Shredderman, the fith-grade cyber superhero, is back in this second book in the series. This time, a vandal spray paints graffiti at the school and around town. Nolan (aka Shredderman) is determined to find out who is responsible, but it requires some real sleuthing before he has the evidence to post on Shredderman.com. Who is the vandal that is being called the Tagger? Can Nolan help the police find the Tagger without revealing his secret identity? Read this book to find out!

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 2/23/2010

ISBN-10: 0375823522

ISBN-13: 9780375823527

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A collection of short stories all about the zany happenings at the Wayside School, built sideways with one classroom on each of thirty stories rather than thirty classrooms on one story. Each tale tells about a member of the classroom, from the mean teacher who turns all of the children into apples, until they turn on her, to the girl who falls out the window of the thirtieth story and survives. A funny, satisfying read, this book is great to read in parts (for when you only have a small amount of time to read), since each tale is only a few pages long.

Similar books: Wayside School is Falling Down; Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger; Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School

Awards nominated: 2012 Bluestem Award Nominee

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 1/28/2010

ISBN-10: 0688160867

ISBN-13: 9780688160869

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Commenter: Sc Reader, grade 0

'I've played Little League baseball for six years now. But to tell you the truth, I'm not exactly what you'd call a real good athlete. Actually, I'm not even real okay. Basically, what I'm trying to say here is, I stink.' Alex 'Skinnybones' Frankovitch uses his sense of humor to get by in a hectic world, but occasionally his big mouth gets him into trouble, like the time he brags his way into a pitching contest with the best baseball player in the entire school. Can he talk his way out of this one? Find out by reading Skinnybones and look for the sequel: Almost Starring Skinnybones.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0394949889

ISBN-13: 9780394949888

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Every morning, Skippyjon Jones wakes with the birds in their nest. This would not be strange if Skippyjon were a bird, but he is a Siamese cat. On this particular morning, Skippyjon's mother brings him home to his room to think about what it means to be a Siamese cat. Once by himself, Skippyjon begins to sing, 'Oh, I'm Skippyjon Jones, and I bounce on my bed, and once or SIX times, I land on my head.' As he looks at his reflection in his mirror, he concludes that he is not a Siamese cat, but a Chihuahua! He walks into his closet and his thoughts take him to Mexico. In Mexico, he meets a menagerie of animals that fall in love with Skippyjon. Will Skippyjon stay in Mexico forever? Read Skippyjon Jones and find out. Then, look for other picture books featuring Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/8/2009

ISBN-10: 0142404039

ISBN-13: 9780439836968

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This hilarious retelling of the story of Sleeping Beauty is sure to please fans of the tale looking for a new twist. In this version, the beloved child doomed to a curse by an uninvited guest is a boy, Bobby. ('The child was so extraordinary and so delightful that the king and queen wanted him to have a very special name. 'How about Bob?' asked the queen.) Full of comic detail, this picture book is a surefire winner for reading aloud.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 7/26/2010

ISBN-10: 0689876688

ISBN-13: 9780689876684

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