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Sure, summer’s pretty fun and you’re probably sad to see it end, but let’s not forget… school is NEVER boring! From an alien take-over to a secret society to having your sister as your teacher — we’ve got it all in our booklist of school stories (in no particular order):
(Also, here’s a printable version of our More School Stories booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or show to your new teacher and see if you can get extra credit.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of your favorite school story book.
And don’t forget our previous school story recommendations from last fall!
UPDATE 9/20/11: We revealed the answer to our More School Stories Mystery Book Theater in the “Rule the School” Podcast, so take a listen if you want to know the answer. Or just tune in if you want to hear Karen’s comedy attempt fails. You know, the usual.
Yes, summer is awesome. Between summer camp, pool-side popsicles, and beach vacations, maybe you’re wishing that fall would never arrive.
But guys, autumn isn’t all bad! And to prove it to you, we’ve put together this monster list of books that are coming out in the fall — all of which we’re really, really excited about.
And for each upcoming book, we’ve also got a recommendation for a fun read to tide you over. So take a break from your summer break and check these out (in publication order):
(Also, here’s a printable version of our Fall Preview booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or show to your parents to prove you are indeed doing your summer reading. Between dips in the pool and trips to the ice cream shop, of course.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of any books you’re reading this summer.
Lemonade! Popsicles! Picnics! The beach! Watermelon! Swimming! Camp! No school!
Oh, sorry, were you looking for a full sentence that actually made some sense? Too bad! It’s bright and sunny out, and we’ve got summer on the brain!
So for this special month-long theme, it’s a Summer Grab Bag of books. We’ve each selected some great reads that we’ve never mentioned before in the history of Kidsmomo. So grab some ice cream for sustenance, and then check out any of these books (in no particular order):
Karen’s Recs: The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit (Karen’s pick) I’ve read this one over and over again! Perfect for fans of The Penderwicks and Edward Eager’s books. Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery A lesser-known book by the author of Anne of Green Gables. As a kid, I related to Emily because she loves to write, just like me! The Naked Mole-Rat Letters by Mary Amato I’m pretty sure I picked up this book just because of the title. I mean, how you can resist? But there’s more to the story than just the punchline, I promise! Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie If you like The Phantom Tollbooth, try this one out! Everyone Else’s Parents said Yes by Paula Danziger I love love love Paula Danziger’s hilarious books. Puns galore! The Hot and Cold Summer by Johanna Hurwitz A perfect pick for the season. Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary Move over, Ramona Quimby… Meet Maggie! The Silver Crown by Robert C. O’Brien Recently, Nancy recommended Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien. He also wrote this fantasy novel that I really enjoyed as a kid. Mandy by Julie Edwards If you like The Secret Garden, I highly recommend Mandy. I loved this book so much when I was growing up, it even inspired me to write a short story that was kind of similar! Atherton series by Patrick Carman If you’re in search of a good summer series, look no further. These books are totally awesome. Guaranteed.
Karen’s Recs:
Nancy’s Recs: The Magic Half by Annie Barrows (Nancy’s pick) Miri, a lonely middle kid between two sets of twins, finally finds her other half — who lives in the past! Sea City, Here We Come (Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #10) by Ann M. Martin A great summer read! All of the BSC Super Specials are fun and I, a West Coaster, especially liked #10 because it was summer on the East Coast. The Cay by Theodore Taylor Just because I read this for class doesn’t mean it wasn’t mesmerizing! Sweet Farts by Raymond Bean Keith is NOT happy with his new nickname “S.B.D.” (Silent But Deadly)… so he makes it his mission (and science project) to discover the cure for the common fart. The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks A classic about Omri and his friend Little Bear… who’s a plastic toy Indian that comes to life! I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls #1) by Ally Carter 15-year-old Cammie goes to boarding school. Boarding school for spies in training, that is. Ozma of Oz by L. Frank Baum Did you know that there’s more to this magical land than The Wizard of Oz? It’s up to Dorothy to save the day again! The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place Book 1: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood It’s like Jane Eyre + Lemony Snicket + Mary Poppins + three wild children. Need I add more? The New Girl (Sweet Valley Twins #6) by Francine Pascal Find out in why newcomer Brooke Dennis is a big jerk to identical siblings Elizabeth, Jessica, and “Jennifer” Wakefield! The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary What happens when you give a mouse a motorcycle? He rides it, of course!
Nancy’s Recs:
(Also, here’s a printable version of our Summer Grab Bag booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or the lake house or the pool or day camp or a road trip or a plane, etc.)
UPDATE 7/26/11: We revealed the answer to our Summer Grab Bag Mystery Book Theater in the “Endless Summer” Podcast, so take a listen if you want to know the answer. Or just tune in if you want to hear us revel in our own surprising amazingness. No, really.
It’s almost Father’s Day, and you know what that means… time to pick out another tie for the collection! OR you could celebrate by reading one of these books about dads. You may think that’s not much of a gift, but believe you me, every dad appreciates some quiet time!
So check out these books about fathers in all shapes and sizes — from always there to long-gone to everything in between (in no particular order):
(Also, here’s a printable version of our Books About Dads booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or leave lying around where your dad will see it and think you’re just the cutest thing in the world, and hopefully increase your allowance in gratitude or something.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of your favorite book about a dad.
UPDATE 6/29/11: We revealed the answer to our Books About Dads Mystery Book Theater in the “Yo, Daddy-o!” Podcast, so take a listen if you want to know the answer. Or just tune in if you want to hear us talk about how extremely amazing we are. For serious.
A canine detective in search of missing chickens. Dog and cat housemates with a new vampire(?!) bunny roommate. And several epic tales about rats versus mice — apparently, legendary enemies… Those are just a few of the several-species-stories you’ll find in our new booklist of multi-animal adventures (in no particular order):
(Also, here’s a printable version of our Multi-Animal Adventures booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or read aloud to your pets to give them some inspiration.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of your favorite multi-animal adventure book.
Did you know that a slinky can stretch from a sixth-floor window to the ground? Or that a “zedonk” is a cross between a female donkey and a male zebra? Or that the government used to operate a top-secret military base underground in Colorado — and it included an on-site dentist’s office?! These are just a few of the totally crazy but completely real factoids you’ll discover in these “strange but true” nonfiction books (in no particular order):
(Also, here’s a printable version of our “Wacky, Gross, Weird — and Real” booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or memorize so you can win big on game shows.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of your favorite nonfiction book.
Every March, we honor totally rockin’ ladies because of Women’s History Month. So we thought it’s time we celebrate some awesome dudes! From a boy raised in a cemetary to an evil(?) boy genius, from a guy fighting against an oppressive government to a dude who lives among lawbreakers on Alcatraz… meet them all in these books starring guys (in no particular order):
(Also, here’s a printable version of our Books Starring Guys booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or post up in your “BOYS ONLY. NO GIRLS ALLOWED.” fort.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of your favorite book starring a guy (or multiple guys). We’ll feature the best kid-submitted reviews in our next podcast!
UPDATE 5/17/11: We revealed the answer to our Books Starring Guys Mystery Book Theater in the “Boys Will Be Boys” Podcast, so take a listen if you want to know the answer. Or just tune in if you want to hear about cheese puffs and public vomiting — not connected to each other, thank goodness!
There once were two girls with a website. They loved finding books that were just right. Then Poetry Month came, And true to their claim, Here are poetry books sure to delight!
Hey, we never said we were Shakespeare… But we DID round up a bunch of poetry and verse offerings for National Poetry Month. Enjoy them this April or anytime (in no particular order):
(Also, here’s a printable version of our Poetry and Verse booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or use to impress that classmate you have a crush on.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of your favorite poetry book.
UPDATE 5/4/11: We revealed the answer to our Poetry and Verse Mystery Book Theater in the “Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue” Podcast, so take a listen if you want to know the answer. Or just tune in if you want to hear our semi-successful attempts at writing our own poetry. (We won’t hold our breath for any awards…)
What’s funnier than successfully slipping a whoopee cushion onto your teacher’s chair? How about successfully slipping a whoopee cushion onto your teacher’s chair right before the principal arrives to observe the class? HA HA HA HA! Or if fart humor isn’t really your thing (like, if you’re not as immature as we are), why don’t you check out some of these funny books?
In honor of April being National Humor Month, enjoy our previous picks for LOL funny books, plus these new additions (in no particular order):
(Also, here’s a printable version of our Haha-Hilarious booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or read out loud to your friends so that they’ll shoot milk out their noses.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of your favorite funny book. We’ll feature the best kid-submitted reviews in our next podcast!
Please don't send us any personal information such as your last name, address, or phone number. Read our Terms of Submission below before you submit your article. Kids: Ask your parents or teachers for approval before you submit anything to us, and read our Privacy Policy Statement. * All fields are required Your First Name ONLY: Your Age: State: AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaVirgin IslandsWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingOTHER Book Title: Author: Your Book Review: Rate the Book! ---11.522.533.544.55 Terms of Submission Before being published, your submission will be reviewed. It will be checked to see that it does not contain any inappropriate language or personal information. By sending us your submission, you are giving Kidsmomo permission to edit, promote, and put it up on our site and/or read it in its entirety in our podcast. However, because lots of kids send us submissions, we won't be able to publish all of the submissions that we receive. Also, it's really important to send us only your own writing and not anything that you copied from somewhere else. Thank you.
Please don't send us any personal information such as your last name, address, or phone number. Read our Terms of Submission below before you submit your article.
Kids: Ask your parents or teachers for approval before you submit anything to us, and read our Privacy Policy Statement.
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Terms of Submission
Before being published, your submission will be reviewed. It will be checked to see that it does not contain any inappropriate language or personal information. By sending us your submission, you are giving Kidsmomo permission to edit, promote, and put it up on our site and/or read it in its entirety in our podcast. However, because lots of kids send us submissions, we won't be able to publish all of the submissions that we receive. Also, it's really important to send us only your own writing and not anything that you copied from somewhere else. Thank you.
I know you are, but what am I?
Stop hitting yourself.
I’m telling Mom!
You’re in trouble…
Are any of those phrases familiar to you? Then it probably means you have a sibling. And if you do, then you know that sometimes they can be a best friend, a shoulder to cry on, someone who understands you in a way no one else ever could… and sometimes you just want to bop them over the head in frustration. Well, join the club! All the characters in these books about siblings feel your pain. Meet them all (in no particular order):
(Also, here’s a printable version of our Siblings booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or use to taunt your brother or sister.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of your favorite book about siblings. We’ll feature the best kid-submitted reviews in our next podcast!
UPDATE 4/5/11: We revealed the answer to our Books About Siblings Mystery Book Theater in the “Oh, Brother! (And Sister)” Podcast, so take a listen if you want to know the answer. Or just tune in if you want to hear some hilarious stories about Nancy’s childhood – direct from her siblings!
