Blog Archives

Blazer Tales

Welcome to BlazerTales... where it's all about the book reviews.

There are 4 ways to use this blog:
1) Scroll through to see a variety of books;

2) Click on the 3 lines at the top left to get a drop down menu of books broken down by grade levels;

3) Go to the search box and for title, genre, or subject; and

4) Go to Categories and search by subject matter.

***These reading levels are just a guide to help if needed. Please, please, please do not let any of these numbers deter you from reading whatever you want!!!***

A Graveyard Visible by Steve Conoboy

10/29/2017

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Interest Level: YA

Caleb is a kid whose mother is dead and whose dad is a not-so-nice guy. He doesn’t have any friends but he does have his graveyard which is visible from his bedroom window. He is so close to it that he even sleeps on the roof to be closer to it.

Misha is a girl that lives in that graveyard with her granddad. She doesn’t have any friends either except for “eight”. She is even being bullied by a mean kid just because of where she lives.

Both of these kids have very hard home lives but when they meet things go from bad to worse. Neither of them have anyone else in their life on whom they can depend. Can they depend on each other especially when the Graveyard comes to life?

This book goes from “good” to “great” to “I can’t put this book down until I have finished it”. If you want creepy, edge-of-your-seat page turner, this is for you!

Note: this is definitely a YA book. There is a lot of language in this book that would not be appropriate for middle school.

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Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne

10/22/2017

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Interest Level: K-3; Reading Level:2.9

What if you were suddenly whisked away to a time long ago and landed in the time of dinosaurs? Would you be scared or excited? Well, it happens to Jack and Annie and they have a mix of emotions. Everything seems fine until the meat-eating T-Rex shows up. What will they have to do to get safely home? Read this fun early chapter book to find out what happens.

If you like this book there are many more of them. Read them to see what kind of trouble Jack and Annie have planned next.

Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark

$6.00

If you study dinosaurs in your classroom, reading a fiction book is a great compliment to that study. Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark is a great easy chapter book to fit that bill. This 27 slide PowerPoint presentation has easy comprehension questions that coincide with each chapter. Each slide has animation so that the answer does not appear until you click on it.

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Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark

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I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

10/21/2017

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Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 3.9

How excited would you be if you found out that you were going to be able to ride on the fabulous, fantastic, state-of-the-art cruise ship? Pretty excited, right? Well, in 1912 thousands of people were getting to do just that. George and his sister, Phoebe, were two of the passengers thrilled to be on the Titanic. They had just been on a two month vacation with their Aunt Daily and they were headed back home to New York. But what happens when the excitement of being on this amazing ship turns to terror when it hits an iceberg. Find out what happens to George, his family and friends when the Titanic begins to sink. Will they all make it out alive? Read this outstanding book written by Lauren Tarshis to find out. You will not be able to put this one down until the very end!!

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 PowerPoint

$6.00

Are you in love with Lauren Tarshis' I Survived books like I am? I Survived The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 is a fantastic fiction book that includes real-life facts. I have created a 37 slide PowerPoint presentation that correlates with the book to aid in comprehension as you read aloud to your class. Each slide has fade in/fade out animation so that you can show the question before the answer appears.

***Click below to purchase***

I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 PowerPoint

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I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937

10/15/2017

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Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 5.5

Imagine you are getting to fly on the world’s most luxurious airship. How exciting would that be? Now imagine you are having to take this trip because your little sister is very sick and she needs desperately to get back home to New York City to get to the doctor. Does that change your excitement any? Well for 11-year-old Hugo this was what he was facing. Hugo was beyond excited to be flying on this massive airship (this was before airplanes could fly over oceans and much faster than a ship) but he also loved his little sister very much so he was torn because excitement and concern. Now imagine while you are aboard this airship you uncover an evil Nazi colonel and a spy for the U.S. that is in danger. You must read this fast-paced, thrilling new book by Lauren Tarshis to find out what happens to Hugo and his family.

I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937 PowerPoint

$6.00

Are you in love with Lauren Tarshis' I Survived books like I am? I Survived The Hindenburg Disaster, 1937 is a fantastic fiction book that includes real-life facts. I have created a 40 slide PowerPoint presentation that correlates with the book to aid in comprehension as you read aloud to your class. Each slide has fade in/fade out animation so that you can show the question before the answer appears.

***Click below to purchase***

I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937 PowerPoint

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Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

10/14/2017

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Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 4.5

What if you were challenged to spend the night locked inside a brand-new, high-tech library? What if you were a “gamer” and loved a challenge? What if it meant that you got to meet the man who created all of the games that you love to play? And what if it meant that you might become famous by appearing in Mr. Lemoncello’s new commercials? Would you do it? Would you do it if you knew you were up against a bully that thought winning was everything, including cheating, bullying and stealing? Well Kyle and his friends take on the challenge and the adventure they go through is extraordinary and the clues and riddles fit together like puzzle. Mr. Lemoncello finds a way to get the children to learn to love the library, reading, and friendship.

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library PowerPoint

$6.00

Don't you just love Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library? Your kids will love it also!! As you read, this Google Slide presentation will ask all types of comprehension questions that correlate to the book. The Slide presentation is broken down by chapters and each slide has the fade in animation so that you can ask the questions before showing the answers.

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Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library PowerPoint

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Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

10/14/2017

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Interest Level: 5-8; Reading Level: 5.3

What if you were a young boy living in Germany during the 1930’s when Hitler began ruling? You have a facial birthmark that keeps you from going to school so you begin working in the harmonica factory with your father. Your dream is to one day be an orchestra conductor but then Hitler comes to Germany and turns your world and your family upside down. Your only comfort is a harmonica with the letter M on it, but you must give it up in order to escape.
What if you were an 11-year-old boy with a 7-year-old brother living in an orphanage in Pennsylvania 1935. It was your responsibility to make sure your brother was protected and that the two of you stay together. Your grandmother taught you to play the piano before she died, and being musically inclined is what helped you get adopted by a rich lady. The problem is, she wanted a little girl and she got two older boys. Does she want to keep you? Your only hope for your brother is to buy a harmonica and try to join the famous harmonica orchestra. Your harmonica has the letter M on it and makes very special music. Will it be enough to save you and your brother?
What if you were a 5th grade girl living in Southern California in 1942, a year after the bombing of Pearl Harbor? Times are very hard and your underprivileged school has a box of harmonicas donated. The one you choose happens to have the letter M on it. You carry it with you everywhere in your brother’s jacket that he gave you while he was away fighting in the war. Your family is forced to move and the harmonica is your safety net. Your father thinks music is frivolous, but will it save your life?
These three lives all intertwine after a boy mysteriously meets three sisters in the woods after they have had a curse placed on them. They give the boy a harmonica that will change many lives across many years.

Echo PowerPoint

$8.00

Are you a big fan of Pam Munoz Ryan like I am? Ryan has outdone herself with her newest book, Echo. Echo weaves a story of different people at different historical times and different places. Ryan has you on edge until the very last page. This is a must read for any class! This PowerPoint Presentation is 82 slides and covers all 587 pages. Each slide asks thought-provoking and comprehension questions and has animation so that the questions will appear before the answers. This is a must have for your classroom or library.

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Echo PowerPoint

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Crenshaw by Kathrine Applegate

10/14/2017

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Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 3.7

Have you and your family every struggled financially? Have you ever had to spend a night in your car because you didn’t have a place to live? Well Jackson and his family know all about this. Both of Jackson’s parents lost their job and since there was no money coming in, they lost their house also. For fourteen weeks they had to live in their minivan. How would you feel if this was you? Read this amazing book to see the struggles that this family goes through and how they overcome their trials. This book will tug at your heart but at the same time give you hope. Read how Crenshaw helps Jackson through this tough time (and laugh at the things he says and does). You will not be disappointed!

Crenshaw PowerPoint

$6.00

In her first novel since winning the Newbery Award Katherine Applegate knocks another one out of the park. This story will pull at your heartstrings while relating to many children in this world. This PowerPoint goes through the book chapter-by-chapter asking comprehensive and thought-provoking questions. It has 41 slides with animation so that the question appears before the answer. This is a must have when reading this book aloud to your students.

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Crenshaw PowerPoint

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