The Flip Side by Shawn Johnson

From Goodreads,

"Charlie Ryland has a secret.

She may seem like your average high school sophomore—but she’s just really good at pretending.

Because outside of school Charlie spends all her waking hours training to become one of the best gymnasts in the world. And it’s not easy flying under the radar when you’re aiming for Olympic gold…especially when an irresistible guy comes along and threatens to throw your whole world off balance."


Goodreads - The Flip Side

I've always wanted to be able to fly and glide through the air with no hesitations or fears.  I never took gymnastics, although I wish I had learned how to at least do a cartwheel.  I remember following Shawn Johnson during her time at the summer Olympics in 2008.  When she published her first book, Winning Balance: What I've Learned So Far about Love, Faith, and Living Your Dreams I was beyond excited to get my hands on it and read about this Olympian.  I enjoyed the book, and when I heard she had published a fiction book about gymnastics I was even more excited than when her first book was published.

This book follows Charlie and her dreams of becoming an Olympic gymnast.  Charlie made the decision to live a normal life that was completely separate from her gymnastics life.  She had different circles of friends, kept her schedules separate, and even went by two different names.  The book was based on the premise of Charlie trying to juggle her hectic normal life and her prestigious gymnastics life.

It took a lot for me to really get into this book.  I found it hard to fall in love with Charlie/Charlotte.  I had nothing in common with the main character, and I think that was part of my disconnection with Charlie.  I did like that Charlie/Charlotte was willing to do whatever it took to make both of her lives work.  She juggled boys and her classwork and she juggled her elite training schedule.  I think that she really showed determination and the desire to reach her goals.  I think a lot of girls, especially gymnasts, would look up to Charlie because she tries to balance both aspects of her life to stay as normal as possible and to still reach her Olympic goals.  Her hectic schedule also allowed us to see what kind of time and dedication is put into being an Olympic gymnast.  Charlie gave us a really good look into what gymnastics is like.

I didn't like how the book ended with the epilogue.  I wanted (and still want) there to be a second book that continues Charlie's journey and how she managed to continue juggling with everything on her plate.  I just felt that Shawn Johnson left room for a second book to be written if she truly desired...which I would love.

The book wasn't as good as her first book, but it was still good.  This book didn't grab my attention and hold me which makes me give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.  It would have earned 4 stars if I wouldn't have had to force myself to sit down and finish it.

Hound Dog True by Linda Urban

From Goodreads,

"A story about small acts of courage from the author of A Crooked Kind of Perfect.

Do not let a mop sit overnight in water. Fix things before they get too big for fixing. Custodial wisdom: Mattie Breen writes it all down. She has just one week to convince Uncle Potluck to take her on as his custodial apprentice at Mitchell P. Anderson Elementary School. One week until school starts and she has to be the new girl again. But if she can be Uncle Potluck’s apprentice, she’ll have important work to do during lunch and recess. Work that will keep her safely away from the other fifth graders. But when her custodial wisdom goes all wrong, Mattie’s plan comes crashing down. And only then does she begin to see how one small, brave act can lead to a friend who is hound dog true."

Goodreads - Hound Dog True

I try to read a good amount of books that might interest my fourth graders.  I want to be able to tell them a good book if they come asking for a mystery or one that will make them laugh.  I saw this book on Scholastic, but didn't want to spend the money on the book.  Instead I was able to purchase this book at a thrift store for a couple of dollars.  I finished reading this book while I was at school working at our after school program.  My kids that were in the room at that time were inquiring about what the book was about and if they would like it.  What started as a simple conversation ended up with me trying to get each of my students set up with a book that I thought would interest them.

This book is about Mattie Breen who has moved from place to place thanks to her mother and her saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."  She finally finds herself living in her mother's childhood home alongside her Uncle Potluck and a neighbor.  She tries to learn how to manage a new school, new friends, a new home, and all the other challenges that come with being in the fifth grade.

I didn't really enjoy this book, but it did have an important message of the value of friendship and trust.  Mattie always seemed to lack friends due to their constant moving around.  I think it was very important for Mattie to find a friend that she could laugh and have fun with.  In the story Mattie didn't want to be friends with Quincy Sweet because she thought she lacked important friend qualities.  Throughout the book Mattie learns to trust Quincy.  It is important for students to understand that there are lots of people around them who are friendship material and that they can trust these people.

Other than the friendship and trust quality, this book was very bland to me.  There wasn't a lot going on in the book and the book itself lacked excitement and depth.  I enjoy dimensional books that keep me engaged and turning the pages.  I understand that it may have lacked depth because it is geared toward younger students.  Students might not be able to understand a book with such depth, but they also may not enjoy a book that lacks excitement.

I recommended this book to one of my students.  She was excited to read it, which means that my enjoyment of books is being passed on to my students.  She did ask what I thought of the book, to which I told her that I didn't really like it all that much, but I wanted her to read it so we could discuss it.  I give this book 2 out of 5 stars.  This book was boring and I felt like the chapters kept dragging on and on.  Hopefully my student will enjoy this book and will give it a fair review.

Save Me A Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

From Goodreads,

"Joe and Ravi might be from very different places, but they're both stuck in the same place: SCHOOL.

Joe's lived in the same town all his life, and was doing just fine until his best friends moved away and left him on his own.

Ravi's family just moved to America from India, and he's finding it pretty hard to figure out where he fits in.

Joe and Ravi don't think they have anything in common -- but soon enough they have a common enemy (the biggest bully in their class) and a common mission: to take control of their lives over the course of a single crazy week."

Goodreads - Save Me A Seat

I will plead guilty and state that I absolutely judge books by their covers.  I mean, the cover has at least something to do with the story itself, so why not go ahead and judge it just a little.  I thought this book would be about two boys who become friends due to sitting at lunch together and they eventually start using the phrase, "Save me a seat."  This was not the case.  This book is about two boys, Joe and Ravi, who are stuck in predicaments during the first week of school.  Their lives are totally different from one another, but they have a common denominator in their life: Dillon the bully.  Both boys are dealing with the bully who is tormenting their lives.  As the book progresses we see how their lives are starting to intertwine with each other and how they will eventually work together to outwit Dillon.

I really enjoyed the way this book was written.  The authors each took a character in the book and they took turns writing back and forth.  This gave each character his own unique voice in the story.  I loved how this book was set up with the day progressions marked by what was on the lunch menu for the day.  It really showed how this took place in a weeks span and not over the course of a month.  I also loved how both students came to find themselves throughout the book and that they were able to showcase this at school through an assignment.  The class was supposed to bring an item that represented them and they were supposed to write a sentence on a notecard that went along with their item.  I think this is a brilliant way to get to know your students and get to know what is important or valuable to them.  By the end of the book both students had found out who they were, what they stood for, and what kind of friend they wanted to be.

While this book was amazing, it did have the downfall of the teacher.  I'm a teacher myself and I judged the teacher in this book hardcore.  She mispronounced Ravi's name at the beginning and brushed it off like it was no big deal.  I would be furious if someone mispronounced my name and didn't take the time to try to make an effort to pronounce it correctly.  She could have shown a little more try in that situation.  Also, she couldn't understand Ravi so she just sent him to resource.  I felt like she didn't want to deal with it so she just said he had problems understanding and speaking so he could go to resource.  When I get a new student I want them to be in my room for a solid week or two so that I can get to know them and how they function in my class.  That is crucial time for me to see what they are capable of doing and if they are going to need additional help such as resource or if they are beyond capable and need to be in an enriched learning program.  That teacher also didn't handle the bullying situation as she should have.  The trend of teachers not handling bullying has been something I've seen in a LOT of books over the past few months and it is very unsettling.  Authors make it seem that teachers NEVER do anything about bullying, and that isn't the case.  Teachers work hard to make sure each child is safe, secure, and happy.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.  I thought the book was very good and interesting.  It had just enough chapters that weren't too short or too long.  I think middle school students would really enjoy this book.

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley

From Goodreads,

"“Lily and the Octopus is the dog book you must read this summer…a profound experience.” —The Washington Post

Combining the emotional depth of The Art of Racing in the Rainwith the magical spirit of The Life of Pi, Lily and the Octopus is an epic adventure of the heart.

When you sit down with Lily and the Octopus, you will be taken on an unforgettable ride.

The magic of this novel is in the read, and we don’t want to spoil it by giving away too many details.

We can tell you that this is a story about that special someone: the one you trust, the one you can’t live without.

For Ted Flask, that someone special is his aging companion Lily, who happens to be a dog.

Lily and the Octopus reminds us how it feels to love fiercely, how difficult it can be to let go, and how the fight for those we love is the greatest fight of all.

Remember the last book you told someone they had to read?

Lily and the Octopus is the next one."

Goodreads - Lily and the Octopus

The hardest part of living on campus during college was having to leave my dog behind.  It was also very difficult for me to officially move out of my parents house and into my own house because I knew that I would be seeing George, our English Bulldog, less and less.  This of course is heartbreaking to me because I know he is well into his golden years and he is considered old for an English Bulldog.  So naturally when I saw this book and realized it was about a man and his relationship with his dog, I was sold on reading it.  I kept putting it off because I knew this book would more than likely be sad.  I eventually worked up the time and courage to read this book, no matter the emotional roller coaster I would go on.

This book is about Ted Flask and his dog named Lily.  One day he notices that Lily has a bump on her head, and he soon dubs this bump as an octopus.  Throughout the book we see Ted struggle to accept what Lily's fate is and what he must eventually do.  Ted shares all of his adventures and stories that Lily has helped shape and create.  We learn how they met, how they bonded, all the little names he calls her, and the strength of their relationship.

This book was a pure work of art.  It was amazing to read a fictional story of a man and his dog and the strength of their relationship.  Nobody will ever understand the bond that exists between a dog and its owner.  This book allowed a glimpse into what the joys of having a dog are.  This book made my heart ache for my own dog, and every time I read this book I wanted to rush to my parents house so I could hold him.  I loved how real the book was and the emotions that were present throughout.  From the beginning I knew what the ending would be, but I was still just as heartbroken and upset when the time finally came for Ted to make the final decision with Lily.  My fourth graders kept inquiring if I had finished the book (I keep a poster in my room that states what book I'm reading.)  I finally told them I would finish it over the weekend.  I sat down and read the rest of the book.  It was about 4 AM when I finally reached the saddest part of the book.  I sat in my bed, drinking chocolate milk, crying like a baby.  I cried for a good 15 minutes before I was able to pull my life together and finish reading.  This was such a heart wrenching book that will tug at all your heartstrings.

The only downfall I had with this book is that Rowley gave Lily a voice.  I didn't like that Lily, the dog, would share her thoughts and excitement about things.  It made the book a little less realistic, and made Ted seem a little bit crazy for thinking his dog was talking to him.  My students wanted me to read this to them, but it is not suitable for children.  It has some choice language and makes multiple references to Ted and his boyfriends of past.

I really connected with this book because my dog George has a knot on his head that has been there since he was a puppy.  Recently his knot has gotten a little bigger and developed two smaller ones next to it.  I now constantly refer to his knots as his octopus.  This book deserves 5 stars even though it made me bawl like a baby.  If you have a dog, I recommend you read this.  It will make you love your dog just a little bit more than you already do.

Connect The Stars by Marisa de los Santos and David Teague

From Goodreads,

"From Saving Lucas Biggs authors Marisa de los Santos and David Teague comes another heartwarming middle grade adventure about two misfits who discover the importance of just being themselves.

When thirteen-year-olds Aaron and Audrey meet at a wilderness camp in the desert, they think their quirks are enough to prevent them from ever having friends. But as they trek through the challenging and unforgiving landscape, they learn that they each have what it takes to make the other whole. 

Luminous and clever, Connect the Stars has Marisa de los Santos and David Teague’s trademark beautiful prose, delicate humor, swooping emotions, and keen middle grade friendships. This novel takes on the hefty topics of the day—bullying, understanding where you fit in, and learning to live with physical and mental challenges—all in a joyous adventure kids will love!"

Goodreads - Connect The Stars

I purchased this book through Scholastic and the brief summary that was given was a little misleading.  I expected this book to be about kids who went camping in the woods, got lost, and had to use their brains to figure out how to survive.  That was not the case.  This book is about Audrey and Aaron who both have "super powers".  Audrey is able to tell when someone is lying and Aaron is able to recall any piece of information that he has ever read, seen, or heard.  Both of these kids get into a bit of a pickle at the beginning of the book and they in turn are sent to a survival camp in the middle of the desert.  While they are simply trying to survive, they come to find friends that will help them make it through the summer.

This book was amazing.  I loved that there were two main characters with lots of supporting characters.  I felt that I was able to stay connected and relate to at least one of the characters throughout the book.  I connected with Audrey because I hate liars and I hate when people lie to me, even if they do lie just to spare my feelings.  I also connected with Randolph a little bit in the fact that he was just trying to fit in with the group and trying to be liked.  I sometimes feel that way myself when I'm around people I don't really know.  The characters had enough complexity to them to make them seem realistic, but they also didn't have extremely elaborate back stories.  I also really enjoyed that the characters grew throughout the book.  I enjoyed seeing them conquer their fears and troubles.  This has a huge theme of finding yourself and accepting what you can't change.  This book definitely sends the message that we can't all be perfect and that it takes all kinds to make the world go round.  If a student was in a tough spot in life or having some trouble at home, I would highly recommend this book.

I do however, wish that there had been dates or timestamps included.  With life and death on the line, I enjoy seeing the timeline progress as the campers worked to survive the wilderness.  I also felt that there could have been a little more of a transition at the beginning when the kids went from home to camp and a little more transition at the end when the kids left camp and returned home.  I felt like the authors knew they had to conclude the book in a certain amount of pages and they had to cut the ending short.  The only other downfall (and the reason I can't put it in my 4th grade classroom) is that there were a few choice words throughout the book.  I would definitely read it before sticking it in my school or classroom library.

I would love to known if Marisa de los Santos and David Teague took turns writing the chapters.  I definitely got that feeling, which gave the characters their own voice and their own personalities.  This was an excellent book that would be good for junior high or high school students.  I honestly feel that some of my 4th graders would enjoy this book, but as mentioned above, it has some choice language in it.  I give this book 4 out of 5 stars and definitely recommend it if you are looking for a good adventure book.