Bibliotechies » Liz Loves

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

carascherzer — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:04:46 +0000

Ten-year-old Caitlin, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, struggles to understand emotions, show empathy, and make friends at school, while at home she seeks closure by working on a project with her father.

Liz says:

As Caitlyn struggles to deal with the tragic death of her older brother, she must face her own difficulties of understanding the world and relating to others. Ultimately, Caitlyn learns the true meaning of closure and empathy as she connects, in her own way, to her family, friends and community. This is a beautiful, sensitive story; a little gem.

Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Lizsays — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:15:24 +0000

Dystopian tales filled with violence, intrigue and romance. Ultimately through the courage of those who challenge the new world order, there is hope. Well-written and thought-provoking, these are a must read. Recommended for middle and high school students and their parents!

Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Lizsays — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:22:18 +0000

Bored and lonely after his family moves from Berlin to a place called “Out-With” in 1942, Bruno, the son of a Nazi officer, befriends a boy in striped pajamas who lives behind a wire fence.

Liz says:

“This is a unique and poignant look at Nazi Germany.”

2010 Newbery Honor Winner The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Lizsays — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:43:37 +0000

In central Texas in 1899, eleven-year-old Callie Vee Tate is instructed to be a lady by her mother, learns about love from the older three of her six brothers, and studies the natural world with her grandfather, the latter of which leads to an important discovery.

Liz says:

“We predicted this to be a Newbery Winner, and in fact it received the Newbery Honor Medal. This first book by Kelly is about a young girl growing up at a time when girls were taught to be housewives. Instead, Callie wants to be a scientist just like her Grandfather. As she and her Grandfather observe nature and ultimately make a discovery, Callie also looks inward and makes her own discoveries about herself. Beautifully written, this book is best enjoyed by 5th and 6th grade girls.”

2010 Newbery Medal Winner When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Lizsays — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:05:21 +0000

As her mother prepares to be a contestant on the 1980s television game show, “The $20,000 Pyramid,” a twelve-year-old New York City girl tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.

Liz & Rob (Liz’s son) say:

“This is a thought-provoking, fun story. You have to pay attention to details and suspend your disbelief and you will be in for a real treat!”

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

pforray — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:17:38 +0000

A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards’ families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

Liz says:

“This is a very accessible book that sheds light on what life might be like for the sibling of a special needs child. While this book treats this issue with insight and sensitivity, the book is given levity by its setting and entertaining characters. This Newbery Honor winner is truly a winner.”

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

pforray — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:47:58 +0000

When his younger brother is diagnosed with leukemia, thirteen-year-old Steven tries to deal with his complicated emotions, his school life, and his desire to support his family.

Liz says:

“Through the honest, sometimes funny, sometimes profoundly worried voice of 8th grader Steven Alper, we see the impact of a life-threatening illness on an entire family. There is sadness and humor in this story and I think it’s an important book for adolescents as its ultimate message is one of empathy and hopefulness. I believe this is a perfect 7th grade read.”

2010 Schneider Family Book Award Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

pforray — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:52:41 +0000

Jason, a twelve-year-old autistic boy who wants to become a writer, relates what his life is like as he tries to make sense of his world.

Liz says:

“This slice of life story about Jason takes us into the mind of a child with Autism as he experiences the day to day challenges of growing up. Jason’s story both illuminates his differences from and his similarities with ‘neurotypicals’. This is a beautifully crafted story with so much to tell, making it anything but typical.”

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

pforray — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:11:31 +0000

After her mother leaves home suddenly, thirteen-year-old Sal and her grandparents take a car trip retracing her mother’s route. Along the way, Sal recounts the story of her friend Phoebe, whose mother also left.

Liz says:

“This is a must read for 5th and 6th grade girls. As Sal travels cross country to find her mom, she discovers the truth about why her mom left. Readers will find themselves crying on one page and laughing on the next. Creech is at her best in this Newbery Award winning book.”

London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd

pforray — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:18:00 +0000

“When Ted and Kat’s cousin Salim disappears from the London Eye ferris wheel, the two siblings must work together–Ted with his brain that is “wired differently” and impatient Kat–to try to solve the mystery of what happened to Salim.

Liz says:

“This is a thoroughly enjoyable read that I recommend especially to 5th and 6th grade boys. It is reminiscent of Mark Haddon’s book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Ted has Asperger’s Syndrome and as a result has a unique perspective on the world and is able to see the facts of his cousin’s disappearance with greater clarity and insight than everyone else. This is a great mystery and a wonderful story.”