Category Archives: Fiction

Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Summer Vacation

Posted on February 16, 2013 by

This third book in the Charlie Joe Jackson series (Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading, 2011, and Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Extra Credit, 2012) is a winner. Entertaining, substantive, and endearing, Charlie Joe, in a moment of weakness, … Continue reading →

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Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald, illustrated by J.P. Coovert

Posted on February 13, 2013 by

Link to Harvest Park Library: Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading  Reluctant readers, and avid readers, will really like this book.  Charlie Joe Jackson will do anything to avoid reading!  Narrated by middle schooler Charlie Joe, it reads a … Continue reading →

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The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Posted on December 29, 2012 by

Applegate, Katherine.  The One and Only Ivan.  Patricia Castelao, illus. Harper, 2012. 305 p. $16.99, 978-0-06-199225-4 Grades 4-7 I was tempted to give this book 3.5 stars because the first half of the book was a little slow and predictable. The … Continue reading →

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Shadow by Michael Morpurgo

Posted on October 21, 2012 by

Aman and his mother escape Afghanistan with the help of Shadow, an Army sniffer dog, to live in England.  After living in England for six years, they are denied asylum and have to go back to Afghanistan.  Aman’s best friend … Continue reading →

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On My Honor by Marion Dane Bauer

Posted on March 8, 2012 by

This short book packs a powerful punch!  Joel and Tony are best friends.  Tony has a very adventurous spirit, which often times makes Joel feel uncomfortable.  Sometimes Joel wonders why they are best friends, but truth is, Joel finds everyone … Continue reading →

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Now Is The Time For Running by Michael Williams

Posted on November 29, 2011 by

This book is not for the faint of heart.  It is an intense story about two brothers, Deo, who is 15, and Innocent, his older disabled brother, running for their lives in modern war-torn Zimbabwe.  The entire village, including their … Continue reading →

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Half-Brother by Kenneth Oppel

Posted on October 25, 2011 by

Can you imagine being a 13-year-old only child and having your parents tell you that you will soon have a new baby brother that’s an eight-day-old Chimpanzee ? How would you feel? Excited, angry? To make matters worse, your family … Continue reading →

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