Book Thoughts: White Bird by R.J. Palacio

After reading Wonder for the “ump-teenth” time, I was adding it to my list of “Books of the Decade” today and I WONDERED how this book has stayed at the top of “kids’ favorites” lists for so long. Of course, it’s the story, which is universal and “real” for students in schools (and their parentsContinue reading “Book Thoughts: White Bird by R.J. Palacio”

Book Review: 7 Ate 9 by Tara Lazar

I just love using picture books for my middle school classroom! This book will help both math and reading teachers spread the book love. This is 7 Ate 9: The Untold Story, by Tara Lazar, and illustrated by Ross MacDonald, and it is comic genius in picture book form.  Private I tells the story of hisContinue reading “Book Review: 7 Ate 9 by Tara Lazar”

IMWAYR: Roll With It — Rolling Towards Winter Break

Continuing the push to winter break, I read… ROLL WITH IT by Jamie Sumner This is the story of Ellie (Lily, actually), the girl with cerebral palsy who won’t let her wheelchair slow her down. She’s got some attitude and mad baking skills for her age, and wants everything in her family to be okay,Continue reading “IMWAYR: Roll With It — Rolling Towards Winter Break”

IMWAYR: Various Titles Until Winter Break

This is a busy week at school with concerts, doctor’s appointments, and programs leading up to winter break. I’m trying to read as much as I can of the titles on my TBR list (To Be Read) so I can get through until vacation. This week I read… At the Mountain’s Base by Traci SorellContinue reading “IMWAYR: Various Titles Until Winter Break”

Book PREview: All of a Sudden and Forever by Chris Barton

I was reading some new Net Galley titles tonight, and I came across Chris Barton’s upcoming, All of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing After the Oklahoma City Bombing (due February 2020). I felt compelled to write, since the Oklahoma City bombing happened while I was in labor with my second daughter. I rememberContinue reading “Book PREview: All of a Sudden and Forever by Chris Barton”

Book Review: Stargazing by Jen Wang

“Moon is everything Christine isn’t.” The back cover describes this new middle grade graphic novel to a tee. When you’re young, you naturally compare yourself to the people around you, and that’s exactly what happens in this book. Christine is reluctant to meet Moon, the new girl across the street. Their parents get along andContinue reading “Book Review: Stargazing by Jen Wang”

IMWAYR: Catching Up and Moving Forward

I’m still listening to Thirteen Doorways: Wolves Behind Them All, by Laura Ruby. I need to drive more, apparently. I still need to read The Water Dancer, by Ta-Nehisi Coates. I didn’t sit down to savor the book as I planned last week. My “Battle of the Books” students and I are reading Code TalkerContinue reading “IMWAYR: Catching Up and Moving Forward”

Book Review: Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me (Due April, 2020)

Gae Polisner’s new novel, Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me, is due in April 2020 from Wednesday Books, but you should pre-order this now. JL Markham’s teen years seem typical, and yet this main character grabs the reader’s attention and holds on for dear life. In Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me, JL’s stories surroundContinue reading “Book Review: Jack Kerouac Is Dead to Me (Due April, 2020)”