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A Monster Calls
A Monster Calls written by Patrick Ness is a dark tale of loss surrounded by the pen-and-ink illustrations of Jim Kay. Ness weaves a beautifully haunting story with illustrations that become part of the text. The idea behind this novel came from Siobhan Dowd, but due to her premature death from…
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Read-Aloud Program for Elementary Age Kids
Probably, my fondest memory of school was being read-aloud to by any number of teachers that I was lucky enough to have from elementary school all the way through high school. Not only my teachers, but my parents also read aloud to all of my siblings and me. Now, that in…
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Jefferson’s Sons
Jefferson’s Sons written by Kimberly Bradley is a very interesting historical fiction novel about Thomas Jefferson children he had with his slave, Sally Hemings. Although these children received better work assignments, better clothing and shoes, and even violin lessons, they were still considered slaves on their father’s plantation, Monticello. I really…
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Maze Runner
So, I finally got a chance to read Maze Runner by James Dashner and I loved it! That being said, I also loved The Hunger Games trilogy. Maze Runner is fast paced with interesting characters and a plot that makes you want to know more. Thomas, the main character, wakes up…
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Eight Keys
Eight Keys written by Suzanne LaFleur is the coming-of-age story of a sixth grade girl named Elise whose entire world is changing and she can’t manage to keep up. She starts her 6th grade year at a new middle school where her locker partner bullies her, her best friend Franklin seems to…
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Sparrow Road
Sparrow Road is a story of mystery, of intrigue, of interesting characters, and of connecting to a world that is not your own, or better yet can become a part of your own. Sheila O’Connor’s characters in Sparrow Road are the type of people I would love to spend time…
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Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time
Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time written by Lisa Yee is an in-depth look at what it is to be a teenage boy in today’s society with the pressures of family, friends, teachers, and girlfriends. All Stanford wants to do is play basketball, but when he fails 6th grade English and…
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Mindblind
Mindblind written by Jennifer Roy is a fascinating look into the mind of a young man with Asperger’s Syndrome. The main character, Nathaniel, is inspired by Roy’s young son, Adam. This book is clearly written by someone whose life has been affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Nathaniel is a fourteen-year-old boy…
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A Long Walk To Water
I have read a number of things by Linda Sue Park, but A Long Walk to Water was by far the best I’ve read! This is a dual narrative based on a true story. The first narrative is by one the Sudanese “Lost Boys.” It is the story of how…
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Out of Patience
I knew when I read the first page of this book that I would be in for a treat. “… It bounced off his head and flopped on the burnt-out grass. The sudden blow was startling, but not as surprising as what delivered it. A toilet plunger.” This is the…