Read This Book

"I like the book 'Show and Tell' by Joanne L. Smith because it's about a boy named Billy who tries to bring the same thing to show and tell every day, but one day he brings a surprise. I like the bear in the book." -- Tavon Moreno, Commodore John Rodgers Elementary "I would recommend 'Heaven' by Angela Johnson to children who like secrets. In Heaven, Ohio, people say that you are either born in Heaven or you move there to forget about the past and start all over again. The main character, Marley, learns a secret about herself in Heaven and works through it with two very good friends."

Within 100 miles of the Washington Beltway, where denizens leak secrets as a way of life, one of the biggest covert missions in children's literature was wildly compromised. Despite exceptional measures taken to shield the contents of the yet-unreleased "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," about three dozen copies of the much-anticipated sequel fell into the hands of an eager public last week. The breach took place more than 10 days before Saturday's official release date. Scholastic, the "Potter" publishing house for the American edition, has insisted on affidavits and tight security around the latest release in its best-selling series.

"I read 'Oh, Tucker!' by Steven Kroll. Tucker is a very happy dog. He moves too fast and knocks over everything in his house. But he loves his family so much, and they love him." -- Jeremy Davis Cross Country Elementary "The book 'Jessica's Mermaid, Sweet Valley Kids' by Molly Mia Stewart is about Jessica, who saw a mermaid. Her friends did not believe her because Jessica always made up stories that were not true. She had to find the mermaid again, or her friends would leave her forever.

" 'The Absolutely True Story: How I Visited Yellowstone Park with the Terrible Rupes' by Willo Davis Roberts is about a mystery that happens on a trip to Yellowstone. I think you should read this book." -- Brittany Carter Oakleigh Elementary " 'Toenails, Tonsils and Tornadoes' by Bonnie Pryor is about Martin Snodgrass. His family is having a reunion. During the reunion, a tornado strikes. He tells everyone and they get to safety in time. I think you will like this book." -- Caitlin Ortolani Abingdon Elementary " 'Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel' by Virginia Lee Burton is a very good book.

"Marcel Proust: A Life," by William C. Carter. Yale University Press. 1,024 pages. $35. When considering a book like this, which is more than 1,000 pages, one is forced to confront the sheer size of the thing, and when you consider this heft, if not bulk, it seems that large scale in books is a lot like large scale in other pursuits, such as the accumulation of money. Size is intimidating. In fact, it is difficult to conceive of the devotion that has gone into William C. Carter's "Marcel Proust: A Life," although, to be perfectly honest, there are times when one's eyes glaze over, as though contemplating some other exceedingly difficult and detailed operation, the building of a sailing ship out of kitchen matches, for instance.

William A. Galston is a professor in the School of Public Affairs, University of Maryland, and Director of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy. From 1993 until 1995 he served as Deputy Assistant to President Clinton for Domestic Policy. "One Nation, After All" by Alan Wolfe. Based on interviews with hundreds of middle-class families across the United States, this book documents the emergence of a new moral consensus based on quiet everyday virtues and tolerance for differing religions and ways of life.

"Sam was begging him to eat green eggs and ham. He said, `No!' But the man said, `Yes.' `Green Eggs and Ham' by Dr. Seuss, read this book please."Stephanie SimonsRunnymede Elementary School"The book I enjoyed reading the most was `Whales' by John Wexo. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the giants of the ocean will find this book to their liking. It describes the different types of whales, their physical features, eating habits and much more. The pictures are also very good."Derrell CollinsChoptank Elementary

"My favorite book is 'Abraham Lincoln' by Margaret Holland. It explains how Mr. Lincoln felt that all people, black and white, should be able to claim the rights guaranteed them by the Constitution. I think every child should read this book because it explains the history of our country."-- Alex WhiteChoptank Elementary"The best book is 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' by J.K. Rowling. It's exciting because an orphan boy named Harry Potter goes to school where he finds an invisible cloak, flying broom, unicorns and more.

"My favorite Dr. Seuss book is 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas.' I like that book because I think the Grinch learned a lesson as well as us children did. Also the Grinch has a different image on things."-- Danyelle BarnesHavre de Grace Elementary" 'Henry and Mudge' stories by Cynthia Rylant are my favorite because Mudge is a funny dog. He always drools on people and jumps up on them."-- Cara FlannellySt. Margaret School"My favorite book is 'The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood' by Howard Pyle.

"I think 'Ghost Camp' by R.L. Stine is a fantastic book. The characters in the story are Alex, Bobby and Elvis. The problem is Alex and Bobby are trying to get away from Elvis and the other ghost. They solve this problem by running away from the camp and going to their house and never going back. I think this is a super and interesting book."-- Daniel HeacockElmwood Elementary" 'Amelia Bedelia' by Peggy Parish is very entertaining. Amelia is a maid who's confused most of the time. She was to dress the chicken for cooking, but instead she put clothes on the chicken.