Jess Brallier

These two mice are already excited to head with the class to the museum, but they aren't ready for the huge adventure it leads to.

Tuck and Tina can't believe their luck when an escaped bear changes the field trip from the zoo to a visit to the museum...so much safer for two mice. While the day at the museum involves some tense mini-adventures, it's the tale they hear about a mysterious bone thief which sticks in their minds. Back at school, attention switches to the upcoming science fair and show more the strange...very strange things which are happening around the school. When the head of the school is blamed for everything, Tuck and Tina realize something isn't right, and it's about to lead them on a very amazing journey.

These two mice are ready for anything...more or less. The two head from one unexpected situation to the next, many with a sense of accidental ridiculousness to keep the humor aspect as high as the action. There's never a boring moment, and the predicaments place them in silly extremes, making this a tale which keeps readers in the pages until the end. The text fits those readers who are sure of their words but need a little more praxis, and it's one even reluctant readers won't mind diving into. The illustrations hold as much power as the text and bring across each moment with tension and fun. It creates an exciting read for those who enjoy action, a bit of mystery, and quite a bit of silliness, too.

While the plot rolls along with its exciting goodness, there's also a tiny bit of facts tossed in, word strengthening, and of course, friendship goodness. These aspects are only gentle, so the read stays concentrated on the entertainment side. The illustrations are mostly black and white, but pops of single colors are added in to emphasize certain things...and this gives power to the humor nicely.

It's a fun read with over-the-top silliness, adventure, and a pair of mice that should live in every class's classroom. show less

I always found Albert Einstein and his life extremely interesting, but had never read a true biography meant for young readers before. This biography took Einstein's life and retold it in a way that children would find interesting. The story gave many facts about Einstein that students may find intriguing to know. I also liked how Jess Brallier emphasized Einstein's belief that one should always be learning. That is a great concept for children to pick up. They should always be open to show more trying new things and learning along the way. Even though the book did not contain many illustrations at all, it still presented his life in a way that allowed to reader to picture, in their own mind, what was happening. show less

This little book is a mix of lawyer jokes and comments about lawyers. Some are anonymous, some by famous people, and some are by actual lawyers. The jokes are humorous, the comments thought-provoking. One of my favorites was said by Charles Lamb: “Lawyers, I suppose, were children once.”

Tess really loves the tree in her yard. She draws it, catches leaves, and, most of all, loves to swing on it. A storm suddenly brews and knocks the branches of her tree down. Worried for the safety of others, Tess's mother has the tree cut down. Tess is devastated, angry, and can't stop crying. She plans a funeral for her tree and all of her neighbors attend. The old lady next door tells of how she used to play on the tree and a young couple who carved their names in the bark show up to pay show more their respects. Tess manages to stop crying and is happy.

Tess's development is very clear. She is angry and resentful after her tree is chopped down. At the funeral, she learns how the tree made others happy and manages to get passed the pain to remember her tree fondly. This topic of moving on is a good lesson, because holding onto anger isn't healthy.

I really liked this book! I was sad that they didn't plant another tree at the end, but she did put sticks in the ground around the stump. I had a tree in my yard as well and it, too, got knocked down by a storm. I remember how I used to climb it on summer days and just be at peace. I miss that tree, but this book reminded me of the good times I had with it. show less