For most of us, Labor Day is a rather vague, 3-day weekend. Here in Minnesota, it’s normally a time to button up the cabin for winter and take in the Minnesota State Fair. How did this federal holiday arrive on …
Category: chapter/middle grade
super middle grade reads + a chapter-book *giveaway*
Today I’ve got a batch of middle grade titles I’ve recently enjoyed. Plus, courtesy of the great people at Kane Miller, I’m giving away a series of four chapter books perfect for kids reading on their own or for reading …
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know justice, know peace…resources for middle-grade through adult
Last week I posted some children’s books/resources on topics of diversity, race, Black history, civil rights. Today I’m offering some suggestions for middle-graders through adults. My voice is not the one to listen to on matters of race; I am …
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a batch of fiction gems
Over the last few months I’ve read a few new or new-ish pieces of children’s fiction that I’ve mightily enjoyed. I’m passing them along to you today in the hopes that if you’re in need of something fresh book-wise, you …
Juicy read-alouds for together times
The Great 2020 Global Stay-at-Home has at least one positive side-effect: more time for reading aloud together. The deep enjoyment, family bonds, and literary acquaintances our family has gained from reading aloud together over the course of 30+ years – …
a big batch of old and new middle-grade favorites
During the first couple months of 2020 — in that eons-ago time when my library was open — I was merrily reading and compiling a list of middle-grade reads that struck my fancy. I thought I’d post those titles today …
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a sweet Paddington **giveaway**
Hello friends! Today I’ve got a sweet-and-sticky giveaway, courtesy of the good folks at Chicago Review Press and Rosanne Tolin, author of a brand new biography of Paddington Bear’s creator, Michael Bond. More than Marmalade: Michael Bond and the …
fiction faves…a variety pack
It’s time for another posting of fiction I’ve enjoyed recently. As I mentioned on Monday, today’s mix contains a mix of vintage and contemporary. There’s some fantasy, a bit of humor, and one graphic novel. Hope you find something grand! …
gold and silver…musings on the riches of children’s literature
I was a Campfire Girl back in the Dark Ages. Our little rag-tag group would descend on Camp Bluewater in the forests of northern Minnesota, swim in that clear, cold lake, and sing our Wohelo song together to the strumming …
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old and new read-alouds for young listeners
Today I’ve got some choices that are just right for sturdy, young listeners. Most can also be handed to young, capable readers. Vintage and new, books in translation, all brimming with peppy adventures. Pleasant Fieldmouse, written by Jan Wahl, illustrated …
