Raoul Wallenberg

His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg by Louise Borden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Horrified by Hitler's treatment of Jews, Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish citizen saves thousands from the death camps; often without regard to his own safety.

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Summer of the Gypsy Moths

Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Stella and her foster sister, Angel, devise a plan to stay at Great-aunt Louise's house even after she dies.

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Chained

Chained by Lynne Kelly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

To work off a debt, Hastin is forced to work for a cruel circus owner. Hastin is in charge of a baby elephant that is stolen from her herd. Now Hastin and his elephant, Nandita, are both captives.

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Fake Mustache

Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lenny's best friend, Casper buys a fake mustache and tries to take over the world with an evil plan. This book stretches and breaks all believability, but you'll have a blast reading it. (From the author of the "Origami Yoda" series.)

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A Greyhound of a Girl

A Greyhound of a Girl by Roddy Doyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mary was walking home from school one day and she meets a mysterious woman standing outside Mary's home. Life for Mary and her family will change in ways no one could EVER imagine. Cuddle in and enjoy this little gem of a book with a nice cup of tea.

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Glory Be

Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Glory always has her birthday party at the public pool- but this year the pool won't open and the town of Hanging Moss, Mississippi will never be the same.

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The Lions of Little Rock

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In 1958, one year after Little Rock public schools was required to integrate their students, two girls become best friends. This decision could literally cost them their lives. This book captures the tension felt by all during this tumultuous time.

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The Great Molasses Flood

The Great Molasses Flood: Boston, 1919 by Deborah Kops
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

WHO KNEW? I certainly had never heard of the Great Molasses Flood. A molasses tank exploded, flooding the Boston riverfront and trapping people in the brown sticky goo and debris. The author attempts to find who was ultimately responsible. Interesting!

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Three Times Lucky

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

During a hurricane, Mo LeBeau washes up on shore in a teeny tiny town called Tupelo Landing, North Carolina. The Colonel washes up during the same storm and finds Mo; naturally he decides to raise her with the help of Miss Lana. Big trouble finds this little town and Mo and her best friend Dale start a detective agency save her family. You'll fall in LOVE with Mo!!

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Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Temple was a child her father wanted her institutionalized but her mom knew she had special gifts. This was before doctors knew about autism. Her mom fought to find the right schools and mentors for her daughter. Thank goodness Temple's mom was such a fighter because Temple grew up to become an everyday HERO!

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The Emerald Atlas

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Three siblings are sent away from their parents and are forced to live in one horrible orphanage after another.  Just when the kids think it can't get any worse -IT DOES; they are thrown into a time travelling nightmare.  A great start to a new fantasy series!



View">http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2050782-kim">View all my reviews

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Auggie was born with severe facial deformities that required many surgeries. He is 10 years old and will be entering the 5th grade. He is finally healthy enough to go to school, rather than being home schooled. He just wants to be treated like a "normal" kid, but Auggie isn't sure that is possible.

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Get the Scoop on Animal Poop by Dawn Cusick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fun read. I bet you'll giggle at least once!

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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the BEST children's book I have read in several years. You will root for Ivan and all of his friends, both human and non-human. Everyone should read this book and pass it on. GREAT read aloud for teachers.

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Our Only May Amelia

Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


May Amelia is part of a close knit Finnish community that settled in Washington state at the turn of the century. She is the only girl in her family and she has SEVEN brothers. She loves hanging out with her brothers and acting like a tomboy - but unfortunately her mother and father have different ideas.



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Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin Van Draanen

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Sammy gets a pair of binoculars and when she is looking out her Grandma's window, she sees a someone stealing across the street. When the thief sees her she waves at him. Crazy - right? Sammy is always getting herself into trouble but she always gets the criminal. A smart and funny mystery series.



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Inside Out & Back Again

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is an autobiographical tale about Lai's life. She was 10 years old during the Fall of Saigon. Her family must flee South Korea and they immigrate to the United States - Alabama to be more precise.



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Bootleg: Murder Moonshine and the Lawless Year of Prohibition

Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition by Karen Blumenthal

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


An in depth look at prohibition; the reasons for it and why it went horribly wrong. Recommend for upper middle school and high school students.



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Dead End in Norvelt

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jack Gantos writes a semi-autobiographical tale about growing up in the Midwest, being grounded all summer and writing obituaries for all of the old people who dropping like flies. Laugh out loud funny!



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Drawing from Memory

Drawing from Memory by Allen Say

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Allen Say only wanted to be an artist when he was growing up in Japan but his father didn't think that was a respectable profession. Without his father knowing, he got an apprenticeship with a famous author. Mr. Say is now a fulltime award winning author and illustrator.



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Saint Louis Armstrong Beach

Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Saint lives in New Orleans along with his parents and his dog, Shadow. During Hurricane Katrina - he becomes separated from his parents and returns home. He and Shadow take refuge with his neighbor, Miz Moran. A good introduction to Katrina, but many issues were barely addressed - if at all.



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Amelia Lost

Amelia Lost by Candace Fleming

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There are thousands of books about Amelia Earhart but this one stands out from the crowd. It is amazingly researched and simply fascinating. A book for everyone of every age to read and enjoy.



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Grand Plan to Fix Everything

The Grand Plan to Fix Everything by Uma Krishnaswami

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Dina must leave her home for two years and live in India, leaving behind her best friend. But she loves Bollywood and she will be closer to her favorite actress so what could possibly go wrong?



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Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Brian Selznick, the author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret has masterfully pieced together two stories; one in words, one in pictures. Simply fabulous.



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World Without Heroes

A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jason falls into a hippo's mouth and awakens in a strange new land called Lyrian which is run by an evil wizard. Join Jason and has tries to get back home. This is a great new series by Brandon Mull the author of the Fablehaven series.



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Chomp!

Check out Carl Hiaasen's lastest book, CHOMP! Our copy is on order but you can place a hold for it.

Calling all Origami Yoda fans:

If you are a fan of "Strange Case of Origami Yoda" and "Darth Paper Strikes Back", click on the link below and tell the author, Tom Angleberger, which Star Wars character you would like to see in the next book! http://origamiyoda.wordpress.com/poll/

The One and Only Ivan

I cannot wait for this book to get here! Check out this trailer!!

SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT

Dark Days by Derek Landy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


We FINALLY got a copy of book four in the Skulduggy Pleasant series. It is called "Dark Days" and it was SOOOOO worth the wait. I don't know how this series gets better and better, but it does!



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The Casson Family

I am thrilled to learn that there will be a sixth book in the Casson Family Series. It is called "Caddy's World" and it will be published in the end of March 2012. If you are new to the Cassons - drop on by and check out the series.




Saffy's Angel
Indigo's Star
Permanent Rose
Caddy Ever After
Forever Rose


You will find these titles under J Fic McKay

Newbery Winners

While I know that most of you watched the Newbery Awards live, (lol!) here is the list of winners for those that weren't glued to their computer screens!

The BEST book of 2011 is "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos.

The Honor books are:
"Inside Out and Back Again" by Thanhha Lai
"Breaking Stalin's Nose" by Eugene Yelchin

Happy Reading!!

Calling all Readers

The Newbery Medal Winners will be announced at 8:45 am on January 23rd. What book do you think should win the award? (In case you don't know, the Newbery Medal is awarded to the BEST book of the year that is written by an American author.)

Anna Hibiscus

Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I have been trying to get this series for our library forever and it finally got here. I am so glad I didn't give up on my quest because this is a lovely early chapter book. Hand to all of your new independent readers. Now I have to work on getting the rest of the series here! :)



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Silent Too Long

I can't believe that I haven't posted a book since August! Please forgive me. I have been catching up on my Teen reads, but now I'm back.