Librarian teacher discusses children's books. Students are encouraged to contribute their own book review or short summary of fiction or nonfiction books. This blog is of interest to 3rd through 6th graders.

Ragweed by Avi

Ragweed is the prequel to Avi's award-winning Poppy which I have never read but it was a Maud Hart Lovelace nominee in 1997. Our library has several copies. I admit that I never had any intention of reading it and just the thought of reading a fantasy where the main characters were mice didn't appeal to me at all.

But then two things: One, I needed to read an Avi book that I hadn't read before for my Camp Read-A-Lot adventure with guest: AVI!!!! and Two, my grandson's (second grade going into third) teacher read to the class this series of Tales from Dimwood Forest and he loved the books. His mom bought him the five book collection and he is so excited about these books. I have never seen him get excited about any other book like this before. So I read it.

This book really buttered my muffin, know what I'm saying? Dude, this book rocks! Ragweed, a country mouse decides to see what else is out in the world and ends up in this mouse town totally clueless, "he's so green, he makes the grass envious." But Ragweed makes friends and saves other mice and rocks their world, as well as his own. This book has lots of action, suspense, friendship, funky names and great sketches throughout. It's totally rave. Awesome. It's phat. Check it out!