Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater

The unexpected delivery of a large crate containing an Antarctic penguin changes the life and fortunes of Mr. Popper, a house painter obsessed by dreams of the Polar regions. Just like a penguin, you'll enjoy sitting in a nice air-conditioned movie theater to watch the movie, but be sure you read the book first!

Mr. Popper's Penquins is a great read-aloud choice and perfect for the young reader who has advanced beyond easy chapter books but isn't quite ready for full length chapter books.
Summary from the MARINet catalog.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Stewart

ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD Looking for special opportunities? When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their new found friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all? Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.

Caring children's librarian that I am, I can't help but think that Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire would have welcomed the opportunity to attend this institution, and would have fit right in. Alas, so would Count Olaf.
Summary from the MARINet catalog.