Fairy seeks to light the way

“Fira and the Full Moon”

Gail Herman

Fira is a light-talent fairy who never asks for help. When all the fireflies come down with the flu, she takes charge. Three new light-talent fairies show up at the same time. Their names are Glory, Helios and Sparkle.

The mining fairies need someone to light the underground caves. Fira leads the way. With all the work Fira has to do, her lights start to flicker, then go out. Will Fira make it out alive? Or is she doomed to be in the dark with her mining fairies forever?

Reviewed by Brittany, 9

Ivanhoe Elementary

Los Angeles

“Too Many Tamales”

Gary Soto

Maria and her mom are making tamales. The phone rings, “Ding-a-ling!” Maria’s mom takes off her wedding ring and goes to answer the phone. Maria takes the ring! Maria’s mom comes back to bake the tamales. Then the ring is missing! Had Maria dropped the ring in the dough? Find out what happens.

Reviewed by Paul, 2nd Grade

Helmers Elementary

Valencia

“My Side of the Mountain”

Jean Craighead George

A boy named Sam escapes into the forest because his family doesn’t care about him. They don’t seem to know that he exists. He is able to survive in the forest. But people are coming and he has to tell lies. Then a boy named Matt tells him that he is looking for a boy. What will happen next?

Reviewed by Jose, 10

Horace Mann Elementary

Glendale

“Loser”

Jerry Spinelli

Donald Zinkoff always gets in trouble, from first grade to sixth grade. People always make fun of him. But he doesn’t fight back -- instead, he laughs. You think he always has a hard time, right? Wrong. He is always bright and ready to learn.

I thought this book was about a loser who couldn’t do anything. I was close to being right, but it is not the whole story. I strongly recommend this book because it is funny and exciting.

Reviewed by Samuel, 10

Third Street School

Los Angeles