10:The Big One-Oh – Dean Pitchford

This is a book aimed squarely at the 8-12 year old boy niche. Part gross and disgusting, part humour, part revenge of the loser; it hits the mark. Charley Maplewood is turning 10. Thanks to a inappropriately timed birthday greeting, he decides it really is time for him to have a birthday [...]

Raymond and Graham Rule the School by Mike Knudson and Steve Wilkinson

First a disclaimer, this is a book intended for boys, I am not a boy.  I did not enjoy this book and I don’t think it should come close to your library.  I think Mike and Steve missed the boat on this one.  Raymond and Graham are entering grade four.  They are looking forward to [...]

The Fairies of Nutfolk Wood by Barb Bentler Ullman

Pastoral and warm; this is a book to delight lovers of fairies and fantasy.  At first I was reluctant to believe there could be a fresh take on a world of little people.  After all it has been done with The Littles and The Borrowers.  The title didn’t lead me to believe it would be [...]

The Jewels of Sofia Tate by Doris Etienne

This book is a fair take on the mystery genre.  I enjoyed the main characters and watching them develop.  I found the villians a bit ‘pat’.   The ending was a little too neat and tidy.  Teacher librarians need to be aware of the embedded Christian perspective within this story.  The plot hinges on unraveling a [...]

Raleigh’s Page by Alan Armstrong

Armstrong takes you into life in the Elizabethan times a Sir Walter Raleigh’s page.  This is a thoroughly researched and compelling account of the first expansions of England into North America.  I am torn on whether to recommend this book for K-8 libraries.  I believe Armstrong handles the racism of his characters with deftness but [...]

Skellig by David Almond

Dark and creepy are the words which come to mind when reflecting on Skellig.  This is a book with boy appeal.  Michael is moving into a new house after anticipating this event as something wonderful, something unexpected intervenes.  Michael’s mom has a very premature baby.  Now he is living in a run-down house with preoccupied [...]

Inspired by…

Ken Allan at Middle Earth has set the theme for this month’s Green Pen Society blogging.  He asked for reflections on, “What gets you flying”?   I am not a natural writer.  I have experienced failure in writing on numerous occasions.  I brought poems in grade ten to my English teacher.  He gave a muted, less [...]

Book of a Thousand Days – Shannon Hale

Dashti is a determined young woman.  In becoming the maid of a distracted and frightened princess, she unwittingly becomes a prisoner with her in a darkened tower.  Dashti remains positive and industrious during her confinement.  Her mistress is unpredictable and unhealthy but Dashti remains devoted and trust-worthy.  In addition to the confinement and darkenss of [...]

Making Avatars

After reading Joyce’s post on avatars, I went to play at the make a Lego avatar site.