Why I Picked It Up: This novel-in-verse was part of our Newer Choices in Young Adult Lit session and I think I can blame it on Jessica! Why I Finished It: Poetry is definitely not one of my favorite things to read, but I do love novels-in-verse for a few reasons: 1) they’re a quick read. […]
poetry
Book Review: American Ace, by Marilyn Nelson
Why I Picked It Up: This was a last minute addition to our Newer Choices in YA Lit for a literacy conference in Fort Worth last year. I think it had airplanes on it, so Jessica thought it must be a me book. It’s fun how we seemingly randomly assign books to each other that […]
Book Review: Breakout, by Kate Messner
Kate Messner definitely delivered a story that is not only engaging, but also deals with some pretty deep themes.
Book Review: Blended, by Sharon M. Draper
Why I Picked It Up: This book was popping up on all the blogs I follow, so I quickly went to read the teaser. Definitely a “me book,” I immediately requested it from my library. Why I Finished It: I am always amazed and humbled by the author who can take a complex and mature […]
Book Review: Don’t Forget Dexter! by Lindsay Ward
Why I Picked it Up: This is a new book (published last month!) that the publisher was kind enough to send us. Honestly though, I probably would have picked Don’t Forget Dexter! up on one of our weekly trips to the library even if my 4-year-old son’s class wasn’t doing a unit on dinosaurs. My son […]
Book Review: Freedom Over Me; Eleven slaves, their lives and dreams brought to life, by Ashley Bryan
Middle-grade teachers NEED Freedom Over Me! We teach students about segregation and “separate but equal”, but this book provides a completely different perspective.