Category: Book Recommendations

Book Recommendations, Windows & Mirrors, Young Adult

Windows & Mirrors: DREAM COUNTRY by Shannon Gibney

Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. This week we are featuring Dream Country by Shannon Gibney. DREAM COUNTRY begins with the incredible and gut-wrenching story of a seventeen-year-old Liberian refugee. Kollie, who is both too black and not black enough for his African-American peers, is … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: DREAM COUNTRY by Shannon Gibney

Michelle LeonardLeave a comment
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo

If you read my posts regularly, you know I devour and love many books. To call me a Kate DiCamillo super-fan may be an underestimation. I was THRILLED to receive an ARC for LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo. Yes, I screamed. Ask my family. Kate DiCamillo launches us back into the world of Raymie Nightingale in LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME. This time, Louisiana Elefante is … Continue reading LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo

Michelle Leonard2 Comments
Author, Chapter Books, Interviews, Picture Books

Ariel Bernstein Tells Us About Her New Chapter Book Series WARREN & DRAGON

Ariel Bernstein’s new chapter book series WARREN & DRAGON is a modern-day Calvin and Hobbes-esque tale about a dreamy boy and his vain dragon companion. The first two books in the series—100 Friends and Weekend with Chewy—just published last month. So, I am thrilled to interview Ariel, who I had the pleasure of meeting recently at an unworkshop at Highlights. First of all congratulations, Ariel, on the publication … Continue reading Ariel Bernstein Tells Us About Her New Chapter Book Series WARREN & DRAGON

Karin Lefranc2 Comments
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Windows & Mirrors

Windows & Mirrors: MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS by Meg Medina

Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina. Because they are scholarship students, Merci and her older brother, Roli, are “different” from the other kids at their private school. Since they don’t have fancy cars or … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS by Meg Medina

Michelle LeonardLeave a comment
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

Recommended: THE THIRD MUSHROOM by Jennifer Holm

Anyone who knows me will tell you that The Fourteenth Goldfish is one of my favorite books. EVER. I actually screamed when I heard that the sequel, THE THIRD MUSHROOM , was releasing this summer. The second the arc became available, I started reading. Ellie, my favorite middle school scientist, is back. Why do I like Ellie so much? She funny, down-to-earth, open-minded, curious, and not a … Continue reading Recommended: THE THIRD MUSHROOM by Jennifer Holm

Michelle LeonardLeave a comment
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Windows & Mirrors

Windows & Mirrors: Zora & Me-THE CURSED GROUND by T.R. Simon

Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring Zora and Me: The Cursed Ground by T.R. Simon. The Curse Ground is the second novel in the Zora and Me series. The first book, Zora and Me written by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon, … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: Zora & Me-THE CURSED GROUND by T.R. Simon

Michelle LeonardLeave a comment
Book Recommendations, Young Adult

Recommended: NOT EVEN BONES by Rebecca Schaeffer

Publisher’s Description Nita doesn’t murder supernatural beings and sell their body parts on the internet—her mother does that. Nita just dissects the bodies after they’ve been “acquired.” Until her mom brings home a live specimen and Nita decides she wants out; dissecting a scared teenage boy is a step too far. But when she decides to save her mother’s victim, she ends up sold in … Continue reading Recommended: NOT EVEN BONES by Rebecca Schaeffer

Rebecca J. AllenLeave a comment
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden

Many seventh graders spend their days worrying about friendship drama, their appearance, or their killer homework. But there are millions of kids in our country whose worries are related to their safety or who are living in serious poverty. We don’t see those kids in books often enough, which is why I was eager to read THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS. Zoey has her … Continue reading THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden

Michelle Leonard3 Comments
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Windows & Mirrors

Windows & Mirrors: HARBOR ME by Jacqueline Woodson

Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson. When six “special” kids are sent by their teacher to a quiet art room and told they can just hang out and talk for an hour every Friday afternoon, at … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: HARBOR ME by Jacqueline Woodson

Michelle LeonardLeave a comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Picture Books

Josh Funk Interview: LOST IN THE LIBRARY

  Patience and Fortitude, the noble lions who guard the New York Public Library, are the stars of a new picture book, LOST IN THE LIBRARY, by the amazing Josh Funk! When Fortitude awakens one morning, he discovers that his pal Patience is missing. He ventures inside the library looking for his story-loving friend. We get to see the noted regions of the library through … Continue reading Josh Funk Interview: LOST IN THE LIBRARY

Michelle Leonard1 Comment
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Barbara O’Connor Interview featuring WONDERLAND

If you asked me to recommend a good book for a kid who likes dogs, I’d immediately blurt out Barbara O’Connor’s name. She’s the author of seventeen novels and biographies for middle graders and the recipient of dozens and dozens of distinguished book awards. My favorite Barbara O’Connor books feature dogs: How to Steal a Dog, Wish (my dog’s favorite) and now Wonderland! Ten-year-old Mavis has to … Continue reading Barbara O’Connor Interview featuring WONDERLAND

Michelle Leonard2 Comments
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

THE LAW OF FINDERS KEEPERS by Sheila Turnage

It all started with Three Times Lucky  in 2012. Mo (Moses) LoBeau and Dale Earnhardt Johnson III became the detectives we all wanted to be as kids (and maybe as adults too)–charming, clever, witty, and always able to solve the most impossible case plus several others that snuck their way in. Three Times Lucky has murder, race cars, a stud muffin, drunkards, and karate. It’s so … Continue reading THE LAW OF FINDERS KEEPERS by Sheila Turnage

Michelle LeonardLeave a comment