Posts about books I’m reading, book recommendations, illustrated book posts. Also see my Bookstagram!
I’ve been a fan of dystopian YA long before it became a trend, and confess I had been turned off the genre because of so many jumping on the bandwagon. THE SCORPION RULES by Erin Bow (Margaret K. McElderry/Simon & Schuster) however, has such original and multi-layered world-building plus I find the main antagonist (Talis) . . .
In honor of Banned Books Week, I’ve illustrated one of my favorite Judy Blume quotes: “Having the freedom to read and the freedom to choose is one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me.” I was lucky that way, too. My father used to take the whole family to our . . .
For more info about Sylvia McNicoll, see SylviaMcNicoll.com.
If you’re looking for funny, smart middle grade books and lots of entertaining animal facts, you need to check out Jess Keating’s “My Life Is A Zoo” series. I met Jess through Torkidlit and Nerd Camp; she’s funny, smart and entertaining in person, too :-). The third book in her series, . . .
Just finished AWKWARD, an absolutely wonderful middle grade graphic novel by Svetlana Chmakova (Yen Press/Hachette, 2015). This needs to be in every school library. Why? Because it Svetlana does SUCH a great job at capturing the awkwardness of middle school personal interactions, especially for the insecure and shy. I wish this . . .
Just finished THE KIDNEY HYPOTHETICAL: OR HOW TO RUIN YOUR LIFE IN SEVEN DAYS by Lisa Yee (Arthur Levine Books, Mar/2015). I’ve been a fan of Lisa’s since MILLICENT MIN, and I thoroughly enjoyed her new YA. What I love about all of Lisa’s books, including this one: the wry sense of . . .
What I just tweeted: Just heard that BONE GAP made the 2015 National Book Award Longlist!
Yay, my copy of LADY PANCAKE & SIR FRENCH TOAST by Josh Funk and Brendan Kearney (Sterling) just arrived! Such a delicious read, plus I love the surprise fold-out ending. This would make a great readaloud, with lots of potential discussion with young readers about the fun art details, food and friendship. . . .
I cannot resist a middle grade novel with unique/cool technology as a hook, so was intrigued by the basic synopsis of SIX by M. M. Vaughan (Margaret K. McElderry, 2015): Parker and his sister Emma, with the help of secret advanced technology, can communicate between themselves through their thoughts. When their father . . .