Shannon Rubin

Today's the day we save the world!

"This was our first "all class" book in 4th grade. I chose this one for us to read because it contained the pattern of the monomyth and because it was a story of a boy whose struggles at home made it difficult for him to easily fit in socially at school. I really liked the way Randall's mysterious nature required us to uncover the value of his character and celebrate his success in the end. Jean was an unforgettable character who had the independence to stick by Randall as a friend even when it wasn't the popular choice and she truly made a difference. "

I chose this book for the class because we have been learning about Washington State's history and the effects of change on people and cultures. May Amelia's family are immigrants from Finland and they have brought their cultural perspective to their new life in the Northwest. They must make adjustments to live successfully in this new territory among the indigenous Chinook and the immigrant Chinese to name a few. May Amelia, herself, wrestles with the traditions of her culture and her desire to take risks and live the adventurous life of her brothers. I loved the characters in this book and the unique writing writing style of Jennifer Holm.

Wow! What was there not to like about Noah Underwood, his little sister Abbey, the creep Lice Peeking and the wretched Dusty Muleman. This book had real villains who threatened the health and safety of everything Noah's passionate, however misguided, father cared about. It has just the right balance of mystery, adventure, comedy and environmental conscience. I loved this book!

From Noah W: Mystery- you are trying to find who killed Westing!

From Aaron: It is about two kids that have been in hard work for a long time and escape from jail and hike up a deadly mountain named, "God's Thumb" because it was in the shape of a big thumb. Favorite quote: I had so many that I can't remember because I was to caught up in the book. I recommend this book because it is very fun and fun to learn about. I love this book and it is one of my all time favorites. It was a fantastic book.

From Curtis: It is about this poor family during the great depession and the family gets really segregated. Favorite quote: "That old snaggle- tooth- chicken- legged- cross!!" I recommend this book to a higher level reader.

From Curtis: It is about this poor family during the great depession and the family gets really segregated. Favorite quote: "That old snaggle- tooth- chicken- legged- cross!!" I recommend this book to a higher level reader.

From Hannah: She doesn't know until the first day of swim class. She's a natural or maybe MORE than that... she's a mermaid. But there's no time to worry about that, now. She has to go rescue her dad from Neptune's underwater prison... I love this book because there are 3 sequels. The first sequel is about her letting a monster from the deep. the other two I haven't read yet, but I hope to! I recommend this took for people 8 and up. I also recommend this book for girls, although it has adventure, so boys might like it too.

From Roy: Laura made a secret club called Pig city. And she wants nobody of the members to say about it. so she makes a thing called insurance (embarrassing), and it is a secret unless someone blobs... Now Monkey Town another chip wants to destroy Pig City. Favorite quote: :what do I have to do?" or "You have to kiss me?" I love clubs, Pigs, action, romance and Pigs Monkeys so this is a great book for me and you if you are 8 or 9+ years old! Same author as Holes.