On one hand, Attack of the Black Rectangles is timely and important. On the other hand, it’s preachy and addresses way too many woke issues at once. I enjoyed the […]
Category: Middle Grades
Before the Ever After : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I so enjoyed Before the Ever After! A great story with a sympathetic protagonist. It has SIX (well-deserved) starred reviews, and it won the 2021 Coretta Scott King Award for […]
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 Witch Boy: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I’ve had some difficulty focusing on novels during this self-quarantine period, so my boys have been recommending graphic novels and comics for me to read. My 13-year old son recommended […]
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, […]
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 […]
Pumpkinheads : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Awww, Pumpkinheads was all the cuteness I needed two weeks before Halloween! Put on your PJs and curl up with your favorite pumpkin spice latte because this may be the […]
New Kid: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
A scene in New Kid reminds me of a scene in American Born Chinese, where a white teacher introduces new student Jin Wang as “coming all the way from China.” […]
My New Crush Gave to Me : A Librarian’s Review
For this year’s YA Christmas book, I’m going with My New Crush Gave to Me, a cute rom-com for teens by Shani Petroff. AUTHOR: Shani Petroff SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Swoon […]
Big Nate, Book 1 : A Tween Boy’s Perspective Review
Today’s review of Big Nate, book 1, by Lincoln Peirce is brought to you by my 11-year old son Jonathan! He loves to read graphic novels and wants to write […]
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 […]
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Can you believe, after all my years in the library, I had never actually read The Boy in the Striped Pajamas? I’ve booktalked it and promoted it, but even my […]
Spirit Hunters : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Every middle school library needs Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh! Seriously, how many requests for “scary” books do middle school librarians get in one day? Sure, we have some really […]
Ghost Boys : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes is a must for all middle school libraries, but I wish the writing had been more powerful. Jerome just didn’t seem very angry to […]
Finding Perfect : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Finding Perfect is a very necessary addition to every school library. I know that after reading, I will never joke about someone who is meticulous being OCD again. It isn’t […]
Love That Dog : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Do you teach upper-elementary or middle school English? This book is a MUST for poetry units! You could plan a whole unit around the poetry references in Love That Dog! […]
Refugee : A Librarian’s Perpsective Review
How much did I love Refugee? The 2018 Newbery Medal will be awarded in about two weeks. I’d be shocked if Refugee by Alan Gratz isn’t at least a contender. […]
The Ruins of Gorlan : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Reading The Ruins of Gorlan has become a bit of a family affair for me this week. It started with our 10-year old son, who brought it home from the […]
The Omnivore’s Dilemma: Young Readers Edition : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Okay, so this is a book review of The Omnivore’s Dilemma: Young Reader’s Edition, but there’s a lot of story behind why I read this book, and I very much […]
Towers Falling : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Towers Falling has been on my TBR for quite awhile now, and my OverDrive hold came in right before Sept. 11. Perfect timing! I didn’t love or hate this one; […]
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 […]
Piecing Me Together : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Considering the tremendous success of The Hate U Give earlier this year (and still going strong), I think Piecing Me Together got a bit…overlooked. Released in February, just two weeks […]
Wesley James Ruined My Life : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Wesley James Ruined My Life is a cute, fun romance with a slightly annoying protagonist. Quinn is flawed and can be mean, but I rooted for her anyway. I’ve not […]
If I Were You : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
If I Were You is such cute “Friday the 13th”-esque for tweens! I just bought the book from our school book fair, and I know it will be easy to […]
Will & Whit : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I am kind of surprised at the relatively low (3.71) Goodreads rating on this title. Many reviewers said that not enough happens in the book, and I will agree that […]
The Boy on the Wooden Box : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
The Boy on the Wooden Box is, to my knowledge, one of only two memoirs written by a Schindler’s List survivor. The other is I Will Plant You a Lilac […]
The Pants Project : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I didn’t love The Pants Project, nor did I hate it. Liv was born a girl but is a boy inside. Unfortunately, Liv’s new school requires girls to wear a […]
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 […]
Poison’s Kiss : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
How gorgeous is the front cover of Poison’s Kiss? It’s so pretty that it’s the reason I chose this book over others on NetGalley. Then, I saw that this is […]
A Long Walk to Water : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Though I know A Long Walk to Water is a popular novel among middle school teachers, it was a student’s recommendation that got me to read it. I loved the […]
The Caged Graves : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
The Caged Graves has been on my TBR for awhile now. I absolutely LOVED the premise! Author Dianne Salerni wrote this book when she saw the real Caged Graves in […]
Roller Girl : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Roller Girl is a cute graphic novel that is a must for any library serving tweens. It’s beautiful, clean, and has many positive messages. Images are colorful, and faces are […]
Sun and Moon and Ice and Snow : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I liked Sun and Moon and Ice and Snow okay, but I’m not jumping out of my chair over it. Middle school students who like fairytale retellings will appreciate that […]
Awkward : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
How cute is Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova? It encompasses realistic worries for a middle school girl such as being the new kid, fitting in, finding your social group, making friends, […]
Cherry Crush : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I don’t think I would have picked up Cherry Crush on my own, so I am very happy that one of my students recommended it to me! It’s a cute, […]
The Magic Finger, The BFG, and 5 reasons you should read Roald Dahl
How is it that I am 41, and I have NEVER read a Roald Dahl book? That is a real shame. I have my nine-year old son to thank for […]
How to Fake a Moon Landing : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
How to Fake a Moon Landing is an engaging nonfiction graphic novel, but unfortunately, I didn’t love it. The graphic novel format is always a hit, and there is lots […]
A Stolen Kiss : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
A Stolen Kiss has everything you would expect from a Disney princess adventure. There’s romance, darkness, secrets, fantasy creatures, castles, evil, princesses, and lots of magic. It’s not the greatest […]
The Crossover : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I read The Crossover in preparation for our recent Battle of the Books competition, where author Kwame Alexander was to be our special guest. I checked out this book from […]
The Metamorphosis Graphic Novel : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
There’s an episode of Seinfeld where George Costanza decides that he will always “go out on a high note.” That is, whenever he does or says something completely brilliant or […]
Bad Island : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Oh, the talent! Bad Island is 2016 Graphic Novel Challenge, book #9. A student recommended this book to me, and I was very happy to read another book by the […]
The Great Hunt : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins was a bit of a roller coaster, and I say that in a good way. After an unforgettable opening scene, the action slows considerably […]
Pokemon Adventures : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I read Pokemon Adventures, book 1 at my 11-year old son’s urging. He loves Pokemon and like many his age, is pretty obsessed with it. I’m just happy he’s reading […]
Cardboard : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I’ve only read six books in my 2016 Graphic Novel Challenge, but I think Cardboard by Doug TenNapel is my favorite so far. So creative! AUTHOR: Doug TenNapel SERIES: none […]
Spelled : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I was so excited to receive Spelled by Betsy Schow for review. The blurb sounds fantastic, and I always love a good Oz retelling, especially one with a dash of […]
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 […]
Anyone But You : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
AUTHOR: Kim Askew, Amy Helmes SERIES: Twisted Lit, book 3 PUBLISHER: Merit Press PUBLICATION DATE: January 18, 2014 ISBN: 9781440570018 PAGES: 224 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: realistic, romance GIVE IT TO: […]
Review: Zombie Makers: True Stories of Nature’s Undead (Johnson)
AUTHOR: Rebecca L. Johnson SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Millbrook Press PUBLICATION DATE: October 1, 2012 ISBN: 9780761386339 PAGES: 48 SOURCE: public library GENRE: nonfiction; science GIVE IT TO: MS readers who […]
The Sweetest Spell : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I loved this book! I’ve seen The Sweetest Spell compared to The Princess Bride, and I totally agree with those comparisons. I was entranced right from the first page, and […]
Sweet Shadows : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Sweet Shadows is the second book in the Medusa Girls series by Tera Lynn Childs. Is it worth buying for your library? AUTHOR: Tera Lynn Childs SERIES: Medusa Girls, book […]
Sweet Venom : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
As a librarian, I get book recommendations from students and teachers all the time. I really do try to read at least some of them, especially if the recommendation comes […]
The Sweetest Thing : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I didn’t love or hate The Sweetest Thing. It’s predictable and follows many common tropes in rom-com style books for middle schoolers. It just feels like I’ve read books just […]
The Sweetheart of Prosper County : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Jill Alexander’s The Sweetheart of Prosper County is perfect for middle school libraries in Texas! I recommend librarians purchase the paperback rather than the hardcover of this one because the […]