Collin McKinney

The father of McKinney, TX is honored in the book published by a school librarian within our district. Strother traces the birth, historic events, and life of a premier statesman in our area. It details the jobs he held as a surveyor and magistrate, and his efforts to get families to relocate to McKinney. A timeline is presented in the back, along with a glossary, notes from her research, and a bibliography.

Andy Shane and the Pumpkin Trick

Andy Shane teams up with the very bossy Dolores Starbuckle to solve the mystery over who is smashing the Halloween pumpkins. One day, Dolores gets her carved pumpkin smashed by some tricksters. Andy agrees to help her get ready for her Halloween party and comes up with an idea to set a trap and catch the smashers. Their first attempt isn't as successful as they hoped. Will they try again?

Amelia Bedelia's Masterpiece

Amelia Bedelia is famous for always misunderstanding things. The trouble always seems to be when multi-meaning words or words with suffixes are used. She gets confused when she is told something is priceless, thinking it is free! She thinks figures means number, but it actually means the human form too. Enjoy the story as she causes chaos while trying to figure things out.

The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash

This is a perfect Cause and Effect book. One event triggers the next as Jimmy's pet boa constrictor causes all kinds of problems on the field trip! It is illustrated by Steven Kellogg and his signature style.

Mailing May

This book reminds my of Henry's Freedom Box. May wants to visit her Grandma Mary, however a train ticket is an expensive $1.55 at the time. Her parents decide to find a loophole in shipping "livestock" and take May to the post office to be stamped! With the help of cousin Leonard, who works for the post office, will May make it all the way to Grandma's house? Will there be trouble?

Another connection to Henry is the author's note in the back of the book sharing the true story. It shares the actual account of May and her time spent as mail.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

I had to read this before the movie came out! Grandpa opens the story explaining about the town of Chewandswallow where it rains food, in the form of meals, three times a day. Any mess is cleaned up immediately after the "rain" or "snow." It is a perfect situation for the residents until something weird happens. The portions become too large, the choices aren't as yummy. Slowly the town begins to fill with food and the people are trying to decide if they should stay or go.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Alexander wakes up with gum in his hair. A clear indication it is not going to be a very good day. This is a good lesson in consequences, tough luck, and optimism. We all have bad days, sometimes brought on by ourselves, and sometimes things are outside of our control.

How to be Cool in Third Grade

Robbie, I mean Rob, is determined to be cool as the new school year begins. It's difficult when your parents still treat you like a baby when you are ready to be independent, and then the school bully thinks it's fun to harass you on the bus. But Robbie, I mean Rob, has a list started that he is certain will turn things around for him.

Things Not Seen

Bobby Phillips mysteriously wakes up invisible one day. He has no explanation for this to happen, and after shocking and horrifying his parents with his condition, decides to try and solve the mystery. While exploring a college library, he meets Alicia, a slightly older girl who happens to be blind, so his invisibility secret is not obvious. Together they work out a plan to try and find a solution and regain his appearance.