Michele Sobel Spirn

“The Know-Nothings Talk Turkey” is an amusing transitional chapter book for readers. Comparable to “Amelia Bedelia,” the characters in the story took a literal approach on everything about Thanksgiving. Thus, the language is very comical to students. Specifically, when Doris told his friends that they had to serve a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, the four characters endlessly tried to feed the turkey, except he wouldn’t even sit down (hence “serving” the turkey). Similarly, show more the characters were silly and foolish. As Doris informed his friends about the holiday, Norris excitedly replied, “I must buy a tree and get gifts for you and Boris and Morris.” The characters make funny mistakes that children would laugh about. I think the main idea of this story is to celebrate and recognize Thanksgiving in a motivating way. show less

Very stupid people act very stupidly around Halloween. It almost makes Amelia Bedelia look like high-brow literature.

My daughter didn't much like it when she was five. I do have to wonder if that may be because I read books I'm not enjoying with less gusto than books I like.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Halloween Tricks -- Hiding from Halloween -- Where Is Doris?

Rated “Indifferent" in our old book database by Rod and Adelia.

This story is about four friends who do not know very much. It is Boris's birthday and he wants his friends to remember, so he gives them hints, but they don't catch on. Doris finally sees his birthday on the calendar and plans him a surprise party. It's too late though, Boris already planned his own party. So they end his party and start a new party.

When I read this story, I started getting tongue tied trying to say the names so many times. It's a fun book and kids just learning to read show more would love it!

This book can be used when learning about poems. It has a lot of repetition. show less

Short book about Mark, a boy who is adopted into a family that owns a restaurant. When people start getting sick from eating the food and the cafe looks like going under, he wonders if he'll get blamed and sent back to the orphanage. After doing some detective work, he comes up with an unlikely list of suspects. can he prove his innocence, or be sent away?