Read, Write, Repeat.

What’s the strangest thing you ever thought might be true?

For Paul, the unlikely hero of The Boy Who Climbed Into the Moon (Candlewick, 2010) written by David Almond and illustrated by Polly Dunbar, it’s a notion that maybe the moon isn’t the moon at all, but rather just a hole in the sky.

Left to his own devices, Paul, who’s quite quiet and shy, might never have gotten up the nerve to test his theory. But fortunately, he lives in an apartment building full of quirky and eclectic people who are eager to help him on his way.

And discovering the truth, as you might imagine, is quite a journey.

Here’s what Publisher’s Weekly had to say:

“Almond shows his playful side in this story of an urban boy with a large imagination and unconventional neighbors. Paul, who lives in the basement apartment of a high-rise, yearns to touch the sky. He goes on an adventure to the top floor of his building, and on his way up he runs into some unusual residents. One of them, who is pretending (or is she?) to be the identical twin sister of an artist living on the top floor (‘I will say that Mabel is on holiday in Barbados, and I have come to look after her apartment while she is away’), proves invaluable in helping Paul fulfill his wish. Then she goes a step further, finding someone who can aid Paul in testing his theory that ‘the moon is not the moon, but is a hole in the sky.’ Adorned with Dunbar’s whimsical pencil and ink illustrations, this book is a pleasing mix of silliness and creative thinking. Readers will take delight in meeting offbeat characters and in sharing the young hero’s discovery of what lies beyond familiar territory.”

Now, let’s hear what today’s guest reviewer has to say. Take it away, Cora!

Today’s reviewer: Cora.

Age: 8

I like: Pizza, dogs, mini-golfing, listening to my iPod.

This book was about: A boy named Paul who thought the moon was not the moon, but was a hole in the sky. And he decided to climb into that hole!

The best part was when: How brave Paul was when he jumped out of the moon!

I laughed when: I read about the man talking weirdly. He was very shy and he talked with a crazy, weird and funny sound.

I was worried when: Paul jumped out of the moon. I was afraid he would get hurt or die. He didn’t get hurt, but I don’t want to tell you why and give it all away.

I was surprised that: He thought the moon was a hole in the sky.

This book taught me: To follow my dreams.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The part where Paul jumps out of the moon, because it’s so surprising.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Funny.” “Creative.” “Awesome.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: They came back into the street they started from.

You should read this book because: It teaches you a good lesson. To follow your dreams and don’t be afraid. Just like Paul.

Thanks, Cora!

To learn more about author David Almond, who has had quite a remarkable writing career, you can:

• Visit his website.
• Read this interview in January magazine.
• Check out this article from The Guardian.

To learn more about illustrator Polly Dunbar, who also has written books, you can:

• Visit her website.
• Read this interview on Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.
• Listen to this video interview.

Like most kids this time of year, Sonia is getting ready to go back to school.

Her gym shoes are labeled. (With her first AND last name.)

Her pencils are sharpened. (Thanks to a sparkling, pink, shoe-shaped sharpener.)

And her summer reading list is complete. (See the photo at the lower left.)

So she’s ready to go back to school. But first, she wants to tell you about one of the favorite books she read this summer — Fourth-Grade Fairy (Aladdin, 2011) by Eileen Cook.

Sonia’s starting fourth grade herself this fall, which is one reason she liked the book, but the story also is about a lot of her favorite things — animals, fairies, magic and a main character with an annoying older sister. (OK, so that last part may not be her favorite, but it is something she says she’s experienced in real life.)

The book is about Willow Doyle. She comes from a family of fairies. Willow’s destined to be a fairy godmother, which doesn’t excite her too much. Her older sister, Lucinda, is a tiny fairy with wings, and that seems more thrilling to Willow. But if she had her fondest wish granted, she’d be a human.

That’s not likely to happen, however, as fairies of any kind aren’t encouraged to associate with humans, or “humdrums” as they’re referred to in casual conversation.

For her 10th birthday, Willow gets the chance to live out her wish and attend human school for two weeks. Of course, that ends up being much harder than she anticipated, especially after her fairy gift of being able to talk to animals kicks in and the perfect Lucinda gets captured by a human.

Want to hear more? Take it away, Sonia!

Today’s reviewer: Sonia

Age: 9

I like to: Read, watch TV, play “Go Fish” with my grandpa, play croquet and cook.

This book was about: A girl named Willow Doyle and her sister, Lucinda. Lucinda is a fairy, and in their family, everyone gets their powers when they turn 10. Willow did too, but she kept them a secret, because she wanted to go to a human school. Willow’s talent is talking to animals. She talks to a dog, who’s her best friend. She also meets a bird at a human friend’s house. Willow doesn’t like the bird’s feet, and the bird finds out and is not happy. Willow has done a lot of research on humans, and she’s going to become a fairy godmother. Later, Willow ends up saving her sister, after she’s caught in a jar.

The best part was when: Willow got to keep the dog. Because Willow could talk to animals, she told the dog not to eat her sister.

I smiled when: Willow got pink sparkly hair after she went to the doctor’s office.

I was worried when: The dog almost got run over, and when Willow told the bird it had weird feet.

I was surprised when: Willow still got to go to human school even though she hadn’t told her parents about her powers. She got to go all year because she saved her sister.

This book taught me: Only mythical creatures can talk to animals.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Willow.” “Fairy.” “Godmother.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “If your know-it-all sister is captured in a jar by the neighborhood humdrum kid, you might feel: A — happy, B — excited or C — really scared, and you might throw up.”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The multiple-choice questions that start each chapter. They’re really funny.

You should read this book because: Willow gets to talk to animals, and I like animals. And there are fairies and godmothers and mythical creatures. I like all those things, too.

Thanks, Sonia. Have fun in fourth grade.

If you’d like to see what other reviewers had to say about this book, check out these blogs below. And, may I simply add, these are three of the best-named blogs I have encountered yet:

• My Love Affair with Books

• Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

• Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile

And, if you’d like to learn more about author Eileen Cook — who’s written several awesome young-adult books, as well — visit her website or read this interview. Eileen also has a blog.

Summer days are perfect for some funny, sunny reading — like the light-hearted lunch lady graphic novel series by Jarrett Krosoczka.

This six-book series for ages 8 to 12 features a lunch lady who solves mysteries and fights crime when she’s not serving sloppy joes. She’s often assisted by her sidekick, Betty, and a group of kids known as the Breakfast Bunch.

In Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown. (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2010) the lunch lady and her helpers conveniently turn up at the same summer camp and — as you might expect — hilarity ensues.

Jarrett Krosoczka writes and illustrates the entire series, which is known for its quick pacing, humor and its two-color “loopy and energetic” art. (At least, that’s how the School Library Journal describes it.)

Today’s guest reviewer, Faith, was happy to spend part of her summer with this book, and now she’s here to share her thoughts. So take it away, Faith!

Our reviewer: Faith.

Age: Almost 8.

Things I like to do: Play checkers, text, and swim.

This book was about: A summer camp mystery where the kids help Lunch Lady capture a slime monster that lives in the pond.

The best part was when: The Lunch Lady wears her underwater mixer-propulsion backpack.

I laughed when: Ben found out who his date was … LOL.

I was worried when: Slime monster smashed Ben’s guitar.

I was surprised when: The kids had water balloons filled with mud and water guns filled with rotten eggs.

This book taught me: Monsters are not real.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Groovy.” “Slimy.” “Sneaky.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “Let’s get our groovy grooves on!”

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Brown slime!

You should read this book because: The Lunch Lady has lots of cool gadgets.

Thanks, Faith!

And if you need another reason to check out this book, it won a Children’s Choice Award for Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year. (Krosoczka also won a previous award in this category.)

And Booklist says, “Krosoczka’s inventive visual details, spot-on characterizations, and grade-school humor make this a standout graphic-novel series.”

To learn more about the lunch lady’s creator, visit his website. or read this interview.

Soulara knows what it’s like to travel far away.

She lives in Wisconsin, but goes to California for chunks of time each year to visit family — sometimes by herself, and sometimes with her mom.

So Soulara could relate to the plot in Only One Year (Lee & Low Books, 2010). This chapter book, written by Andrea Cheng and illustrated by Nicole Wong, tells the story of a Chinese family that sends its 2-year-old son, Di Di, to stay with his grandparents in China for a year.

At first glance, this might seem like an unusual arrangement, but an author’s note at the end of the book explains that many immigrant families temporarily send their young children to stay with relatives in their home country while they work, go to school or try to get established in the United States.

As the mother in the story explains to her older daughter, Sharon, “Di Di is only two. We cannot leave him with a stranger. For a babysitter, Di Di is a job. But for Nai Nai, he is a grandson.”

Soulara has never been away from her family for a year, but she enjoyed reading about Di Di and his time in China. In fact, she says she’d like to visit China some day.

Here’s what she had to say:

Today’s reviewer: Soulara

Age: 7

I like:Ice-skating, swimming and volleyball.

This book was about: Little 2-year-old Di Di and how he went to China for one year.

The best part was when: Di Di came back from China.

I smiled when: Di Di’s sister Sharon asked him where the duck was and then Di Di pointed.

I was worried when: Di Di didn’t remember his mother and father and sisters when he came home and when he cried and threw a tantrum.

I was surprised when: Di Di threw another tantrum because he missed his sisters.

This book taught me: That you should love your brother no matter what. Even when he cries.

Three words that best describe this book are: “China.” “Airplane.” “Year.”

My favorite line or phrase from the book is:“Mary wants to wear a pink skirt and a pink blouse. ‘That’s too much pink,’ I say. ‘It’s my favorite color.’ ‘It’s still too much,’ I say. ‘No one esle in first grade will be wearing all pink.’

Other kids reading this book should watch for: When Di Di’s grandma leaves. It’s sad.

Thanks, Soulara!

Here’s an interview with Andrea Cheng about this book. You also can visit Andrea’s website to learn more.

To learn more about illustrator Nicole Wong, you can visit her website or read her blog.

You also can find another review of this book at Oops … Wrong Cookie.

Judith Viorst’s  classic children’s book describes a boy named Alexander who survives a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Julie Sternberg’s debut book describes a girl named Eleanor who makes it through an awful month.

Alexander’s bad day is made up of a series of small slights and insults. He gets gum in his hair, he doesn’t get a seat by the window in the car, and the cat wants to sleep by his brother, and not him. There’s even kissing on TV, and he hates that.

Eleanor’s month is ruined by one momentous event. Bibi, the babysitter she’s had since she was — well — a baby, is moving far, far away.

And that’s so bad it’s Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie (Amulet, 2011).

As Eleanor’s world is turned upside down, she’s forced to cope the best she can.  And, she learns that life goes on, even when it’s not the way she always thought it would be.

Now, let’s hear from today’s guest reviewer. Her babysitter moved to Arizona several years ago, so she could relate to the story:

Our reviewer: Sonia

Age: 9

I like: Coloring, playing on the computer, playing with my DS, reading Highlights magazine, and snuggling with my blanket and my cat, Vince. 

This book was about: A girl named Eleanor. Her babysitter, Bibi, moves to Florida to help her Dad get better. They have a good-bye party, and all of Bibi’s friends cry. Then, they all go outside to get Bibi a taxi. Now, Eleanor doesn’t like taxis because they took Bibi away. Then, Eleanor gets a new babysitter, Natalie. Eleanor doesn’t like her like she liked Bibi, but then she gets used to her.

The best part of the book was: When Eleanor writes a note to Bibi while her dad is singing with Agnes, a neighbor. Once Agnes leaves, Eleanor wants to put the letter in the mailbox. So she gives it to the mail carrier, Val. Later, Val gives Eleanor a letter from Bibi.

I was surprised when: Bibi’s letter didn’t come sooner.

I was worried when: Eleanor had a big tantrum because she wanted her old babysitter back.

Three words that describe this book are: “Bibi.” “Eleanor.” “Natalie.”

This book taught me: You will always miss your first babysitter. But, you’ll probably get a new one that you like.

Other kids should read this book because: It’s a good book. I liked all the characters. I liked the picture where Val is waving the letter from Bibi.

Sonia has never put pickle juice on a cookie. But she concedes that it probably wouldn’t taste very good. She adds that the worst month she ever had was this very month because there was one day in it where she threw up five times. But she’s feeling much better now.

Thanks, Sonia!

To learn more about author Julie Sternberg, visit her website.

To learn more about illustrator Matthew Cordell, visit his website.

And, here’s a delightful interview with both of them at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.

Would you like to see more reviews of this book?

• Here’s one from the New York Public Library.
• And, here’s another from This Kid Reviews Books.

There are all kinds of lies.

Little white ones.

Nasty, malicious ones.

And real whoppers.

In The Big Whopper, the second book of Patricia Reilly Giff’s early chapter book series The ZigZag Kids, it’s Discovery Week at the Afternoon Center. And Destiny Washington wants to think of something new to discover.

Instead, she ends up telling a really big whopper — that she’s distantly related to George Washington.

And then she doesn’t know what to do about it. 

Let’s see what today’s guest reviewer has to say.

Today’s reviewer: Julia

Age: 8

I like: Volleyball, horses and playing with my friends.

This book was about: A girl tells a story about that her great-grandfather is George Washington, but he’s really Abraham Washington. Then she knows she told a big whopper, and she doesn’t want her teacher to know.

The best part was when: Two older high school kids pushed a big cart of paper and the kids got to ride in it.

I was surprised when: Destiny said who she was related to.

This book taught me: It’s easier to tell the truth. That way your stomach doesn’t get tied in knots.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Lying.” “Funny. “ “Honesty.” At the end, Destiny is honest.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Abrehem Washington Father of our Kuntry. My greatest great grandfather. ” And “Telling fibs was not the way they did things at the Zelda A. Zigzag After School Center.”

You should read this book because: It teaches other kids not to lie. And Destiny, too.

You can see Cora’s review of the first book in the series here.

Or, you can learn more about Patricia Reilly Giff by:

• Visiting this website.
• Reading this blog.
• Or reading this interview from the Teaching Authors blog. (Which originally offered the first two books in the ZigZag Kids series in a giveaway. Which I was lucky enough to win.)

Want to learn more about illustrator Alasdair Bright? Visit his website.

Today, we begin a two-part look at the new Zigzag Kids early chapter book series by Newbery Honor author Patricia Reilly Giff.

All the books in this series are set in the after-school program at the Zelda A. Zigzag School, so readers meet the same group of children in each book. However, each book focuses on a different child as the main character.

The first book in the series, Number One Kid, (Wendy Lamb Books, 2010) features Mitchell McCabe, who wants to be the best. But what will his friends think of his desire to be number one?

Let’s ask today’s guest reviewer.

Our reviewer: Cora

Age: 7 

I like: Eating beef-and-bean burritos. Listening to music on my iPod Nano. Playing Wii — mostly Wii Fit. And, I like playing with my American Girl dolls — Samantha, Rebecca, Julie and Mia.  

This book was about:  A boy named Mitchell McCabe who’s always trying to solve mysteries. Whenever anyone loses something, he wants to be the one who finds it. He got a shirt that says “I’m #1.” He wears it every day. Mitchell’s younger sister, Angel, doesn’t like it that his shirt says he’s number one. 

The best part was when: A younger kid at Mitchell’s school named Trevor lost a mask he had brought to school and Mitchell found it. Life was all happy again!

I laughed when: They kept saying to stay away from Habib because he had poison ivy all over him, and Mitchell was especially scared of him!

I was worried when: Mitchell thought Angel had drowned. They were swimming at their school pool, and Mitchell couldn’t find Angel. He saw her sinking down, but she was actually diving down to find something she saw on the bottom. But when she came back up Mitchell saw that she hadn’t actually drowned.

I was surprised that: Mitchell wasn’t good at math. Well, he was OK, but he still had to get tutored. 

This book taught me: To never go near someone with poison ivy or you will get his or her poison ivy!

Other kids reading this book should watch for: The drowning part, because when I first read that part I was freaked out! But remember, she doesn’t actually drown.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Silly.” “Surprising.” “Awesome.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: Mitchell and Angel were eating apples that had worms in them. And Angel spit hers out and said, “I might end up in the hospital because of you, Mitchell ‘Number Eighty Seven’ McCabe.” (She didn’t want to call Mitchell “number one.”)

You should read this book because: You can learn a lot from it! Like don’t be mean to people. And stand up for your brother or sister if someone’s being mean to them — like when Angel told Peter not to call her brother Mitchell a loser. 

Thanks, Cora. You did an awesome job!

Want to learn more about Patricia Reilly Giff? You can:

• Visit this website.
• Read this blog.
• Or read this interview from the Teaching Authors blog. (Full disclosure: I actually won both books in a giveaway from the Teaching Authors blog.)

Want to learn more about illustrator Alasdair Bright? Visit his website.

And come back soon for Julia’s review of the second book in the series.

Ahoy, there!

Piper Reed Navy Brat (Scholastic, 2008) is the first in a series of chapter books by Kimberly Willis Holt. It tells the story of Piper Reed, a middle child who is moving — again — thanks to her father’s job in the Navy.

When the family arrives in Pensacola, Florida, Piper has to start a new school, make friends, deal with her dad’s being away on duty and handle the regular ups and downs of her family as they all cope with the changes in their own way.

Piper’s method involves starting a club to make friends and trying to teach kids in her new school her favorite expression, “Get off the bus!”

Here’s what our guest reviewer, Clare, had to say:

Today’s reviewer: Clare

Age: 7

I like: Spaghetti, going to school, doing math, soccer and rock climbing.

This book was about: A girl named Piper Reed who moves a lot of different places because her dad is in the Navy. She has a club called “The Gypsy Club.”

The best part was when: They visited her grandpa and grandma and cousins. Also when she started a new Gypsy Club when she moved.

I laughed when: Piper, Tori and Sam were running in the sprinkler singing songs, because they didn’t have swimsuits on and they were running in the sprinkler with their clothes on eating Popsicles.

I was worried when: Piper got on a horse that was her grandpa’s, and she was running toward the electric wires and fell upside-down still sitting on the saddle on the belly of the horse.

I was surprised that: They all got the same kind of Popsicle that was grape and that hadn’t happened before.

This book taught me: That being a middle child is hard because you have to help with your younger sister and be yelled at by your older sister.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: Tori, Piper’s older sister, helping Piper be a fortune teller for the Gypsy Club.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Moving.” “Family.” “Puppies.”

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “Jeepers! I have to do the dishes just because I’m not a big crybaby?”

You should read this book because: It is a really exciting and fun book.

Thanks, Clare!

If you want to read more about Piper’s adventures, check out the other books in the series — Piper Reed the Great Gypsy and Piper Reed Gets a Job. And, coming later this year, Piper Reed Into the Wild.

As an added benefit, the series is illustrated by Christine Davenier, a talented author in her own right. (Ms. Davenier also illustrated Dessert First by Hallie Durand, which was previously reviewed on Read, Write, Repeat.)

For more information about Kimberly Willis Holt, visit her website. Or read this lovely interview with her.

Lauren Barnholdt writes for girls.

She has books for teens and books or tweens. And her first chapter book, Hailey Twitch is Not a Snitch (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2010), was released this month.

Little girls everywhere are in for a treat.

Here’s how Lauren describes the book:

“Seven-year-old Hailey Twitch knows three things for sure: Who she’s the boss of, how to throw a tantrum, and above all, how to get exactly what she wants. But all that changes when Hailey gets paired up with annoying Addie Jokobeck on the class project. No matter what Hailey does, she can’t seem to change her teacher’s mind.

“At home, a cranky Hailey is feeling sorry for herself when – poof! — Maybelle, a magic sprite, comes flying out of Hailey’s dollhouse. Maybelle’s on probation with the Department of Magic, and on a special mission to get Hailey to have fun.

“The only problem? The invisible Maybelle starts causing a lot of trouble, and when Hailey’s teacher wants to know who’s to blame, Hailey takes responsibility. After all, Hailey Twitch is not a snitch! Now if only Hailey can convince the Department of Magic that Maybelle has reformed.”

Today’s guest reviewer, Niki, was happy to enter Hailey and Maybelle’s world using an advance reading copy provided by the publisher. Here’s what she had to say:

Reviewer: Niki

Age:    9

I like: Horses, spaghetti, cheer, books, writing, horseback riding, and 4H.

This book was about: Hailey Twitch finds a fairy. The fairy’s name is Maybelle. Maybelle gets Hailey in trouble a lot.

The best part was when: Hailey fell over when she first saw Maybelle pop up. Hailey also hit her head.

I laughed when: Hailey fell over.

I was worried when: She wanted to be partners with Antonio and didn’t want Maybelle to throw away the list. She got in trouble because Maybelle threw away the list of partners the teacher had assigned.

I was surprised that: Hailey only received a warning from her teacher.

This book taught me: Not to judge people because you think they aren’t cool. In the book, someone in Hailey’s class invites all the people in her class to a ghost-hunting party except Hailey.

Other kids reading this book should watch for: What the mean girl, Natalie, says.

Three words that best describe this book are: Funny, hilarious and exciting.

My favorite line or phrase in the book is: “I’m … I’m — I can’t find my voice. It feels like I’m talking with a big mouthful of peanut butter sandwich before I’ve had my milk.”

You should read this book because: It is funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To learn more about Lauren Barnholdt and her array of books, visit her website.

To learn more about illustrator Suzanne Beaky, who drew the pictures of Hailey, visit this website.