• 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

    Spy School

    This is another book I read on vacation.  Spy School is about Ben Ripley, a awkward, science geek whose dream job would be to work for the CIA.  Ben is not surprised to be selected to attend a magnate school with a focus on science, but he is surprised to…

  • Reviews

    Mr. Terupt Falls Again

    A powerful story of how a teacher and his students can affect each other over the course of a school year.  Mr. Terupt Falls Again written by Rob Buyea is the companion novel to Because of Mr. Terupt told in the point-of-view of seven students in his classroom in both…

  • Reviews

    33 Minutes

    A lot can happen in 33 minutes… just ask Sam Lewis, who is going to get his butt kicked in 33 minutes by his former best friend, Morgan Sturtz.  Written in a span of time that takes only 33 minutes, Todd Hasak-Lowy creates a typical middle school environment where anything can happen. …

  • Reviews

    The Bully Book

    Funny how themes often pop up and carry through multiple books.  This is (obviously) another book about bullying, with a vastly different take from yesterday’s post of The Second Life of Abigail Walker.  The Bully Book written by Eric Kahn Gale is about a young boy, Eric,  who enters the…

  • Reviews

    Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Subsitute

    Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute is the prefect start to a series of books for reluctant readers – especially elementary school-age boys.  Jarrett Krosoczka’s graphic novel format works perfectly for reluctant readers with minimal text and a lot of action.  The plot line follows the lunch lady and her assistant…

  • Lifestyle

    School is Right Around the Corner

    For many kids beginning school or a new school year can be a very anxious time.  We always get a number of requests for “Starting Kindergarten or Preschool” or “Back to School” books.  I’ll give you a list of my favorites, but check your local library for more! The Kissing…

  • Reviews

    Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to NOT Reading

    I must have been in a pretty specific mood late last week when I picked my books to read for the weekend.  Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to NOT Reading written by Tommy Greenwald has a similar feel to yesterday’s post about the book Middle School – The Worst Years of…