Gallagher Butler Principal, Mr. Gallagher, says he loved reading
Holes by Louis Sachar.
"As further evidence of his family's bad fortune which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a ghastly correctional camp in the Texas desert where he finds his first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself." So good that they made it into a movie.
McDonald Resource Teacher, Mrs. McDonald, recommends
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.
"By the time the velveteen rabbit is dirty, worn out, and about to be burned, he has almost given up hope of ever finding the magic called Real." A classic of children's literature.
McHenry Strings Teacher, Mrs. McHenry, recommends
The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pratt
by Patricia MacLachlan.
"An eleven-year-old cellist learns about life from her eccentric family, her first boyfriend, and Mozart."
This book is on order
Jones First Grade Teacher, Mrs. Jones, recommends
Comet's Nine Lives by Jan Brett.
"Comet the cat uses up eight of his nine lives trying to find the right place to live on Nantucket Island."
MacDonald First Grade Teacher, Ms. MacDonald, recommends
Alice the Fairy by David Shannon.
"Alice, a very imaginative little girl, practices her trade as a Temporary Fairy, but still has trouble learning the difficult tricks, such as making her clothes put themselves away."
Forshag Second Grade Teacher, Ms. Forshag, recommends
The Quiltmakers Gift by Jeff Brumbeau.
"When a generous quiltmaker finally agrees to make a quilt for a greedy king but only under certain conditions, she causes him to undergo a change of heart."
Vaughn Second Grade Teacher, Mrs. Vaughn, recommends
More Than Anything Else by Marie Bradby.
"Nine-year-old Booker works with his father and brother at the saltworks but dreams of the day when he'll be able to read. It is told through the voice of a 9 year old boy and based on the life of Booker T. Washington." Mrs. Vaughn loves it because it shows the importance of learning to read.
Robertson Second Grade Teacher, Mrs. Robertson, recommends
The Old Woman who Names Things by Cynthia Rylant.
"A feisty old woman who has outlived all her friends resorts to naming things as a way to avoid boredom but doesnt want to become too attached to the stray dog that visits her each day."
Weiss Third Grade Teacher, Mrs. Weiss, recommends
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White.
"Wilbur, the pig, is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte, decides to help him ."
Jenkins Third Grade Teacher, Mrs. Jenkins, recommends
Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Clearly
"Ramona feels quite grown-up taking the bus by herself, helping big sister Beezus make dinner, and trying hard to be nice to pesky Willa Jean after school." Newbery Medal/Honor book.
Osten Third Grade Teacher, Mrs. Osten, recommends
The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman.
"Four fifth-grade students--a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker--as well as their teacher and mothers, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments."
Perry Fourth Grade Teacher, Mrs. Perry, recommends
The Shadow Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix.
"A saga of Luke and other "third " children who are forced to live in fear and hiding from the Population Police charged with enforcing the law that allows couples to have only two children."
This series is on order
Bennett Sixth Grade Teacher, Mrs. Bennett, recommends
From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E.Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
"This novel charts one girl's mission to run away from her straight-As life to somewhere beautiful-the Met. In the process, she becomes obsessed with uncovering the secrets of a breathtaking statue."
Watley Librarian, Ms. Watley, recommends
the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
"The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Beautifully written quest of good's triumph over evil. These books restored and expanded the impact of children's literature.
