The Spiderwick Chronicles

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a series about three normal kids who find The Field Guide that their great great grandfather, Arthur Spiderwick, wrote. They go on dangerous, please do not try at home adventures! With the field guide’s help, they look for Arthur. While on their trip, they meet new, strange, and evil creatures. I took the risk. Will you?       -Little Sunshine age 9

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Janet Gray is a historical fiction book about a boy named Adam and all of his adventures. Adam is eleven, and has pretty well raised himself. Adam’s father is a minstrel in London. When Adam was old enough, he was able to travel across London with his dad, Roger. Adam’s closest friend is his dog Nick. Along the way Adam meets many people and makes lots of new friends, but when Adam loses both Roger and Nick, how will they find each other again? I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of eight. I loved Adam’s personality! He was such a good spirit and always had his head held high. This character and I are close to the same age and it is hard to imagine dealing with the things Adam faced in his journey. As a young minstrel there is a lot of music involved in his job. I love music and sing all of the time! This book is definitely my favorite so far and I will always love it.     -Rockin' Robin, age 10

 

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden

The Cricket In Times Square is a book about an adventurous, musical cricket from Connecticut. While Chester searches for food at a hometown picnic, he ends up on a train headed to New York City! When the train stops at Times Square, the excitement begins! Chester meets a family who owns a newsstand, a mouse who has an eye for talent, and a friendly cat while in Times Square but are his new friends and his show schedule enough for Chester the Cricket to be truly happy? 
I really enjoyed reading about Times Square and hope to visit NYC one day soon. I definitely recommend The Cricket in Times Square! Book level (4.9)  - Little Sunshine, age 9
                                                                                                    

The Blog Girls Promote the Vote!

     











     Today, The Bookstack Blog girls and I set out to visit a local preschool. We've been studying the electoral process this semester and the girls wanted to share a bit of their excitement for tomorrow's presidential election so I contacted a local preschool administrator where the girls attended an after school program a few years back. Fortunately, she is young and energetic and all about bringing fun and interactive learning to her students!
   
     Rockin' Robin enjoyed reading Duck for President aloud to a group of enthusiastic 3 and 4 year olds before Little Sunshine helped them to cast their vote in a candy election! Skittle Vs. M&M's and Skittles came out on top! I hope they enjoyed their Skittles treat we left behind. The teacher election had quite a different outcome with M&M's taking a staggering 75% of the vote! Yes, the teachers were awarded with an M&M treat.
   
     This mom enjoyed getting the girls out of the house for a bit and watching them interact with the younger ones. Now we can only hope that these preschoolers will do as instructed when they get home and encourage mom and dad to vote! And I only hope you will do the same!
                                                                                                                                   - Homeschool Mom

         

Little Saints Director tallying the votes!

Today I went to a preschool to read to the kids about the the election tomorrow. I read the book Duck for President to them. After I finished the book, my mom, my sister, and I did a candy election between Skittles and M & Ms. Just before we left we tallied the vote and told the total to the kids. We left a bag of each candy to the teachers and we were on our way. I had a great time and I hope they did too!                                                                      - Rockin' Robin

Making their voices heard!

Today I had a bunch of fun! I had fun because I got to meet lots of kids and got to watch them have fun. The kids got to learn about elections and they got to vote and see what it feels like to vote. I think they enjoyed our visit. I love to watch all of the kids learn. Our visit brought back some good memories because my sister and I went to daycare there a few years ago. The kids got to vote for Skittles or M&M's and we brought candy for them! I hope the kids like their Skittles and M&M's this morning. I was so happy to be there.
                                                                                                 - Little Sunshine


                     

Duck for President by Doreen Cronin

Our November book feature is Duck for President! Duck was Farmer Brown's number one helper. Though all the animals on the farm had chores, Duck's were the hardest. Every day he returned to the barn covered in bits of grass and espresso beans, tired and thinking his chore list was not quite fair! Then, one day after doing his chores, he was so tired that he decided to have a farm election. Not satisfied with the outcome of that situation, he decided to run for Governor and then President! When Duck realizes the amount of work and responsibility involved in leadership, will Duck's campaign trail continue?
Children young and old can learn from this book and all will enjoy the colorful illustrations! Duck for President is a perfect read aloud for this presidential election year.
(Book Level 3.9)
- Rockin' Robin, age 10

October's Bookworm Author

     Buzda, Age 9 is October's Bookworm Author! Buzda is a fun-loving child who enjoys hanging with her little brother and her dog. Reading and creative writing keep her busy as well as bringing her own worlds to life on her favorite online games such as Minecraft and Little Big Planet!

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Reviewed by: Buzda, Age 9

This book is by Rick Riordan and is about a boy named Percy Jackson, who finds out he is a demi-god and Zeus' Bolt is missing! The question still remains, who is Percy's father? Who stole the bolt? Who will Percy and his friend Grover and Annabeth meet on their quest?
This is a good book, and I like it because you learn a little about the Greek gods. I think people that like Greek gods and monsters should read this book and I hope that the author carries on writing the series.
(Book Level 4.7)

Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carmen

    

Patrick Carmen stopped by our table to say hi before his lecture at a local university!

     Skeleton Creek, by Patrick Carmen, is a spine-chilling read that will have you roped in from the first chapter! Ryan, a teenage boy who loves a good mystery and his best friend, Sarah Fincher, who always has her camera, realize that there is something sketchy about their home town of Skeleton Creek. Are their suspicions real or the imaginings of two curios teens?
     I love the video messages from Sarah throughout the book. Skeleton Creek is a unique story that uses text and video to create a compelling story!
I recommend this book for people who have difficulty getting into chapter books and there are four books in the series! Perfect for October! The videos give you something to keep reading for. It may not be good for young children or for those who scare easily.    - Rockin' Robin, 10

YOU COULD WIN YOUR OWN HARDCOVER COPY OF SKELETON CREEK!
www.facebook.com/TheBookstackBlog

Piper Reed, Campfire Girl by Emily Willis Holt

Me with some friends and family hanging out around the campfire!

    Piper Reed, Campfire Girl is a book about a girl named Piper Reed. Piper has a club named The Gypsy Club. Piper, her club, and her family are going on a camping trip and they leave the day before Halloween! Piper is not happy when she figures out they have to take their new club member, Stanley Hampshire.  She thinks he is an annoying person who only likes to talk about moving from place to place. To make matters worse, they have to take care of the family dog, Bruna.
     Reading this book brought back great memories for me. I enjoyed making up fun clubs with my friends at school. It also makes me remember when me and my friends were sitting around the campfire at my house (in the picture). And my favorite birthday party was when we pitched tents and camped outside!
    I recommend  this book to anyone - boy or girl! You will be hooked from the start! (Book Level 3.4 ) Hope you like the book.
                                                                                            - Little Sunshine - age 9

Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth by Douglas Wood

Me and my little sister and big cousin with "Papa", my grandad.

     Grandad’s Prayers of the Earth is a short, sweet story that I love to read. It is also a very pretty picture book. The story is about a little boy and his grandad and his stories of the earth. When they go for a walk, the little boy asked his grandad about prayer. The grandad told the boy that every living thing prays. He explains that each of God’s creations has its own ways of praying.
     This book makes me smile because I spend a lot of time with my Papa too. It makes me recall times spent with him and reminds me of the stories he always tells.  My Papa really makes me laugh.
     This book is appropriate for any age! It is a good one to read if you like to read with your mom or dad. Or it would be even better to read with your “grandad”. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did!                                                                                      
                                                                                                        Rockin' Robin, age 10

Meet September's Bookworm Author

Banana Split, Age 7

Meet September's Bookworm Author

"Banana Split" is a second grader who loves to read, play the violin, and ride her bike! She is also involved in tennis, gymnastics, softball, and basketball. Read her book review of Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth by Jane O' Connor below!







Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth by Jane O' Connor

In Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth there are two best friends, Nancy and Bree. They are sleuths. Two mysteries have to be solved in this book. Nancy and Bree must figure out what happened to the teacher's marble and what Rhonda needed to tell Nancy.  I know but I'm not telling! My favorite part was when they cracked the case wide open. The writer really caught my attention. If you like Nancy Drew you will definitely like this book. I recommend this book. It is a very good book. (BL 3.3)
                                                                                                                           -Banana Split, Age 7

September's Book Feature - Edgar Allan Poe

   Poetry for Young People’s - Edgar Allan Poe is our September feature! The book begins with an introduction that gives details of Poe’s life and works followed by poems and poetic passages from some of his longer prose works. With this book we were able to discuss poetry and prose while learning about one of history’s most significant authors of such writings. The girls were also entertained by the selections in the book. Poems such as “The Raven” and “Eldorado” are great read-alouds!
    Since many of Poe’s works portray the darkness that consumed much of his life we feel it is a great selection to read as we approach October 31st! I would suggest this as a parent/child read as there are some dark themes. As for an age recommendation, my girls were 8 and 9 and enjoyed it very much!   - Homeschool Mom

   Edgar Allan Poe is a book full of poems that are both scary and exciting. Some are so scary that one time they made me have a nightmare! Some of his poems are not scary but touch your heart.
    My favorite poem is “Annabel Lee”. This poem is not scary but is sad and is one of the poems that will touch your heart. The poem that made me have a nightmare is “Eldorado”. It’s about a knight who is trying to find gold and he realized a shadow was following him. You might want to read this one if you like a good scare!
    I recommend this book to for ages 7 and up and you might want to read it with your mom or dad. And it is great for anyone who likes poetry! If you decide you might want to read this book, read it around Halloween!
 - Little Sunshine, age 9

Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russel

     Dork Diaries is a series of books by Rachel Renee Russell. She is the author and even does some of the illustrating in the series!
     These books are about a young girl named Nikki Maxwell and her years in middle school. The books are written like a journal with lots of doodling and cartoon style sketches. Nikki was so excited to see all of her friends again, but things change when Nikki finds out she is about to move. Sometimes it’s hard for newcomers to fit in. Can Nikki survive her new school and the “Cool, Cute, & Popular (CCP) girls who love to tease her?
     I relate to some of the things that Nikki goes through and I think any middle school girl will too.    I have read books 1,2, and 3 in the Dork Diaries series and hope to finish book 4 before the fifth book is released on October 2nd!
    I would recommend this series to any middle school girl, especially anyone dealing with less than nice classmates. (Book Level 5.4)

                                                                                                      Reviewed by Rockin’ Robin, age 10

Ivy + Bean by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall

   















    Ivy + Bean is a mysterious adventure! It is about two girls that are best friends and they never meant to like each other. As you read through the book you can see all the adventures they go on while Bean is helping Ivy become a witch! As they are running throughout the yards of Pancake Court, they try to put a spell on Bean’s older sister.Will it work out or not?
    It is interesting right from the beginning the book! It catches you with excitement!! I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, fun mystery!! (Book Level 3.2)

                                                                                                      Reviewed by Little Sunshine, Age 9

Behind the Bookstack

Hi! Welcome to The Bookstack Blog!
Here at The Bookstack Blog will be sharing book reviews with you as we read. We will tell you everything you need to know about the books that we are reading so you can decide which books are right for you! We hope you like The BookStack Blog!
- Little Sunshine, age 9

Now, for a look behind the bookstack...
We are a homeschool family of four and I am the oldest child. We created this blog so you can get the scoop on the books you may enjoy and info on the ones you may not want to read. Our mom is our teacher. She loves to read with us and she likes for us to try new things! Dad works hard to support our family and the fun things we do.
I hope you enjoy our blog! Visit often!
- Rockin' Robin, age 10 

P.S. Our first book reviews will be posted tomorrow!