GoodBooksforKids list of Thomas the Tank Engine beginner books - K and 1st Grade
KINDERGARTEN
AR 0.7
Catch Me, Catch Me!
AR 0.8
Close Shave
The Great Race
Stuck In The Mud
AR 0.9
Thomas And The Jet Engine
AR 1.0
Thomas Goes Fishing
Fast Train, Slow Train
FIRST GRADE
AR 1.1
Animals Everywhere!
Thomas And The School Trip
Happy Birthday, Thomas
Thomas and Percy and the Dragon
AR 1.2
Gordon's New View
James Goes Buzz, Buzz
AR 1.3
Trouble In The Tunnel
AR 1.4
Easter Engines
Henry and the Elephant
AR 1.5
Henry's Bad Day
AR 1.9
Thomas' Railway Word Book
Print this out and take it with you to the library.
Showing posts with label Books Boys Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books Boys Love. Show all posts
Get Well, Pickachu!
(a Books Boys Love review)
Imagine that Pikachu is so sick that he doesn't know who Ash is! That's the story in this book where cute little Pikachu has built up a dangerous reserve of electricity.
The rest of the story:
After Ash finds out that Pikachu's life is in danger he calls Dr. Birch, a friend of Dr. Oak. However before the doctor can help, disaster strikes and Pikachu runs away. They search for the Pokémon but trouble and hilarity ensue as Dr. Birch runs across some wild Poochyena. May tries to help by using the doctor's Mudkip, but she ends up getting a face full of water.
The rest of the story:
After Ash finds out that Pikachu's life is in danger he calls Dr. Birch, a friend of Dr. Oak. However before the doctor can help, disaster strikes and Pikachu runs away. They search for the Pokémon but trouble and hilarity ensue as Dr. Birch runs across some wild Poochyena. May tries to help by using the doctor's Mudkip, but she ends up getting a face full of water.
In the end, it's Team Rocket that provides the solution but you'll have to read this fun book to find out how.
The Skinny:::
I had to really search for reading data but I was finally able to track down at least two sources that agreed that the Lexile level was 600; and the Accelerated Reading number was 3.7, with 0.5 points.
The Skinny:::
I had to really search for reading data but I was finally able to track down at least two sources that agreed that the Lexile level was 600; and the Accelerated Reading number was 3.7, with 0.5 points.
The story has been adapted from the television series by Tracey West. Ms. West is one of our favorite Pokémon authors. Her work stands out because her storytelling is solid and her writing never sounds stilted.
The artwork is kid-friendly, with color from page edge to page edge. That said, I have to say that two or three of the frames are out of focus. My own test-readers weren't bothered by this, and probably most fans wouldn't care.
Get Well, Pickachu! would be a good choice for the classroom as it should have broad appeal – especially for boys. It can also be picked up at the library and shared with younger children, or used as a practice reader at home. Enjoy!
Pam T
Somewhere in the X-burbs
Get Well, Pickachu!
- Paperback: 32 pages
- Publisher: Scholastic
- Look Inside Available
Deoxys in Danger by Tracey West
The Story:
In this book we find Ash, May, and Brock in the Kanto region looking forward to earning some Frontier Symbols. Tagging along is May's little brother, Max.
As the story opens we find all four watching a flock of Altaria and Swablu flying over the mountains. They gape in wonder at the beauty of the scene until they notice that something is seriously wrong. Not only are the flying Pokemon confused and flying in circles, but all of their Poke balls and devices have stopped working.
The chaos is finally stopped when an old friend, Ranger Solana, appears. Thankfully she has the equipment and the knowledge to help the Pokemon. But what she doesn't have is an answer as to why everyone else's equipment refused to work.
Turns out that solar flares, magnetic flux, and a hurt Deoxys is at the root of the problem. A Deoxys that, of course, Team Rocket would like to claim.
Without totally outlining the story for you, let me just say that this adventure doesn't focus on Ash as much as it does Max. It's him and Meowth that the Deoxys communicates with. And Max and Meowth that prove pivotal to solving this mystery.
In addition, the storyline bifurcates in this book along two lines, and readers will follow the action of two characters --Ash and Max-- instead of the normal one. Now this is a common device in adult books and even many television shows, so it might not be as much of a stumbling block as I'm suggesting it might be. Adults though, might just want to check in with kids to make sure they aren't getting bogged down or confused.
As the story opens we find all four watching a flock of Altaria and Swablu flying over the mountains. They gape in wonder at the beauty of the scene until they notice that something is seriously wrong. Not only are the flying Pokemon confused and flying in circles, but all of their Poke balls and devices have stopped working.
The chaos is finally stopped when an old friend, Ranger Solana, appears. Thankfully she has the equipment and the knowledge to help the Pokemon. But what she doesn't have is an answer as to why everyone else's equipment refused to work.
Turns out that solar flares, magnetic flux, and a hurt Deoxys is at the root of the problem. A Deoxys that, of course, Team Rocket would like to claim.
Without totally outlining the story for you, let me just say that this adventure doesn't focus on Ash as much as it does Max. It's him and Meowth that the Deoxys communicates with. And Max and Meowth that prove pivotal to solving this mystery.
Thoughts:
I thought the plotting and the 'science' concepts in Deoxys in Danger were more sophisticated than in the previous books in the Battle Frontier series. Part of the storyline, for example, involves solar flares and the resulting magnetic flux that could be experienced on earth. I'm not totally convinced that younger readers, particularly those youngsters reading above grade-level, are going to understand what is meant.In addition, the storyline bifurcates in this book along two lines, and readers will follow the action of two characters --Ash and Max-- instead of the normal one. Now this is a common device in adult books and even many television shows, so it might not be as much of a stumbling block as I'm suggesting it might be. Adults though, might just want to check in with kids to make sure they aren't getting bogged down or confused.
Finally, there's a part of the story where Deoxys takes over Meowth's body so that he can use it to speak to Max. Most kids won't be creeped out by this, but there might be a few that this will bother. Use your discretion.
THE SKINNY:::
Deoxys in Danger is my least favorite book of the four in this series. The plotting doesn't seem as tight as in the other three books, and Ms. West has used some literary techniques that I'm not sure won't cause some younger readers to balk when they run across them.
As a whole though, I highly recommend the series as Pokemon and Ash are a great motivational team whose adventures will keep kids turning pages. My own son has never taken more than 2 reading sessions to finish a book.
In addition, Tracy West's writing is vastly superior to many other authors I've seen in the early chapter book genre. This just the weakest book in an otherwise good series.
As a whole though, I highly recommend the series as Pokemon and Ash are a great motivational team whose adventures will keep kids turning pages. My own son has never taken more than 2 reading sessions to finish a book.
In addition, Tracy West's writing is vastly superior to many other authors I've seen in the early chapter book genre. This just the weakest book in an otherwise good series.
Pam T
Somewhere in the X-burbs
Battle Frontier:
DEOXYS IN DANGER
by Tracey West
Word Count: 6753
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 3.3 / points: 1.0
AR quiz: 120064
Lexile: 440L
See our reviews of:
Celebi Rescue #2
Grovyle Trouble #3
Books Boys Love -- Shark vs. Train
by Chris Barton
IF you are looking for a kid-friendly picture book to share with your boy(s), then do consider Shark vs. Train. It's a book that is loaded with 'kid humor' both in the text and in the artwork.
The story begins with two boys rushing for a toy box. One chooses a shark toy, and one a train. The question then becomes ¿Quien es mos macho?
The answer, of course, depends on what the shark and train are doing, and what environment they are in. Shark does much better, for example, when hot-air balloons are involved (heavy train plummets towards the earth). But Train beats him when it comes to roasting marshmallows.
The story begins with two boys rushing for a toy box. One chooses a shark toy, and one a train. The question then becomes ¿Quien es mos macho?
The answer, of course, depends on what the shark and train are doing, and what environment they are in. Shark does much better, for example, when hot-air balloons are involved (heavy train plummets towards the earth). But Train beats him when it comes to roasting marshmallows.
THE SKINNY:::
Shark vs. Train is a kid-friendly read that boys in particular will like. I tested it on the neighborhood kids and my own son, and all the boys read it through twice before running off to play outside.
Shark vs. Train ought to appeal to a wide age range-- 3 thru 8 years of age.
Girls will like it too! I'm just emphasizing the boy-fun here because there seem to be so many more picture books out there that are targeted towards girls than boys.
On top of it's Fun Component, I think the book teaches children about the notion of environment and relative effectiveness. Essentially that what might work in one circumstance, might not work in another environment.
Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs
Shark vs. Train
- Accelerated Reading level: generic 2
- Hardcover: 40 pages
- Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (April 1, 2010)
- ISBN-10: 0316007625
- amazon
Other books on sharks:
also: SHARKS!!! THE Easiest Easy Readers (a list of books)
Welcome to STAR WARS CENTRAL!
Besides being a fabulous movie franchise, STAR WARS is also a great tool for literacy advocates. The books with their familiar characters and adventure driven plots can provide a 'hook' that pull even reluctant readers into reading a series. They are frequently so kid-friendly that even reluctant readers will read them over-and-over.
And because they are so popular we've pulled together lists to help you find just the right book at the right reading level! The information on our lists will include the Accelerated Reading Levels, word and page count, as well as summary plot descriptions.
LISTS BY READING LEVEL
Star Wars books for 1st Graders-- see this list.
(here are the books we feature there)
Books for 2nd Graders
- Part I-- AR 2.0 to 2.4-- see this list.
- Part II-- AR 2.5 to 2.9-- see this list.
(here are covers of the books featured)
Books for 3rd Graders -- see this list.
Books with in-depth reviews
Here are the books we've reviewed in more detail. Clicking on the pictures will take our reviews.
ANAKIN IN ACTION!
a STAR WARS/Clone Wars book by Simon Beecroft
Anakin in Action! is a book drawn from the animated Clone Wars television series. The story in this one brings Anakin and his student Ahsoka to a world where they are going to try to save a young Hutt named Rotta. They attempt a rescue of the adorable little fellow only to meet up with a mysterious lightsaber wielding baddy named Ventress. They manage the escape, but not before facing off with Ventress in a fight that involves a monster called a Rancor.
THE SKINNY:::
Anakin in Action! is going to be popular with young fans and those of you with reluctant readers in the appropriate age and reading range should check it out.
The artwork is from the animated series and is interesting, if not particularly bright and vivid. The text is VERY large and there are info-boxes which explain details which children might not know. For example, there is one for Ahsoka which says:
Here's an example of what I mean:
The artwork is from the animated series and is interesting, if not particularly bright and vivid. The text is VERY large and there are info-boxes which explain details which children might not know. For example, there is one for Ahsoka which says:
Alien JediI am not particular happy with the narrative. For something at the 2.9 AR level I thought the sentences were babyish and stilted. (Some of the Amelia Bedelia books, as an example, are at the 2.5 level.)
Ahsoka is an alien.
Aliens are different
from humans.
They come from
other words
Here's an example of what I mean:
Some important people
are inside the gunships.
One of them wears
a robe with a hood.
His is called Anakin.
He is a Jedi Knight.
A soldier stands next to Anakin.
This soldier is Captain Rex.
Captain Rex wears a special
helmet over his face.
His body is protected by armor.
To me this is too simplified a sentence structure to be using with 2nd and 3rd Graders; but I can't deny that most of them will ignore this fault and read-on! (Which is what it's all about.)
Not my favorite Beecroft book, but adequate and enjoyable.
Somewhere in the X-burbs
Anakin in Action!
- Accelerated Reading level : 2.9
- Paperback: 32 pages
- Publisher: DK CHILDREN (July 26, 2008)
- ISBN-10: 0756640318
- Sneek-a-Peek
Tech Data:::
Word Count: 843
Reading Level: 2.9
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 2.9 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 127591
For lists of other Star Wars books by Reading Level click here:
BEWARE THE DARK SIDE
a STAR WARS book by Simon Beecroft
Wow, lots of good stuff in this one as Simon Beecroft explores the faces of evil for DK and Star Wars fans everywhere. The book starts with Darth Sidious, or Emperor Palpateen if you prefer, and then works it's ways down the list of greater and lesser bad guys.
The book talks about powers and politics with a mention here-and-there about the good guys. I've included a Table of Contents so you can get an idea of what's covered. And I'll give more commentary in THE SKINNY.
The book talks about powers and politics with a mention here-and-there about the good guys. I've included a Table of Contents so you can get an idea of what's covered. And I'll give more commentary in THE SKINNY.
Contents
Faces of Evil
Sith Lord
Sith Powers
The Phantom Menace
Jedi Defenders
Darth Vader
Anakin Skywalker
Maul
Count Dooku
Droid Arm
General Grievous
Clone Soldiers
Stormtroopers
Empire and Rebels
Jango Fett
Zam Wessell
Boba Fett
Jabba the Hutt
Rogues and Villains
Imperial Might
Death Star
Rebel Victory
Glossary
THE SKINNY:::
Written at the 4th Grade level, Beware the Darkside is a great book that's boy- and reluctant-reader friendly.
There are smaller pictures in this book than some of DK's Star Wars books for younger readers. This is to be expected as there is more text. But the pictures are dramatic and interesting. For example, I loved the pictures of Luke's, Obi-Wan's, Darth's and Count Dooku's lightsabers. They really do look different from one another, and in this book you get to see them like you can't in the films.
Star Wars fans are going to like that they can discover new information in this book -- or at least clarify some facts if they are well versed in the lore. I found out some things I didn't know about the Fett family and Obi-Wan's name. It's pronouced Obi-One.
There are smaller pictures in this book than some of DK's Star Wars books for younger readers. This is to be expected as there is more text. But the pictures are dramatic and interesting. For example, I loved the pictures of Luke's, Obi-Wan's, Darth's and Count Dooku's lightsabers. They really do look different from one another, and in this book you get to see them like you can't in the films.
Star Wars fans are going to like that they can discover new information in this book -- or at least clarify some facts if they are well versed in the lore. I found out some things I didn't know about the Fett family and Obi-Wan's name. It's pronouced Obi-One.
The only negative I found related to the organization. I thought the chapters jumped around on the time-line. Adults might raise their eyes at this, but I doubt children will notice.
Here's a sample of the text:
With the outbreak of war in the galaxy, many brutal fiends joined the Sith Lords. One such recruit was General Grievous, a warlord whose battle-scarred body had been rebuilt with cyborg parts. The only parts of his original body left where his reptile-like eyes and his inner organs, which were protected by armor.
Although he was more machine than man, Grievous would kill anyone who called him a droid.
Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs
- Accelerated Reading level : 4.0
- Paperback: 48 pages
- Publisher: DK CHILDREN
- ISBN-10: 0756631149
- Sneek-a-Peek
Amazon
Tech Stuff:::
Word Count: 4,272
Reading Level: 4.0
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 6.5 / points: 1.0 / quiz: 128705For lists of other Star Wars books by Reading Level click here:
Join the Rebels - Star Wars
by Catherine Saunders
Join the Rebels is another of the DK books that derives it's material from the Star Wars franchise. I generally like DK's Star Wars books because I think the subject matter is of great interest to a wide range of children, and I think a strong interest in a subject will motivate even reluctant readers to try to master the text.
Join the Rebels basically recaps the highlights of the first 3 movies, which is quite a feat for 32 pages. There are plenty of pictures but certainty there isn't room to explore any one aspect of Luke's adventure as he zooms from Tatooine to the Death Star to the cold planet Hoth into the confrontation with Darth Vader.
The minimal text is at the 4th grade level, and here is an example.
My name is Luke Skywalker.
I live on Tatooine with my
Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru.
My uncle wants me to be a farm
but I would prefer to go to the
Imperial Academy.
I want to be a pilot like my friend
Biggs Darklighter.
THE SKINNY:::
In my opinion this book is just 'okay'. It covers a great topic but I've got some reservations that keep me from being overwhelmingly enthusiastic about it.
PROs::: Besides being about Luke and the rest of the gang, this book has plenty of pictures mixed with minimal text. This will certainly work to give children a sense of accomplishment when they finish the book quickly.
Now for the reservations:::
I recently reviewed STAR WARS: Luke Skywalker's Amazing Story and really liked it. The pictures were awesome and the I thought the text, which was only at the 2nd Grade reading level (AR 2.6), was just right. I'm not so sure Join the Rebels is as good.
For example, while the language is at the 4th grade reading level, the sentences are stilted. (This might be good or bad, I suppose, depending on the student.) For comparisons sake, consider that The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies and the YA novel Incarceron are also written at the 4th grade level. So how well this book fits your child's needs will depend upon their preferences. There's certainly no harm going to be done by reading something slightly below their ability.
Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs
- Accelerated Reading level : 4.1
- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: DK Publishing; 1 edition (May 31, 2010)
- ISBN-10: 0756663121
- Take-a-Peek-Inside
- Amazon
For lists of other Star Wars books by Reading Level click here:
The Francis Tucket Series
by Gary Paulsen
This is a great historical series that has beenkid-parent-and-teacher tested and approved.
I've reviewed the first book in the Francis Tucket series yesterday (click here) and I will to talk about the rest of the series below. But right now I'm want to cut to the chase and tell you to buy this one volume --Tucket's Travels -- which includes all of the stories.
At $8 bucks, it is deal when you consider that just one of the other books is $5.50.
At this price it definitely ought to be considered for the home shelves.
Tucket's Travels - Books 1-5 (the entire series)
Accelerated Reading level : 5
- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Yearling
- ISBN-10: 0440411335
- Take-a-Peek
(*don't read this if you haven't read Book #1... Possible SPOILER ALERT*)
In the first book, "Mr. Tucket", Francis was separated from his family while they were on their way to Oregon. Pawnee Indians took him captive right after his 14th birthday, and he kept as their slave until a one-armed trapper named Jason Grimes appeared in the camp and helped him escape. While Francis liked aspects of Mr. Grimes, and certainly learned a lot from the man, Francis eventually forced himself to walk away from that relationship. And this brings us up to this volume, where Francis has joined a wagon train heading west with the hopes that he might eventually catch up with what is left of his family.
In this book, Tucket comes into his own. He still makes some tremendously huge mistakes, which almost get him murdered, but he responds with suitable brutality and savvy, which makes for one heck of an adventure.
I won't say more except that this is certainly a story that doesn't demonstrate the best of mankind. Even some of the not-so-bad people don't come over as that-good.
Talking Points:::
Call Me Francis Tucket is written at on the 5th Grade level and is suitable for Tweeners, Middle-schoolers (MG) on up.
Personally, I liked it even better than the first book. Thumbs Up.
Call Me Francis Tucket
Accelerated Reading level : 5.0
- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Yearling
- ISBN-10: 0440411335
- Take-a-Peek
(*don't read this if you haven't read the previous books... SPOILER ALERT*)
Book #3 starts with Francis and the children riding south as winter deepens in the northern plains. As in the other volumes in this series for juveniles, Paulsen wastes no time but throws the reader back into the gritty western setting that he has created -- one where the bad side of human nature isn't glossed over.
I won't give away more of the plot, but will say that Tucket's Ride is adventure from start to finish, and that while it ends pleasingly, I couldn't wait to get onto the next volume, Tucket's Gold.
Tucket's Ride
Accelerated Reading level : 5.0
- Paperback: 112 pages
- Publisher: Yearling
- ISBN-10: 0440411475
- Take-a-Peek
(*don't read this if you haven't read the previous books... SPOILER ALERT*)
Book #4, Tucket's Gold, starts with Francis, Lottie and Billie in the desert plains, on foot and without food and water. They are moving as fast as they can, hoping to evade the Comancheros who still hope to take them captive so they can sell them to the Comanches.
This book, for a change, is a little slower paced than it's siblings. Not that there isn't excitement, but it's time for Lottie and Billie to 'come into their own', and for the reader to learn a little more about the Pueblo Indians.
For myself, I really enjoyed this book; and I thought the ending was fantastic.
Tucket's Gold
Accelerated Reading level : 5.0
- Paperback: 112 pages
- Publisher: Yearling (February 13, 2001)
- ISBN-10: 0440413761
- Take-a-Peek
Tucket's Home is the last book in the Francis Tucket series.
Although there is some action, it is mostly about tying up loose ends and getting to the final destination.
As in the other books, Gary Paulsen has done an excellent job of making it crystal clear that the western journey wasn't easy. If it wasn't disease and starvation trying to get the better of you, there were the elements, and worse, the kinds of wild men that gravitate to areas were the law isn't present.
This is a short quick read and good ending to the series. I highly recommend these kid-parent-and-teacher approved books.
Tucket's Home
Accelerated Reading level : 5.0
- Paperback: 112 pages
- Publisher: Yearling
- ISBN-10: 0440415586
- Take-a-Peek
Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs
Related Posts:::
- Our Master Gary Paulsen list
- Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulsen (Book 1 - Tucket Series)
- Review of Woods Runner audiobook
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
- See our post on the 2 new Gary Paulsen books that are coming out in 2011
Mr. Tucket
- (first book in the series; reviewed here)Accelerated Reading level : 5.0
- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Yearling
- ISBN-10: 0440411335
- Take-a-Peek
