Winner of the 2010 Children's Choice Book Award for Kindergarten to Second Grade, Lulu the Big Little Chick introduces us to Lulu, a young chick weary of being told she's too small to do anything she wants to do. When her mother says, 'Lulu, you are too little to go very far away from me,' this is the final straw, and Lulu decides to venture out into the wide world by herself. As she begins her journey to 'far, far away' she encounters animals who are convinced she's not big enough to be on her own. Can Lulu prove herself to everyone who says she's too little to do what she wants? This is a great choice for newly independent readers, but also makes an entertaining read-aloud pick for children not yet reading on their own.

Similar books: I'm Not Cute! by Jonathan Allen; Goodnight Lulu by Paulette Bogan

Awards won: 2010 Children's Choice Book Award

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 5/28/2010

ISBN-10: 159990344X

ISBN-13: 9781599903446

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Meet Greg Kenton, billionaire in the making. This sixth-grader, who has always been good at moneymaking projects, decides to relieve his classmates of some of their extra money by creating, and selling, comic books at lunch. Things start off well. Then his long-standing nemesis, Maura Shaw, cuts into his booming business with her own illustrated mini-books. But when the principal bans the sale of their comics in school, Greg is surprised to find himself teaming up with his lifelong rival. Will their enterprise - and their new friendship survive? Look for other titles by this author.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0689866852

ISBN-13: 9780689866852

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In this first installment of the Franny K. Stein series, Franny K. Stein is a mad scientist. She loves bats, tarantulas, snakes, and has a doll named Chompolina that she's modified with steel teeth to chomp the heads off other dolls. When she starts at a new school, the kids don't know what to make of her. They've never seen anyone jump rope with a snake before. They keep their distance, and Franny is lonely. When she decides to experiment to learn how to fit in with the other kids, it seems to be going pretty well until a monster emerges from the trash can. Can Franny save the day and keep her new friends? This funny read is a great story, full of pictures.

Similar books: Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey

Awards won: Gryphon Honor Book, 2004

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 4/16/2010

ISBN-10: 0689862911

ISBN-13: 9780689862915

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Madelyn, who gave herself the nickname 'MadCat' because Madelyn is not the type of name that strikes fear into a competitor's heart, is thrilled when her fastpitch softball team goes National. Finally, MadCat will have a chance to truly shine, competing against the best players in the country. She's happier than she's ever been until she learns that multiple players from her team, friends she's been playing with for years, have been cut and replaced with the most talented players from teams around the area. Her new team will be made up of old rivals. That's not the only thing that's changing, either. MadCat wants a chance to be the best, but will the outcome be worth the cost?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 5/14/2010

ISBN-10: 006054869X

ISBN-13: 9780060548698

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From the Sydney, Australia, home of a grandmother she believes is a witch, fifteen-year-old Reason Cansino is magically transported to New York City, where she discovers that friends, and foes, can be hard to distinguish. Book one of the Magic or Madness trilogy.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 1595140700

ISBN-13: 9781595140708

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