Reading Level: Early Elementary

PAW Patrol: The Movie: Big City Adventures

Chase, Skye, Rubble, and the rest of the pups come to the big screen in PAW Patrol: The Movie, an all-new theatrical event. Mayor Humdinger is causing havoc in Adventure City. Liberty rushes to help the PAW Patrol. Can Ryder and his heroic team save the city from the meddling Mayor Humdinger in their greatest rescue ever? 

This full-color storybook has all of the PAW Patrol working together to keep the city safe. This time, Liberty, “an honorary member of the PAW Patrol,” joins in to help. Street-smart Liberty uses her knowledge of the city to help save the city’s dogs from Mayor Humdinger’s goons.  

In Big City Adventure, Ryder and Chase have a disagreement, and Chase runs away. Chase then gets dognapped and put into dog jail. When Liberty shows up to help free the dogs, Chase says, “I used to think I was a hero. It turns out I’m just scared.” This causes Chase to feel as if he doesn’t deserve to be rescued, but Liberty reassures him that “Heroes get scared. But they push through and keep going. That’s what makes them heroes.” 

PAW Patrol fans will love reading about the pups’ newest adventure and enjoy meeting the new addition to the team, Liberty. However, Big City Adventure is intended to be read aloud to a child rather than for the child to read it independently since each page uses complex sentences and difficult vocabulary. Each page has a large, brightly colored illustration that shows the PAW Patrol in action. The illustrations clearly show the characters’ emotions through their facial expressions, thus giving adults an opportunity to discuss the characters’ reactions to the events in the story. 

Big City Adventure will get young readers excited about reading as it teaches the importance of teamwork, communication, and being a good citizen. The familiar characters prove once again that evil can be thwarted. Watching the movie or TV series isn’t a prerequisite for reading the story. However, the story will leave readers eager for more PAW Patrol-inspired books, which can be found in Paw Patrol: Chase’s Space Case by Kristen L. Depken.  

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • Mayor Humdinger sets off a bunch of fireworks at once. “Fireworks and rockets exploded in all directions, causing fires everywhere . . . Marshall puts out the fireworks.” 
  • Mayor Humdinger has his “goons” take the city’s dogs to “dog jail.” 
  • Mayor Humdinger makes a weather machine that causes a big storm. A family’s car goes into a canal, but the Paw Patrol rescues them. Mayor Humdinger also has to be rescued from the chaos.

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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The Story of Helen Keller

Helen Keller is one of the most famous advocates for equality and people with disabilities. Her life served as a testament and encouragement for those who have blindness and deafness, and her ability to overcome her challenges inspired millions with disabilities to embrace their life opportunities despite their limitations. Her advocacy changed how the world viewed and treated people with disabilities, and her legacy continues to be recognized today. However, Keller’s journey as a humanitarian wasn’t easy, and her life was filled with hardships and obstacles. 

Born on June 27, 1880, Keller grew up in the small town of Tuscumbia, Alabama, during the reconstruction period after the Civil War. When she was just 19 months old, she contracted a mysterious illness that left her deaf and blind; this completely changed her life forever. Without the ability to see or hear, Keller struggled to fit in with other children. However, when Keller’s parents hired Anne Sullivan to tutor Keller, the opportunities in her life, like an education and a career, became possible!  

The Story of Helen Keller tells a biographical story about Helen Keller’s journey as an advocate for people with disabilities. Told from the perspective of an outside narrator, the book follows Keller’s life, beginning with her early childhood struggles and ending with her advocacy to raise awareness about blindness. While other characters appear throughout the story, like Anne Sullivan, Keller’s teacher and best friend, the story primarily focuses on Keller. As a result, Keller is portrayed as an inspirational figure whose perseverance through her hardships can be admirable and influential for readers. Although most readers can’t relate to Keller’s experience as a deaf and blind person, they can relate to the everyday challenges that Keller encountered as she grew up and pursued her dream of being a humanitarian. Because of these realistic circumstances in her life, her story comes across as very authentic and genuine. 

The biography displays a positive outlook on determination, perseverance, and advocating for oneself. Although Keller’s disabilities created obstacles for her education, career, and everyday life, her determination and unwillingness to give up highlights the book’s message about the power of tenacity in trials and tribulations. It challenges readers to identify their own troubles and learn how to overcome them. After all, Keller’s life exemplifies this message and serves “as an inspiration for overcoming challenges and achieving great things.” 

The Story of Helen Keller is part of a series called Story Of: A Biography for New Readers. Thus, the book is educationally oriented and includes supplementary material, like fun facts, discussion questions, a reading quiz, and a glossary. Hand-drawn illustrations are sprinkled in every one to three pages, and the back of the book contains real-life photographs that highlight the important aspects of Keller’s life. Some of the book’s text and vocabulary can be challenging for younger readers too, as most pages feature one to two paragraphs with large words, long proper nouns, and compound sentences. Nonetheless, The Story of Helen Keller presents an unforgettable tale about one of history’s most famous humanitarians. It’s an engaging story that will hook readers, young and old, and inspire them to achieve their dreams despite challenges.  

Sexual Content 

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Violence 

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Drugs and Alcohol 

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Language 

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content 

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Polar Bear

April in the Arctic . . . / Cold winds send snow clouds scuttling across the sky. / Temperatures barely nudge above freezing. / But every now and again, / The cloud cover parts, / The sun shines down, /
And the frozen world stretches awake.

As spring approaches in the Arctic, a mother polar bear and her two cubs tentatively emerge from hibernation to explore the changing landscape. When it is time, she takes her cubs on a forty-mile journey, back to their home on the ice. Along the way, she fends off wolves, hunts for food, and swims miles and miles. 

While hunting for seals, Mother and the cubs move “to the edge of the ice” but “the ice breaks off and is carried out / far out, / into open water.” This section increases suspense, not only by showing Mother’s worried facial expression but also by having a two-page pull-out that shows the bears swimming, surrounded completely by water. Reader’s hearts will pound as they watch Mother try to get her cubs to safety. And readers will rejoice when the bears finally reach safety and curl up to sleep.  

Polar Bears is a beautifully illustrated picture book that follows a mother polar bear and her cubs. Using soft blues, browns, and whites, the artist’s oil paintings show the magical world of the polar bears. Readers will fall in love with the adorably cute polar bear cubs as they grow.   

Even though Polar Bears is a picture book, the book will appeal to older readers who want to learn more about polar bears. Younger readers will need the book read to them instead of reading it independently. Adults will need to explain some of the words—such as striding, fractured, and gorged—to younger readers. The book’s font is oversized and has rich, descriptive imagery that brings the events to life. However, many of the pages are text-heavy and have up to 15 short sentences.   

The back of the book includes a page and a half titled “It’s All About the Ice” – this section explains why polar bears need ice to survive. It also explains what is happening due to global warming, and how readers can make small changes to help polar bears. In addition, there are ten cool facts about polar bears and a two-page infographic that shows polar bears’ physical features.  

Polar Bears is the perfect picture book for readers of all ages who love polar bears. While the book can be read for enjoyment, adults and teachers can also use Polar Bears to teach readers about the polar bears’ habitat and life cycles. In addition, the back of the book includes information that can be used to teach how global warming is harming polar bears. The combination of beautiful illustrations and polar bear facts makes Polar Bears a book that will melt reader’s hearts and encourage them to make small changes to keep polar bears healthy and happy. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • Two wolves try to eat the baby polar bears. The wolves “are circling for an attack. Mother grunts for the cubs to keep close. The wolves inch nearer. . . Hissing, [Mother polar bear] rises up her full height—all seven feet of her. . . She growls. The wolves stop. Look. Lope away.”  
  • It is mentioned that polar bears eat seals.

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Raymond and Roxy: Ready? Set. Puppies!

Raymond and Roxy love playing together—and so do their pets! One day, Raymond learns that Roxy’s dog, Flo, is going to have puppies! Raymond can hardly wait. How long will it take those puppies to be born? And will his parents say yes to a puppy of his very own? 

Ready? Set. Puppies! is part of the Step into Reading Level Two Series, which targets readers in preschool through first grade. Each page features one to three short sentences in large font, making it an easy read. The book uses basic vocabulary and familiar words to create a simple story. Many of the pages include illustrations of Raymond and Roxy’s pets, and the full-page illustrations capture the excitement of waiting for your best friend’s dog to have puppies.   

Both Raymond and his mom fall in love with a puppy, whom Raymond names Streak. The story ends with Raymond’s parents agreeing to bring Streak home. While Ready? Set. Puppies! captures Raymond’s excitement about having a puppy, but the book doesn’t include any information about caring for a pet. Ready? Set. Puppies! will engage beginning readers and leave them dreaming of having a pet of their own. Readers who love dogs will also enjoy reading Shampoodle by Joan Holub, while readers who are ready for a more advanced book can sail away with Stinky Spike the Pirate Dog by Peter Meisel.  

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Pets to the Rescue: Brave Norman

Steve McDonald went to the animal shelter to find a new pet. When he saw Norman, he fell in love with the dog. Norman loves his family and his family loves him. But one day, Norman starts bumping into things. The veterinarian says Norman is going blind.  

After Norman became blind, “he bumped into things. He was scared of noises. He barked when people came near.” The one place Norman is still happy is on the beach. “At the beach, there were no trees to hit. There were no cars to scare him.” One day, his family takes him to the beach and Norman is the only one who hears a girl calling for help. She is far out in the ocean and needs help! Even though Norman is blind, the dog is able to pull the girl to safety. Being blind did not stop Norman from helping. Being blind did not stop Norman from being brave.  

As part of the Ready to Read Level 1 Series, Brave Norman is intended for children who are just starting to read. The story is told using word repetition and simple sentences. The story has a simple plot that follows Norman and his family. Each page has a full-colored illustration to help readers visualize the story’s events.  

Brave Norman follows Norman’s daily life with his family. Readers will empathize with Norman when he becomes blind. However, being blind doesn’t stop him from helping others. After he saves the girl, Norman goes on to visit hospitals. “Norman can make children laugh. Norman can help sick people feel a little better.” Brave Norman is an engaging story that shows that even though Norman is blind, he’s still valuable. For more stories that feature dogs, check out The Dog That Dug for Dinosaurs by Shirley Raye Redmond and Marley Firehouse Dog by John Grogan. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Little Quack’s New Friend

One day when Little Quack is playing in the pond, he hears the strangest noise. He listens closely along with his siblings, Widdle, Waddle, Piddle, and Puddle, only to discover that it’s a frog in their pond! The other ducklings aren’t sure about taking this new guy under their wings, but Little Quack is determined to make a new friend no matter how different he may be! Soon, everyone is squishing in the mud, splunking on lily pads, and quacking up a splash in the spirit of friendship in this board book edition that is perfect for little ones! 

Little Quack’s New Friend is an adorably cute, fun-to-read picture book that shows you can be friends with someone different than you. The five ducklings and the frog, Little Ribbit, have expressive faces that highlight their emotion. Readers may laugh at Little Quack’s siblings because they clearly don’t think playing with a frog is proper. After all, Little Ribbit is “too tiny,” “too green,” and he “can’t quack.” But when Little Quack and Little Rabbit play together, their faces radiate joy and happiness. The ducklings soon learn that they have something in common with Little Ribbit after all — “we all like to play!”  

Each page of Little Quack’s New Friend features the five sibling ducklings. Each sibling has a characteristic that makes them easy to recognize. For example, one duck has a blue flower in her hair while another duck has spikey hair. Joyful illustration is bright primary colors and a splash of purple add to the fun tone. Little Quack’s New Friend is perfect for reading aloud because of the alliteration in the duck names and the fun onomatopoeias. Plus, it’s a quick read, with one to six short sentences and simple vocabulary. 

Little Quack’s New Friend is a fun story that young readers will want to read again and again. The simple plot and cheerful illustrations will capture readers’ hearts. In the end, the ducklings connect because “we all like to play!” But beware: Little Quack’s New Friend may make your little one want to squish, bounce, and splash! Introduce more friendship-based books by reading Moon’s First Friends by Susanna Leonard Hill, Sparkly New Friends by Heather Ayris Burnell, and Bo’s Magical New Friend by Rebecca Elliott.  

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Prank You Very Much

It’s time for Seaweed Elementary’s annual talent show, but Squizzard can’t decide on an act. He’s too distracted by the fact that it’s also prank week! He has some fin-tastically silly pranks planned, but his friends have a few tricks up their sleeves and soon the joke is on Squizzard. Can he survive the prank war, or will he lose his crown as the reigning class clown fish once and for all? 

Prank You Very Much jumps back and forth between Squizzard and his classmates. Before the students begin their pranks, they come up with a set of rules that include no hurt feelings, no bodily harm, no breaking anything, no making fun, and to always be creative. Most of the pranks are completely harmless. For example, one prank is turning a glass full of water upside down, so it spills when someone picks it up. The book includes helpful step-by-step directions on how to complete this prank.  

Most of the pranks are on Squizzard, because Squizzard glued his classmates to their seats in the auditorium during an assembly and they’re out to get revenge! Squizzard’s classmates get the last laugh when he falls asleep in class, and they draw all over his face. To tie everything together, the final page of the book explains how ocean creatures can play tricks to hide from predators.  

Prank You Very Much will appeal to young readers because of its fun design. As a graphic novel, it has easy-to-follow paneling and artwork that support text comprehension. Squizzard’s ocean world comes to life in bright colors and cartoonish illustrations that show exaggerated facial expressions to help readers understand the characters’ emotions. The story is broken up into six chapters and each page has two or more simple sentences. Prank You Very Much is perfect for beginning and newly independent readers aged six to eight. 

Many readers will relate to Squizzard’s frustration when he can’t come up with a talent for the talent show. But in the end, Squizzard doesn’t do a typical performance for his talent. Instead, Squizzard has his classmates all make a pet rock for his teacher, Mr. Cuker. As each student presents a pet rock to Mr. Cuker, they say one thing that they appreciate about him, such as “He tells us stories. And laughs at our jokes. He has a great laugh.” Squizzard’s talent reinforces the importance of appreciating the people in your life. 

The Squidding Around Series can be read in any order because each book tells an individual story. Readers will love the fun artwork as well as the humor, while adults will appreciate the positive messages. Plus, each book teaches students about the ocean. Prank You Very Much includes fun facts about sea creatures such as sea cucumbers and sea horses. Introduce your young reader to the joy of reading by giving them the entire Squidding Around Series. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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Jasmine Toguchi, Flamingo Keeper

Jasmine’s best friend, Linnie, has just gotten a puppy. And now Jasmine wants a pet of her own—a flamingo! So, when her grandmother sends Jasmine a daruma wishing doll as a surprise gift, Jasmine colors in one doll eye and wishes for a flamingo to keep.

Next, Jasmine tries to convince her parents that she’s responsible enough for a pet. She cleans her room, brushes her teeth, takes out the trash, and, most importantly, researches everything she can about flamingos. But soon it becomes clear that her wish may never come true! Will Jasmine’s Daruma doll ever get its second eye? Luckily her big sister, Sophie, has a surprise planned that fulfills Jasmine’s wish beyond her wildest dreams. 

When Jasmine, the spunky protagonist, receives a daruma—a wishing doll—she thinks her wish of a pet flamingo might come true. But Jasmine’s grandmother tells her that in order to make the wish come true, Jasmine has to work hard. At first, Jasmine is disappointed, but then she realizes that she has worked hard to make other wishes come true. For example, “For our school talent show, I wished to have a great talent to show off and I learned how to play the taiko drum.”  

After this realization, Jasmine does extra chores to show that she is responsible enough for a pet and researches how to care for a flamingo. However, she soon realizes that her backyard wouldn’t make a good home for a flamingo. In the end, Jasmine’s mom helps her finds a unique solution that allows Jasmine’s wish to come true. While Jasmine doesn’t get a pet flamingo, her sister gives her a sweet surprise that gives the story a realistic and happy conclusion.   

The story is accessible to fluent readers who are ready for a book with multiple plots. Black and white illustrations appear every two to three pages and show Jasmine’s daily life. Many of the illustrations show the characters’ facial expressions, which will help readers understand the characters’ emotions. For more fun, the back of the book has directions on how to make a Daruma doll craft. Even though Jasmine Toguchi is a series, the books do not need to be read in order because each book focuses on a new storyline.   

Jasmine Toguchi, Flamingo Keeper will appeal to a wide range of readers because of the relatable conflicts and likable characters. While the story revolves around Jasmine’s wish to have a pet flamingo, the story also showcases Jasmine’s traditional two-parent family. Jasmine’s family has healthy communication skills and positive interactions. Readers will also learn the importance of having a “thinking spot” where they can go and quietly sit as they try to sort through their emotions. Overall, Jasmine Toguchi, Flamingo Keeper teaches positive life lessons with an engaging story that young readers will love. If you’d like to meet another kind protagonist with an interesting story to tell, check out the Diary of an Ice Princess Series by Christina Soontornvat.  

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

  • Jasmine’s grandmother sends wishing dolls called darumas. Mom explains, “You make a wish and color in one eye. When the wish is fulfilled, you color in the other eye.”  
  • Jasmine wishes for a flamingo and then wonders, “Was the daruma like Santa Claus, and he would bring the flamingo to me down the chimney? Or was it magical like wishing on birthday candles?” 

Spiritual Content  

  • The back of the book explains the tradition behind the daruma doll. “The daruma doll is based on a real person, a Buddhist monk who sat in meditation for many years. It is his perseverance that is embodied in the daruma doll.” 

Grandma Elephant’s in Charge

Elephants are the biggest animals on land, and they live in big families, too. So who can possibly keep them in line? Grandma! 

Every elephant in the herd looks to Grandma to tell them how to find the best watering holes, gather the tastiest food, and sniff out danger. And you better be certain that when Grandma lays down the law, everybody pays attention.  

Teach young readers about elephants by reading Grandma Elephant’s in Charge, an entertaining and educational book about the everyday life of a family of elephants. The book uses a conversational tone to tell the story of an elephant’s family. Readers will learn how Grandma Elephant helps her family. Fun facts are also interspersed throughout the book. For example, when Grandma leads the herd “up the cliff to the salt lick,” a different font underneath the story text reads, “Salt licks are places where the earth is full of minerals. Lots of animals eat the salty earth there, which helps to keep them healthy.”  

Each page uses the soft colors of brown, green, and blue. The elephants are the focus of each picture and the landscapes fade into the background. Several pictures emphasize Grandma’s large size compared to the other elephants in the herd. Each page also has three to five complex sentences with some difficult vocabulary such as boisterous, scolding, and investigate. Even though Grandma Elephant’s in Charge is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. 

Grandma Elephant’s in Charge is the perfect book for readers interested in the day-to-day life of an elephant. The full-page illustrations are awe-inspiring, but some text-heavy pages may be daunting for young readers. If you’d like to rumble through the savanna and meet Grandma Elephant, then step into the book Grandma Elephant’s in Charge. Readers interested in learning more fun facts about animals should also read the What If Series by Sandra Markle. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

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Spiritual Content  

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The Secret Room

Now that the ghost, Kaz, can finally pass through walls, he is excited to explore Beckett’s secret room at the back of the library. In it he finds an envelope, some empty soda bottles, and a ghostly doll. Are any of these things connected? Kaz wants to return the doll to the ghost it belonged to, but that may be harder than he thinks. 

With the help of his living friend Claire, Kaz and the other ghosts travel to various locations, looking for an older person who may remember more about the house that Kaz haunts. During their journey, the story often refers to ghosts who have been blown away in the wind. In previous books, Kaz and his siblings were blown away from their family. In The Secret Room, they are finally reunited with their grandparents, but the reunion doesn’t last long because Kaz and his siblings return to the haunted library so they can “be with people their own age.” 

The Secret Room revolves around the mystery of who built the secret room and why. To talk to other people who might know more about the house, Claire interviews several people. However, to do this, Claire lies to her mother. Secrecy seems to permeate Claire’s family — both Claire’s mother and grandmother can see ghosts, however, they never talk about their experiences. In the end, the family members finally share their ghost-seeing experiences, which allows them to understand each other better. 

Because of the ghost terms and lack of background information, readers who want to jump into The Haunted Library Series should begin with book one, The Haunted Library. The story includes black-and-white illustrations that will help readers visualize the characters and actions. However, the complicated plot includes a huge cast of characters that may be overwhelming for some readers. While Kaz and the other ghosts are good friends to Claire, Claire’s mom discusses a childhood experience with a mean ghost who caused quite a scare.  

Readers who want a ghost story with a simple plot will enjoy A Good Night for Ghosts by Mary Pope Osborne and The Blue Ghost and The Green Ghost by Marion Dane Bauer. Plus, curious readers can learn more about real haunted places and famous ghosts by reading Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Ghost by Mary Pope Osborne & Natalie Pope Boyce.  

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • When Claire’s mom was a child, she could see ghosts. She lived in a house with a ghost named Annie. Claire’s mom says, Annie “was a nasty, nasty ghost.” When Molly, another ghost, made Annie angry, “she pushed Molly through the wall. I ran outside to try to help Molly, but there was nothing I could do. I never saw her again.” The wind blew Molly away.  

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

  • The story includes several ghosts who can shrink in size and travel through walls.  
  • Kaz discovers that he has the power to transform objects that are solid objects into ghostly objects. “A ghost is either born with the ability to transform an object or he’s not.” 
  • To transform solid objects into ghostly objects, Kaz has to “touch the very tip of your thumb and your second finger to whatever it is you want to transform, and then quickly pull your hand away.”  

Spiritual Content  

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The Lurking Lima Bean

Wolver Hollow is not a normal town. The adults are too busy shuffling off to work at the old coffin factory to notice or care, but the kids know all about the monsters, ghosts, and strange lights in the sky. Strange things happen in Wolver Hollow. Creepy things.

Madeline Harper does not like lima beans and she’s not afraid to make that clear. But when she gets sent to bed for not eating her vegetables, she’ll find something far worse than her mother’s frustration. A lima bean scorned is a terrible thing, and it will not stop until Madeline Harper eats her vegetables!  

The second installment of the Night Frights Series moves away from a spooky mystery and instead tells an outrageous story with all new characters. The Lurking Lima Bean has no mystery to solve; however, the kids have to use some creative thinking to defeat the lima beans. While trying to conquer the lima beans, Madeline spends a lot of time running from zombies, which may cause readers to get bored.   

The story’s format will appeal to young readers because it uses large text, short paragraphs, and simple dialogue that make the story easy to read. In addition, black and white illustrations appear approximately every five to nine pages. The illustrations add humor as well as help readers visualize the characters, who are a diverse group.  

The entertaining ending will leave readers with a smile, as well as frighten them away from eating lima beans. While Madeline isn’t a very interesting character, the librarian makes a repeat (albeit short) appearance, leaving readers wondering how she is connected to the creepy happenings in Wolver Hallow. Readers looking for a humorous zombie book will find The Lurking Lima Bean entertaining. But mystery-loving readers will be disappointed by the lack of clues to solve. Young readers looking for another silly zombie story should read Night of the Zombie Zookeeper by Andres Miedoso. However, readers who are ready for a more involved plot with more monsters should read The Last Kids on Earth Series by Max Brallier.  

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

  • The zombies chase Madeline and her friends. For example, “Grandma was only a few feet away, reaching for Madeline with handfuls of lima-bean paste. It seemed like half the town was behind Grandma, all staggering toward Madeline with bean paste and green eyes.” 
  • To free people from the lima beans, Madeline and her friends throw snowballs at them. Gilbert “pulled back his arm and let a snowball fly. It hit Grandma right in the shoulder. Grandma shivered for a second, and hesitated. . .” 

Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

  • When two kids begin following Madeline, she yells, “Back off, weirdos!” 
  • Heck is used twice. 

Supernatural 

  • Somehow, lima beans convince people to eat them. Afterwards, the people change into zombies with green glowing eyes. Madeline’s grandma turns into a zombie who tries to get Madeline to eat lima beans. When Madeline is ready to leave for school, her grandma comes “running down the hall after Madeline, green eyes boring into hers and a toothy grin still plastered across her face.” Madeline runs away. 
  • In Wolver Hollow, “everyone knew that a troll lived under the bridge, and if you didn’t spit [while crossing the bridge], he would eat your toes in the night.” 

Spiritual Content  

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Hot Rod Hamster and the Haunted Halloween Party

Halloween is off to a great start for Hot Rod Hamster. He has received an invitation to a costume party, where the guests with the best costumes will win a prize! Everyone is welcome, so Hot Rod Hamster races to the junkyard to invite his best friend, Dog. After a visit to the costume store, the two decide to dress as rock stars. With their instruments, leather jackets, and spiked hair, Hot Rod Hamster and Dog are confident about their chances of winning the contest. 

However, on the way to the party, Hot Rod Hamster’s car breaks down. If that isn’t bad enough, it has stopped in front of an eerie, foreboding house. Now Hot Rod Hamster and Dog have no chance of making it to the party in time…that is, unless they go to the spooky house for help. But when they step through the open door, they are greeted by four ghosts!  

Although startled at first, Hot Rod Hamster and Dog quickly realize that they have stumbled upon four particularly friendly ghosts. What’s more, the ghosts love parties just as much as Hot Rod Hamster and Dog do. Hot Rod Hamster and Dog arrive at the party later than they had hoped, but they make a grand entrance with their new ghost friends. The group has a wonderful time at the party. At the night’s end, it’s time for Hot Rod Hamster and Dog to prove that their costumes are the best. They perform an original song dedicated to Halloween. With the ghosts as their backup singers, the group wins the prize! It was an even better Halloween than Hot Rod Hamster expected. 

Hot Rod Hamster and the Haunted Halloween Party is a cute, quick, and scare-free picture book that is sure to entertain younger readers. Its illustrations are based on the art of Derek Anderson, the regular artist of the Hot Rod Hamster series. Although not drawn directly by Anderson, the illustrations of this book successfully capture the fun and playful tone familiar to the series.   

In the book’s narration, Lord employs another familiar trait of the series: a rhythmic rhyme scheme that allows readers to participate in the story. For example, when Hot Rod Hamster, Dog, and the ghosts arrive at the party, Lord asks the reader: “Carve time? Sweet time? Drink time? Meet time? Which would you choose?” While these questions do not change the direction of the story, they nonetheless engage the reader in the events on each page. Along with this, the book uses simple sentences with one to five sentences per page, making it a very approachable book for young readers. 

If your young reader is already a fan of Hot Rod Hamster, this adventure is guaranteed to entertain. And all young readers who celebrate Halloween will find the book an enjoyable read. 

Sexual Content  

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Violence  

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Drugs and Alcohol  

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Language  

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Supernatural 

  • Although the characters encounter ghosts during their adventure, the ghosts are portrayed as nothing but friendly. 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Halloween Goblin

A creepy goblin is scaring people all over town! Bogey Bill — whose favorite holiday is Halloween — likes to magically change normal things into spooky things. Violet, Leon, and their fairy friend Sprite need to send Bogey Bill back to the Otherworld. But their task gets harder when a pixie named Buttercup casts an annoying hiccup spell on the whole school! Can Violet, Leon, and Sprite trick TWO pixies at once?  

Bogey Bill is a scary-looking goblin who likes to scare people. Most of the time, his mischief doesn’t cause any harm. However, when Violet is playing with a little girl, Bogey Bill turns the girl’s stuffed rabbit into a snake! While Bogey Bill isn’t a nice goblin, the appearance of a cute garden gnome named Robert B. Gnome balances out the story. 

The Halloween Goblin has a fast-paced plot that revolves around Sprite, Violet, and Leon trying to stop Bogey Bill’s magic. Sprite and the kids aren’t afraid to ask for help when needed, and the addition of Queen Mab and Robert B. Gnome lets the reader know that not all fairies are the same—some are helpful while others cause problems. The interesting mix of fairies adds to the story’s suspense and allows for some fun fairy magic. 

Newly independent readers who love fairies and magic will enjoy The Halloween Goblin. The story uses easy-to-read text and a fast-paced plot with lots of fairy mischief. Black and white illustrations appear on every page, which will help readers visualize the characters and understand the plot.  

Sprite, Violet, and Leon work together to find creative ways to send the fairies back to the Otherworld. Even though trickery is involved in sending the fairies home, none of the tricks are mean. While most of the fairies are cute, Bogey Bill’s appearance and mean pranks might frighten some readers. “Bogey Bill is a very scary-looking fairy! He had yellow eyes and sharp teeth. His skin was gray.” However, Bogey Bill’s bad attitude will make the story’s conclusion a little bit sweeter.  

The Halloween Goblin ends with Finn the Wizard running for mayor. Sprite warns, “If we don’t stop him, he’s going to be mayor of your whole town!” This cliffhanger will leave readers eager to read the next book in the series. However, readers looking for fairy magic with a less scary goblin can read Katie the Kitten Fairy by Daisy Meadows. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • Bogey Bill is a goblin that “has two main powers. He can make people feel afraid for no reason. And he can turn normal things into scary things.” 
  • Fairies cause havoc in Violet’s world. For example, a fairy changes the picture on Violet’s shirt. “Instead of a purple flower, there was a picture of a purple monster’s face on Violet’s shirt! The face had long fangs. It had bulging eyes.” 
  • To change Violet’s shirt back to normal, her cousin Leon says Bogey Bill’s name backward three times. After Leon says, “Llib Yegob! Llib Yegob! Llib Yegob!” The shirt “sparkled. Then it turned back into a purple flower.” 
  • While at school, Bogey Bill casts a spell on the food. “Spaghetti was crawling around everyone’s plates, like worms! The kids and the lunch aides started to scream.” When the kids in the cafeteria say Bogey Bill’s name backward, the food goes to normal. 
  • To make the kids forget about the spaghetti moving, “Sprite blew pixie dust into the room. . . The glittering dust swirled around the lunchroom. The kids and aides blinked. Then the kids began eating their spaghetti like nothing happened.” 
  • Bogey Bill changes a little girl’s stuffed bunny rabbit into a snake. The girl begins to cry and then Violet reverses the spell. 
  • To talk to Queen Mab, Sprite takes out a stone. “The stone glowed brightly . . . Then a picture began to appear. It was Queen Mab.” Queen Mab gives advice on how to trick the fairies and send them back to their world. 
  • Sprite uses pixie dust to transport Violet and Leon. “Sprite threw the pixie dust on them. . . [Violet’s] body tingled as the garden disappeared.”  
  • When Bogey Bill is tricked into saying something “sweet,” he is magically sent back to his world. 
  • Buttercup, a pixie, gives Violet hiccups that won’t stop until someone frightens her. 
  • When Buttercup is tricked, “a whooshing sound filled the air. A tunnel of wind appeared out of nowhere. The wind sucked Buttercup inside . . . Buttercup and the tunnel vanished.” 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Pug Who Wanted to Be a Pumpkin

Peggy the Pug’s family are getting ready for Halloween, but Peggy’s human friend Chloe is too scared of monsters to look forward to trick-or-treating. Peggy can’t let her best friend miss out on all the Halloween fun. Peggy will have to conquer her own fears and go trick-or-treating with Chloe to keep her safe. But first, she needs the perfect costume . . .  

The Pug Who Wanted to Be a Pumpkin explores the topic of fear by describing different reasons people and dogs are afraid. Most of the characters overcome a fear—Chloe fears public speaking, Finn fears spiders, Ruby fears heights, and a dog fears that no one will want to play with him. The most prominent fear is Chloe’s fear of public speaking. When Chloe is afraid to speak in public, her dad gives her advice. He tells her that when he has to give a presentation, he pretends “everyone in the audience is in their underwear.” Even though the advice is unconventional, it helps Chloe overcome her fear. Seeing the humans overcome their fears gives Peggy the courage to overcome her own fear of the “spookiest night of the year.” 

Young readers will enjoy the story because of the relatable characters—both human and pug—as well as the familiar conflict. The simple plot is easy to follow and the large text is broken up with black-and-white illustrations that appear every two to three pages. The author is British, and some readers may have a difficult time understanding the British terms. However, many readers will be able to use context clues to figure out the British words. For example, instead of using a leash, the author uses lead. Even though the book is part of a series, the books do not need to be read in any particular order.  

The Pug Who Wanted to Be a Pumpkin will appeal to many readers because of the adorable pug who appears on the cover of the book. However, the story isn’t just cute—it also has several positive aspects. Peggy’s traditional family is portrayed positively even though they have typical sibling conflicts. Peggy’s and the kids’ conflicts reflect each other, which makes the story’s lesson clear: it’s important to overcome your fears.  

If you’d like to read another book that shows someone overcoming fear, check out Princess Posey and the Next-Door Dog by Stephanie Greene and The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches by Alice Low. However, if you’re ready to brew up a little Halloween fun, fly to the library to check out a copy of Sleepy Hollow Sleepover by Ron Roy and Eva Sees a Ghost by Rebecca Elliot. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • Chloe writes a story about a dog who “fell into a lake when its owner wasn’t paying attention and got gobbled up by a hideous swamp monster. Then it came back as a vicious ghost dog to haunt the old house where it had lived.” 
  • Zach, a friend of the kids, dresses up as a ghost. Peggy thinks he is really a ghost and “she growled and sank her teeth into its billowing white form.” The sheet falls off and Zach is uninjured. 
  • Tiger, a grumpy cat, tries to scare Peggy. Tiger points out a frog and says, “it used to be a cute little cocker spaniel named Maisy. She crossed paths with a witch on Halloween night, and her tail ended up in a cauldron. The witch didn’t need her after that so—abracadabra, hey presto—the witch turned Maisy into a toad.”

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None

Language  

  • When Chloe has a sleepover, her brother says, “I don’t want to hang out with you and your stupid friends, anyway.” 
  • When Chloe is afraid of a ghost, her brother says, “Don’t be stupid. There’s no such thing as ghosts.” 
  • Chloe’s brother teases her, saying, “your face will scare people just as it is.” 
  • When Chloe presents her ghost story, it scares a boy, who runs out of the room crying. Chloe’s sister says the boy is a “baby.” 
  • Tiger, a grumpy cat, calls Peggy “Pig Tail.”

Supernatural 

  • A girl and her dog dress up as demon cheerleaders. 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Very Best Pumpkin

Growing up on Mimi and Papa’s farm, Peter knows a lot about caring for pumpkins. One summer, Peter finds a lonely pumpkin all by itself in the field, and with his tender care, the pumpkin flourishes. By autumn, it’s the very best pumpkin of all, and Peter wants to keep it for himself. But when a young girl shows up at the farm in quest of a perfect pumpkin, will Peter pass on his prized pumpkin and gain a friend? 

Peter enjoys eating out of the garden, where juicy strawberries and corn grow. When Peter finds a lone pumpkin in a field, he tends to it lovingly, pulling the weeds, loosening the soil, and watering it. As Peter cares for his pumpkin, a new neighbor, Meg, watches. When Meg comes to Peter’s family’s farm, Peter shows her “the very best pumpkin”—the one he has cared for all summer. This begins Peter and Meg’s friendship “and just like the pumpkins, their friendship grew and grew and grew.” 

The Very Best Pumpkin’s illustrations use muted fall colors and simple illustrations to bring the harvest season to life. Readers will enjoy the small details such as bees buzzing through the air, mice playing in the pumpkin patch, and birds twittering. Readers who tend to get wiggly may have difficulty sitting through a reading of the book because of the advanced vocabulary and long sentences. Each page has one to six long sentences. However, adults who want to show the joy of gardening and sharing will find The Very Best Pumpkin worth reading.  

Readers will learn the value of hard work and friendship by reading The Very Best Pumpkin. The book has an old-fashioned vibe that shows the simple joys in life. The story ends with information on how to grow your own pumpkin. The Very Best Pumpkin is the perfect book to read if you’re planning on planting a garden or you want to enjoy the scenes of autumn.   

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

A Purr-fect Pumpkin

In Kittentail Cove, Paw-loween is a super fun holiday! Shelly, Coral, and Angel can’t wait to decorate jelly-o-lanterns, dress up in costumes, and go to the Paw-loween festival! But Coral is a little nervous about the Haunted House. Can this scaredy cat learn to be brave so she can see her purr-fect pumpkin on display in the house? Maybe with a little help from her friends! 

Paw-loween mixes the fun of Halloween with the perfect amount of spook factor. Young readers will enjoy the adorably cute costumes the purrmaids wear as well as the jack-o’-lanterns. Even though Coral is afraid to go into the haunted house, she joins her friends as they travel through the house. Along the way, Coral is sure a mummy is following her—and she’s right. In the end, the mummy is revealed to be Coral’s teacher, who is trying to return Coral’s lost gem.  

Being afraid of the haunted house is not Coral’s only conflict. She also feels left out when Shelly and Angel dress up as squids while Coral dresses as a princess. Several times, Shelly and Angel have a conversation without including Coral. While her friends aren’t trying to be mean, Coral still feels bad that she is not included. While this conflict isn’t resolved, the story acknowledges that sometimes friends unknowingly hurt each other’s feelings.   

A Purr-fect Pumpkin is purr-fect for readers because of the relatable conflict. The story has easy vocabulary, short sentences, and cute black-and-white illustrations approximately every three pages. Even though A Purr-fect Pumpkin is part of a series, the stories do not have to be read in order to be understood. Readers who are eager to celebrate Halloween will find A Purr-fect Pumpkin a delightful blend of Halloween cuteness and spookiness. Readers who love mermaids and want more underwater adventures should swim to the nearest library and check out the Mermaids To The Rescue Series by Lisa Ann Scott. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Return of the Underwear Dragon

After Sir Cole saved the kingdom from the destructive wrath of the Underwear Dragon, he realized the Underwear Dragon wasn’t disobeying the signs that said not to attack. The Underwear Dragon couldn’t read the signs!

So Sir Cole sets out on a valiant quest. He’s not going to conquer the Underwear Dragon—he’s going to teach him to read. But it’s hard to teach a fire-breathing creature to read an actual book when he sets them all on fire. Besides, the Underwear Dragon is a reluctant reader. But when the Underwear Dragon finally succeeds, Sir Cole presents his star pupil with the perfect gift—gigantic alphabet underwear! 

The Return of the Underwear Dragon shines a torch on the dragon, who has nightmares about Sir Cole defeating him in battle. Young readers will relate to the Underwear Dragon’s nightmares as well as his embarrassment at not being able to read. Rothman uses humor to introduce the conflict: “Underwear Dragons get embarrassed when they don’t get gold stars. . . can’t do the monkey bars. . . trips on lutes. . . accidentally toot.” The dragon is so embarrassed that he disguises himself as a duck to tackle the hard task of learning to read. While learning to read is hard, the Underwear Dragon doesn’t give up—and neither should you!  

The silly storyline and illustrations perfectly come together in a book that will have young readers giggling (and maybe tooting too!). The story is a quick read with one to four sentences on each page. Plus, the rhyming words make the book fun to read out loud. The brightly colored illustrations have fun elements that show the Underwear Dragon’s embarrassment when he steps in poo, rips his shorts, and is bad at sports. 

The Underwear Dragon’s humorous adventure will captivate readers while also teaching that learning to read isn’t always easy. Young readers will love Sir Cole’s dedication to teaching the dragon, and they will giggle at the dragon’s delay tactics. Both Sir Cole and the Underwear Dragon show determination and grit. Sir Cole’s new assistant is a welcome addition to the story and thankfully, she is really good at putting out fires.  

The Return of the Underwear Dragon has unique characters, a funny plot, and a positive message about perseverance. If you’re looking for a picture book that readers will want to read again, and again, and again The Underwear Dragon Series is the perfect book. If you want more knightly fun, also add Knight Owl by Christopher Denise to your reading library. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • The Underwear Dragon keeps setting books on fire. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale

The Skull is a retelling of a Tyrolean folktale, originating out of Austria. Klassen is both the author and illustrator of this book, and his art will certainly draw in young readers’ attention. The art adds to the depiction of the spooky setting of the book, filled with dark colors and shadows and occasional pops of color. 

Klassen’s book follows a young girl named Otilla who has run away from home. While running through the woods, Otilla encounters a large, seemingly empty house. Because she is tired from running all night, Otilla stops and approaches the house. “[Otilla] knocked loudly to see if anyone was inside, but nobody came to the door.”  

Surprisingly, the big house is not abandoned but is home to a talking skull. Otilla meets the skull and asks nicely for help. She says, “My name is Otilla. I ran away, and I need a place to hide and rest.” The skull kindly agrees to let Otilla stay and shows her around his house. Nearly every page of the book showcases Jon Klassen’s amazing artwork; spooky, dark images done in mostly blues and shades of black show readers how scary this unknown place is to Otilla.  

Though the artwork can be dark and spooky, it is not particularly scary, as the skull’s cartoon style makes him less intimidating. Klassen’s full-page illustrations appear about every two pages and feature many shades of gray, blue, and black. There are occasional pops of pink depicting happy scenes. The large text and the way the book is broken up into three clear parts will appeal to younger readers.  

Otilla is an extremely empathetic character, as she is not afraid of the talking skull, and she treats him kindly. The skull tells Otilla that he has been alone in his house for a while: “You are the first person to find [this house] in a long time.”  The skull is afraid of something too – a skeleton that comes to the house every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? 

Throughout the story, Otilla and the skull develop a friendship, and both help each other. For example, without a body, the skull can no longer do things he used to enjoy, like dance. Otilla “carried the skull to the middle of the ballroom. She held him to face her . . . they danced and danced until it got dark.” Ultimately, the skull and Otilla become friends, as Otilla helps the skull solve a problem he has faced every night for a long time. The skull is chased by a headless skeleton every night and Otilla is able to help the skull get away from the skeleton. 

Readers who enjoy spooky stories will enjoy the descriptions of the woods and the big house. The book highlights the importance of having empathy and treating others kindly. Otilla treats the skull with respect and helps him escape the skeleton that chases him. In return, the skull offers Otilla a safe place to stay by allowing her to stay in his home. Readers will be interested in seeing Otilla and the skull develop a friendship throughout the story and will be left imagining the possibilities of what adventures Otilla and the skull will have in the future.  

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • The skull tells Otilla, “There is a skeleton that comes here, to this house . . . it is a headless skeleton. It walks around the halls looking for me. When it finds me, it chases me.” The skull tells Otilla that the headless skeleton chases him every night.  
  • The headless skeleton comes and tries to get the skull. “A headless skeleton opened the bedroom door . . . it only shouted one thing: GIVE ME THAT SKULL. I WANT THAT SKULL.” 
  • Otilla runs from the headless skeleton, carrying the skull, but the headless skeleton chases her until suddenly, it falls over a ledge on the roof. “[Otilla] watched the skeleton fall into the dark until they heard it land, the sound of bones hitting the ground. They listened some more, but they did not hear anything after that.” 
  • After the headless skeleton falls off the roof, Otilla decides to make sure the skeleton cannot come back and chase the skull again. “[Otilla] gathered [the skeleton’s bones] into the bucket . . . She took a bone out of the bucket and put it on the rock. Then she took the rolling pin, held it over her head, and smashed the bone. She smashed it over and over, into smaller and smaller pieces . . . she did it to all of [the bones].”  
  • Otilla then burns the smashed bones. “[Otilla] took the bone pieces and threw them into the flames.”  

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • The main character in this book is a talking skull. The skull speaks to Otilla and offers to let her rest in his home. The skull said, “I will come down and let you in, but only if you promise to carry me once I do. I am just a skull, and rolling around is difficult for me.”

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Shadow in the Woods and Other Scary Stories

These five spine-chilling stories will have beginning readers everywhere begging to stay up late to read (with the light on!). The first story, Shadow in the Woods, focuses on a monster that is rumored to live in the woods. When Hugh has to walk through the woods alone, he isn’t worried. He knows an owl—not a monster—is hooting, “Hoo!” But is it?  

In The Monster in My Room, Ruby is convinced that a monster lives under her bed. However, no one believes her. One night, in order to comfort her, Ruby’s brother gives her a flashlight. When she drops the flashlight, “That’s when she saw the hand! A large, hairy, purple hand! Eight long fingers were wrapped around the flashlight!”  

The third story, Fingernails, focuses on Tommy. Even though his grandmother tells him not to, Tommy chews on his fingernails. Right before she takes a nap, Grandmother makes Tommy promise not to chew on his fingernails. When Grandmother wakes up, “Bits of fingernail were littered across her lap. Tommy stared up at her as he chewed and chewed and chewed. . .”  

In The Writing on the Wall, Sophia and her parents move into a creepy, old house. As she explores the house, Sophia feels as if she’s being watched. Right before she goes to bed, she writes on the wall: “I don’t want to live in this house!” In the morning, when she wakes up, a new message is written on the wall, “I don’t want you to live here either!”  

The final story, The Animal Behind the Locker, takes place at Emma’s school. Emma hears a scratch-scratch behind her locker. She’s convinced that an animal is stuck behind the locker. When Emma investigates, she falls through the back of her locker and is stuck. However, Emma is frightened to discover that a spider is making the scratch-scratch sound. 

Shadow in the Woods and Other Scary Stories is part of Scholastic’s early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. Each page has one to four short sentences that are easy to read. With a short story format, and full-color artwork on every spread, this book will boost reading confidence and fluency. Acorn books instill a love of reading and help readers grow. 

Readers who enjoy scary stories will enjoy each short story’s surprise ending. However, some readers may also be frightened when monsters and things that go bump in the night are shown to be real. In addition, each story is so short that there is little character development. Readers who want more ghoulish fun should also read the Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol Series by Andres Miedoso and the Eerie Elementary Series by Jack Chabert. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • As Hugh is walking through the woods, he thinks he sees his shadow. But then, “the shadow turns toward him. Its huge mouth opens. The mouth is full of fangs. . . Finally, Hugh starts to run. But it is too late.” It is implied that the monster eats Hugh. 
  • When Emma gets stuck behind her locker, she finds “a huge spider was hanging beside her. . . The spider smiled at Emma. Sharp, wet fangs stuck out.” It is implied that the spider eats Emma. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Haunted Mustache

Wolver Hollow is not a normal town. The adults are too busy shuffling off to work at the old coffin factory to notice or care, but the kids know all about monsters, ghosts, and strange lights in the sky. Strange things happen in Wolver Hollow. Creepy things.

But fifth graders Parker, Lucas, and Samantha are determined to debunk one of Wolver Hollow’s legends: Over a hundred years ago, Bockius Beauregard was vaporized in an unfortunate accident and all that remained was his magnificent mustache. People say it returns every year, on the anniversary of Bockius’s death, seeking a lip to claim as its own! When the boys try to prove the story is fake, they find more than they bargained for. 

Readers who want a humorous, spooky story that won’t leave you with nightmares will enjoy the blend of humor and suspense in The Haunted Mustache. As Parker, Lucas, and Samantha try to solve the mystery behind Bockius Beauregard’s mustache, they attract the attention of the mustache, which is determined to plant itself on one of the kids’ upper lips. The story’s action includes suspense and silly scenes that will keep readers interested until the very end.  

The story’s format will appeal to young readers because it uses large text, short paragraphs, and dialogue that make the story easy to read. In addition, black and white illustrations appear approximately every 5 to 9 pages. The illustrations add humor as well as help readers visualize the characters, who are a diverse group.  

In the conclusion, the kids don’t entirely vanquish the haunted mustache, and the narrator reminds readers, “Be wary, friends. For when the moon is full and the crickets stop chirping, that old mustache may return, forever seeking a new lip to call its own. Maybe even yours. Be ready.” The ambiguous conclusion will make readers eager to read the next book in the series, The Lurking Lima Bean.  

The outlandish events in The Haunted Mustache will entertain readers who will admire the kids’ determination to stop the mustache from haunting their town. Readers who love humorous books packed full of suspense should also read the Notebook of Doom Series by Troy Cummings and the Looniverse Series by Dave Lubar. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • The story revolves around Bockius Beauregard, who was killed in an explosion. The only thing that remained was Bockius’ mustache. A farmer found the mustache, which “killed the old man on the spot. He had a heart attack right there.”  
  • After the farmer was killed. The town’s people “pried that bloody mustache out of the farmer’s cold, dead hand and took it up to the cemetery. . . They dug a small hole. Then they set that mustache on fire, and when it was nothing but a pile of ashes, they dumped those ashes in the hole, covered them over, and left them to the worms and grubs.” 
  • The mustache chases Parker, Lucas, and Samantha. “The mustache reached the end of the bridge and leapt into the air, flying after them. It swatted at them with its left curl, then its right, trying to grab Parker off his bike.” The kids run into the junkyard and chain the gate shut. 
  • The kids use a line of salt to keep the mustache in the junkyard. The mustache “floated down and wrapped one curl around a stick, holding it like a pencil. The kids watched in shock as it scratched something in the dirt. Your lip is mine.” 
  • The kids try to trap the mustache. Parker “positioned himself directly in front of the open [car] trunk. He pointed to his lip and stuck out his tongue. The haunted mustache . . . threw itself at Parker’s face.” The mustache flies into the car trunk and Parker “slammed the hatch closed before the mustache could fly back out.” 
  • The kids lead the mustache to Bockius’ old home and run upstairs. “The door flew off the hinges and crashed to the floor. The haunted mustache pulled itself through the open doorway and locked on Parker. . . The mustache twisted its curls and then rocketed towards Parker.” Samantha uses a salt circle to trap the mustache. 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • On the anniversary of Bockius Beauregard’s death, his mustache comes back for a face to attach to. “That magnificent mustache haunts Wolver Hollow, angry at being blown up, burned, blamed for the farmer’s death, and dumped in a hole. That magnificent, remarkable mustache, unable to rest in peace, forever seeks a new lip to rest upon.” 
  • To stop a restless ghost such as Bockius’ mustache, “the restless ghost was drawn to the last place it called home, it had to be trapped in a circle of salt, in full view of the rising sun. Once the sunlight fell upon the spirit, it would find peace. . .” 
  • Parker, Lucas, and Samantha go to the graveyard to find the mustache. “The haunted mustache hovered a few feet from the ground, caked with crumbling grave dirt and glowing with a pale blue light.” The kids run.  

Spiritual Content  

  • According to legend, Bockius’ mustache was able to survive because it was “the devil’s work.” 

Little Blue Truck’s Halloween

Beep! Beep! It’s Halloween! Follow Little Blue Truck and his good friend Toad as they pick up their animal friends for a costume party. This fun Halloween book will get readers eager to dress up in costumes and enjoy the fall festivities. 

The book uses a kid-friendly format, with the first page having four short rhyming lines. The second page repeats the same question, “Under the mask who do you see?” Readers will have fun lifting the flaps of this sturdy board book to find out who’s dressed up in each costume! The last scene shows Blue getting into the holiday spirit by dressing up as a ghost. The silly costumes, such as a cow dressed up as a king, will inspire readers to be creative with their own Halloween costumes.  

Little Blue Truck’s Halloween uses simple vocabulary and rhyming that is perfect for young readers. Each illustration uses fall colors with lots of Halloween details such as a full moon, black cats, and jack-o-lanterns. In addition, the forest animals get into the spirit and dress up. For example, one page shows a squirrel dressed up as a witch and a raccoon wearing a colorful hat peeking out of a tree. Adults can encourage children to find the black cat that appears on each page. Add even more fun by having readers count the pumpkins.   

Get ready for Halloween by reading Little Blue Truck’s Halloween, which leaves out spooky details and instead focuses on the fun of dressing up in costumes. The interactive book will keep readers entertained again and again. For more Halloween-related books, check out a copy of Dragon’s Halloween by Dav Pilkey and The Halloween Queen by Joan Holub. 

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

Victor, the Wolf with Worries

Wolves are known to be brave, fierce, and big. But Victor, a short and timid wolf who is more sheepish than wolfish, worries he is none of these things. He tries pretending to be brave, but he worries other wolves will expect him to do things he isn’t brave enough to do. He tries pretending to be fierce but worries that he will scare the other wolves away. While Victor wishes he could be as brave as the other wolves, he cannot seem to escape his constant worries.  

Fortunately, Victor has a best friend, Pablo. Pablo listens to his friend’s concerns and helps him take his mind off them. They sprint through the forest together until Victor feels better. They imagine their worries as bubbles and gently blow away each one. With Pablo’s presence, Victor realizes that all wolves share these worries, though not everyone feels comfortable talking about them. By discussing his feelings with Pablo, Victor feels reassured and comfortable with himself. 

Victor, the Wolf with Worries, is a short, sweet story that teaches readers the importance of addressing and discussing things that may cause stress or doubt. Victor is initially reluctant to open up to Pablo, saying, “If I tell you my worry, it becomes yours too.” Pablo shows Victor that discussing anxieties can help you realize such feelings are perfectly normal. By addressing these feelings, you can be better prepared to understand and cope with them.  

The picture book is easy to read, with only one to eight short sentences per page. Although younger readers may need help reading the book’s small font size, Rayner’s illustrations are sure to help them navigate the story. Rayner draws her characters with pencil before coloring them and the backgrounds with watercolor paint. The backgrounds are drawn in brilliant spring blues and greens, allowing for some particularly beautiful illustrations of the wolves’ lively forest.  

While everyone has their own method of dealing with anxieties and daily worries, Victor, the Wolf with Worries is a comforting story that encourages children to address and talk about their feelings. It is a perfect read for young readers who may have trouble discussing their feelings or coping with stress. 

Sexual Content  

  • None

Violence  

  • None 

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None 

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None

Spiritual Content  

  • None 

The Story of Gandhi

Mohandas Gandhi was one of the “bravest and most outspoken leaders in India and the world,” and his dedication to nonviolent protests for freedom and equality led India to achieve independence from Great Britain. During his life, Gandhi’s efforts brought equality to many struggling minorities, and his peaceful methods of change, like fasting, inspired many other leaders worldwide to adopt other nonviolent manners of opposition. Today, millions of people admire Gandhi’s legacy and impact, and they continue to fight for change through his peaceful teachings. However, Gandhi’s journey wasn’t easy, and his path as a world leader required discipline and courage.  

Gandhi was a shy and curious child born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India. Although he struggled to talk in public settings, his desire for honesty and equality led him to pursue a life of helping others. Gandhi started a way of life called satyagraha, where he encouraged people to protest unfair laws and discrimination through peaceful, non-violent actions. However, when Great Britain imposed strict laws on the colony of India, Gandhi’s nonviolent manners of change were tested. Would he achieve freedom through his peaceful movements? Or would inequality continue to reign over India? 

The Story of Gandhi tells the biographical story of Gandhi’s rise as a brave and forthright speaker. Told from the perspective of an outside narrator, the book follows Gandhi’s life, starting with his childhood in India and ending with his leadership in the fight for India’s independence. While other characters briefly appear in the story, the story primarily focuses on Gandhi. As a result, Gandhi is depicted as an inspirational figure whose courage through difficulties and dedication to his peaceful protests are admirable and influential for readers. The challenges that arose with Gandhi’s movements also showcase the realistic problems in his life, giving the story an authentic and genuine feel. 

The biography displays a positive outlook on the themes of courage and discipline. Although Gandhi was opposed and repeatedly thrown in jail for his actions, he held firm to his nonviolent protests and continued to protest peacefully despite the danger. His efforts emphasize the book’s message about standing up against injustice, and it challenges readers to fight for equality without violence. After all, Gandhi believed “in words instead of wars, victory without violence, and leadership through love.” 

The Story of Gandhi is part of a series called Story Of: A Biography for New Readers. The story is educationally oriented and includes additional supplementary material, like fun facts, discussion questions, a reading quiz, and a glossary. Simple, colorful illustrations are found on every one to three pages. The back of the book contains a small section for reflection, where the author asks questions for readers to ponder, like “Have you ever stood up for someone who you thought was being treated unfairly?” The book features difficult vocabulary and discusses heavier topics, like discrimination, in a kid-friendly manner, but younger readers may still overlook its significance. Overall, The Story of Gandhi conveys an aspiring tale about one of history’s greatest activists. It’s a motivating story influencing readers to fight for justice and freedom. 

Sexual Content 

  • None

Violence 

  • Gandhi is repeatedly arrested and “thrown in jail for his peaceful protests” in India and South Africa. 

Drugs and Alcohol 

  • None

Language 

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • None 

Spiritual Content 

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The Trail of Tears

In 1838, settlers moving west forced the great Cherokee Nation, and their chief John Ross, to leave their home land and travel 1,200 miles to Oklahoma. This book introduces the Cherokee’s creation story, how their communities were formed, as well as how they were displaced several times. Each time, the Cherokee were forced to move, the white settlers took the Cherokee’s houses, businesses, farm animals, and other personal belongings.  

The Cherokee Nation had a written language and many of their towns had a Cherokee newspaper. However, when the Cherokees became successful, many white settlers “did not want them around. President Thomas Jefferson believed in a policy called Indian Removal. This meant moving all Indians to Indian Territory. . . Jefferson thought this policy would protect the Indians from dishonest white people who might trick them or kill them for their land.” Many of the Cherokee disagreed on whether they should move or not. In the hope of creating peace, some people moved further west. Unfortunately, this did not solve the problem because the whites continued to move west and continued to take the Cherokee’s land. 

Written by Joseph Bruchac, who is of Abenaki, Slovak, and English descent, The Trail of Tears explains how the Cherokee people lived and worked. Many people may be surprised that the Cherokee towns were very successful and required schoolchildren to learn Latin, algebra, botany, grammar, and geography. Despite the Cherokee’s success, the white settlers and the government broke treaty after treaty and cruelly forced the Indians off their own land. Despite this, the Cherokee Nation continues to thrive today.  

As part of the Step Into Reading 5 Series, The Trail of Tears is intended for readers in grades 2 – 4 who are proficient readers. The book includes large, colored pictures of historical events and several pictures of the Cherokee being mistreated. For example, one illustration shows a woman being separated from her child and the soldiers with guns. Another picture shows people falling off a boat and drowning. Illustrations appear on every page, and some pictures fill an entire page. The book’s oversized text, large illustrations, and short chapters will appeal to younger readers.   

The Trail of Tears presents historical events from the perspective of the Cherokee people and introduces several brave Cherokee leaders who fought for their people. Readers will see how various United States presidents’ policies affected the Cherokee, as well as how the whites betrayed them. The book is written similarly to a history text, describing events in a factual tone. Bruchac leaves the reader with the message: “Lessons can be learned from the bitter journey called the Trail of Tears. One is that when promises are broken, many people may suffer.” Readers interested in United States history or Indigenous people will find The Trail of Tears interesting. To learn more, read Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Removal Survival Story by Andrea L. Rogers.

Sexual Content  

  • None 

Violence  

  • After the American Revolution, “American settlers wanted the land owned by Cherokees. There was more fighting, this time against the Cherokees. A thousand Cherokee towns were destroyed.”  
  • Some white settlers killed Indians in order to take their land.  
  • At one point, the Cherokee were taken captive. “They were locked up in stockade forts. They had to leave behind everything except for the clothes they wore and what little they could carry. Groups of white men, following the soldiers, quickly took over the Cherokee homes. . . Many died while being held captive.” 
  • When the soldiers forced the Cherokee off their land, “People were loaded onto large flatboats guarded by troops. . . Some [Cherokee] fell into the water and drowned.” 
  • Some Cherokee resisted being moved off their land. “Two white soldiers were killed. One of the Cherokees, an old man named Tsali, was sentenced to death after he and two of his sons killed a soldier trying to capture them. He was killed by a firing squad of his own people. They knew that they would be shot if they didn’t obey.”

Drugs and Alcohol  

  • None

Language  

  • None 

Supernatural 

  • Many Cherokees believed that their trip would be a hard one because there was a roll of thunder and black clouds appeared before they left. 
  • According to legend, “It is said that each drop of blood that fell from the Cherokees turned into a stone rose. Those red stone crystals can still be found along the Arkansas River.” 

Spiritual Content  

  • When the Cherokee Nation was forced to leave Tennessee, John Ross said a prayer. “We ask for God’s guidance on our journey, Amen.” 
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