Monthly Archives: November 2011

Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln

Posted on November 30, 2011 by

Resolve to be honest at all events and if you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer.  Choose some other occupations. Abraham Lincoln’s own words are sprinkled throughout the text in this beautiful biography, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Books with social studies links, Love that art, Love that prose, Nonfiction, Picture books, 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 , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Scorch Trials

Posted on November 18, 2011 by

Thomas and the Gladers solved the maze, but now they have to endure the Scorch and find the safe haven WICKED promised.  Minho, Teresa and Newt from The Maze Runner are back for The Scorch Trials, along with new Cranks, Jorge … Continue reading →

Posted in Series, Teen/Young Adult | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Crossing

Posted on November 15, 2011 by

The subtitle reads Lewis & Clark’s historic journey seen through a brand-new pair of eyes.  Sacagawea packs up her son, Jean Baptiste, onto a cradle board and he sees salmon, cougars, five waterfalls and more as they travel from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books with social studies links, Love that art, Picture books, Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Between Shades of Gray

Posted on November 14, 2011 by

When fifteen-year-old Lina’s family is exiled from Lithuania by the Soviets, they are forced to travel to remote regions, including Siberia, to work and endure under extreme hunger, cold and inadequate shelter.  Maintaining hope is difficult when Lina doesn’t understand … Continue reading →

Posted in historical, Michigan author/illustrator, Teen/Young Adult | 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

I Want My Hat Back

Posted on November 4, 2011 by

Jon Klassen tells the entire story of a missing hat in dialogue.  Reminiscent of the classic Are You My Mother?, the bear asks everyone in the animal kingdom “Have you seen my hat?”  Yet this bear doesn’t recognize his hat even when … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian author/illustrator, Love that prose, Picture books, Voice | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

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