You'll Be Sorry

Schneider, Josh. You'll Be Sorry. Clarion Books: 2007. ISBN: 9780618819324.

A mouse child hits her brother and is thrown into a chain of events that teaches her an essential like lesson. Does she actually learn her lesson?

Kindergarten through 1st grade would love this book. The story is really cute and teachers the lesson: if you want to do something bad, "you'll be sorry!" The pictures are very well drawn. I liked how the illustrator captured the feelings and emotions of the characters in the pictures.

Reviewed by A.K., Fremont 6th Grade

Big is Big (and little, little): A Book of Contrasts

Lewis, Patrick. Big is Big (and little, little): A Book of Contrasts. Holiday House: 2007. ISBN: 9780823419098.

The author captures the audience's attention with bright, bold colors, rhyming words, and big pictures in a story of contrasts.

This story was uninteresting, but the pictures were decent. I would recommend this to children seven and under that are still learning about comparing and contrasting.

Reviewed by D.K., Fremont 6th Grade

Righty and Lefty: a Tale of Two Feet

Vail, Rachel. Righty and Lefty: a Tale of Two Feet. Scholastic Press: 2007. ISBN: 9780439636292.

A funny book of contrasts the demonstrates the important lesson the each of us is different but that doesn't mean we can't get along. The illustrations are imaginative and creative.

I recommend this book for 1st and 2nd graders because of the number of words on a page and how difficult the words are.

Reviewed by D.D., Fremont 6th Grade

Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest

Lechner, John. Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest. Candlewick Press: 2007. ISBN: 9780763630546.

An outcast burr prefers music and painting to the usual life of a forest burr. This book alternates between comic book and journal form. The characters really get you laughing.

I really liked the funny, entertaining, and easy to understand book. I enjoyed the message when Sticky Burr stuck to being himself and didn't change to please others. Kids from ages 6-10 will find the different format interesting and fun to read.

Reviewed by M.W., Fremont 6th Grade

How to Catch a Fish

Frank, John. How to Catch a Fish. Roaring Brook Press: 2007. ISBN: 9781596431638.

This eclectic group of poems tells us about culture, location, people, and fishing.

I would recommend this group to an age group of 8 and up. The book was confusing at first because the poems jumped from place to place. The pictures were interesting because of the bright pastels and indistinct color borders.

Reviewed by K.H., Fremont 6th Grade

Monster of Lake Lobo

Nickel, Scott. Monster of Lake Lobo. Stone Arch: 2008. ISBN: 9781598891.

Kevin, a young teenager, and his dad are staying in a cabin near Lake Lobo this summer. This lake has a legend, the legend of a shape-shifting, large monster with one green eye. One night, Kevin went walking through the woods and was chased by the monster. He tripped over a tree root and blacked out. He woke up the next morning and that is when Mr. David tells Kevin the legend that there is a good and a bad monster. Then Kevin notices Mr. David has a green eye and so does his dog.

I recommend this book to third and fourth graders even though it has a thin plot. Since there are four people, you kind of know who the monster is going to be.

Reviewed by K.L., Fremont 6th Grade

Poor Puppy

Bruel, Nick. Poor Puppy. Roaring Book Press: 2007. ISBN: 9781596432703.

This comical, preschool, storybook teaches kids the alphabet and numbers when Poor Puppy plays with Bad Kitty around the globe. It reinforces kid's counting as Poor Puppy lists toys he has to play with.

I think preschoolers and kindergarteners should read this story. It is very interesting because it lists things by ABC and 123 order, as well as alliteration. It also teaches little kids about famous places and different games.

Reviewed by H.T.J., Fremont 6th Grade

Bad Bears Go Visiting

Pinkwater, David. Bad Bears Go Visiting. Houghton Mifflin Company: 2007. ISBN: 9780618431267.

Two polar bears in the zoo have a guest over. The bears go out to have some fun. They play volleyball and visit the penguins. When they sneak out of the zoo, they decide to visit some people. The bears picked a random house, find a gift, and ring the doorbell. The people invite them in, feed them, but then, the people make a phone call. How will the bears get back?

Kindergarten through third grade are good ages for this book. My opinion is that you should read this book. It is funny and has great pictures. The story itself is not the best, but with the illustrations, this is a great book.

Reviewed by V.B., Fremont 6th Grade

Robozones: Robot Brains

Jefferis, David. Robozones: Robot Brains. Crabtree Publishing Company: 2007. ISBN: 9780778728863.



The illustrations are realistic and bold. This is a nonfiction book that has lots of information about famous robots, featuring Genghis, Aloha robots, and more. This publication includes a timeline and it's own glossary.


I thought the book was well organized and had detailed illustrations. It had lots of interesting facts about robots, computers, and humanoids. I would think the reader should be at least 10 years old to be able to understand the vocabulary.


Reviewed by B.M., Fremont 6th Grade

Nobody Notices Minerva

Kirwan, Wednesday. Nobody Notices Minerva. Sterling: 2007. ISBN: 9781402747281.

Minerva decides to do bad acts, so she gets in trouble because she isn't being noticed. She begins to feel unhappy about doing naughty deeds. Will she learn her lesson?

The book's pictures were interesting and full of color. I recommend the book to preschoolers because it is about getting in trouble, which preschoolers tend to do. It also has soothing pictures which kids love, too.

Reviewed by J.S., Fremont 6th Grade

My Brother

Browne, Anthony. My Brother. Farrar, Straus & Giroux: 2007. ISBN: 9780374351205.

Have you ever felt that someone was such a great role model? Well, in the book My Brother a little boy enjoys watching his brother jump, skate, and run. In this book, you can feel the mood that the main character feels and the way that the main character thinks. He thinks his older brother is a great inspiration, so he wants to be just like him.

I think this book is great for everyone; kids, teens, and even adults. Everybody should have a role model to encourage them to be someone else's role model someday.

Reviewed by M.J., Fremont 6th Grade

Righty and Lefty: a tale of two feet

Vail, Rachel. Righty and Lefty: A Tale of Two Feet. Scholastic Press: 2007. ISBN: 9780439636292.

Two feet treat each other like siblings. They usually get along, but they sometimes fight. They are different in many ways, making them just like people. In the story, you will discover the special bond between the two feet. The bond that, at the end of the day, always says that they are there for eachother.

I liked the book because it reminded me of the special bond that brothers and sisters share. I'd recommend thigs book to grades 3 and under.

Reviewed by K.S., Fremont 6th Grade

Waynetta and the Cornstalk: A Texas Fairy Tale

Ketteman, Helen. Waynetta and the Cornstalk: A Texas Fairy Tale. Albert Whitman: 2007. ISBN: 9780807586877.


Waynetta and the Cornstalk is a book about a little girl and her mother, who lose everything. The little girl has to sell her cow for money, but instead, she traded it for magic beans. The magic beans grow into a huge cornstalk that reaches above the sky. This is a parody of the story Jack and the Beanstalk. The characters and the setting are the only things that are different.


This is a great book that I would recommend for kindergarten and first grade.





Reviewed by R.M., Fremont 6th Grade

Missy Swiss

Slater, David Michael. Missy Swiss. Magic Wagon: 2008. ISBN: 9781602700109.


Missy Swiss wants to be a hero like Cheese Louise. When there was a problem, she acted like she was big and bad. She really wasn't, and made an even bigger problem. Then everyone didn't like Missy Swiss except for Foster, a banana. After that, Missy tries to be a hero again and jumps to turn on the plug... and bang! (you will have to read to find out what happens next).


If you like people who are snotty and think they're "all that" but fall and realize that anyone can be a hero, then you should read this book.


Reviewed by K.I., Fremont 6th Grade

What Color Is It?

Kalman, Bobbie. What Color Is It? Crabtree Publishing: 2008. ISBN: 9780778733188.

This book is very interesting and has many facts in it about brilliantly colored animals and plants. It introduces young readers to the different varieties of color and hue. This book is a very well put together, junior, non-fiction, and informational book.

This is a very good book with many facts and information about color. I think it is geared towards 3 or 4 year olds to 1st grade.

Reviewed by B.B., Fremont 6th Grade

Joe on the Go

Anderson, Peggy Perry. Joe on the Go. Houghton Mifflin Company: 2007. ISBN: 9780618773312.

Joe wanted to go. He asked everyone to go with him and they all said no. He asked everyone and they called him too slow, too fast, too small, too tall, and they always had excuses. Joe's last person to ask was Grandma. Will she give him the final no?

I think Joe on the Go is a neat little book. I like the pictures and expressions on the frogs. I also noticed all of the characters are frogs with human characteristics. I think this book relates to children in kindergarten or 1st grade. Even if they can't read very well, children can follow the story through pictures.

Reviewed by C.C., Fremont 6th Grade

How to Catch a Fish

Frank, John. How to Catch a Fish. Roaring Brook Press: 2007. ISBN: 9781596431638.



The book is about how many places in the world catch fish. John Frank shares how other cultures live, through poetry.

I thought this book was a good book if you like poetry. 4th-6th graders would enjoy reading this book. Any kids younger than that wouldn't understand the descriptive words and phrases.



Reviewed by M.B., Fremont 6th Grade

Homes on the Water

Barber, Nicola. Homes on the Water. Crabtree Publishing Company: 2008. ISBN: 9780778735472.

This non-fiction book describes homes around the world that are built on the water. Some of the houses just float on the water. The detailed photographs show exactly what the homes look like. Some people even live in boats.

I think this book should be for kids that are in fourth grade or kids that are ten years old. A fourth grader could understand the vocabulary. It includes a glossary and a website for kids to visit online.

Reviewed by L.Z., Fremont 6th Grade

Real Princesses: An Inside Look at Royal Life

Wilding, Valerie. Real Princesses: An Inside Look at Royal Life. Walker & Company: 2007. ISBN: 9780802796752.

Would you like to learn more about princesses? If you do, you will want to read Real Princesses: an inside look at royal life. A princess does not live a day like you or me, but in this non-fiction picture book you will be able to see and read about a day in the life of a princess. Trivia questions and princess facts are also included about many famous royals.

I enjoyed reading this book for fun, but it would ne a great resource for a report, too. Boys, maybe, and mostly girls of any age would like this book for the pictures, but the reading level would be 3rd/4th grade. Enjoy!

Reviewed by K.W., Fremont 6th Grade

Who Loves the Fall?

Raczka, Bob. Who Loves the Fall? Albert Whitman: 2007. ISBN: 9780807590379.



Who Loves the Fall? Fall is a time that many people love. The book tells about how the people enjoy it and what they do during the fall.



I would recommend this book to kids in preschool through 2nd grade. I think this book is a good book for these ages because it's easy to understand and has small words that young children will need to know to read it. It also has many pictures, which may help them understand better.



Reviewed by C.W., Fremont 6th Grade

What Do Parents Do? (When You're Not Home)

Ranson, Jeanie Franz. What Do Parents Do? (When You're Not Home). Peachtree Publishers: 2007. ISBN: 9781561454099.

Parents have a secret side when you're not home. A boy and his sister are going to their grandparent's house. When the children leave, their parents go crazy and do childish things, like stay up late. The parents play video games, eat pizza, and they don't seem like parents until the children come back home.

I thought that the book was funny and I would recommend it to grades 1-5; even kindergarten if the teacher read it to them.

Reviewed by H.R., Fremont 6th Grade