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Fallout
Fallout by Todd Strasser is written during a time in America’s history that children in today’s world know little about. Although America has been at war (officially and unofficially) for almost as long as many of these kids have been alive, this war is very different from the Cold War happening…
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Reading in the Wild
Reading in the Wild: The Book Whisperer’s Keys to Cultivating Lifelong Reading Habits by Donalyn Miller with Susan Kelley is a book I would suggest to any reading teacher in elementary, middle, and high school. I first became acquainted with Donalyn Miller’s ideas about reading education when I read her…
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The President Has Been Shot!: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy
Every time I read an informational text, I am always surprised at how interesting and accessible they have become in the past few years. Informational texts used to be dry books filled with pages of text that was uninteresting and not enjoyable to read, but now, all that has changed…
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A Season of Gifts
The only time I have to listen to audiobooks is when I drive to my parents’ home (which gives a solid 5 hours in the car one-way). I picked up A Season of Gifts for my drive – it’s about a 4-hour audiobook – the perfect length for my trip! …
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What the Heart Knows
What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms & Blessings by Joyce Sidman is a beautiful collection of poetry that touched me in many ways and I think that is what good poetry should be able to do – touch your soul. I don’t often go out of my way to read…
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Listening for Lucca
I picked up Listening for Lucca with trepidation because (and don’t repeat this!) I often judge books by their cover! Not, unlike the kids I suggest books to. The cover we have for this book, looks like an old fashioned cover with a painted image and washed out colors, it definitely didn’t look…
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The 14 Fibs of Gregory K.
I began The 14 Fibs of Gregory K. without too much information about the book, I normally have read a few reviews, read the flap on the inside cover, or had someone mention it to me, but none of this happened. I saw the cover, was intrigued, and began reading. I…
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The Limit
Looking for something new to read based in a futuristic world that could very well be real? Look no further than The Limit by Kristen Landon. With reviews by science fiction authors James Dashner and Margaret Peterson Haddix, The Limit was a fast-paced thriller that I truly enjoyed. Thirteen-year-old Matt’s…
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Nelson Mandela
Kadir Nelson’s beautiful picture books are an amazing way to understand the history of such an amazing man as Nelson Mandela. Mandela was born in 1918 and was named Rolihlahla which translates to “troublemaker.” Boy, did he get into trouble. Mandela fought for years against apartheid, was later imprisoned for…
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The Chaos of Stars
The mortal daughter of Egyptian gods Osiris and Isis, Isadora is sent to live with her brother in San Diego after her mother’s dark dreams about her daughter’s safety. Sixteen-year old Isadora is thrilled to be in “the real world” after living under her parents and dealing with the drama…