Cox, Judy. Ukulele.

Cox, Judy.  Ukulele.  Holiday House.  2013  82p  ISBN 978-0-8234-2863-2 elem  VG  Realistic fiction

Elementary students who enjoy music and playing an instrument will feel connected to Hayley, a third-grade student who doesn’t really have a talent.  When her new music teacher, Mr. Yeager (Mr. Y)  announces a talent show for students, Hayley wonders what she should do.  While all of her family members have some special gift, Hayley can’t think of anything special about her.  When Hayley finds a ukulele at a yard sale and learns of her Great Aunt Ruby’s ukulele's band, she’s inspired to play this newfound instrument.  With the help of her music teacher, Mr. Y, Hayley learns the three chords, and his encouragement that she could play hundreds of songs with those chords, Hayley begins to practice all the time.  With her persistent practice and hard work, Hayley’s song in the Bridgewater Talent Show bring her fame around the school, and she is encouraged to start an ukulele band or club.  As with many schools across America, Hayley discovers that her school’s music program is in danger of being cut.  Hayley and her Bridgewater Ukulele Group (BUGs) perform for a school board meeting and convince the board to reinstate the music program at the school.

The author uses black-and-white scattered illustrations to give students a nice visual and includes tips on how to play the ukulele.  This is a nice story that shows how one can build his or her self-esteem and confidence.         

Summary: “To save the ukulele band, third-grader Hayley and her classmates protest the school board's decision to cut funding for the music program. Includes tips on how to play the ukulele.”    

Ukulele-Fiction.                                 -–Charleen Forba-Mayer

The Secret Chicken Society

Cox, Judy   The Secret Chicken Society     

Holiday House     2012  88p   $15.95

978-0-8234-2372-9       elem    VG    Animal stories   

Written for elementary students, this short chapter book will help introduce young readers to the idea of reading longer chapter books.  Black-and-white illustrations scattered throughout will help students visualize the story.

Daniel is a third-grade boy who loves pets.  His class is doing a project in which they raise baby chicks, from the earliest stages of ordering the eggs and  watching them hatch in an incubator, to caring for and feeding the chicks.  When only five of the eggs hatch, the chicks are offered to class members through a lottery system.  At the end, Daniel and his family get to keep all of them and raise them as pets.  When one of the hens turns out to be a rooster, Peepers, Daniel and his siblings form the Secret Chicken Society to hide the fact from their parents.  Since Daniel’s family lives in the city and keeping roosters is not permitted by law, the Secret Chicken Society pinky swears to keep his identity a secret.  However, neighbors hear the rooster crow and the police are called to investigate.  Daniel and his family have fourteen days to figure out what to do with Peepers.  For Daniel, giving up Peepers is difficult, and he is determined to find the best place for Peepers to live.

The lively text and illustrations add to the story’s meaning.  The author includes Daniel’s Egg Journal, which adds to the already strong story.   Students who enjoy animal stories will appreciate this fast-paced read.  There is also an Accelerated Reader quiz available, quiz #150205.

           

VG       Charleen Forba-Mayer         Chickens, Pets