One Book One School

I am part of a committee at my son's elementary school to select a book for a One Book, One School program. (Basically, every student/family gets a copy of one specific book and reads it over the course of a month, and the school does activities connected to the book throughout the month. It's a little bit of a process to choose the book because it needs to appeal to grades K-6, not be controversial in any way, be relatively short, etc.) So, in helping select the book, I read a bunch of our short list books and figured I'd document them here:

The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith

Book description: When eight-year-old Kirstie brings home a strange egg from the Scottish shore, her family never expects it to hatch. But the next day, Kirstie discovers a baby sea monster swimming in her bathtub! Part horse, part toad, part turtle, and part crocodile, he's the oddest-looking creature Kirstie's family has ever seen. Only Kirstie's grandfather knows what the beastie really is: a Water Horse! This lovable creature is the perfect pet. The only trouble is, he can't stop growing. He gets bigger. And Bigger. And BIGGER. Before long, he's outgrown every loch in sight. Will they ever find a home that's large enough for their Water Horse?

My thoughts: This book was super fun! I thought it would definitely appeal to all ages, and it was an engaging story. If this one isn't picked for the school, I'll read it aloud to my kids.

The Secret School by Avi

Book description: More than anything, Ida Bidson wants to become a teacher. To do that, she must finish eighth grade, then go on to high school. But her dream falters when the one-room school in her remote Colorado town shuts down. Her only hope is to keep the school open without anyone finding out. Yet even a secret school needs a teacher. Ida can't be it. . . . Or can she?

My thoughts: This was another great read. I didn't think it was as good for younger grades, but I thought Emmeline would have fun with this story. It was a great story.

Future Hero by Remi Blackwood

Book description: Jarell has never quite known where he belongs. He’s ignored at home and teased at school for wanting to draw instead of playing sports with the other boys. The only place he’s ever felt truly at ease is his local barbershop where the owner hangs Jarell’s art up on the walls. When Jarell discovers a hidden portal in the barbershop, he’s transported to a magical world that’s unlike anything he’s seen before. But it’s not just the powerful gods and dangerous creatures that makes this world different―it’s that everyone believes Jarell is the hero they’ve been waiting for.

My thoughts: This was a fun read. It was a super short fantasy book, which isn't something I've really read before. Like the book was short, but the authors packed a lot of action in there. It had a nice character arc as well. This one also didn't seem quite as good for younger grades (K/1).

Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez

Book description: Stella Díaz loves marine animals, especially her betta fish, Pancho. But Stella Díaz is not a betta fish. Betta fish like to be alone, while Stella loves spending time with her mom and brother and her best friend Jenny. Trouble is, Jenny is in another class this year, and Stella feels very lonely. When a new boy arrives in Stella's class, she really wants to be his friend, but sometimes Stella accidentally speaks Spanish instead of English and pronounces words wrong, which makes her turn roja. Plus, she has to speak in front of her whole class for a big presentation at school! But she better get over her fears soon, because Stella Díaz has something to say!

My thoughts: I've read this book before, but it's been forever, and it must have been when I wasn't updating this blog. This is a sweet book and definitely a fun one for grades 2-4 (but I didn't think it would be a good fit for this one book program).

The Show Must Go On by Kate Klise

Book description: When Sir Sidney, a kindly old circus owner, becomes too tired to travel with his show, he places a Help Wanted ad in the newspaper. Enter Barnabas Brambles: “I have a degree in lion taming from the University of Piccadilly Circus.” But does Leo the lion need taming? Will Elsa the elephant still get her gourmet peanuts? And what will Brambles say when he discovers Bert and Gert--two mice who travel with the circus on popcorn cleanup patrol? Brambles has big plans: More cities! More shows! No more free popcorn. Soon he’s made a big mess of Sir Sidney’s Circus, but Leo, Elsa, Bert, Gert, and the rest of the performers agree: The Show Must Go On!

My thoughts: I enjoyed this book and thought both my kids would have fun with it if we read it aloud together. Some others on the committee thought the book wasn't as good for the teacher read aloud videos and such since the book has a lot of pictures, so we're not going with this one. But I thought it was a really fun story that kids would enjoy.

The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney

Book description: You can learn a lot about life by observing another species. That’s what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy, is it true! In addition to having FUN-FUN-FUN in class, each weekend this amazing hamster gets to sleep over with a different student, like Lower-Your-Voice-A.J. and Speak-Up-Sayeh. Soon Humphrey learns to read, write, and even shoot rubber bands (only in self-defense, of course). With lots of friends to help, adventures to enjoy, and a cage with a lock-that-doesn’t- lock, Humphrey's life is almost perfect. If only the teacher, Mrs. Brisbane, wasn’t out to get him!

My thoughts: I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining and engaging and sweet, and I definitely think Ollie would enjoy this one. I thought the story was clever--it kinda reminded me of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Fun read!

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo

Book description: When a fortuneteller's tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller's mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead him there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true.

My thoughts: This is another one that I've read before, but it must have been when I wasn't updating the blog. But like all of Kate DiCamillo's books, this is a beautiful read. And while it's definitely "meant" for the older grades, I totally think younger kids could follow it and enjoy it--and adults will love it too. This is a great book.