false 68 576 555 true 5628777 read 1 true 373552 currently-reading 20 true 373551 to-read 325 false 2849902 childrens 215 false 4994256 picture-books 90 false 4824324 adult 87 false 3867067 middle-school 67 false 4994258 kids-chapter-books 56 false 2849931 young-adult 46 false 8565087 nonfiction 27 false 5017102 kids-writing-class 26 false 5387726 poetry http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78773999 to: Ryan and Jimmy: And the Well in Africa That Brought Them Together (Hardcover) by Herb Shoveller
bookshelves: childrens, nonfiction
The story is incredible, the writing is not. First-grader Ryan learns that some people in Africa don't have access to clean water, so he decides to raise money to dig a well - $2,000. When Ryan goes to see the well he helped make possible, he becomes friends with a local boy named Jimmy. This friendship ultimately ends up saving Jimmy's life, when war threatens his village. Great inspirational story, great to show kids that they can make a difference. Writing is pedestrian. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78773740 to: The Emperor's Silent Army: Terracotta Warriors of Ancient China (Hardcover) by Jane O'Connor
bookshelves: childrens, nonfiction
Thousands of life-size pottery soldiers buried underground, meant to protect an emperor from centuries ago. Very cool topic, and O'Connor writes in an easy, conversational style. The "Fancy Nancy" chick is a versatile writer! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78773471 to: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (Paperback/Newbery ) by Robert C. O'Brien
bookshelves: childrens, kids-chapter-books
I've never been a fan of talking-animal-chapter-books, especially ones with talking rats and mice, so it is purely due to O'Brien's writing and great story that I love this book as much as I do. I love that he assumes his readers are smart - what a great trait in a children's author! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78773307 to: Technically, It's Not My Fault: Concrete Poems (Paperback) by John Grandits
bookshelves: childrens, kids-writing-class, poetry
All I have to do is read the poem on the cover of this book, and kids clamor for it. Grandits has such a fantastic sense of humor, and his voice as this kid, Robert, rings true. For kids who say they don't like poetry, this book will hook them. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78773078 to: Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science (Paperback) by John Fleischman
bookshelves: childrens, nonfiction
The guy had a railroad spike go through his head, and he lived! Really interesting topic. My fifth grade daughter couldn't put it down - all the medical information was expertly wrapped into the narrative of Phineas Gage's life. There is a bit of the "eww!" factor, but mostly it's just "cool!" ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78772889 to: Eleventh Hour (Hardcover) by Graeme Base
bookshelves: childrens, picture-books
I love Graeme Base, and even though I know the solution to the mystery, I still find myself poring over this book for all the clues! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78772751 to: The Fighting Ground (Paperback) by Avi
bookshelves: middle-school
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78737105 to: I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous & Obscure (Paperback) by Larry Smith
bookshelves: adult, kids-writing-class, young-adult
Six-word memoirs. Some are poignant, some funny, many made me envious that these teenage authors are so much more insightful and eloquent than I was at their age. I don't think many writers can read this book and not immediately begin composing their own six-word memoirs. Definitely using some of the more age-appropriate ones with my kids' writing workshops. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78735244 to: Fame and Glory In Freedom, Georgia (Hardcover) by Barbara O'Connor
bookshelves: childrens, kids-chapter-books
I loved the writing style, and dearly loved Bird, the middle-school outcast who dreams of going to Disney World, longs for a few moments of fame and glory so kids could see the real her, and befriends the glaring new boy, Harlem. But in the end, when Bird's only claim to fame and glory is watching her friend play in the basketball game, I felt so sad for her. I wanted more for Bird. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/78335115 to: Anything But Typical (Hardcover) by Nora Raleigh Baskin
bookshelves: childrens, kids-writing-class, middle-school
Gotta admit, I got a little misty on page 187 where Hamilton, the writing teacher says, "Long after we are gone, our words will be all that is left, and who is to say what really happened or even what reality is? Our stories, our fiction, our words will be as close to truth as can be. And no one can take that away from you."

I love this kid, Jason. He is not an NT (neurotypical). He was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, and this first-person story told from this middle-school boy's point of view is insightful and strong and poignant.

]]>