So, kids did it again. During another BOOK BUZZ last week, the student and staff presenters provided a perfect, eclectic list of great books for us to give the kids in our life this holiday season, and to read ourselves. This time, the presenters were all students and teachers from Marion Cross School in our hometown of Norwich, Vermont.
So, a HUGE THANK YOU to the Marion Cross School presenters (listed at the end of this list), the Marion Cross PTO, Stephanie McCaull for her excellent coaching skills and unwavering support, the Norwich Bookstore for generously donating 20% of sales from BOOK BUZZ to the school, and all who attended and provided these amazing presenters a great audience (around 150 people), while also reinforcing the importance of reading great books.
Without further ado, their selections and their 6 word reviews. Please have fun giving and getting the books on this list.
BOOKS FOR YOUR FRIENDS WHO DON’T LIKE TO READ BUT WHO WOULD LOVE A GREAT STORY
- Sled Dog School by Terry Lynn Johnson (2017). Selected by Guin – Inspiring tale of perseverance.
BEST FAMILY OR CLASSROOM READ ALOUD
- The Pushcart War by Jean Merrill (1964). Selected by Phin – NYC pushcarts fight truck bullies.
- Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (2000). Selected by Isla – Boy rescues abused dog, loves him.
- Matilda by Roald Dahl (1988). Selected by Blythe – Girl escapes mean parents with magic.
PERFECT BOOKS TO HELP YOU IGNORE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE WAITING FOR YOUR SISTER OR BROTHER TO FINISH HOCKEY PRACTICE
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (1961). Selected by Felix – Boy, dogs will make you cry.
- The Expeditioners and the Secret of King Triton’s Lair by S.S. Taylor (2014). Selected by Jacobi – Kids go on an underwater adventure.
- Maybe a Fox by Kathi Appelt & Allison McGhee (2016). Selected by Zabava – Fox helps save a girl’s happiness.
- Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry (1947). Selected by Kaya – Determined brave children befriend wild pony.
FUN, NON-FICTION BOOKS FOR KIDS WHO PREFER TRUE STORIES
- A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park (2010). Selected by Izzy – A boy’s journey during fatal war.
- How Things Work by T.J. Resler (2016). Selected by Natalie – Shows how machines like iPhones work.
FICTION BOOKS THAT DO A GREAT JOB TEACHING HISTORY
- The Assassins Curse: Book 3, Blackthorn Trilogy by Kevin Sands (2017). Selected by Spiro – Apothacary-in-training stops assassins in 1665 Paris.
- Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton (2017). Selected by Jess – Underestimated Vermont girl dreams of space.
- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (1989). Selected by Iver – Girl helps resist Nazis in Denmark.
GREAT BOOKS TO GIVE YOUR FRIENDS FOR THEIR BIRTHDAYS
- Katie and the Cupcake Cure (#1 Cupcake Diaries) by Coco Simon (2011). Selected by Mayuri – Awesome cupcake-cooking girls have adventures.
- Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks & Gita Varadarajan (2016). Selected by Madeline – Two new friends unite against bully.
PICTURE BOOKS TO READ WITH YOUR READING BUDDY (OR YOUNGER SISTER OR BROTHER)
- I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld (2015). Selected by Mr. Bill – Wishes do come true with guidance.
- Good Night, Planet by Liniers (2017). Selected by Lisa – MCS dad pens great graphic novel.
- You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You Series by Mary Ann Hoberman (assorted years). Selected by Mrs. French, with help from Hannah French – Fun, familiar tales for two voices. Very Short Fairy Tales to Read Together; Very Short Stories to Read Together; Very Short Fables to Read Together
A BOOK THAT WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH AWAY YOUR TROUBLES
- The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce (2015). Selected by Jai – Boy gets bullied and turns green.
SPORTS BOOKS THAT ARE ABOUT SO MUCH MORE
- The Flea: The Amazing Story of Leo Messi (2013). Selected by Kai – Short, fast boy becomes best player.
SERIES YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO PUT DOWN, OR WHAT TO READ WHEN YOU RUN OUT OF WIMPY KID BOOKS
- “Oliver” Series by Reeve and McIntyre by Philip Reeve, illustrated by Sarah McIntyre (assorted years). Selected by Oliver – A not so impossible tale. Funny! Oliver and the Sea Monkeys; Carnival in a Fix; Pugs of the Frozen North; Cakes in Space
The Presenters
4th grade
- Blythe
- Isaiah
- Jacobi
- Mayuri
- Isla
- Phin
5th grade
- Kaya
- Jai
- Zabava
- Natalie
- Guin
- Maddy
6th grade
- Felix
- Kai
- Jess
- Izzy
- Iver
- Oliver
Adults
- Mrs. French
- Mr. Bill
- Lisa Christie
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