It has been such a terrific summer to dive into a good book ~ not too hot, not too cool. I have read so many wonderful books this summer, I wish I could share them all! One of my favorites stories for the fifth grade is Sahara Special, by Esme Raji Codell. This book is about a fifth grade girl who has difficulty with school and learning. She has given up on school and although she is capable, she spends her time at school doing very little...Until one day she meets her new teacher, Miss Pointy. From that point on, everything changes. I love this book because it is a book about hope. It is a book about unlocking the special places within us that make us unique and special. It celebrates children for who they are. It is also a book about writing and how our stories, written down, can make a dramatic impact on others. I can't say enough wonderful accolades about Sahara Special!

Summer reading~

What a great summer to spend some time reading! I have read a few books so far, some children's novels and some novels adult novels. I am currently reading a book that took place where I grew up in Vermont. I love it when the stories live in you throughout your day, even when you put the book down. 

I just finished a book, Wild Wings, by Gill Lewis. This book takes place in the beautiful countryside of Scotland. It is about a friendship that develops between the main character Callum and a new girl in town, Isis. She is mysterious character and an avid naturalist at heart. Together they find an Osprey nest and track a family of Osprey from Scotland to Africa. This book reminded me of A Bridge to Terrabithia when I read it. If you like a book about the wonders of the natural world, you will love this book. Both my boys enjoyed it. It is well written and has a mystifying, fanciful tone. A great summer read!  

This summer my family is going to New Hampshire for a few days in July. We are looking forward to visiting some places we've been before but we're especially excited to try the Mountain Coaster, Waterslides, and the Alpine Slides at Attitash. Both of my kids have to do their summer reading requirements so we plan to have some quiet time each day when we all take a break and read. Some fun places to read are under the shade of a tree, in a rocking chair on the porch, on a blanket in the grass, in a reading corner in the kids' rooms or my favorite at the beach! I'd like to reread some books that I use in class with my students so I am ready to use them for teaching but I also think I'll read some of the chapter books my daughter is reading so we can talk about them together. Aside from that I plan to find some great summer books just for me to read! Looking forward to sharing our reading together in September! Happy summer! :) Mrs. Costa

The Templeton Twins Have an Idea

I just finished reading The Templeton Twins Have an Idea. This book was very different than most children's books I have read. Although it wasn't very long, and had many illustrations you really had to pay attention to figure out what what going on. The narrator in the story has a very "dry" sense of humor. Who knows what that means? This book made me chuckle several times, and made me think of a few of my students last year who would have really enjoyed the format.

Ungifted

Have you ever done something without really thinking it through...and later regretted it? In the story Ungifted the main character, Donovan, constantly makes bad choices and is always winding up in trouble. One day he makes his biggest mistake yet, but due to the school superintendent's error, Donovan winds up in the Gifted program rather than detention. In order to avoid getting caught for his latest prank, Donovan has to try and make it in his new school and keep up with his braniac classmates. Will he be found out?

I just finished reading Bill the Boy Wonder and it was a very interesting biography.  The illustrations are extremely vibrant and are similar to a graphic novel.   It's about the life of Bill Finger and how he created a certain superhero.  Can you guess who?  If you like reading graphic novels, pick up Bill the Boy Wonder.

Three Times Lucky

If you like mysteries, then Three Times Lucky is the book for you. The main character in the book is Mo, a girl with a unique name and a unique family. She lives in a small and quiet town, and helps run her family's cafe. Then one day trouble rolls into town with Detective Joe Starr. He has come to try and solve a murder which occurred in the next town over . Several days later a man from Mo's town is found dead too! Mo and her best friend Dale decide to take matters into their own hands and find the murderer themselves.

Full of twist and turns, this book had me guessing right up until the last moment. See if you can figure out the "whole story" before Mo does!

Read it before you see it!

My mom taught me that the book is usually better than the movie version, so I always try to read books before I see the movies that are based on them.  I have been seeing lots of commercials for Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, the movie based on second book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan.

I highly recommend the series, and if you haven't read it yet, you have time to catch up before Sea of Monsters hits theaters in August.  If you've already read the books, why not reread Sea of Monsters if you're planning to see the movie?  That way you will have it fresh in your memory so you can compare and contrast the two!

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

I finally started my RIBCA summer reading and just finished the book Wonder . The book was so good, I read the whole thing in only a few hours! It's about a fifth grade boy with a facial deformity who is going to school for the very first time (he was previously home schooled). During his school year he makes new friends, experiences cruel bullies, and shows just how strong he really is! I laughed, I cried, and I finished the book feeling inspired!

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

    I loved this story!  It was a little sad at times.  My favorite part of the story was when Ruby was  introduced into  the story.  Through her innocence she made Ivan think about his past life and current living conditions.  She helped him see his life at the zoo and his art in a new way.  With Ruby's arrival comes change and Ivan realizes he can change things for all of the animals for the better!