Monthly Archives: September 2010

Bloomability

Bloomability by Sharon Creech Can we discuss how awful that cover on the right is?  I don’t know how you’d convince a kid to read a book with that cover.  Any kid I know would either say “ew” and put … Continue reading

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The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

by Tom Angleberger I don’t know about you, but middle school pretty much ranks way up there in the contest for worst years of my life.  The Strange Case of Origami Yoda does an amazing job of capturing all of … Continue reading

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Extra Credit

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements Books about school are Andrew Clements’ thing.  It’s what he does.  I’d fully intended to devote a whole week to him, but then September kind of got away from me.  So I’m going with his … Continue reading

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The Homework Machine

The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman It’s only been a few years since I finally was able to walk away from a book. I’ve always been a finish it at all costs kind of reader.  So, I’ve always been pretty … Continue reading

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Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger

Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger by Louis Sachar Yet another installment of the Wayside School series.  After two hundred and forty three days, the yard teacher, Louis, has finally fixed up the school after a cow invasion.  The students … Continue reading

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Wayside School is Falling Down

Wayside School Is Falling Down by Louis Sachar Mrs. Jewls’s class returns in Wayside School is Falling Down.  The characters from Sideways Stories from Wayside School are back, but they’re joined by some new friends this time around.  Following the … Continue reading

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Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar Louis Sachar restores my faith that it is possible to write something hilarious about school without completely demeaning both children and teachers.  I made it exactly six pages into this before I … Continue reading

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Roderick Rules (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #2)

I’m sure it will come as a surprise to no one when I admit that I liked this no better than the first.  Publisher’s Weekly promises “A laugh-out loud ‘novel in cartoons’…should keep readers in stitches” and Kirkus Reviews cites … Continue reading

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney is huge and it’s only getting bigger. This past year it was made into a movie, effectively creating even more devotees. The fifth book in the series becomes available on November 9th … Continue reading

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The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart This is one of those YA books that I have no difficulty recommending to adults.  It’s smart and fun.  To her family, Frankie is Bunny Rabbit, the harmless baby sister.  To … Continue reading

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