Category: Bullies

Blazer Tales

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

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***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!!!***

How to Make a Shark Smile by Shawn Achor & Amy Blankson

2/16/2020

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Interest Level: K-3; Reading Level: 1.8

Have you ever met someone who is mean, grumpy, and always seems angry? It Is Ripple's first day In a new aquarium and she can't wait to make friends, but when she looks around everyone looked so unhappy. Ripple finds out that everyone is afraid of the shark that lives in the tank. Ripple does not like to see everyone so down and out so she challenges the Bob, a blowfish, to test. All Bob has to do is stare at Ripple for seven seconds without smiling, easy right? At first Bob was sure he was going to win, until Ripple flashed him a big smile and Bob cracked up laughing. Bob turned around and did this to all the other creatures and everyone was having a great time, that is until Snark the Shark showed up. Ripple makes a deal with him. If Bob can make him smile then they can continue to have fun, but if they can't, they will stop playing. The deal was on and Bob went to work. He had Snark stare at him. Can Bob win the day and make Snark smile? Will all of the aquarium animals be able to go about their day happy and having fun or will they be forced to live miserable for the rest of their days? Read this incredible book to find out!

I love absolutely everything about this book! Ripple has a happy mindset and she won't let anyone bring her down. This is a goal that we all need to have, kids and adults. I love the section at the end of the book where the author gives you several happiness exercises to fit into your everyday life. And besides the amazing message this book gives, the illustrations are precious. You can't help but be happy when you look that these pictures. Do not miss this book!

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I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët

11/21/2018

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Interest Level: K-3

What would you do if you saw someone being bullied? Would you jump in and help or would you walk away? In this wordless story a new girl at school gets bullied and no one comes to her aid. However, one little girl sees everything that happens and it really bothers her all through the night. Will she do what is right or will she stand back and let the bully win? Read this incredible wordless book about trying to fit in, being new to a school, hurtful words, and finding friendship!

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Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

9/22/2018

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Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 5.1

What would you do to help save a friend? Would you crawl down into a dark, dank, moldy well? This is exactly what Virgil Salinas does. Virgil has always felt out of place, especially in his own family. He is the shy, quiet kid in a family of loud, athletic siblings. Thank goodness for his grandmother, his Lola, who is his only ally. He loves to hear her stories, even though they all seem to end badly. Little does he know her stories will help him get through a very trying time in his life. Kaori Tanaka is a kid physic but her only customer is Virgil, until Valencia Somerset sees her card tacked up at the local supermarket. Chet Bullens is the local neighborhood bully. He is always so nasty to Virgil and he is actually afraid of Valencia because she is deaf and he doesn't understand her. Little do all of these kids know that the first day of summer is going to change their lives. As Virgil is cutting through the woods to go visit Kaori, Chet attacks him, steals his backpack that has Virgil's guinea pig in it, and throws it down into the well. Gulliver is Virgil's only friend so he goes down into the well to save him. The problem is that the ladder does not go all the way to the bottom of the well so Virgil cannot get back out. When he misses his appointment with Kaori she becomes worried so when Valencia makes it to her appointment Kaori cannot concentrate. As all of the puzzle pieces start coming together, Kaori, Valencia, and Gen, Kaori's sister, go in search for Virgil. Will they find Virgil in time to save him? What happens when these girls run into Chet in the woods? Find out by reading this incredible book about family, friendship, bullies, and overcoming incredible odds!

When you read this book there will be no doubt in your mind why this book won the Newberry Award. Erin Entrada Kelly weaves a marvelous story in which all the pieces come together in the end. The fun part is that as the reader you know whats going on and you are just waiting and cheering for the characters to piece it all together. Do not miss this book!!!

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You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly

2/24/2018

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Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level: 4.7

What if you were having all kinds of problems in your home life and at school but you didn't have a best friend to talk to? Or what if you are having all kinds of problems at home and your best friend is one of those problems? This is the problem that Charlotte and Ben are facing. Ben is a very gifted student that has never missed a day of school. He has led a very low-key life until he finds out that his parents are getting a divorce. This causes him to come out of his shell and run for a student council position. The problem is that this brings him into the light and this causes him to start being bullied. He feels alone at home, he feels alone at school, and he has no friends... that is except for Charlotte. Charlotte lives across the country from Ben and is experiencing problems herself. Charlotte is also very gifted and only has one friend. When her dad has a heart attack, Bridget is the only person she has to turn to. The problem is, Bridget has made new friends in her art class and is embarrassed to be friends with Charlotte. When Charlotte overhears Bridget and her new friends talking about it, it crushes Charlotte and makes her want to run away. How are Ben and Charlotte connected in all of this? They play each other in an online game of Scrabble. As Charlotte and Ben go through a week of trials and tribulation, they end up needing each other for more than just a game. Will Ben have the confidence to continue with his student council election and give his well-prepared speech? Will Charlotte run away from all of her problems, or will she end up finding herself? This is a must read from the Newberry Award winning author, Erin Entrada Kelly.

This book is such an eye opener for me. I am a librarian in a K-6 school and we have a large number of gifted students. This book really helped me to look around and observe how these students are being treated. Ben had that one adult in his corner at school. I want to be that teacher!! Thank you for writing this incredible book about family, friendship, and perseverance!!

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Thornhill by Pam Smy

12/9/2017

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Interest Level: 5-8; Reading Level: 3.3

Imagine that you are completely alone with no friends and no family and you live in an orphanage. Now imagine having a bully in this orphanage that torments you day and night. Now imagine that you are a girl who has lost her mother, had to move into a new place, and your dad works 24/7 so you are all alone with no friends. Imagine your view from your bedroom is an old abandoned orphanage, yet you see a girl in the window every night. Thornhill is a parallel story of two girls, one from 1982 and one from 2016. Mary's story is told through her diary from 1982. Ella's story is told in pictures from 2016. This is a very creepy and mysterious story that would be a scary read for any elementary or middle school reader.

Thornhill is a story that I just could not put down. It is part fiction and part graphic novel. There are a few cuss words that I wish were not in there, but other than that this is a must read for the reader who loves scary/suspense/mystery.

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Blazer Tales

How to Make a Shark Smile by Shawn Achor & Amy Blankson

I Walk With Vanessa: A Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly

Thornhill by Pam Smy

Laurie Evans

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