Morse Pond Review: The Hundred-Dollar Robber

The Hundred-Dollar Robber

Melinda Theilbar

Graphic Universe Press

Available at the library

I read Hundred Dollar Robber and loved it! If you like math and mysteries, this is a book for you. There is a place called Colonial Heights where there is a problem, someone stole 100 dollars from the soccer team. They were going to use that money on their tour. Stacy (one of the soccer team members) went to the park, interrupted a Kung Fu class and asked, “I was wondering if you could help me. My soccer team had a fund-raiser some of the money is missing, and Tom is in trouble.” So the Kung Fu kids joined the case. As they are all walking through town they stopped at the candy store and found out that someone (a girl) stopped by and spent a bunch of  money. Could she be the robber? They sleuths start to put clues together to solve this mystery. Will they find out who took the money and where it is? I hope you love this book as much I did. If you like it then you are in luck because Melinda Thielbar made a whole series of math mysteries!

~ AJ, grade 5

 

Morse Pond Review: Escape This Book

Escape This Book! The Titanic

Bill Doyle

Available March 2019

Random House

$10.99

Find yourself on an adventure as a third class passenger or a hard working crew member or even take on the dangerous task of a stow away hoping to get to America on the unsinkable ship, the Titanic! As a passenger you have a 25% chance of surviving the iceberg that will rip into the Titanic at 11:40 and sink two and a half hours later. As a stowaway you not only have to try not to be found by the crew members or the captain but also have to not be seen by any passengers and get off the ship onto a lifeboat, also without being seen! Crew members have less than 25 percent chance of surviving. But if you choose the path of a crew member you can get paid for helping the family that you are assigned. This book is great if you like choose your own adventure books, but also like to have an activity once and awhile. This book is also great if you don’t like to read that much, but you still like a good story line.

^~ Ezra, 5th grade

Morse Pond Review: Trace

Trace

Pat Cummings

Available April 19, 2019

HarperCollins

$16.99

This book is now in my top 5 favorites. If you are a fan of excitement, suspense, and mystery, you will love this book. At first it may be hard to follow but towards the middle, you start to really understand what is going on. If you are like me you will start to say things like, “Ohhh, that’s what’s going on!! I finally understand!! WAIT A MINUTE….WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS NEXT?!” So, April 19th, 2019 stop at Eight Cousins and buy yourself Trace, because it will be worth your while!

 

~Aimee, grade 5

 

Morse Pond Review: Weir Do

Weir Do  

Anh Do

Available January 29, 2019

Scholastic Inc.

$5.99

 

Weir Do is a really funny book with a lot of potential. Weir Do (his real name!) is a kid who is going into a new school. He already knows he’s going to get laughed at. It happens every year. Once he gets out of school he has to go home to his weird family. He goes back to school the next day and then this kid named Henry walks in and looks weirder than weird. Weir and Henry become friends and the rest of the year will be great for Weir. If you like funny books, this is the book for you. I think it has potential to be the Next Big Thing!

~ Connor, 5th grade

 

Morse Pond Review: The True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins

The True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins

Gail Shepherd

Available March 2019

Penguin Publishing Group

$16.99

In this debut novel by author Gail Shepard, we meet the tenacious character of Lyndie Hawkins (named after President Lyndon B. Johnson) who is a firm believer of finding the truth in history. Set against the backdrop of small town Love’s Forge, Tennessee in 1985, Lyndie’s family is dealing with her father’s struggles based on his time in the Vietnam War. After losing his job, the family has to move in with Lyndie’s strict grandmother Lady, and her tender, but busy grandfather. As Lyndie tries to find her way at school and at home, she befriends a new boy being fostered by her best friend’s family, D.B. Through her former friendship with Dawn, and new friendship with D.B. she discovers that some secrets are not worth keeping. This is an amazing story which tackles tough issues with tenderness and truth. I will definitely be recommending it to my students!

~ Mrs. Abbott, MPS Library Teacher

Morse Pond Review: Lizzie Flying Solo

Lizzie Flying Solo

Nanci Turner Steveson

Available April 2019

HarperCollins

$16.99

 

The third book by Nanci Turner Steveson tugged at the heartstrings just as much as Swing Sideways and Georgia Rules did before it. In this novel, Lizzie and her mother find themselves moved into a homeless shelter after her father is put in jail for embezzling from his business. Lizzie finds a path in the woods with a fork: the first trail leads to the library where she spends time immersing herself in books, befriending the librarian and volunteering, while the second trail leads to the Birchwood Stables which becomes a second home for Lizzie. I will definitely recommend this book to all my horseback riding students. However, I will be recommending it to all students who love realistic fiction that deals with difficult situations with truth and compassion as well. Another gem of a tale from one of our favorite authors!!!

~ Mrs. Abbott, MPS Library Teacher

Morse Pond Review: A Good Kind of Trouble

A Good Kind of Trouble

Lisa Moore Ramee

Available March 12, 2019

HarperCollins

$16.99

A Good Kind of Trouble is an enchanting middle school novel, mixing classic drama and friendships with racism and protesting. Shayla, a seventh grader has an older sister who is part of Black Lives Matter. In the beginning of the story, all of her friendships are intact and everything is going well. (As good as junior high can get). But as the story progresses, Shayla finds herself in between a choice: her loyal friends or a boy. She cannot decide, leading to a unwanted case of cyber-bullying and one friend joining the “cool kids.” After she makes up with one of her friends, she starts a Black Lives Matter campaign at her school. She hands out black armbands, but it doesn’t end according to plan. She is taken off the track team and her parents are summoned to the office. Her parents no problem with Shayla protesting and they publicly question the principal. Shalya is allowed back on the track team, wins a meet, and makes up with both of her friends. I highly recommend this book once it is available to the public!

~ Faye, grade 5

Morse Pond Review: Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth

Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth

Sheila O’Connor

G.P. Putnam’s Son’s

Available now

$16.99

Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth, is a riveting tale about a young girl named Reenie Kelly. The book is set during the Vietnam War, and her older brother, Billy, a wise and kind young man, may get drafted into the war. Reenie is determined not to let her brother go into the war. Reenie is faced with many obstacles, the obstinate inhabitants of the town she lives in, the cruel town sheriff, his nasty son, and his son’s friend, even her own grandmother thinks it is correct for Billy to get drafted. Mr. Marsworth, a person on her paper route, was a conscientious objector, (someone who refused to go into the war). He helps Reenie throughout her journey of overcoming society’s perspectives on conscientious objectors, and saving Billy from the war. This story is fantastic, with a surprising plot twist at the end.

~ Merritt, grade 6, age 11

 

Morse Pond Review: Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth

Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth

Sheila O’Connor

G.P. Putnam’s Son’s

Available now

$16.99

Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth is about a girl name Maureen (Reenie) Kelly. In the time of the bloody Vietnam war, Reenie’s mother passes away so they have to move in with their grandmother while their father tries to earn money. Reenie’s older brother, Billy, is at risk of being drafted into the war. Reenie begins to start a new life at her new home starting with being pen pals with an old man named Mr. Marsworth. Mr. Marsworth gives Reenie advice that helps her through many obstacles and may even help save her brother from the draft. They help each other through their hard times. This beautifully written story has themes talking about peace, love and family. It shows us that people can help each other through hard times and that they can encourage each other to be their best. I highly suggest this book to all readers.

~ Kylie, 6th Grade, age 11

Morse Pond Review: Ghost Boys

Ghost Boys

Jewell Parker Rhodes

Available now

Little, Brown Company

$16.99

Ghost Boys is a book about a boy who was playing with a toy gun and a cop “mistaking” him for having a real gun. Each chapter pretty much ends in a cliffhanger.  The middle of the book told the story of Jamal’s life. Jamal in the main character of the book.  The ending is very intense. It wraps up the story very well and I think that was the best part. It was very good.  I could not put it down. I can’t wait to buy it.

~ Andrew, grade 6, age 11