The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, ill by Melissa Sweet — Book Recommendation

Title: The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus Author: Jen Bryant Illustrator: Melissa Sweet Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2014 Genre: Picture book, nonfiction/biography Audience Age: 5 to 10 Themes/topics: Words, lists, Peter Mark Roget’s life, thesaurus Opening Sentences (sort of): Peter snuggled deeper into Uncle’s lap as the carriage clattered through the valleys of Switzerland.…

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Okay For Now by Gary Schmidt — Reprise Book Recommendation

This was first posted on June 4, 2015. I hope you enjoy revisiting this book! If you haven’t already read it, I urge you to do so. Title: Okay for Now Author: Gary D. Schmidt Publisher: New York: Sandpiper, 2011, 2013. Genre: Late Middle Grade, early YA Audience Age: 11 to 14 years old Themes/topics:…

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No One But You by Douglas Wood — Reprise Book Recommendation

For the next few weeks, I’ll be reprising a few posts from the archives. I hope you’ll enjoy revisiting these posts, as I have. This was originally shared as a Perfect Picture Book post on October 26, 2012. This lovely book explores the way each of us sees things differently. We are both the same…

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Martin Luther King Jr.: A King Family Tribute — book recommendation

Today, since it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I am commemorating the man with a book about him. Title: Martin Luther King Jr.: A King Family Tribute Edited by: Angela Farris Watkins (niece of Dr. King) Publisher: New York: Abrams, 2012 Genre: Non-fiction, photo album, tribute Audience Age: 12 to as old as a…

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Falling Over Sideways by Jordan Sonnenblick — Book Recommendation

Title: Falling Over Sideways Author: Jordan Sonnenblick Publisher: New York: Scholastic, 2016 Genre: Upper MG, Lower YA Fiction Audience Age: 10 to 14 Themes topics: Parental illness, stroke, family problems, school problems, dance, music Opening Sentences: I’m waiting in the wings, watching all of the fathers dancing onstage. Well, all of the fathers except mine.…

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The Blue Whale by Jenni Desmond — Picture Book Recommendation

Title: The Blue Whale Author/Illustrator: Jenni Desmond Publisher: Brooklyn, NY: Enchanted Lion Books, 2015 Genre: Picture book, NON-FICTION Audience Age: 4-9 Themes/Topics: Whales, endangered species, reading Opening Sentences: Once upon a time, a child took a book from a shelf and started to read. He read that the blue whale is a mammal of gigantic…

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Anywhere Farm — Perfect Picture Book Friday

Title: Anywhere Farm Author: Phyllis Root Illustrator: G. Brian Karas Publisher: Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2017 Genre: Picture book, fiction Audience Age: 4 to 8 Themes/Topics: Nature/Gardens, Neighbors Opening Sentences: For an anywhere farm, here’s all that you need: soil and sunshine, some water, a seed. Synopsis: In simple, delightful verse and equally simple, delightful illustrations,…

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