104. I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935

104. I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935. Lauren Tarshis. 2025. 144 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, historical fiction, series book]

First sentence: Eleven-year-old Ray Nicholson stared in horror at the massive cloud racing across the sky. It was a mountain of churning blackness that rose up thousands of feet in the air. It stretched out as far as Ray could see.

Premise/plot: I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935, is set in the Texas Panhandle. Ray Nicholson is the protagonist. He and his friends are eye-witness to the struggles facing the community: the drought, the dust storms, dust pneumonia and other lung issues, the economy, etc. Ray is in the middle of running away from home--trying to catch a train to California--when a BIG dust storm comes that gives him a new outlook on life.

My thoughts: I liked this one well enough. I think the I Survived series--this is the twenty-fifth I believe--definitely have a time and place in libraries--public, school, classroom, and personal. Young readers often go through a phase where predictable series are EVERYTHING. Binge-reading though a beloved series is such an important stage. And I think the series as a whole is definitely good. I enjoy this series because it always includes some nonfiction back matter to supplement the story. Yet it isn't a separate companion book like another series.


© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

94. Mouse and Spoon: Rabbit Tea

94. Rabbit Tea (Mouse and Spoon) (Ready to Read Level 2). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, animal fantasy, early reader]

First sentence: On Littleton Street in a little town, three little mice had a bakery. Tom was the youngest, Ginger was the oldest, and Piper was right in the middle. Their shop was called the Mouse and Spoon Bakery.

Premise/plot: Ginger, Piper, and Tom love, love, love, love baking. In this book in the series, these three are catering for a a RABBIT tea party. Six mama rabbits and Two-hundred-and-sixteen children! These three bakers will keep busy, busy, busy preparing food for that many!

My thoughts: I have really enjoyed the books in this series that I have read. It's a fun idea for a series. The mice are ADORABLE and precious. I love how there is a new customer in each book. There are plenty of things that stay the same, and, yet each book is a little different.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

92. Days with Frog and Toad

92. Days with Frog and Toad. An I Can Read Book. Arnold Lobel. 1979. HarperCollins. 64 pages. [4 stars, animal fantasy, early chapter book]

First sentence: Toad woke up. "Drat!" he said. "This house is a mess. I have so much work to do." Frog looked through the window. "Toad, you are right," said Frog. "It is a mess." Toad pulled the covers over his head. "I will do it tomorrow," said Toad. "Today I will take life easy." Frog came into the house. "Toad," said Frog, "your pants and jacket are lying on the floor." "Tomorrow," said Toad from under the covers. "Your kitchen sink is filled with dirty dishes," said Frog. "Tomorrow," said Toad. "There is dust on your chairs." "Tomorrow," said Toad. "Your windows need scrubbing," said Frog. "Your plants need watering." "Tomorrow!" cried Toad. "I will do it all tomorrow!" Toad sat on the edge of his bed. "Blah," said Toad. "I feel down in the dumps." "Why?" asked Frog. "I am thinking about tomorrow," said Toad. "I am thinking about all of the many things that I will have to do." "Yes," said Frog, "tomorrow will be a very hard day for you."

ETA: I listened to this on audio. They added an additional story, "Dream" which is found in Frog and Toad Together.

This Frog and Toad book contains five stories: "Tomorrow," "The Kite," "Shivers," "The Hat," and "Alone." I really, really enjoy three of these stories.

Tomorrow is probably my favorite in this collection. (And it's useful for inspiration.) I love Toad's drat's and blah's. Toad has a choice to make--to do the work of each day on that day, to take the work with the pleasure, OR to put off all the work so he can have all the pleasure. But there is always a day of reckoning. So perhaps, it's best that Toad learns this lesson quickly!

The Hat is a delightful story. Frog gives Toad a birthday present, a hat. But the hat is much too big for his friend. He feels awful about that. How can he fix the hat without his friend realizing it?!

Alone is another wonderful story! Toad discovers a note on his friend Frog's door. A note saying that Frog wants to be alone for a while! Toad worries and panics a bit! Why oh why oh why would Frog ever want time away from him?! Does this mean that Frog doesn't want to spend any time with him? Does it mean that Frog doesn't want him as a best friend anymore?!

The Kite is a story about diligence and perseverance. The two friends are having trouble getting their kite to fly. One friend wants to give up, wants to just admit that their kite is junk and that it will never, ever fly. The other wants to keep trying. It's a playful story. And Frog and Toad do shine in it!

Shivers is about the two friends telling a ghost story and getting delicious shivers.


© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

75. Lone Wolf On Vacation

Lone Wolf On Vacation. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-Fai Steele. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, early reader] 

First sentence: It was summer vacation. Wolf packed his bags. He watered his plants. He said goodbye to....NO ONE! Wolf didn't have any friends to say goodbye to. Which was just the way he liked it. Wolf couldn't wait to go on vacation. To smell the fresh air. To see the sights. To be alone in new places. And best of all, he wouldn't have to worry about running into anyone he knew.

Premise/plot: Wolf is a lone wolf...a lone wolf by choice. Will his vacation go as planned? Or will he be surrounded by people, people, people, and more people!!! Will he ever get to relax on his vacation? Or will life keep throwing bothersome people and noisy situations in his path?

My thoughts: I love, love, love, love, love, love to infinity and beyond this character. LONE WOLF is awesome. That is all. This is the third Lone Wolf book I've read--I believe there are four published this year. It was WONDERFUL.

Quotes:

"How about a sing-along?" called the bus driver. OH NO. This was not a quiet bus driver. This was a singing bus driver. "The wheels on the bus go round and round," sang the singing bus driver. "Grrrr!" said Wolf.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

30. Will the Pigeon Graduate?

 

30. Will the Pigeon Graduate? Mo Willems. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, gift book, inspirational, humor]

First sentence: Will the pigeon graduate? I had better graduate! I did the work! I paid attention to the little details. I took some BIG steps. Were there obstacles? Lots of them! 

Premise/plot: The very first Pigeon book, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS, was published in 2003. It has been over twenty-years, closer to twenty-two years, since his first release. It is certainly possible that those graduating college in recent years--grew up hearing Mo Willems' Pigeon stories. So it is more than fitting that Pigeon stars in an incredibly relatable, inspirational story that would make a GREAT gift for graduates--high school or college.

My thoughts: I LOVED this one. I think it resonates for those who a) have follow Pigeon through his many, many, many adventures b) adults (of all ages) with life experience (whether you are looking back or looking forward). The ending was so BEAUTIFUL. The story itself was humorous YET relatable. Essentially it's a book about having to adult.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

12. Gnome and Rat: First Snow

12. Gnome and Rat First Snow (Gnome and Rat #3) Lauren Stohler. 2024. [November] 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, early chapter book]

First sentence: A four-letter word for 'something fluffy and white, that falls overnight...'

Premise/plot: Gnome and Rat star in their third adventure together in Lauren Stohler's Gnome and Rat First Snow! Rat and Gnome have been invited to Rat's family event Nest Fest. But the journey to get there, well, it is packed with a lot of missteps and adventures. 

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved the first book. I haven't read the second book--still on order at the library. The third book is one I wanted to love: it sounds FUN. However, it just didn't charm and delight me like the first book. Though the misadventures were technically different/distinct, the journey to get there just seemed so slow-paced to me. Granted I am NOT the target audience, obviously. I do enjoy the characters. I will definitely read the second book when it arrives.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

150. Fox Plays Ball

150. Fox Plays Ball (I Can Read!) Corey R. Tabor. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [early reader, I Can Read, series book]

First sentence: Fox is ready to play ball.

My thoughts (preview): May be my favorite book about football! (I'm not a sports fan).

Premise/plot: Fox has starred in plenty of previous books. In this adventure, Fox and his friends play football! But who will win the game? The BEST player may just surprise you!

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Corey R. Tabor's books. Especially his Fox series, but, really I've never been disappointed by his work. This one was a fun, silly sports-theme read. I loved the twist!

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

131. Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!

131. Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever! (Pizza and Taco #8). Stephen Shaskan. 2024. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [graphic novel, early reader, series book]

First sentence: Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!

Premise/plot: It may just be September, but Pizza and Taco are ready for Christmas. They must prepare their letters to Santa Slaw early so they both have time to get on his nice list. The two friends write letters listing everything--and I do mean everything--they want for Christmas. But writing it on a list is no guarantee that you'll get it! (As these two ultimately learn). 

My thoughts: Their eagerness for Christmas is certainly relatable. This one is a fun enough read for young readers who enjoy this graphic novel series for early readers. This is the eighth book. Some have been great. Some have been good. Some have been meh. However, I always enjoy spending time with these two even if the plots here and there get weak in places.

 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

124. The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe

124. The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe. Shannon and Dean Hale. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. 2024. 96 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [early chapter book, illustrated chapter book, series book, fantasy]

First sentence: Duchess Wigtower had a problem. A fuzzy, furry, claw-pawed problem. And he was sitting beneath her shredded portrait. Licking his leg. And looking bored. 

Premise/plot: Princess Magnolia is the recipient of a "stray" cat. The cat being absolutely ADORABLE soon wins her heart. But as Magnolia vanishes [to become the Princess in Black] she is always returning to find a HUGE mess. The cat is T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Can she find a way for the cat to fully BELONG in her world? Can she succeed where Duchess Wigtower has failed?

My thoughts: THE CAT. This one is worth reading for the illustrations of the cat alone. Of course the story is entertaining, but, it is the CAT that made me pick up this series again after skipping the past few books. 

This one is the ELEVENTH in the series. I think series books are great for growing readers. I do. Nothing better than sitting down with a BIG stack of books all from the same series and just binging them all with great delight and glee. That could easily be done with this series. 

This one follows the basic formula for the series except now she has a new pet.

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

106. Plum to the Rescue

Plum to the Rescue Matt Phelan. 2024. 128 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [early chapter book]

First sentence: Ah, springtime. Is there any finer season? And spring is at its very finest at the Athensville Zoo. On this particular Saturday, the air was sweet, the flower beds were in bloom, and everyone had two words on their minds: Zoo babies!

Premise/plot: Plum returns in a new early chapter book. This one has Plum in charge of the new baby peacocks--peachicks. Is Plum up to the task? Maybe. Maybe not. Will there be TROUBLE when the Bickle brats [twins] visit the zoo? Will Plum face his most difficult challenge yet? Definitely.

My thoughts: This one gives off TOY STORY vibes. There is plenty of action and "peril" in the plot. Though I can't say that I was scared enough to believe that the actual worst case scenario could/would happen. I still had faith in a happy ending, but, Plum does face peril. 

 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Young Readers

340. The 13-Story Treehouse

The 13-Story Treehouse: Monkey Mayhem! Andy Griffiths. Illustrated by Terry Denton. 2011. 256 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: Hi, my name is Andy. This is my friend Terry. We live in a tree.

Premise/plot: Andy and Terry live in a treehouse--a LARGE treehouse at that. They write books together. They are past due for their current book, oh no! And they are having trouble concentrating on their work, their project. They keep getting distracted by MANY things (many monkey related, though somehow sea monsters also make an appearance). Will they ever finish their book? And if they do finish their book will children like you read it?

My thoughts: Very meta. I think this one may have kid appeal. I am NOT the target audience. The humor, in my opinion, is very age-specific. There's a target age group--or humor/maturity phase--that this one was written for directly. Granted humor is always subjective. It is the first in a series. 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

313. Mercy Watson Is Missing

Mercy Watson Is Missing (Tales from Deckawoo Drive #7) Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. 2023. [December] 176 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence from prologue: The office of Percival Smidgely, PI, was situated on the third floor of the historic Blinkhopp Building in downtown Gizzford.

First sentence from chapter one: On a bright morning in early autumn, Mercy Watson went missing. 

Premise/plot: Mercy Watson, everyone's MOST FAVORITE PIG, is completely missing. Can the community come together--with or without the help of the 'official' private investigator'--to find Mercy? What could this butter-loving pig be up to? 

My thoughts: I love Kate DiCamillo. Some I love, love, love. Some I merely love. A few I've merely liked. But without a doubt she can create memorable characters and craft great narratives that are engaging for readers of varied ages. I enjoyed this one so much. It is possible I would have loved it even more if I'd taken the time to reread ALL the Mercy Watson books and the Tales of Deckawoo Drive. She has brought all the characters from previous books into this one and it is a true celebration of the community she has created/crafted.

I love the writing. For example, "Mrs. Watson returned to 54 Deckawoo Drive with dread in her heart. What had started as a pebble of worry was turning into a boulder of despair."

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

281. Fitz and Cleo: Put a Party On It

Fitz and Cleo Put a Party On It (Fitz and Cleo #3) Jonathan Stutzman. Illustrated by Heather Fox. 2023. [August] 64 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Clack clack clack clack clack clack clack whoosh crunch

Premise/plot: Fitz and Cleo (two little ghosties, siblings) are back for their third adventure. In this one these two decide to PARTY. This starts as a way to fight boredom--bored games (pun intended) weren't working. It ends up being a great way to celebrate their cat, Boo. This graphic novel for early readers is told in chapters. The chapters are "Bored Games," "Pizzazz," "The First Rule of Party Squad," "Balloon Animal," "Holi-daze," "Put a Party On It!," "Cleo Presents: The Perfect Party," "Sighing in the Rain," "Mister Boo Presents: The Purrfect Party," "That's a Wrap!," "Fitz Presents: The Perfect Party," "The Great Boo Bash," "Slumber Party."

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one just as much as the previous two graphic novels. I really love Fitz, Cleo, AND Boo. Would I love these two ghosts just as much without the cat? I'm not sure. But together, these three are very entertaining.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

265. Who Was Frank Sinatra

Who Was Frank Sinatra. Ellen Labrecque. Illustrated by Manuel Gutierrez. (Who H.Q series). 2023. [July] 112 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: On December 30, 1942, two days before the new year, a slender singer walked onto the stage of the Paramount Theatre in New York City. Over three thousand fans--mostly teenage girls--shrieked and screamed in excitement. Some cried tears of happiness.

Premise/plot: Who Was Frank Sinatra? is part of a larger--much larger--series of kid-friendly biographies. This is an illustrated chapter book biography--elementary-aged-appropriate--of Frank Sinatra, singer and actor. The book provides a biography of his life, obviously, but also places that life into a larger context. This one includes many mini-biographies of his contemporaries and associates. 

My thoughts: Do kids need to know who Frank Sinatra was? Maybe. Maybe not. My introduction came via the musical High Society. So it was a delight that the illustrator includes an illustration of a movie scene from High Society. It covers his life and career in a very broad kid-friendly way. You don't necessarily associate details of his life with young kids, young readers. I do love his music and some of his movies.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

139. Anne Dares

Anne Dares (Anne #5) Kallie George. Illustrated by Abigail Halpin. 2023. [October 17?] 72 pages. [Source: Review copy] [early chapter book; illustrated chapter book]

First sentence: It was over a year now since Anne had first come to Green Gables. And, oh, how she loved it there. Today was especially wonderful. Diana Barry, Anne's best friend and kindred spirit, was having a party at her home, Orchard Slope. Anne loved parties! Even if she didn't have a party dress with puffed sleeves like the other girls had. Marilla, who, along with her brother Matthew, had adopted Anne, believed in plain and sensible clothing.

Premise/plot: Kallie George has been adapting the classic novel, Anne of Green Gables, into an illustrated chapter book for young readers. This one covers two episodes from Anne of Green Gables. Anne walking the ridgepole of the roof. Anne participating in a Christmas drama and receiving a dress with puffed sleeves from Matthew. 

My thoughts: I haven't read the original in a number of years. I don't remember the order of the incidents in the book perfectly perfect. Part of me thinks the books might be placing these events out of order. But then again, the other part just isn't sure at all. Even if they are out of order, kid readers wouldn't know any different. It would be completely fine. I enjoy her adaptations. I love the characters from the original. These are straightforward adaptations. Nothing weird is being added. It's all good. I do enjoy the illustrations. 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

111. Ways to Build Dreams

Sadly No Cover Yet

Ways to Build Dreams. Renee Watson. Illustrated by Nina Mata. 2023. [October] 208 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Everything feels new. The clothes I got for Christmas still fit in that stiff way that new clothes fit, and they haven't been worn enough to start fading. We've finally stopped eating holiday food and have gone back to more everyday meals--peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, burgers and fries, spaghetti. We're two weeks into the new year, and still people are saying Happy New Year! if it's the first time they've seen someone since December.

Premise/plot: This is the fourth Ryan Hart novel. Previous books include: Ways To Make Sunshine, Ways to Grow Love, and Ways to Share Joy. This LOVELY chapter book covers Ryan Hart's last five months in elementary school (aka, January - May of her fifth grade year). Readers spend time with Ryan Hart at school and home. 

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, crazy love the Ryan Hart series. I adore every single member of her family. I love Ryan, Ray, Rose, the parents, and the grandma. I ADORE the relationships between all the family members. I love seeing the complexities of those relationships. I love seeing Ryan hang out with her best friends. I love seeing her strive at school. I love the occasional trip to church. Everything about Ryan Hart's world is one I'm invested in--I just adore this series so much. 

This one has so many perfectly-perfect scenes. I don't know if this is the last book, but if it happens to be the last book it is incredibly satisfying. (Do I want it to be the end? No. Never. I want to be friends with Ryan forever and ever and ever.) 

Quotes:

Always, they ask, What do you want to do when you grow up? but I have never been asked, Who do you want to be? I've never thought about there being a difference.
Like she [her Grandma] is thinking again about how I am changing, changing. She is smiling at me in a way that tells me her love is not based on what I do, but who I am.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

105. Dazzle Makes a Wish

Dazzle Makes a Wish (Book Buddies #3) Cynthia Lord. Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. 2023. 80 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: For weeks the unicorn waited on the toy store shelf. Families came and went, but no one bought the snow-white unicorn with a twisty horn and a sparkly pink tail. On his tag, it said his name was Dazzle. It also said that unicorns can grant wishes, but only for someone with a good heart. Dazzle didn’t know if he could grant a wish for himself. But he thought it was worth a try. So every night, he made the same wish. I wish for a home and a child of my own.

Premise/plot: Dazzle (the unicorn) has one wish--to belong to one child and be LOVED. Unfortunately, Dazzle's wish is unlikely to come true--at least in the traditional sense. Dazzle is purchased, but, not for one child. He is instead purchased for many children. He is "rescued in the wild" (if you will) by Anne the Librarian. (Or is it Ann the librarian?) Dazzle becomes a book buddy. Children (with library cards) can check out a toy--a book buddy--in addition to checking out books. Dazzle goes home with Maya as a book buddy...and adventures are had....

My thoughts: I absolutely love the Book Buddies series. I've read all three books. I highly recommend the series. It is everything I would have LOVED as a kid growing up. Let's be honest, it is everything I love now as an adult. Books and toys just go well together. I love the fantasy of it as well. Each book introduces us readers to a new toy, a new child, and new adventures. The toy sections very much read like Toy Story (minus the scary/creepy elements). While Dazzle is the toy selected by Maya; Maya's brother chooses a garden gnome whom he pretends is a wizard. It's just silly goodness. 

To be honest, Dazzle would not be my first choice of toy to bring home. I definitely discriminate against glitter. I just have a zero tolerance level for shedding glitter. This book might help me feel guilty about that. But still. 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

34. Lily to the Rescue: Foxes in a Fix

Foxes In A Fix (Lily to the Rescue #7) W. Bruce Cameron. 2021. 128 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The smells coming in through the open window of the car were cool and clean. They told my nose that our car ride was taking us to a place called "Up in the Mountains."

Premise/plot: Foxes in a Fix is packed with adventure--absolutely packed. Several arctic foxes are ready to be released in the wild. But they'll need transport to Alaska. Lily, Maggie Rose, and their dad fly up to Alaska--thanks to a pilot friend whom Maggie Rose just knows needs a dog--to release these foxes. 

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. It is unusually packed with extra adventure. Normally, we just go to visit farms or zoos or a natural park. In this one we get to go to the zoo and Alaska. Lily is as adorable as ever. (She even wears a sweater in this one).

I do recommend the series.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

10. Wednesday and Woof #3: The Runaway Robot

The Runaway Robot (Wednesday and Woof #3) Sherri Winston. Illustrated by Gladys Jose. 2022. [November] 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Zoom! A robot dog shoots across the shiny wood floor of room 12. It makes a whir-whir-whir sound. Bottle caps jingle around its neck like a collar.

Premise/plot: Wednesday Nadir (our detective heroine) and Woof (her faithful dog companion) have two mysteries to solve in this illustrated early chapter book mystery series for young readers. It is the third in the series. [Books can standalone, in my opinion.] The first mystery is a MISSING robot. The second mystery is the class pet--a hamster. Both are missing when the class returns from recess. Are these mysteries linked? 

My thoughts: It is what it is. I don't know many mystery series geared towards new readers [early chapter books] that will thrill adults as well. But that's not really the purpose, is it??? I think for early elementary grades this series is appropriate and (probably, possibly) appealing. This one is set entirely within the school setting--which I appreciate because it allows for more suspects and a bigger world to detect in as opposed to your own backyard.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers

2. Madison Morris Is Not a Mouse!

Madison Morris is NOT a Mouse! [Class Critters #3] Kathryn Holmes. Illustrated by Ariel Landy. 2022. 128 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: "You're late," Madison Morris's great-aunt grumbled as Madison's mama helper her climb into the car. She said the same thing every Thursday. Madison and her mama were never late. Still, Madison knew better than to argue.

Premise/plot: Madison Morris started out the day super-positive and excited. Today is the day when all the students share their ideas on projects for how to change the world [activism]. But Great Aunt Joelle is a Negative Nelly, a true downer. Her negativity drowns out all the joy from Madison's day. She is now second-guessing all of her ideas--and she had so many. When she's called upon first by the teacher, she begs off saying that she'll share her ideas later... But actions have consequences in magical classrooms. And in this classroom, students can turn into animals. Madison Morris turns into a mouse....what will it take for her to become human again???

My thoughts: I like the series overall. I do. Series books can be so important for young readers. And this series offers entertainment and mild morals. There's a lesson packed into each book. The series will only improve once more titles are available. Binge-reading series is so much fun...for readers of all ages.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers