Fourth Grade Journey

A Fourth Grade Teacher's Journey Through the World of Books

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Rookie of the Year: A Rip and Red Book by Phil Bildner...

How I Heard About It:  While at NCTE15 this past November right here in Minneapolis, I had the privilege of meeting Phil and getting copies of both Rip and Red books.  After reading the first book in this series, I knew my fourth graders had to experience it.  I actually chose it for my "Breakfast with Books" book club.  We will be Skyping with the author on Friday, January 22nd.  I just finished this ARC and loved it as much as the first one.  It will be released in July of 2016.  

What It Is About:  Rip and Red are back to continue their fifth grade adventure.  The story picks up right where the first one left off.  The next part of their basketball season is beginning and the team wants to proceed forward and improve on their last season.  The students in Mr. Acevedo's class are learning lots of new information and new lessons on how to be the best students they can be.  The class is surprised to learn there will be a new student in their class.  Tiki is the new girl and she isn't like that other kids.  She beats to her own drum and keeps the rest of the kids on their toes.  Rip is surprised when Coach Acevedo puts Tiki on the starting five of the basketball team.  Of course this does not please Rip.  While the team wins game after game, they also have another "game" on their minds.  The traditional and "fun" lunch ladies have been replaced by a group of not so nice ladies.  A group of fifth graders come together and come up with a plan that may bring back their original crew in the lunchroom.  Rip is navigating choppy waters as he vies for the top spot on the team, watches out for his best friend, and gets use to the new girl that is mixing things up both on and off the basketball court.

What I Thought Of It:  I loved the first novel in this series and I loved this one just as much.  It was great to be able to read it soon after finishing the first one being that I had an ARC of it.  I really like Phil's writing style and while reading the story I feel like I'm right there with the students and their awesome teacher Mr. Acevedo.  It was fun to have a new character join the crew and see how she mixed things up.  The book has lots of action and lots of lessons sprinkled throughout the story.  

Who Should Read It:  As with the first novel, this is the perfect type of book for readers in grades three, four, and five.  The chapters are short, there are lots of fun and interesting illustrations, and the plot moves along at a pace that young readers will appreciate.  The books in this series could make for an excellent read aloud or to put it in the hands of individual readers.  Teachers should definitely take note of this book/series/author and include it in their classroom library.  Happy Reading!

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

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