Meridian Park Elementary


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SECOND GRADE READING LISTS

The following lists of suggested books are from a variety of websites. Links to these websites can be found on the homepage of the Meridian Park website.

Title/Author

Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin

Giggle, Giggle, Quack by Doreen Cronin

Gus and Grandpa (series) by Claudia Mills

Henry and Mudge (series) by Cynthia Rylant

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Sims Taback

Junie B. Jones (series) by Barbara Park

Magic Tree House (series) by Mary Pope Osborne

Owen and Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff

Prehistoric Actual Size by Steve Jenkins

Stanley’s Party by Linda Bailey

Tulip Sees America by Cynthia Rylant

What Do You Do With A Tail Like This?

• by Steve Jenkins

Author/Title

Avi Emily Upham’s Revenge

Brenner, Barbara Wagon Wheels

Byars, Betsy Tornado

Carrick, Carol Stay Away from Simon

Catling, Patrick Chocolate Touch

Cazet, Denys Minnie and Moo Go Dancing (series)

Christopher, Matt Peach Street Mudders (series)

Cleary, Beverly Ramona Forever (series)

Dahl, Roald Fantastic Mr. Fox

Danziger, Paula Amber Brown (series)

Erickson, Russell Warton and Morton (series)

Fowler, Susi Albertina the Practically Perfect

Hoban, Lillian Arthur’s Birthday Party

Howe, James Bunnicula (series)

Howe, James Horace & Morris but Mostly Dolores

Howe, James Pinky and Rex (series)

Kalman, Maira Next Stop Grand Central

King-Smith, Dick Martin’s Mice

Koller, Jackie Dragonling (series)

Krensky, Stephen Louise Takes Charge

Landon, Lucinda Meg Macintosh (series)

Little, Jean Emma’s Magic Winter

Moss, Marissa Amelia Takes Command (series)

Namioka, Lensey Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear (series)

Osborne, Mary Pope Magic Tree House (series)

Park, Barbara Junie B. Jones (series)

Rockwell, H. How to Eat Fried Worms

Rodowsky, Colby Not My Dog

Rylant, Cynthia Blue Hill Meadows

Rylant, Cynthia Poppleton (series)

Sanvoisin, Eric The Ink Drinker

Say, Allen Tea with Milk

Scieszka, Jon Time Warp Trio (series)

Scieszka, Jon True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Smith, Doris Taste of Blackberries

Sobol, Donald Encyclopedia Brown (series)

Stevenson, James Mud Flat (series)

Stoltz, Mary Ballad of the Civil War

Warner, Gertrude Boxcar Children (series)

Brisson, Pat The Summer My Father was Ten

Dunrea, Olivier The Trow-Wife’s Treasure

Garland, Sherry S. Lotus Seed

Hall, Donald The Milkman’s Day

Johnson, Dolores Now Let Me Fly: The Story of a Slave Family

Lasky, Kathhryn She’s Wearing a Dead Bird on Her Head!

Lester, Julius Black Cowboy, Wild Horses: A True Story

Levine, Arthur Pearl Moscowitz’s Last Stand

McCully, Emily Popcorn at the Palace

Mitchell, Margaree Uncle Jed’s Barbershop

Polocca, Patricia Thank you, Mr. Falker

Ratligen, Jama Dumpling Soup

Say, Allen Grandfather’s Journey

Stanley, Diane Raising Sweetness

Thomas, Joyce I Have Heard of a Land

Barrows, Annie Ivy and Bean and the Ghost that Had to Go

Boynton, Sandra Rhinoceros Tap

Brenner, Barbara One Small Place By The Sea

Christelow, Eileen Letters from a Desperate Dog

Diakite, Penda I Lost My Tooth in Africa

DiCamillo, Kate Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise

Fallon, Joe Halfway Hank

Fine, Anne The Return of the Killer Cat

Grogan, John Bad Dog Marley

Gutman, Dan Ms. Coco is Loco!

Holm, Jennifer Beach Babe, Babymouse

Jenkins, Steve Almost Gone: the World’s Rarest Animals

Kenah, Katharine The Best Seat in Second Grade

Landry, Leo Sea Surprise

Lang, Aubrey Baby Sloth

Lowry, Lois Gooney, the Fabulous

MacLachlan, Patricia Once I Ate A Pie

O’Malley, Kevin Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will Share

Sierra, Judy The Secret Science Project That Almost Ate the School

Title /Author/Summary

The Amazing Spider-Man Pop-Up

· Marvel Comics.

· This pop-up hardback comic book draws in young readers with the history of Spider-Man and his enemies. Spider-Man's beginning story is woven in, explaining how he changed from an attention-seeking boy to a man who does good deeds for people. (Team 3)

· Candlewick. 16 pp. US$19.99 (trade).

Animals in the House: A History of Pets and People

· From Animals in the House: A History of Pets and People by Sheila Keenan; Scholastic Nonfiction.

· Sheila Keenan. Ill. with photographs.

· Fascinating facts, historical details, endearing animal photographs, and some famous people with their pets are presented in a colorful and inviting format that provides young pet lovers with an abundance of reasons for why we love our furry or feathered friends. (Team 4)

· Scholastic Nonfiction. 112 pp. US$17.99 (trade). CAN$21.99.

· Babymouse: Camp Babymouse

· Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm.

· Spirited Babymouse is back and, this time she goes to camp. As she tries to help her cabin mates win the coveted camp award, things don't go as planned, but Babymouse makes it a memorable experience nonetheless. (Team 3)

· Random House Books for Young Readers. 96 pp. US$12.99 (library). Pb., Random House Books for Young Readers. US$5.99. CAN$6.99.

· Babymouse: Heartbreaker

· Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm.

· Babymouse daydreams about her date for the Valentine's Day dance. When she can't get a date, she goes alone. She is bored and about to go home when Georgie (a giraffe) asks her to dance. The evening ends happily. (Team 5)

· Random House Books for Young Readers. 96 pp. US$12.99 (library). Pb., Random House Books for Young Readers. US$5.99. CAN$6.99.

· Big Cats: Hunters of the Night

· Elaine Landau. Ill. with photographs.

· Beautiful photographs of wild cats from around the world draw readers into this accessible nonfiction book. With all the components of good expository texts, this book informs readers that big cats' greatest enemies are humans who clear-cut jungles and forests. (Team 3)

· Enslow Publishers. 32 pp. US$22.60 (library).

· The Book Club Kit

· Patti Kelley Criswell. Ill. Ali Douglass.

· This kit contains helpful directions for starting a book club and includes question cards, bookmarks, and activity cards. Suggestions for being a good listener and participant are also included to encourage readers to talk about what they are reading. (Team 3)

· American Girl Publishing. 56 pp. US$10.95 (trade).

· Could You? Would You?

· Trudy White.

· This wonderful book allows children to imagine things that they would do if they could. This is a book that everyone can relate to, no matter their background.

· Kane/Miller. 89 pp. Pb., US$12.95. CAN$15.95.

· Crazy Cars

· Matt Doeden. Ill. with photographs.

· From Henry Ford's Quadricycle to the fastest dragster, the most unique cars of all time are spotlighted in this captivating book that enthralls young readers as they learn about the intriguing history and continuing fascination with the automobile. (Team 4)

· Lerner. 48 pp. US$26.60 (library).

· Dare to Dream!

· Carl Sommer. Ill. Jorge Martinez, Greg Budwine, and Kennon James.

· By listening to stories told by his father and grandparents, a young boy learns how choices can lead to overcoming adversity. The lives of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington Carver, Ben Franklin, and Helen Keller are highlighted. (Team 2)

· Advance Publishers. 48 pp. US$9.95 (library).

· Dinosaurium: 10 Books in One

· Laura Buller and Carey Scott.

· There's a book for every dinosaur characteristic in this cleverly packaged assortment of fossil knowledge. Dinopedia, Dino Dinners, Dino Swatch (of skins!), Dinotimeline, and others that offer endless prehistoric engagement for kids who are wild about dinosaurs. (Team 4)

· DK Publishing. 20 pp. US$24.99 (trade). CAN$29.99.

· Dinosaurs Across America

· Phil Yeh.

· Patrick Rabbit and three dinosaur friends take a trip through a magic map to learn about all of the United States. In graphic novel format, information for each state is accessible and encourages further reading to learn more. (Team 3)

· Nantier Beall Minoustchine Publishing. 32 pp. US$12.95 (trade).

· Do Not Open: An Encyclopedia of the World's Best-Kept Secrets

· John Farndon.

· The name of the book alone gets readers to pick it up. Once open, the reader finds it packed with weird and interesting facts. Readers engage in learning through rich illustrations of the world's best-kept secrets. This book contains much more than just trivia. (Team 1)

· DK Publishing. 256 pp. US$24.99 (trade). CAN$29.99.

· Dog Diaries: Secret Writings of the WOOF Society

· Betsy Byars, Betsy Duffey, and Laurie Myers. Ill. Erik Brooks.

· These short stories show life through a dog's eyes. Some have historical settings like ancient Egypt, and some explain quirky dog behavior. All are told simply and humorously, as a dog might, so they are easily understood by younger readers. (Team 4)

· Henry Holt. 64 pp. US$15.95 (trade). CAN$19.95.

· Dogs

· Meish Goldish. Ill. with photographs.

· From the Smart Animals series, Dogs uses simple, informational text and photographs to describe how intelligent and loyal these canines are. Two-page chapters discuss topics such as service dogs, the smartest dogs, Pavlov's experiments, and wild dogs. This book includes a glossary, bibliography, and index. (Team 5)

· Bearport. 32 pp. US$18.95 (library).

· Encyclopedia Brown Cracks the Case

· Donald J. Sobol.

· Children will enjoy beating Encyclopedia to the solution in each of these 10 short stories. The cases require different knowledge to solve them so this collection is good for history buffs or budding scientists. (Team 2)

· Dutton. 90 pp. US$15.99 (trade). CAN$20.00. Pb., Puffin. US$4.99.

· Every Minute on Earth: Fun Facts That Happen Every 60 Seconds

· Steve Murrie and Matthew Murrie. Ill. Mary Anne Lloyd.

· Readers find this book to be a fun way to learn facts about our planet and challenge other readers to match wits as they become knowledgeable citizens of the earth. Students learn nonfiction can be fun. (Team 1)

· Scholastic Reference. 224 pp. Pb., US$9.99. CAN$11.99.

· Explorer: A Daring Guide for Young Adventurers

· Dugald A. Steer. Ill. Milivoj Ceran and Alastair Graham.

· Go forth and explore! Armed with sage advice, historical examples, and helpful instructions, readers are encouraged to become explorers with fun pop-ups, booklets, flaps, letters, and even an adventurer's board game in this interactive informational book. (Team 3)

· Candlewick. 32 pp. US$15.99 (trade).

· Extreme Dinosaurs

· Robert Mash. Ill. Stuart Martin.

· The oldest, smallest, heaviest, toughest, fastest, slowest, most ferocious, longest, tallest, smartest, and most extreme eaters are among the dinosaurs described in this book. Drawings, photographs, posters, foldouts, and movable parts help readers learn more about these animals. (Team 5)

· Atheneum. 32 pp. US$21.99 (trade). CAN$26.99.

· Extreme Pets!

· Jane Harrington. Ill. with photographs.

· A humorous and informative guide to unusual pets, such as skunks, hedgehogs, slugs, and hissing cockroaches. Each pet is graded for coolness, aroma, neatness, ease of care, and cost. Kids also learn how to convince their parents they need one. (Team 5)

· Scholastic Reference. 163 pp. US$12.99 (trade). CAN$14.99.

· Goosebumps Graphix 3: Terror Trips

· R.L. Stine. Ill. Jill Thompson, Jamie Tolagson, and Amy Kim Ganter.

· Stine's brand of horror combines with the graphic novel format to grab readers' attention. The book provides fun and scary tales in short, easy reads, a genre enjoyed by this age group. Black and white illustrations and different art styles add to the intrigue. (Team 1)

· Graphix. 140 pp. US$16.99 (trade). US$17.99 (library). CAN$20.99. Pb., Graphix. US$8.99.

· A Horse in the House and Other Strange but True Animal Stories

· Gail Ablow. Ill. Kathy Osborn.

· A Komodo dragon undergoes acupuncture, donkeys get married, a parrot captures robbers, a greyhound wears contact lenses, a cow eats diamonds, an elephant is fitted with dentures, a chicken visits a psychologist, and more “strange but true” stories can be found in this book. (Team 5)

· Candlewick. 40 pp. US$17.99 (trade).

· How Big Is It? A BIG Book All About BIGNESS

· Ben Hillman. Ill. with photographs.

· Living, extinct, human-made, and geological BIG wonders fill this book. Interesting facts accompany large photographs that provide visual comparisons to show the true enormity of these objects. Layout, pictures, and information make this book irresistible.

· Scholastic Reference. 48 pp. US$14.99 (trade). CAN$17.99.

· Medical Detective Dogs

· Frances E. Ruffin. Ill. with photographs.

· Young readers love dogs. The fact that dogs can be used to help people detect illnesses is even more intriguing. Readers find this book factual, informative, and very interesting. (Team 1)

· Bearport Publishing. 32 pp. US$18.95 (library).

· Military Dogs

· Frances E. Ruffin. Ill. with photographs.

· This book traces the history of dogs in the military from 1884 to the present. Illustrations provide photographs of dogs in action during war. The stories about dogs who became heroes especially interests boys in this age group. (Team 2)

· Bearport Publishing. 32 pp. US$18.95 (library).

· Monday With a Mad Genius

· Mary Pope Osborne; illustrated by Sal Murdocca, published by Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children's Books.

· Mary Pope Osborne. Ill. Sal Murdocca.

· In this educational fiction book, Jack and Annie magically travel back in time to meet Leonardo da Vinci through whom they also meet Mona Lisa. History comes alive as readers learn about the Renaissance and search for the secrets of happiness.

· Random House. 128 pp. US$14.99 (library). US$11.99 (trade). CAN$15.99. Pb., Random House. US$4.99.

· Mythology

· Dugald A. Steer.

· The illustrations, maps, and interactive pop-ups in this book will develop a child's interest in mythology. Add to that a sidebar of mystery on every page and they will learn the relationships between the characters in no time. (Team 2)

· Candlewick. 32 pp. US$19.99 (trade). Pb., Back Bay Books. US$13.99.

· Old Penn Station

· William Low.

· This story accurately chronicles the rise and fall of an amazing building during the height of train travel in and out of New York City. Readers are engaged by lifelike illustrations. (Team 1)

· Henry Holt. 40 pp. US$16.95 (trade). CAN$21.00.

· The Painted Circus

· Wallace Edwards.

· Each page reveals an intriguing optical illusion or visual puzzle for the reader to solve, from spotting pirates to counting ducks. This delightful book will charm and entertain young readers. (Team 3)

· Kids Can. 32 pp. US$17.95 (trade).

· Race Horses

· Michael Sandler. Ill. with photographs.

· From the Horse Power series, this volume uses simple informational text and photographs to describe horse racing, famous races, and some of the most famous race horses. A table of contents, index, and glossary are included. (Team 5)

· Bearport Publishing. 32 pp. US$18.95 (library).

· Real-Life Sea Monsters

· Judith Jango-Cohen. Ill. Ryan Durney.

· This book asks, Are sea monsters fact or fiction? Vivid illustrations grab the reader's attention from the first page. Deep-sea tall tales are contrasted with current research. (Team 4)

· Millbrook. 48 pp. US$25.26 (library).

· The Richest Poor Kid

· Carl Sommer. Ill. Jorge Martinez.

· In a modern-day twist on the story of King Midas's touch, Randy learns that if you have a loving home, clothes to wear, and food to eat you can be happy. This book teaches the character traits of appreciation, cheerfulness, and trust. (Team 2)

· Advance Publishing. 48 pp. US$16.95 (library). US$9.99 (trade).

· Scholastic Book of World Records 2008

· Jenifer Corr Morse. Ill. with photographs.

· Fascinating photographs and text in almanac format works perfectly for readers in this age group. Well-written, concise, and interesting details engage students, who will not want to stop reading. (Team 1)

· Scholastic Reference. 304 pp. US$9.99 (trade). CAN$11.99.

· See What You Can Be: Explore Careers That Could Be for You!

· Diane Heiman and Liz Suneby. Ill. Tracey Wood.

· An appealing journal format, lively cartoons and photographs, engaging activities that match personalities and interests to potential career choices, combined with spotlights on real women in real professions, give young girls a wide range of future possibilities to explore. (Team 4)

· American Girl Publishing. 108 pp. Pb., US$9.95.

· Spike the Rebel!

· Carl Sommer. Ill. Enrique Vignolo.

· Spike is a big bully who thinks that he doesn't need anybody. But when he is hurt and a neighbor helps him, he discovers that kindness and caring for others is important after all. (Team 2)

· Advance Publishing. 48 pp. US$16.95 (library).

· Turtle Summer: A Journal for My Daughter

· Cover art by Sylvan Dell Publishing; photo by Barbara J. Bergwerf for Turtle Summer: A Journal for My Daughter (Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2007).

o Mary Alice Monroe. Photographs by Barbara J. Bergwerf.

o The nature photography and sketches in this book will teach young children about the wonders of the sea turtle and how to respect and preserve the turtles' natural habitat. (Team 2)

o Sylvan Dell. 32 pp. US$15.95 (trade). Pb., Sylvan Dell. US$8.95.

o Wolves

o Duncan Searl. Ill. with photographs.

o Everything you need to know about wolves is here. The text includes sections on wolves' intelligence, life in the wild, and protection as an endangered species. This is a great resource for reports, due to the number of quick facts. (Team 2)

o Bearport Publishing. 32 pp. US$18.95 (library).

o The Worst Name in Third Grade

o Debbie Dadey. Ill. Tamara Petrosino.

o What could be worse than being named Bridgett Butt? Nothing—until her favorite teacher moves, her best friend chooses someone else, and Bridgett's beloved dog becomes ill (but only temporarily). Although things look bleak, all is well in the end. (Team 5)

o Scholastic Paperbacks. 66 pp. Pb., US$3.99 (trade). CAN$4.99.

o  Cannon: Crickwing c2000 insects, fiction Crickwing the cockroach saves the day for the leaf-cutter ants when their forest enemies attack them.

o  Crews: Below c2006 fiction When Jack drops his action figure into a mysterious hole, he has to devise a rescue.

o  Ernst: Sylvia Jean, Drama Queen c2005 fantasy animals, humor Although Sylvia Jean owns plenty of costumes, she struggles to come up with a costume for the big party.

o  Hoberman: You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read Together c2001 rhyming stories This collection of short, rhythmic stories and cheerful art is designed to be read out loud by both child and adult.

o  James: Dear Mr. Blueberry c1991 letter writing A teacher and his young student correspond with each other concerning an imaginary whale in the little girl’s pond.

·  Lobel: Frog and Toad stories classics Each of the frog and toad stories include several short tales about two very good friends.

· Mayer: Little Critter stories fantasy, animals Little Critter is a small creature who is amazingly like a young human boy. His adventures take place with different members of his family who expose him to daily life experiences.

·  McKissack: Flossie and the Fox c1986 folklore, ethnic diversity In this African American folk tale, a fox who is known for stealing eggs encounters a young girl who continues to deny that he is a fox without a lot of proof.

·  McKissack: The Honest-to-Goodness Truth c2000 character, ethnic diversity A young girl promises not to ever lie but then discovers that there are times that one actually should not tell the entire truth.

·  McNaughton: Once Upon an Ordinary School Day c2004 school story Mr. Gee, the new teacher, changes "ordinary" when he challenges all the children to use their imaginations.

·  Numeroff: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and sequels c1985 cumulative tales When a mouse requests a cookie, a cycle of events occurs that brings the reader full circle.

·  Pallotta: Dory/story c2000 sea story, fiction Danny's ocean adventures are completely enchanting, even if they take place in the bathtub.

·  Parish: Amelia Bedelia stories classics, fiction  Amelia Bedelia, who is a housekeeper, is very literal minded when others give her directions; the results are hilarious.

·  Pearson: Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed c2002 kindness, fiction When young Mary secretly leaves berries on a lady’s porch, the kindness is multiplied many times over by others.

·  Polacco: Aunt Chip and the Triple Creek Dam Affair c1996 TV, reading, fiction Since the invasion of television, no one can remember how to read.

·  Rylant: Henry and Mudge stories family, dogs, humor A young boy named Henry and his dog Mudge share many adventures with Henry’s parents and other important people in his life.

·  Schachner: Skippyjon Jones c2003 humor This Siamese kitten spends his "time-out" imagining himself as "El-Skippito" who comes to the rescue of some Chihuahuas.

·  Stevens: And the Dish Ran Away With the Spoon c2001 nursery rhymes From the Mother Goose nursery rhyme, Dish and Spoon run away. Concerned about the fate of the rhyme, Cat, Cow and Dog set out to find them.

·  Waber: The House On East 88th Street c1962 crocodiles, classic When Lyle the Crocodile appears in the bathtub of the Primm family, the family is very upset; but Lyle soon wins their hearts.

· Woodson: The Other Side c2001 friendship, ethnic diversity A fence divides a town where two girls - one white and one black - sit and gradually become acquainted.

Title/Author

· Everything to Spend the Night From A to Z, by Ann Whitford Paul Rollicking rhymes and illustrations packed with funny details reflect this exuberant narrator's delight as she pulls one thing after another out of her overnight bag and invites her grandpa to join in the fun.

· Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep: A Yarn About Wool, by Teri Sloat  Farmer Brown was shearing sheep, piling up a snowy heaps of wool that filled his shed, knee-deep. But when the temperature drops, his shivering sheep see all their wool in sacks--and "BAAA!" they cry. "WE WANT IT BACK!"

· Hamster Chase, by Anastasia Suen The class hamster gets loose and it's up to Peter, Amy, and Archie to find him and lure him back into his cage.

· How To Catch An Elephant, by Amy Schwartz Enjoy this zany tale about a journey into the wilds where elephants live and about the fun of catching one -- a process that is utterly logical and utterly nuts.

· It's Justin Time, Amber Brown, by Paula Danziger Amber wants a watch for her seventh birthday more than anything so she can feel more grown-up and she will always know exactly how late Justin Daniels, her best friend, is.

· Letters and Sounds (Get Set for Kindergarten series), by Rosemary Wells Timothy and his kindergarten classmates learn about the alphabet, sounds, and rhyming. Includes activities on letter recognition, single and multiple syllable words, and words that start with consonants and vowels.

· The Lion and the Mouse and Other Aesop Fables, by Doris Orgel Getting there is half the fun with this pair, and along the way Minnie and Moo pick up a busload of equally adventurous animal friends from nearby Africa World, careen through a car wash they believe is China, and find themselves trading stories under a night sky in what they hope is America.

· Minnie and Moo Go to Paris, by Denys Cazet Getting there is half the fun with this pair, and along the way (past an electrical tower they think is the Eiffel), Minnie and Moo pick up a busload of equally adventurous animal friends from nearby Africa World, careen through a car wash they believe is China, and find themselves trading stories under a night sky in what they hope is America Minnie And Moo and the Musk of Zorro, by Denys Cazet Moo longs for the days of heroes, the days of the derring-do of good-deed doers. As Juanita del Zorro del Moo and Dolores del Zorro del Minnie, our heroes roam the farm armed with an aerosol can of Zorro musk and a barbecue skewer, attempting to rescue the downtrodden.

· Old Thunder and Miss Raney, by Sharon Darrow Miss Raney is determined to win a ribbon for her biscuits at the county fair until a tornado changes her plans.

· The Other Side, by Jacqueline Woodson Woodson's pre-civil rights picture book tells a story of a friendship across race.

· Ring! Yo?, by Chris Raschka RING! YO? gives young readers only one side of the conversation -- and asks them to use their imaginations to fill in the other half.

· Three Cheers for Catherine the Great!, by Cari Best A little English, a little Russian, and a lot of heart make a birthday celebration you won't want to miss. This lively borscht-and-blintzes birthday celebration shows that sometimes no presents can be the best presents of all.

· Willie's Birthday, by Anastasia Suen A "Bring Your Pet" birthday party gets out of hand when the pets show more interest in chasing each other than in celebrating.

· Yoshi's Feast, by Kimiko Kajikawa Long ago there lived a fan maker named Yoshi who loved to eat broiled eels but the cook wants to charge him for the ones he smells as well as eats! How Yoshi repays the cook makes for a witty, satisfying tale about the pleasures of give and take.

· Young Classics: Alice in Wonderland, by Julie Fior In this Young Classic edition, children discover the extraordinarily imaginative world of Wonderland. Photography and background information helps to establish the setting, and bring Alice in Wonderland to new life for a new generation of children.

· The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash, by Trinka Hakes Noble When Jimmy's unusual pet accompanies him on his class trip, an ordinary jaunt to a farm turns into a hilarious, slapstick romp.

· The Art Lesson, by Tomie de Paola Tommy can't wait to start his art class at school. But once there, he is surprised to find rules! His art teacher wants him to copy her drawing, and he wants to create his own.

· Swimmy, by Leo Lionni A little fish, the lone survivor of a school of fish swallowed by a tuna, devises a plan to camouflage himself and his new companions.

· If You Were a Writer, by Joan Lowery Nixon Melia wants to be a writer just like her mother. With a few helpful suggestions and lots of encouragement, she is soon on her way.

· Author: A True Story, by Helen Lester Children's author Helen Lester describes her life from age three to adulthood and discusses how she writes.

· Amelia's Road, by Linda Jacobs Altman  This touching tale of the importance of home will strike a chord with children who find themselves having to cope with moving. Amelia, a child of migrant farm workers, is weary of wandering with the seasons and longs for a home with a fine yard and shade tree.

· Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney As a child Great-aunt Alice Rumphius resolved that when she grew up she would go to faraway places, live by the sea in her old age, and do something to make the world more beautiful--and she does all those things, the last being the most difficult of all.

· A Chair for My Mother, by Vera B. Williams A child, her waitress mother, and her grandmother save dimes to buy a comfortable armchair after all their furniture is lost in a fire.

· The New Kid on the Block, by Jack Prelutsky  Open this book to any page to beging your exploration. Here are poems about things that you may never have thought about before. You'll be introduced to jellyfish stew, a bouncing mouse, a ridiculous dog, and a boneless chicken. You'll meet the world's worst singer and the greatest video game player in history. You'll even find an invitation to a dragon's birthday party...Your friends are invited too.

· Freckle Juice, by Judy Blume  Andrew wants freckles so badly that he buys Sharon's freckle recipe for fifty cents. At home he carefully mixes the strange combination of ingredients. Then the unexpected happens...

· Charlotte's Web, by E. B. White  Wilbur, the pig, is desolate when he discovers that he is destined to be the farmer's Christmas dinner until his spider friend, Charlotte decides to help him.

· Ramona Quimby, Age 8, by Beverly Cleary Mr. Quinby's going to college, Mrs. Quinby's going to work. Now that Ramona is eight, she can go to a new school with a new teacher and ride the bus all by herself. But life isn't as easy for Ramona as it used to be. All the Quimbys have to adjust, and Ramona gets her chance to prove that she's "big enough for her family to depend on."

· Fudge-A-Mania, by Judy Blume Pete describes the family vacation in Maine with the Tubmans, highlighted by the antics of his younger brother Fudge.

· Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein  Irreverent, hilarious and wildly popular, Silverstein's collection of verse is hard to put down.