Snow Bored (Chain Gang) by Robin Lawrie

Snow Bored (Chain Gang) Reviews

• 
  (NS) Becca

  I have to admit I am one of those people who doesn't typically enjoy graphic novels. I have never been a huge fan of any graphic novel, aside from Archie comics. However, after reading this excellent graphic novel, Snow Bored, I have changed my mind. I have been on a quest to find just the right books for some of my lower 2nd grade boys and this might just do the trick.
  
  The story is about a group of children who are very bored during the winter time. They are on a constant quest to find something fun to do. They explore all types of options including sledding and snow boarding but find that they are getting in trouble left and right. The best part of this book is how satisfying it is for a teacher in terms of having just the right amount of reading to do. There are lots of graphic parts to the story but it is intertwined with paragraphs of writing. I think kids will be tricked into feeling like it's a graphic novel completely, when in fact there is also some good substantial reading that has to be done.
  
  In terms of being a good realistic fiction novel the characters are very easy to identify with especially since their problem is a relevant problem to many school-age children during the winter time. They simply want to find SOMETHING to do and, even as an adult, I find myself identifying with their problem. The kids do some things to satisfy their boredom that are questionable morally, but the author lets the reader discover how they feel about what the characters do on their on own without telling the readers what to think.
  
  I would recommend this book for grades 2-3. I even researched and found that there are many more books in the series. I can't wait to use them in my classroom!
• 
  Aaron Lee

  I just got done reading a great book! The book was called Snow Bored, by Robin & Chris Lawrie. The main chareters are Slam, Dozy, Larry, Fiona and Andy. Andy is deaf. He uses sign language instead of talking. They call themselves The Ridge Riders. This book is about the Ridge Riders training for the "Sword in the Stump", which is a mountian bike race! But a masive blizzard covers their practice hill! So Dozy decided it would be cool to make snowboards. Pretty soon they all get in accidents. They decided to stud their bike tires. Fionna decides to ride her horse. The horse slipped and they both ended up in the snow. I will leave the rest to you!