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”
Tag Archives: Book Reviews
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”
Book Review: LIFT by Minh Lê and Dan Santat
LIFT is a fantastical picture book for any child or kid-at-heart. I don’t know a child who hasn’t wanted to push elevator buttons to see where the big silver box takes them. After her little brother beats her to the “push” one day, Iris becomes upset. She is supposed to push the button! Later, theContinue reading “Book Review: LIFT by Minh Lê and Dan Santat”
Book Review: Green Lantern: Legacy
Mihn Lê adds to the popular trend in middle grade books — comic book heroes — with Green Lantern: Legacy. (DC Comics, 2020) Teen artist, Tai Pham, hangs out and draws in his grandmother’s (Bà’s) store, Jade Market, after school, dreaming of his future. Another brick through the front window, another attack. The family (whoContinue reading “Book Review: Green Lantern: Legacy”
Audiobook Review – Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi Read by Jason Reynolds, with an introduction by Ibram X. Kendi (provided by libro.fm) Wow, wow, wow. I’m not an audiobook reader, but I’m listening to books more in an effort to be intelligent while also cleaning house on the weekends. I canContinue reading “Audiobook Review – Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You”
Book PREview: Seven Clues to Home
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? What are the chances?” (p.15) Lukas loved math, so he tried to figure out the chances. Joy playedContinue reading “Book PREview: Seven Clues to Home”
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”
Reading Teacher Writes 