Brief Review:

Hooray for reading day is about a little girl who struggles with her reading, she messes up and hates reading. But one day she reads to her dog and doesn’t make one mistake but in class its not the same, until another one of her classmates who never makes a mistake makes a mistake. After that she read to her dog and in class because reading was fun.

Idea of how it can be used in a classroom:

Hooray for reading day could be used in the classroom to get the students interested in reading. The teacher could have the students write about a subject that they do not like and why they don’t like and come up together as a class to figure out a way to make that subject more enjoyable. (For those who want to share)

Reading Level & Leveling System:

Lexile Scale

AD380L

Pre-K to Second

Book Rating:

I would rate this book a 5 because its great for students to hear that not all students are great at everything and sometimes things take a little more work than others but there is always a way to make the subject more enjoyable.

written by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Lynne Cherry

 

These poems are very funny and reminiscent of Shel Silverstein's writings. There is one use of r*dsk*ns (in reference to the football team, I believe?) just so you know.

What a fun book! I hope Abbie has more adventures soon.

Full review to follow

The Witchy Worries of Abbie Adams is a celebration of a first book by Rhonda Hayter. Aimed at children from 3rd to 6th grade, this cleverly written book about a 5th grade witch will appeal to a range of readers.


Ms. Hayter has perfected the style of speaking of a fifth grader so when Abbie, the main character who is a witch, narrates her tale, it sounds just like a fifth grader is speaking. Children will have no difficulty relating to Abbie when she has problems doing her homework, relating to her teacher, talking to her parents, managing her younger brother, and sometimes just dealing with her best friend (who does not know she is a witch).

There is mystery aplenty in the story. Abbie's father is working on a cure for the "witch flu" which causes witches to lose their powers. Her brings Abbie a kitten as a pet, but things are not what they appear to be--especially the small kitten. There is a fairly predictable bad guy (it does not come as a surprise that he is the evil-does), a predictable fight between good and evil, and the usual happy ending.

That said, this is quite an enjoyable read with issues that can be raised and discussed. The author includes a teacher's guide on her website.

Kirkus Reviews said, "Light as cotton candy and just as tasty."

Booklist wrote, "Abbie is an appealing, peppy protagonist..."

Visit the author's website for more information and reviews.

The reviewer received this book courtesy of The Picnic Basket.