I came across this book through a friend and was struck immediately by the cover. Then I read the first chapter, which is posted on Ms. Peterson’s website. I loved it and bought the book. That first chapter sets up the problem beautifully. Marten’s family is moving. His parents expect a lot from him. And […]
The Hobbit
Now that I’ve seen the final Hobbit movie and laid Peter Jackson’s trilogy to rest, it’s time to return to the book review I wrote two years ago in anticipation of the first installment, which included a few predictions. Let’s see how I did… Bilbo Baggins was a respectable hobbit. He “never had any adventures […]
The Candy Shop War, by Brandon Mull
This was a fantastic book. The kind I’ve come to expect from Mr. Mull. The only downside? I was craving Milk Duds all week. Nate isn’t thrilled about moving to a new neighborhood, but he quickly makes friends with Summer, Trevor, and Pidgeon, who will all be starting fifth grade with him, and is accepted […]
Code Name Verity, by Elizabeth E. Wein
Wow. Simply wow. I was actually disappointed when I first opened this book. The heroine, she calls herself “Queenie”, admits right away to being a Nazi collaborator. She’s spineless, cowardly, and terrified. And she swears. A lot. But this book won several awards last year (Printz Honor Book, Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Honor Book, Shortlisted […]
Newbery Challenge Update
I grew up reading Newbery books, and my writing has been strongly influenced by them. The Newbery is the highest American award given for children’s literature every year since 1922. These books helped cement my love of reading, fueled my choice to go into children’s education, and pushed me to try my own hand at […]
Sarah, Plain and Tall, by Patricia MacLachlan
I have wanted to read Sarah, Plain and Tall for years and years. Decades. It just never got onto my reading list till I stumbled across it this summer and it came to memory again. This one is well-decorated. It took the Newbery, Scott O’Dell Award, and Kite Award in 1986—all prestigious honors. Did the […]