Wow! I was tempted to swallow this intense and riveting memoir whole in one sitting, but it was too emotionally intense. Raw and heartbreaking, the loWow! I was tempted to swallow this intense and riveting memoir whole in one sitting, but it was too emotionally intense. Raw and heartbreaking, the love and resilience of this family is inspiring. And that cat! Oh my, that cat! Sob. Though brilliant, Amra is still deeply relatable, giggling with her best friends and worried about crushes. Contemporary teen readers may not know about this war and its atrocities, but the issues are still relevant and familiar....more
Wow! I read it in one tense sitting. Omar's voice is optimistic, kind and intelligent. His care for his disabled brother is touching. His experiences Wow! I read it in one tense sitting. Omar's voice is optimistic, kind and intelligent. His care for his disabled brother is touching. His experiences fleeing from the violence in his village/ country then spending years in a refugee camp are unimaginable. Yet Omar brings us there as does Victoria Jamieson's art. I cannot wait to reread this when it releases in full-color. This is a first-purchase; a must-read; a must book talk. ...more
The true story as told by an unnamed soldier in the Union platoon that adopted Sally. Short author's note and selected reading in the back matter. The true story as told by an unnamed soldier in the Union platoon that adopted Sally. Short author's note and selected reading in the back matter. ...more
My, but this was just a terrific read! Spot-on middle school dynamics and dialogue, though cell phones and ear buds during the school day in my middleMy, but this was just a terrific read! Spot-on middle school dynamics and dialogue, though cell phones and ear buds during the school day in my middle school? Not so much. Small quibble. I read this in one big gulp. I loved the weaving of the re-enactments and the work of historical societies into the fabric of the story. The cover is appealing. I can't wait to share this one. ...more
What an interesting alternate fiction/zombie mash-up. I don't ordinarily enjoy zombie stories but this one was interesting and I loved Jane's voice.What an interesting alternate fiction/zombie mash-up. I don't ordinarily enjoy zombie stories but this one was interesting and I loved Jane's voice....more
This companion to The Luck of the Buttons and Button Down is a prequel of sorts in that it takes place during the Civil War and is "Grandpa Ike's" boyThis companion to The Luck of the Buttons and Button Down is a prequel of sorts in that it takes place during the Civil War and is "Grandpa Ike's" boyhood story. It had a slower start and pace than the other Button books, but its own charm in Ike and his mishaps. I thought it was going to be another story entirely. Give this one to thoughtful readers who enjoy historical fiction. Podehl delivers another solid performance and is appropriately restrained. ...more
An important addition to any middle school collection. Pair with Serafina's Promise. Both eloquently portray courage in the face of diversity. The artAn important addition to any middle school collection. Pair with Serafina's Promise. Both eloquently portray courage in the face of diversity. The art by the great Shane W. Evans enhance the immediacy of the poems....more
The narrative chronicles an overview of the Civil War with the story of Matthew Brady's financial speculation. Profusely illustrated with Brady photosThe narrative chronicles an overview of the Civil War with the story of Matthew Brady's financial speculation. Profusely illustrated with Brady photos, this will enhance in any collection....more