Kaya grows up by learning that helping take care for others less fortunate is rewarding.

Impression about the book:

This series is good for children 9-12 or upper elementary to middle school students. It allows for children to read about issues like selflessness and giving. These books are easy reads and can help build fluency.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

This book shows selfless acts of giving and empathy towards those who suffer.

Suggestions for library use:

These multicultural readers can help students who are learning about the historic events that occurred in America when Native Americans clamed the land.

American Girls; Changes for Josefina: A Winter Story

Plot Summary:

American Girls; Changes for Josefina: A Winter Story by Valerie Tripp and Susan McAliley, illustrated by Jean-Paul Tibbles is the sixth story in the series. Josefina Montoya celebrate El Dia de los Reyes on January 6^th. They prepare beautiful festivities for their friends and family. The day after the glorious celebration Tia Dolores, Josefina’s aunt announces that she will leave the family. Tia Dolores is in love with Josefina’s father but cannot tell the family out of respect for Josefina’s mother. Josefina tries to convince her aunt Dolores to stay with the family by remembering the life of Josefina’s mother with no success. This makes Tia Dolores feel worse for her feelings Papa. Josefina in a desperate attempt to keep Tia Dolores in the family encourages Papa to speak with Tia Dolores. Papa speaks to Tia Dolores asking her to marry him. Josefina now has to accept her Tia Dolores as her mother. Which she gladly does accept her as her new mother.

Impression about the book:

This series is good for children 9-12 or upper elementary to middle school students. This is a good story for readers inquiring the lives of the Hispanic community. It gives insight as to the extended family members in their household. It allows for children to read about issues that are important like the acceptance of a new mother. These books are easy reads and can help build fluency.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

This is a good book to read. I recommend this book as an insight to the life of Hispanic Americans in the 1800’s.

Suggestions for library use:

These multicultural readers can help students who are learning about the historic events that occurred in America. Also, it can be a good read for those wanting to read about Hispanic Heritage in the celebratory months.

Babysitter's Club 16; Jessi's Secret Language by Ann M Martin

Plot Summary: Babysitter's Club 16; Jessi's Secret Language by Ann M Martin is about Jessi, whp teaches the whole neighborhoods how to speak in sign language to help Matt. Jessi, a beautiful ballerina is feeling left out because she is the only African American in her class. She joins the Baby-Sitter Club to feel a sense of purpose and there, she gets a new client, Matt, who is deaf. She learns sigh language to communicate with Matt. She also helps anyone learn the language too. Matt is feeling less of an outcast because many people are learning to sign. Jessi gets the idea to perform ballet to a group of Matt’s friends. She invites a translator to translate the storyline of the ballet as she dances. The group appreciates the Art of the ballet in their own special way.

Impression about the book:

The story is touching because it deals with racism. Instead of becoming angry, Jessi empowers herself and others by teaching them tolerance and at the same time acceptance.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

This book for young adults connects well by teaching the young adult a lesson. The topics are something the young adult might be experiencing and therefore connect with the characters from the book. The book is appealing to young adults and teaches them empathy.

Suggestions for library use:

This series is good for children 9-12 years of age. This book can help those feeling outcast by reading about Jessi’s experience. This lower level reader can help students who are acquiring the English language or reading difficulties. This book is an easy reads and can promote fluency.

Babysitter's Club, 11; Kristy and the Snobs by Ana M Martin

Plot Summary: Babysitter's Club, 11; Kristy and the Snobs by Ana M Martin helps deal with indifference. Kristy’s mom marries rich man and Kristy has to get used to her new neighborhood. Kristy becomes homesick. She thinks all the girls in her new neighborhood are all snobs. Kristy misses her old neighborhood and cannot seem to fit in in her new neighborhood. Thinking that she needs to keep busy, she tires to promote her babysitting in her new neighborhood. This way, she can meet new people and maybe begin to fit in. Wrong! A girl in the neighborhood, Sharon Kilbourne, feels threatened and is jealous by Kristy’s Babysitting business and begins to make Kristy’s life miserable by playing pranks on her. At the same time, Kristy’s dog, Louie, is not doing too well. Through the novel, he seems to get worse. He has a bad fall down the stairs and after repeated interventions; the family puts him to sleep. Kristy is devastated and Sharon gives a new puppy to the family. This brings the girls together and decide to work together instead of against each other.

Impression about the book:

The story is somewhat predictable. The characters lack depth. The chapter of going through the illness of a pet and having to put it to sleep was very touching. The storyline was not impressive. The theme was neighborhood rivalry.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

Young adults connect with these kinds of books because they seem to be written about their own lives. The topics are something similar to what they might be experiencing similar instances as the characters of the books. Reading this type of fiction is not always favored by adults. However, book that are appealing to young adults are serving their purpose, to get young adults to read..

Suggestions for library use:

This series is good reluctant readers or for children 9-12 years of age. The lower level reader can help students who are acquiring the English language and those who have reading difficulties. These books are easy reads and can help build fluency

The Babysitters Club, 8; Boy-Crazy Stacey by Ana M Martin

Plot Summary: The Babysitters Club, 8; Boy-Crazy Stacey by Ana M Martin is a hopelessly romantic book. Stacy McGill and Mary Anne Spier are going to help babysit the Pike Family for two weeks. Every year, the family goes to the Jersey shore. At Sea City, New Jersey, Stacy and Mary Anne think that it is going to be fun in the sun when Stacy falls in love with Scott. The cutes lifeguard she has ever seen, Scott. To get Scott’s attention, Stacy hovers over Scott by bringing catering to him like bringing him things to eat and drink. Slowly, Stacy begins to neglect her babysitting duties. Mary Anne ends up doing the work for both of them. This puts a strain in their relationship. Stacey finally begins to realize the error of her way when she is heartbroken. Stacy learns that her love interest, who is much older, is seen kissing another girl. This disappoints Stacey and she soon realizes what a terrible friend and babysitter she has been. Don’t worry, Stacy finds true love with another babysitting boy and love conquers all.

Impression about the book:

The story is very predictable. The characters lack depth. The storyline is not impressive.

Reviews / Reviews Excerpts:

I can see why young adults connect with these kinds of books. The topics are something that intrigues them because they might be experiencing similar instances as the characters of the books. If this book is appealing to young adults and it get them reading, I do not foresee a problem with reading this type of fiction.

Suggestions for library use:

This series is good for children 9-12 years of age. These lower level readers can help students who are acquiring the English language. They are easy reads and can help build fluency.