Anne Schreiber

The mysterious grade school teacher Ms. Frizzle takes her students on a journey to the Arctic to learn about heat and heat transfers. Who is this mysterious Ms. Frizzle? Is she a simple schoolteacher who has stumbled, Aladdin-like, into control of a force much greater than she? Or is she something more, a greater power in her own right. If Aladdin's lamp contained a djinn, it seems likely that the magic school bus is also a container; a mere receptacle for a djinn-like entity. Aladdin rubbed show more his lamp, but Ms. Frizzle pushes a button; the results are practically identical. But Aladdin uses his lucky chance almost entirely to his own benefit. It seems clear that Ms. Frizzle could use the powers hidden in the bus to attain world domination if she so desired, but she seems beyond that, a creature almost entirely devoid of the negative human emotions: fear, anger, desire. Her humanity is being called into question, she is surely not a simple human. Could she be a witch, or fairy? But surely these beings are subject to normal emotional tugs such as we. We are left to consider a higher power: a djinn in her own right? An elemental force of nature? Or can we go so far as to call her a goddess? Sophia, the goddess of wisdom, is described as "a messenger, a mediator, a helper, a handmaid" - could any words describe Ms. Frizzle more closely? Her simultaneous ability to hobnob with forces like heat and cold, and to mentor and lecture the children under her care, lead one to wonder. But from these same characteristics we can be sure that she has nothing but the best in mind for not only the children in her charge, but for all of humankind as well.

Or can we? show less

This book is about a brother who told his sister that she was “slower than a snail”. The sister then sets out to prove to her brother that she's bigger than some things, smaller than others, but certainly not “slower than a snail”. This book is filled with great illustrations of all the crazy things the sister measures herself against. (smaller than a tree, taller than a monkey)

Comprehensive Strategy: This is great book for beginning readers. It’s a Scholastic publication so it show more comes with activities students can do on their own. Teachers can also have students make their own books about different things they are bigger than and things they are smaller than, including illustrations. show less

Twister Trouble by Anne Schreiber was one of my favorite books growing up so I wanted to read it again to refresh my memory and see if I noticed anything different this time around. So, this book is a thrilling Magic School Bus adventure that teaches kids about tornadoes. The characters in the story especially the student grow as they face the real tornado by using their knowledge and teamwork to survive. The theme of the story focused on understanding natures power. The illustrations are show more also engaging, and the story is filled with fun facts about the weather. I rated this book 4 stars because it was a book that kept my attention and I kept wanting to read more. The only think I wish was different was the pacing I wish it slowed down the story to build up to the tornado because I think it was just a little fast. show less

Summary:
This informational book is very visually appealing and engaging. Throughout the book, readers will learn how and where volcanoes are formed, along with the anatomy of the volcano. As readers learn more about types of volcanoes, they are introduced to record-breaking volcanoes and their attributes. Some of these include Crater Lake and Mount Etna.

Personal reaction:
I’m not very scientific at all, but I enjoyed this book because it is very visually appealing. By using bright photos show more and witty wording, this book draws in the reader. I especially liked how the author engaged younger audiences by including things like jokes, fun facts, and silly visuals like postcards from volcanoes. One thing in particular that sets this informational text away from the rest is the “word blast” boxes that include special vocabulary.

Classroom extensions:
1) Providing modelling clay and an example, have students create their own volcanoes based on the four types of volcanoes described in the book.
2) Split students into pairs and give each pair index cards that have a vocabulary word or definition written on it. Then, have the students take turns playing a matching came, flipping over two cards at a time to find the matching pairs. show less