In this colorful, realistic graphic novel, we follow the dental trials and tribulations of Raina, who is only beginning her orthodontic treatment when she falls and knocks out her two front teeth. This begins years of dental treatments that take place as she learns to navigate the social dilemmas of junior high and high school. She faces awkward situations like unrequited crushes and friendships that don't fit her. To the backdrop of one harrowing dental treatment at a time, Raina comes into her own as a person.

Awards won: Rebecca Caudill Award

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 4/13/2012

ISBN-10: 0545132053

ISBN-13: 9780545132053

Check the library catalog

Watch out! The snowball is rolling your way! This fast-paced, rhyming tale about a snowball that rolls out of control (taking a few people with it) is a funny, engaging read. With repetition, rhyme, and laugh-out-loud illustrations, this is a story you'll want to read again and again. With each two-page spread covered with pictures and typically including only one sentence, The Snowball is a perfect choice for newly independent readers. (Reading Level: 1.9)

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 1/14/2011

ISBN-10: 067986444X

ISBN-13: 9780679864448

Check the library catalog

Max is an apprentice for a great sorcerer, Sticklewick. With all his heart, Max wants to be a great sorcerer. But how is he ever going to learn any magic spells if all he is permitted to do is clean the workshop. Then one day, while Sticklewick is out shopping for dragons' eggs, Max sees his chance to try out some magic on his own. It seems that magic spells AREN'T as simple as he thought. Will Max ever get to learn how to be a great sorcerer?

Similar authors: Russell Punter

Similar books: Stories of Fairytale Castles by Anna Lester; Stories of Unicorns by Rosie Dickins; Stories of Mermaids by Russell Punter; Stories of Gnomes & Goblins by Christopher Rawson; The Monkey King by Rosie Dickins

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/8/2009

ISBN-10: 0794515894

ISBN-13: 9780794515898

Check the library catalog

Blork has discovered that throwing tantrums is an easy way to get what he wants. Then the Big Pest Squad seizes his pet poodnoobie, and even a tantrum won't help. Soon Blork has taken flight with his pet, and he discovers a new land with strange creatures under the rule of a temperamental king. Will Blork and his pet be stuck here forever? This entertaining read is one of many chapter books featuring aliens by Bruce Coville.

Similar books: Space Brat 3: The Wrath of Squat by Bruce Coville

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 12/10/2010

ISBN-10: 0671745670

ISBN-13: 9780671745677

Check the library catalog

Get ready for the Third-Grade Olympics! The events are basketball, long jump, jump rope, and the relay race. The teams are France, Antarctica, Greece, and Ireland. Everybody's excited, except for Spider who is terrible at running, really terrible, so bad that just thinking about it practically makes him sick. Besides that, his good friend, Zachary, is picking on him because he's such a terrible runner. Their teacher tells the class that it isn't about winning; it's about being a team and doing your best. Could the teacher be right?

Reviewed by: hap

Date read: 9/1/2010

ISBN-10: 0807575941

ISBN-13: 9780807575949

Check the library catalog