A flashback to what I was reading in February 2007: John Lewis In the Lead: A Story of the Civil Rights Movement by Jim Haskins and Kathleen Benson, illustrated by Benny Andrews. From my review: “History cannot be hidden because it is violent or unfair or difficult; and Lewis proves a role model who acts, who tries to [...]

A flashback to what I was reading in January 2007. Please note, a lot of picture books! Crazy Cars for Crazy Kids by Mark David. From my review: “Cars. Crazy cars. Cars that should be made; but never will. . . . These cars are very Caractacus Potts and Rube Goldberg-esque, full of details that are bizarre, impossible, and fun.” [...]

A flashback to what I was reading in January 2010: All the World by Liz Garton Scanlon and Marlee Frazee. From my review: “The poem itself is deceptively simple; describing a day in the children’s lives, but also describing all of us. It shows what we share and have in common. The illustrations (pencil and watercolor) [...]

I’m flashing back to reviews from years past. Here is what I was reviewing in December 2005. The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble. From my review: “Abigail Faulkner is ten years old, living in Andover, Mass. The year is 1692. She’s high spirited and speaks her mind, sometimes a bit too much, especially since she [...]

I’m flashing back to reviews from years past. Here is what I was reviewing in December 2007. Overall, the end of 2007 as well as 2008 will be light on flashback titles. I had started reading for the Printz (so 2008 will be light), and had personally decided not to mention any 2008 titles. I explain this [...]

I’m flashing back to reviews from years past. Here is what I was reviewing in December 2010. You can see a lot of Morris and Nonfiction finalists! Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride. From my review: “Sam is your typical slacker – college drop out, working at a fast food restaurant to pay the [...]

I’m flashing back to reviews from years past. Here is what I was reviewing in November 2005. I have to say, from a purely selfish viewpoint, I’m a bit fascinated at the evolution and growth of my writing and writing style over time. Some of these I’m not even sure are “reviews”. Understanding the Holy [...]

I’m flashing back to reviews from years past. Here is what I was reviewing in November 2007. I can’t believe this, but . . . I reviewed exactly one book that month. I KNOW. How times have changed. Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer by Laini Taylor. Illustrations by Jim Di Bartolo. 2007. From my review: “Magpie [...]

I’m flashing back to reviews from years past. Here is what I was reviewing in November 2010. Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler. 2010. Little Brown. From my review: “Fixing Delilah is not “oh noes, this thing happened eight years ago, here it is eight years later, sorry, all better now.” Oh, the book begins eight [...]

I’m flashing back to reviews from years past. Here is what I was reviewing in October 2005. Down the Rabbit Hole: An Echo Falls Mystery by Peter Abrahams. My review: “Ingrid Levin-Hill is 13, loves soccer and acting, and is impatiently waiting for one of her busy parents to pick her up at the orthodontist. [...]