Liar & Spy

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really love Liar & Spy. It one that seems to fly right off the pages and feels real and quirky and truthful all at once. There's a bit of mystery here too that I think young readers will enjoy, but there are themes present that make the book special and wise. I love the ideas of friendship, change, fitting in (or not fitting in) and facing fears. For middle grade readers, there is a lot to like about this book. Stead's writing is awesome and the chapter "How to Land a Plane" blew me away.

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Igniting a Passion for Reading

Igniting a Passion for Reading: Successful Strategies for Building Lifetime Readers by Steven L. Layne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is such a great book for teachers and librarians! I'm so glad I bought it at our book fair last year and finally took the time to read it. It has definitely gotten me fired up to start a new school year. Layne's knowledge and advice for turning kids on to good books and reading is presented in a practical and accessible way. His message is a breath of fresh air.

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Laugh with the Moon

Laugh with the Moon by Shana Burg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Laugh with the Moon is a memorable story with a great message. I think kids will respond well to learning about life in Malawi. The main character Clare is often shocked by how different life is there compared to how she lived in the US. Her voice is authentic in regard to her new home, the people she meets, and her relationship with her father. Author Shana Burg achieved her purpose - taking children to Africa with her compelling story.

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Tua and the Elephant

Tua and the Elephant by Randal Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It took me a while to get into this one, but it is a lovely story with an interesting setting. I think kids who are animal-lovers will be drawn into this book. However, the first few chapters are a bit intimidating with so many Thai words and so many different people Tua encounters at the market. Once the real plot begins, the book becomes much easier to follow. Writing teachers should read this one as it has such colorful and descriptive language throughout. It could make for a great mentor text.



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Flying the Dragon

Flying the Dragon by Natalie Dias Lorenzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a really beautiful book. I liked it as soon as I began reading, and - I felt - it just got better and better. I think this one will be appreciated by many readers especially this those who have lost a close relative or loved one. I also like the description of the ESL classes (and issues); I think this will be eye opening or relatable to many students. All in all, this is a great story.



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Okay for Now

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is an excellent book. Baseball, birds, art, Vietnam War, moving, middle school, friendship. The themes and writing are so good that I didn't want this story to end. Schmidt has created several memorable characters here as well. I hope children and adults alike will continue to discover this great novel.

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Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart

Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I absolutely enjoyed this book! The photos, the details about Amelia's life, and the accounts of her last days are all well-presented here. Kids interested in Amelia Earhart should definitely give this biography a shot.

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