Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Middle-grade novel, contemporary Middle-school-aged boy as main character Rating: One of my very favorite children’s books–even before the movie. (Newberry Award Winner) Short, short summary: Most of you have probably heard of this book before, read it, and seen the movie. Sachar created two brilliant, funny, heartwarming plots and [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Young adult novel, historical fiction, 1906 16-year-old girl as main character Rating: A genius plot and can’t-put-it-down voice. Short, short summary: If you have ever read An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser, then you are familiar with a huge sub-plot in this book. Sixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey works at a [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Picture book for K-5, contemporary Fifth-grade class as main characters Rating: A beautiful book with a wonderful message. Short, short summary: If you have ever heard of the nonprofit organization, Heifer International, then you may be familiar with “giving a goat.” In Give a Goat, a fifth-grade class listens [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Middle-grade fantasy novel 11-year-old boy (wizard) as main character Rating: I fell in love with the series on the first page. Obviously, so did millions of others. Short, short summary: A new generation of Harry Potter readers are born. I saw a kindergartner reading HP and the Sorcerer’s Stone [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Young adult sports novel, Contemporary 16-year-old boy as main character Rating: I had trouble putting this book down and kept thinking about it when it was over. Short, short summary: Nick Taglio is a high school hockey stud with a hot girlfriend, sort of cool parents, a goody-two-shoes younger [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Picture book for preK-K Two young boys as main characters Rating: A beautiful season deserves a beautiful, simple book. Short, short, summary: If you teach preschool or kindergarten, this is a great book to use with your students. You can also use it at home if your child is [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Middle-grade novel, contemporary 10-year-old girl as main character Rating: It won the Newberry–Lucky’s story is perfectly endearing, and I can’t wait for the sequel. Short, short summary: Lucky’s life is extremely interesting even though her hometown of Hard Pan, CA is in the desert with a population of 43. [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Chapter book, contemporary mystery Elementary school girl who is quite a mystery sleuth! Rating: One of my favorite Cam Jansen mysteries! Short, short summary: If you aren’t familiar with Cam Jansen, then go to the library and get familiar! She is a super sleuth and solves all sorts of [...]

Not quite Gloria, but. . .he’s awful cute. Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Picture book for preK-3, contemporary A very talented dog and her police officer as main characters Rating: Wonderful illustrations and a cute story that make safety lessons fun! Short, short summary: I always used this book when I had to teach [...]

I am currently a freelance writer and editor, speaker, children’s author, and substitute teacher in East Central Illinois. I have a children’s book coming out from White Mane Kids, hopefully in 2009, called Finding My Place. This book is a middle-grade, historical fiction novel set in Vicksburg, MS, during the Siege of Vicksburg. More to [...]