• Reviews

    #blogbookaday: Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

    Summary:  “The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more…

  • Lifestyle

    Looking at Diversity from Another Angle

    i just recently read a response by author, Shannon Hale about an experience she had visiting a school where only the girls were allowed to attend the presentation because her books are deemed “girl” books.  Although many of Hale’s books feature female protagonists, what are we telling students when we…

  • Lifestyle

    Boys Books vs. Girls Books

    I just read this article, “‘Where Are All The Boy Books?’ You’re Buying Them” that was posted last Monday by Kelly Jensen on Book Riot.  It takes a look at the 2014 Top-Selling Children’s and Young Adult books on Amazon and found that there are a number of “boy” books…

  • Lifestyle

    Connecting Kids with Books

    In spite of my very busy week filled with programs and getting ready for Enchanted Library on Friday, I had a mom stop by my desk this afternoon and thank me for getting her son interested in Gordon Korman’s book Ungifted.  Before discovering Gordon Korman, he wasn’t necessarily a “bad…

  • Reviews

    Grasshopper Jungle

    I reviewed an ARC copy of this book and let me tell you, I wanted to put it down for fear of nightmares with 6-foot tall praying mantises, but I couldn’t it was so interesting!  Austin, our narrator, and self-proclaimed historian is a confused teenager in love with the girl-next-door…

  • Activities

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid Event

    There’s not much to say about the phenomenon of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.  Jeff Kinney has created a series of books that kids are dying to read; epseically boys and that’s awesome!  We decided to host an event at this time of the year because the last…

  • Reviews

    Paper Covers Rock

    Paper Covers Rock written by Jenny Hubbard reminded me of another book I read called The Tragedy Paper by Elizabeth LeBan.  It has a similar feel with a male main character at a boarding school where secrets are being kept about a horrible situation that has occurred.  Without giving too…

  • Lifestyle

    Boys in School – Too Hostile?

    An article posted on Time yesterday discusses the possibility of boys being too hostile in school, that’s right too hostile. I’m sure you’ve see the articles about 7-year olds being suspended for school for playing the classic “Cops and Robbers” game at recess. This has happened with more frequency in…

  • Reviews

    Animal Grossapedia

    If there was ever a book that boys (and some girls!) might like to peruse – it’s this one!  Animal Grossapedia by Melissa Stewart is an encyclopedia of over 50 gross things that animals do.  You’ll find everything from dung beetles to koala bears and vampire bats. Each animal is…

  • Reviews

    Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

    Are you looking for a new title to read all about construction trucks?  Well, here it is!  Goodnight, Goodnight Consturciton Site written by Sherri Duskey Rinker with illustrations by Tom Lichtenheld is a great bedtime story for your little guy (or girl) who loves construction equipment.  As the sun goes down, the reader sees each…