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!
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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