"Fuzzy Mud" by Louis Sachar

 In "Fuzzy Mud" we meet  fifth grader Tamaya who is trying to cope with her parents divorce and her friends' changing attitudes. She walks home from school with Marshall who is dealing with his own problems...mainly a bully named Chad. When Marshall chooses to walk them through the woods behind their school to avoid Chad, their world turns upside down. Chad finds them in the woods and Tamaya throws 'fuzzy mud' at Chad to save Marshall. When Tamaya wakes up the next morning she has blisters on her hand. What must Chad look like?

This book talks about a lot of issues--divorce, fitting in, bullying, ecology--but it does so in a pretty gentle manner. School Library Journal recommends grades 3-5. I have no problem giving this to a confident third grader but I would really recommend it for grades 4-6.

Louis Sachar doesn't publish a book often so it is a treat to get a new book.


--Desiree S., Headquarters

P.S.

Kids often ask me "What is your favorite book?" and I can't say that I truly have a favorite. I like different stories for different reasons. However, if I could only chose one book to take on a deserted island to read forever and ever, that book would be "Holes" by Louis Sachar. If you haven't read "Holes" go find it now! Maybe that will become your island book as well.