Reviews Juvenile Books

CUB by Cynthia L Copeland, 2020

July 6, 2020

CUB by Cynthia L. Copeland 2020In a slightly fictionalized graphic novel memoir the author likens middle school to a jungle with predators (mean and popular kids) and prey (all the other kids). She (the main . . . read more »

Enemy Child, by Andrea Warren 2019

June 27, 2020

We have other books for kids on the Japanese internment camps during WWII. I bought this one because it is told (through interviews) in the voice of a child. A real 10 year old child who loved baseball, . . . read more »

Planet Omar Accidental Trouble Magnet

June 21, 2020

By Zanib Mian,  2019 Three cheers for this wonderful book! I had to read it all at once; taking it all in one big gulp. Omar is a totally wacky fantastic believable kid who navigates . . . read more »

Pages & Co. The Bookwanderers

June 21, 2020

by Anna James, 2018 What a delightful book. It will be more fun if you have read Anne of Green Gables, Alice in Wonderland, and The Little Princess. Treasure Island too. It’s about readers who . . . read more »

Stamped

June 21, 2020

by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, 2020 This book is so important and so gether. “Drinking “this book down quickly like a refreshing glass of water,  I realized how thirsty I was for a simple . . . read more »

Stargazing by Jen Wang 2019

November 6, 2019

I enjoyed this book very much and especially appreciate the way the friendship developed. I hope it will encourage kids to give each other a second chance and help them accept differences. I remember the . . . read more »

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi 2018

August 29, 2019

I struggled hard with this book! Thrills a minute, Indian mythology, Gods, Goddesses, monsters, adventure, coming of age, middle school humor and pathos. Too much! I really respect and admire Rick Riordan’s concepts and achievements. . . . read more »

Sweeping Up the Heart by Kevin Henkes 2019

August 29, 2019

Words that strike me about this book are crystalline, integrity, essential. It reminded me of standing in my grandmothers farm house and thinking it was the truest place I’d ever felt. Same with Emily Dickinson’s . . . read more »

PAX by Sarah Pennypacker 2016

August 28, 2019

I’m undone by this story. It’s beautiful writing and strong characters gripped me hard. It’s tough to let go. Simply, a boy and his pet fox are separated and will not rest till they find . . . read more »

Two Crafty Criminals! And how they were captured by the Daring Detectives of the New Cut Gang by Philip Pullman (1994 & 1995)

August 28, 2019

Two short stories about a gang of kids in London who solve crimes. It’s a riotous mix of slapstick comedy and clever plot twists. I loved his Ruby in the Smoke series  and His Dark Materials . . . read more »