Archive for October, 2008

Go Trick or Treating With Me. . .

LEAVE A COMMENT ON MY BLOG TODAY and be entered to win either a free copy of TWILIGHT or a free 10-page (double-spaced) edit from Editor 911 (that’s me) on any written work! It’s your choice. Two prizes will be given.

by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
In the spirit and fun of Halloween, I am participating in [...]

October 30, 2008 in Lewis, C.S., Meyer, Stephenie, Middle Grade Novel, Picture Book, Schwartz, Alan, Young Adult Novels
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Teaching Reading Skills and Other Subjects with Books

Books are cool. Children’s and teens’ books are especially cool. Is it the covers? Yes! The illustrations? Yes! The subject matter? Yes! But what makes them especially, especially cool is that you can use them in your classroom or with your child at home (if you homeschool or you don’t) to work on reading, [...]

October 29, 2008 in Young Adult Novels
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Alien For Rent (Written by Betsy Duffey; Illustrated by Abby Carter)

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Chapter book for 2nd to 4th graders, science-fiction
Third-grade boy and girl as main characters
Rating: Cute book, and all kids are going to want a Twinkie-eating alien in their lunchboxes when they finish!
Short, short summary: Lexie and J.P. have a problem–a fifth-grade bully named Bruce. One day, Lexie and J.P. [...]

October 27, 2008 in Carter, Abby, Chapter Books, Duffey, Betsy
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Chicken Soup by Heart (Written by Esther Hershenhorn)

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Picture book for preK-3rd grade, contemporary
young boy as main character
Rating: I’m not sure about Rudie’s sweet chicken soup–but this book is awesome and leaves you with a smile and warm heart.
Short, short summary: Rudie Dinkins wants to help his babysitter, Mrs. Gittel, feel better when she has the flu. Mrs. [...]

October 25, 2008 in Hershenhorn, Esther, Picture Book
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Last Shot by John Feinstein

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Young adult novel, contemporary, sports
8th grade girl and boy as main characters
Rating: Okay, I LOVE basketball, but that is not the only reason I love this book. It has a lot of action, mystery, voice, humor, and two teen heroes!
Short, short summary: Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson are [...]

October 21, 2008 in Feinstein, John, Young Adult Novels
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Martha Calling by Susan Meddaugh

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Picture book for grades PreK-2nd or 3rd
Smart, talking dog as main character
Rating: If you love dogs, you will love this book. Kids LOVE this book! Funny and clever.
Short, short summary: Martha is a truly exceptional dog. When she eats alphabet soup, the letters go to her brain, and she [...]

October 20, 2008 in Meddaugh, Susan, Picture Book
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Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Middle-grade fantasy novel
12-year-old boy as main character
Rating: A good fantasty read for middle-grade students full of laughs and fun!
Short, short summary: Part of The Magic Shop Book series, this book is full of voice and plot. Jeremy is running away from two bullies and Mary Lou Hutton when he stumbles [...]

October 17, 2008 in Coville, Bruce, Middle Grade Novel
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Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Young adult novel, edgy, contemporary
Teenage twin girls as main characters
Rating: Hopkins’s wonderful verse combined with an important story and frightening tale (not to mention surprise ending) make this a great choice for older teens.
Short, short summary: This ya novel tells the story of twins–Kaeleigh and Raeanne–and what happens to them [...]

October 15, 2008 in Hopkins, Ellen, Young Adult Novels
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How To Use This Site (Or How to Navigate it)

This blog is meant to be used. I am hoping teachers, parents, librarians, and even kids will find it helpful when choosing a book to read and/or using it for learning experiences in the classroom or at home.
You don’t have to use the book or post from today’s date. About four to five times [...]

October 14, 2008 in Young Adult Novels
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More Books to Come Next Week, but first. . .

I have to go to Kansas City, MO for a wedding, and I’m not sure about the time I’ll have or the Internet access that will be available to me. I don’t think I’ll be posting any blogs for the next few days.
So, I thought I’d just give you a little preview about [...]

October 11, 2008 in Young Adult Novels
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