Blog
As a homeschooling veteran, I review middle-grade stories to help parents, librarians, and teachers choose good books.
Look for author news here too!
Coo by Kaela Noel, a middle-grade book review
Coo by Kaela Noel, a middle-grade tale, tells the story of a girl raised by pigeons. It's a sweet story; by the end of it, you too will want to learn pigeon-language. I guarantee you'll never see pigeons in quite the same way again. A flock of pigeons in New York...
Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, a book review
In this book, Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, the author channels his twelve-year-old self, an immigrant living in Edmond, Oklahoma.
The Long Shadow by Phyllis Wheeler: Cover Reveal!
Rejoice with me! My dream is coming true! My debut novel, The Long Shadow, comes out June 1 from Elk Lake Publishing. It’s an anti-racist novel for kids 10-14. I’ve been wanting to write a children’s book since I was 13!
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart, a book review
A middle-grade book review: Twelve-year-old Coyote Sunrise and her dad, Rodeo, wander America in their retrofitted school bus, with no plans, no schedule. Well, there is one scheduled item–a weekly call to Coyote’s grandma. In a call to Coyote in Florida, Grandma casually tells her that the park down the street is going to be dug up for development in four days.
His Gift by Joan C. Benson, a review
His Gift by Joan C. Benson tells the inspirational story of a gifted teenage concert pianist. Molly has entered a competition sponsored by the Detroit Symphony in the fateful fall of 1929.
Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk, a review
When her father is struck by a falling tree and lies in a coma, Ellie wants nothing more than to heal him. He’d taught her some of the woodsy healing arts, and she sets out to try them first on a seemingly stillborn puppy, then on her helpless father, and on an injured neighbor everyone thinks is a witch.
Things I am thankful for in 2020, and some free gifts!
What am I thankful for in 2020? This strange 2020 year was the one where I got to think about fantastic places, instead of traveling to real places. The fantastic ones are pretty nice! This was the year where my blog and newsletter list is expanding, and I thank God...
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan, a review
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan is a novel that pairs the points of view of two fifth grade boys, Ravi, a recent immigrant from India, and Joe, a local guy. Both have to deal with the same bully.
Chirp by Kate Messner, a review
Chirp by Kate Messner, published in 2020, tells the tale of Mia, a twelve year old former gymnast who’s just moved from Boston to Vermont. Her family moved there to support her grandmother, whose unpredictability makes everyone wonder what’s going to happen next. Gram’s business, raising crickets for people food, is languishing.
Ranger in Time: Night of Soldiers and Spies, by Kate Messner
Kate Messner’s Ranger in Time series features a rescue dog, Ranger, who who magically is called to other times and places to help save people. In this tale, Soldiers and Spies, Ranger helps a young black soldier in the Continental Army of George Washington. It’s winter, and battle is coming.
A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan, a review
Authors Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan team up to tell a middle-grade tale with two points of view: one a Muslim Pakistani-American girl who just wants to fit in at her big new school, and the other a Jewish girl whose best friend has dumped her.
Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead, a review
Georges, that's with a silent s, moves into a Brooklyn apartment building and meets Safer, another twelve-year-old who starts a spy club for the two of them. They're spying on a bird nest, on people in the building lobby (through the videocam), on people who wash...