An autobiography of Jacqueline Woodson's childhood from toddler to tween. It is the first children's book that I have read that is told from the pointAn autobiography of Jacqueline Woodson's childhood from toddler to tween. It is the first children's book that I have read that is told from the point of view of a Jehovah's Witness. Along with memories of various family members and school days, Jacqueline shares what is was like to grow up as a Jehovah's Witness. The reason for only 3 stars and my only wish is that this book would have continued into her teen years. Perhaps, Jacqueline is planning/writing another memoir as I type this....more
**spoiler alert** This was so good, I didn't want to finish it. I wanted to savor every word and chapter of the dramatic conclusion of the Shiloh tril**spoiler alert** This was so good, I didn't want to finish it. I wanted to savor every word and chapter of the dramatic conclusion of the Shiloh trilogy. Shiloh is simply a beautiful series about the belief that people can and will change for the better. It turns out that Marty and Shiloh's story really is Judd Travers's....more
In this hybrid of a picture book and a graphic novel, weasels plot world domination. Will they succeed? Read this boo to find out. Students will enjoyIn this hybrid of a picture book and a graphic novel, weasels plot world domination. Will they succeed? Read this boo to find out. Students will enjoy this humorous animal story....more
A silly story about a cat who's looking for breakfast and 3 birds who are looking for the "perfect nest". Catherine Friend's detailed writing could woA silly story about a cat who's looking for breakfast and 3 birds who are looking for the "perfect nest". Catherine Friend's detailed writing could work for making predictions or visualizing. ...more
Marty owns Shiloh in this page turner. What happens when Judd's drinking escalates out of control? Who will get hurt? Can Marty protect Shiloh from hiMarty owns Shiloh in this page turner. What happens when Judd's drinking escalates out of control? Who will get hurt? Can Marty protect Shiloh from his wrath? And can anyone teach Judd a lesson before it's too late? Even though this could be read as a stand-alone novel, it will leave you wanting to know more about how Marty came to own Shiloh and what will happen to all the characters in the third book of the Shiloh trilogy....more
A dark retelling of the classic story. Kind of reminds me of Wanda Gág's retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.A dark retelling of the classic story. Kind of reminds me of Wanda Gág's retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs....more
The Winsome Threesome (Angela, Zoe, and Maddie) is back! Texting,FB, tweeting and IMing about the first three months of their freshman year at three dThe Winsome Threesome (Angela, Zoe, and Maddie) is back! Texting,FB, tweeting and IMing about the first three months of their freshman year at three different colleges in three different states. University of Georgia Athens for Angela, Kenyon in Ohio for Zoe, and Santa Cruz for Maddie. The girls deal with the pressures of sorority life, a break-up by a high school boyfriend, and depression/homesickness/loneliness (I'll be honest I couldn't figure out Maddie's issue). Those who have read the other three books about the girls in HS will want to read this one, along with those looking for stories about college life. No need to have read the first three books to enjoy this one. Once you have read past the first 15 pages or so, you'll have caught on to the characters and general plot....more
An awesome book to read at the beach! This thriller will keep you guessing until the very end. High school senior Anna is accused of murdering her besAn awesome book to read at the beach! This thriller will keep you guessing until the very end. High school senior Anna is accused of murdering her best friend Elise while on Spring Break in Aruba with her high school friends. If you like mysteries, court dramas, young love, or stories of teen debauchery; this is the book for you....more
9/10/16 I read this one for a second time recently, the first part of the book still resonates with me. The second part was challenging me more. Wonde9/10/16 I read this one for a second time recently, the first part of the book still resonates with me. The second part was challenging me more. Wondering what half of my life I am in and if a person can travel between the two halves. 1/4/15 A spiritual book written by a Catholic priest that could also be read as self-help for those who feel they are entering/have entered the latter half of life. What resonates for me is how Rohr explains why as we get older we tend to want to less "stuff." This is simply part of the process. If you like quotes, this book is full of them. ...more
Poetry for middle schoolers and teenagers. With poems about friendship, heartbreak, and other teen rites of passage, this one touches the should. It wPoetry for middle schoolers and teenagers. With poems about friendship, heartbreak, and other teen rites of passage, this one touches the should. It would be a great book to give as a gift to show you care or to share with a tween/teen poetry lover. ...more
Thorough and detailed. For those who are always looking for a new Abraham Lincoln book, Civil War and history buffs and those who are simply curious aThorough and detailed. For those who are always looking for a new Abraham Lincoln book, Civil War and history buffs and those who are simply curious about learning more about what motivated Lincoln's assassin John Wilkes Booth....more
You could call it a murder mystery, yet this book is so much more. . . it is the story of faith and forgiveness in small town Minnesota in the summer You could call it a murder mystery, yet this book is so much more. . . it is the story of faith and forgiveness in small town Minnesota in the summer of 1961. A summer that is filled with death, dying, and tragedy for 13 year old Frank, his younger brother Jake and the rest of their family. Dad who is a Methodist minister, Mom who is a homemaker, and their older, just-graduated, Julliard-bound sister Ariel. Almost as close as family are Gus, Dad's World War II buddy and Emil Brandt, Ariel's piano teacher and Mom's ex-fiancé. With five deaths and a suicide attempt, this is a book that will keep you both turning the pages and wanting to set it down because you're not ready for the story to end. Are they accidents, murders or both?...more
The title sums of this book perfectly. Eighth grader Callie's life is full of drama; she is part of the stage crew for the upcoming middle school musiThe title sums of this book perfectly. Eighth grader Callie's life is full of drama; she is part of the stage crew for the upcoming middle school musical. Callie is boy crazy which creates drama in her personal life. She has ideas for set design that create drama for the drama club advisor. And what happens when opening night arrives? The show must go on! Middle schoolers who are fans of graphic novels or involved in theater will enjoy this one....more
One of my favorite kind of books - fairly short, based loosely on a true story, accessible to a wide range of readers, and full of substance. Have you One of my favorite kind of books - fairly short, based loosely on a true story, accessible to a wide range of readers, and full of substance. Have you heard of Mongolia? Do you know anything about it? What are eagle-calming skills? Do demons exist? This is the story of sixth grader Julie who becomes a 'Good Guide' for two brothers from Mongolia who show up at her school one day. She's not sure exactly what that means but she is more than willing to accept her new role if it means she can learn more about the two new students and their Mongolian traditions. I recently reread this one. Just as good if not better the second time, this is the read aloud that I couldn't wait to begin with my class. ...more
I liked this one even better when I reread it this year. What a fun book to read to young students on their first day of classes in the Media Center! TI liked this one even better when I reread it this year. What a fun book to read to young students on their first day of classes in the Media Center! This reminded me of the classic, The Monster at the End of the Book in which Grover of Sesame Street fame does not want the reader to keep turning pages to avoid the end of the book. In this book, Gerald and Piggie discover they are in a book! They are enjoying that what they say in giant speech bubbles is read by the reader! Until Gerald realizes the book ends?! Then what? Like what happens to Grover in The Monster at the End of the Book, the reader may figure out what happens to Gerald and Piggie at the end of We are in a Book! before they do....more
A story of four generations of women and the family dynamics between them. Ramona is single, 40 years old and owns a barely getting by bakery. Her motA story of four generations of women and the family dynamics between them. Ramona is single, 40 years old and owns a barely getting by bakery. Her mother Lily is the matriarch in this story and grandmother to Sofia, Ramona's 25 year-old daughter. Sofia is pregnant with her first child and married to a soldier who has been injured in Iraq. Lastly, there is Sofia's stepdaughter, 13 year-old Katie. Katie comes to live with Ramona for the summer when Sofia leaves to take care of her husband. Can Ramona and her granddaughter bond? What about the bakery; will they be able to save it before it goes under? Ramona comes from a family of restauranteurs; her parents and siblings run a trio of restaurants and would like Ramona to return to the family business. After years of being on her own, would Ramona want to run the bakery under their watch? Plus, Ramona has discovered that her crush from when she was pregnant at 15 with Sofia has moved to her town. Could there be love in her future? And what about Merlin the dog that Katie brings with her? How will he help bring these women together? ...more
Before we had the TV show Survivor or The Hunger Games, there was Lord of the Flies* This is the classic story of Ralph, Piggy, Jack, Simon and an assBefore we had the TV show Survivor or The Hunger Games, there was Lord of the Flies* This is the classic story of Ralph, Piggy, Jack, Simon and an assortment (some with names, most without) of boys from approximately ages 6-14. They are passengers on a plane that crashes on a deserted island. Will they be able to survive? What horrors does the island hide? How long before they turn on each other? Can this book have any ending, except a dark and unhappy one? This is the perfect book to recommend to young Hunger Games and dystopia fans who are asking, "What do I read next??" *An aside - I did a little digging and discovered that Lord of the Flies was based on a book published in 1858 (yes, 1858!) titled The Coral Island: A Tale of the Pacific Ocean by R. M. Ballantyne....more
3.5 stars? I couldn't decide if I thought this was a 3 star or 4 star read for me. A coming of age story told from Scout's (4 at the beginning and 8 a3.5 stars? I couldn't decide if I thought this was a 3 star or 4 star read for me. A coming of age story told from Scout's (4 at the beginning and 8 at the end) point of view, this is the story of a small Alabama town in the early 1930s. Whites and blacks live in separate towns with separate churches, schools and businesses. We see glimmers of the changes to come later with the Civil Rights movement, but in this particular time and place; it's tough to speak up against injustices. Scout and her brother Jem are being raised by their father Atticus, a lawyer and their housekeeper, Calpurnia who is black and goes home at night to the black community. What happens when a young black man is accused of rape? Can Atticus prove his innocence? The repercussions of the court's decision will cause much unrest in the year to follow the trial. ...more
Loading...
