A kid named Chip gets a brother that's a robot! Chip and the robot (named Simon) get along for a little bit, but then things get tough when Simon is on the swim team with Chip.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0525467920

ISBN-13: 9780525467922

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Ever since they were little, Zack's cousin Ethan has insisted that he is an alien prince hiding out on Planet Earth. The pretend game is fun for a while, but Ethan seems to really believe it. This starts to cause problems for him and Zack at school. When their families take a vacation together, Zack wonders just what his crazy cousin will do. Maybe they can spend the week without thinking of aliens. Instead of a restful vacation, Zack finds himself being chased by two men whose weapons do not seem to be from Earth. They have to be, don't they? The men are just golfers on vacation, aren't they? What could be going on? A twist at the end reveals there are be more adventures in the series to enjoy. Book 2 is Camp Alien.

Reviewed by: mec

Date read: 6/1/2011

ISBN-13: 9780822576273

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Elmer runs away with an old alley cat to rescue Boris, a flying baby dragon being held captive on a faraway island. Just how do two dozen pink lollipops, rubber bands, chewing gum, and a fine-toothed comb, help Elmer get past the wild animals guarding Boris on Wild Island? Sequels include: Elmer and the Dragon and The Dragons of Blueland.

Awards won: Newbery Honor Book 1949

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0394914386

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Winner of the 2003 Caldecott Medal, My Friend Rabbit tells the story of Mouse's friendship with Rabbit. 'My friend Rabbit means well. But whatever he does, wherever he goes, trouble follows.' What ensues is one such instance of trouble, where Rabbit loses Mouse's toy plane in a tree. When Rabbit calls out, 'Not to worry, Mouse. I've got an idea,' we know that the proper response is to worry. Rabbit's idea involves piling all the wild animals on top of one another to retrieve the plane. You can guess what happens next! Most of the meaning of the story is apparent in the illustrations, and a few well-chosen words make clear that Rabbit is the classic troublesome, yet likable, character many of us have encountered.

Awards won: Caldecott Medal

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 2/26/2010

ISBN-10: 031236752X

ISBN-13: 9780312367527

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Mazal is a guardian angel. They say all Jewish people have one. Elvina hopes she does. Elvina is a young Jewish girl in Troyes, France during the times of preparation for the first crusade. Elvina is unique for 1096 because she can read, and write, and because of her free spirit. At times this gets Elvina in trouble, and so she needs the constant care of her Mazal. The early crusaders were a threat to the Jewish population of France. Therefore, the Jews wanted nothing to do with these early crusaders, and tried to do anything they could to get them to leave the Jewish people alone. Some came to Troyes, where Elvina and her family and friends lived. By reading this book, the reader gets to experience several other adventures of Elvina, showing life during these hard, and perilous times.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0439576814

ISBN-13: 9780439576819

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