“Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell in Love,” by Lauren Tarshis is the wonderful sequel to “Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree.” In this second book of the series Emma-Jean will attempt to use her rational, scientific approach to unravel the mysteries of seventh grade romance.
Those readers who have already experienced “Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree” know Emma as a girl who is highly intelligent. She takes a logical approach to everything in life, but that technique doesn’t always work when she tries to understand the social dynamics of William Gladstone Middle School. Read the rest »
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Rating: 4.2/5 (5 votes cast)
“The Kind of Friends We Used to Be” by Frances O’Roark Dowell is the story of two twelve year old girls and their changing friendship as they go through middle school.
Kate and Marylin had been best friends for years. They knew everything about each other, and felt that they shared a history because of the time they spent together. But last year they had a dramatic falling out and Marylin gave Kate the silent treatment all year long. This year those feelings are left behind and Kate and Marylin want to be friends again, but it is proving to be more difficult than both girls had originally thought. Read the rest »
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Rating: 4.0/5 (1 vote cast)
“The Girl Who Threw Butterflies,” by Mick Cochrane is an appealing story about a girl who faces her father’s death by playing on the school baseball team and throwing the knuckleball that her father taught her.
Molly Williams is known to other eighth grade students as the girl whose father died. The other students treat her differently, like they are sorry for her, but Molly doesn’t want to be treated differently. She wants life to go back to the way it was before her father was killed in a mysterious single car accident. Read the rest »
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Rating: 4.0/5 (1 vote cast)
“Millions,” by Frank Cottrell Boyce is a riveting tale about two boys who suddenly find themselves millionaires, but the problem is that they have no way to spend their money.
Damien and Anthony live in England with their father. Their mother died some months ago. The two boys and their father have recently moved to a new home where they hope to start a new life away from the sorrow and memories of their old house. Damien has a great interest in saints and angels, because he wonders what might have happened to his mother after she died. Anthony, Damien’s older brother, is deeply interested in money and real estate. Read the rest »
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Rating: 5.0/5 (1 vote cast)
“Perpetual Check,” by Rich Wallace is a riveting story about two brothers who are both chess whizzes. The only problem is that their shared skill lands them in the same championship, where they must play against each other.
Zeke Mansfield is a high school senior. He is a bit of a jock, and plays sports most of the time. But his time in athletics doesn’t stop him from enjoying chess. Zeke checkmated his father when he was just six years old. The only problem is that Zeke usually doesn’t bother to concentrate, and when he lets his overconfidence limit him he usually ends up loosing the game. Read the rest »
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Rating: 4.0/5 (1 vote cast)
