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Do you L. O. V. E. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh? I do! And it was published the year I was born, so that makes it almost 40 years old. (That makes me almost 40 years old, too. Egads!) Anyway, I remember teaching this book as part of my [...]

photo by JOE M500 www.flickr.com
*Middle-grade novel, set in recent past, realistic fiction
*Fourth-grade girl as main character
*Rating: From the first page, it is easy to see why Love, Ruby Lavender is an award-winning novel. Deborah Wiles is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Ruby Lavender is laugh-out loud funny while pulling your heartstrings.
Short, short summary: [...]

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Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
*Middle-grade novel, fantasy
*Pig as main character
*Rating: E. B. White’s classic story, Charlotte’s Web, will continue to touch the hearts of readers young and old for many, many years.
Short, short summary: Fern saves Wilbur, the pig, from her father’s ax and raises him like a house pet. [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
Middle grade novel, historical fiction
13-year old girl as main character
Rating: Not only is Listening for Lions interesting because part of it takes place in early 20th century Africa, but Gloria Whelan has you falling in love with the main character and rooting for her during her plight.

Short, short summary: [...]

Middle grade novel, written in 1938, but still loved by children, parents, and teachers today!
The Popper family and their penguins star in this book.
Rating: This is one literature set that my third and fourth grade students LOVED to read and discuss. The penguins are funny, funny, funny!

Short, short summary: Mr. Popper is a house painter, [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com

Middle-grade novel, historical fiction during World War II
11-year-old girl as main character
Rating: A strong voice telling a strong story!
Short, short summary: Hazel lives in a world where people hate the Japanese because of the war. Hazel hates the war, and it has ruined her birthday since she was born on [...]

reveiwed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com
But first a word from our sponsor. . . Winners of the prizes for the Halloween Trick or Treating are Donis Casey: she wins the free TWILIGHT book, and Ruth wins the 10-page edit from Editor 911.
Middle-grade novel, contemporary fantasy (part of a series)
14-year-old boy as main character
Rating: Artemis [...]

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 [...]

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 connected them together like [...]