Today the 2015 Newbery Award is scheduled to be announced. I’ve heard on good authority, from a fellow in tight with the School Library Journal, that brown girl dreaming is high on the list. In his opinion, it is the most deserving book of the year. I have not read all the entries, but I have […]
The Midwife's Apprentice, by Karen Cushman
I’d read this book many years ago. I happened across it in the library and picked it up for some Christmas break reading. Winner of the 1996 Newberry, it is a story of failure, courage, and finding that everybody is somebody, no matter how low their beginnings. Brat had no name. Cold and hungry, she […]
Annals of Alasia Series, by Annie Douglass Lima
Over the summer, I started this series by reading the last book. I didn’t do it intentionally; I just didn’t research very well when the title was recommended to me. After I read it (and loved it–my review is here), I realized that the three books in the series stand alone. They can be read […]
The Adventures of Robin Hood, by Roger Lancelyn Green, 1956
Roger Lancelyn Green has put together a fabulous retelling of Robin Hood. Drawing on old folk tales and ballads, he’s compiled the sometimes disjointed pieces and created a single comprehensive narrative. It’s a rousing tale of chivalry, adventure, and courage. Robin lives in the days of Richard the Lionheart, Norman king of England during the […]
Wish You Weren’t, by Sherrie Peterson
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 […]
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 […]
Action Kids' Club, by Lydia Howe
I have a guest post and blog tour stop for you today from Lydia Howe, aka Aidyl Ewoh, author of the Action Kids Series. Make sure you don’t miss the link to Lydia’s Rafflecopter giveaway. My freebie blog won’t let me embed the actual contest, so I made the link to it big and red. 🙂 And […]
Legend of Monster Island (Monster Moon, 3), by BBH McChiller
Just a reminder…the Emblazon Rafflecopter is going on till Monday. There’s still time to enter to win a Kindle loaded with 52 books. Or drop by the live Facebook party happening all day today for lots of smaller prizes. Okay, carry on… This series is a favorite with my boys. They like the books because they’re creepy […]