Book Summary:
Miss Smith takes her class on a field trip to the public library. While they are there the librarian, Virginia Creeper, reads from Miss Smith's "Incredible Story Book". Ms. Creeper only reads a little from the beginning of each story and as she reads the scary characters appear. At first the students are afraid, but after refreshments are served the monsters and children begin to play until the seniors reading group arrives. Miss Smith hurriedly cleans while Ms. Creeper stalls the seniors. The narrator tells how he helps return the creatures to the story book by reading the last page of each story and he finishes just as the seniors barge in.
APA Reference:
Garland, M. (2009). Miss Smith and the haunted library. Boston, Mass: Dutton Juvenile.
My Impressions:
I enjoyed the monsters in this book but wonder if elementary students will understand why they are scary. An example is Frankenstein, he is not well know to my students because he has not been featured in any movies or books lately. I think many of the monsters would have to be explained for students to get some of the comments. The pictures are vibrant and draw the eye. I found myself looking at them for a long time to see all the details. Elementary students will enjoy the pictures and the story.
Professional Reviews:
GARLAND, Michael Miss Smith and the Haunted Library illus. by author. unpaged. Dutton Aug. 2009. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-525-42139-9. LC number unavailable.
Gr 1-5–One fall day, Miss Smith takes her class to the public library to meet the librarian, Virginia Creeper. The scene is set as they enter the building, which looks a bit like a haunted house. The librarian reads spooky stories from Miss Smith’s Incredible Storybook, which brings the characters to life. Soon the children are surrounded by frightening figures such as Frankenstein, Count Dracula, Captain Hook, and the Jabberwocky. They enjoy themselves so much that the youngsters forget what time it is and then must rush to finish each story so the characters can go back into the book. In all the chaos, it seems one story was overlooked. So far, Zack is the only student to notice a creature lurking nearby. Falling leaves and pictures of ghosts, pumpkins, and witches complete the autumnal scene. Halloween can be inferred, but it is not mentioned by name. Each page is full of clever details, and the characters have unique characteristics, from the librarian’s bright purple hair and dress, to Miss Smith’s stand-up red hair, to the book characters playing out their roles. The students in particular are expressive. One page shows them with their mouths open while the Headless Horseman looms above. The story captures the joy of reading and is sure to be a hit.–Lori A. Guenthner, Baltimore County Public Library, Randallstown, MD
Guenthner, L. (2009, July 7). Fiction [Review of the book Miss SMith and The Haunted Library, Michael Garland]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6668069.html
Library Uses:
I would use this book to help introduce students to some of the characters mentioned in the story. Many of them are from middle and high school reading levels and even though this is a children's book, many older students will get a laugh out of it. I see it as a game to see who can name and find the books that contain these characters.
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