Category Archives: reading
close to famous by Joan Bauer
“close to famous” is a coming of age story set in the southern U.S.A. The main character is a struggling reader with a single mom living in poverty. The adolescent character and her family and friends are quirky but … Continue reading
Filed under children's lit, library, reading
Barnabas Bigfoot – A Close Shave by Marty Chan
I have students who love the humour of Marty Chan so I was looking forward to reading Barnabas Bigfoot. The cover is really appealing, kudos to David Lee. I was disappointed with the story. Barnabas Bigfoot is a lighthearted adventure … Continue reading
Filed under children's lit, reading
Wish by Joseph Monninger
Wish is a light romance which may appeal to girls in grades 6-8. It is well written and characters are appealing. The book is set in the United States and has a strong American cultural flavour. Although a realistic … Continue reading
Filed under children's lit, library, reading
Diamond Willows 2011
Continuing my record of the Willows for 2011 with the Diamond Willow Nominees. After all, You’re Callie Boone by Winnie Mack. Callie’s lost her best friend and is trying to make her way though the worst summer of her life … Continue reading
Filed under children's lit, reading
Sarah’s Key – Tatiana De Rosnay
Sarah’s Key would be a distressing read if the author had chosen to tell it in the first person and completely immersed us in the historical time period of the Second World War. It is still a difficult story within … Continue reading
George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy and Stephen Hawking
It was a little intimidating to pick up a book by Stephen Hawking and hope that I would get it but I knew this one was for kids so I had a little hope. Written by Stephen Hawking and Lucy … Continue reading
Filed under boys, children's lit, library, reading
lock and key by Sarah Dessen
Sarah Dessen was recommended to me by a teen friend of mine and indeed she does not disappoint. lock and key is another entry in the class of teen angst and coming of age literature. A realistic fiction novel about … Continue reading
Filed under children's lit, classroom, library, reading
Shivers and Shakes by David A. Poulsen
There are some people who may like this book but I’m not one of them. Shivers and Shakes is the sixth book from the “Salt and Pepper Chronicles”. David Poulsen has been nominated for a variety of awards with previous … Continue reading
Filed under children's lit, library, reading
Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale and Nathan Hale
Calamity Jack is a graphic adventure novel based rather loosely on the story of Jack and the Beanstalk. As a Shannon Hale fan, I was predisposed to enjoy this story. I loved Nathan Hale‘s illustrations and the vibrant colours of … Continue reading
Filed under children's lit, library, reading
Copper by Kazu Kibuishi
Copper is a compilation of cartoons. It is not a graphic novel but a series of short stories in graphic form. Copper and his dog Fred remind me of Calvin and Hobbes except Fred is depressed instead of exuberant. Copper … Continue reading
Filed under children's lit, library, reading
