The Great Treehouse War

I read this novel because my daughter was working on the Oklahoma Sequoyah intermediate book nominations, and she recommended it.

The Bad Guys

How can you not fall in love with the big bad wolf when he’s trying to show you what a nice guy he is? And when all his bad guy friends fail to cooperate during his persuasive little speech about being good,  and then they all make a crazy–CRAZY–plan to change their image, how can you not laugh your head off?

Dreamland Burning

I think the topic of race is a very salient one at this moment in history. And, I think this book does an excellent job showing where we have been, and where we should be going.

Wonder

There is no doubt something special about this book. In a world where I get the sense that many people are letting hate and ill will grow, we could use many, many more books like Palacio’s Wonder. I wish there was one like this coming out every month.

The Revenant

I have a great respect and regard for the Cherokee. Also, my husband and children are registered tribe members, so that only makes me more attune to the culture and history of this Native American tribe.

Space Case

I am absolutely obsessed with space right now, and who wouldn’t be? With the 50th anniversary of the moon landing coming up, it’s a great time to read a book like Space Case, which features the main character living on the first moon base.

Salt to the Sea

I first fell in love with author Ruta Sepetys’ writing in the novel Between Shades of Gray. There are times when you’re not sure your’e going to enjoy a book centered on World War II events (or events leading up to it). So much tragedy buried in those stories, isn’t there?

Crenshaw

I’ve already featured one of my favorite Katherine Applegate books on this blog. It’s hard to beat a book like The One and Only Ivan. But while reading Crenshaw aloud to a first and third grader, I learned these things:

Fuzzy Mud

Maybe all I need to tell you is that the author of Fuzzy Mud, Louis Sachar, is the author of Holes. Maybe that’s all you need to know to want to read this. Or, maybe you’re like me. Maybe you love contemporary science fiction based on what could really happen. As a former employee of the CDC, I’m a sucker for any book with an epidemic as an external conflict.

The Phantom Tower

What if you could take an elevator to visit the dead? If you’re intrigued by that idea, this book is for you. A little creepy but not too scary, The Phantom Tower will keep you on your toes as a set of twins tries to figure out the mystery behind their new Chicago apartment building.

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles)

I have to say, I love a good retelling. Of course, the Cinderella concept is always popular, and this one, complete with cyborg, is definitely an intriguing and gripping read. Besides, I love futuristic, speculative fiction–especially if it throws in a little romance.

I Survived

I was very excited when I first spied these books at Barnes & Noble (I do a lot of bookshelf stalking at that store). What a great way to introduce history to readers through some of the most intense events. My son has consumed a number of these with me, and I imagine he’ll continue to read them on his own as he gains more confidence