*Picture book, realistic fiction for preschoolers through second graders *First grade girl as main character *Rating: Miss Brooks Loves Books! (and I don’t) is such a cute picture book and perfect for teachers and parents to share during National Book Week or any time reading needs to be celebrated. (Well, that’s all the time, right?) [...]

photo by scalespeeder www.flickr.com Come on, admit it, how many of you that read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis went to the back of your closet (of if you were lucky–a wardrobe) and tried to go to the land of Narnia? I’ll raise my hand! I did it!!! The [...]

photo by Vadim Lavrusik www.flickr.com *Picture book for preschoolers through third graders, contemporary *Young boy as main character *Rating: Looking Like Me is a rhythmic self-esteem-builder journey for young children by father/son duo Walter Dean and Christopher Myers. Short, short summary: Looking Like Me is basically a list of all the things that a boy/girl [...]

Lesson plans on teaching writing a personal narrative are often a hot commodity. Personal narratives are what many elementary, junior high, and high school teachers begin the year teaching and students begin the year writing. One of the main problems that students have when they are writing a personal narrative, at any age, is they [...]

photo by CarbonNYC www.flickr.com *Picture book for prekindergartners through 2nd graders, fantasy *Little girl as main character *Rating: That Pesky Dragon is a fun read full of delightful pictures–who doesn’t love a good dragon story? Short, short summary: On Izzie’s dad’s farm, there are cows, goats, sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, oh, and that pesky dragon! [...]

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 [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Middle-grade novel, contemporary 12-year-old boy as main character Rating: A fun book that takes you for a ride. Unique and clever! Short, short summary: Gil Goodson needs to win the Gollywhopper Games. Not just for the fame and fortune, but so he and his family can move away from [...]

Reviewed by Margo Dill, www.margodill.com, margodll@aol.com Chapter book, contemporary (but written in the 1960s) fantasy Young boy and Ralph the mouse as main characters Rating: One of my favorite Beverly Cleary books. Ralph is absolutely endearing, and kids love him! Short, short summary: Ralph lives in a mousehole in Room 215 in Mountain View Inn. [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]