Slacker

Slacker by Gordon Korman
Published by Scholastic Press in 2016

Summary: Cameron Boxer is a hyper focused on preparing his skills for the video game challenge of Rule the World. He is to busy in his video game to follow through with a request his mother gives him. He fails to take food out of the oven and the fire department knocks the front door off to get to the smoking oven. Cam is in the basement oblivious to the happening up stairs. His parents do not approve of all the time he spends on his video games. Which he calls his "Lifestyle." His friend Pavil and Chuck help him create a fake club that Cam is the president of. To Cam's dismay the club becomes a real deal. The counselor takes the group on and lots of kids join. It takes on a life of it's own and Cam is not happy. The club begins to consume his time and he does not have time to play video games. One of the projects is to create a habitat for "Elvis" a beaver. The community is also about to lose is one exit off the highway for the expansion of the new mall. The high school club gets wind of all the press the Middle School club is getting and they start to sabotage the club. In the end Cam and his friends help save the community exit and Elvis.

Gordon Korman creates multiple characters in this story that a variety of readers can relate to. The story is humorous, but underneath the humor the message that one person can make a difference if they try.

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein
Published by: A Yearling Book in 2013

Summary: Kyle Keeley loves games of all kinds. He would prefer to play a game then to read a book. A competition essay contest is available to win access to the brand new library that is opening in the middle of town. Mr. Lemoncello is sponsoring the renovations on the library. Kyle briefly writes his essay which was only one sentence about balloons. He is disappointed about his procrastination and decides to write an email directly to Mr. Lemoncello hoping to still have a chance to win the lockin. 12 students won and Kyle was one of them. They all entered the library and were presented with challenge after challenge. Charles Chiltington was used to winning at any cost. He does not play the game fairly. Kyle and several others decide they have the best chance to team up and help each other. They are to solve the riddles and find the unofficial exit from the library in less than 24 hours.

Chris Grabenstein uses lots of descriptive language to describe the library and has excellent twists and turns. He is able to keep the reader engaged and wanting more. Mr. Lemoncello's sequel is out featuring Kyle and his teammates - Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics with even more puzzles to solve.

Magic Puppy - Classroom Princess

Magic Puppy: Classroom Princess by Sue Bentley
Illustrated by Angela Swan
Published by Scholastic Inc.

Summary: Kelsey is a shy girl who has trouble telling people how she feels. Her dad is dating a nice lady named Jo, but she does not care for Jo's twin daughters. Anna and Louise really love riding ponies and think that Kelsey should also. Kelsey discovers a little puppy that needs her help. The puppy's name is Storm and is magical. She can talk to Storm. Storm helps Kelsey and a boy named Ross get over their shyness. He uses magic to make them both the Wassail Apple Prince and Princess for the city festival. Eventually Storm must leave to stay safe from Shadow who is looking for him to harm him. Where will Storm go next to stay safe?

Magic Puppy Series is a wonderful series for early chapter book readers. Some illustrations are included with the story. Classroom Princesses is book #9 in the series. The reader does not have to read the books in order to understand and enjoy the story. a Prologue is at the beginning to help the reader grasp the concept of Storm's life. This series is great for 6 to 8 year olds.