Library Monitor Lunch

The library monitors of 2011 were the catch of the year (we were awesome!). We worked long hard hours after school every day to keeping our library clean and homely. We are a extremely committed group of girls (and Connor). We also enjoyed the awesome presence of Miss Saaiman, our lovely librarian. Miss Saaiman recently treated 7 of the committed library monitors to a delicious lunch which took place at the Bay Cafe on Glen. We were given burgers which were on special and milkshakes on the house. Luckily it was a beautiful day even though there was a light wind. We left school in our faithful school bus "Birdie" with Mrs Nuttall who helpfully drove us there and back. We were all on our best behavior and a great example to Sun Valley Primary. "My group of of library monitors are definitely the funniest, coolest and extremely fab group who are always willing to lend a helping  hand" says Miss Saaiman. We are always looking for help and if you're interested come along and ask about how to join as a library monitor.

Written by Caitlin and Courtney in Grade Seven (who made up the quote by Miss Saaiman, but Miss Saaiman couldn't have said it better herself!)

2011 Summer Holiday Reads

It's almost time for us all to switch off and relax after a year of hard work, and what is more relaxing than reading a good book? Here is a list of some of the latest releases that you should definitely try to read over your summer holiday.

For Younger Readers

Gangsta Granny by David Walliams

Ben is bored beyond belief when he is forced to stay at his grandma's house. She is the boringest grandma ever. All she wants to do is play Scrabble and eat cabbage soup. But there are two things Ben doesn't know about his grandma. 1) She was once an international jewel thief. 2) All her life, she has been plotting to steal the crown jewels, and now she needs Ben's help!

A Witch in a Fix by Marian Broderick

This is a book of mischief and magic. Anna's science teacher really gets on her nerves - but is that good enough reason to turn her into a giant rat? With a big, angry rat on the loose, Anna soon realises she's made a bad mistake. How will she turn it back into her teacher? And can she do it quickly before anyone finds out that she's an apprentice witch? Anna can't admit what she's done so no one can help her with her big, fury problem - or can they? Sometimes even witches need a little help from their friends. 

Princess Poppy: Island Quest by Janey Louise Jones

Poppy is very excited as she is going on her first ever over night school trip. There is to be a boat trip, a team quest and a party around the camp fire before they all settle down for a night under the stars. But when Poppy's competitive spirit takes over her team gets into trouble which puts their dream of beating the boys into jeopardy ...Find out what happens in this brilliant new Princess Poppy adventure.

For Older Readers

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney

Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged and Greg is the prime suspect. But the crazy thing is, he's innocent! Or at least sort of. The authorities are closing in, but then a surprise blizzard hits and the Heffley family is trapped indoors. Greg knows that when the snow melts he's going to have to face the music but could any punishment be worse than being stuck inside with your family for the holidays? 

Hereos of Olympus: The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, God of the Sea, has woken up from a very deep sleep and come face to face with two snake-haired ladies who refuse to die. But they're the least of his problems. Because Percy finds himself at a camp for half-bloods, which doesn't ring any bells for him. There's just one name he remembers from his pst: Annabeth. Only one thing is certain - Percy's questing days aren't over. He and fellow demigods Frank and Hazel must face the most important quest of all: the Prophecy of Seven. If they fail, it's not just their camp at risk. Percy's old life, the gods, and the entire world might be destroyed...

Chocolate Box Girls: Marshmellow Sky by Cathy Cassidy

Skye and Summer Tanberry are identical twins, and Skye loves her sister Summer more than anyone else in the world. They do everything together, but lately Skye's been feeling like second-best - it's the story of her life. And when her friend Alfie confesses he's fallen not for her, but for Summer, it hurts. Skye wants to be her own person, but with an effortlessly cool twin, how can she? And will Skye ever step out of Summer's shadow and find her own chance to shine?

Book Club Reviews #4

Unicorn School: Team Magic by Linda Chapman

Reviewed by: Hannah A. in Grade 4

 

Willow, Sapphire, Storm and Troy are in their first year at unicorn school. They are almost finished their first year and now they have to take their exams. Everyone is nervous but nobody is more nervous then Troy who tries to cheat in his History exam. The Tricorn unicorn gives Troy a chance to tell him that he did it but he almost gets Sapphire in trouble before he owns up, but it all ends well.

Hannah says: "I like this book because its about unicorns and it's very magical."

Lola Rose by Jacquleine Wilson

Reviewed by Caitlin L in Grade 7

Lola  Rose, her mom and her little brother Kendal escape from their abusive dad and move to London to start a new life. After winning the lottery life seems perfect. But money doesn't last forever. Constantly living in fear of their dad finding them they have to find a house and a school. Then mom starts going out at late hours and even though  Lola Rose was told not to worry she does. Nothing seems to go right for this unfortunate family.

Caitlin says: "I enjoyed this book tremendously. I felt great empathy for the characters and anger towards them to .I recommend this book to older readers."

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Reviewed by Connor in Grade 6

The Red Pyramid is an exciting action book about two kids aged 12 and 14 called Sadie and Carter Kane. Basically, Sadie and Carter's dad tried to release the Egyptian god of death, Osiris, from the Recette stone to bring his wife (Sadie and Carter's mom) back to life. But instead he releases the five gods, Horus, Isis, Osiris, Nephthys and Set sons and daughters of Nut and Geb, Goddess of sky and god of Earth. Set, god of chaos, trapped Sadie and Carter's dad in a magic coffin and sent him deep into the Duat (the ancient Egyptian underworld). Now, Sadie and Carter have to go on an epic adventure to try and save their father.

Connor says: "Reading The Red Pyramid has given me a new interest of Egyptian gods and now I'm totally fascinated and addicted about finding out more about the Egyptian gods. I would recommend this book to anyone who does not want to put a book down that is totally awesome!!!"

Book Club Reviews #4

Hetty Feather by Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewed by Caitlin L in Grade 7

Little Hetty Feather is not really Hetty Feather...well that's what she thinks. Hetty is a orphan at the Foundling Hospital. But until she's old enough to learn she has gone to live with a foster family.  Her brothers and sisters suddenly start disappearing and for weeks after that Mother is in tears. Before Hetty and her brother Gideon know it, they are swept away to the Foundling Hospital. 'I promise I will look after you Gideon' Hetty thinks but when she is separated from her only friend every thing that seems normal and loving is taken away forever. As Hetty is on the search for her real mom she is swept away on a whirlwind of adventures.

Caitlin says: This was a funny, sad and exciting tale. One minute I would be in tears but the other I would be laughing my head off.

The Magic Puffin by Sue Bentley

Review by  Gina  in Grade 5

The  magic  puffin  is  a  magical   adventure  about  a  little  girl  who  goes  to  visit  her  uncle  and  cousin  on  an  island  where  they  live. She  has  to  live  with  them  while  her  parents   are  at  a  tennis  tournament. She  really  does  not  like  her  cousin  but  in  the  end  it  turns  out  just  fine.  A  little  puffin  gets  blown  off  course  on  his way home from a special mission and lands on their stoop while the little girl was outside getting away from her cousin. The rest of her stay with her uncle and cousin was not so bad because she has her new best friend to keep her company.

Gina says: If you like magical adventures then you will really like this book. I really, really loved this book because it was just so cool. I really could not put it down.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Reviewed by Cassidy in Grade 6

This book is about a bratty girl who moves from her home in India. She moves to England to be with her uncle. She is only allowed to go in certain places but she finds a secret garden. She plants seeds and she tries to make it beautiful again. Then one night she hears crying so she walks down the passage, she gets closer and closer, finally she walks in one of  the rooms and she sees a boy. She finds out that her uncle has a son who is kept hidden because he is thought to be ill. She showed him the secret garden he could not believe his eyes. His father was so happy to see him standing up again. 

Cassidy says : I loved the book it was the best book I've ever read! 

Coming Soon and.... a Wimpalicious Competition!

Not a day goes by in the library without Miss Saaiman being asked whether there are any copies of Diary of a Wimpy Kid in. In fact, our library now has four copies of each Wimpy Kid book! 

The good news is that Jeff Kinney is treating us all to another installment in the popular series. The even better news is that it's coming out next month! Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever is out on the 15th of November and you can be sure the library will get it hot off the bookstore shelves.

Here's a what we can expect Greg to be getting up to:

"Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged, and Greg is the prime suspect. But the crazy thing is, he’s innocent. Or at least sort of. The authorities are closing in, but when a surprise blizzard hits, the Heffley family is trapped indoors. Greg knows that when the snow melts he’s going to have to face the music, but could any punishment be worse than being stuck inside with your family for the holidays?"

                                 From Amazon



Competition Time

While you're waiting for the 15th of November, why not go over to Wimp Yourself and turn yourself into a Wimpy Kid character! Here is a Wimpified version of Miss Saaiman! 

To enter to stand a chance to win a Do-It-Yourself Wimpy Kid book...

1. Create a Wimp Yourself character

2. Print it out and write your name on it.

3. Bring it to Miss Saaiman 

4. Cross your fingers and wait to hear if you're a winner on the 15th of  November

Holiday Reads

Since October holidays are almost near, we've gathered together a few books we think you might enjoy reading on your week-long break. 


For Younger Readers...

Horrible Harry's Secret by Suzy Kline

When Song Lee brings her water frog to school and feeds it liver in front of Room 2B, Harry falls in love. His best friend, Doug, can't stand all the mush - love notes in class, secret glances across the room, and even a gift wrapped in red foil. Doug wants Harry to be his old, horrible self again. Harry is even being nice to Sidney! But something is bothering Harry. Is it love or is it something horrible? (Be sure to check out the other wonderful books in the Horrible Harry series)

Pony Pals: A Pony for Keeps by Jeanne Betancourt

Anna loves her pony, Acorn. But her parents think Acorn is the reason that she's doing badly at school. If she doesn't get better marks, they'll take him away. Pam, Lulu, her Pony Pals, want to help. Can they find a way to make sure Acorn is a pony for keeps? (Be sure to check out the other wonderful books in the Pony Pals series)

Jack Stalwart - The Escape of the Deadly Dinosaur: USA

by Elizabeth Singer Hunt

An eager young scientist has brought to life a dangerous flesh eating dinosaur by crossing its DNA with that of his pet dog, Freddie. Can Secret Agent Jack Stalwart capture the dinosaur before it destroys New York City? (Be sure to check out the other wonderful books in the Secret Agent Jack Stalwart series)

Let's Do the Pharaoh by Jeremy Strong

Ben and Carrie live at 27 Templeton Drive with their mum, dad and a 4,00-year-old pharaoh! That's right - an ancient Egyptian ruler who wears make up (WEIRD!) and dances! And when he struts his stuff at a modelling competition and WINS, Ben and Carrie can't believe it! Suddenly everyone's wearing designer mummy bandages and doing the strangest dance.

Judy Moody - Girl Detective by Megan McDonald
Judy Moody is in a mood. A sleuthing, Nancy Drew kind of mood. So what's a WBMS (world's best mystery solver) to do? Go find a mystery, that's what! And she doesn't have to snoop for long: when Mr. Chips, a beloved crime-dog-in-training, goes missing, Judy Drewdy and her chums, Agents Dills Pickle (Frank), Spuds Houdini (Rocky) and James Madagascar (Stink) find themselves smack-dab in the middle of a real-life, scare-your-pants-off whodunit. Was Mr Chips stolen by dirty dognappers? And why are chocolate chip cookies disappearing all over town? 




For Older Readers




The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In a dark vision of the near future, a terrifying reality TV show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to appear in a live event called the Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed. When sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her sister's place in the games, she sees it as a death sentence. But Katniss has been close to death before. For her, survival is a second nature.

My Sister Jodie by Jacqueline Wilson
When their parents get new jobs at the Melchester College, Pearl and Jodie are suddenly thrust into a new life. In their new home things seems different. Jodie has always been the leader but now it's Pearl who's making new friends. Jodie doesn't fit in with the snooty teenagers in her class and just seems to be getting into more and more trouble...Maybe Pearl doesn't need Jodie anymore but Jodie needs her. And when the school Fireworks night comes around and a tragic event occurs, Pearl realizes how much she does need her big sister.





I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books--but we are real. Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing. But "they" know. They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya. They killed them all. I am Number Four. I am next. 


How To Be Popular by Meg Cabot

Steph's been the least popular girl in her class since a certain cherry Super Big Gulp catastrophe five years earlier. Does being popular matter? It matters a lot--to Steph. That's why this year, she has a plan to get in with the It Crowd in no time flat. She's got a secret weapon: an old book called--what else?--"How to Be Popular." All Steph has to do is follow the instructions in The Book, and soon she'll be partying with the popular kids. But don't forget the most important thing about popularity! It's easy to become popular. What isn't so easy? Staying that way.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
'I guess it started the night our dad blew up the british museum...' Carter and Sadie Kane's dad is a brilliant Egyptologist with a secret plan that goes horribly wrong. An explosion shatters the ancient Rosetta stone and unleashes Set, the evil god of chaos ...Set imprisons Dr Kane in a golden coffin and Carter and Sadie must run for their lives. To save their dad, they embark on a terrifying quest from Cairo to Paris to the American South-west and discover the truth about their family's connection to the House of Life: an Egyptian temple of magic that has existed for thousands of years. The pharaohs of ancient Egypt are far from dead and buried. And so, unfortunately, are their gods ...

The Hunger Games

Here is a sneak peek of what we can expect from The Hunger Games movie, based on the thrilling trilogy of books written by Suzanne Collins. The movie will be released early next year but the good news is that these books have just been added to our senior fiction shelves! Miss Saaiman has just finished reading the first book and was hooked from page one. Come in and ask if you'd like to take them out. If you'd like to know a bit more about The Hunger Games, read  this.

Peach Party Pictures

Much fun was to be had in the library on Roald Dahl Day! Everyone who came had so much fun but the highlight was definitely seeing Mr Minye dressed up as Aunt Sponge. Below are a few pictures from the day. If you would like to see more got to the gallery on our schools website here.

50 Scrumdiddlyumptious Ways To Celebrate Roald Dahl Day

It's Roald Dahl day tomorrow and we can't wait to celebrate it in the library tomorrow! We're having a Peach Party filled with fun and games (and sweets!) for 32 lucky boys and girls whose names were drawn out of our peach.

If you're not coming to the library's party tomorrow then here are some other ways in which you can celebrate Roald Dahl Day....Which way is your favourite?

(Click this link to see a larger version)

Book Club Reviews #3

The Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell
Reviewed by Gina T

Nikky Maxwell is a new student at WCD Middle School. Nikky has  been  dying  for  a  new  iphone but  instead  her  mom  gets  her  a  new  diary. Nikky  said  she  would  not  write  in  her  diary. But  the  next  day  she  writes  everything. Nikky  has  just  found  out  that  she  has  a  locker  right  next  to  the  most  popular  girl  in  school. Her  name  is Mackenzie she  is  the  meanest  girl  in  school  but  only  to  Nikky. Will things  look  up  for  Nikky  or  will  everything  stay  the  same?

Gina says: "I really  loved  this  book  and I really think all girls would love it as well. But I think all boys would hate it."

Melly, Mrs Ho and Me by Edith Bulbring
Reviewed by Caitlin L

April-May February lives with her dad, Fluffy in Josi . All of a sudden she is given a scholarship to a 'good school' called Trinity College. There she has to deal with her horrible teacher Mrs Ho. She also meets a crazy down to earth girl, Melly,  who is trying very hard to be April's best friend. But as hard as she tried April falls into a bad crowd. But does it really have to take a horrific accident to show April that her best friend is the one who is going to help April survive this uninviting school?

Caitlin says: This book is a fairly comprehensible book. I don't recommend this book to younger readers. But I really enjoyed it.



Lily Alone by Jacqueline Wilson
Reviewed by Siobhan C
 
Lily is an 11 year old girl who has 2 sisters and one brother. The youngest sibling is Pixie and she is 3 years old and there are twins, Bliss and Baxter, who are 6 years old. Their mother is very depressed because all the children have different fathers and all of them have abused her so she left them. Baxter is the only boy in the house and always talks about how much he is like his dad, Mikey. Kate, the mother, found a kind man whose name is Gordon. He works in Spain and took Kate with him for a while and Kate left a message on Mikey's answering machine. Kate leaves the children alone until Mikey comes to look after them. Lily phones Mikey to ask where he is and he says he is on a buisness trip and can't come and look after them which leaves Lily and her siblings alone. Lily could not find anything to do with her siblings so she decided to take them to the park. Bliss found a big hollow tree and they stayed in the tree until something happened to Bliss. Find out what happens in the book...
 
Siobhan says: It was an adventure.

Book Club Reviews #2

Every Wednesday the Bloggers Book Club get together to talk books in the library. Miss Saaiman thinks they have great taste in books and write stunning reviews! If you're interested in joining, be sure to come to the library straight after school on a Wednesday. Bloggers are allowed to take out six books! Plus, they get  first choice if any new books come into the library. And every so often they snacks (yes, that's right they get to eat in the library!) Here are the latest reviews by some of our blogging team....

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket

Reviewed by Courtney B in Grade 7

This book is about three children. Violet Baudelair,  the oldest of the three,  liked inventing things. Anyone who knew Violet knew that she was thinking about inventing something when she tied her hair up with a long ribbon. Klaus Baudelair, who loved reading books, had nearly read ever book in their parents' library. Last but not least Sunny, the youngest child, found biting things with her four sharp teeth very amusing. In this series many bad things happen to the Baudelair children but their misfortune began on Berny Beach when they were told that their loving parents had perish in a terrible fire that also destroyed their home. Seeing that their parents were dead they were sent to live with their distant relative, Count Olaf, a greedy man that wants to steal their enormous fortune that their parents left behind.The fortune was to go to Violet when she came of age, but Count Olaf was such a bad and evil person that he found a way to steal the Baudelair fortune. Will the Baudelair children find a way to outsmart Count Olaf, or will their hope be lost forever?

Courtney says: I like this book because it is full of mystery and always takes an unexpected turn. When I finished this book I could not wait to read the next book. I recommend this book to people that have a love for mysteries and like the thrill of a good book. 

Clean Break by Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewed by Caitlin L in Grade 7

  

Em, the main character of this book  is an overweight young girl trying to deal with the laughing and teasing of her fellow classmates but everything's OK because she has the best dad in world who she unfortunately has to share with her winning brother and bossy little sister. But when Christmas arrives everyone is certain it's going to be the best Christmas ever...until dad decided to clear off for another women. Nobody in the household ever expected that and they are all heart broken, all except gran that is. Maybe Gran is right. Could this really be a chance for a clean break? Surely not! 

 

Caitlin says: This book is truly magnificent. It brings out a lot of issues that many young girls have to deal with. It's not a heavy story so its perfect for all readers.

Beast Quest: Trillion the Three Headed Lion by Adam Blade

Reviewed by Theo C in Grade 2

The story is about a boy named Tom who has to fight a beast called Trillion,the three headed lion. Another beast named Tagus, the horse man, helped Tom with the fight. When Tom killed Trillion he got golden boots that gave him strength and power.

Theo says: I liked the part when Tagus joined in the battle. I also liked the story. It is so great. I wish I was in the story.

Book Club Reviews

Our Book Club Reviewers have been hard at work reading interesting books to share with you. Here are a few books that they enjoyed...

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
Reviewed by Caitlin in Grade 7

Calder and Petra are two people brought together by the love of puzzles and the fascination of questions without answers. But when a priceless Vermeer painting mysteriously  disappears and the thief is constantly writing letters to the the public threatening to destroy the painting unless  Vermeer's secret life is uncovered. Calder and Petra have too do everything they can to rescue the painting even if it means putting their lives in danger.

Caitlin says: I loved this book.It left me in anticipation right till the end.I recommend this book to those who are interested in misterys and questions with so many never ending,unknown answers.

The Two Princessess of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine

Reviewed by Tanaka in Grade 6

Princess Addie's sister Princess Meryl gets sick with the Grey Death.  Princess Addie decides to go out and find a cure.  But her adventure isn't as easy as she thought it would be...

Tanaka says: "I liked that the book wasn't all about war and killing.  It had a really good message overall."

The Adventure of Super Diaper Baby by Dav Pilkey

Reviewed by Theo in Grade 2

Super Diaper Baby was created when a baby fell into Super Power juice extracted from Captain Underpants. Deputy Dangerous and Danger Dog made inventions to try and steal Captain Underpants' super powers. Danger Dog saves Super Diaper Baby. Diaper Dog and Super Diaper Baby defeat Deputy Dangerous and restore Captain Underpants' powers.

Theo says: "I liked it when Super Diaper Baby and Diaper Dog defeated Deputy Dangerous. I liked that part because Deputy Dangerous went like "Ohhh and eehhhhh and aaahh".

Seekers: Smoke Mountain

Seekers: Smoke Mountain by Erin Hunter
Reviewed by Logan Isola in Gr 6 Fe

The four bears have left for the place of Endless Ice but on their journey there Kallik's brother, Taqqiq, took her on a hunting expedition but really wanted to take Kallik and run away. Kallik didn't want to leave her friends so she didn't go with him. Then they met an old bear named Oopuk who told them about the Last Great Wilderness and about the bear that goes hunting for bears at night. They eventually reached the place but Ujurak still isn't sure that their journey has ended.

Logan says: "I really liked the book because it was really interesting and daring. I also didn't get bored at any point in the book"

The other day, I read a book...

We love to read so much at Sun Valley that we even sing about it! Here are our Gr 4s singing "I Read a Book"...

Five Go To Smuggler's Top

Five Go To Smuggler's Top by Enid Blyton
Reviewed by Zoe S in Gr 4 Tu

If Uncle Quentin had had the top-heavy ash tree chopped, the gale would have not brought it crashing down on Kirrin Cottage and then the Five would not have gone to Smuggler's Top to stay with Lenoir and his eccentric father. Once there, queer and highly suspicious things seemed to happen, one after another, including the mysterious disappearance of Uncle Quentin. Julian, Dick, George and Anne have a very puzzling adventure and Timmy the dog has his fair share of excitement, in and out of the underground passages, until he unearths something very interesting...

Zoe says: "I liked this book because it got me very excited, especially when Uncle Quentin disappeared, when I heard about what can happen when you step in this type of quicksand (many people have died there) and when they found a very exciting secret passage.