Supergrandpa, sixty-six-year-old Gustaf Hakansson, loves to ride his bicycle. Over his regular breakfast of sour milk and lingonberries, he reads about an upcoming bicycle race, the Tour of Sweden. It is over 1,000 miles long and will take several days to complete. His family tells him that he is too old to ride and that he will "keel over." Even the bicycle race's judges think Gustaf is too old and will not let him enter the race. But Gustaf is determined.

Author, David Schwartz, and illustrator, Bert Dodson, bring the true story of Gustaf Hakansson to life. Schwartz takes some liberties with the story’s details, but he includes Swedish phrases and words to enhance the setting. Dodson impeccably portrays the Swedish landscape and style of clothing worn by spectators and cyclists.

Gustaf’s adventure will inspire cyclists and non-cyclists to look beyond stereotypes and to follow one’s dreams. 

There was going to be a big test and Tom had forgotten to study.  What was he going to do?  He tried to study in a hurry,  but it didn't work.  He pretended to be sick;  Aunt Polly called the doctor.  Doctor Robinson gave him a medicine that tasted awful.  That taste made him feel like he would not want to take it ever again, and made him a strong boy all of a sudden again!  He excused himself to grab his books and dashed out the door.  He was eager to get to school and face the challenge of the big test, no matter how it would happen!

Book was written by Mark Twain.

Divided into two chapters, this book is about friendship between Jefferson Bear and Figgy Twosocks.  Whenever Figgy needs help, Bear is always there.  When it's time for Bear to hibernate, Figgy feels lonely, so she builds a white snow bear to remind her of her friend Bear.  Along the way, she finds a new friend, Hoptail the squirrel.  When spring comes, her friend Bear reappears to play with her, so, in the end, she has two friends: a new one and the old one.

She has learned that sometimes an unhappy thing happens so that it can bring in a new happy thing.

Written by Sally Grindley, illustrated by Penny Dann.

Sara does every fast, very fast.  The drawback is she got her assignment wrong, she messed up her shirt after eating, and she did not tie her shoes correctly for soccer practice. One day, after she built  a soapbox derby racer and it then fell apart, she surfed the Internet, learned about friction, then applied her science skills to conduct two experiments-the bike race and the swim race.  Using what she discovered from the experiments, on her big day, the day of the soapbox derby, she slowed down, and ...won the race!

Written by Laura Driscoll who also writes children's books of the Dora series, and the Disney Fairies series.

Read Emily's Fortune for an exciting story about eight-year-old Emily, who is left all alone, bereft of any family except for Uncle, Victor, of whom she is afraid and with whom she would never live.  This is her story of how she runs away from Uncle Victor to find her Aunt Hilda, who lives in Redbud.  She meets a fellow traveler, Jackson, who is also alone, and together they travel across the U.S on a hair-raising ride of train and stagecoach to her Aunt Hilda.  I highly recommend this title to children who are assigned historical fiction or California or Western fiction.  The book is for children grades 3 and above.

Another favorite historical fiction along the same vein is Barbara Brooks Wallace's Peppermints in the Parlor.  Taking place in San Francisco, Emily, newly orphaned,  finds her aunt and uncle's house on Sugar Hill Hall strangely changed.  All is not well, there is evil lurking around every corner.  This novel will work for either a mystery or a historical fiction novel assignment.  This novel is a little longer than Emily's Fortune and a little more difficult to read, but it is just as suspenseful and fun to read.  Be prepared that the beginning of this story is a little slow as it builds up suspense, but both stories are equally well-written and provide insight to the California West in late 19th century America.  I recommend both.  Peppermints in the Parlor is for children 4th grade and up.

"#1.  Don't leave your stuff all over the house.  Instead, put it in a big pile in the middle of the living room.  That way you'll know where everything is."

And so begins the book, Don't Bargain With the Tooth Fairy.  From there, the author leads you to 43 more funny "rules" and unlimited fun.  With descriptive pictures on every page, it's guaranteed to make you laugh.

Suitable for kids of grades 3 and up. 

Suitable for mommies, daddies, and teachers too.   You can lol (laugh out loud) or giggle or chortle with yourself, to yourself, and by yourself, to release the pressure caused by...a day with-or without-the kids.

Written by Deborah Zemke.