Tag Archives: boys

The Best of Iggy

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written by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sam Ricks

Iggy gets into trouble and this book details three incidents in Iggy’s life to illustrate this in ascending order of ‘badness’. The disembodied narrator presents the incidents in 20 short chapters with some humorous color commentary. Nine year old Iggy isn’t a bad boy. He just doesn’t think before he acts and that gets him into trouble. Incident #1 involves a rather snooty guest, a trampoline, skateboard and shed roof. Incident #2 involves shaving cream, lipstick and an eyebrow pencil and Incident #3 (the worst) involves a ‘race’ with desks and friends that (slightly) injures his beloved teacher. Typically, Iggy feels misunderstood and there are extenuating circumstances. In the case of the incident involving his teacher, he is sooooooo very sorry even years later.

The story is told in short chapters with accessible language and accompanying black and white illustrations. Students that enjoy realistic and funny stories will check out all the Iggy books. Give this to kids that aren’t quite ready for “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” or the Middle School series. They’ll love it! Highly recommended.

Jasper John Dooley: Public Library Enemy #1

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Mayhem ensues when Jasper gets his library book wet and dad decides that drying it in the oven would be a good idea.

Jasper is back for another fun beginning chapter book story. This is the sixth book in a series that follows Jasper on his comical adventures. With loving help from his parents he manages to navigate the bumps of early elementary and learn a few life lessons along the way.

A good transitional beginning chapter book that children will enjoy.
Lexile level 570 / guided reading level M grades 2/3

Dingus

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It is almost summer break and fifth grader, Henry, isn’t looking forward to it at all.  His best friend Max is going off to Chess camp leaving Henry with no one to hang out with. However, even if Max weren’t going to camp, Henry might still be alone.  Max and Henry have been friends since Kindergarten, but this year their friendship is strained by Max’s new circle of friends and life in general. Henry feels lost and confused which expresses itself as anger towards Max. Henry begins to realize that sometimes you have to give a little to maintain a friendship.  Will Henry be able to do that?

A coming of age story that both boys and girls will enjoy and relate to.

The story would benefit from a few illustrations.

The No-Dogs Allowed Rule

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Ishan (pronounced E-Shan) a third grade boy and his brother Sunil, a fourth grader, desperately want a dog.  However, Mom has a “no dogs allowed” rule.  Ishan goes to great lengths to try to persuade his Mom into a “dogs allowed” rule.  He helps his elderly neighbor walk his dog to prove he can be responsible (ok and to also get his dog fix for the day).  He tries to cook a special meal to please his mom and try to win her over. He even changes all the family pictures in the house to dog pictures.  Each well intentioned act becomes more of a disaster than a gift.  So much so, that Ishan is grounded to the house during a neighborhood block meeting held at his home.  During the meeting an emergency involving his neighbor occurs and Ishan saves the day.  Will this be the action that changes mom’s mind to allow a dog to enter the family home?

Written with realistic speech patterns and plausible scenarios this multicultural novel introduces readers to foods of India, Hindi words and social interactions of Indian culture and family life.