The first book that I chose to read was Aliens on Vacation by Clete Barrett Smith. This is an exciting book about boy named Scrub from Tampa, Florida who has to spend the summer with a grandmother he barely knows that lives in "Middle of Nowhere" Washington. From the minute Scrub arrives he knows that it will not be an ordinary summer. This book is a fun and easy to read. I do not recommend it for a 3rd grade read aloud on the basis that the main character is a middle schooler and is beginning to deal with middle school "stuff" (kissing girls) that I just don't want to deal with in my classroom. Other than that I thought that it was a cute book and I really enjoyed it!
The second book that I read this week was Edgar Allan's Official Crime Investigation Notebook by Mary Amato. This book had me hooked from the opening paragraph! Take a look:
"The classroom was as dark and quiet as an old graveyard at dawn. The thief crept in, taped a mysterious message on the board, tiptoed to the Pet Corner, and peered at the fish. You're mine now, the thief thought with a sly smile."
I knew from the moment that I finished those words that I would love this book. And I was right!!! Mary Amato does an excellent job of keeping the reader hooked. Her word choice and character descriptions pull you right into the storyline. I found myself a little bummed when the mystery was solved because that meant that the book was done. Who knows, maybe she'll create a series of these books, one can hope!!!
If you are looking for other great fiction books head over to The Teaching Thief's blog as she is hosting Fiction Fridays and I am sure that there are many wonderful books there for you to check out!!!
I almost emailed you this week to see if you were reading Aliens on Vacation too. I saw it on your list and I knew I would be featuring it this week. Talk about perfect timing! :) I completely agree with you about the middle schooler stuff. I wasn't thrilled with some of the references which my 4th graders are savvy enough to pick up on, but overall I enjoyed the book.
ReplyDeleteYour other pick - Edgar Allens... sounds AWESOME! That beginning is fantastic! What a great hook. I can see using it for a writing mini-lesson too. I mean, who doesn't want to keep reading that?! I'm adding to my Amazon wishlist now.
Thanks for linking up! Happy reading this week!
Amanda
The Teaching Thief
These both sound awesome! I just HAD to follow you because my maiden name was Miss Corbett (probably pronounced the same way). Too funny!;)
ReplyDeleteKristin
iTeach 1:1
You have sold me on the Edgar Allen mystery- I'll have to check it out next week! Thanks for the book reviews :)
ReplyDeletePolka Dots & Teaching Tots