What is truly amazing about Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy is that this young man could write such a beautiful book from the first-person perspective of a young Afgani girl. Zulaikha (thankfully, there’s pronunciation guide in the back of the book) loves her family, especially her older sister and her father. They don’t... Continue Reading →
A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson
You haven’t heard of Peanut Johnson? That’s OK, not many have. If you love baseball, even if you don’t, you will enjoy A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson by Michelle Y. Green. Written in first person, Green did an excellent job capturing the voice of Mamie Johnson, her expressions, interjections and... Continue Reading →
Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place and Sherlock Holmes: The Legend Begins
I'm so excited to tell you about the newest books in a couple of my favorite series! The Interrupted Tale is the latest installment in Maryrose Wood's series The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. Our favorite governess, Penelope Lumley, takes the children back to her school, the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females. The headmistress... Continue Reading →
The Ranger’s Apprentice
So many people have recommended that I read The Ranger's Apprentice series by John Flanagan, I've quite forgotten who first mentioned it to me. But it wasn't until after reading book recommendations from my writing classes - almost a third of whom chose to write about The Ranger's Apprentice - that I finally picked up... Continue Reading →
The Boy on the Wooden Box
If you have seen Schindler's List, you will know the basic story of The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson. Leyson was the youngest boy Schindler was able to save from the Nazi killing machine. He relates his story of growing up in rural Poland, moving to the big city after his father... Continue Reading →
The Mapmaker’s Sons
Tom Hawkins does not remember his parents. He feels compelled to climb around the buildings at his boarding school in England - especially on stormy nights. One night, as he climbs to the school's bell tower, he runs into trouble. He's not sure what kind of trouble, exactly, which makes it worse. Men in black... Continue Reading →
The Beginner’s Guide to Running Away From Home
Almost every child has harbored the desire to run away from home. For those who haven't worked up the courage to do so, Jennifer Larue Huget's The Beginner's Guide to Running Away From Home will help. Or will it? The main character is running away from home. He has many reasons to do so, and... Continue Reading →
Emily of New Moon
If you love Ann of Green Gables, you will enjoy reading L.M. Montgomery's Emily of New Moon trilogy. Emily is a spirited, imaginative girl - quite similar to Anne. But while readers meet Anne as an orphan, readers share in Emily's shock when her beloved father dies. She soon discovers her lot is to move... Continue Reading →
Through the Skylight
The cover illustration of children riding stone winged lions through the air caught my attention. It looked interesting - and unusual. And Through the Skylight by Ian Baucom certainly was both interesting and unusual. Set in modern-day Venice, siblings Jared, Shireen and Miranda are stuck exploring every. single. art. exhibit. in this Italian city. Their... Continue Reading →
Afternoon of the Elves
Hillary is an ordinary girl, living an ordinary life - until her neighbor Sara-Kate tells her elves have built a village in her backyard. Could it be true? Hillary isn't sure, but the idea of elves is too interesting to ignore. So against the advice of her friends at school, Hillary ventures through the backyard... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 