Category Archives: book reviews

Book Review: Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

I came upon the graphic novel version of this story at a book fair at my kid’s school. When I went home to research it, I saw that it was originally a novel, so I gave it a shot. The … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Like last week’s book pick, I chose to read this one after someone mentioned that it involved journalism. I thought it might be a good read to integrate into my journalism classes, at least in part. While that part of … Continue reading

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Book Review: Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright

Sure, Christmas is over, but according to this book, as early as December 26, you can start planning your Christmas jar for next year. I learned about this book in the fall, when my daughter’s swim instructor heard I was … Continue reading

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Book Review: Amulet (graphic novel book 1: The Stonekeeper) by Kazu Kibuishi

While shopping for holiday gifts for a raffle basket, I came across this book randomly at Walmart of all places. I read the first several pages while my kids were choosing books for the gift basket, and I fell in … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Last Apprentice (Revenge of the Witch) by Joseph Delaney

I forget who (or what site) recommended this book, but I remember it promised a dark tale (fun for horror lovers) that was appropriate for a middle grade reader who liked creepy things. The book fits that promise. I’m reading … Continue reading

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Book Review: Unbound by Ann E. Burg

Unbound is a coming of age tale written in verse from the point of view of Grace, an enslaved girl who at the start of the novel is summoned to work inside the master’s house. She is mistreated and subjected … Continue reading

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Book Review: Grendel by John Gardner

Years ago, I heard there was a book written from the point of view of Grendel, the monster in the epic tale Beowulf. I put it on my “to be read” list and eventually remembered it when another Beowulf spin-off … Continue reading

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Book review: Ten Days in a Madhouse (Nellie Bly)

Nellie Bly was a groundbreaking journalist whose personality led her to become world-famous at a time when women in journalism were usually assigned mediocre topics. When I first watched a documentary about her in teaching journalism, I knew I wanted … Continue reading

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Book review: Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

With the crazy school year—teaching virtually at the same time as in the classroom—I did not have time to write book reviews as often as I would have liked, but I was still reading! So this summer, I am writing … Continue reading

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Book Review: A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck

Note: It’s been SO LONG since I have posted a book review. This does not mean I have not been reading! This year has been a challenge and a struggle on many front. For me as a teacher, teaching concurrently … Continue reading

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