upper elementary | Page 2 of 2

The Weeping Tide, misfires in its second entry in the Wilderlore series

Sometimes I co-teach a lesson on fantasy reading. It’s good to experience it from this perspective because it reminds me what separates the good from the great; as well as those that didn’t measure up to the levels of their predecessor. The Accidental Apprentice was the first book in the Wilderlore series, which we were big fans of. The Weeping Tide is the second book in the series and as the name and cover image would imply, it mainly takes place around the water. This is where our fantasy lesson planning came in, because I was reminded that fantasy books typically have a large number of characters.

The Weeping Tide is the second book in the Wilderlore series that slows down the story with longer chapters and drama that mglit fans might not dig.

The second verse is not the same as the first

Prisoners of Geography, natural barriers shape our world for ages 9 and up

I mentioned the phrase prisoners of geography to a group of fifth-grade students in social studies one day. At the time we were learning about the westward expansion of the United States, specifically, how impactful it was when The Louisiana Purchase opened up that massive area. When I used that phrase the term ‘prisoners’ and ‘geography’ threw them for a loop and immediately led to the things that fifth-grade students will say. I quickly told them that it wasn’t an incarceration, rather the term meant that people and countries are largely defined by the physical boundaries that surround them. Prisoners of Geography, Our World Explained in 12 Simple Maps is not your average world book. This is a very smart book that leads to questions, answers and an actual discussion about what’s happening in our world and why things have happened.

Prisoners of Geography is the illustrated young readers edition of the international bestseller. It’s fun, educational and a go-to STEM for ages 9 and up.

Maps and stats to make ages 9 and up curious and talkative

The Monsters of Rookhaven, odd, a little evil and great for ages 9 and up

A great heel makes the difference in stories that entertain, vs. those that flounder. It’s especially true in wrestling, as well as, literature. If the heel isn’t a strong one then the audience can be hopeful that it moves along quickly; with the vestiges of said plot point withering away due to its lack of spandex or words. The Monsters of Rookhaven is mglit that runs from the first page. It’s brilliantly weird, fun to read and feels familiar enough to bring in reluctant readers, while being different enough to satisfy those who need something new.

The Monsters of Brookhaven is mglit with an excellent villain, beautiful mystery and monsters that do exactly what a 9-year-old wants them to do.

upper elementary spooks, monsters and dread-with a side order of feelings

The Stories Behind The Stories, more than just history for book wonks

Back in the day, there was something on MTV or VH1 known as “a can’t miss show on cable”. Behind The Music took a look at the history of musical groups or artists and managed to do it with such an addictive flair that the Surgeon General should’ve issued warnings before the program. The Stories Behind The Stories is a book that looks at the things that inspired authors who’ve written some of the classic children’s books that people know today.

The Stories Behind The Stories looks at the people and events that created some of the children’s books that every kid in elementary school know.

It’s the worm that feeds young book worms or curious kids

Alien Superstar #3, Hollywood Vs. The Galaxy crash lands the finale

Alien Superstar is an engaging upper-elementary through middle school book series. The first book in the series was fresh, exciting, funny and quite fabulous. Book #2 in the series, Lights, Camera, Danger! had its moments and opened up a larger threat to the alien who crash-landed on a Hollywood backlot. Hollywood Vs. The Galaxy is the final book in the series and while it doesn’t land with a complete thud, it’s a shadow of how clever and original the first book was.

Alien Superstar: Hollywood Vs. The Galaxy is the third and final book in this series that started out excellent, but has ended with a groan.

A trilogy is not always necessary, say it with me now

Soccer Trophy Mystery, intelligent, chapter book that respects its readers

Assuming that a chapter book is based in the world of realistic fiction, and it isn’t a humor book, middle to upper-elementary school readers can smell schmaltz from a mile away. This isn’t the good variety either. This is the smelly, faux-earnest, lesson learning aroma that has the power to drive audiences away just as the DJ parts the crowds when they play a slow song at the sixth-grade dance. That was one of the things that readers will immediately recognize, and appreciate about Soccer Trophy Mystery. It’s devoid of any overt lessons that adults might want to teach and tells a believable story, complete with enough sports talk to weave in certain audiences.

Soccer Trophy Mystery is a smart chapter book that brings in sports fans to a well crafted book, or turns mglit fans onto a team sport.

A Soccer Trophy that bridges to kids that don’t dig sports

Unicorn Island, a mid-elementary action horned reader

I’m at the beach, reading a book for mid- elementary-aged and up students about unicorns. Shouldn’t I be putting my feet in the sand, walking, and looking for shells or something? Instead, I’m under an umbrella, willingly reading Unicorn Island, and enjoying it immensely. I could speed read it, but I’m taking my time reading the book, digging into the vivid descriptions and adventure that Sam is experiencing in Foggy Harbor.

A ‘unicorn’ book with adventure and intrigue

I Survived The Sinking of The Titanic 1912, the graphic novel sails strong

If your elementary school is anything like ours then the I Survived series of books by Lauren Tarshis is a hot commodity. The stories blend non-fiction events as they would’ve been viewed by a kid who lived through them. Educators love the books because they engage kids with non-fiction elements and kids love them because they have characters that they can relate to. Until now, the I Survived series have been books with a couple of illustrations. This graphic novel, by definition, is going to speak to that audience that likes things in a more visual format.

The I Survived books brings their excellence to a new graphic novel audience