Tag Archives: friendship

One For The Murphys

Posted on May 14, 2012 by

Determining who really loves you can be a hard task for anyone, especially a foster kid. Carley’s not sure of her own mother’s love–would she really choose her husband over her  only daughter? Living with the Murphys upends Carley’s notion … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, social issues | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Posted on February 7, 2012 by

It’s hard to peg this book because it’s a little of so many good things: a little mystery, a little adventure, and a little fantasy. The Mysterious Benedict Society is Trenton Lee Stewart’s first in a series starring Reynie, Sticky, Kate, … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, strong characters | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Little Beauty

Posted on January 24, 2012 by

Who says a kitten and a gorilla can’t be friends? Former UK Children’s Laureate, Anthony Browne, wrote and illustrated Beauty, which shows an unlikely friendship between two peaceful animals that are more alike than different. It also provides a brief, poignant insight into … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with social studies links, Love that art, Picture books, Power of pets | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Firegirl

Posted on December 19, 2011 by

When my eleven-year-old daughter (soon to be twelve) handed me this book, I read it as soon as I could.  She has good taste in books. Firegirl by Tony Abbott explores disfigurement and friendship through the eyes of wallflower narrator … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, disabilities, social issues, strong characters, Voice | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The Death Cure

Posted on December 5, 2011 by

The third book in the Maze Runner trilogy does answer all our questions about WICKED and why Thomas is special.  Filled with twists and turns, futuristic plots and a plan to save the human race, James Dashner’s The Death Cure shows … Continue reading →

Posted in Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Toys Come Home

Posted on December 1, 2011 by

The full title is Toys Come Home: Being the Early Experiences of an Intelligent Stingray, a Brave Buffalo, and a Brand-New Someone Called Plastic, and the book is most worthy of such a lengthy subtitle.  The third in Emily Jenkins’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Chapter Books, Series, strong characters, Voice, Word choice | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Catwings

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

Born in an alley,  Mrs. Jane Tabby’s kittens all had wings.  Sent off to the country to fend for themselves, Harriet, Thelma, James and Roger fly to the woods, discovering predators, food and the beginnings of friendship with a girl … Continue reading →

Posted in Chapter Books, Power of pets, Series | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Out of My Mind

Posted on November 22, 2011 by

Courage. Communication. Friendship. Being left out. Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper explores these themes with a beautiful touch.  Listen: “Words have always swirled around me like snowflakes–each one delicate and different, each one melting untouched in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Character-driven, Children's novels, social issues, strong characters, Voice | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Pearl Verses the World

Posted on November 7, 2011 by

Miss Bruff wants us to write poems. I am. Miss Bruff wants poems that rhyme. Mine don’t. Rhyme is okay sometimes, but my poems don’t rhyme and neither do I. At school, Pearl is in a group of one and … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, Poetry, social issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wemberly Worried

Posted on November 1, 2011 by

Wemberly worries so much, she can barely get through the day, and as school starts, the anxieties blossom.  When Wemberly finds a friend, she ends up being so busy that worry is pushed out of the way. Kevin Henkes has … Continue reading →

Posted in Picture books | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments