Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the U.F.O.

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the U.F.O.

by David A. Adler

Illustrated by Susanna Natti

★★☆☆☆

After meeting Cam Jansen in book one Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, she and her co-detective Eric see lights floating in the air.  Eric uses his actual camera to snap a picture of them, while Cam uses her photographic memory, and reason to find out what is really happening.  They follow the lights to the source and are almost caught by the creators of the floating lights, and lets just stay they were "aliens" from a place not so far, far away.  

While this book is very predictable for older readers making it maybe not so exciting, it would be great for young developing readers because it is fast paced and at an easier reading level.  I would use these books for students with 2-3 grade reading levels.
There is a support website with pages both for kids and teachers.  On this Cam Jansen website there are check lists for all of David A. Adler's books, comprehension questions for readers, and fun quizzes that test your own memory like Cam Jansen is always doing. 

New cover of the book

David A. Adler talks about the inspiration for the character Cam Jansen. He says the reason the mystery moves so fast is that the books are meant for slow readers so that as they read events unfold more quickly to keep children engaged in his books!




Citation:
Adler, David A. Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the U.F.O.  Ill. Susanna Natti.  Viking Press, New York. 1980.


ISBN: 0-670-20041-7
AR reading level: 3.4

Roman Diary - The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini

Roman Diary - The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini, who was captured by pirates and sold as a slave in Rome, AD 107

by Richard Platt & David Parkins

★★★★★

     This book is written as an illustrated journal of a young girl from a Greek Island, Mytilini, captured and enslaved in Rome.  It follows her journey of being captured, becoming a slave and learning her new position in life.  Because she is educated, she is given a position in a wealthy home helping to raise the children, but her younger brother is sent to work in the fields. The reading level is at about a sixth grade level and would be great for any middle schooler, or high schooler looking to learn more about Rome in it's height of power from a young slave's point of view.  

     I do have to warn that the content is a little hairy at times talking about ill-treatment of slaves, Gladiator tournaments, and war stories.  But it has a wealth of information, great vocabulary words and is a great history lesson in a relatively short book.  

Platt, Richard. Roman Diary - The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini, who was captured by pirates and sold as a slave in Rome, AD 107. Ill. David Parkins.  Candlewick Press, MA. 2009. 

ISBN 978-0-7636-3480-3

AR reading level: 6.0

The Many Troubles of Andy Russell

The Many Troubles of Andy Russell
by David A. Adler

★ ★ ★ ☆☆

Andy Russell is a young boy with lots of troubles at home and at school.  Andy's best friend Tamika who lives in foster care might be forced to move away if he can't convince his parents to let her move in and share a room with his sister.  Before he has a chance to ask his parents seven of his gerbils escape and are running all over the house. Ms. Roman, his teacher, is always calling on him when he isn't paying attention in class.  Andy tries so hard, but he just can't seem to make things turn out the way he wants. 

I think that this is a good book, where the children in it are not purposefully causing trouble, but inconveniently things are always happening to them.   I would recommend this to kids in 1st-4th grades.  This book might be helpful for kids with ADHD symptoms to understand their situation better as Andy has a mind that wanders and he can't focus even when he really, really wants to.  

Adler, David A. The Many Troubles of Andy Russell. Ill. Will Hillenbrand. Gulliver Books, Harcourt Brace & Company.  San Diego, CA. 1998.  

ISBN: 0-15-201295-8

That Horse Whiskey

That Horse Whiskey
by C.S. Adler

★★★☆☆

Lainey is the youngest child and the only girl, with three older brothers who have left home.  Her father is a construction man, but hard times and no sales have left him unable to fulfill his birthday promise of a horse to his "little girl."  Lainey is determined not to be sheltered from the family's financial responsibilities and gets a job at Mr. Dodge's ranch taking care of some of the horses.  Over time, and with a lot of hard work, she gets Whiskey, a stubborn horse, to follow her direction.  

This is a good story of determination and hard work.  It is also wholesome as Lainey is a great kid and even gets permission from her parents before beginning to train Whiskey.   She is a good example to kids and I would recommend this book to kids in grades 5-8.

Adler, C.S. That Horse Whiskey!  Clarion Books, New York. 1994.

ISBN 0-395-68185-5

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds

Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds
by David A. Adler, Illustrated by Susanna Natti

★★☆☆☆

This is the first book in the Cam Jansen book series with over 30 books in it as well as another 16 books in the Young Cam spin off series.  Cam is short for Camera, Jennifer's nick name, because she has a photographic memory.  In this book she and her friend Eric witness a man running from a jewelry store but when the police catch him he does not have the stolen diamonds.  Cam looks back at her mental picture that she took and now notices a man and woman walking away from the scene quietly.  She and Eric follow the suspects and after a bit of suspense, wind up heros.

While this book is very predictable for older readers making it maybe not so exciting it would be great for young developing readers.   I would use these books for students with 2-3 grade reading levels.

There is a support website with pages both for kids and teachers.  On this Cam Jansen website there are check lists for all of David A. Adler's books, comprehension questions for readers, and fun quizzes that test your own memory like Cam Jansen is always doing.  

David A. Adler talks about the inspiration for the character Cam Jansen. He says the reason the mystery moves so fast is that the books are meant for slow readers so that as they read events unfold more quickly to keep children engaged in his books.  

Reading Update

As to my quest, I am still in the "A" section but now on the second shelf, so I have a new boost of enthusiasm.  I am however behind in blogging about the books I have read.  And I've read several books not in the "A" section as I have a ton of young adult books at home that will one day be in my classroom.  I would really like some readers to respond or add more info to my posts, especially kiddos who have read some of these books, or that have ideas about books I should read. 

The No Place Cat

The No Place Cat
C.S. Adler (link to her webpage)

★★★★☆

I had never heard of this author before I began on this quest to read through the library and I have to say I'm falling in love with her.  She likes writing about different problems that real kids face in real life, like parents' rules, other kids, pets, responsibility, friendships etc.  I would recommend this book to any young reader grades 4-8.  


Tess, a young independent girl, has been trying to get used to her new stepfamily, but it just isn’t working.  When a school project gets ruined by her little stepsister, Tess has finally had it. She decides to run away and live with her mom on the other side of Tucson. The drive there didn't seem that long but the walk took two days.  While trekking through the park a cat begins to follow Tess adopting himself to her.  As she deals with the cat she is able to learn some difficult lessons about what is best for her and her parents.  It was a good lesson that what we want is not always what is best for us.