Thursday, May 15th
2:45-4:00 pm
The Case of the Troublesome Turtle
by Cynthia Rylant
illustrations by G.Brian Karas


From School Library Journal
Grade 1-2-Bunny Brown, a rabbit, is attempting to paint a portrait of Jack Jones, a raccoon, when the owner of the toy store across the street enlists their help. Mr. Paris is troubled by the repeated theft of the balloons that he keeps tied outside his shop. Private eyes Bunny and Jack diligently follow the trail of clues, which leads them to a school football game. There they find the culprit and tie up loose ends so that everyone is happy and no one gets into trouble. This is a fast-moving introduction to the mystery genre. Emerging readers will be interested in how Bunny and Jack find, interpret, and follow up on clues. They will also get a chuckle from the solution. Karas's acrylic, gouache, and pencil illustrations have a simple, angular quality that suits the book's urban setting. Visible pencil strokes show movement, capturing Bunny's and Jack's exuberant personalities and the plot's swift pace. These characters are not as sweet or as endearing as Rylant's Mr. Putter and Tabby, Henry and Mudge, or Poppleton, but the story is driven more by plot than characters and is a good choice for libraries with a big demand for mysteries.
Devon Gallagher, Grace Day School, Massapequa, NY
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

  The 3rd and 4th Grade Book Club:

Thursday, May 22nd
2:45-4:00 pm
Mallory vs. Max
by Laurie Friedman
illustrations by Tamara Schmitz


From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4–Mallory McDonald, age 8¾ plus one month, returns. She is angry because her brother gets a dog, taking all the attention away from her and her cat, Cheeseburger, and she tries everything to regain her spot in the limelight. The relationships with old friend Mary Ann and new friend Joey are somewhat tested, but the focus is on Mallory and Max. When she is responsible for the puppy running away, she comes to realize that Champ is okay and that it's her own selfishness that is causing the problem. Schmitz's expressive cartoon illustrations and the large typeface make the book appealing to beginning chapter-book readers. For fans of Barbara Park's "Junie B. Jones" series (Random) and Megan McDonald's "Judy Moody" books (Candlewick), this selection is right on target.–Sharon R. Pearce, Chippewa Elementary School, Bensenville, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  The 5th and 6th Grade Book Club:

Thursday, May 29th
2:45-4:00 pm
Absolutely Normal Chaos
by Sharon Creech
(winner of the Newbery Medal for Walk Two Moons)


From School Library Journal
Creech's newest story is told as a summer journal begrudgingly started as an English assignment. Mary Lou, 13, wonders if kisses with boys really taste like chicken; if her best friend will ever shut up about her new boyfriend; and how her visiting cousin, Carl Ray, can be such a silent clod, especially when someone has anonymously given him $5000. Later, when he is in a coma following a car accident, she rereads her journal and wonders how she could have been so unseeing. Mary Lou is a typical teen whose acquaintance with the sadder parts of life is cushioned by a warm and energetic family. Her entertaining musings on Homer, Shakespeare, and Robert Frost are drawn in nifty parallels to what is happening in her own life. When forbidden by her mother to say "God," "stupid," and "stuff," she makes a trek to the thesaurus to create some innovative interjections. Creech's dialogue is right on target. Her characterization is nicely done also. By comparison, this book is differently voiced than Walk Two Moons (HarperCollins, 1994), lacks that book's masterful imagery, and is more superficial in theme; but appropriately so. Creech has remained true to Mary Lou, who is a different narrator, and one who will win many fans of her own.
Copyright © 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.