Mette Ivie Harrison, Children's writer, The Princess and the Hound, Mira, Mirror, The Monster In Me, The Princess and the Bear, Young Adult Books, Fantasy, YA book, middle grade books, MG books, Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza, Cynthia Kadohata, Kira-kira, Sharon Creech, love that dog, recommendations, reviews, Frindle, When My Name Was Keoko, Linda Sue Park, A Single Shard, Newbery, Louis Sachar, Holes, A Long Way From Chicago, Richard Peck, The Westing Game, Ellen Parkin, Carol Lynch Williams, Deborah Wiles, My Angelica, The True Colors of Cailtynne Jackson, Every Little Bird That Sings

The True Colors of Caitlunne Jackson
by Carol Lynch Williams

Frindle by Andrew Clements	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.	Love That Dog by Sharon Creech	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.
Jack Gantos	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.	Kira-kira by Cynthia Kadohata	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.
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park	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.	A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park	I loved this deceptively simple story about an orphan boy and his dream to become a pottery maker, set in ancient Korea.
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.		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!
Holes by Louis Sachar	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.
	A heart-wrenching story of two sisters escaping an abusive mother, on a journey that takes them "home."
My Angelica by Carol Lynch Williams	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!	Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles	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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