Tag Archives: Book Reviews

Managing Middle School 101

School must be starting soon. Ms Ghareeb is already hearing the sixth-grade voices: “ My Teacher doesn’t like me. That’s why she gave me a D.” “Middle school is TOO HARD. I can’t do it.” ” All the (books, teachers, kids, whatever) here are dumb. I liked my old school better.” Well, ladies and gentlemen, [...]

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Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

Finally there’s an undead teen story for the those of us who can’t take anymore Twilight. Seriously, folks, Generation Dead  is some of the most remarkable science fiction I’ve read in a a good long while. The set-up is simple and timeless, but at the same time strangely amusing and ridiculous. For some unknown medical reason, teens [...]

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Get With It, People. OMG.

I’ve come across two great books for middle school that illustrate nicely how modern media is changing everything, but at the same time, it isn’t.  Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carman. This is a creepy ghost mystery that has me reminiscing about  being in High School and seeing the Blair Witch Project. Ryan and Sarah are [...]

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My Favorite Book for Test-Stressed Kids.

So, testing begins on Monday at our school. The Administration is all geared up. Pencils are being sharpened. Teachers are either a frenzied whirlwind of comma-usage review, or are are completely spent. Oh yeah, and the kids might be  more than a little stressed.  This is a cute picture book I always wind up reading to [...]

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March Book Reviews for Middle School

Here are some of the great new books (reviewed and approved!) coming to our Library! The White Gates by Bonnie Ramthun. This was a wonderful novel that I think will hit our “top ten” list in no time. When Tor moves to Colorado with his mom (she’s divorced, and a new doctor) he immediately figures out [...]

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My Favorite Author (and this time I mean it)

I am so very much in love right now with Bill Bryson. I just finished reading A Walk in the Woods : Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, and I loved every page. I consider myself a reasonably competent outdoorsy-type, but I was still inspired and awed as he described the simple beauty of this [...]

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Middle School Book Review: When Is Material Too Mature?

So far this week, I’m 0-for-3. I sent all three books I was reviewing for my library back to Library Services with the same post-it attached: Too mature for middle school, please send for high school review.  There has been much discussion in our district about where boundaries are between middle school and high school [...]

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The Trouble With Boys

The Trouble With Boys:A Surprising Report Card on Our Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do This is a must read for anyone who may find themselves tearing their hair out over that one little boy who will just not sit still, whether you’re a parent, teacher, or school administrator.  As [...]

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High Interest Reading for Middle School

My assistant principal recently asked for a list of high interest, relevant books for our very diverse student population. This list features some of the best books out there, passing both Librarian Review and kid approval.

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Two Sweet Reads

Here are two great books for grown-ups I checked out from my local public library. I would definitely recommend these for chocoholics, foodies, or just us non-fiction geeks.  Candy Freak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America by Steve Almond.  I absolutely loved this book, and not just because I, like the author, have a [...]

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