The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster

A small girl named Katerina-Elizabeth was a very picky eater—and she really hated oatmeal. What could she do when her parents sent her to Scotland to visit her grandmother via a huge ship that served her oatmeal for breakfast? Throw it overboard, of course! A small worm following the ship discovered the oatmeal and began to munch away. The sea
worm began to look forward to his gooey breakfast every day, and by the time they all reached Scotland, the small worm was no longer small. What will become of this sea worm, now that Katerina-Elizabeth is no longer on the ship? Find out what became of the worm—and what we call him today. by Mackin Booktalk

Great little story with fabulous pictures. There is an excerpt in the back that tells some facts about the legend of the "monster".

Help Me, Mr. Mutt!

Do you hate the food your owner feeds you? Are you tired of being dressed up in cutesy costumes? Everywhere dogs like you are wondering what to do with your problem owners. Who can you turn to for advice? Why, Mr. Mutt, of course! He is a Canine Counselor and knows just what you can do to make your owners behave!
This book reminds me of Mark Teague's Dear Mrs. Larue. Instead of the dog going to obedience school, this mutt is a counselor. Cute little book. Great ideas for letter writing.

Yum! MMMM! Que Rico!: Americas' Sproutings

Did you know that blueberries were used in medicine and in making gray paint? Did you know that the United States produces more blueberries than any other country? What do blueberries, chili peppers, and vanilla have in common? They all have their origins in the Americas! Can you guess what other foods are grown in the American countries? You’ve probably eaten peanuts, but how about prickly pear? Learn about fourteen yummy foods from all over South, Central, and North America. But be warned—you’ll be hungry after reading this book! This book has beautiful illustrations.

What to do About Alice?

Running a country keeps a President very busy. But Teddy Roosevelt also had a problem no other President had—his young daughter, Alice. Alice was eager for new adventures and wanted to experience everything in life. She was a tomboy, not a prim and proper young lady as girls were supposed to be at that time. Her father called it “running riot;” she called it “eating up the world.”
Whether it was introducing White House visitors to her pet snake or sledding down the White House stairs, Alice’s actions caused lots of excitement! by Mackin Booktalk

There are many great books about Teddy Roosevelt, but this one shows his character as a father. This is a great biography about a beloved family that once lived in the White House.

Where I Live

Diana loves her family, so the tension she feels at home unsettles her. She is afraid that perhaps her parents are thinking about a divorce. But Diana’s parents are worried because her father has lost his job. Bad news turns to worse when her parents decide they must move in with Diana’s grandfather in another city. Suddenly Diana realizes how much she loves her home. She loves her room, from the astronomy charts on the walls of her room to the window where she can wave to her best friend. Everything she sees reminds her of what she is going to lose. Will anything be able to replace the things Diana has to leave behind?

This book is written as a poem. The chapters are short, and it is a fast read. If you have ever been faced with moving, you will identify to this book.

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street

The Penderwick sisters are facing a major crisis. Their Aunt Claire has revealed that their mother, as she was dying, wrote a letter to their father encouraging him to date again. The sisters are afraid that their widowed father will start seeing other women, so they hatch a “Save Daddy” plan. They will have to find the worst possible women for their father to meet, so that he will never want to date again. But finding horrible dates is quite a challenge, especially when their lives are in such a commotion anyway.
Rosalind can't stop thinking about their annoying neighbor, Tommy, and his silly new girlfriend. Twins Skye and Jane decide to make their lives easier by switching homework assignments—which doesn’t turn out as they expected. And Batty’s new friend Ben, the baby next door, goes on a hunt for the Bug Man. But the girls are determined to stop their father from dating. No other woman could make him happy and fit into their family. Or is there someone? by Mackin Book Talk
This book is awesome!! I loved every minute of it.

Two Minute Drill

Chris Conlan and Scott Parry don’t seem like they have anything in common. Scott, the new kid at school, is the smartest one in his class, and he is finding it hard to fit in. He also loves football, but, as he says, football doesn’t love him. He is very clumsy, and he has a secret. Popular Chris is the star quarterback of the team. He also has a secret.
When Chris rescues Scott from bullying football players, they become friends—and learn each other’s secrets. Can they now work together to solve both their sports and school problems? by Mackin Booktalk

This was one of my favorites. I couldn't put the book down. I love the game of football, and this has football and more; friendship, bullying, and proving that you have what it takes to be a star in a new town!