author Cary Fagan book cover

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In: 2019, 3 Stars, Middle Grade, Social Themes
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Can A Homemade Postcard Carry So Much Meaning? ABOUT THE BOOK Who is Gretchen Oyster? The discovery of a series of mysterious handmade postcards distracts Hartley from trouble at home. A poignant novel for fans of Rebecca Stead and Holly Goldberg Sloan. Hartley Staples, near-graduate of middle school, is grappling with the fact that his older brother has run away from home, when he finds a handmade postcard that fascinates him. And soon he spotsRead More →

Cover of David Barclay Moore's book, The Stars Beneath Our Feet

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In: 2019, 5 Stars, Middle Grade, Social Themes
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A Middle-Grade Debut Novel You Won’t Want To Put Down Author: David Barclay Moore Hardcover: 304 Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 19, 2017) Paperback: 304 Yearling; Reprint edition (January 8, 2019) Ages: 10 – 13 This story is an amazing glimpse into the life of Wallace “Lolly” Rachpaul, an angry boy who is attempting to work through the death of his older brother. What makes this even more difficult is that he is livingRead More →

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In: 2018, 5 Stars, Middle Grade, Non-Fiction, Picture Books
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The Sanitation Strike Of 1968 Author: Alice Faye DuncanIllustrator: R. Gregory ChristiePublisher: Calkins Creek; Illustrated edition (August 2018) Approx. Word Count: 3060 Pages:  40 Ages: 9 – 12 Grades: 4 – 6 My Thoughts This story is told through the eyes of 9-year-old Lorraine Jackson, who recounts her days as a child during the daysof the Memphis Sanitation Strike. She also relates how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became involved in the strike andthat heRead More →

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In: 2018, 5 Stars, Middle Grade, Social Themes
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 Meet Characters Who Will Beg You To Keep Turning The Pages Author: Kate DiCamillo Publisher:  Candlewick (October 2018) Ages: 10+ Hardback: 240 pages Audio Book: 3 hours and 35 minutes Kindle:  240 print pages I am going to write it all down, so that what happened to me will be known, so that if someone were to stand at their window at night and look up at the stars and think, My goodness, whatever happenedRead More →

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In: 2017, 4 Stars, Middle Grade, Social Themes
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A Story You Won’t Soon Forget ABOUT THE BOOK Author: Lynn PlourdePublisher:  Puffin Books; Reprint edition (August 2017) Pages: 272 hardcover Ages: 10+ When a BIG, lovable, does-it-her-way dog wiggles her way into the heart of a loudmouth pipsqueak of a boy, wonderful things happen that help him become a bigger, better person. With its diverse cast, authentic narrator, and perfect blend of spot-on middle-grade humor, drama, and wisdom, this powerful debut is relatable, funny, bittersweet,Read More →

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In: 2016, 5 Stars, Middle Grade, Non-Fiction, STEM
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A Fun STEM Book!   While searching for a book about frozen yogurt, I stumbled across a real find: Make: Edible Inventions, and I’m so glad I did. It’s partly a traditional cookbook, but mostly you’ll find it is much more. It explores STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) through different projects, information, inventions, growing ingredients, etc. And To Parents and Caregivers: You will be pleased to know that Safety Tips are included throughout. Plus,Read More →

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In: 2018, 4 Stars, Middle Grade, Social Themes
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What Defines True Friendship? Description If it were up to Mattie Markham, there would be a law that said your family wasn’t allowed to move in the middle of the school year. After all, sixth grade is hard enough without wondering if you’ll be able to make new friends or worrying that the kids in Pennsylvania won’t like your North Carolina accent. But when Mattie meets her next-door neighbor and classmate, she begins to thinkRead More →

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In: 2018, 5 Stars, Middle Grade, Social Themes
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A Growing Concern: Homelessness Author Dianna Dorisi Winget takes us on a journey through the eyes of Shannon, a 12-year-old girl. After Shannon’s mom dies, her aunt Junie does her best to provide for both of them, but when she finds it impossible they take off to another state. A state, Aunt Junie tells Shannon, where there will be higher wages and they will be better off. So Aunt Junie, Shannon, and Shannon’s dog Boone head forRead More →