Book Reviews – Kids

Chantarelle by GA Morgan 2015

September 28, 2015

I loved Chanterelle. I didn’t want it to end and I had to read it twice.  It may be possible to read this second book of the Five Stones Trilogy on it’s own, but why . . . read more »

The Truth Commission by Susan Juby 2015

September 28, 2015

Fun, Canadian, Chatty, colorful, art school , footnotes, creative writing class, privacy, limits of art, family dynamics, I tried to read this once before but the footnotes drove me crazy. My husband liked it so . . . read more »

The Zoo at the Edge of the World by Eric Kahn Gale 2014

September 28, 2015

Here is another book I loved and will love to recommend. The story is action packed, is beautifully told and asks big questions. Similar in theme to The Lion Boy Trilogy and We Can’t All . . . read more »

The Forgotten Sisters by Shannon Hale 2015

September 28, 2015

I have loved these Shannon Hale books. The characters touch my heart and fuel my imagination. There are plenty of surprises and crafty plot twists but there is a smoothness to the telling that I . . . read more »

Lara’s Gift by Annemarie O’Brien 2014

September 28, 2015

For me the telling of this story was a little too quick.  It’s a fascinating period of history; I would have liked more detail and more length to develop the characters. In spite of the . . . read more »

Stormstruck! by John Macfarlane 2015

September 28, 2015

This book careens from one calamity to another, providing plenty of action and some suspense. It’s not artfully told, but the story is compelling. I do think many kids will enjoy the harrowing adventure of a 12 . . . read more »

Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos 2002

September 28, 2015

I couldn’t resist reading this one the minute I finished the first in the series, Joey Pigza Swallowed The Key. Joey Pigza is just an irresistible character that I find myself cheering for the whole . . . read more »

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos 1998

September 28, 2015

This book has been around for a long time; I am just reading it now because I loved Jack Gantos’  Norvelt books. Joey Pigza is a character! He has ADHD, and a good heart. He was raised . . . read more »

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson 2014

September 28, 2015

It’s no surprise to me that  I loved this book or that it won the National Book Award. It’s gorgeous writing and told in honest eloquent verse. I have loved all of Jacqueline Woodson’s books and appreciated the chance . . . read more »

The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson

September 28, 2015

I often get great book recommendations from the students I talk to. In this case I got a fabulous book recommendation. It’s the kind of book that I read almost to the end in one long gulp and then take a . . . read more »