Tag Archives: kid lit

Where the Wild Things Are

Posted on May 8, 2012 by

Today, Maurice Sendak passed away. In honour of his legacy, read Where the Wild Things Are or any of his other amazing books. Watch photos of his accomplishments.

Posted in Character-driven, Love that art, Picture books | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Mama Miti

Posted on March 13, 2012 by

A biography that reads like a legend, Mama Miti is a superb literature choice to study Kenya, wisdom and environmental renewal. Wangari Muta Maathai, a.k.a. Mama Miti, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, a first for an African woman. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Books with social studies links, Love that art, Love that prose, Nonfiction, Picture books | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Wind Blew

Posted on January 30, 2012 by

Pat Hutchins’ classic books are still relevant today and The Wind Blew is a prime example. The wind keeps snatching items away from people and more and more things swirl around in the air above them. Illustrations give hints about what’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with science links, Picture books, Rhyme | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Journey to Jo’burg: A South African Story

Posted on January 25, 2012 by

Set in apartheid South Africa, Journey to Jo’burg chronicles the journey of Naledi and Tiro, brother and sister, as they make their way to Johannesburg from their village. The 200 kilometer trip is dangerous for children who have never been … Continue reading →

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

Inside Out & Back Again

Posted on December 12, 2011 by

National Book Award winner Thanhha Lai’s beautiful book, Inside Out & Back Again, is Hà’s poetic lament through the Vietnam War, escaping her country and starting life in Alabama as a sponsored refugee family while not knowing the fate of … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, historical, Poetry, social issues, strong characters | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Planet Middle School

Posted on October 18, 2011 by

Joylin is not a girly girl, but middle school has her trying out skirts and heels that just don’t feel right to this basketball-lover.  She doesn’t understand the new feelings she’s experiencing, and the poems in Planet Middle School pour … Continue reading →

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

Mockingbird (mok’ing-bûrd)

Posted on October 12, 2011 by

When Caitlin and her dad are left to deal with the shocking death of her brother, Devon, they grieve in ways foreign to each other. Caitlin’s Asperger’s syndrome makes it difficult to Get It when her dad can’t do the … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, social issues, strong characters, Voice, Word choice | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride

Posted on September 29, 2011 by

Mercy Watson is a pig who loves toast.   She lives with Mr. and Mrs. Watson, who love Mercy and treat her like their child except they won’t let Mercy drive the convertible. Watch Mercy take matters into her own … Continue reading →

Posted in Chapter Books, Character-driven, Series | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hush

Posted on August 23, 2011 by

Hush, one of Jacqueline Woodson’s novels for teens, is a beautifully written, realistic book about Evie, who used to be Toswiah from Denver before the whole family had to move because her dad testified against fellow cops in a murder … Continue reading →

Posted in Character-driven, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

True (…sort of)

Posted on August 8, 2011 by

Delly is always getting into trouble, even when she’s trying to avoid it by making up cuss words like “chizzle”.  Only RB, her little brother, seems to see the good in her, until Ferris Boyd moves into town.  Ferris Boyd … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's novels, strong characters, Voice | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment