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Lucy's Lab #3
The Colossal Fossil Fiasco
Lucy accidentally overhears her parents talking about the family getting a second pet. But what pet should they get?
At school, Lucy’s class is learning about fossils and the plants and animals that left them behind.
One afternoon, Lucy finds a special rock, and Miss Flippo gets very excited! But when Lucy’s precious fossil goes missing, everyone in Room 2C is a suspect. . . .
At school, Lucy’s class is learning about fossils and the plants and animals that left them behind.
One afternoon, Lucy finds a special rock, and Miss Flippo gets very excited! But when Lucy’s precious fossil goes missing, everyone in Room 2C is a suspect. . . .
- GenresScience
112 pages, Hardcover
First published June 17, 2019
6 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Houts
19 books43 followers"My first memory of writing was when I was in first grade. I wrote an awesome retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk using my friends and myself as the characters. I don’t think my best friend was very happy when I cast her as the giant. The person who was happy, however, was my first grade teacher, Miss Course. She was so impressed that she sent me over to the second grade teacher’s classroom to show her what I had created. I remember knocking on the door of the second grade classroom and being very nervous that all those “big kids” would be looking at me when it opened. The second grade teacher, Mrs. Bryant, made a really big deal about my story! I think I decided then and there that I wanted to be a writer. Thank you, Miss Course and Mrs. Bryant!
"Fast forward A LOT of years… I always liked school, so when it came time to decide on a career, I chose to be a teacher. I went to the Ohio State University to study special education. After teaching for several years, I went back to school for a master’s degree in early childhood education. After having three children, I went back to school again for another master’s degree in speech pathology. I finished that one in 2009. See? I told you I always liked school.
"While I was at Ohio State, I met the farmer of my dreams. I always did want to live on a farm when I was a kid. I think that’s because most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins were farm folks and some of my favorite memories are from days spent in their barns, pastures, and haymows. When you fall in love with a farmer, you move to a farm, because he sure isn’t going to move to the city! So here I am.
"Here on the farm, we are raising three kids, calves, hogs, cats by the dozens, one adorable golden retriever and a goat who believes he’s a golden retriever. But that’s another story…"
"Fast forward A LOT of years… I always liked school, so when it came time to decide on a career, I chose to be a teacher. I went to the Ohio State University to study special education. After teaching for several years, I went back to school for a master’s degree in early childhood education. After having three children, I went back to school again for another master’s degree in speech pathology. I finished that one in 2009. See? I told you I always liked school.
"While I was at Ohio State, I met the farmer of my dreams. I always did want to live on a farm when I was a kid. I think that’s because most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins were farm folks and some of my favorite memories are from days spent in their barns, pastures, and haymows. When you fall in love with a farmer, you move to a farm, because he sure isn’t going to move to the city! So here I am.
"Here on the farm, we are raising three kids, calves, hogs, cats by the dozens, one adorable golden retriever and a goat who believes he’s a golden retriever. But that’s another story…"
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 14, 2020
It was a really good book
March 9, 2018
This is the third book in this STEM based series. My ten year old son and I have read each one together. We love them. Although the series is recommended up to age 9, I believe older kids will enjoy these books too. There is so much going on throughout the book, I believe 10 year olds would remain engaged as my own son did.
In this book, there are really two plots- getting a new pet, and making a significant find that someone else tries to take the credit for- topics that young children may be dealing with in their own lives. The author shows how important it is to research before making a big decision or purchase, the value of family and friends, how useful libraries can be, how people have different interests and we have to respect this, and that sometimes it's good to give others a second chance.
The author throws in STEM topics, such as how to conduct research using books and surveys, and how they pop up in everyday life. She also uses science vocabulary such as fossil, specimens, data, clavicle, and fractured and explains the meanings with examples that are easily remembered. I love how the author is able to teach vocabulary and simple science topics while telling a story. She is able to weave this learning into the story and shows that science is fun. There is plenty to discuss with your child as you move through this book.
The characters are cute and children can relate to them. There is humor in the book and even though there are teachings going on, the author keeps the story moving. The characters travel from setting to setting- home, school, public library, riverbed, park, etc..., which keeps children engaged. The chapters are different lengths, but all under ten pages. There are cute illustrations that break up the text. The font is a good size for early readers. There are some difficult vocabulary words. Therefore, this is a good book for a child to read with an adult.
In this book, there are really two plots- getting a new pet, and making a significant find that someone else tries to take the credit for- topics that young children may be dealing with in their own lives. The author shows how important it is to research before making a big decision or purchase, the value of family and friends, how useful libraries can be, how people have different interests and we have to respect this, and that sometimes it's good to give others a second chance.
The author throws in STEM topics, such as how to conduct research using books and surveys, and how they pop up in everyday life. She also uses science vocabulary such as fossil, specimens, data, clavicle, and fractured and explains the meanings with examples that are easily remembered. I love how the author is able to teach vocabulary and simple science topics while telling a story. She is able to weave this learning into the story and shows that science is fun. There is plenty to discuss with your child as you move through this book.
The characters are cute and children can relate to them. There is humor in the book and even though there are teachings going on, the author keeps the story moving. The characters travel from setting to setting- home, school, public library, riverbed, park, etc..., which keeps children engaged. The chapters are different lengths, but all under ten pages. There are cute illustrations that break up the text. The font is a good size for early readers. There are some difficult vocabulary words. Therefore, this is a good book for a child to read with an adult.
December 31, 2018
I have not read the first two books in this series, but this certainly stands alone. Houts writing is spot on for the age range of this series. I love that she weaves STEM concepts into this book., bringing the ideas of proper ways of doing research. Houts actually intertwines tow plot lines in this young-reader novel and does it quite well. It is nice to see this advanced concept executed so nicely. The two plots (one being the missing fossil and the other being Lucy’s family getting a new pet) are both quite well explained and each add facets to the over-all story. Lucy, her family and friends are all believable characters and ones that kids will relate to. Boys and girls will like this book. Zechel’s black and white illustrations throughout the book really adds to the text. *Please note I received a free review copy of this book
June 9, 2024
The book is well-written. You do not need to have read the first two volumes to fully understand and appreciate this one. I read it with my first grade daughter.
The narrator Lucy is a lot like me when I was a second grade boy: curious, thoughtful, friendly, not knowing every answer but always eager to learn. And her family and friends are realistic, likable characters.
This third volume of the series addresses the important issue of integrity in school (and life), which prompted great conversation with my 1st grader.
And it was a fun quick read.
The narrator Lucy is a lot like me when I was a second grade boy: curious, thoughtful, friendly, not knowing every answer but always eager to learn. And her family and friends are realistic, likable characters.
This third volume of the series addresses the important issue of integrity in school (and life), which prompted great conversation with my 1st grader.
And it was a fun quick read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews