Review of Gossamer by Lois Lowry

This month's Massachusetts Book Awards Book Club met to talk about Gossamer and to eat snacks! The book earned an average of 4 stars from the 5 kids who attended. Katie asked: What do you think of the idea of dream-givers as an explanation of how we dream? Brendan thinks that is "kind of creepy."

Riding Fuji by Nataniah Cagan

One day last spring in the afternoon in Vermont, I went horseback riding with my dad. While we were driving to the place where we were going, I felt very excited inside...but not on the outside because I had never been on a horse before and I was a little afraid. When we got to the barn, the people introduced me and my dad to the horses we were going to ride. My horse's name was Fuji, and my dad's horse was named Lucka.

I had to stand on an old tree stump so I can get on Fuji. At first I was scared of her. Then my dad got on Lucka and we both smiled. My dad had to steer Lucka, but I did not steer Fuji because I was too little. I had to have a rope between me and the trail guide. My three year old sister and mom were there too, but they were sitting on a nice cozy swing.

We started to move. It was very bumpy. First we went down a big hill. Then my dad and I and the trail guide stopped suddenly! Then we started riding again, and then we came to an open space with lots of grass and pretty flowers. I was so amazed! We kept going through the open space until finally the trail guide said, "Let me take you and your horse's pictures."

My mom had left her camera with the trail guide. The trail guide got off her horse Sugar, and let go of the rope that held the two horses together. She took the pictures and got back on her horse. Then we started moving again.

After a couple of minutes we came to a stream that had a bridge over it. It was for the horses so they could get water. First we had to hold on to the reins tightly and bend down a little so the horses would get water. My dad and Amanda (the trail guide) had to do the same thing. After about five minutes we started to move back to the barn. Amanda let go of the rope and I went up a hill all by myself. My mom was very happy, and I was too!

About the Author:
Nataniah Cagan is eight years old. She is a third grade student at the Downey School, and lives in Westwood, Massachusetts. Nataniah's favorite author is Roald Dahl.

Riding Fuji was published in the Winter 2009 issue of Hutch Magazine.

Children's literary magazine Hutch

The Blue Bunny in Dedham, MA, is now publishing a semi-annual children's literary magazine, Hutch. Author and illustrator Peter Reynolds is the creative editor, and the senior editor is Nancy Marsh. If you are interested in submitting your writing or artwork to Hutch, visit the website for more info. http://www.dedhambluebunny.com/hutch/index.html

Islington Branch November Grades 4 - 5 Book Share

Here is the list of books recommended at the latest Book Share:

Katie:
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
The Tail of Emily Windsnap (1st in the Emily Windsnap Series) by Liz Kessler

Tommy:
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Cameron:
Gregor and the Marks of Secret (4th in the Underland Chronicles series) by Suzanne Collins
Gregor the Overlander (1st in series)
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (2nd in series)
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods (3rd in series)

Vivian:
Dealing with Dragons (1st in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles series) by Patricia Wrede

Elizabeth:
Among the Hidden and Among the Imposters (1st and 2nd in the Shadow Children sequence) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

Kylie:
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
Ladies First (non-fiction) by Ken Rappoport

Nicole:
Warriors: Into the Wild (1st in the Warriors series) by Erin Hunter

Claire:
The Sherlock Files by Tracy Barrett

Hildi:
Schooled by Gordon Korman

Young Readers Book Club Book Reviews

Here are the latest reviews from the Islington Branch Young Readers Book Club!

Oliver and Amanda: Amanda Pig, First Grader by Jean Van Leeuwen
This book is about Amanda Pig going to first grade. She has a best friend named Lollipop. Her brother’s name is Oliver and her teacher’s name is Ms. Mary Ann Pig. She rides the bus to school. She was very excited about school. She was scared she wouldn’t find her classroom, and of the older pigs in school. She finds all of her classes. She doesn’t get teased by the older pigs. She learns something in first grade. Read this book and find out what Amanda Pig learns in first grade. Review by Laura E., Grade 2



Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night by Cynthia Rylant
Henry and Mudge were going camping on a camping trip with Henry’s mom and dad. Henry’s mom knew a lot about camping. His father knew how to play the guitar. He would play at night and the mom would build a fire. She would put the pots over the fire to cook. Henry told Mudge they would see a bunch of different animals. They saw a fish jump, a doe and her fawn. They were looking for a spot to camp. Mudge found a trail with red x’s. This was where they were going to camp. They found the Big and Little Dipper. Henry’s dad said “look at E.T.” Read this book to find out what kind of campers Henry and Mudge are. Review by Katherine K., Grade 2

Poppy by Avi
The book I read is called Poppy. Poppy is a dear mouse. In a big oak tree without a top lives an owl named Mr. Ocax. Poppy and her family think Mr. Ocax catches porcupines for them but he really doesn’t. He is scared of the porcupines. One day Poppy and her friend Ragweed are out on a big hill. They were supposed to ask permission from Mr. Ocax. But Ragweed doesn’t think it is necessary. So Mr. Ocax sees them and he comes and grabs Ragweed and eats him. One day Poppy and her family want to move to a different house because they are running out of food. Then Poppy wants to find out why Mr Ocax doesn’t want them to move to a different house. If you want to find out more about this book, I would recommend you read it. Review by Nataniah C., Grade 3

Fashion Kitty by Charise Mericle Harper
This book is about a family of cats who have a pet mouse named Mousey. On Kiki’s birthday a bunch of fashion magazines fall on her head. She bumps into her sister and her sister falls into Kiki’s cake. Kiki flies out the door and you will have to read the book to find out what happens to Kiki. Review by Allison M., Grade 3

Wake Up Storytime at the Islington Branch Library

Come to the Wake Up Storytime Saturday, December 6, from 10:30 - 11:00 at the Islington Branch Library. All childrens age 3 and up and their families are welcome!

Year in Review

Calling all second through fifth graders! The Islington Branch Library is compiling Book Reviews for our very own “Year in Review”. This is your chance to share a favorite book to be included in our booklet and posted on the Westwood Public Library website! What to do? Take a “Year in Review” form from the Islington Library, fill it out and return it to the Islington library. By when? Complete and return the review by Thursday, December 18th, 2008. Remember to include the major characters, setting, plot (without giving away the ending), genre, and what you liked most about the book. Have fun!

November MA Book Awards Book Club Meeting

Review of Shakespeare's Secret by Elise Broach

This month's Massachusetts Book Awards Book Club met to talk about Shakespeare's Secret and to eat snacks! Here are the group's comments:

Emma- "I liked how Hero and Mrs. Roth became good friends"

Brendan - "This book was a rigamarole of mystery and chance"

Joe - "If you like history, this book is for you!"

Liz - "Hero is a good character and her and Danny really made the story believable"

Brandon - "This story was full of coincidence"

Vanessa - "This book was a thrilling pageturner"

Sounds like they enjoyed it!

The next meeting is December 15 and the book is Gossamer by Lois Lowry. New members welcome!

Ranger's Apprentice Book Four: The Battle for Skandia by John Flanagan

This book was about a ranger Will and a Princess named Evelyn that try to escape from the land of Skandia. However they get caught up in a battle between the Skandians and the Temujai warriors. During these moments the battle looks hopeless and where the battle seems won. Read this book to find out who wins and feel the thrilling moments that happen in this book. Alexander L.

More Summer Book Reviews

Civil War on Sunday by Mary Pope
Osborne I don't like this book because
all it talked about
is a war. Becky W.

Miss Daisy is Crazy by Dan Gutman
I like Miss Daisy because she does not know anything. Becky W.



Mystery Isle by Judith St. George
Good so far, but sometimes I get bored, and I'm only on page 46. Carley S.

Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

One of the best books I have ever read. I recommend it to any girl going into 5th grade or older. I can't wait to read the other 12 books in the series.

Carley S.

Mayflower Treasure Hunt by Ron Roy

It was a great book. A necklace has been lost for centuries. Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose are visiting Plymouth Plantation. They find the necklace and try to give it back to who it belongs to. Believe it or not there is someone after the necklace. I'll leave it to you to find out who took it.

Jonathan M.

George Washington and the General's Dog by Frank Murphy

It was funny how George Washington when he won the war everybody sent him presents. They sent him hogs, and seven more dogs. They sent him goats. They sent him 2 horses. He was very, very, very happy! He loved all his animals and I'll leave you to find out about the exciting mystery of the missing dog.

Jonathan M.

Summer Book Reviews

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil. E. Franweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
I love the book. It's really interesting and exciting. Briana H.

A Day with No Crayons by Elizabeth Rusch
I liked the book. Chloe H.

Party Princess by Meg Cabot
Great book. Love it. Carley S.

Review and reactions to The Sacrifice

The kids at last month's Massachusetts Book Awards Book Club gave The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. They reported that the book was fun, and at the meeting they had snacks!

Katie posed the question to the group: If you were accused of being a witch, and you only had three choices, what would you do?
1. Deny it all and condemn yourself to hang, because you would be unable to prove the accusations untrue.
2. Speak, and admit to being a witch, and return to prison.
3. Or speak and say that you were following another's instructions, and in accusing someone else, free yourself.

6 out of 6 book club members said they would accuse someone
else in order to free themselves! And not only that, they were
ready with names of people to accuse!

Enter national reading and writing contest: Letters About Literature

Students in grades 4 through 12 are invited to enter a national reading-writing contest called Letters about Literature. The contest is sponsored by The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in partnership with Target Stores and in cooperation with affiliate state centers for the book. To enter, readers write a personal letter to an author in any genre --fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic. The author can be living or dead. The letter should explain how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or themselves. There are three competition levels: Level I for children in grades 4 through 6; Level II for grades 7 and 8, and Level III for grades 9 - 12. The winners will be announced in the spring of next year, and will receive cash awards at the national and state levels. Visit the website: Letters About Literature for official guidelines, rules, and entry coupon. The next contest begins this month. Good luck!

Another great Halloween parade!

Here are some of the librarians' costumes from this year's parade

Annual Halloween Storytime and Parade

Here are some of our costumes from last year!

Come to this year's Halloween storytime and parade Tuesday, October 28 at 10:30 am.

Wear your costumes and bring your camera!

New Books Available

Brisingr, the new Paolini book, is available. Put in your request for the sequel to Eragon and Eldest.

Also, we just got our copies of Inkdeath, so put your requests in now!

Summer Reading a Huge Success

Our summer readers raised $1150 for the Readers to the Rescue Program! We were able to rescue a gorilla and a giraffe at the Franklin Park Zoo. Thanks to all of you readers!

Massachusetts Book Award Book Club

The book club selection for October is The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble. Come to the next meeting of the book club on October 20 at 7:00 and talk about the book with us. We'll have food, too!

Author Stephen Krensky Comes to the Westwood Library

Stephen Krensky, author of over 100 children's books, will visit the Westwood Library on Tuesday, October 14 at 7:00 to discuss his experience as a writer of nonfiction books. Books will be available for purchasing and signing. This author visit is funded by the Westwood Young Women's Club.