Books to Inspire, Thrill and Engage Children
Baseball is Jeremiah's life. He eats it, breathes it. So when the doctors tell him he can't play after a major operation, Jeremiah decides to shift his focus. He will coach baseball. His opportunity comes sooner than he expects. He and his dad move to a small town in Ohio with a great baseball tradition.... Continue Reading →
Northwind by Gary Paulsen starts like a fable, with “The Saga of the Sea Child.” It’s an interesting way to start a book - my one complaint is that the font it’s printed in is difficult to read. All caps with very little punctuation. Which I guess makes it feel more like the reader is... Continue Reading →
Georges is used to being teased about his name. The 's' is silent, for crying out loud. He does his best to ignore the teasing. But now home is in an upheaval. He and his parents have moved into a small apartment after his dad lost his job. He's still in the same school, so... Continue Reading →
Hollis has moved almost more times than she can count. Abandoned as a baby in Hollis Woods, whoever found her named her after the place she was found. She is so used to moving and not belonging, she keeps running. She runs away over and over again - even from the Regans, the one family... Continue Reading →
Miranda cannot figure out what is wrong with her best friend, Sal. He just quit talking to her. Then she started receiving strange notes. And met Mason, a boy with strange notions. As Miranda tries to figure out the source of the notes, and what's wrong with Sal, she realizes someone she loves is in... Continue Reading →
Maniac Mcgee is a legend in his town. His real name was Jeffery Lionel Magee - but when his parents died, his life changed. And with his new life came the new name - Maniac. Maniac is an interesting boy. He does what he wants. Lives where he wants. Talks with who he wants. It... Continue Reading →
Rudi Matt is obsessed with The Citadel. It’s the last great summit of the Alps that remains unconquered. Rudi’s father was sure it could be climbed - and he died trying to prove it. Rudi is determined to prove his father right. And Rudi’s mother and uncle are just as determined that Rudi will not... Continue Reading →
Moses Thomas lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, and spends most of his time with Boo Nanny, his grandmother who was born into slavery. Boo Nanny is steeped in the old ways and the signs, and Moses listens to her stories with rapt attention. But as he grows older, and sees more of the world, he... Continue Reading →
During World War II, Port Chicago in San Fransisco was a beehive of activity. All day, and all night, men worked to load huge ships with ammunition bound for troops in the Pacific. All the officers shouting orders were white. All the men handling the ammunition were black. Then one night, a huge explosion rocked... Continue Reading →
Hope grew up moving from location to location as her Aunt Addie moves from job to job in the restaurant industry. The most recent move from Brooklyn to rural Wisconsin was forced by Addie's former business partner stealing all the diner's money - from the cash register and the bank accounts. Hope is frustrated and... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 