Kylie Jean Blueberry Queen stars Kylie Jean who wants more than anything to be a beauty queen. The Blueberry Festival Queen who gets to ride in the front of the parade. Kylie Jean sets out to run for queen and takes the responsibility herself (with a little help from her mom).
This is a nice addition to the many beginning chapter books that are on the market. It has a main character who is responsible and hard working. The plot is simple and sweet and young readers will enjoy Kylie's journey as she works to get what she wants.
The writing isn't fantastic from an adults perspective but it is clear, easy to read and a good example of writing for the age group that will be reading the book. I could picture my daughter writing paragraphs like the ones that were in the book (although she wouldn't come up the plot) if she worked really really hard. This will allow young readers to be able to successfully read the story without much trouble. There is a glossary at the end along with discussion questions and writing prompts.
Appropriateness: This book is best suited for girls from 5 to 8 who are just making that jump to reading chapter books independently. The reading level is late second grade, guided reading level M with a lexile of 620.
Netgalley provided by publisher.
Showing posts with label beginning chapter books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beginning chapter books. Show all posts
Apr 3, 2011
Mar 22, 2011
Midway Monkey Madness
Midway Monkey Madness by Sarah Stephens follows Beppo, Superman's pet monkey. Beppo took a trip to the fair. While he was at the fair a huge evil Gorilla named Gorilla Grodd was causing trouble at the animal sideshow. Beppo has to work to save the fair using both his mind and his super powers.
Midway Monkey Madness is a super funny beginning chapter book. There was just enough action but not enough to scare young kids. The pictures were great because they went along with the story to illustrate the action in the plot. The author did a fantastic job of creating a fun read with action words set in a large colorful to help the reader create more inflection.
I read this together with my daughter because it looked like a quick read and we had such a fun time reading it. She did spooky laughs and loud ROOOAR's and POW POW POW's where the author had highlighted them and it made reading the book so much fun.
Appropriateness: This is a fantastic book for young readers. I would recommend it both as a read aloud (or a read together, it's fun to do one page Mom and the next page Child with this one) and as a book for readers straddling the divide between picture books and chapter books. While this book will be enjoyed by girls (and mine loved it) I'd like to highlight this book (and the entire series) as one that boys will love and adore. It's comic book like with full illustrations super hero characters and fun plot will be sure to engage even the most reluctant of readers. It is written at a second grade level with a lexile of 480 and a guided reading level of J
Netgally provided by the publisher.
Midway Monkey Madness is a super funny beginning chapter book. There was just enough action but not enough to scare young kids. The pictures were great because they went along with the story to illustrate the action in the plot. The author did a fantastic job of creating a fun read with action words set in a large colorful to help the reader create more inflection.
I read this together with my daughter because it looked like a quick read and we had such a fun time reading it. She did spooky laughs and loud ROOOAR's and POW POW POW's where the author had highlighted them and it made reading the book so much fun.
Appropriateness: This is a fantastic book for young readers. I would recommend it both as a read aloud (or a read together, it's fun to do one page Mom and the next page Child with this one) and as a book for readers straddling the divide between picture books and chapter books. While this book will be enjoyed by girls (and mine loved it) I'd like to highlight this book (and the entire series) as one that boys will love and adore. It's comic book like with full illustrations super hero characters and fun plot will be sure to engage even the most reluctant of readers. It is written at a second grade level with a lexile of 480 and a guided reading level of J
Netgally provided by the publisher.
Mar 20, 2011
Fairy books by Daisy Meadows
Daisy Meadows has several series that are perfect for girls who are just starting chapter books (either as read alouds or independently) . There are jewel fairies and dance faeries and animal fairies (and many many more that I am missing). Each series contains several books with easily predictable plots. They follow Kristy and Rachel as they search for the fairies to save fairyland from whatever evil plot Jack Frost has cooked up.
I would buy these books by the box set so you have all of them set and if you're reading them aloud I would suggest that you only agree to read one series as you'll get bored after one set (because they all have the same plot). My husband recorded himself reading them (each book takes about 45 minutes) a couple years ago and my daughter still likes to listen and read along occasionally.
These books are perfect for girls ages 4-8. They have adventures and bad guys, are a little bit scary and most importantly the girls are polite and good role models and the girls use good grammar (unlike someone we know named Junie B Jones). The lexile for each book is around 520 (guided reading level M) which puts them at a late second/early third grade level. They're perfect for younger advanced readers and work well as read a louds for those being newly introduced to chapter books.
I would buy these books by the box set so you have all of them set and if you're reading them aloud I would suggest that you only agree to read one series as you'll get bored after one set (because they all have the same plot). My husband recorded himself reading them (each book takes about 45 minutes) a couple years ago and my daughter still likes to listen and read along occasionally.
These books are perfect for girls ages 4-8. They have adventures and bad guys, are a little bit scary and most importantly the girls are polite and good role models and the girls use good grammar (unlike someone we know named Junie B Jones). The lexile for each book is around 520 (guided reading level M) which puts them at a late second/early third grade level. They're perfect for younger advanced readers and work well as read a louds for those being newly introduced to chapter books.
Mar 9, 2011
Waiting on Wednesday -- Bad Kitty Meets The Baby
Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking The Spine where bloggers talk about books they're excited to read.
At my house we're counting down the days till Bad Kitty Meets the Baby
Kitty's owners are home with a big surprise for Kitty. But what is it? Kitty, reeling in horror, thinks it’s a . . . dog. The neighbor cats are convinced it’s a cat. But we all know that it’s really a BABY!
With Nick Bruel’s trademark mix of antic humor (this time involving a Kitty game show and the Kitty Olympics—which the baby wins hands down), riotous illustrations, total mayhem, and Uncle Murray Fun Facts, this may be the funniest Kitty book yet, and the one that hits closest to home.
How awesome does that sound? We love bad kitty at our house. He's perfect for kids who are just getting into chapter books. It will be published in early June.
Feb 27, 2011
The Dragon Keeper Series
The Dragon Keepers Series by Kate Klimo consists of four books. Dragon Keepers #1: The Dragon in the Sock Drawer
, Dragon Keepers #2: The Dragon in the Driveway
, Dragon Keepers #3: The Dragon in the Library
and the fourth book Dragon Keepers #4: The Dragon in the Volcano
which will be released in late May. These books follow ten year old cousins Jessie and Daisy who find that that the geode that they picked up while on a hike hatches revealing a talking baby dragon which they name Emmy. Jessie and Daisy have to take care of Emmy and protect her from the evil St George who uses dragon blood to stay alive.
This series is very well written. It has beautiful descriptive passages with difficult vocabulary words that are set in a context that young readers can infer their meanings without trouble. Each chapter begins with a delightful picture to help kids picture the scene. Emmy is very funny and does things that made my daughter laugh out loud. The male and female leads make this a book which is equally enjoyable for both boys and girls.
Appropriateness: I would recommend this book to an elementary school aged audience. The lexile is 680 putting it at a high third grade level (a step up from the beginning chapter books). The book has about 150 pages with chapters of varying lengths. It is a story that very young readers can enjoy making it a great read aloud or book for advanced younger readers. Older elementary school readers will find it interesting and funny enough to keep them engaged and the story is one that even reluctant readers will enjoy.
, Dragon Keepers #2: The Dragon in the Driveway , Dragon Keepers #3: The Dragon in the Library and the fourth book Dragon Keepers #4: The Dragon in the Volcano which will be released in late May. These books follow ten year old cousins Jessie and Daisy who find that that the geode that they picked up while on a hike hatches revealing a talking baby dragon which they name Emmy. Jessie and Daisy have to take care of Emmy and protect her from the evil St George who uses dragon blood to stay alive.This series is very well written. It has beautiful descriptive passages with difficult vocabulary words that are set in a context that young readers can infer their meanings without trouble. Each chapter begins with a delightful picture to help kids picture the scene. Emmy is very funny and does things that made my daughter laugh out loud. The male and female leads make this a book which is equally enjoyable for both boys and girls.
Appropriateness: I would recommend this book to an elementary school aged audience. The lexile is 680 putting it at a high third grade level (a step up from the beginning chapter books). The book has about 150 pages with chapters of varying lengths. It is a story that very young readers can enjoy making it a great read aloud or book for advanced younger readers. Older elementary school readers will find it interesting and funny enough to keep them engaged and the story is one that even reluctant readers will enjoy.
Feb 2, 2011
Bad Kitty
Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel tells the story of Bad Kitty getting a bath. This is a modified graphic novel which has chapters and lots of pictures. The original Bad Kitty is an alphabet picture book and the author followed that book with several others that are designed for readers that are reading early chapter books.
I got this book for my daughter when she was a kindergartner (she's an advanced reader). I figured she'd read a chapter at a time and it would take about a week like the other beginning chapter books she was reading.
Well I was wrong.
The day she started the book she came downstairs to tell me that she was finished (without being prompted to read at all). She read four chapters before bed without being asked because she loved the book so much. That's the sign of a great beginning chapter book. We've since given Bad Kitty books at birthday parties along with the Bad Kitty Stuffed Animal and it's always a great hit. The lexile is 650 putting it at a mid third grade level and it works well as a read aloud, advanced younger readers and for upper elementary school readers who want something funny.
I got this book for my daughter when she was a kindergartner (she's an advanced reader). I figured she'd read a chapter at a time and it would take about a week like the other beginning chapter books she was reading.
Well I was wrong.
The day she started the book she came downstairs to tell me that she was finished (without being prompted to read at all). She read four chapters before bed without being asked because she loved the book so much. That's the sign of a great beginning chapter book. We've since given Bad Kitty books at birthday parties along with the Bad Kitty Stuffed Animal and it's always a great hit. The lexile is 650 putting it at a mid third grade level and it works well as a read aloud, advanced younger readers and for upper elementary school readers who want something funny.
Jan 10, 2011
Sophie The Awesome
Sophie the awesome follows Sophie as she decides that she needs a new name and she picks Sophie The Awesome. She tries all sorts of things so that she can become Sophie The Awesome with little success.
This book is the first in a series that my daughter loves. She is excited to read each book and jumped with excitement when the last book in the series arrived in the mail.
These books are written at a beginning third grade level and are perfect for youngsters who are just starting chapter books.
This book is the first in a series that my daughter loves. She is excited to read each book and jumped with excitement when the last book in the series arrived in the mail.
These books are written at a beginning third grade level and are perfect for youngsters who are just starting chapter books.
Aug 3, 2010
Catkid
Catkid is a series by Brian James that follows Catkid who is half cat and half kid through her life. While Catkid is half cat and half kid the rest of her peers are all kid.
They read much like any other girl book out there except for the cute twist of Catkid's cat side. In the second book for example Catkid goes to the aquarium. She encounters many difficulties because of this (like when she tries to pack a fishing pole) but still faces normal challenges when she tries to win a contest to collect answers for her teacher.
Scholastic puts these books at a mid-third grade level. The books are thin, chapters short and there are quite a few pictures through the book. They are fun and work well for younger advanced readers.
They read much like any other girl book out there except for the cute twist of Catkid's cat side. In the second book for example Catkid goes to the aquarium. She encounters many difficulties because of this (like when she tries to pack a fishing pole) but still faces normal challenges when she tries to win a contest to collect answers for her teacher.
Scholastic puts these books at a mid-third grade level. The books are thin, chapters short and there are quite a few pictures through the book. They are fun and work well for younger advanced readers.
Jun 13, 2010
The Worst Witch
The Worst Witch series is a funny Harry Potter light for the beginning reader. They tell the tale of Mildred, a student at Miss Cackles Academy for witches faces many blunders in her experiences at school. She's not a very good witch and her spells often go wrong, but do not worry. The book has the terrific feel good ending that young readers love.
These books are on a 3/4th grade level (guided reading level P) and they are thin (the first one is 110 pages) so they're a quick read and good for intermediate readers. There were some UK words that my daughter had trouble with and she reported that it was just a little hard but she says that it was worth it because of the "scary and funny parts." This book would work well as a read aloud for the younger set and is fantastic for the advanced younger reader as well as readers that are ready for beginning chapter books. There was a TV series years ago based on the books (which I was able to get at the library) that is a good reward for when your child finishes the book, there was a movie also which is fantastically bad).
While this is a girl book (taking place in a girls school with female teachers) I think the story is funny enough that boys would like it also.
These books are on a 3/4th grade level (guided reading level P) and they are thin (the first one is 110 pages) so they're a quick read and good for intermediate readers. There were some UK words that my daughter had trouble with and she reported that it was just a little hard but she says that it was worth it because of the "scary and funny parts." This book would work well as a read aloud for the younger set and is fantastic for the advanced younger reader as well as readers that are ready for beginning chapter books. There was a TV series years ago based on the books (which I was able to get at the library) that is a good reward for when your child finishes the book, there was a movie also which is fantastically bad).
While this is a girl book (taking place in a girls school with female teachers) I think the story is funny enough that boys would like it also.
Baby Mouse!
Babymouse is a fantastic series of graphic novels for the young reader. They follow the trials and tribulations of Babymouse as she suffers horrors such as dodge-ball and school musical auditions.
My daughter loves these so much that she sits and reads them in one sitting without being asked and cheers when one arrives in the mail. I asked her why she loves Babymouse and she said it's because they are pink pink pink and there is always a happy ending and they are easy to read. These are girl books and because of the pinkness I wouldn't think boys would like them.
These graphic novels are perfect for the reader that's moving from picture books to chapter books. They're at a second grade reading level. There are twelve in the series and they're generally available as buy 3 get the 4th free from Amazon.com.
My daughter loves these so much that she sits and reads them in one sitting without being asked and cheers when one arrives in the mail. I asked her why she loves Babymouse and she said it's because they are pink pink pink and there is always a happy ending and they are easy to read. These are girl books and because of the pinkness I wouldn't think boys would like them.
These graphic novels are perfect for the reader that's moving from picture books to chapter books. They're at a second grade reading level. There are twelve in the series and they're generally available as buy 3 get the 4th free from Amazon.com.
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