My first finished book of 2019 is You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P.! and it is one that I would highly recommend. Alex Gino created something really special with this book and it deserves to be in all middle school libraries. Why? Because it deals with privilege and racism, important yet challenging topics that need … Continue reading You Don’t Know Everything, Jillly P!
Absolutely Everything – A Truly Readable History Book
When I was younger, I recall that a lot of history was taught as memorizing dates and very specific events. That never captured my attention. I realized early on that if I was to get into history, it had to be more anthropological or social. So when I opened Christopher Lloyd's brand new book, Absolutely … Continue reading Absolutely Everything – A Truly Readable History Book
Seeing Something New in The Third Mushroom
Life isn't a Hollywood movie. That's one of the many things that Ellie learns in The Third Mushroom, an incredibly satisfying sequel to The Fourteenth Goldfish. In this book, which I finished in under 24 hours, we watch as Ellie experiments with her first romantic relationship, works on a science fair project with her grandfather, … Continue reading Seeing Something New in The Third Mushroom
The Track Series and Why Libraries are so Important
I just finished the third book in Jason Reynolds's amazing Track Series and now I am waiting with baited breath for the fourth, and final, book to come out in October. If you haven't already read these books, I highly recommend that you go out and try them. Understandably, I read a lot of middle … Continue reading The Track Series and Why Libraries are so Important
The Magic of Melwick Orchard
Books that realistically deal with childhood illnesses walk a fine line with dealing with the reality of illness and the havoc it wrecks on the entire family yet not being heavy handed with it. Rebecca Caprara tackles the subject deftly in her MG debut The Magic of Melwick Orchard. (Thank you to the #KitLitExchange Network … Continue reading The Magic of Melwick Orchard
Cheers to the Rebel Librarian!
Thank you to #kidlitexchange and @randomhousekids for a review copy of this book that is being published on September 18, 2018. All opinions are my own. Some books just beg to be read. Property of the Rebel Librarian is a book that will appeal to any book lover, librarian, or teacher. It left me cheering … Continue reading Cheers to the Rebel Librarian!
Spending a Year with Holling Hoodhood and The Wednesday Wars
The Wednesday Wars, by Gary D. Schmidt, is a quiet, subtle middle grade book written in 2007 but set in 1967. It captures your attention from the start, but progresses slowly to show just how the characters, especially Holling Hoodhood, grow during a school year. I never would have picked this book up had it … Continue reading Spending a Year with Holling Hoodhood and The Wednesday Wars
Ghost Boys – The Middle Grade Book with Important Messages
If you have a list of important middle grade reads, Ghost Boys, by Jewell Parker Rhodes, absolutely must be on that list. It isn't a fun read, but like The Hate U Give, I think it is one that should be read by everyone. This is a book which at its heart wants the world … Continue reading Ghost Boys – The Middle Grade Book with Important Messages
Role Playing Game Comes to Life
*Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for a DRC of this book which comes out on July 17th. All opinions are my own. Imagine that you and a group of friends get hooked on a fantasy role playing game. But as you enter 6th grade, the group starts to splinter a bit as everyone … Continue reading Role Playing Game Comes to Life
On Two Feet & Wings – A Boy’s True Story of leaving Tehran
Every summer I get a weekly text from AudioBooks Sync. The SYNC program is a free summer audiobook program for teens 13+ that pairs two books weekly and allows people to download them for as long as needed to listen. I've found some really interesting reads over the years and have been intrigued how they … Continue reading On Two Feet & Wings – A Boy’s True Story of leaving Tehran