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Racism, Children's Classics and the World Today
This post has been in my heart and mind for a few days now and after seeing Grace Lin speak about this very issue on PBS NewsHour and in light of recent events, I think it’s an important subject that kids, parents, teachers, librarians and everyone in between should be…
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(Unofficial) Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Titles for Shark Week
I’ve had a number of kids interested in shark books – everything from picture books (for those who frighten easily) to nonfiction titles that show rows of teeth and talk about sharks as apex predators and an important part of the ecosystem. So while everyone watches Michael Phelps race a…
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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7/24/17
I’m not doing too bad with middle grade fiction lately! Over the past week, I read Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder and Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk. I just started Miss Ellicott’s School for the Magically Minded by Sage Blackwood yesterday, so I’m working my way through that story and have Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories.…
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Themes in Middle Grade Fiction
I had the funniest realization while I was reading over the past week, each book I read fed into the next in with its theme. I’ll show you what I mean: The first title I read of this group of books – it’s about a child growing up as (you…
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The War That Saved My Life Readalikes
When your friend/colleague/children’s librarian comes into your office with a huge smile and twirls, you know life must be good. Her most recent book discussion for middle school students was on The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley – a book that all eleven kids LOVED and were…
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(Unofficial) Top Ten Tuesday: Middle Grade Audiobooks
My regularly scheduled blog themes for Tuesday is on hold until August, so I created my own list – Ten Middle Grade audiobooks – perfect for summer vacation! Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan, narrated by Mark Bramhall, David de Vries, MacLeod Andrews, Rebecca Soler; music, Corky Siegel Nimona by Noelle…
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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7/17/17
I read a lot this week, which probably equates to my stress level! We’re in the midst of hiring two full-time employees and making sure the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed is enough to make anyone crazy. I also finished shifting the entire adult fiction section (all…
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Weekend Plans
After a long week filled with meetings, a short staff and overall level of work that needed to be completed, this is how I’m spending my weekend: (and cleaning the house!)
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(Unofficial) Top Ten Tuesday: Middle Grade Novels About Road Trips
My regularly scheduled blog post for Tuesday is on hold until August, so I created my own list – Ten Middle Grade stories about road trips because, I don’t know about you, but summer screams road trips for me! From Norvelt to Nowhere by Jack Gantos Sisters by Raina Telgemeier…
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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7/10/17
I didn’t read exactly what I had planned to, but I did get a lot of reading done! I finished Refugee by Alan Gratz, which was amazingly powerful. It’s told from the perspective of three refugees – a young Jewish boy escaping Nazi-occupied Europe, a young girl escaping Castro’s government in…
