Before the dreaded plague swept through London in 1665, Michael Cornhill lived a very happy life with his foster family. But Master Cornhill by Eloise Jarvis McGraw is not a book about the plague. The story opens with Michael returning to London after spending a winter in the countryside to escape the plague. But the... Continue Reading →
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Moose is not happy about leaving his best friend in Santa Monica to move to Alcatraz Island. He knows its not easy for his dad to find a job in the middle of the Great Depression, but it just isn't fair. His mom has pushed this move on his family because the Esther P Marinoff... Continue Reading →
Knights of the Kitchen Table – The Time Warp Trio series
Author Jon Scieszka has a gift for writing books that he would love to read. The more excellent news is that lots of children - especially boys - love to read his books too. For boys ready for short chapter books, I’ve found the pickings quite slim - especially if you’re not into the latest... Continue Reading →
Queen of the Falls
Not very many people have braved riding Niagara Falls - what a fearful idea! But some have done it, and survived. Perhaps none as interesting as Annie Edson Taylor. In Queen of the Falls, Chris Van Allsburg tells Taylor's story - what gave her the idea to go over the falls, how she accomplished it,... 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 Garden of Abdul Gasazi
Author and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg specializes in the dreamy, the spectacular, and the wondrous. His picture book, The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, is no exception. Alan is all set to care for Miss Hester's dog while she visits her sister. He plays with Fritz until he's completely worn out, then takes him for an... Continue Reading →
Duke
Children and teens sometimes wrestle with the question of courage - what does it mean to be courageous? How can I have courage when I'm so scared? Hobie Hansen constantly asks himself those questions, especially since his dad is courageously fighting in World War II. He finds great comfort in his dog Duke, who accompanies... Continue Reading →
Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator
If you're looking for a delightful picture book to read to a preschooler, you cannot go wrong with Mo Willems. He has a whole library of picture books which delight both parents and children. (You can read about some here, and here.) In Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator, Amanda loves her alligator, even if... Continue Reading →
The Truth of Me
Patricia MacLachlan has done it again. "Done what?" I hear you asking. She's written a beautiful book about difficult relationships and finding your way through them. In The Truth of Me, Robbie's parents send him to his grandmother's house for the summer. They are touring with their woodwind quartet for the summer. Robbie is fine... Continue Reading →
The Valentine Bears
I have found very few holiday books, outside of Christmas and Thanksgiving books, which I really enjoy. The Valentine Bears is one of those exceptions. Written by Eve Bunting, The Valentine Bears tell the story of Mr. & Mrs. Bear, who settle in for a long hibernation. But Mrs. Bear sets her alarm early, so... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Readers 