I am so glad Grandma Dowdel had returned! And this is a whole new story. A new family (Grandma's new neighbors)have moved in and Grandma Dowdel help...moreI am so glad Grandma Dowdel had returned! And this is a whole new story. A new family (Grandma's new neighbors)have moved in and Grandma Dowdel helps her in her own special way. ;) I absolutely love Richard Peck's humor and character development. This book is a follow up book to A Long Way From Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, but you do not need to read the first two to enjoy this story. However, if you want a little background in the development of Grandma Dowdel, you will not want to miss the first two books. I recommend this book to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Although some of fifth graders in my class get into reading the other two books, I think the vocabulary of this book makes it more appropriate for 6th grade. But I would surely start them off with the series in fifth grade. I especially like the version on tape I have borrowed from the library. (less)
Someone told me that their daughter thought this book was "a LITTLE sad." Umm, try uncontrollable crying. Maybe it was just me feeling sen...moreSomeone told me that their daughter thought this book was "a LITTLE sad." Umm, try uncontrollable crying. Maybe it was just me feeling sentimental, but I thought this book was so sad. But sad like you feel for the characters, not like a tragedy happens during the story. You already know the tragedy before the story starts. It is the healing process that made me so weepy. Definitely a book I will recommend to my students. Don't think I could get through reading it aloud. I know the cover will totally turn off any boy fifth grade readers, but I would still try.(less)
I liked this book because it is something I can recommend to some girl readers. Especially those going into middle school like my fifth grade girls. ...moreI liked this book because it is something I can recommend to some girl readers. Especially those going into middle school like my fifth grade girls. It was a fun read, but it wasn't life changing or anything. It showed the dynamic of change lots of people experience in middle school. I also like how it showed a girl trying something new and different. One thing I didn't like was how over the top Rissa often was in her relationships.(less)
This trilogy (So far) really intrigues me! I stumbled upon one of D. James Smith's books way back when I started my blog. I accidently read the seco...moreThis trilogy (So far) really intrigues me! I stumbled upon one of D. James Smith's books way back when I started my blog. I accidently read the second book before the first, but it didn't matter. Now there is a third story about Paolo and his Italian-American family.
I love the voice of Paolo. He has some great lines in this book. (I returned it to the library, so I can't quote any...) His family life is so interesting to me. I love the big family he has.
Another point of interest to me is the historical aspects of the series. This book is no exception. The story is set in 1951 and it brings up many great topics for that time period.
I think this is a time period that would be foreign for most students in fifth grade, so I would use it in a read aloud setting. I think sixth or seventh grade students would like it as well. (less)
This a great book for fifth graders and probably sixth grade as well. It really shows the trials and tribulations of growing older, growing apart fro...moreThis a great book for fifth graders and probably sixth grade as well. It really shows the trials and tribulations of growing older, growing apart from friends and having to share someone you see as your BFF. It has a great lesson to be learned. I would say mostly girls only would find something to relate to in the story, so I doubt I would read it aloud, but I would recommend it to any girl in my class. I REALLY liked this story and the character, Jemma. It took me back to junior high and even brought a tear to my eye. (In kind of a sad/happy way)(less)
I love Gary Paulsen. This book didn't do it for me. I didn't even really get most of it. The high point of the book is the morning announcements th...moreI love Gary Paulsen. This book didn't do it for me. I didn't even really get most of it. The high point of the book is the morning announcements that come from the principal at the beginning of each chapter. Other than that, eh. I am still a Paulsen fan, true but I will be excited to see how students react to this book. (I won't even tell them that I didn't get it) :)(less)
This is the book I have been waiting for this year! It is CLEAR that Leal used her background as teacher to craft this novel. From start to finish I...moreThis is the book I have been waiting for this year! It is CLEAR that Leal used her background as teacher to craft this novel. From start to finish I could put names to the faces of the characters. Not the names that they are given in the novel, but the names of students I have encountered in my classroom over the last 11 years. It made me think more of those students and their lives. I smiled, laughed, and cried.
This book would be great for a literature circle or a situation where you could really sit and talk about it.(less)
This book may appeal to my fifth grade students for the mere fact that it is a story where the boys go up against the girls, which always seems to be ...moreThis book may appeal to my fifth grade students for the mere fact that it is a story where the boys go up against the girls, which always seems to be popular. But the fact that Bobby, the main character, and his friends are only in the fourth grade may turn off some of my fifth grade students who seem to think they are so far away from fourth grade. (Even though they are not.) The story itself though is perfect for a third or fourth grade student. (less)
This book had plenty of adventure, mystery, twists, turns, cliffhangers (A personal favorite) and some history. I think my students could listen to t...moreThis book had plenty of adventure, mystery, twists, turns, cliffhangers (A personal favorite) and some history. I think my students could listen to this as a read aloud. I also know that it would be perfect for my more savvy fifth grade reader. My personal favorite aspect of the book is the way the author used suspense with cliffhanger chapter endings. I don't know what took me so long to get this book, but I am ever pleased I took the time.(less)
I don't know why I can't get into these books. I like them, but they make Emma Jean too obnoxiously smart and unlikable to me. I do like how the cha...moreI don't know why I can't get into these books. I like them, but they make Emma Jean too obnoxiously smart and unlikable to me. I do like how the chapter some what go back and forth between she and Colleen and their thoughts.(less)
Now anyone who knows me, knows I am a fan of Barbara O'Connor. I am also a sucker for a good southern accent and a backwoods setting. This book has ...moreNow anyone who knows me, knows I am a fan of Barbara O'Connor. I am also a sucker for a good southern accent and a backwoods setting. This book has backwoods written all over it and this is what I loved the most! My favorite part of the book is the family in the rambling RV. I wanted to know them. I thought maybe I did know them. Oh, the characters... Gosh, Barbara is so good at character development. I knew all those characters. I put a face with them in a split second. (Or split page) The NAMES, the NAMES, the NAMES! I am always complaining about authors using obscure character names. These were obscure in a perfectly lovely way. The book is short. A quick read. Perfect for that reluctant reader that isn't going to pick up a book over 200 pages, even if paid to do so. Of course there were dogs in this book. But maybe not in the way that you would expect. Knowing a little bit about Barbara O'Connor, this part of the plot just tore me up. Mrs. O'Connor is such a fan of vocabulary. I see that theme in many of her books. There is no exception here. Does it fit? Maybe. That might be my only complaint. Sometimes I wasn't sure the vocabulary added to the story. However, as teacher I have to view vocabulary building as a good thing no matter what. Way to go, my friend. Homerun! Sorry for the rambling post. (less)
I LOVED this book! I am not sure which I loved more, this or the first, Al Capone Does My Shirts? But I can tell you I LOVED this one! I really hop...moreI LOVED this book! I am not sure which I loved more, this or the first, Al Capone Does My Shirts? But I can tell you I LOVED this one! I really hope it is not so long between this book and the next book. I don't know how long I can be without Moose, Natalie, Piper, Jimmy, Annie, Janet, et al...(less)
I never tire of this series. I just think the humor is so right on! I read often that the book appeals to reluctant readers and I would seriously ch...moreI never tire of this series. I just think the humor is so right on! I read often that the book appeals to reluctant readers and I would seriously challenge that. It appeals to ALL readers in fifth grade. Let's face it, we were all a "Greg Heffley" in fifth grade. Unless of course you were a "Rowley" in which case, I am very sorry.
There was a part that had me seriously laughing so hard. (I am not giving anything away here, it will just be much funnier when you read it yourself) Greg had gone to a sleep-over with Rowley. The sleep-over was at a friend of Rowley's house. If you know Rowley, you will know he has many "friends" who are not his age equivalent, but his mental equivalent. Greg said at one point the kids at the party suggested playing a game called "Who Licked Me?" I mean come on... that is funny. -- Okay, maybe in a slightly less mature world.
I suspect my students will soon be calling each other "Ploopy" just as they were all giving the "Cheese Touch." One of my favorite story lines in the book was about Manny's "Tingy." Can't decide if "Ploopy" is a compliment or not? Don't know what a "Tingy" is? Well, I guess you'll have to pick up the book.(less)
Great actual message at the end. Even when you think there is no point... there actually is. The story has humor that fifth graders get, but might b...moreGreat actual message at the end. Even when you think there is no point... there actually is. The story has humor that fifth graders get, but might be even more appropriate for 6th grade. Good for my Holiday book collection.(less)
Loading...
