I’m excited to be attending and presenting at the Longwood University 2015 Summer Literacy Institute. In preparation, I wanted to read at least one book written by each author who will be attending. The Dog in the Wood is a middle-grade book about a ten-year-old named Fritz. He lives in eastern Germany in April 1945. […]
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I read this book on the recommendation of coworkers when we were discussing books about students who rebel. This is a cross between middle grade and young adult—there are bits in there that older kids would get, but the story is appropriate for middle grade. The story follows a boy named Wallace Wallace, who made […]
I finally got around to reading this book. Being an English teacher has its downsides: when I assign independent reading projects, a lot of books are spoiled for me before I get to read them. This was one of them—many students read it several years ago, but I’d forgotten that I already knew the basic […]
Ceremony follows the story of Tayo, a Native American who fought against the Japanese during World War II. The horrors he witnessed in the war have left him sick and restless, and he cannot settle into regular life upon his return. His fellow soldiers take to alcohol and violence to deal with their experience, an […]
This book had been on my “wish list” for several years, but I finally decided to buy it for myself. I love the movie The Mothman Prophesies, (I lost the DVD when I moved!) simply because I love the mystery surrounding the legend of the Mothman. I’ll admit I’ve watched various documentaries on the phenomenon, […]
This middle-grade/children’s book was available free as part of my Amazon Prime lending library, so I thought I’d give it a try. The theme also resonates with me: brave dogs changing humans’ lives for the better. The story follows Lady, an Irish Setter who is eventually “recruited” into the armed forces to act as a […]
What a fantastic book! I read all 379 pages in a single day. The Martian was recommended by a writer I respect, and he was right. I bought a copy for my dad for his birthday because I think he’ll love it, too. In short, it’s an archetypal journey involving science. The premise: Mark Watney […]
I’ll start out by once again admitting that I am not a fan of nonfiction unless I am really interested in the topic. I read this book since it was one of the 2015 Loudoun County Schools Battle of the Books selections, and I’ll be honest: I saved it for last because I was dreading […]
This is a young-adult modern(ish) love story with a twist. The story takes place during the days of cassette tape mixes. Eleanor, an awkward redhead, co-stars with Park, an Asian boy who loves punk music. The two find themselves on the bus together one day, and the relationship grows slowly and awkwardly at first. Eleanor […]
The main character (we’ll call him “Hank”) in this young adult novel wakes up at a train station in New York with a bump on his head, a copy of Walden beside him, and a little bit of money in his front pocket. He can’t remember who he is or why he’s there. I did […]
