Calamity Jack by Shannon & Dean Hale, Nathan Hale

This book is like one big beautiful comic and I don’t even usually like comic books. It’s technical name is called a graphic novel. The story here is fun. It is also a bit of continuation of “Rapunzel’s Revenge.” It also tells about Jack’s life before he met Rapunzel. The book is basically Jack and the Beanstalk with a twist. I thought this was such a fun book and the illustrations are wonderful. It was easy to just sit and read such a fun tale.

For some fun little paper dolls about the book: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/books_rap.html and also on Dean Hale’s site for newer ones for this book about Jack: http://spacestationnathan.blogspot.com/ look in the right column under Activities for Calamity Jane Paper Dolls.

The Monster in Me by Mette Ivie Harrison

I loved this book. I enjoyed the description of running and I don’t even like to run. Natalie is such a great character. She often says things that are not what she is feeling inside just like the rest of us. Natalie is put with loving foster parents with two children. Natalie is not quite sure what to hope before since she has only known her mother and the ups and downs that comes with a drug addicted mother. This book is wonderfully written. I really enjoyed reading it.

Pingo by Brandon Mull, illustrated by Brandon Dorman

Chad has an imaginary friend named Pingo. He has so much fun with Pingo, but then tries to say goodbye to Pingo but Pingo won’t leave him. This is such a fun book. I loved the beautiful pictures and the storyline was great.