The Island of Dr. Libris

By: Chris Grabenstein

Billy is NOT excited about spending the summer at a cabin with his mother.  During the first day, he breaks his iPhone and has a run-in with bullies.  In desperation, Billy explores the

library - quite an amazing place compared to the rest of the cabin.  As he begins to read the books, he thinks his imagination is running wild - he can hear the characters and feel the ground shake!  Billy looks outside at an island in the middle of the lake, and is shocked that he can even see the characters from the books.  Billy rows to the island to investigate and then the adventure really begins.

Mrs. Senechal says:
If you like to read, you will love this book!  If you don't like to read, this book might convince you that books are more exciting than you realize.  The author weaves famous literary characters into an exciting and modern story.  I think it would be awesome to be in the worlds and meet characters from my favorite books.  I highly recommend this book!

The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis

By: Barbara O'Connor

Popeye lives in a small town in South Carolina, and it is boring.  But after a long rain,

Popeye finds an RV stuck in the mud on the street by his house.  He meets Elvis who lives in the RV with his family - finally something interesting!  But, when the two boys go on a "small adventure" and find someone floating boats down the river, then they have a mystery to solve!

Mrs. Senechal says:
Every single character in this book is very unique.  The author does a great job of creating a whole story full of unexpected characters.  This is a fun summer story and may even give you a few ideas on having a "small adventure" of your own.

Aliens on Vacation

Aliens on Vacation
By: Clete Barrett Smith


"Scrub" is completely bummed that instead of spending the summer in Florida working on his basketball skills, his parents send him to Washington to stay with his Grandma who runs a bed and breakfast.  Scrub anticipates a boring little town with nothing to do, but what he gets is the "Intergalactic Bed and Breakfast" - an actual inn for aliens who have traveled to earth to spend their vacation!


Mrs. Senechal says:
This was a fun read!  The author uses good detail to create very interesting and likable characters.  Scrub has to endure some hilarious and embarrassing events while helping his Grandma run the inn.  If you like sci-fi, you'll definitely enjoy this book!

The Lemonade War

By: Jacqueline Davies

Evan and his sister Jessie are only one year apart, and they usually enjoy doing things together over summer vacation. But this summer is different, Evan will be a fourth grader in August, and he just found out that the school has approved Jessie skipping third grade - so they'll be in the same class! Evan and Jessie are both nervous about this unusual situation. In the midst of an argument, the two decide to settle their differences by seeing who can earn the most money running a lemonade stand - the "lemonade war" begins.

Mrs. Senechal says:

The author did a terrific job of writing from both Jessie and Evan's point of view. Both kids certainly had things to be nervous about as they looked ahead to fourth grade. I also love all the creative thinking Jessie and Evan do to try to outsell the other. In the end, the kids both learn a lot about themselves and how important they are to each other - and how to sell a lot of lemonade! This is a very enjoyable book!