Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Summer Reads

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman: Book Cover

Weslandia

By Paul Fleischman, Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

K-3rd Grade

After planting an unusual plant in his backyard, Wesley spends his summer creating unique things from different parts of the plant. He captivates the neighborhood bullies and shares his plant creations, including a new game.

Weslandia inspires productivity in the summer. This book is one of my favorite children’s books.

Chasing the Falconers (On the Run Series #1), Vol. 1 by Gordon Korman: Book Cover

Chasing the Falconers, On The Run, Book 1 of 6

By Gordon Korman

4th - 6th Grade

Why are Aiden and Meg Falconer at the Sunnydale Juvenile Delinquent Center when they are innocent of any crime? They have the last name Falconer. No one in mainstream society wants to take care of a Falconer because Aiden and Meg's parents were accused of giving top-secret information to terrorists.

An accident turns catastrophic at Sunnydale. Aiden and Meg escape! Now they are on the run as innocent fugitives trying to discover clues from their past to clear their parents’ names.

Gordon Korman writes a fast-paced, suspenseful cliffhanger of Aiden and Meg’s flight from state to state.

If readers can get beyond the premise of Aiden and Meg being placed in a Juvenile Delinquent Center for their "safety," the story is an entertaining summer read.