THE LOST TREASURE OF TUCKERNUCK

By: Emily Fairlie

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

My latest summer read was this wonderful children's book that is on the 2013-2014 Texas Bluebonnet List.

Here is my review:

The founder of Tuckernuck Middle School was Maria Tutweiler who left a puzzle for the students to solve. The prize is "a treasure beyond bounds." This was 80 years ago and no one has been able to solve the puzzle much less find the first clue. (Everyone thought she was crazy and they still think that.) 

Laurie is forced to attend Tuckernuck because both her parents had attended. The school is ancient and everyone knows that the school will probably close soon. Laurie is trying to convince her parents to let her attend Hamilton Junior High with her friend Kimmy.

Laurie is forced to gerbil duties with the very unpopular Bud Wallace. Bud did a science project that was presented to the school board members. - A project to show the effects of sugar in school lunches. - All sugar has been banned from cafeteria lunches. We find out that this was not Bud's original goal, but none the less all students dislike him due to this sugar ban. 

During gerbil duties, a gerbil escapes and the two are forced to catch this critter. During this event, Laurie and Bud accidentally knock a picture of a chicken off the wall. Hidden in the corner of the frame is a secret message and the letter D. These two are the only ones to find a clue to the puzzle that could save the school. Clues include music, Shakespeare, and a cat. Can you solve the puzzle with Laurie and Bud without getting caught and before the school is demolished? 

Students in upper second grade, third, fourth, and fifth would enjoy this book. I highly recommend it, especially if you like mysteries.

As we all know, summer is well underway. My goal for this summer to is read numerous children's book that are on the Texas Bluebonnet List. This list is a suggestion of great titles for students in grades 3rd to 6th. Many of these books are chapter books. I have planned to read about 20 of these titles this summer. My goal or plan was to read at least two of children's books to every one christian titles that are on my personal list to read this summers as well (2:1). Since I just finished BRIDGE TO HAVEN by Francine Rivers, so I knew it was time to read two children's books. (BRIDGE TO HAVEN is a must read that reminds us of God's love for each of us not matter what our past looks like.) Many of you may ask why I would want to read that many chapter books written for children this summer. I am a children's librarian at a local elementary and the best way to recommend a title to a students to to have read the book yourself.

Many people think that this should be done while I am at school which is not possible for several reasons.
1. I teach library classes to 6 different classes each day.
2. I checked out close to 30,000 books last year. This equals a lot of shelving
3. Librarians are extremely busy people who never really get a chance to sit for long because we are also helping students find that perfect book.
4. Librarians are tech savvy and are required to teach technology skills to students - 21st Century Learners.
5. Do I really need to keep writing this list???

So, here is my review of LIAR & SPY by Rebecca Steed

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

LIAR & SPY  is about a boy and his family who moved from their house to an apartment after his father lost his job. Georges becomes friends with a boy who lives in the same apartment, Safer. Safer and his sister Candy do not attend school which leaves a lot of free time on Safer's hands. Safer starts a spy club and Georges joins the club which leads to Georges being a right hand man to Safer. The boys spy on Mr. X who lives in an upstairs apartment and wears black. This book is about learning who true friends are and remembering the importance of family. I would recommend this book to students in grades four and up.