Home Sweet Horrorby James PrellerFeiwel and Friends, 2013 5 things I love about this early chapter book: The art is dark and creepy and spectacular! Even though this is clearly a plot-centric story, there are emotional elements, too, mostly centering on the grief of the loss of Mom two years before. There’s nice foreshadowing in […]

Dragonbreath: The Case of the Toxic Mutantsby Ursula VernonPenguin, 2013 5 things I love about this early chapter book: The humor is so weird and bizarre–perfect for 2nd and 3rd graders. It’s a bit longer and more complex than many early chapter books, so it’s great for those kids who aren’t quite ready for middle-grade […]

Joe and Sparky Go to Schoolby Jamie Michalak, illus by Frank RemkiewiczCandlewick, 2013 5 things I love about this easy reader: It’s one of the freshest easy readers I’ve read lately. The animals’ point of view is so much fun! “The noisy short people got on the bus.” That, of course, is a school bus. […]

Love Is in the Airby Jonathan FenskePenguin Young Readers, 2012 5 Reasons You Will Love This Easy Reader A friendship story with a kite and a balloon,?and the setting for much of the story is the sky? Bizarre–in a great way! And their whirlwind (hehe) friendship rings true. Balloon is a great character. The birthday […]