Frindle
by Andrew Clements
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This is a fun book about word play and the politics of a school classroom. I loved the teacher
who hated the word "Frindle." So true to life, unfortunately.
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Love That Dog
by
Sharon Creech
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This is a great book for kids who are struggling
with reading. Not only is it easy to read, but it has
multiple layers for discussion. And I loved it, too,
because I love poetry, and this book reminds me why.
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Jack Gantos
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I read this book right after my daughter was diagnosed with HDHD. It really helped me
see the world better through her eyes. And to remember that things could be worse. Much worse.
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Kira-kira
by Cynthia Kadohata
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This book drew me in, to the life of this poor struggling family, and the relationship between
the two sisters. I cried at the very end, when they had their last fight. I thought it was so true to the
problem of death.
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When My Name Was Keoko
by Linda Sue Park
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I recommend this book to every class studying prejudice in World War II. So often we
focus only on Nazi Germany, but it was in every culture of the time. If we do not understand prejudice,
we cannot fight it. But this is also a great story about a brother and sister growing up in a difficult time.
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A Single Shard
by Linda Sue Park
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I loved this deceptively simple story about an orphan boy and his dream to become a pottery maker, set in
ancient Korea.
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A Long Way From Chicago
by Richard Peck |
Truly hilarious. A great read-aloud. And I sent a
copy to my mother for her birthday. She grew up on a farm
in Paris--Idaho! Small-town America during the Depression,
and she loved this book, too.
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The best caper book for middle grade readers I've ever read. And by the way,
adults love it, too! You won't guess the answer, but you'll have a great time guessing along
the way. A cast of fun, eccentrics comes along with the price of admission!
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Holes
by Louis Sachar
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This is one of those great books that both children
and adults will love. Utterly original. In my mind, it belongs in the category of
great American literature, with Huck Finn by Mark Twain. About a boy
who has to atone for wrongs his ancestors committed. About friendship. About
a camp run by greedy adults. About redemption.
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A Drowned Maiden's Hair
by Laura Amy Schlitz
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I ached for the main character in this book. I so much wanted her to find the person
who would love her, and I found myself looking through the choices, wanting to love them, but knowing they were
wrong. There's also the fun of trying to figure out if the seances are real, and then, what will happen afterwards.
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When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead
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I read this book on an instore recommendation from our local indie, The King's English. It was before the Newbery. I read it, liked it so much that
I gave the copy I bought (which was signed) to a friend for his birthday. He never read it, sadly. Then I bought another copy (unsigned) and read it out loud
to my daughter, age 10. Then my friend's parents picked up the book about ten months later, after the Newbery which they knew nothing about,
and they both read it and said they loved it. Then I went to ALA and got to hear Rebecca Stead give her acceptance speech for the Newbery. Then I hated her
a little for being so gracious and funny (while I tend to be awkward and embarrassing in public). Which tells you very little about the book, doesn't it?
It's about a girl whose old friends are changing as she changes. And also about time travel. I hope that wasn't too much of a spoiler. It's set in the 80's
and her mother is a contestant on the $20,000 Pyramid, so lots of trivia for those who love it. For adults and kids.
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My Angelica
by Carol Lynch Williams
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Funny, funny book about a girl who wants to be a writer, and is awful at it, and the boy who
likes her, and doesn't want to show her up. Get you eye patches out!
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The True Colors of Caitlynne Jackson
by Carol Lynch Williams
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A heart-wrenching story of two sisters escaping an abusive mother, on a journey
that takes them "home."
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Each Little Bird That Sings
by Deborah Wiles
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You wouldn't think a story about a family that runs a funeral home could be this funny.
Or poignant. About a dog and a girl. And a flood.
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One Crazy Summer
by Rita Williams-Garcia
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I hated the mother in this book, deeply. I stayed home with my five kids and a mother who could abandon her kids like this I just thought I could never come to love. But somehow Rita Williams-Garcia works magic and at first I begin to understand the mother and then to love her, as her daughters to. A big cast, and I felt like I knew them all. This is a book for mothers and daughters to read together. |
Palace Beautiful
by Sarah DeFord Williams
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This is a great book for a child of a certain age, not ready to move into teen books, but able to live deeply in a book world. It is a bit old-fashioned in feel, and I mean that in a good way. It reminded me a lot of reading Half-Magic or Silpha Keatley Snider. |
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