Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

I grew up not reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl but rather watching the Gene Wilder movie.  I loved it!  I watched it over and over.   When they announced the new movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Johny Depp you can’t imagine the kind of excitement (and nervousness – will [...]

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson, a 1979 Newbery Honor, is such a sweet book with wonderfully sweet characters.  Gilly Hopkins is going to stay with me for a long time.   Gilly’s transformation that takes place between the opening and closing pages of this book is bittersweet.  I felt happy and sad for [...]

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume is timeless.  Absolutely timeless.  It could have been written yesterday not 1972.  There’s nothing about this book to date it.  I remember LOVING this book when I was in elementary school and have been anxious to pick it up and revisit it as an adult.  As [...]