Contest--Win autographed copy of Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

That's right. I am giving away an autographed copy of Dragon Rider signed by the author, Cornelia Funke. To enter PLEASE read the contest rules CAREFULLY.

Comment on this post why you should win.

For an extra entry tell me one other book Cornelia Funke wrote (you may check the library cataglog.)

For an extra entry tell me what was your favorite book that I have read to you in the library.

Remember to include your name, last initial, and teacher's name. Yes, you may have up to 3 entries. The contest will end November 8 at 11:59 PM. Good luck

The Report Card by Andrew Clements

Would you like to win a copy of THE REPORT CARD by Andrew Clements? Be the first person to comment on this blog post. Remember to include your first name, last initial and teacher in the comment.

Mrs. Katz wins an autographed book!

That's right. I won an autographed copy of DOG GONE by Cynthia Chapman Willis. It's the first time I have won a book. Stay tuned for my review.

If you like Ivy & Bean books check this out!!!

http://www.chroniclebooks.com/ivyandbean/contest.html

Contest--Win a lap top and a trip to New York

Would you like to win a netbook and a trip to New York? Would you like to help Golden get new computers and software? Would you like to meet Eli Manning?

All you have to do is write a 100 word essay telling why Golden should win. Go to http://www.fourseasonsofhope.com/us/4seasons_hope/education.jsp for the rules. All entries are to be submitted on line. Parents, staff and students can enter.

Good luck!

Winner--Steel Trapp The Challenge

Justin O. from Mrs. Hope's class has won this book. Congratulations Justin!

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Calpurnia called Callie Tate is the only daughter of 7 children. It is 1899 and as a girl she is expected to learn how to sew, cook and keep house to someday make a good wife and mother. However, this summer she and her grandfather discover they both have a love of science. With granddaddy's help she explores, reads, discovers and learns that what she really wants is to go to the university. Callie's relationship with her grandfather is wonderfully full of love and science. He doesn't give her answers but helps her figure them out. The telephone and automobile are entering their small town in Texas and you will really get a feel for what it was like to live at the turn of the century. The 20th century!

Winner--Amelia's Middle School Survival Guide

Congratulations to Lauren Y. from Mrs. Ayala's class. Lauren is the winner of AMELIA'S MIDDLE SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE.

Winner--Demonkeeper by Royce Buckingham

Congratulations to SEAN G. from Mrs. Ayala's class. Sean has won the copy of DEMONKEEPER signed by the author Royce Buckingham.

Contest-Steel Trap : The Challenge by Ridley Pearson

Would you like a chance to win this thriller? To be entered into the contest leave a comment on this blog telling me which book was your favorite book out of all the books you were required to read in school. The contest will end on Monday, October 26th at 11:59 PM.
Be sure to leave your name, last initial and teacher.

Contest-for 6th grade girls only

Do you wonder what it will be like in middle school? Amelia will help you with her survival guide. To enter this contest comment on this post and tell me what you will miss about Golden the most when you are promoted and move on to middle school. Remember to include your first name, last initial and teacher.
The contest will end Thursday, October 22 at 11:59 PM.

Singing the Star Bangled Banner at a NY Mets game

One of the highlights of my life is singing the Star Spangled Banner at Citifield before a NY Mets game. I am in a group called the Long Island Transplant Recipients International Organization singers. Most singers are either organ recipients, donors or family members. In my case I am a family member. My brother is a kidney recipient and my dad was the donor. Enjoy 21 seconds of this event.

Contest-Demonkeeper by Royce Buckingham

Do you like funny books? Do you like scary books? How about a book that is really scary and also laugh-out-loud funny? That's DEMONKEEPER by Royce Buckingham and in the next contest I am giving away an autographed hard back copy.

To be entered in the contest comment on this post and tell me why YOU should win this book. For an extra entry tell me what your favorite book is and why it's your favorite book in a separate comment. Please be sure to include your name, last initial and teacher.

The contest will end October 18th at 11:59PM and is only for my current students.

Good luck!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Dog Days winner announced

Wow! We had a great response on the first contest. Thank you to all of you that participated. Please, keep reading my blog and writing comments. I love to read your comments.

The winner of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Dog Days by Jeff Kinney is ETHAN F. in Mrs. Gordillo's class. Congratulations Ethan!

Check soon for the new contest.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Miranda receives anonymous letters telling her things that will happen in the future. For some reason her best friend decides not to be friends with her. Miranda makes new friends but is asked in the notes not to share them with anyone. She reads A WRINKLE IN TIME over and over again and begins discussing time travel with come classmates. She is also helping her mom practice to be on a game show. If you loved A WRINKLE IN TIME you will enjoy this book. If you are interested in time travel you will enjoy this book. If you want to know what it's like to grow up in New York City you will enjoy this book.

Kyle's Island by Sally Derby

I just finished reading an ARC (advance readers copy) of this book. Every summer Kyle and his family travel to the family cabin. There Kyle spends endless hours exploring the lake, fishing, playing with his sisters and younger brother and spending time with the locals. Sadly his dad has left the family and it seems mom can't afford the upkeep on the cabin anymore. Kyle takes on a few jobs hoping to help pay the taxes on the house.

The writing is so beautiful in this book. I could picture the lake and the sky and the shore. Some of my favorite parts of the book are the fishing scenes. For anyone who loves to fish you will love this story. Let me know if you'd like to read it.

My Rotten Life by David Lubar

Check out this hysterical trailer for MY ROTTEN LIFE by David Lubar.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB5zHpxpfNM

The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech

Zola and her father move from America to Switzerland to open up a school. They happen to move into Casa Rosa where an angel has been living and looking over the people in the town for 100s of years. The villagers are quirky and aren't too happy about the orphans that are stealing clothes and food while they hide out in the chicken shed. Funny thing though. When Zola and the angel decide to help the orphans there's an interesting turn of events and the entire village gets involved.

The Red Blazer Girls : The Ring of Rocamadour by Michael D. Beil

This book was such a fun read that I read it in one sitting on a flight from New York back to Los Angeles. Sophie, a 7th grader sees something in the window of a church across the way from her school. She and 2 friends sneak away to see what it was. Turns out an older woman, long out of touch with her daughter entices the girls to figure out a clue to a mystery that is over 20 years old. Will the remaining clues still exist? Will the treasure still be there? Find out in this mystery that includes literary references, friendship, first crushes and caring adults. The first in a new series.

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

Peter is a ten-year-old orphan who is being raised by a retired soldier. He has been told by the soldier that his sister died the day she was born but Peter has memories of a holding a crying baby. One day instead of buying bread he pays a fortuneteller who tells him an elephant will lead him to his sister. That night an elephant magically crashes through the opera house ceiling. Can this elephant really help Peter find his sister? A wonderful fantasy about love and hope.

The Pirates of Crocodile Swamp by Jim Arnosky

After their abusive father hits their mother and they believe it was fatally, Sandy and Jack are kidnapped by him and driven from Pennsylvania to the Florida Keys. After watching a nature show on TV in a hotel room about the crocodile swamp they decide to escape from their dad taking the money from his wallet. They buy supplies, borrow a boat name Libertad (freedom)and head to the swamp to hideout. Always being surrounded by crocodiles, fishing for their meals and meeting a real pirate are just a few of their adventures as they strive to survive. An exciting adventure full of facts about sharks, crocodiles, fish and birds.

Extra Credit by Andrew Clement

Abby is a sixth grader who is failing just about every class. Her teachers are willing to promote her if she does all her homework and gets a B or better on every test and quiz for the rest of the school year. And, she needs to do an extra credit project. Abby's project is writing to a pen pal in Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan, Sadeed, a 12-year-old boy is chosen to be Abby's pen pal because he is the best at writing and reading English. However, due to Afghan custom a boy and girl cannot communicate like that so the elders decide that the letters should come from Sadeed's sister.
What can two people from two different parts of the world talk about? You'd be surprised. Another great book from Andrew Clements.

The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler

Penny moves with her mother to Hogs Hollow leaving her dad, apartment, friends and school behind in New York. She helps her mom and grandma in the bakery and for the entire summer does not meet anyone her own age except Charity who turns out to be a bully. At school she finally makes some friends including the boy she sees running on the beach and whom she develops a crush on. Penny is an artist and designs delectable cupcakes. However, her life has been turned upside down and we wonder can she make a new life in Hogs Hollow or should she go back to NY to live with her father if she can?