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Book Review: The Raven Boys
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. Coming out Sept. 18, 2012. 9780545424929. Grades 9-12. (ARC Copy). Blue comes from a family of psychics, but she has no powers of her own, just the ability to boost...
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It’s a bird; it’s a plane! No, It’s a Tiger!
It’s a Tiger! by David LaRochelle (ill. by Jeremy Tankard). 9780811869256. 2012. Gr P-1. When my boys were little, any time I sat down, they would come running with a pile of books. “Mom, read to me!”...
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Book Review: Endangered
Endangered by Eliot Schrefer. Coming out Oct. 1, 2012. 9780545165761. Grades 9-12. (ARC copy) Sophie is spending another summer with her mother in the Congo at her bonobo sanctuary when she rescues...
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In the Sea: Exploring the Ocean in Books
Earlier this year, I blogged about the Sylvia Earle biography for kids by Claire A. Nivola and how inspiring Earle’s love of the sea was to me. For the young readers in your libraries who may have felt...
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Unlikely Heroes
Teaching thematically allows us to develop inspired units of study based on big, deep, essential questions that lead kids to think about important life ideas and that guide them toward developing their...
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A Dozen of Tracey’s Favorite 2012 Nonfiction
It’s time for that most strenuous time of year. No, not the holidays—but the making of the top 10 lists. Let me confess: I just can’t do it. I don’t think I have ever been able to cut a list of...
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Tracey’s Favorite 2012 Fiction – A Baker’s Dozen
I used to think it would be excellent to be on the Caldecott or Newbery or Printz committee. Can you imagine getting to decide which book is the best of the year? Now, after two years of creating a...
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Social Problems in World Cultures
Social issues include such problems as poverty, gender issues, education, race, and crime. Here are three adult cross-over titles that are appropriate—and interesting—for high school students. King...
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Book Review : One Frozen Lake
One Frozen Lake by Deborah Jo Larson, illustrated by Steve Johnson & Lou Fancher. 9780873518666. 2013. PS-2. I like winter. It’s true. And yes, I live in Minnesota, where we really do have...
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WWII Fiction and Nonfiction for Middle School
Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes. April 2013. 9780763660376. Gr 6-8. When I heard the Candlewick rep say, ” Hero is about a 13-year-old boy during World War II, living in Italy,” I wanted to read...
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Book Review : The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt. 9781442421059. 2013. Gr 4-7. Young Chad loves Sugar Man Swamp, where he and his mom make sugar cane pies at the family’s Paradise Pies Cafe....
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Review : Flora & Ulysses : The Illuminated Adventures
Flora & Ulysses : The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo, art by K.G. Campbell. 9780763660406. 2013. Gr 3-6 (advance review copy). All of Kate DiCamillo’s books use illustrations to enhance...
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Bugs : Invading Your Personal Space
Bugs in My Hair! by David Shannon. 9780545143134. 2013. Gr K-2. There are some conditions that one does not discuss or admit to having. I have been fortunate not to have had any issues with...
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Review : Fourth Down and Inches : Concussions and Football’s Make-or-Break...
Fourth Down and Inches : Concussions and Football’s Make-or-Break Moment by Carla Killough McClafferty. 9781467710671. 2013. Gr 7-12. Concussions have been in the news a lot lately—especially in...
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Book Review: Once Upon a Memory
Once Upon a Memory by Nina Laden and Renata Liwska (ill.) December 2013. 9780316208161. Gr. Ps-2 I made my 2013 Top Ten list in the middle of December, and I posted it with confidence that I’d seen...
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Series: The Lunar Chronicles
Fantasy is my favorite genre—though I really won’t turn away historical fiction, science fiction, mysteries, or even realistic fiction. I especially enjoy a good fairy tale retelling; whether it is...
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Fascinating American History by Bill Bryson
All my life I have enjoyed reading about history. I will read about the history of anything—the obvious history of political and social issues, but also the history of crime, entertainment, language....
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Review: Red Rising
Red Rising is the beginning of a trilogy from the debut author, Pierce Brown. The story takes place on Mars, far into the future. The society on Mars is constructed into castes, and Darrow, our main...
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Review : What’s New? The Zoo! : A Zippy History of Zoos
Since we live about six miles from the Minnesota Zoo, we often had a family membership there when my boys were little. When Alex, my older son, was a preschooler, we usually visited the zoo at least...
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Review : The Young Elites by Marie Lu
The Young Elites (Book 1) by Marie Lu. 9780545135719. October 7, 2014. Gr 9-12. Marie Lu’s Legend trilogy is one of my favorites, so when an advance copy of the first book in her new series came across...
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