Category Archives: Uncategorized

Summer of Lost and Found by Rebecca Behrens. Aladdin, Simon and Schuster, New York, NY 2016 “You don’t expect your life to change because of a toothbrush. But that’s really how my summer of lost and found started, with one … Continue reading →

The Haunted House Project, by Tricia Clasen. Sky Pony Press, New York, NY, 2016 “I stop outside my dad’s bedroom door. Sometimes I think I can still smell her here. Right now, I’d love even a hint of the stuff … Continue reading →

Grandma is a Slowpoke by Janet Halfmann, illustrated by Michele Coxon. Star Bright Books, Cambridge Massachusetts, 2015. Being four-years-old apparently means inventing “games,” in which my granddaughter and I have different names and parts to play. Many times these games … Continue reading →

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, this month I’m reviewing two books that articulate the importance of non-violent direct action to the civil rights movement. These books are not just for young people. Everyone interested in the civil rights … Continue reading →

A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord. Scholastic Press, New York, NY, 2015. When Lucky, Lily’s blind dog, races across a blueberry barren, a young girl catches him by offering him her peanut butter sandwich. When Lily meets Salma Santiago, … Continue reading →

Bjorn’s Gift by Sandy Brehl. Crispin Books, an imprint of Crickhollow Books, Milwaukee, WI, 2016. “Mari knew that writing to her brother could never happen with Germans in control. They read everyone’s mail, listened to phone calls, followed people in … Continue reading →

      The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin. Little, Brown and Company, New York, NY, 2015. “Mrs. Turton says that if you lived to be eighty years old, your heart would beat three billion times.” Suzy Swanson is … Continue reading →

Soar by Joan Bauer. Viking, New York, NY 2016. Middle Grade, 297 pages. “I’m probably twelve years old; that’s what the doctor’s think.” Jeremiah was left in the snack room of a Computer firm. He was in his baby chair … Continue reading →

Animal Teachers by Janet Halfmann illustrations by Katy Hudson. Blue Apple Books, Maplewood, NJ 07040. “Did you ever try to bite your toes?” It’s the question asked after explaining how baby chicks peck at everything, including their toes. A young … Continue reading →

One Plastic Bag, Isatou Ceesay and the recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul, illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon, Millbrook Press, Minneapolis, MN 2015  “Isatou walks with her chin frozen. Fat raindrops pelt her bare arms. Her face hides in … Continue reading →