Category Archives: book reviews

Glimmers begins when Paige tries on a pair of vintage boots and experiences a “glimmer” into the life of the boots’ former owner. As the story progresses, Paige experiences similar glimmers when she touches objects of sentimental value to others. … Continue reading →

This fast-paced novel is the first book in the Juniper Grove Chronicles. I enjoyed the premise of the story: a young woman has moved to a new town after the death of her family. She has always thought herself to … Continue reading →

This book was loaned to me by a beta reader who is in middle school. She told me she really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the second one, so I was eager to read it. My reaction in … Continue reading →

I picked up this book because it had earned a Newbery Honor, and was written by the same author who wrote From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a Newbery winner. The book was written in the 1960s, … Continue reading →

This is one of my favorite (long) short stories to teach in high school. Though my Monday book reviews normally focus on full-length books, this short story is a great work to study as a horror writer. Gilman wrote the … Continue reading →

As the last few weeks of school are winding down, I thought I would review some of the books I teach or have taught. In high school I read (or attempted to read) Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure, and I … Continue reading →

Shattering Glass is a YA book following the transformation of Simon Glass, an unpopular, fat, clumsy student. When a new kid named Rob comes to the school, he decides to make it his big project to turn Glass into someone … Continue reading →

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate The story is told through the eyes of a silverback gorilla named Ivan who lives in a run-down “domain” as part of an exhibit at The Exit 8 Big Top Mall and … Continue reading →

I just finished the book The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. A coworker loaned me this book because of its use of first-person point of view from an animal’s perspective. She thought it might be an interesting contrast … Continue reading →