What's Ms. Daitch Been Reading?

I read all of the time! I read magazines, the newspaper, web sites, and BOOKS. Here are some of the books that I've finished recently, with notes to help you get to know them.

This page is always a work in progress!!!

The happiness of Kati. Vejjajiva, Jane

Kati lives with her retired grandparents in rural Philippines where they came back to live after having lived the lives of busy professional in the city. Kati's mother, who does not live with Kati, is dying of Lou Gehrig's disease. After her mother's death, Kati must decide whether to find her father and start a new life or stay with her warm, extended family. I would recommend this to a mature 5th grader.

Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles.

This is a book about DEATH. Comfort Snowberger's family owns and runs a funeral home. After reading this book you'll never look at death in quite the same way. This is a very touching, beautiful, funny book. I would recommend it to a mature 5th grader.

Smiler's Bones, by Peter Lerangis.

Admiral Peary comes to Greenland on-route to the North Pole. During one of his visits, he takes Eskimos with him

back to New York where they are studied. Only one survives, an 8 year old boy who lives around New York City for

twelve years, learning the ways of civilization and deceit. When he finally goes home he realizes that he does not

fit in any world--neither that of the Eskimo nor the white man.

The Liberation of Gabriel King, by K.L. Going

Gabriel and

Life's A Funny Proposition, Horatio, Barbara Garland Polikoff

Horatio's Shakespeare-loving father has died and his grandfather has moved in. Life takes many new turns, but the family endures.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo THIS WON THE BOSTON GLOBE BOOK AWARD!

Edward is a toy bunny, with a china head and stuffed body. Although he is a very beloved toy, he himself does not love. Following mishap after mishap, Edward is ripped away from his owners and experiences loss and love. I read this book with my 3rd graders and they loved it. I would recommend it to 3rd -5th graders.

The Sacrifice, by Kathleen Benner Duble

This book is set in 1692, in Andover, Massachusetts; and the Salem Witch Trials are about to begin. Abigail's family is swept up in hysteria as it travels from town to town. This is gripping historical fiction. It would recommend it to 4th and 5th graders interested in history.

The Day Joanie Frankenhauser Became a Boy, by Frances Lantz

Joanie moves to a new town and is mistaken for a boy by her new teacher. She goes with it and experiences what it is like to be a boy. The grass is not always greener on the other side. She realizes that life is complicated for boys as well as girls. I would recommend this realistic fiction to 4th and 5th graders.

The Last Battle, by C.S Lewis

This is the final book of the Narnia series. Yes, it all does end and it's heavenly. I would recommend this fantasy book to third through fifth graders. However, I would read the others in the series first!!!

Inkspell, by Cornelia Funke

In this book, Mo's daughter is read into the book world to experience all of the wonders that her mother has described. This is another high adventure and a perfect set-up for a third book in this wonderful series.

Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke

THis is a book about books and how a stories can come alive, literally. Mo can read book characters right out of the books that they are in. Unfortunately, people (such as his wife) and things are also sucked into the books as he read. This is a high fantasy adventure, with memorable character and great depth, recommended for motivated 5th grade readers. It is a long book and very densely written, so it will take you awhile to wade through it. It's not a fast read like Harry Potter. But it's a fantastic story. I LOVED IT!!

Bartlett and the Forest of Plenty by Odo Hirsch
Our trusty explorers set out to discover . . . . They find a forest from which they may never escape, if Barlett's enemy has his way! This is the 3rd in the Bartlett series. Bartlett has transported melidrops in Bartlett and the Ice Voyage and brought the sun into a dark world in Bartlett and the City of Flames. This is a series for 3-5th grade readers who like a satisfying adventure story.

M.V.P. by Douglas Evans

Adam is competing with other 12 year olds to circumnavigate the world, alone, in 40 days, If he comes in first place, he wins $4,000,000.

Among the Hidden by Margaret Haddix

In this story, set in a land where families are only allowed to have two children, if a family has a third child,that child must be hidden or he will die!

Crispin, Cross of Lead by Avi

Indigo's Star by Hilary McKay

This is part of the series of book about the

Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan

Ida B. has been home schooled. When her mother becomes sick, she must go to public school. At first she hates it, but she finally finds a teacher who appreciates her and she BLOOMS!!

The Meanest Doll in the World by Ann M. Martin and laura Godwin

If you like doll stories, this is a fine addition!

The House on the Gulf by Margaret Haddix

Family moves to Florida to house-sit and improve their lives. But something is wrong. This story will keep you guessing until the end.

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

This is a picture book about an artist who walked between the Two Towers in Manhattan during the 1990's. Why? Because he could. THis is a loving tribute to the Two Towers.

Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech

Rosie and her Italian grandmother cook and talk about life and love. This is a very sweet book that I would recommend to everyone in 4th and 5th grades.

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

This is the best book I've read this year. So why didn't it win the

Newbery Award? Because the author is not from the United States. She is German and not eligible for the Newbery.

This book has intrigue, tons of adventure, and two wonderful hooks (devices to pull you into the story). Whenever Mo reads from a particular book, its characters are transported out of that book and into "real life". Every chapter begins with a quote from another, different book. This gives you something to think about, forshadowing the events in that chapter. MAYBE you'll read the other books that are quoted. What a read!! I'd recommend this book for 5th graders.

The Jamie and Angus Stories by Anne Fine

Six short stories about Jamie and his toy bull, Angus, a true friend. Beautifully written, I'd recommend this book for 1st through 3rd graders.

The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child by Francesco Jimenez

Semi autobiographical--the author wrote about his own childhood (freely changing some situations) as a child of migrant workers from Mexico who worked illegally in California.

This is a thoughtful look at another culture. It helps you to see the world through another's eyes. I'd recommend this for 4th and 5th graders.

The Righteous Revenge of Artemis Bonner by Walter Dean Myers

This is actually a parody of corny western novels, with tons of humor. Artemis goes west to avenge the murder of his uncle, Ugly Ned Bonner. He teams up with a boy named Frolic and they both travel all over the west, looking for Catfish Grimes and his girlfriend, Lucy Featherdip. I'd recommend this for 4th and 5th graders.

The tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

This book won the Newbery Award last year.

Stowaway by Karen Hesse

Nicholas Young stows away on the ship, Endeavor, which leaves England, bound for Australia and Antarctica, with Captain James Cook at the helm, in the years 1768-1771. This book is based on journals that were kept on the actual voyage in 1768. It is a well-researched look at a time when men braved everything to explore and discover parts of the world that had never been viewed by Europeans. I would recommend this book to 5th graders and some 4th graders who like adventure stories.

Minn and Jake by Janet Wong

Short Jake moves to tall Minn's school. They have nothing in common but become fast friends. Sometimes you just have to be there. I'd recommend this to 1st through 4rd graders.

Something Wicked's in These Woods by Marisa Montes

Javi and his younger brother's parents have died in an auto accident. They are moved from Puerto Rico to California to live with their aunt. Strange things are happening. The younger brother has a not quite imaginary friend, the woods are filled with evil, and objects begin to fly around their new home. How will it all end? I would recommend this to 4th and 5th graders who like mystery, ghost, and adventure stories.

The Healing of Texas Jake by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor This book is a sequel to the story The Grand Escape. In Healing, Marco and Polo, two house cats seek adventure with the Club of Mysteries. The club's leader Texas Jake was been injured and is asking all of his loyal followers to do something to help him heal. Marco and Polo need to retrieve a plant called comfrey for Texas Jake. Unfortunately, the comfrey only grows at the dump which is the territory of another group of cats, the Over-the-Hill Gang. Who will be triumphant? I would recommend this book to 3rd-5th graders who like animal and adventure stories.