Four good books

Hi Kids,
I just got back from spending a week in New Hampshire with my family. I went kayaking and swimming, I ate lots of good food, and I went to a science center and saw real bears and a mountain lion. Mostly though, I read books--at least one book every day! There are four that I read that I would recommend:
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick is not really like any other book I can think of. It looks enormous, but that is because more than half the pages are illustrations that also tell part of the story. The words and pictures work together to tell the story of a little boy in France who becomes involved in a mystery around a robot, a toy store, and one of the world's first movie makers.
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron won the Newbery Prize for best novel this year. It is a story about a girl named Lucky living in a desert town in California. After her mother dies, her father doesn't come to care for her--his first wife Brigette comes instead, all the way from France. Lucky and Brigette are funny together and care for one another, but Lucky is not sure Brigette will stay.
Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley is another good twist on the Cinderella story. In this version, "Bella" has a stepmother, and stepsisters and goes to a ball with a prince. She also stops a war and she lives happily ever.
The Journey that Saved Curious George by Louise Borden is a nonfiction book about Margaret and H.A. Rey, the couple that created Curious George. It tells a fascinating story of their escape from France during World War II when their lives were in danger. You will be interested to hear that their first idea for their famous books was the story of "Curious Fifi" the monkey.

Let me know if you read something good too!
Ms. Paradis

Lots of books to read

Hi Kids,
I'm really busy this week. I've been working in the Plympton library most days getting books ready for school. We have some good new things, and I've also repaired lots of damaged books and reorganized some of the library.
Since I'm in the library all week, I keep taking out different books that I've wanted to read. I loved a really quick picture book called Tiger in a Tree. It is fun to read out loud. I am also reading a book about Jim Thorpe, a Native American boy who grows up to become a super athlete. He was a football star AND an Olympic gold medal winner in track. He even has a town named after him in Pennsylvania. I read a book called Sees Behind Trees yesterday about a boy who cannot see with his eyes, so his other senses get so well developed that he seems to be able to "see behind trees." It takes place in this part of North America about 400 years ago, and has lots of good details about Native American life. Today I started a book called Every Little Bird That Sings. It is so good that I read 10 chapters in one sitting. It is about a girl who LIVES in a funeral home. She has an awful cousin and nice crazy old relatives who are always dying. It sounds sad, but it is very funny.
Next week I'm going to New Hampshire to sit near a pond and READ! I will probably eat too.
See you soon--remember to let me know if you read anything great,
Ms. Paradis

Graphic Novels

Hi Kids,
This week my son's friend was looking for something FUN to read and we suggested a graphic novel. You might know about graphic novels--they are like long comic books that tell one story like a novel. Some that kids at Plympton like include Monkey Versus Robot, Baby Mouse and Owly. You can get more at the public library. If you read one that you really like, let me know!
Ms. Paradis