Finding the Titanic. Q.

Ballard, Robert D. Finding the Titanic. Q. 1993.

A more complex book about the Titanic than others. The book alternates between a historical narrative following one twelve-year-old girl exploring and then escaping the ship and a discovery narrative closely following the archaeological team. Kids who are interested probably have outside knowledge from more recent books. Illustrated with detailed paintings as well as period photographs and photographs of the archaeological process. Chapters are 6-10 pages long.

TAGS: Nonfiction, chapter, ships, titanic, history, transportation, shipwrecks, disasters, archaeology, movie, q

James & the Giant Peach. Q.

INFO: Dahl, Roald. James & the Giant Peach. Q. 1961.

DESC: James, orphaned by an enormous angry rhino, has to live with his terrible aunts Spiker and Sponge—until he accidentally drops magical glowing seeds at the roots of an old, dead peach tree.  When the magic causes the tree to grow one giant peach, James escapes his old life with the motley crew of giant bugs who live inside. Lots of kiddos have seen the movie; current school edition has tied-in illustrations. Chapters are 2-3 pages long.

TAGS: movie, adventure, chapter, bugs, magic, fantasy, weird names, weird bugs, Q, fiction, finland elementary, classics

James & the Giant Peach. Q.

INFO: Dahl, Roald. James & the Giant Peach. Q. 1961.

DESC: James, orphaned by an enormous angry rhino, has to live with his terrible aunts Spiker and Sponge—until he accidentally drops magical glowing seeds at the roots of an old, dead peach tree.  When the magic causes the tree to grow one giant peach, James escapes his old life with the motley crew of giant bugs who live inside. Lots of kiddos have seen the movie; current school edition has tied-in illustrations. Chapters are 2-3 pages long.

TAGS: movie, adventure, chapter, bugs, magic, fantasy, weird names, weird bugs, Q, fiction, finland elementary, classics

Fudge-A-Mania. Q.

INFO: Blume, Judy. Fudge-A-Mania. Q. 1990.

DESC: Fudge-a-Mania continues the annoying-yet-loveable (or loveable-yet-annoying, depending on who you are) dynamo of Fudge, Peter, and Sheila Tubman, but with a few dramatic twists: Fudge is marrying Sheila. And, oh yeah: the whole lot is carting up to Maine for summer vacation, and living in a duplex together. Let me spell that out once more: t-o-g-e-t-h-e-r. With a delightful supporting cast of Hatcher and Tubman relatives (like Peter’s grandma, and the delightfully off-beat Buzzy Senior … who just might have a thing going themselves!) and the ever-indefatigable Uncle Feather, adventure – and an airtight reading experience – is certainly in store.

TAGS: judy blume, classics, fudge, sheila tubman, summer vacation, maine, kids getting married, shenanigans, adventure, sibling rivalry, younger brothers, TOTAL CHAOS, hilarious, or annoying, Q, fiction, chapter, summer books

Howliday Inn. Q/R.

INFO: Howe, James. Howliday Inn. Q/R. 1982.

DESC: In Howe’s solo return (R.I.P., Deborah!) to the characters and plotlines that haunted the perennially-beloved Bunnicula, we again see Howard, humble narrator, pitching a finished manuscript to his bemused human editor. This time, Howard shares the tale of the time the Monroe family left on vacation, and made the fateful decision to board our favorite cat and dog at the deceptively fancy-sounding Chateau Bow-Wow. Harold and Chester quickly realize that their kennel is far from ordinary! The real gem in Howliday Inn, as with Bunnicula, is Harold and Chester’s complicated relationship, and Howe’s genius portrayal of their very different – and very compelling – personalities. Also noteworthy is the amount of awesome vocabulary that Howe’s Bunnicula books deliver – you might want to have your kiddos have their notebooks ready, because they’ll be in for a treat (and, thanks to erudite Chester and Harold, a whole new lease on the English language!)

TAGS: animals, mysteries, detective stories, animal mysteries, spooky stories, scary, haunted houses, bunnicula, really smart household pets, problem-solving, clues, classics, Q/R, fiction, chapter, popular

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. Q.

INFO: Scieska, Jon. The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. Q. 1989

DESC: The The Little Pigs story as told from the point of view of the wold.

TAGS: East Franklin, Q, compare/contrast, fairy tales, fiction, Level Q, Quebec

The World’s Best Dog Walker. Q.

INFO: Zolman, Pam. The World’s Best Dog Walker. Q. 2000

DESC: Girl decides to earn money for a new bike by walking dogs. Of course she has various troubles with different dogs. Her best friend who wanted nothing to do with this pursuit comes to her rescue in the end.

TAGS: East Franklin, Q, friendship, jobs, dogs, realistic fiction, Level Q, Quebec

Five Brave Explorers. Q.

INFO: Hudson, Wade. Five Brave Explorers. Q. 1995

DESC: Introduction to five African American explorers spanning from 1500-1991.

TAGS: East Franklin, Q, heroes, African Americans, explorers, non-fiction, Level Q, Quebec

The Hidden Cave. Q.

INFO: Harryman, William. The Hidden Cave. Q. 2006

DESC: A hike in the mountains turns into an adventure. Several interesting facts about caves are inserted into the story.

TAGS: East Franklin, Q, caves, safety, realistic fiction, Level Q, Quebec

Taste Bus Travels. Q.

INFO: Parsons, John. Taste Bus Travels. Q. 2006

DESC: Find out where many of our foods come from and why they are cooked the way they are.

TAGS: East Franklin, Q, food, travel, maps, nutrition, non-fiction, level Q, Quebec