Laura was born in Pepin, WI

My favorite books growing up were the "Little House" books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  The original black and white drawings by Garth Williams perfectly compliment the light hearted stories that Laura so lovingly describes in her books. On a recent family vacation to the Ozark Mountains I visited her Rocky Ridge Farm home near Mansfield, Missouri.  I was delighted to learn the history of her life on the farm and how she started writing her books.  It reminded me of my own family history and how we all have a story to tell.

Rocky Ridge Farm

Play Ball!  As the baseball diamonds dry out after a long winter the young and old alike think about the first  pitch of the baseball season. To get in the mood for baseball pick up a baseball novel by one of your favorite children's book authors like Dan Gutman, Matt Christopher, or Mike Lupka.  I read Keeping Score by Linda Sue Parks.  She takes us on a journey back to the era of the early 1950's when legends like Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Joe DiMaggio were at the plate.  The art of scorekeeping is carefully described by the main character Maggie while she experiences the  All-American pastime.  Get your glove ready for the game and pick up a baseball book today!

We all want to feel like we fit in within our group of peers. It is especially important among a group of friends that we protect those relationships when threatened. Would you make a personal sacrifice to protect your best friend?  That is exactly what Hazel does for her best friend Jack in the novel Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu.  In a fantasy that reminds me of the Chronicles of Narnia an imaginary world where Hazel must risk her life to get back Jack from the Snow Queen.  A must read for the fantasy lover!

Series, series, series...books that is.  Some of the most popular books in the library are in a series.  Students love to follow characters through stories that extend through time.  One of my favorite series in the Guardians of Ga'Hoole books by Kathryn Lasky.  I've recently completed her series called Wolves of the Beyond.  This series follows Faolan's story as he grows from a vulnerable pup to a confident leader.

If you like animal books you will like Secrets at Sea. It's another great book by Richard Peck.  It reminds me a little of Poppy by Avi but with a more aristocratic air. The mice board a ship to England with their human companions.  They secretly explore the ship and find adventures at sea.  Narrowly avoiding being caught by unsuspecting humans or the ships cat. As always a happy ending that will make you smile.

When you pick up a book by an award winning author like Sharon Creech you can expect a good book.  Her latest novel, The Great Unexpected is no exception.   I loved this book.  Just like the title, you just don't know what you are going to get when you start a new book.  It may be happy or sad or just something you couldn't ever imagine.  That is just what Sharon Creech does in this book.  She gives you a mix of interesting characters, an unusual plot twist and just the right amount of mystery.  When asked what this book is about Sharon Creech says, "This is the story of how the unexpected can sometimes be great."  I wholeheartedly agree.  Take a chance on this book.  You won't regret it.  

I remember going to a literary conference a few years ago and watching this tall older man in a cowboy hat being lead down the hall by a group of librarians. I didn't know at the time that he was the author Richard Peck. I have since read and love his books.  I have no problem recommending his books to my 4th and 5th grade students.  I recently read his 2009 book,  A Season of Gifts.  It's a perfect book for the season as you read about a family and their eccentric neighbor, Grandma Dowdel, in the fall of 1958. They experience life in a small town as the new family. It is full of pranks, blunders, and a whole lot of love.

Other titles by Richard Peck include:
Here Lies the Librarian
A Year Down Yonder (Newbery Medal)
A Long Way From Chicago
Fair Weather