Interactive learning quests, book reviews, lesson plans, teacher tools and technology tips for teachers.
THE KATZ PAJAMAS: THE MISS KITTY MYSTERY
Written by Jack Lugar
A clever cat story for readers aged seven to twelve.
A clever cat story!
Katz is the name of a clever, Maine Coon cat who is a private investigator. Katz is sitting in his office when Kitty Cat, a famous nightclub performer strolls into his office. Kitty wants to hire him to find out who has been stealing personal possessions from her dressing room. Katz jumps at the chance and he is invited to her club to investigate the mystery.
Katz meets Bogey, Kitty’s dog, Rufus, the bouncer, Cali the state manager, Thom, the stagehand, and Mr. Bigly, Kitty’s guard. He carefully observes and looks for clues as the night progresses. Before long, Katz has the solution to the mystery. He calls together the cast of characters and explains how he solved the case. Of course, he is saddened that there is no longer a reason for Kitty to pay attention to him because Katz has developed quite a crush on Kitty.
This is a cute chapter book of fewer than one hundred pages. The characters are charming and the dialogue clever and humorous. There are no illustrations. While the book is targeted for ages five through ten, I believe it better suited for ages seven through twelve. It is a fast-paced fun read and I would read other books in the series.
Barbara Ann Mojica
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DOLPHINS: Fun Facts and Amazing Photos of Animals in Nature
Written by Emma Child
I have read several of the amazing animals books written by this author. Who can resist looking at the face of a dolphin?
Child begins by describing the general features of dolphins like smooth skin and a bottlenose and then goes on to explain there are many variations. I had never heard of the Dalmatian dolphin and was surprised to learn that dolphins migrate each year.
Child’s discussion of the way dolphins communicate by echolocation and a whistle sound that is unique to each dolphin is fascinating. I learned that dolphins use sea sponges to protect their mouths from spiny fish and that some dolphins have more than one hundred teeth. Children will be surprised to learn that dolphins live in families like theirs and that they delight in playing with each other. The dolphins’ intelligence
level is second only to that of a human and they are good problem solvers.
This book is informative and a great research tool for children in the elementary or middle grades. Only one thing disappointed me. The photos on the Kindle can be enlarged by double-clicking, but this was not simple to do and once enlarged some of the photos looked blurry.
Recommended for dolphin lovers everywhere regardless of age.
Barbara Ann Mojica
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At Your Service!: Blondie McGhee Detective Series: Funny Detective Stories Written by Ashley Eneriz 
The first book in a detective series based on fourth grade Graham Elementary student Blondie McGhee. Blondie became interested in mysteries when her Grandmother gave her a detective kit when she was in third grade. As the story opens Blondie is excited to begin fourth grade. She is eager to recruit students at the school who have a mystery to solve. One week passes by with no case in site. Blondie fears she has not advertised enough so she stands on the lunch table and offers her detective services to all the students. All seem to ignore her, except Owen Thomas who claims there is a mysterious noise coming from the janitor’s closet. Blondie makes an excuse to leave class and investigates. She is horrified when Mike, a friend of Owen, is hiding inside dressed as a monster. The three students are in big trouble; Blondie is a laughingstock. Blondie feels a little better after her mother shares her own embarrassing school story, but Blondie is reluctant about returning to school. She is shocked when Owen comes to her door to apologize and beg her help to solve a real mystery. Blondie is back on the case of the Tuesday Food Fight. She methodically follows the clues until this genuine mystery is solved. Blondie wins back her credibility and reputation. There will be many more mysteries to solve in the next books of the series. The author recommends her series for girls in the nine to twelve age range. I think boys will enjoy them as well. The book-length of fewer than one hundred pages and adorable black and white illustrations allow the stories to appeal to reluctant readers and advanced beginning readers as well. Detective story fans mark this series as one to add to your collection.
Barbara Ann Mojica
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The Hockey Wars
Written by Sam Lawrence and Ben Jackson
Millie and Cameron grew up together and shared many mutual interests. Some even thought them twins. In the small town of Dakota playing hockey
was a way of life for girls and boys. The girls and boys played on the same team for many years, but Millie has recently decided to form an all-female team. Now the Dragons and the newly formed Lightning team competed fiercely. The teams argued frequently over who would get to
practice at the ice at the pond after school. One day, the crisis could no longer be averted. The teams decided on a face-off game. Whoever won
that game would gain permanent access to the pond.
For the following week, both teams felt the tension. The author spends a
good amount of time describing the personalities of all the members of
both teams. Conflicting emotions erupt on both sides. In fact, many of
the boys and girls on either side like Violet and Linkin are clearly attracted to each other. A coming of age and peer relationship plotline is a crucial part of the tale.
Who will win the big game? Will the tension between the former teammates
be resolved? This chapter book with black and white pencil drawings is a
good choice for a beginning reader as well as middle-grade students. I think many adults will enjoy it as well.
Barbara Ann Mojica
Little Miss History
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Mary’s Song (Dream Horse Adventures Book 1)
Written by Susan Count
Mary is a twelve-year-old handicapped young lady. Her mother died when
she was three; no one wants to talk about it. Mary lives with her father
and a housekeeper. The story is set in 1952. Her father constantly
searches for a possible medical breakthrough to cure his daughter. Mary
is strong-willed and determined. Her best friend, Laura, rides and cares
for horses at her home. The girls become obsessed with saving a horse
named Illusion who needs surgery. They find ways of earning money toward
that end.
Mary’s overprotective father frequently gets upset with Mary’s obstinate
behavior. Laura and Mary disobey their parents and end up in trouble
often, but that means lots of interesting adventures along the way. Will
the girls be able to save Illusion? Can Mary’s father find a medical
cure to help Laura walk again?
Middle-grade and young adult readers will find the antics of these two
friends’ fun and endearing. There’s plenty of humor and a few surprises
in store for readers. Two strong female role models and a tender story
of animal affection will appeal to a wide audience. Highly recommended.
I look forward to reading the sequel.
Barbara Ann Mojica
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ANDREW THE GREAT: The Heroic Story of Andrew Jackson That “They Don’t Want You to Know” Written by MS King 
This book, as the title implies, is not a traditional retelling of the life and times of Andrew Jackson. The author is not a historian. He is an investigative journalist with a penchant for uncovering inaccuracies and misconceptions widely accepted by the public. King carefully traces the origins of the American Revolution as an important prelude to how the Republic came to be and the influencers behind its foundation. He names the major players in the Federalist Party like Alexander Hamilton and John Adams as well as the opposing, Democratic-Republicans like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who believed in limited government and states’ rights.
Andrew Jackson grew up as a self-educated orphan who would rail about the powerful interests like the Rothschild bank in Europe that would greatly influence the role of the central bank and its early failures in the United States.
The author is a firm believer that a person’s actions and role in history should not be judged by the standards and morals of the present. Consequently, King points out that though Jackson owned slaves and trapped Native Americans, he also recruited blacks and Native Americans to fight alongside him in The Battle of New Orleans and paid them equally.
Jackson also foresaw the importance of eliminating Spain and English control of Florida and the Mississippi River trade. King gives a fascinating account of Jackson’s struggles with the news media, his enemies and his personal struggle to maintain individual rights and avoid global entanglements.
The book contains lots of illustrations of contemporary reports, drawings, and speeches. I would recommend this book as a highly readable and informative account for students and the general public. While it does not qualify as an objective, unbiased resource, it certainly contributes to a healthy discussion of Andrew Jackson and the period in which he lived.
Barbara Ann Mojica
LittleMissHistory.com
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Hide and Panic Stations (Super Sleuth Sam Book 1)
Written by Monty J. McClaine
This is the first book in a nine-part series. The author uses the introduction to present the characters of the series. Jack is a mischievous six-year-old. His father likes to tinker in the garage with his Corvette, his mother is a devoted stay at home mom, his sister, Molly has just begun to crawl. Sam, the basset hound is always on red alert protecting the family and serving as Jack’s constant companion. But Sam is no ordinary dog, he has magical powers passed down to him from his ancestors. When Sam recites his chant, he develops super speed and the detective skills of a Sherlock Holmesadventure, Book Reviews, chapter book, children’s books, classroom resources, elementary grades, fiction, homeschooling, middle grades, mystery, reluctant reader
One day Jack and Sam are playing hide and seek. Jack pushes the envelope by finding a hiding place in which no one discovers him. While Jack is comfortably ensconced reading his dad’s comic and enjoying a snack, the rest of the family is in panic mode. Readers will enjoy how Sam employs his super speed and detective smarts to solve the mystery of Sam’s disappearance. Sam’s parents are about to call the police. Will Sam be able to solve the mystery? Perhaps young readers will be able to help.
This book is a fun chapter book for beginning and middle-grade readers. It presents a typical family with some atypical characteristics, some humour, and a mystery for readers to ponder. Recommended especially for third to fifth graders. The length of approximately one hundred pages makes it a good choice for reluctant readers as well.
Barbara Ann Mojica
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The Adventures of Joy Sun Bear: The Blue Amber of
Sumatra
Written by Blanca Carranza and John Lee
This is the first book in a series of adventures featuring a bear named Joy. Set in the tropical rainforest of Sumatra, readers are rapidly propelled into a nonstop fantasy adventure. Joy will learn a lot about himself and teach his readers about courage, bravery, and standing up for themselves and others. Joy meets an assortment of magical characters, an exotic bird, a magical frog, orangutans, and a trickster fox to name a few.
Joy teaches readers the importance of family relationships, stewardship of Mother Earth, and respect for creatures of other cultures. Readers are exposed to the good and bad of humans as well as the inner struggles faced within oneself. The color illustrations move the story along for younger readers and help to illuminate the hidden storylines. The chapter book runs close to two hundred pages so it might be a challenge for beginning readers who might want to approach it in several phases; it would make an excellent teacher read aloud book to discuss in the classroom.
Recommended audience is for ages six through ten, though I would classify it more as a middle-grade selection. I am looking forward to reading the next tale and following Joy’s growth journey.
Barbara Ann Mojica
LittleMIssHistory.com