Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Marin Luther King Jr. Day, by David F. Marx

Dr. King was an important African-American leader.  We remember Dr. King every year on the third Monday in January.  Dr. King dreamed of African-Americans being treated fairly.  Dr. King gave speeches to huge crowds.  Many people celebrated this holiday.  Many schools and offices are closed.  My favorite part of the book was when Dr. King said he had a dream of the day when African-Americans would be treated fairly.

-Daragu2

The Value of Love: The Story of Johnny Appleseed

The Value of Love: The Story of Johnny Appleseed, by Ann Donegan Johnson

Johnny was a little boy who liked to dream.  He would dream in class and in the woods.  He liked to read the Bible, talk to the animals.  He also made a friend named Randy.  In the middle of the book, he was an old man.  At the end of the book, he was going home.  My favorite part was when he was at school.

-Trnyja2

If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620

If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620, by Ann McGovern

The Pilgrims started on their journey.  They left England so they could have their own church.  The journey was very long and sometimes dangerous.  They had to eat the same food every day.  They were not able to take baths at all.  They first went to Cape Cod and then they went to Plymouth to settle. My favorite part was when the Pilgrims met the Indians.

-Jamaki2

The Story of the First Easter

The Story of the First Easter

Jesus had been staying in Bethany, where His friends Martha, Mary and Liz lived.  As Jesus approached Jerusalem, many people went out to meet Him waving palm branches.  Even one of the robbers mocked Jesus,  but the second robber scolded him.  Don't you fear God, to talk like that?  My favorite part: Several days later was Passover.  This was the celebration of the holy day when God delivered.

-Thbrca2

Waiting for Wings

Waiting for Wings, by Lois Ehlert

At the beginning of the story caterpillars hatch from their eggs, and also they creep and chew after they hatch.  The caterpillar changed into a case and became a butterfly.  The butterflies flew to the fields to sip from the many different flowers.  My favorite part is when the butterflies hatched from their case.

-Ledamc2

Prancer

Prancer, by Steven Cosgrove

She went to see a deer.  The girl got a gift.  My favorite part was when she went to Santa.

-Pakejo1

Rosie's Walk

Rosie's Walk, by Pat Hutchins

Rosie the hen went for a walk across the yard.  Rosie the hen went for a walk over the haystack.  Rosie the hen got back in time for dinner.  My favorite part was when the bees attack the fox.

-Damcmc1

Little House in the Big Woods

Little House in the Big Woods, by Laura Ingalls Wilder

They saw a mean man.  Then the two girls cooked.  Then they were done.  My mom helped me read this.

-Kejich1

SPC Scholastic Book Fair

As part of Catholic Schools Week January 28-February 1, St. Peter Claver will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair!  Please check out our Book Fair website at:

http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/stpeterclaverschool

Treasure Island

Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson
Illustrated by A.J. McAllister
Published by Waldman Publishing Corp.

Treasure Island is a fiction story.  The theme is treasure and surviving. In the story Jim Hawkins goes on a ship with two of his friends to find an island with Captain Flint's treasure.  They meet Ben Gunn who helps them find the treasure and they take it home.  This book is adventurous to me.

-Taadmc4

Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe
Illustrated by Derick Bown
Published by Purnell Books

In Robinson Crusoe the main character is Robinson Crusoe.  The story takes place in the ocean and on an island.  The theme is surviving.  The genre is fiction.  In the story Robinson is ship-wrecked on an island.  At the end of the book he survives and goes back home.  I thought this book was fascinating.

-Taadmc4

Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve

Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve, by Mary Pope Osborne

The beginning is when Annie said "Maybe I should be a vampire instead of a princess."  The middle is when an old woman stood in the dark door of a cottage.  The end was when "Next thing I knew I was writing a story."  My favorite part was when a shiver went up Jack's spine.

-Chlega2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, by Jeff Kinney
Illustrated by Jeff Kinney
Published by Amulet Books in 2008

This book is about Greg and his life.  His brother is always messing with him.  Their parents and little brother Manny go away for a while. They throw a huge party, but hid all of the evidence by the time they get back.  They find out by a tape that was recording the whole thing.  Rodrick can't compete in a talent show, which really upsets him.  Greg makes it up to him by sacrificing his night in the talent show also.  Greg and Rodrick actually get along at the end.  This is a great book for kids.  I recommend it for kids.  I thought it was amazing.

-Dajach6

African-American Heroes

African-American Heroes, by Brenda A. Boyd
Illustrated by Dorit Rabinovitch
Published by Best Personalized Books, Inc, in 1992

This book is about a girl names Melia Watson, age 6, of Macon, Georgia.  Melia was excited because tomorrow was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday.  A magic carpet had taken Melia to Dreamland where all of the famous Black African-Americans were.  First the carpet took her to where Dr. King said his famous "I have a dream" speech.  He even showed her when he got the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Civil Rights Movement.

The next person the magic carpet took her to was George Washington Carver's Dreamland Laboratory.  He told Melia that Carver spent his whole life studying plants, he also discovered ways to help farmers grow better crops.  Peanuts were his specialty, and he found many uses for them.

The next stop that they made was in Mary McLeod Bethune's Dreamland School.  Mary Bethune says that "Dreamland boys and girls have all sort of dreams of what they want to be when they grow up.  This is where they learn one very important Dreamland rule.  You have to work hard and try your very best."  Mrs. Bethune told Melia that she was a teacher and started a school in Florida for black girls.  Today that school in Florida is now the Bethune-Cookman College.  She has always believed self-respect, self-reliance, and self-pride could make dreams come true.  That is what she teaches her Dreamland students.

The last place the carpet took her was to the Thurgood Marshall Dreamland City Cente.  Mr. Marshall was chosen by President Lyndon Johnson to be a Supreme Court Judge.  Judge Marshall said with a friendly voice, "Welcome, Melia."  He said this is where we teach people to vote, to obey the laws of the land, and to be fair.  He has always been committed to fairness.  After they left Judge Marshall the carpet told Melia they had to hurry up and get to the "I Have a Dream Parade!"  The great thing about it was that this year Melia would get to be the leader!

The next thing Melia knew the alarm clock rang and a voice asked, "Did you forget the Martin Luther King celebration is today?"  Melia thought, "I can't wait to tell Sydney Stinson about my exciting adventure in Dreamland."

This book was given to me by my uncle.

-Metrcu7

P.S. I Really Like You

How I Survived Middle School: P.S. I Really Like You, by Nancy E. Krulik
Published by Scholastic in 2008

The main characters in the story were Rachel and Felicia.  The setting took place at the school.  The theme of the story was about a secret admirer.  This story is about when this secret admirer wrote a note into one of the girl's lockers.  All of the girls think it was Marc who wrote the note.  Rachel thought that Felicia was on Addie's side and Rachel stopped being Felicia's friend.  I thought this story was very great and amazing.

-Charst3

Original artwork and book report by student.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel, by Jeff Kinney
Illustrated by Jeff Kinney
Published by Amulet Books in 2012

This book starts out telling about Greg's early life.  He didn't like a lot of things, he was a cranky kid.  His family's luck really disappears when their Uncle Hammer moves in.  During that time, the school holds a dance to help raise money.  Greg wants a date so bad, he asks his best friend Rowley to be his wingman.  Greg finally finds a girl, but Rowley comes along too.  A little while into the dance they have to share the gymnasium for a meeting.  Greg never really got a chance with her, so the dance was useless.  This was a great book.  I recommend it for everyone.

-Dajach6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, by Jeff Kinney
Illustrated by Jeff Kinney
Published by Amulet Books in 2008

The main characters in this book are Rodrick and Greg.  The setting is the talent show.  The theme is to entertain.  The genre is fiction.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about Greg Hefflex facing his other brother Rodrick.  It's a little about school and his little brother.  I can tell you he isn't going to make it.

-Qujsha6

Original pastiche drawing by student.

Gerald McBoing Boing

Gerald McBoing Boing, by Dr. Seuss
Illustrated by Mel Crawford
Published by Random House in 1950

Gerald and his mom and dad are the main characters.  The house, park, train station are the setting.  The theme is Gerald making weird noises.  This boy makes boing noises.  I thought it was a good book to read.  You also learn a good lesson.  It is to not judge others that you don't know.  I would recommend this book to my sister.

-Essohe6

The Foot Book

The Foot Book, by Dr. Seuss
Illustrated by Dr. Seuss
Published by Random House, Inc in 1968

The Foot Book doesn't have a main character or setting, but it does have a theme.  The theme is about feet.  This is a picture book.  The book is talking about feet, and describing feet.  This book talks about how feed work.  This is a very funny book.  It's a good book for children learning.

-Dachra6

I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today!

I Can Lick 30 Tigers Today! And Other Stories, by Dr. Seuss
Illustrated by Dr. Seuss
Published by Random House in 1997

The main character of the story was King Looie Katz.  It is fiction because cats can't talk, and in the story cats can talk.  The setting of the story is Katzin-stein.  The theme is all the cats are in the line holding each others' tails.  The details about the story are the cat tries to beat up 30 tigers.  Another is that the cats walk.

-Jajugi6

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, by Laura Numeroff
Illustrated by Felicia Bond
Published by Laura Geringer Books in 2000

The main character is Mouse.  The setting is the movies, the snowy outside, and their house.  The theme is that the Mouse wants to go see a movie.  The genre is fiction.  It's Christmas time!  Mouse wants to go to the movies and he loves popcorn so he wants popcorn.  Mouse is really in the Christmas spirit.  He wants to make ornaments and he wants to decorate the Christmas tree.  He goes crazy over Christmas songs.

-Jamifl6

Scooby-Doo! and the Sinister Sorcerer

Scooby-Doo! and the Sinister Sorcerer, by James Gelsey

In the beginning is when Scooby-Doo plays soccer in the dirt.  The middle is when the bad man got the girl.  The end is when Scooby-Doo wags his tail with the soccer ball on his tail.  My favorite part is when Scooby-Doo wags his tail with the ball on it.

-Joongr2

Thank you Target®!

The posts on this blog are written by St. Peter Claver students as part of a reading incentive program made possible by a grant from Target.  The grant provided $2000 to spend on prizes for the reading program and books for the library.  The first reading program prizes were given out this week!

Prizes purchased from our local Target store!

Congratulations to the nine students who won prizes!  We are so proud of you!

THANK YOU,

Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!

Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! by Dr. Seuss
Illustrated by Dr. Seuss
Published by Random House, Inc, in 1975

The main character is the people that he is talking about.  The setting is where the people are that he's talking about.  The theme was colors and what you can think about.  The genre of the book is stories in rhyme and fantasy.  The book was talking about what you can think about.  It was saying you can think about Kitty O'Sullivan, which was one of the characters, and how she had a big balloon swimming pool over her house.  It was also talking about you can think and night, a night in Na-Nupp.  It was saying the birds are asleep and the three moons are up.  I thought the book was filled with fun, and colors.  I would recommend this book.  I will recommend this book because it is funny and gets you happy.

-Alayra6

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Llama Llama Red Pajama, by Anna Dewdney
Illustrated by Anna Dewdney
Published by Penguin Group in 2005

The main character in this book is the baby llama.  The genre of this book is fiction.  This book is about the baby llama and him wanting his mom to come tuck him into bed.  He also is calling his mom because he is scared.  The setting is at their home.  And he thinks he sees something and then he makes his mom think something's wrong.  I think that this is a good book and I will recommend it to others.  I thought his mom was gone.

-Nashwi6

Old MacDonald had a Woodshop

Old MacDonald had a Woodshop, by Lisa Shulman
Illustrated by Ashley Wolff
Published by Penguin Group in 2002

Old MacDonald was the main character.  The setting was at the woodshop.  This book was about a sheep who is called Old MacDonald, and she had a woodshop where she has a lot of tools.  There are costumers that come a grab a tool and they started to make a small farm.  What I thought about this book was that it was going to be a book about a sheep that makes a lot of small farms.  I would recommend this book to my little step-sister Alexa.

-Lealra6

Curious George Gets a Medal

Curious George Gets a Medal, by H.A. Rey
Illustrated by H.A. Rey
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company in 1957

In this story, George receives a letter.  He cannot read it, but has a feeling he can write one back.  The pen is out of ink so he spills blue ink everywhere.  He tried to fix it with some water, but it makes everything messy.  He goes to a farm to get his tool.  It is too heavy, so he gets a cow to pull it.  The farm men chase him.  He jumps in a truck and winds up at the museum.  He makes a fake palm tree fall and makes a bigger mess.  Then the Man with the Yellow Hat reads him the letter.  He is chosen to go into space.  When he returns, they award him with a medal.  The main character was George.  The setting was the farm and the museum.  The genre is a picture book.  George is a monkey.  He can't read.  He isn't afraid of much.  He loves nuts.  I would recommend this book to second through fourth graders.  I think this was an okay book.

-Dajach6

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
Illustrated by Dr. Seuss
Published by Random House, Inc, in 1990

The main character is an unknown boy.  They setting was everywhere in this story.  The theme of the story is to go everywhere you can.  The genre was realistic fiction.  This tells about where you can go.  It helps you gain your confidence.  It helps you feel okay.  I thought it was fun.

-Zoadmi6

Mama Provi and the Pot of Rice

Mama Provi and the Pot of Rice, by Sylvia Rosa-Casanova
Illustrated by Robery Roth
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 1997

The main character in this book is Mama Provi, and the setting is an apartment building.  The genre of this book is fiction.  This book is about a woman named Mama Provi.  Mama Provi likes to cook for her granddaughter Lucy, but Lucy catches a cold.  Mama Provi cooks her a great Mexican meal.  Lucy lives in the same apartment building as her grandmother Mama Provi, so when Mama Provi goes to take Lucy her meal, she smells all the delicious things she stops by to take a peek.  I think that this book is very interesting, and I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend this book to people who like to read about different cultures and food.

-Minipo6

Midnight for Charlie Bone

Midnight for Charlie Bone, by Jenny Nimmo
Published by Orchard Books in 2003

This is about a boy named Charlie Bone.  Charlie figures out he can hear the thoughts of people in a picture.  Charlie is not excited about his power.  His aunts are happy because he now attends Bloor's Academy for gifted children.  When Charlie gets there he realizes that some of the classmates have equal powers.  Then Charlie is involved in uncovering the mysterious past with one of them.  The genre is fiction.  This is a good book.  I recommend this book to everyone that likes mystery books.

-Kadawa6

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies

If You Take a Mouse to School, by Laura Numeroff
Illustrated by Felicia Bond
Published by Laura Geringer Books in 2002

There once was a kid that took a mouse to school.  Then the mouse will ask you for your lunchbox.  Next, he'll want a sandwich.  After that, he'll ask for a notebook and some pencils.  Then, he'll want to share your backpack.  He might do a little math and try to do a science project.  What I thought about the book was that the mouse wanted a bookie.  I recommend this book to my sister.

-Zotrwa6

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss
Illustrated by Dr. Seuss
Published by Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P in 1957

The main character is the Grinch and the people of Whoville.  The setting is the Grinch's cave and Whoville.  The theme is that Christmas can be a good holiday and you don't have to mess it up for everybody.  The genre of the book is fiction.  The Grinch hated Christmas.  He lives in a cave to get away from Whoville.  The people did not know he was going to mess it up.  They just had a good time.  I thought the book was exciting and fun.  Yes, I do recommend it to other people of all ages.

-Stauco6

Journey to the Center of the Earth

A Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne
Illustrated by Pulsar Studio
Published by Modern Publishing in 1864

Axel has a crazy idea.  He wants to travel to the center of the earth. With help from Professor Liedenbrock and Hans, they start on their journey.  They have to go through many obstacles and challenges to get where they want to.  They go down a volcano to only begin their journey.  It was so interesting that they even saw a dinosaur, and lived through one of the most violent storms ever.  I think this is a great book of mystery.  I would recommend it to people looking for clues.  They finally reach the center of the Earth and are happy.  The genre is non-fiction.

-Dajach6

The Great Brain Book

The Great Brain Book, by H.P. Newquist

First, the brain is thinking.  Second, the brain is telling the finger something.  Third, they tried to cut the brain out.  Four, they had cut the head open.  They saw blood.  My favorite part was when they show the brain.

-Kejaga2

How I Survived Middle School: Madame President

How I Survived Middle School: Madame President, by Nancy Krulik
Published by Scholastic, Inc.

This book was about friends who were not friends.  Their parents wanted them to be mean and bossy.  The characters were Addie, Dana, Felicia, Chloe, Claire, Mare, and Jenny.  The setting was at school.  The genre was a book about a girl.  I thought this book was amazing.  It had all the details in it too.  I hope I read this book again.

-Charst3

When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry...

When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry... by Molly Bang
Illustrated by Naomi Leon
Published by Scholastic, Inc. in 1999

This book is about Sophia getting angry.  Sophia's sister likes her favorite toy.  Her sister takes it away from her.  Her mother told her that she'll have to give the toy to her sister.  She ran away because she didn't get her way.  She say at the top of a tree.  Sophia looked at the ocean.  She ran back home and realized family was important.  It was a good book.  I would recommend it to kindergarten.

-Skbrsm7

Too Many Balloons

Too Many Balloons, by Catherine Matthias

This book has 29 pages.  The little boy went to the zoo.  He bought a lot of balloons in different colors.  He showed them to the animals.  The boy went up in the air because he had too many balloons.  I liked this book because the boy knew his numbers.

-SkarjoK

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

 A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning, by Lemony Snicket
Illustrated by Brett Helquist
Published by Scholastic, Inc.

The book is about these three children named Violet, Sunny, and Klaus Baudelaire.  They became foster children when one day a fire started in Baudelaire Mansion with their parents inside.  Violet was the eldest of the three, Klaus was the middle child, and Sunny the baby.  Violet liked to invent things and when she would come up with an idea she would tie her long hair up in a ribbon.  Klaus loved to read books and remembered everything he read.  Sunny had a strange thing she liked to do, it was bite things.  These three children are very smart and clever.  They do everything to the best of their ability.  I would recommend this book to anyone who would understand this book and what the message is, and not just read the book because someone told you to.  The genre is fantasy.

-Metrcu7

Enchanted

Enchanted, by Jasmine Jones and Bill Kelly
Published by Disney Press

This story is about a girl named Giselle who is getting ready for her wedding with Prince Edward, the son of Queen Narissa.  On Giselle's wedding day a witch tricked her into falling in a hole that would take her to Manhattan.  Prince Edward hears of the news and will do everything in his power to marry his love.  He arrives from Andalasia in search of Giselle.
While Giselle tries to find her way home she runs into Robert, a serious lawyer who doesn't believe in fairy tales.  Robert and his daughter Morgan find Giselle and take her to their apartment.  The next morning Giselle shows Robert her dress she made out of his curtains.  Meanwhile, Edward and his "loyal" companion, Nathaniel, are looking for Giselle in Manhattan, and they are lost.
Prince Edward finds Giselle and she asks him to take her on a date, so they head out.  Edward's mother Queen Narissa will stop at nothing to keep Giselle from taking her place as Queen.  The next day at a party the little old witch gives Giselle an apple, and she faints.  The only thing that will break the spell is a true love's kiss.
Prince Edward tries a kiss and it doesn't work.  So the only person left is Robert, but is he going to make it in time?  Robert saves Giselle, but now the Queen is upset and she turns into a dragon and takes Robert away to the top of the building.
At the top of the building the dragon was roaring.  Giselle yells to the dragon, "I won't let you take him away from me."  The dragon laughs and says your fairy tale is over.  As the spire on the top of the building is binding, Pip, Giselle's loyal chipmunk, bounces on the dragon's head.  Giselle has her sword in her hand and tries to throw it as hard as she can.  It misses the dragon but catches Robert's sleeve on the spire.  Then the dragon loses her balance and falls off the building to her death.  Giselle ends up marrying Robert and Prince Edward marries Nancy, Robert's ex-girlfriend.  They live happily-ever-after.

-Metrcu7

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life, by Rachel Renee Russell
Published by Aladdin Books

Nikki is a new girl at her new school, Westchester Country Day High School.  She wants a cool iPhone but her mom just gave her a dumb diary.  She promises she won't write in it, but then she does.  The coolest girls in school make fun of her for writing in a diary.  The coolest girl in school's locked is right next to hers.  She meets two nice girls named Cloe and Zoe.  She also has a crush.  His name is Brandon.  The mean girl also has a crush on Brandon.  She embarrassed her every time she got close to Brandon.  At the end she realizes being a dork is actually a very good thing.  I thought the book was great.  It is very funny how the mean girl likes Brandon but Brandon ignores her because he really just likes Nikki.  I'm sure you will enjoy this book.

-Raelfl4

Wolves and Coyotes

Wolves and Coyotes, by Jane P. Resnick
Published by Kidsbooks in 1995

This book tells me about wolves and coyotes.  It tells about all the different types of wolves and coyotes and other types of dogs.  The book tells about how long they live and all the different places they live at.  And it also tells about the different things they do.  The genre of the book is non-fiction.  What I thought about the book is it was helpful to me because I would learn more about wolves and coyotes.  I would recommend this book to people who would like to know more about wolves and coyotes.

-Birala7

Endangered Animals Dictionary

Endangered Animals Dictionary: An A to Z of the World's Threatened Species, by Clint Twist

This book is about endangered animals and it tells facts and the main idea.  They tell about how different animals can go off on their own and hunt for food and go into the wild, leave their parents, and go off on their own and grow up into the wild.  I will like to have the book for myself but I can't so I'm glad I read this book.  I think who ever likes animals should read this book.

-Witean7

Mercy Watson to the Rescue

Mercy Watson to the Rescue, by Kate DiCamillo

The main characters are Mercy Watson, Mercy's parents, and their names.  The setting is the home of Mercy.  Mercy was helping save her house from burning.  A fantasy is what the type of story is.  Mercy was very hungry and she wanted some toast. But there was no toast.  Mercy goes to her neighbor's house to try to get some of Baby Lincoln's cookies.  Baby screamed to her sister claiming that Mercy was a monster.  So Eugina called the fire department.  Mercy was running and Eugina was trying to catch Mercy.  The fire department came and saw the first burning and tried to put out the fire.  It was wonderful.  I would recommend it to elementary grades.

-Kasamo7