I had my picture book all ready for today’s post, along with my three activities. But I can’t let this time pass without talking about the tragedy of Whitney Houston’s death. It’s on a lot of people’s minds–especially those of us who grew up in the 80s and then saw The Bodyguard over and over [...]

Once again, it’s time for the American Library Association’s Banned Books Week. Yes, it’s sad that we even have to have a week like this each year; but at least, enough people are outraged by banning books that we have a week to recognize them. Pictured here, And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and [...]

Why would Shel Silverstein’s A Light in the Attic be pictured on a post that talks about challenged and banned books? Because believe it or not, it is on the list of the 100 most frequently challenged books from 1990 to 1999. Are you racking your brain, like I was when I saw the list, [...]

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 [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Young adult novel (probably for high school students) 17-year-old girl, main character Rating: Beautiful verse that leaves you thinking for months Short, short summary: Ellen Hopkins knows what it is like to have a daughter addicted to crystal meth. She knows how to write a captivating and haunting story [...]