Audience: Early Elementary (1st-3rd)

Format: Ebook/Library Copy

Tag and Skyla stood in a dusty clearing and examined the magical map.

- first sentence

This is a cute story, with animal main characters who are on a quest. This is the first book of the series I read, but the kids at school love it. There is an introduction at the beginning of the book to remind kids what the characters are currently facing (the story continues from book to book).  The Branches books are a gentle bridge into chapter books for early readers. They still have pictures, but the stories are more complex and interesting. A great series for kids who like magical animals and adventure.

A literary classic that would be perfect for the whole class to read. It's about friendship, growing up, and the power of words. There are so many things that children can take away from this story and a lot of English lessons can come out if it for teachers.

Lexile: 680

Reading Level: 3rd- 7th grade

Knife and Fork by Gita V. Reddy
This book starts out with the monkey and he travels to the city where Lily adopts him. She is able to train him to use a fork and knife like humans.
Like comparisons between the monkeys and humans habits. Story also goes beyond that to when he returns to the forest. The other animals want to go to the city also and they don't want to hear what that's a bad idea.
He was not always welcomed there himself. They take his utensils and he goes off to live by himself. Like the ending and didn't see it coming.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest review.
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This is a cute book that kids are sure to love. It is a 2017-18 Sunshine State Young Reader's Award (SSYRA) nominated book for grades 3-5. I'm sure even our most reluctant readers will read this one. We ask our students in grades 4 and 5 to read at least three nominated books each year. Then they are able to vote for their favorite.

This book tells the story of two friends that have very different personalities but still remain best friends. Each chapter tells an adventure of the two friends and problems they encounter. I would use this book in group reading for read-aloud reading to introduce chapter books and fluency. 

Grade Level K-2nd

Lexile Level - 400L