Free Lunch. Punching Bag. Abuela Don’t Forget Me. This YA memoir trilogy by Rex Ogle is both engrossing and absolutely tragic. I can’t fathom the courage it must have taken […]
Category: Overcoming Adversity
Brave Face : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I read the audiobook of Brave Face, written and narrated by Shaun David Hutchinson. Audiobooks are kind of my jam lately, and I’ve reviewed a few just in the past […]
Watch Over Me : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Watch Over Me has gotten a lot of rave reviews, including four starred professional reviews. Does it live up to the hype? For me, it does not. AUTHOR: Nina LaCour […]
Prairie Lotus: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I’m not going to gush over Prairie Lotus. Practically every review I’ve seen about this title just raves about it. It even received FIVE starred professional reviews. I won’t be […]
The Benefits of Being an Octopus: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I needed The Benefits of Being an Octopus when I was 12. Zoey is responsible for her three younger siblings. All day, every day. She does not get a break, […]
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree is based on the true story of 276 Nigerian girls kidnapped from school in 2014. I remember the news story, but I’ve hardly heard anything […]
Exit Pursued By a Bear: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Exit Pursued by a Bear is a weird title, to be sure, but it’s a nod to Shakespeare! I really loved how strong the 17-year old protagonist is after she […]
White Bird : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Years ago, my family and I visited the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. There’s a section called “Daniel’s Story” that is designed for younger visitors. This is a great […]
They Called Us Enemy : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Awhile back, I read a book called Lies My Teacher Told Me, which discusses the many omissions and glorifications in the way history is taught in American public schools. I […]
Forget Me Not : A Librarian’s Review
I knew little of Tourette Syndrome before Forget Me Not. Every summer, my husband, boys, and I visit our family in the USA for several weeks. This past summer, we […]
Rapture Practice : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Rapture Practice is a memoir, which is apparently my new favorite genre. Memoirs give us stories with characters, plot, and dialogue, but the twist is that the characters are real […]
I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Just before school got out in late-June, I discovered I Am Nujood in our storage room of class set books. Curious, I checked out a copy of I Am Nujood […]
Ghost : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Holy-freakin-fantastic! Ghost is easily among 2016’s best, and I can’t think of a more perfect book for seventh graders who “can’t find any books they want to read.” I’m ordering […]
Every Falling Star : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
If you are in charge of purchasing for your school or library, Every Falling Star is a must. The vast majority of today’s students know little to nothing about North […]
Outcasts United : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Whoa, I didn’t really expect to like Outcasts United as much as I did! This is a great and TRUE story of refugees from all over the world who find […]
Review: Zac & Mia (Betts)
I’ve wanted to read Zac & Mia for quite awhile now! The author, A.J. Betts, came to our school last March and went down like a storm. She was interesting, […]
Review: This Raging Light (Laure)
This Raging Light needs a little more raging and a lot more memorable characters. It’s a fun distraction from real life, but I won’t remember This Raging Light by the […]
The Middle School Rules of Brian Urlacher : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
The Middle School Rules of Brian Urlacher presents a biographical account of NFL linebacker Brian Urlacher during his formative middle school years, his failures and successes in school and in […]