A Wolf Called Wander by Roseanne Parry

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Animal, Adventure

Source: I received a copy from BookBub to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This book is based on an actual wolf somehow separated from his pack. Anyone who loves stories that tug at your emotions will love this book. Swift wants only to be the head of a pack. His life is not an easy one. He faces many challenges in his life. His will to survive is strong. What I loved most about this book is that both kids and adults will enjoy this book. There is information in the back that will reach out to that person who loves reading nonfiction information. The story carries you along to a satisfying end. As a teacher I enjoy reading books that I can recommend to my students. This is one that I know they will really enjoy.

Student Saturday: Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Fantasy

Student Reviewer: Sophie E.

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate is a passionate fantasy book with a wonderful theme about friendship. The Wishtree, also referred to as Red, lives in harmony with its best friend Bongo the crow. Red is known around town as The Wishtree because on the first day of May every year, people traditionally tie its branches with paper or cloth with their wishes written on them. None of these wishes have been known to come true. 

However, recently a young girl, Samar, who had just moved to town started showing up at Red's roots each night. When the day of wishing begun, the quiet girl decided to share a wish with Red. After being bullied and shamed for her religion and looks, will Red be able to grant her one single wish with the help of its forest friends? Will Samar be able to fit in like everyone else?

Student Saturday: Allies by Alan Gratz

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

Student Reviewer:  Delaney B.

"Allies" by Alan Gratz is a story that follows multiple characters/narrators during the events of World War 2. The main narrator is Dee, a sixteen year old American soldier in the invasion of Normandy,France, code-named Operation Overlord.

Dee and many of the other narrators get confronted throughout their war efforts but work around it successfully with the help of their new allies and friends. All of the narrators contributed to the Allied success of WWII and most end up meeting each other throughout the book, which I thought was a cool feature. 

I'm not sure I would have survived in any of the narrators' shoes, because all of their situations seemed to have lots of pressure and intimidation along with it. I would recommend this book to people interested in WWII because it gives a lot of perspective of what it was like being involved in the war. Overall, I really liked the book and it exceeded my expectations because the details and characterization were so well thought out and was overall a nice read.

Student Saturday: Breakout by Kate Messner

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

Student Reviewer:  Lam T.

Breakout is a cool book for middle school kids like me. This is because it tells a story in a different way, like with letters, text messages, and things so it's not just words on a page. The story is about a prison break in a small town and how it affects everyone there.

The three main characters are called Nora, Lizzie, and Elidee, and we get to see what they think and feel with bubbles. It feels like you're right there with them. The book also talks about important things like being kind to others and standing up for what's right. It's a good book for school discussions.

So, if you want a book that's easy to read and makes you think about being a good person, Breakout is a good choice since it reminds us how important it is to be kind and help each other when things get tough, also the book is based on a true story so it’s not just fake.

Allie Strom and the Ring of Solomon by Justin M. Stone

Genre:  Middle Grade, Fantasy

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I was given this book to review a long time ago.  Unfortunately, it fell way down the stack of my pile of books.  I am sad I waited so long to read and review this book.  I live in a district where books have to be read and reviewed by a group of people to be considered for our classroom libraries. Unfortunately, this one has not had that privilege. I can recommend it to my students, which I will, but I can’t put it on my bookshelves.  Here is why I believe this should be allowed to be on my school shelves.

First, we have very relatable characters. Allie is just starting middle school.  Her mom is in the military and is missing. She stands up against bullies to defend Daniel, one of the nerds. Their friendship is necessary, as they have many battles ahead of them. When Allie's mom is deployed, she leaves the necklace she has always worn behind.  Allie wears it and, of course, we can expect things to happen. 

There are many lessons to learn through reading this book. One,  stand up for those who seem weaker than you. That’s what Allie does when she defends Daniel. Never give up no matter how impossible it may seem or no matter what obstacles stand in front of you. A great author like this one knows how to wrap lessons up in a story line that is so amazing that the reader doesn’t realize until afterwards all the lessons they have learned. If I asked my students what connections they had with this book after reading it, those lessons would be the things they connected with. I will definitely read more in this series. I will also recommend it to my students. After all, we still have public libraries and bookstores.

 

Student Saturday: Girl In The Lake by India Hill Brown

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Horror
Student Reviewer:

This book was a great read, it had the perfect number of thrillers and twists for it to remain interesting throughout. Main characters have true personalities, and it feels like you are in the story experiencing the events as you read.

  The main character Celeste had failed her previous swimming lesson, so she feels apprehensive about her upcoming trip to her grandparents' lake house. This story also weaves in the history of segregation and has a great message along with the bone chilling ghost aspect of the story. The characters can be relatable, which is great and makes you feel more connected.  This also reminds me of a similar story my brother had told me a while back about a ghost.

  This story is not too scary but has a good plot, the details make this story outstanding, and the curveballs keep you entertained while still having a great, consistent development. One of the best horror/ghost stories I have read so far, this book is great for people who like books with a strong message with some fun twists. I would definitely read it again!

Student Saturday: Up From the Sea by Leza Lowitz

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Genre: Realistic Fiction
Student Reviewer: Aliyah S.

This story takes place in a small town in Honshu Japan. In this town lives a biracial teen named Kai with his mother and grandparents.His best friend in the story is Keiko,a girl in the town his age.Kai’s father lives in New York and Kai hasn’t heard from him in years.

In the story a tsunami hits Kai’s town and you follow the characters through the recovery of the town. After the tsunami Kai is offered a trip to New York to talk to kids who’s lives were changed by 9/11 and while he is in New York he also attempts to find his father.Kai returns from New York to help rebuild his town and encourage others in the town.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the poetry set up of the book and likes an inspiring story. I thought the book was very inspiring because Kai could make good of a devastating situation and keeps hope throughout the book.

Student Saturday: Remember World War II: Kids Who Survived Tell Their Stories by Dorinda Nicholson

 

Student Reviewer: Nikita K.

Genre: Non-Fiction

History is a key part of understanding the world and how things have come to be in the world we live in now.

World War Two (WWII) was a terrible time for many people around the world, but is part of our history nonetheless and therefore should be talked about and taught about. Remember World War II by Dorinda Nicholson does just that by going through first-hand accounts of the horrors of this tragic event. These accounts varied from little kids in affected regions and overall youthful children to were affected by this wartime.

Fred Losch, a kid from East Prussia, Germany, recalls a band or group of people called the "Jungvolk", and how he joined at 10 years of age. Fred talked about how he overcame some hikes that were challenging, along with a bike trip. This was until that bike trip was interrupted because the roads were overrun with military vehicles, and he was told to return home immediately. He knew something was up, and a few days after, the war began. Another person also recalled being outside sweeping the street with her straw broom, until she heard the marching of what sounded like hundreds of soldiers. She ran back inside and yelled, "Mother, they're here. The Nazis are here!" This is when Germany began their conquest of Europe, beginning with Poland and school children were forced to learn how to salute with their right arm and say "Heil Hitler!".

 This worldwide event was terrifying, and many people were forced to pick sides or hide. Some people picked the Nazi's side, while others picked the war-torn and affected countries that were being attacked by the tyranny of Hitler. Many people hid, as to not be found and torn away from their families, and that's what I would try to do in that situation. It wouldn't be good to pick a side as one half of the warring countries would see you as an enemy, and attempt to take you away from everything that you love. In my opinion, it would be wise to stack up on supplies and try to wait out the war.

Overall, this book is great at telling the story of World War Two. It is reliable and interesting to read about what people experienced during this time as it used accounts of a wide variety of individuals, both from inside of Germany and out. It is truly a great read and recommended to anyone who is trying to find some information on World War Two and or history in general.

Student Saturday: Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

 

Student Reviewer Clayton

Genre: Adventure

"Where The Red Fern Grows" is a story about a ten-year-old boy named Billy Coleman. He has lived in the Ozark mountains with his family.Billy is very intelligent when it comes to the mountains. One day he heard some coon hounds in the mountain and wanted some. A little while later he was walking down by the creek when he found a piece of newspaper, on the paper was a listing for some redbone coonhounds for twenty-five dollars apiece. Billy spends the next two years saving up for the dogs. Once he saved up the money, he had his grandpa send a letter to the seller. The seller told his grandpa that he had just had a litter of puppies and that he had lowered the price. Later that month Billy left home  one early morning heading to Talequa without telling his parents. When he got there, he got his puppies and with the leftover money he bought his mother some fabric and his father some overalls. He got home and immediately started training them. Once they were all trained, they were the best hounds in the country. He went back to that place where the newspaper was found and there were two names carved into the wood. Once said Dand and the other one said Ann.  Knowing that the male was bigger than the female, he named them big Dan and little Ann.

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Biography

Source:  I purchased a copy. The opinions expressed here are my own.

 

This is the second graphic novel I have read that has greatly touched me. Omar and his brother Hassan are victims of the civil war in their country of Somalia. Omar witnesses his father's death. He runs to tell his mother. She thrusts Hassan into his arms and tells him to run. He joins thousands of others running from soldiers. He and his brother end up in a refuge camp in Kenya. Fatuma is their legal guardian, since they have no adults.  This story tells of his life in the refugee camp. The struggles of raising a younger brother who can't speak and has medical issues. It tells of his dream of going to school and making a better life. It tells of the dreams of everyone in the camp, dreaming of leaving the camps one day.  This is not an easy book to read. One of my students told me I HAD to read it. Before I could check it in and take it home another kids said, "I want to read it." So, I did what every good teacher would do, who wants to make readers of their students, I checked it out to him. I purchased my own copy to read this weekend. I am glad I did. We who live here in the land of the free have no right to complain when we read books like this. Our lives are so easy compared to the many refugees in camps all over the world.  This is a definite must read.

Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Realistic Fiction
Source: I purchased a copy. The opinions expressed here are my own.


I am not a real big reader of graphic novels. However, as part of my classroom challenge with my students I had to read a graphic novel. I chose this one because I had read his former book, "Hey Kiddo". I enjoyed this book even more and can't wait for my students to read it.  This is the author's true story of a year in high school when he worked at a summer camp for students who had cancer.  The way he was able to inspire those he worked with was amazing. What was more amazing was the way these kids inspired and changed his life.  It is not an easy book to read due to the topic. I found myself moved to tears throughout the book. The author doesn't sugar coat things, not even his own tough life. He was raised by his grandparents. The reasons can be found by reading this book.  I highly recommend it

Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes

 

Genre: Poetry
Source: I own a copy

 I love Nikki Grimes' poetry.  In this book, she starts out giving us a bit of history about the impact African American women have made on the world of poetry.  It has just been in the last couple of years that we have started seeing some of their poetry in our Language Arts books in school. We read poetry by Langston Hughes all the time, and have for years. Nikki's book is divided into three sections: Heritage, Earth Mother, and Taking Notice.  Each section has twelve to fifteen poems. If you are not familiar with this author's writing style she writes something called golden shovel poems. This is not something she invented. A golden shovel poem as she explains in her book goes something like this.

Find a poem that speaks to you. Copy it down.  Then choose a line that speaks to you or the whole poem. Write it one word at a time down the right had side of the paper. Create your poem in front of it so that the last word of the line is the word from the other poem.  When I first introduce my students to these they moan and groan because they are difficult. At the end of the unit when they write about the book of poetry they have written the majority tell me their favorite style to write was the Golden Shovel poem.  One of the reasons is because the punctuation can often end up in the middle of a line.  When I exaplained that to my students one spoke up and said, "It seems that with poetry, we should have the right to do it the way we want and put punctuation where we want, so this just makes sense."  Yes it does.  This was a child who told me up front they would create the book of poetry for the grade, but they hated poetry. When they wrote their final page of their book reflecting on their poetry they deicded they liked it because they could write what they wanted and express themselves.  Mission accomplished.  

Here is my quick and crude example of a golden shovel poem.

Fog by Carl Sandburg

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on

Memories by Sandra Stiles

Memories I have tucked away become lost in my mind. The

time has robbed me of all that is precious, forming a fog

that slips in at the most inopportune times. It comes

when am with you trying to remember who you are. Come on

this journey down memory lane with me when you were little

and snuggled next to me purring words of love like a cat

who has found comfort sitting quietly wrapped around your feet.

One Last Word, is another book of poetry about the Harlem Renaissance that Nikki Grimes has written.  I love her work. She has inspired many other writers.  I would not have known about Nikki's work had it not been for me reading the novel-in-verse book Hidden by Helen Frost. She explained her writing style for one of her characters as golden shovel poems and pointed me toward Nikki Grimes. Had it not been for her, it might have taken me longer to discover this wonderful author and her wonderful writing style.

Always by Morris Gleitzman

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Source: I own a copy

I enjoyed this entire series. This is a fitting end to it.  We find Felix's past and present reconnecting through a young boy named Wassim.  Felix, in helping Wassim, realizes that even though he has always held out hope for mankind to be better than they were when he was a child, witnessing the atrocities of the Holocaust, there is still so much hatred and prejudice in the world. But maybe he can help change Wassim's life a bit.  This is a series I have not only recommended to my students, daughter and granddaughter, but one I will read from beginning to end this coming school year. Why?  Since I have all of them I want to read straight through. This is one roller coaster of a ride series. I definitely recommend it to everyone.

Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Novel-in-Verse

Source: I own a copy

Rez Dogs is one of those books that seem like a quick read for a lazy day, and it is. However, this book is so much more. We meet a young girl named Malian who is visiting her Penacook grandparents on the reservation when all travel is shut down due to Covid-19. Her parents are in Boston.  She continues her school lessons online, helps her grandparents use video chat all while learning more about her own heritage. She wakes one morning to find a dog sitting in the driveway, as if guarding her and her grandparents. She names him Malsum. 

Through the stories her grandparents tell her, she learns about her Native American heritage as well as life lessons. She learns of the atrocities from the past as well as the good that has come out of them. This is a simple, quick read, so full of simple, and in my opinion, great life lessons all children and adults should hear.  This is just another great book by an author I really admire.

Shelve Under C: A Tale of Used Books and Cats by Jenny Kalahar

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adult, Realistic Fiction

Source:  I own a copy

This is a wonderful book. I love cats and books and thought, why not.?  Mr. and Mr. O'Malley own and run a used bookstore. They buy and sell used books. With no children of their own they welcome orphaned cats into their bookstore. These aren't just any cat's. They work with the local animal shelter and foster cats where they would have a great chance of interacting with the public and then become adopted. This bookstore has two cats ready for adoption. Stomper who reminded me in personality of Garfield.  He was grumpy, wanted to be left alone and learned how to steal food from the small fridge inn the front room.  Buglit is the most recent addition. She had belonged to an older lady who had passed away. She hated the shelter. When brought to the shelter, she felt a connection to Mrs. O'Malley. Both cats have their own personality.  There are a variety of humans who play a big part in this book as well. You have the man who owns the music store down the street. There is young Kris who loves spending time in the bookstore. His love of books is obvious. It seems to go beyond the normal love of reading. He and Mr. O'Malley become very close. Like Buglit and Stomper he is a foster kid. Read this book to see how the three of them, Stomper, Buglit, and Stomper help each other through the ups and downs of everyday life.

Escape to the Everglades by Edwina Raffa and Annelle Rigsby

 

Genre:  Middle Grades, Upper Elementary, Historical Fiction

Source:  I own a copy.

I have owned this book for a long time. As we neared the end of the school year and I had packed away my books for the year, I found this book. It had been left on one of my bookcases.  I decided to take it home then give it to my grandson to read. I am so glad it was left behind. I loved this book.

Running Boy receives his adult name at the naming ceremony and hopes that will end the bullying by Tiger. He is also eager to join Osceola's group to fight against the injustice being done on the Seminoles and other Native Americans. Tiger doesn't consider him a true Seminole because his mother was Seminole and his father was white. That is why he was given his father's name, Will Cypress.  His uncle agrees he is a man now and can decide on his own to join Osceola. He reminds him to remember who he is. He isn't just a Seminole he is also white. His uncle tells him that things are not always as black and white as we think. 

Will understand these words when he meets a woman and her three sons who help him hide out and point him in the direction of Osceola's camp. The few days he stays with them he learn what it means to be both white and Native American. He learns what his uncle means when he says he belongs to both worlds and he learns to accept who he is as a man and what it means to "do the right thing."

The Watchman's Keep by Alfred M.Struthers

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Mystery

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Each book in this series gets better and better. The amount of research that goes into the details in the book are extensive. In this story we find Nathan once again in the thick of things. After the man who had tried to kill him is put in prison, Nathan goes back to his old job of sorting books.  His best friend and side-kick Gina is once again helping him solve a riddle.  Nathan's mentor in all things regarding the bookcase has flown to Europe. He is hot on the trail of Ginette, the sister of Edouard Dampierre who now sits in prison.  Tobe expected she is not there, but in the United States looking for Nathan. One call is all it took to keep Gina and Nathan confined to their house.  Jamieson is sure Ginette is after Nathan and to take over the business her brother was running in the states. Unfortunately for her things are not going to go as planned.

One thing I absolutely love about the books is the massive amount of research that goes into each one. The author has compiled information in the back of the book to help those less acquainted with fine art. I may not have known the artwork of many of them mentioned, but understood what sgrafitto and slump molds were. Both have been used by my husband and myself when we owned a ceramic business and my husband worked with glass.  The complexity of each book increases, which is why I said it is for young adults as well.  The danger level rises, more secrets are unpacked. I look forward to reading the next one in this series, "Tears of the Empress".  To learn more about this author and his wonderful books, check out his website.

Student Saturday: Alone by Megan E. Freeman

 

 

Student Reviewer:  Alicia M.

Genre:  Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction

     Maddie was a 12-year-old girl. She was normal and had a great relationship with her stepparents and her parents. She adored her siblings. Everything was fine, her routine was the same, her friendships were good. She lived in a town called Millerville.

    Unfortunately, something occurred causing everyone to evacuate. Maddie planned something with her best friends, but they couldn’t go. While Maddie was at her grandparents alone, everyone left without informing her. Maddie was left to take care of herself and thrive through major weather and disasters. In the end of evacuation, Maddie sought shelter at her mother's house and noticed her neighbor’s dog, George, was left behind unattended. She took him with her as a friend and for protection. They went through different obstacles together. At the end, something unexpected came. She finally reached her successful conclusion after 3 years of surviving alone.

    I didn’t expect to like this book a lot because of how thick the booked looks but it’s interesting. I recommend this book to anyone who feels discouraged when they feel alone. This book made me surprised when I read the big events that occurred. I really enjoyed reading this and I will be more than happy to read this again.

Student Saturday: Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm

 

Student Reviewer - Sophia A

Genre:  Middle Grade, Graphic

In the book "Sunny Side Up", there are many characters, but the main character is Sunshine Lewin; but people call her Sunny. Her grandfather is Patrick Hearn, but Sunny calls him Gramps. Sunny has an older brother named Dale Lewin, and she also has a younger brother, Sunny is ten-years-old. Everything in this book takes place in Florida and Pennsylvania during 1975-1976.

This book is constantly changing the setting. For example, a couple of pages would take place in 1976. Then it would change back to 1975. I found this really confusing. The book starts off with Sunny going on a plane to Florida to stay with her grandfather over the summer. She's constantly getting flashbacks of moments and memories (mainly bad ones) with her older brother Dale. She doesn't seem to enjoy her time in Florida because there aren't any kids her age where her grandfather lives. She somehow ends up meeting a kid her age, and they have a lot of fun together. 

I can relate to how Sunny feels. I have two older sisters. One is twenty years old, and the other is fourteen. They both do really bad things, which causes them to be on bad terms with our mother. I haven't seen or heard from one of them in over two years. The other one never talks to me unless she wants something like money.  Overall, I love my sisters as much as Sunny loves her older brother Dale.

Student Saturday: Crush by Svetlana Chmakova

 

Student Reviewer - Sariah S.

Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel

If you are interested in a teen romance graphic novel, Crush by Svetlana Chmakova is a book that I would recommend. While this book is relating to teenage relationships the author makes good points relating to adults. "Strength is a resource. If you have a lot and someone doesn't, you gotta share yours." I can connect to this book  becausewhen I was younger I would always stand-out because I was tall and muscular. I always helped kids out with bullies even when I wasn't feeling my best. People could come and tell their problems to me and I would try and help them. The main character Jorge always helped everyone around him, but when it came to helping him no one had the time or energy to help him. 

I would recommend this book to any teenager who feels like they have to be the friend or person that gives pro-tips and helps everyone, but doesn't have anyone to help them. I would like them to know there are multiple people that go through this.