Suitcases Packed with Fantastic Fiction: Summer Travels and Magical Journeys!

Going on Vacation by Carly.

Lao Tzu, a philosopher in long-ago and far-away China, famously said, The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Here on the Book Beach, we know that some journeys begin by turning a single page. And so this summer, we’re not only exploring the real world but also discovering imaginary worlds in the fantasy and magic genre... traveling by land, by sea, by air, and by book! 

A Visit to the Museum: Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee (228 pages, RL 4.8). Eleven-year-old Ophelia puts aside doubts about magic to help a boy locked in a forgotten room in the strange museum where her father is working. In a city where it always snows, there is a clock ticking down to the end of the world....

Through a Mysterious Door: Coraline by Neil Gaiman (162 pages, RL 5.1). As she fell asleep she thought she felt a ghost kiss her cheek... and a small voice whisper in her ear.... Seeking excitement, Coraline ventures into a parallel world, where she must confront a frightful creature in order to save herself, her parents, and others. 

Going to Six Flags by Winston R.

Say the Magic Word: Savvy by Ingrid Law (342 pages, RL 6.0). The Beaumont family harbors a secret: supernatural powers unique to each family member. They move mountains, create hurricanes, and spark electricity! This LAS favorite follows the adventures of newly-turned-thirteen Mibs Beaumont, who discovers her savvy just as her father is injured in a horrible accident. 

Blair and Elizabeth recommend Savvy.

More Magic: Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver (307 pages, RL 6.0). Locked away by her stepmother in a dismal attic room after her father’s death, Liesl befriends a lonely ghost named Po. Magic happens when Liesl and Po meet an alchemist’s apprentice who has bungled a delivery and needs the friends’ help to make things right.

Going to Mexico by Kevin W.

Let's pack our suitcases with series... 

because one good read leads to another! 

Shadowy Magic: The Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan. In The Ruins of Gorlan (249 pages, RL 7.0), Will becomes a reluctant apprentice to enigmatic Ranger Halt. Before long, the fifteen-year-old learns that the dark-cloaked Rangers are protectors of the kingdom, trained in combat and surveillance, battling evil before it reaches the people. 

Mermaid Magic: Emily Windsnap series by Liz Kessler. In The Tail of Emily Windsnap (208 pages, RL 3.8), twelve-year-old Emily persuades her mother that she should start swimming lessons, and then she discovers a shockingly wonderful secret about herself that opens up a new world of splish-splash adventure.

Seven Fantastic Favorites: Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Our summer travels wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and a visit with Harry Potter and friends. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (309 pages, RL 5.5), the epic struggle with evil Lord Voldemort begins.

Frozen Fantasy: The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (206 pages, RL 5.5), four English school children find their way through the back of a wardrobe to the magical land of Narnia, where they assist golden lion Aslan in his battle against the White Witch, who has cursed the land with never-ending winter.

Mythology and Magic: Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. In The Lost Hero (557 pages, RL 4.5), three students from a boarding school for bad kids find themselves at Camp Half-Blood, where they learn they are demigods and launch an audacious quest to free Hera, who has been taken prisoner by Mother Earth.

Meera recommends The Lost Hero.

Super Series: Miss Schaefer suggests the The Heroes of Olympus.

Mind-Bending Magic: The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart. In The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey (440 pages, RL 6.5), four young graduates of the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened embark on a scavenger hunt that turns into a frantic search for the kidnapped Mr. Benedict.

Charlotte recommends The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey.

Perhaps a Prequel: Luka suggests The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict.

Going to Japan by James L.

Classical Magic: The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien (255 pages, RL 7.5). Set in a time between the Dawn of Faerie and the Dominion of Men, this timeless tale follows the adventures of hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who lives a comfortable existence in his rural home until a treasure quest takes him into more sinister territory.

Oliver S. gets into The Hobbit.

Going on Vacation by Reese H.

Magical Newbery Medal Winner: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread (267 pages, RL 4.7). Despereaux Tilling is a tiny mouse with big ears and an even bigger heart.  His unusual talents and un-mouselike behavior disappoint his family and earn him a trip to the horrible castle dungeon.  As we follow the tale—and the tail—of the mouse, we meet Pea, the kidnapped princess Despereaux loves; Miggery Sow, a slow-witted servant girl wishing to be royalty; and Roscuro, a devious rat who is conniving to ruin them all. 

Jason D. gets into The Tale of Despereaux.

Check out a Kate DiCamillo author interview, created by Ava, Liz, and Kayla:

A Magical Message: The Magician’s Elephant by Kate DiCamillo (201 pages, RL 5.5). Peter Augustus Duchene believes that he is alone in the world… until he meets a fortune teller in the market square who tells him that his long-lost sister is alive—and that an elephant will help him find the way. The ten-year-old orphan embarks on a magic-filled journey to find her.

Patrick S. gets into The Magician's Elephant.

Going to Hershey Park by Alex K.

Summer is a super time 

to visit the fantastical, magical world of Roald Dahl!

Fantastic Flying Fruit: James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (146 pages, RL 4.8). A young boy escapes from two wicked aunts and embarks on a series of adventures with six big insects and a peach that is the size of a house.

David M. gets into James and the Giant Peach.

Abracadabra: The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl (62 pages, RL 3.5). An eight-year-old girl uses her special gift to deal with next-door neighbors who take their love of sport hunting too far.  Before they know it, the contemptuous Greggs are living in a nest… and the hunters have become the hunted.

Who recommends The Magic Finger?  Mrs. Cifrodella!

Mental Magic: Matilda by Roald Dahl (240 pages, RL 5.2). When Matilda is attacked by her school’s kid-hating headmistress, the lovable-yet-misunderstood girl discovers she has untapped abilities and superhuman genius to fight evil Miss Trunchbull and to return kindly teacher Miss Honey to financial well-being.

Magic and Mischief: The Twits by Roald Dahl (76 pages, RL 4.8). Two hateful and dreadfully-behaved old people who enjoy playing nasty practical jokes meet their match in the Muggle-Wumps, a family of vengeful trained monkeys. 

Roald Dahl once said, Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.  Here on the Book Beach, we believe that our summer travels and summer reading will lead to magical memories.  Open Sesame!

Moving to Los Angeles by Olivia H.

Dewey Decimal Daredevils: We're Reading Biographies and Nonfiction This Summer!

This summer, Library Media Specialist Mrs. Cifrodella and her family ventured to Niagara Falls, a scenic natural wonder that straddles the border between the United States and Canada.

Summer gives us the happy chance to spend time with favorite people, meet new people, explore new places and experience new things.  And, happily, summer reading gives us a wonderful opportunity to be Dewey Decimal Daredevils... a chance to get into biographies and nonfiction on a variety of adventurous topics. 

Let's get started with a message from Mrs. Cifrodella and her creative crew: a video postcard with a colorful view of the falls-- and tales of colorful daredevils who went over the falls! 

A Daring Ride: Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg (40 pages, RL 4.0). At the turn of the nineteenth century, sixty-two-year-old Annie Edson Taylor, a retired charm school teacher, seeks fame and fortune by performing a stunt that no one in the world had ever done before—going over Niagara Falls in a wooden barrel!

Mrs. Cifrodella and Daughter Julie Brave the Falls!  

Derring-Do Will Do! Women Daredevils: Thrills, Chills, and Frills by Julie Cummins (48 pages, RL 6.5). This collective biography profiles fourteen women who defied convention and tradition of their times, working as entertainers and stunt performers-- and making a case for equality and freedom.

In the Summer I Like to... Visit Niagara Falls with My Family. -- Mrs. Cifrodella

Leo, Rachel, Kennedy, and Julia Get into Biographies This Summer!

Presidential Portrait: Jack’s Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy by Doreen Rappaport (46 pages, RL 5.6). This beautifully illustrated biography describes how the popular president overcame childhood sickness, self-doubt, and tragedy to lead the United States through turbulent historical times.

Famous First Lady: Eleanor, Quiet No More by Doreen Rappaport (40 pages, RL 4.1). This picture book biography pays tribute to the accomplished life of the prominent First lady, wife ­­­­­­of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Raised in a stern but privileged Victorian household, young Eleanor found solace in books and intellectual pursuits.  Her compassionate heart and lively mind led to work as a teacher, ambassador, and civil rights activist.

Profound Message: Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport (34 pages, RL 3.7). Collage art and quotes from his own speeches explain the life story and legacy of the esteemed civil rights leader.

Enduring Vision: Helen’s Big World: The Life of Helen Keller by Doreen Rappaport (44 pages, RL 4.9). With informative prose and stirring quotes, this illustrated biography captures the influence and innovative thinking of a beloved heroine.

In the Summer I Like to... Go to My Grandma's House & Build a Treehouse.-- Finn P.

Overcoming Challenges: Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg Kehret (179 pages, RL 5.2). Celebrated author Peg Kehret describes her childhood battle with polio and her efforts to overcome the ongoing effects of the disease.  Check out two book commercials for this Lafayette favorite:

Computer Pioneer: Who Was… Steve Jobs? by Pam Pollack (105 pages, RL 5.0).  From the popular Who Was…? series, this biography shares the life story of the Apple founder, whose business aptitude and creative vision transformed personal computing, communications, music sharing, and digital publishing.

Mr. Palladino Gets into a Who Was...? Biography.

In the Summer I Like to...Write in My Science Journal. -- Sarah F.

Video Game Trendsetter: Satoshi Tajiri: Pokemon Creator by Lori Mortensen (32 pages, RL 6.4). From the Innovators series, this concise biography profiles Japanese video game designer Satoshi Tajiri, describing his gaming magazine publication, his design work for Nintendo, and his diagnosis with Asperger’s Syndrome.

Gabriel H. Gets into Biography with a Technology Twist!

Digging for Facts: The Dirt on Dirt by Paulette Bourgeois (48 pages, RL 5.9). Illustrations and text describe where dirt comes from and its importance to the world around us. This summer-fun science adventure includes instructions on how to make a cool fossil footprint and how to create a garden playhouse!

Olivia H. Gets into Summer Reading Feet-First! 

In the Summer I Like to... Build Forts and Play in Them. -- Tommy M.

Over the Falls in a Barrel of Laughs: Laugh-eteria: Poems and Drawings by Douglas Florian (157 pages, RL 4.8). Sometimes silly and always clever, this collection of poems and black-and-white drawings are perfect for reading fun-in-the-sun or rhyming made-in-the-shade. 

Daring and Damp: Mrs. Cifrodella and Daughter Jordan Enjoy the View!

Matthew K. Gets into Poetry!

Let's share a poem from Laugh-eteria:

Downsize
There was a girl who shrank and shrunk, not only legs

but head and trunk.  She shrank as small as any cup.

The sidewalk curb to her was UP.  She wore the

clothing of her dolls.  The faucet seemed

Niagara Falls.  For company she had to

hug the nearest beetle, fly, or bug.

She always shrank.  She never

grew—one day she

vanished

out of

view

And now this blog post will vanish out of view.

Read on, Dewey Decimal Daredevils!