Book Review: Hands by Torrey Maldonado (Publishes January 24, 2023 — Nancy Paulsen Books) How do you use your hands? Trev wants to learn to box so he can take care of his stepdad, who threatened Mom before going to prison. Trev thinks that “throwing hands” is the answer to his family problems. His friendsContinue reading “Book Review: HANDS by Torrey Maldonado”
Category Archives: Book Reviews
Book Review: An American Story by Kwame Alexander and Dare Coulter
This is an important, necessary picture book, perfect for the classroom. Teachers and librarians should add THIS American Story to their shelves and read it aloud with their students. To be a true American, we need to acknowledge the America of the past and strive to be what we may become in the future —Continue reading “Book Review: An American Story by Kwame Alexander and Dare Coulter”
IMWAYR: Graphic Novels COUNT as Reading!
I pulled a little collection of graphic novels out this week because we have three of them in our Battle of the Books stack this year and because Junior Library Guild delivered more with our school subscription last week. They will keep me busy, trying to keep up with the students and promoting the message,Continue reading “IMWAYR: Graphic Novels COUNT as Reading!”
IMWAYR: Listening to Craft Moves
It’s the day before Election Day in the USA. Times are tense. Anxiety runs high. I’m focused on reading. To keep my mind at ease, I think about the authors who craft their stories and question how they seem to get it all right so easily. I know that’s not true – there are manyContinue reading “IMWAYR: Listening to Craft Moves”
“Picture Books are Perfect” – Review of I Am Every Good Thing
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James is the newest must-read picture book for middle school, and everyone else! This is a joyful celebration of all good things: gravity, moonbeams, cinnamon rolls, skateboarding, using a microscope, being polite, paper airplanes, swimming…and being human! I love the language — “I amContinue reading ““Picture Books are Perfect” – Review of I Am Every Good Thing”
Happy Book Birthday, Dusti Bowling!
The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling Nora’s therapist asks, “What do you fear?” (Dying.) and “Are you likely to die in this situation?” (Yes.) It’s been a year since Nora and her dad lost her mother in a violent, unprovoked event. Dad has been grieving by taking Nora out of school and avoiding people; NoraContinue reading “Happy Book Birthday, Dusti Bowling!”
Book PREView – Becoming Muhammad Ali by Kwame Alexander and James Patterson
Becoming Muhammad Ali is a long-awaited look at a legend, written by legends James Patterson and Kwame Alexander. Cassius Clay was young, charming, and funny, and his friends loved him. His family loved him. He loved himself! Full of swagger, Cassius seemed to succeed at anything he tried. Backing him up with words of wisdomContinue reading “Book PREView – Becoming Muhammad Ali by Kwame Alexander and James Patterson”
Book Preview: The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling
The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling Nora’s therapist asks, “What do you fear?” (Dying.) and “Are you likely to die in this situation?” (Yes.) It’s been a year since Nora and her dad lost her mother in a violent, unprovoked event. Dad has been grieving by taking Nora out of school and avoiding people; NoraContinue reading “Book Preview: The Canyon’s Edge by Dusti Bowling”
Seven Clues to Home – Happy Book Birthday!
It’s finally here! Happy Book Birthday to Seven Clues to Home by Gae Polisner and Nora Raleigh Baskin! Joy and Lukas had been friends ever since second grade, when Mr. Carter told each student with a summer birthday to stand up and be recognized before the end of the school year. “August…How weird is that?Continue reading “Seven Clues to Home – Happy Book Birthday!”
Book Review: Tracking Pythons by Kate Messner
I recommended Tracking Pythons: The Quest to Catch an Invasive Predator and Save an Ecosystem to a student and I found that I loved it, too. I’m not a snake person, but this research trip that turned into an informative and interesting book for (older) children made me motivated to read more, as the backContinue reading “Book Review: Tracking Pythons by Kate Messner”
Reading Teacher Writes 