The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars

Winner of the 1971 Newbery Medal, The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars is the story of the longest day of 14-year-old Sara’s life.  Her summer has already been awful and boring, she thinks that her feet are too big and she’s jealous of her beautiful older sister Wanda.  Sara, her sister and their [...]

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis is the story of two girls.  Emma-Jean who is the smartest but also the strangest girl in seventh grade.  She has no friends but she doesn’t care.  She’d rather observe her classmates from afar rather than involve herself in their emotional, illogical behavior.  Colleen is [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

The Well by Mildred D. Taylor

The Well by Mildred D. Taylor is a prequel to Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry (which I haven’t read since I was little but have hopes of maybe getting to this month).  Set in Mississippi in 1910, slavery is still fresh in everybody’s mind.  David’s father has worked hard and their family owns 400 [...]