Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Judy Blume

This is a book I frequently recommend to fourth-grade students who are stuck and not sure what to read next. I have never met a student or adult who has not enjoyed this book and found it humorous.

This book, put simply, is about Peter and his new baby brother, Frudge, who makes his life miserable.

Anyone who has siblings will easily be able to relate to this story.

Note: There are several sequels to this book; Superfudge, Fudge-a-mania, and Double Fudge, and although I have not read them, I have heard only good things.

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

City Dog, Country Frog (Picture Book)

City Dog, Country Frog, Mo Willems  Illustrated by Jon J Muth

I heard this story for the first time today and was moved to tears! I knew I needed my own copy and ordered it off of Amazon. 

This is a beautiful story about both friendship and change. I don't want to tell too much about the story as I fear I will give it away. Normally, Mo Willems illustrates his own stories and his books are often very humorous and sometimes even crude. This is SO different than his other books. It is much more serious, but beautifully written. 

This book will not disappoint, but be forewarned, you may want some tissues handy!! 

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

One Crazy Summer

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One Crazy Summer, Rita Williams-Garcia

I was really excited to read this book as it caught my eye at the Spring Bookfair. It received multiple awards and sounded like a neat storyline. It was the first book I decided to delve into this summer.

This story is about eleven-year-old Delphine and her two sisters, Vonetta and Fern. Their mother, Cecile, had abandoned them several years ago and the girls knew very little about their mother. Their father and grandmother (Big Ma) send them from Brooklyn out to Oakland, California to stay with Cecile for the summer.

Cecile is certainly not like most mothers you know of and really wants nothing to do with the three girls. She makes them eat Chinese takeout, refuses to call Fern by her name, and won't let them into her kitchen. In addition, she sends the girls off each day to a summer camp run by the Black Panthers where the girls end up being wound up in more of the revolution than they anticipated.

It is important to note that this story takes place during a very tumultuous time in history where many people, African-Americans in particular, were fighting for equal rights. People were very passionate and willing to contribute to the cause in many different ways.

I liked this book, although it is difficult for me to explain why... Delphine is a great character. She is strong, independent, and really takes pride in looking after her sisters. I felt a strong connection with her being the eldest in my own family (there are three of us as well!). Throughout the story, you keep waiting for the mom to come around and show some emotion or compassion, and she never really does - or at least not in the way I had hoped for. Regardless, the book was an enjoyable read about the sisters' escapades in California and how they became involved in an important part of history.

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars

The Report Card

The Report Card, Andrew Clements

I am really into Andrew Clements right now. He writes such funny books that always have something to do with school.

In this story, Nora Rowley is not just really smart - she is a genius! However, no ones knows it yet! She doesn't want to be different or have people treat her any differently. She has gone her whole life (up to fifth grade), trying really hard to act and sound like a "normal" kid.

Then, Nora gets frustrated by how much her classmates emphasize grades and test scores. So, she puts a plan into action in order to prove a point. Can you believe Nora actually is proud of the D's on the report card she brings home?! Read the story to find out why she is so happy about her bad grades and learn whether or not Nora's plan works or if her secret gets out.

This book is both funny and has a great message. It will make you question how important grades really are and understand that scores aren't the only thing that define someone as "smart."

If you liked any of Andrew Clements other books, such as, Frindle, The School Story, or No Talking, you will like this book as well. (And if you have not read any of the above-mentioned books - YOU SHOULD!!!)

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Tale of Despereaux

Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo  Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering

This story intertwines several different stories into one. It is difficult to give a descriptive summary without giving away the whole book, but I will do my best.

Despereaux Tilling, is a mouse living in a castle who is different than the other mice. He loves music and stories. After meeting the princess, Despereaux decides he is in love with her. However, after the other mice learn about Despereaux's interaction with humans, they decide he must be sent to his death in the dungeon. His own brother turns him in! Can you imagine? 

Deep in the dungeon live the rats. Roscuro, a rat from the dungeon wishes for a world filled with light, rather than the dank and darkness he was born into. However, while adventuring out of the dungeon looking for the light that he craves, a grave tragedy occurs. Hint: it has to do with the Queen and soup! 

Lastly, Miggery Sow, a servant girl from the village enters the story and creates a dangerous problem for the princess that only Despereaux can fix. Will he save the princess?

One thing I really like about this book is the writing. The author often speaks to the reader, which I think is both unique and quirky. The book has a very fast rhythm and pace to it. You will find yourself finishing it in no time! I really enjoyed this book and am anxious to see the movie and compare the two. Perhaps I will update my review after I have viewed it. 

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

A Mouse Called Wolf

A Mouse Called Wolf, Dick King-Smith  Illustrated by Jon Goodell

This was a cute (and short) story about a mouse; Wolfgang Amadeus Mouse ("Wolf") for short, who struggles to get along with his siblings and fit in. What Wolf really likes to do is listen to Mrs. Honeybee, the owner of the house in which he lives, play on her piano.The two strike up an interesting friendship and understanding of one another.  In addition, Wolf realizes he has an incredibly singing talent! 

You would like this story if you are interested in music, enjoy shorter reads, or like reading books about animals. 

Overall: 3 out of 5 stars

Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck, Brian Selznick

Wow! This book is amazing! I read it within a 12 hour time span I was so engaged!! It is one of those books you can't stop thinking about and need to finish. 

The story is divided into three parts and is two separate stories that come together as one in the end. One of the stories is told in text, while the other is told completely in pictures. Ben's story is about finding his father and the journey he takes to find him. Rose's story begins with a mysterious (and famous) woman she chronicles in a scrapbook. Rose also sets out on her own adventure. 

The story had my attention from the first page as the story begins in where else? Minnesota!!! What a fun connection! What I really enjoyed about this book was the dual storyline. I was so anxious and excited to see how the two stories would come together - it kept me very motivated to read and I was not disappointed in the end. I thought the author did a good job of keeping you guessing with the mystery of Ben's father, yet didn't make the story completely predictable, nor completely unrealistic. 

You would like this book if you like mystery, adventure, or have any interest in deaf culture. In addition, if you enjoyed Brian Selznick's other book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, you would more than likely enjoy this one as well. 

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Wonderstruck Video

Socks

Socks, Beverly Cleary

I love just about anything Beverly Cleary has written and this book proved to be no exception!

Socks is a cat owned by the Brickers who love and adore him. He is such a happy cat - always being fed, played with, and petted. That is until Charles William shows up! Charles William is the Brickers' new baby and he is hogging all of their attention! Socks feels neglected and replaced. He even ends up sleeping outside :( Will the Brickers ever love Socks like they used to?

I could relate with this book so much as I have a dog and two cats who were the center of my world until having children. They simply do not get the attention they used to! In fact, after reading this book, I took my cats outside and brushed them for 30 minutes straight. They purred and purred and purred... I think they liked it ;)

This is such a cute story (and quick read too!!). I really liked how the story was told from the point of view of the cat. We always wonder what our animals are thinking and now we can have some insight! It would be really fun to do a writing project with this book as an inspiration. What do your animals think about living at your house? How have things changed from the time you first got your pet and now? What do you think your animal is trying to tell you sometimes?

You would like this book if you love animals. This is also a good in-between book - if you are not quite sure what you want to read next and just need something to fill the gap. It is an easy and light-hearted read.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

The Cricket in Times Square

The Cricket in Times Square, George Selden (Drawings by Garth Williams)

I hadn't read this book since I was in fourth grade, so I was excited to reread the book!

This story is about a cricket, Chester, from the Connecticut countryside who mistakenly ends up in New York City, and specifically in the subway station below Times Square. He is found by Mario Bellini, a young boy who works for his family's news stand. The boy takes in the cricket as a pet and is very kind to him. While living in the news stand, Chester is befriended by Tucker, the mouse who lives in the nearby drain pipe and Tucker's best friend, Harry the cat. The three have some interesting adventures and mishaps, but most importantly, the trio finds a way to help the Bellinis have a successful news stand when they are on the brinks of going bankrupt. Will Chester stay with the Bellinis or go back home to Connecticut?

What makes this story appealing is the unique characters (a cricket, a mouse, a cat, a boy, two Chinese men, and two parents) and the friendships that develop. This book was an easy read as each story and adventure leads into the next. I also enjoyed the few pictures that are scattered throughout the book. It really added to the story for me.

One thing to note about this book: Mario encounters some Chinese men who help him with his cricket. In some languages, English sounds are difficult to pronounce or nonexistent. There are times when the "r" sound can be difficult for certain languages. This book expresses that by replacing the "r" sound with an "l" sound. For example: rather than saying "cricket," the Chinese man says, "clicket." It is important to note that while some people who speak Chinese may have difficulty with their "r's", not ALL do.

You would like this book if you like stories with animals or adventure.

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

The Boy Who Lost His Face

The Boy Who Lost His Face, Louis Sachar

I was very hopeful about this book as it is by Louis Sachar, author of Holes and There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom, two books I frequently recommend to fourth-grade students.

This story is about a boy named David who is struggling to fit in after his former best friend, Scott, decides he has to be mean to David in order to be cool. David goes along with Scott and some other boys to harass an old woman in the neighborhood. The woman, whom they call an "old witch," puts a curse on David after their plan backfires. Everything seems to go wrong for David from that point on. Will he ever figure out how to get rid of the curse?

I really enjoyed the overall message in this story, that sometimes the people we "think" we want to be friends with don't always make the best and most loyal friends. A conversation I typically have with 3-4 students each year. It also embeds the idea that we need to make our wrongs, right. In typical Sachar fashion, the story is both relatable and funny. My only frustration with the book was the use of swearing. It refers to using the middle finger repeatedly throughout the book and uses some additional curse words where I didn't feel as though they were necessary. I would caution any fourth graders before reading this book that you will see words that are not appropriate for fourth-graders to use (or adults for that matter!!).

You would enjoy this book if you have ever had funny things go wrong, have had trouble with friendships, or have made a poor decision and wished you could have done things differently.

Overall 3 Stars
*Would have given it 4 stars if it weren't for the profanity