Andrew Clements has another winner in his signature series of school stories with Lost and Found . Jay Grayson had only average expectations for his new school when he arrived on the first day. But when Jay's name-and only Jay's name-was called during roll call, he conveniently forgot that he...
I am a curious person. Especially about other people. To be honest, the best word is probably NOSY. I hope this is news to you. I work very hard to keep my curiosity (nosiness) reined in tightly enough that unless you know me very well you might not suspect. (I hope.) I think that NOSINESS is why I love...
At first glance, Arnold Spirit Jr. has nothing going for him. Born with a number of physical maladies, he's the son of alcoholic parents living in poverty on Washington's Spokane Indian Reservation. He's beaten up on a regular basis. Arnold has two saving graces, though: his friendship with...
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Chinua Achebe's, Things Fall Apart - an account of European colonialism in Nigeria written from an African perspective. Orignally published in 1958, it was Chinua's first novel, an all-time African fiction bestseller and the most translated literary work...
I love an epic tale as much as the next person. Stories that span generations and tell tales of grand adventures are stories in which I can get lost for hours. Usually meaning that I will be tired the next day because I couldn't be bothered to put the book down to go to sleep. But, there is one thing...
I always admire writers who do a professional job of researching their material, whether they're writing fiction or non-fiction. I have been avidly reading Patricia Briggs' series about Mercy Thompson, mechanic and coyote shapeshifter. In her first book, Mercy deals with a pesky werewolf problem...
Andrew Clements makes me laugh. Even when his books are a little bit sad, they still have funny spots. Clements writes books for all ages of children - there are picture books, easy chapter books, harder chapter books, and books for teenagers. One of his most recent books is called No Talking - it's...
This is the Caldecott Award winner with the most pages ever. The detailed pictures are fascinating. Brian Selznick's inventive artwork carries the bulk of the story line.
Melvin Bubble is described by everyone who knows him. Each one has a very different viewpoint. It would be great for kids who are considering writing themselves. Kids and their parents love this book!
I've always enjoyed the adult books that Brendan Halpin writes, so I was excited to see a new novel for Young Adults from him. How Ya Like Me Now pulls the reader in pretty quickly, as we meet Eddie just as his life is changing yet again. First his father died, then his mom retreated into whatever...