I Survived

This is a series I have been curious about for awhile now.  I've had lots of kids come into my store asking for these books.  Pompeii is the newest installment.  I believe it just came out this week.  They don't have to be read in order (this is book #10) because each title takes place in a different historical period with different characters.  I rather enjoyed this book.  I think this series would be great for reluctant readers.  They are short, barely over 100 pages, and include a lot of history.  This is the only one I have read, so I can't speak for the others, but it was fast-paced and to the point.  It briefly covered the few days leading up the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and then the actual eruption and attempted evacuation.  There are illustrations to help break up the words, for those who need that.  This series is probably about a fourth grade reading level, maybe even late third grade.  It is scholastic, so the actually reading level should be on the back of the book.  I read a digital copy, so the information wasn't included.  Like I said, the book was a lot of fun and inspired me to do a little further research on the event.  That is exactly what the author hopes for.  Kids who are at all interested in historical events, or enjoy some good danger and action, this series would be perfect.  They all cover events that are known for the death and destruction factor, but focus on surviving that event.  I can say that I do in fact recommend this series.  Give it a try.  Happy reading!

Eerie Elementary

I received a PDF version of this book from the publisher.  I'd heard about Scholastic's newish Branches line of books for emergent readers and wanted to give it a try.  Eerie Elementary is a new series recently introduced.  The School is Alive! is the first book (it comes out June 24th).  This book is meant for kids who are ready to start chapter books, but who are not quite ready for a full beginning chapter book.  I love this new Branches program.  I think it is perfect to help readers reach that next level.  I only wish they started this years ago.  It may just save your reluctant reader.  While this is not the only Branches book available, this is the one I am going to talk about.  If it doesn't interest you, try out a different title for your new reader.  They have lots of pictures to accompany the story.  I guess you could compare this to Goosebumps in a way.  It is not for the faint of heart or easily scared.  After all, as the title suggests, the school is alive.  When Sam Graves is named the new Hall Monitor, he is reluctant and even embarrassed to don the sash.  He soon learns that his job is more than making sure kids go to class.  It is up to him to save everyone from the school itself.  You see, the school is hungry and Sam must use all his wits to keep the school from eating his friends.  This is a very fun story.  It introduces the school and Sam's new role as protector.  I think it is a wonderful introduction to a promising new series.  Book two, The Locker Ate Lucy! comes out later this summer.  I'm definitely going to check out some other Branches titles and start reading them to my little girl.  She isn't ready to read herself, but she is too young to sit still and pay attention to chapter books.  Since basically every page has an illustration on it, I think this is the perfect gateway into exploring longer stories with her.  Pick up a Branches book for your family today (and no, I have nothing to do with Scholastic and am not getting paid to endorse their program.  I wish!).  Happy reading!

The Kids of the Polk Street School

When I was a kid, I was not a huge fan of reading.  There were many other things I would have rather done with my time.  I don't think it was really until high school that I began to develop a passion for books.  However, there are books I remember loving as a child.  Most of them were read to me by my mother.  She would read to us on road trips or gather us around to read a chapter or two a night.  While I enjoyed a good story--who doesn't--it took a long time for me to seek them out to read myself.  While I don't remember being fond of reading, I do remember one series that I absolutely adored.  The Kids of the Polk Street School was the first series that sparked my love of reading.  I remember anxiously awaiting the release of the next volume (I think there are 16, although I'm not sure I have read all of them).  The author also wrote four mystery stories, as companions to the main series.  I believe they have been reprinted and added to another series now (Polka Dot Private Eye).  These are the only books I ever remember going to the store and buying.  We always had lots of books, so obviously there were other trips to the bookstore, but for whatever reason these are the only ones I can recall going for.  I just loved them.  I commandeered them from my mother's house a handful of years ago, because I just had to have them.  They have been reprinted since my childhood, but I prefer the original artwork.  I may have to buy some, since a few either went missing in my youth, or I never owned all of them to begin with.  Either way they are keepers.  Unfortunately, they are old enough you won't be able to find them on the shelves of your local bookstore.  They can, however, be ordered.  Also, your library should have them if you are interested in checking them out.  When my daughter gets older, I fully plan on reading them to her and hope she loves them as much as I did.  If you have any reluctant readers in your family, don't give up hope.  There is a book or series out there that will spark their interest.  The rest is history.  Happy reading!