Here are some reading lists from previous installments of Bookmarks....
Gretzky's Game by Mike Leonetti
Matthew loves this picture book about The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. The story is about a boy who is trying out for the local hockey team at the same time that the Edmonton Oilers are trying to win the Stanley Cup. He learns about teamwork and determination from one of the greatest hockey players of all time.
Matthew really like the illustrations, too!
Indigo Blue by Cathy Cassidy
Veteran Bookmarks reporter, Kaitlyn, really enjoyed this novel and recommends it for children ages 10 and up. Indigo, her little sister, and her mother are starting a new life in a new house with little money. The family must stick together and support each other, especially when the mother is in a car accident and lands in the hospital.
Mattland by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert
Illustrated by Dusan Petricic
This lovely picture book works for young children on so many levels: it is about moving and adapting to a new home, the joys and comforts of a child's imagination, and the importance of community. When Matt moves to his fourth new home in what looks like a new subdivision still under construction, the muddy ground becomes "Mattland". He is joined by another little girl who shyly helps him add elements to his little kingdom - and when Mattland is threatened by a natural disaster, he finds a whole community of children ready to help save it. What a wonderful message about the role of the global community in helping countries in crisis! Dusan Petricic's illustrations progress from dark colours to light colours and work very well with the story.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis
Kathryn talked about her favourite book from the Narnia series. She liked the magic and the strange creatures.
Lindsey brought in some Cam Jansen mysteries. She enjoyed solving the mysteries along with Cam.
Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
Reviewed by Savannah and Emily
This Canadian classic about an orphan girl named Anne Shirley is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. When Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt a child, they are expecting to pick up a boy who will help Matthew on the Green Gables farm. Instead, they get Anne - a red-headed chatterbox with a vivid imagination and a talent for getting into trouble. Emily and Savannah loved "Anne" and recommend it to anyone from about Gr. 4 or 5 and up.
Christie also read from Anne of Green Gables, the picture book.
Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
Penguin Books
Ages 10+
If you have ever wondered what Anne's life was like before she was adopted by Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert of Green Gables, Before Green Gables is a wonderful prequel to the Canadian classic, Anne of Green Gables. Budge Wilson, an award-winning Canadian author, was given permission by the Montgomery estate to invent a history for Anne that begins with the early days of her parents' marriage and continues until she steps off the train at Bright River to meet Matthew. Wilson has taken the few details that L.M.Montgomery slips into the "Anne" books and expands on them to create a marvellously believeable background. We learn about why Anne has such an expansive vocabulary, how she imagines her world around her, and where she inherits her characteristic hair, nose, and freckles from! Any fan of Anne will be thrilled with this special addition to the series - and if you are new to Anne, it makes a great introduction to one of the most beloved heroines of all time.
Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery
Like Anne, Emily is an orphan; however, she is fortunate enough to have aunts at New Moon who are able to adopt her when her father dies of tuberculosis. Emily is a born writer who loves to invent romantic stories and has a real love for poetry. Emily also discovers that she has a strange psychic gift that will help her to solve an old mystery surrounding the death of her best friend's mother.
Sleepover Squad #1: Sleeping Over by P.J. Denton
Reviewed by Jamie
Emily has been invited to a sleepover with her three friends to celebrate the end of Gr. 2. But her parents are afraid that she isn't mature enough to spend the night away from home. Can Emily prove to her parents that she is ready?
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Reviewed by Katelyn
This classic novel about four sisters growing up with their mother while their father is fighting in the American Civil War has been a favourite with young girls for generations. It is widely available in easy-to-read editions as well as the original version. You'll love the adventures of sensible Meg, tomboyish Jo, shy and musical Beth, and self-centred Amy.
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Reviewed by Savannah
When Harriet decides to spy on her friends and neighbours, and then write down her observations in her journal, she doesn't imagine the trouble that will follow! When some of her schoolmates read what she has written in her journal, Harriet must figure out how to make friends with everyone again. She must also learn how to write the truth without hurting other people's feelings. Will people ever understand her burning need to write about the world around her?
*****
Ariana brought in Castaways #1: Worst Class Trip Ever by Sandy Beach and recommended it for readers 9 and up. It is a funny chapter book about a class of kids who get shipwrecked on an island. It is the first in the series.
Hailey chose Rules by Cynthia Lord about a girl with an autistic younger brother. Catherine teaches her brother David rules for living and learns about being a good friend herself. Hailey says that this is her favourite book and recommends it to boys and girls ages 10 and up.
Maria chose Charlotte’s Web by E.B.White. This classic story about a pig named Wilbur and his friend, Charlotte, the spider has been a favourite novel for children for generations.
Christie’s choice this week was From Anna by Jean Little. Like the author, Anna has a visual impairment – she is almost blind. When her family moves from Germany to Canada during the Depression, Anna must face many challenges including learning a new language, going to a new school in a class with other children with vision problems, and making a special Christmas present for her parents. A wonderful book for children 10 and up.
*****
Kasia brought in Ready, Freddy #6: Help! A Vampire’s Coming! by Abby Klein. A boy in her class recommended this chapter book to her and she really liked it because it was funny. Freddy is being “haunted” by a vampire at night and he has to try all sorts of strategies to get rid of it. A good book for boys and girls, 8+.
Jasmine read Pony-Crazed Princess #1: Princess Ellie to the Rescue by Diana Kimpton. This is a fun series of chapter books for young readers ages 7+.
This week, Christie chose to talk about The Little Prince by Antoine de St. Exupery. It was originally written in French so if you are in French immersion, you might want to try reading it in French, too!
*****
Corson brought in TWO picture books: I'm So Embarrassed! by Robert Munsch and Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.
Keaton told us about another picture book by Robert Munsch called Andrew's Loose Tooth. Yeeow! What a tricky situation Andrew is in - nobody can pull out his loose tooth!
Keaton also brought in Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopy-Pants (#4) by Dav Pilkey. Go to www.pilkey.com for more books by Dav Pilkey.
Christie brought in How to Give a Wedgie by Dave & Joe Borgenicht. A very useful how-to book of skills that adults won't teach you. Learn how to win at thumbwrestling, how to short-sheet a bed, how to make your bike sound like a motorcycle and other important life skills for kids.
Christie's picture book choice was When Charlie McButton Lost Power by Suzanne Collins. Charlie McButton is addicted to his video games so when the power goes out, Charlie goes crazy! What will he do without his video gamesfor a whole day and a night?
*****
Kate shared Ozma of Oz by L.Frank Baum with us. This book is part of the popular Wizard of Oz series and it is her favourite Oz story.
Christie read a mystery from Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective by Donald J. Sobel. Each Encyclopedia Brown book has several solve-it-yourself mysteries with the answers in the back.
*****
I Love You More by Laura Duksta
How many times have you said, “I love you!” and then had your mom say, “But I love you MORE!” ? This is an ongoing ‘argument’ between my daughter and myself!
I Love You More by Laura Duksta is a lovely picture book about the boundless love between a mother and her child. One cool twist to this book is that it is in two parts: the first is from the mother’s point of view, and the second is from the child’s point of view. For example, the mother says, “I love you quieter than the quietest caterpillar ever creeped.” And the child says, “I love you higher than the highest kite ever flew.” After you read one side, you FLIP it over and read the other side. The illustrations by Karen Keesler are soft and bright – almost like a child’s art from school.
Marit brought in My Big Book of Fairy Stories and told us about Cinderella.
Grier told us about the first Secrets of Droon book called Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet by Tony Abbott. What a great adventure series for early readers!
*****
During the month of November, we remember those who have fought to keep Canada
This week on Bookmarks, we look at some wonderful books, both fiction and non-fiction, that focus on various wars that Canada
Non-Fiction Titles:
The Kids Book of Canada
DK Eyewitness Books: World War I and World War II
The Usborne Introduction to the Second World War (Internet Linked) by Paul Downswell
At Vimy Ridge: Canada
Animals at War by Isabel George and Rob Lloyd Jones
War Stories: True Stories from the First and Second World Wars by Paul Downswell
Fiction Titles
Shattered by Eric Walters
My Story: Spy Smuggler – Paul Lelaud, France, 1942-1944 by Jim Eldridge
Megiddo’s Shadow by Arthur Slade
Biggles Flies East by Captain W.E. Johns (and others in the series)
Also:
B for Buster by Iain Laurence
Rex Zero: King of Nothing by Tim Wynne-Jones
Some ghoulishly good Picture Books from our Hallowe'en Show!
This week I read The Hallo-Weiner by Dav Pilkey.
I also brought in the following:
The Three Little Witches Storybook by Georgie Adams and Emily Bolam
Halloween Sky Ride by Elizabeth Spur
Pumpkin Heads! by Wendell Minor
Boo Who? and Other Wicked Halloween Knock-Knock Jokes by Katy Hall and Lisa Eisenberg
On Halloween Night by Harriet Ziefert
Guest reporters Elyse, Mackenzie and Melissa brought in Witch Mama by J. Caseley, Pumpkin Light by David Ray, and One Halloween Night
bravenet.com