Mary Pope Osborne

Children's author Mary Pope Osborne, this year's spokeswoman for Barnes & Noble's Summer Reading Program, has omitted at least one notable book from her own summer reading list: the final Harry Potter. "It's sometimes smart not to read books on a subject that can influence you. They can cross into territories and mesh your wires a little bit," said Osborne, best known for her "Magic Tree House" series.

"Don't You Know There's a War On?" Avi Howie's dad is in the merchant marine, dodging Nazi U-boats in the North Atlantic Sea. Every day Howie faces reminders of war, scary headlines, scrap collections and war-stamp drives. He depends on Ms. Gossim, his teacher, to keep his worries away. Then Howie finds out that Ms. Gossim is going to be fired. Howie and his friends plan on how they can keep Ms. Gossim as their teacher. Will they succeed? Reviewed by Christian, 11 Ivanhoe Elementary Los Angeles "Dork in Disguise" Carol Gorman Jerry is an intelligent and unpopular kid. He moves into a different neighborhood and goes to a school where nobody knows him. He makes up lies about his life.

"The Case of the Stinky Science Project" James Preller The best part is when Joey puts his egg salad into the volcano, then the volcano explodes and out comes a terrible smell. I recommend this book for third- and fourth-graders because it teaches a great lesson to tell the truth or else something worse happens. Reviewed by Ernestine, 10, Dorris Place Elementary Los Angeles -- "Winnie-the-Pooh" A.A. Milne Christopher Robin has many stuffed animals. Among them are Winnie-the-Pooh, Eeyore, Rabbit and Piglet.

"Horrible Harry and the Green Slime" Suzy Kline Harry and his friend Doug get a homework assignment. Harry's project is how to make green slime that becomes hard. Doug's project is how to make your hair spiky. I want to be a writer of a Horrible Harry book because it is silly and it has kids fooling around with their brains. I wish I could meet the author. Reviewed by Maria, 9 Los Feliz Elementary Los Angeles -- "Dragon of the Red Dawn" Mary Pope Osborne Jack and Annie go to Old Tokyo in the late 1600s to find great happiness.

"The Case of the Stinky Science Project" James Preller The best part is when Joey puts his egg salad into the volcano, then the volcano explodes and out comes a terrible smell. I recommend this book for third- and fourth-graders because it teaches a great lesson to tell the truth or else something worse happens. Reviewed by Ernestine, 10, Dorris Place Elementary Los Angeles -- "Winnie-the-Pooh" A.A. Milne Christopher Robin has many stuffed animals. Among them are Winnie-the-Pooh, Eeyore, Rabbit and Piglet.

"Don't You Know There's a War On?" Avi Howie's dad is in the merchant marine, dodging Nazi U-boats in the North Atlantic Sea. Every day Howie faces reminders of war, scary headlines, scrap collections and war-stamp drives. He depends on Ms. Gossim, his teacher, to keep his worries away. Then Howie finds out that Ms. Gossim is going to be fired. Howie and his friends plan on how they can keep Ms. Gossim as their teacher. Will they succeed? Reviewed by Christian, 11 Ivanhoe Elementary Los Angeles "Dork in Disguise" Carol Gorman Jerry is an intelligent and unpopular kid. He moves into a different neighborhood and goes to a school where nobody knows him. He makes up lies about his life.

"Space: Magic Tree House Research Guide" Will Osborne and Mary Pope Osborne When you read this book you can find out a million new things about space. Did you know that the sun can burst solar flares? If you like space, read this book. You will find out things you never knew! Reviewed by Hannah, 8 Hope View School Huntington Beach -- "Funny Frank" Dick King-Smith This book is a comedy to me because it makes me laugh. It is funny because it is about a chick who wants to become a duck.

AESOP'S FABLES By Jerry Pinkney; North-South/SeaStar: 96 pp., $19.95 Beautifully designed, this lush, oversize volume showcases Jerry Pinkney's artistry in grand style. There's a king's ransom worth of material here, as Pinkney serves up more than 60 of the ancient Greek slave-philosopher's fables.

"Titanic: Magic Treehouse Research Guide #7" Will Osborne and Mary Pope Osborne Almost 100 years ago, the Titanic was the biggest ship in the world and everyone said it was unsinkable. The ship had its own swimming pool and was loaded with more than 40 tons of potatoes when it left England for New York City in April 1912. The first-class dining room could seat more than 550 people -- there were only five children in first class!

"Space: Magic Tree House Research Guide" Will Osborne and Mary Pope Osborne When you read this book you can find out a million new things about space. Did you know that the sun can burst solar flares? If you like space, read this book. You will find out things you never knew! Reviewed by Hannah, 8 Hope View School Huntington Beach -- "Funny Frank" Dick King-Smith This book is a comedy to me because it makes me laugh. It is funny because it is about a chick who wants to become a duck.

"Horrible Harry and the Green Slime" Suzy Kline Harry and his friend Doug get a homework assignment. Harry's project is how to make green slime that becomes hard. Doug's project is how to make your hair spiky. I want to be a writer of a Horrible Harry book because it is silly and it has kids fooling around with their brains. I wish I could meet the author. Reviewed by Maria, 9 Los Feliz Elementary Los Angeles -- "Dragon of the Red Dawn" Mary Pope Osborne Jack and Annie go to Old Tokyo in the late 1600s to find great happiness.

Children's author Mary Pope Osborne, this year's spokeswoman for Barnes & Noble's Summer Reading Program, has omitted at least one notable book from her own summer reading list: the final Harry Potter. "It's sometimes smart not to read books on a subject that can influence you. They can cross into territories and mesh your wires a little bit," said Osborne, best known for her "Magic Tree House" series.

AESOP'S FABLES By Jerry Pinkney; North-South/SeaStar: 96 pp., $19.95 Beautifully designed, this lush, oversize volume showcases Jerry Pinkney's artistry in grand style. There's a king's ransom worth of material here, as Pinkney serves up more than 60 of the ancient Greek slave-philosopher's fables.

"The Ghost Comes Calling" Betty Ren Wright Chad finds out there's a ghost haunting Shaky Acres. Every time Chad goes to sleep, the ghost haunts him. He tries to tell his dad, but his dad doesn't believe him. So Chad tries to get evidence. I thought this would be a regular ghost story, but it wasn't. If you like a ghost story, read this. Reviewed by Amadeus, 10 Third Street Elementary Los Angeles "The Monster's Ring" Bruce Coville A kid named Russell gets this ring from an old man. On Halloween, Russell tries to get revenge on Eddie because Eddie hurt Russell.