Kimmel, Elizabeth Cody. Staying in Tune (Forever Four #4)7 February 2013, Grossett and Dunlap
Paulina is still working on the 4 Girls magazine, but there are problems. Miko, who usually does the cover art, is under pressure from her father to get into a prestigious music camp, so she doesn't have much time to give to the magazine. Tally is so scattered brained that she shows up at the Mexican restaurant in the mall when she asks the girls to meet her for egg rolls. Thankfully, Ivy is still around to help with the magazine as well as for moral support when Paulina's crush, Benny, doesn't call her at all over Christmas break. Miko asks the new art teacher to be their faculty advisor, which ends up working out better than everyone expected. Another issue of the magazine is successfully completed, and the girls are ready for more adventures.
Strengths: Kimmel does perfect middle grade series. The characters are always active and interesting, there's a little bit of romance thrown in, and the writing is deft. My avid readers will go through one of these books a day!.
Weaknesses: Tally seemed a bit over the top, as did the mean girl, but since the other characters are well developed, I didn't mind.
Hopkinson, Deborah. Knit Your Bit: A World War I StoryFebruary 21st 2013 by Putnam Juvenile
I have found a good use for picture books-- they offer a good transition for my study hall students between lunch and settling down for study hall! I'm not usually a fan of picture books, but this one was great fun. It offered an interesting look at an odd historical event that students probably know nothing about, and had really fun, Lois Lenski style illustrations, which suited this time period quite well. I thought about pairing this with a book of knitting instruction, but it's hard to get students interested in those. I thought about having students try to knit in study hall, but they probably wouldn't be allowed to have knitting needles!
It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe and What Are You Reading? day at Teach Mentor Texts. Both sites have lots of links to reviews about books that are great for the 4th through 8th grader. It's also Nonfiction Monday, hosted this week at Booktalking.
I hadn't heard of Knit Your Bit. I love books about little-known historical events. Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteI'm adding Knit Your Bit to my TBR pile. Thanks for highlighting!
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
I've heard of Knit Your Bit and it sounds great. Yeah, that would be a problem, giving knitting needles to your students...
ReplyDeleteI've also heard of the Forever Four series but have yet to read one. Sounds like fun.
Forever Four ... middle school only or would 4/5th graders like them?
ReplyDeleteOdd history's cool. Will have to check Knit Your Bit out.
My students really love Kimmel's other books, so I will have to look into that series. :)
ReplyDeleteThe Monster Report
Thanks for sharing a Nonfiction Monday post this week!
ReplyDeleteMiddle school students with knitting needles. You would be extremely brave to try that. I agree with others that Knit Your Bit looks great. I like learning about off the path historical events. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love knitting! Knit Your Bit automatically made me think of Extra Yarn...what would the world be like if everyone knit their bit and followed Anabelle's lead! So fun. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the cover! :D
ReplyDeleteGo with finger-knitting - no needles needed!
ReplyDeleteForever Four looks great for a middle school reluctant girl reader that I am searching for books for her. I wil send her mom this link. Pinning too!
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