My WOW! Women On Writing pal, Chynna, has shared a wonderful message with the world on her blog and website lately. She is sharing the message of Harmonizing with Humanity. This is a group of people, musicians and parents, who have this mission: “Our mission is to unite like-minded ‘positive music’ artists and fans [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Older Middle grade (might even be TWEEN) novel, historical fiction
Eleven-year-old boy as main character
Rating: This book is one of the funniest older middle-grade (or TWEEN) readers I have ever picked up. If you love Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, you’ll love Harris and Me in a different way.
Short, short summary: [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Middle grade novel, fantasy
Momma mouse and her rat friends as main characters
Rating: Robert C. O’Brien’s book is captivating, and a true classic that children will love for years!
Short, short summary: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a Newberry Medal winner, and once you start reading it, you will [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Picture book for preschoolers through third graders
Young boy as main character
Rating: Judith Viorst wrote this book in 1972, and it still touches the hearts of children and adults who are lucky enough to read about poor Alexander!
Short, short summary: We are glad that Alexander never moved to Australia because then [...]

Written by Margo L. Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Picture book for preschoolers through first graders
Mrs. Wishy-Washy and three ungrateful farm animals as main characters
Rating: Joy Cowley writes fun books for children, and this one is no exception! Mrs. Wishy-Washy wins again.
Short, short summary: On Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s farm, she loves to give her animals–a horse, pig, and duck–a [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, margodll@aol.com, www.margodill.com
Middle grade novel, realistic fiction
13-year-old boy as main character
Rating: Gary Paulsen tells a captivating story of Brian and his plight in Hatchet, a Newberry Honor Book.

Short, short summary: In Hatchet, Gary Paulsen tells the story of Brian Robeson, who is taking a single engine plane to visit his father because [...]

Written by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Picture book for prekindergartners to third graders, historical fiction
Young girl as main character
Rating: Beautiful picture book, illustrated by author Robbin Gourley, which shows the different crops during the seasons and the young life of Chef Edna Lewis.

Short, short summary: In the book Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Middle-grade fantasy novel
12-year-old girl as main character
Rating: The Dark Hills Divide is a great start to an exciting series. I fell in love with the main character thanks to Patrick Carman’s fantastic voice in the story.

Short, short summary: In The Dark Hills Divide, the reader is introduced to Alexa, who [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Picture book for preschoolers through second graders
Young boy with a dinosaur dad as the main character
Rating: We all need dinosaur days thanks to Diane Dawson Hearn! Kids will love Dad’s Dinosaur Day and hope their own parents have a dinosaur day soon.

Short, short summary: Dad is having a dinosaur [...]

The book, Three Cups of Tea, is the story of Greg Mortenson, who believes in fighting terrorism with education. If you haven’t read this book yet, you should! It is a remarkable story about a man who sacrificed so much to provide an equal education for girls and boys in rural communities in Pakistan. Without [...]