William uses a magic token he receives for his twelfth birthday to return, through the toy castle in his attic, to the medieval land of Sir Simon, which is now menaced by a skeleton ship bearing a plague of rats. This is the sequel to The Castle in the Attic.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 044040942X

ISBN-13: 9780440409427

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Tired of problems with his sister, his parents, and classmates, Milo finds a book at the library, which promises to make him perfect in three days. Milo wants to be perfect, but who ever heard of wearing a stalk of broccoli around your neck for twenty-four hours?

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0899190642

ISBN-13: 9780899190648

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A prize pumpkin has disappeared, and the Bear Detectives are on the case! Papa Bear and the little bears use different methods. Will it be Great Bear Detective Pop and his trusty dog, Snuff, or the little Bear Detectives who solve the case first? Check out this colorful, funny, rhyming beginning reader! (Reading Level: 3.3)

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 5/27/2011

ISBN-13: 9780394831275

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In El Salvador in the 1980s, Maria tags along to the market with her father, where they must trade some of their possessions for essentials like milk and flour. Maria's father has been out of work as a result of the political unrest in the country. While this story does depict a struggling family in an unstable environment, the real charm of the tale is the way we see Maria's family's love for one another. In the end, Maria makes a tough choice in order to contribute to her family and for the sake of a sick child she's never met. This is a sweet and moving story about growing up and expressing love for others through actions.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 12/30/2010

ISBN-10: 0060245212

ISBN-13: 9780060245214

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For Richard, this September means being left back in 2nd grade, being teased by his old classmates, while stuck facing the same teacher, in the same old classroom. He can't seem to help getting into trouble, until Mrs. Paris, the reading teacher, helps him get interested in reading, and motivated to help the second grade win the school banner contest for the best class. This is book 1 of The Kids of Polk Street School series.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0440404851

ISBN-13: 9780440404859

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