NEVER GIVE UP NED

Ned Mouse Breaks Away by Tim Wynn-Jones: A review by Lilian a 4th grade library patron: 

This is a story about Ned the mouse, the warden, the keeper and Morty.  Ned is in jail and he is very desperate to get out.  He went to the cafeteria and got a spoon to dig himself out and ended up in the warden’s dessert.  The warden called for his guards and they took him back to his cell.  Ned became more anxious to get out of jail.  

One day Ned’s friend Morty sent a note.  After that, Ned sent his different body parts to Morty’s place.  Then when Ned was sending his last body part he made a replica and a recording of himself to trick the warden.  

 I like this story, especially the part where Ned sent his body parts to Morty.

For readers in 2nd-4th grades.

SWALLOWED WHOLE

THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY by Kathryn Fitzmaurice is very well written for an author's first novel. Set in a small oceanside town, Eleanor "Groovy" Robinson witnesses her father being taken to jail. Turns out, it's her mother that's sent him there, and all of a sudden her normal world swirls into chaos. She's so upset she can't even do the one thing she loves - cooking. She discovers unlikely friends in peculiar people and places, and comes to terms with things not always being what they seem. Very easy to read, with vivid imagery and an engaging plot. For grades 4 and up.