Plane Trip Reading

I just returned from a trip to Las Vegas. We had a great time! An added bonus was the extra reading time--mostly on the very long plane trip. I have spent even more (than usual) money on books since Karen and Bill started their Literate Lives blog. Well, their reviews were responsible for all 4 of the books I read on the trip to and from Vegas. Their reviews convinced me that these four were have-to books. So I started off with THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES, WAITING FOR NORMAL, SUMMERHOUSE TIME, and 4 KIDS in 5e and 1 CRAZY YEAR. I'll share the first book today and the others later this week.


THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES by Jody Feldman
This may be my new favorite read aloud title. I am recommending it to anyone I see who teaches 4th or 5th grades. It is a totally FUN book!

Author Jody Feldman has a website that is almost as fun as the book--with info and games. And-BIG NEWS--she is running a great GOLLYWHOPPER CONTEST that you will want to join! I was all ready to join but noticed that you have to be between the ages of 8 and 15. (I would have SOOOO love a GOLLYWHOPPER t-shirt!?) Spread the word to kids in this age group you know.

Jody Feldman is quite the brilliant writer. Gil is the main character who we come to know well. The other characters in the book are very different from each other. Feldman has somehow incorporated things like reality TV, codes and puzzles, a great setting (a VERY fun toy store!), video games, a contest, and a believable plot. In her acknowledgements, she mentions that when she was volunteering in the school library, a student returned Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and asked for another like it. Unfortunately, there wasn't another. It was at that moment that she decided to write one! LOVE that story!

So, I am recommending this to anyone I know who teaches 4h and 5th grades. A great plot that should engage everyone. A happy story with great characters. And a new author who I hope has another book coming soon!

Jody is one of the class of 2K8. I have to say, I so love this site. I have found so many great books on this site. So many new authors with great first books! What a great way to get the word out about such talented people. A great way for me to keep up on the newest books.

Remember, I read this book thanks to Bill and Karen at Literate Lives. You can read what they have to say about the book before you run out and buy it!

A fun book trailer here.