Swindle by Gordon Korman was a big hit at my bookfair last week. So I had to read it. I found myself enjoying it and think that most kids from 3-6th would love it. It has action and excitement that will lure students to want to keep reading and not put it down.
The story is about a boy named, Griffin Bing, who finds a Babe Ruth baseball card and is lied to by S. Wendell Palomino claiming it's worthless when it's actually worth a million dollars. Palomino swindles him out of the card. Upon finding the card's real value, Griffin is determined to get it back. He is "the man with a plan" and forms a team of kids to get his baseball card back. Thus the adventure begins. This will be one book you can't keep on the shelf!
It was fun to see my students so excited about buying books and I'm glad this one was a good choice for them.
History and poetry rolled together in one touching book is Birmingham, 1963 by Carole Boston Weatherford. This is a fictional story of an actual event in history told with poetry and the use of authentic photographs. The powerful words describe the church bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on September 15, 1963. Four young girls lost their lives. The author gives a beautiful tribute to each girl at the end of the book.
Swindle by Gordon Korman was a big hit at my bookfair last week. So I had to read it. I found myself enjoying it and think that most kids from 3-6th would love it. It has action and excitement that will lure students to want to keep reading and not put it down.
There are times when children are fearful and this book is a story that children will relate to. Not Afraid of Dogs by Susanna Pitzer tells the story of Daniel who says he's not afraid of dogs but just doesn't like them. His family is taking care of their aunt's dog, Bandit, and Daniel is afraid to be anywhere that Bandit is. However, when a thunderstorm scares Bandit, Daniel understands and comforts Bandit. He now states that he likes dogs. Young children will enjoy this story.
