Every week, Ben knows the answer to the riddle at Jo-Jo's Jelly Bean Shop. He would love to win the prize of a jar full of jelly beans, but he is too shy to speak in front of everyone for a chance at winning. Will Ben ever find the courage to speak? Find out in this pleasing story about the rewards of courage! (Reading Level: 2.1)

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 12/30/2010

ISBN-10: 0142400491

ISBN-13: 9780142400494

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The Malloy girls and the Hatford boys are in constant competition. One of the Malloy girls tries out for the previously all-male baseball team, and another is competing with one of the boys in the spelling bee. They're all racing to see whose bottle (filled with contact information) will travel the furthest down the river. Will it be the boys or the girls who come out on top this time? Look for other books about the Hatford boys and the Malloy girls (this is the eighth book in the series featuring these characters). The Boys Start the War is book one.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 12/31/2009

ISBN-10: 0385327382

ISBN-13: 9780385327381

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Marc loves playing goalie on his hockey team, but his coach is disappointed in Marc's skills and wants to limit how much he plays. Marc is discouraged until his grandfather tells him about Jacques Plante, a famous hockey player, and how he came back from an injury and changed the way goalies play the game. Hearing about Jacques Plante gives Marc the courage to stand up to his coach. Will Marc prove himself when game time comes?

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 7/30/2009

ISBN-10: 1551927039

ISBN-13: 9781551927039

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It's the 1950's in the American South. Tricia Ann is on top of the world. Her Grandmother is finally ready to allow her to go Someplace Special all by herself, even though it means taking a bus and walking quite a bit further after that. Nashville is segregated, and under Jim Crow laws, Tricia Ann isn't allowed to go everywhere white people can. She can only sit at the back of the bus. She can't sit on just any park bench when she's tired, nor can she drink from any water fountain when she's thirsty. When an enthusiastic crowd mistakenly sweeps her inside an elegant hotel lobby, she is rudely told she isn't welcome there. As she passes a movie theater, she realizes that if she did want to go in, she'd have to enter through the back door and sit in the 'buzzard's roost.' Patricia Ann now realizes how hard it is to go Someplace Special by herself, she just doesn't know if she can make it alone. Then she hears her Grandmother's voice telling her 'Getting Someplace Special is not an easy route. But don't study on quittin', just keep walking straight ahead ' and you'll make it'. Yes, she does get to Someplace Special - where all are welcome. Where is Someplace Special? You'll have to read 'Goin' Someplace Special' to find out. This story is based on true events from Patricia McKissacks' childhood.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 7/6/2009

ISBN-10: 0689818858

ISBN-13: 9780689818851

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Every time Loren finally learns to like a place, her parents move her. She's excited to live in Florida, where she has a best friend and plans to join the swimming team this year. Until her parents drop the news: they're moving again. Loren has to stay with her grandmother near Chicago while her parents go to Europe. Will Loren ever get to stay in one place long enough to make it her home?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 10/22/2009

ISBN-10: 0670848158

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