Dahl, Michael. The Trouble With Abracadabra. (Hocus Pocus Hotel #4)

Dahl, Michael.  The Trouble With Abracadabra. (Hocus Pocus Hotel #4)  Capstone/Stone Arch 2013  112   ISBN 978-1-4342-4102-3  elem  Hardback    VG  Fantasy

This is the fourth title in the Hocus Pocus Hotel series.  Brack, the elevator operator, tells the public that he is also the magician Abracadabra and will be doing one final show.  He invites all the magicians to a party at his rooftop mansion.  There, Theopolis challenges Brack to figure out how he does his illusion.  The hotel and mansion are the prizes at stake.  Theopolis appears to juggle while being levitated over the pool, amid thick smoke and other special effects.  Brack, Charlie and Ty are perplexed as to how he did it.  They think about it and question people all week.  On the last day, Ty figures it out and the hotel is saved.  The solution is a bit too simple to have confused them for such a long time.

Supplemental material includes discussion questions, writing prompts, a glossary and one trick, easily mastered by a young magician, that is illustrated and explained.  The story is fast-paced and full of action.  Sentences are kept short and direct, and the vocabulary is simple to fit the needs of young readers.  This title will appeal to grades 2-6 and struggling older readers.  It is easy to read without seeming condescending.  Readers will enjoy the Hocus Pocus Hotel stories, and each one builds on the others with familiar characters.  It is highly recommended for grades 3-6.

Summary:  Fourth in the Hocus Pocus Hotel series.  Brack (a.k.a. Abracadabra) is faced with a challenge, with the hotel and his home on the line.  Ty and Charlie must figure out how a magic trick was done, and the solution is almost too simple. Elementary grades.           

Magic tricks-Fiction, Easy readers                                --Joan Theal

Willie and Uncle Bill

Schwartz, Amy     Willie and Uncle Bill    

Holiday House     2012  unp   $16.95

978-0-8234-2203-6       elem    VG    Realistic fiction

In this book, elementary-school students meet a little boy named Willie and his Uncle Bill, and get to read three short stories about them in an easy-fiction picture book.  In the first part, Uncle Bill comes over to baby-sit Willie while his mother is out.  While Uncle Bill cooks lunch, Willie locks himself in the bathroom and cuts his hair.  When Uncle Bill sees Willie's hair, he tries to fix it, but then realizes he needs professional help.  In the second story, when Uncle Bill comes to baby-sit again, the two make Icky Stew and look for customers to try the stew.  The third story has Uncle Bill and Willie out watching and interacting with a rock band while Uncle Bill is baby-sitting again.  Students will enjoy reading the adventures of Willie and his Uncle Bill and they may be able to relate them to their own adventures in baby-sitting.

This book includes colorful illustrations created with gouache and pen-and-ink and an easy-to-comprehend text.  There is an Accelerated Reader quiz available,  quiz #150148.          

VG    Charleen Forba-Mayer    Uncles, Family, Easy readers

 

Late Nate in a Race

McCully, Emily Arnold   Late Nate in a Race     

 Holiday House     2012  unp

$14.95      978-0-8234-2421-4   G    elem  Animal stories     

I Like to Read series  

Nate is rarely early for anything. He dawdles and usually has to be prodded to get anywhere on time. A beginning reader, this book allows emerging readers to show off their new skills.  The illustrations allow readers to easily follow Nate through the story because of his blue-and-white striped shirt. However, the clothing design on anthropomorphic characters is the only detailed element in the illustrations.  The road sign "Bear Right" on a curvy road placed next to a bear on the right side of the road provides a humorous moment, as does naming the race organizer, a rabbit, Mr. Bun.  Nate is a slowpoke at almost everything. His parents want him to take part in a race, but have trouble getting Nate downstairs to eat breakfast and later to get him into the car to travel to the race.  Once at the race start line, Nate fails to take off when the start signal is given.  Once Nate finally takes off, he ends up winning the race with speed no one knew he had.  No motivation is given for Nate’s sudden change of speed. The story is told in a halting rhyming format that does not always hold true to its form from one page to the next.  The best part of the book is the simple vocabulary that will build confidence in emerging readers.   

     

G     Lois McNicol      Stories in rhyme, Easy readers

 

I Will Try

Janovitz, Marilyn       I Will Try         

Holiday House     2012  unp   $13.51     

978-0-8234-2399-6      elem   G     I Like to Read series   Realistic Fiction

Geared toward beginning readers, this short fiction title introduces readers to a young girl who is learning how to do gymnastics.  The reader sees the girl preparing to go to gymnastics class, by eating something, brushing her teeth, and packing her bag.  Then, when she arrives, she sees Jan performing all the moves perfectly.  To imitate Jan, the main character tries a move but falls down.  When she is about ready to give up, Jan encourages her to try again, and she does until she nails it perfectly.  This beginning-level reader will encourage kids to keep trying their best at whatever they set out to do.

The book includes color pen-and-ink illustrations, an easy-to-read text, and a list of other I Like to Read books.

           

G          Charleen Forba-Mayer         Determination (Personality trait), Gymnastics

 

Fish Had A Wish

Garland, Michael  Fish Had A Wish         

 Holiday House     2012  unp $14.95 

978-0-8234-2394-1       elem   VG     I Like to Read series        

Part of the I Like to Read series, this picture book uses controlled vocabulary to create an engaging story for young readers.  Wood-grain-like illustrations evoke the atmosphere of the pond and the creatures who live nearby.  On each two-page spread, Fish swims around in the pond, fantasizing about what he could do if he were a bird, a turtle, a beaver, a skunk, a bobcat, etcetera.  In the end, a mayfly lands on the pond, and after eating it, Fish decides that he wants to remain a fish.  The message, that of being happy with oneself, is presented in a fun and attractively illustrated way.  Pair this with It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler.  It can also be a springboard for numerous language and art activities: for example, students articulating what animals they would like to be and why, students drawing the animals they would like to be, or students illustrating a "book" about each student’s animal “wishes.”  This is a delightful book that will find a useful place in preschool through first grade curricula.         

VG    Pat Naismith      Wishes, Self-realization, Easy readers

 

Scooter in the Outside

  Bowen, Ann    Scooter in the Outside        

Holiday House     2012  unp   $16.95

978-0-8234-2326-2       elem    VG    Animal stories   

Geared toward elementary students, this title introduces young readers to Scooter, a big dog who loves being outside and going for walks with his friend Lucy.  The two friends take walks through the neighborhood, share precious moments together in the house, and love being with each other.  When Lucy goes to school one day, she fails to close the front door and Scooter sees the opening and goes outside to explore all the things he loves outside.  Even though Scooter is excited to be outside at first, he soon realizes that the outside world is scarier than being with Lucy.  Scared and lonely, he lies beneath a tree and is relieved when Lucy comes along and brings him back to his safe, loving home. 

The illustrator uses beautiful watercolor paints and black pencil to convey a loving story of a girl and her dog.  The author uses easy-to-comprehend text, dog sounds, and humor that young readers will enjoy.  There is an Accelerated Reader quiz for this book, quiz #149501.  

     

VG    Charleen Forba-Mayer    Dog stories, Easy readers