A mother who blames herself for her child's disease, ghosts from the past, a divorce, a missing child . . . these are all subjects (among others) that play an important role in What I had Be…
This is an important book. Important for young men coming of age, struggling with their identities and wondering how to overcome life's difficulties. Important for young people who have no personal ex…
Thirteen year old Bennett Robinson is an eighth grader with some serious challenges, but the reader can't help but cheer for him each step of the way. Bennett is a good guy trying to make some c…
I have never read anything by Elizabeth Strout before, although her books have caught my eye more than once. With the release of a new book recently, I realized I should get acquainted with some of he…
Mockingbird is a sweet, gentle story of tragedy and closure as experienced by an autistic child. Drawing on the themes of To Kill a Mockinbird, Caitlin struggles to overcome her own personal tragedy w…
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is a classic with good reason. The premise of a handsome young man who exchanges his soul for eternal youth is a fantastical one, but the novel's themes have…
If you've had the opportunity to read any of Kevin Henkes's children's books, chances are you're a fan. With Chrysanthemum and Lily's Purple Plastic Purse being my favorites, I was anxious to try one …
Superb sports fiction writing! Author Paul Volponi captures the drive, intensity, personalities, and dynamics of basketball in his novel The Final Four. Volponi masterfully avoids two pitfalls that …
I really didn't know a lot about this book before I started reading it. I knew the premise of the story, and the fact that the cover had a skeleton key (the copy I read did; I am mildly obsessed with …
Kelsey Green, Reading Queen is a chapter book directed at readers ages seven to nine. Author Claudia Mills charmingly captures the profile of a third grade, competitive reading addict and what length…
I must confess that the cover captured me. I picked up this title, saw that it was a novel "in verse," subsequently put down the title, and ultimately picked it up again. I am glad that I did becaus…
I have heard other people who read this book referring to it as a book they don't know how to categorize. I, too, felt that way when I was finished. Not really dystopian, historical fiction,…
