school

Books and Schoolhouse Battles

Those of us who homeschool admire the one-room schoolhouse model of previous centuries. With simple resources, a wide-range of ages, and a school year that ...
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lord of the flies a christian response

Lord of the Flies: A Christian Response

When British boys are stranded alone on an island, can they govern themselves? Reading Level: Teens, ages 12 and up Recommended For: Teens, ages 15 ...
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Back to School Books for Middle School

Is it back to school time already? Depending on which part of the country you live in, some schools will be starting up in the ...
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Back to School Picture Books

Is it back to school time already? Depending on which part of the country you live in, some schools will be starting up in the ...
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Friends Forever by Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale wraps up her "Friends" trilogy with a heartfelt graphic memoir of eighth grade anxiety. Friends Forever by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham. First ...
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The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

The Unteachables rounds up a class full of misfits and molds them into a prize-winning team. The Unteachables by Gordon Korman. Balzer + Bray (HarperColins), ...
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Two Graphic Novel Memoirs: Cub and Best Friends

Shannon Hale continues her middle-grade memoir with Best Friends; Cynthia Copeland tells how she became a writer in Cub. Cub by Cynthia Copeland. Algonquin, 2020, ...
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Mighty Reader and the Big Freeze by Will Hillenbrand

Mighty Reader saves the day in this loveable picture book about learning to love books. Mighty Reader and the Big Freeze by Will Hillenbrand. Holiday ...
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Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

The “momentous event" of transitioning to high school presents Aven Green, the armless girl-wonder, with new challenges. Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus ...
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The Friendship War by Andrew Clements

The Friendship War puts a unique spin on a timeless theme for middle-grade fiction. The Friendship War by Andrew Clements. Random House, 2019, 208 pages ...
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Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord

Home-schooled Emma learns a lot about classrooms and friendship "Because of the Rabbit." Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord.  Scholastic, 2019, 183 pages. Reading ...
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*The Promise of Change by JoAnn Boyce

*The Promise of Change: One Girl's Story in the Fight for School Equality by JoAnn Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy. Bloomsbury, 2019, 309 pages including ...
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Boy Bites Bug by Rebecca Petruck

In Boy Bites Bug, a single incident develops into a school-wide situation and an insightful look at fading friendship.  Ages 10-15 Boy Bites Bug by ...
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Back to School with Babymouse and Og the Frog

Two back-to-school series for different ages tickle the funny bone, satirize social conventions, and even stimulate sympathy for others.  Ages 6-12 Life According to Og ...
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The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty

A lightning strike turns a 13-year-old girl into a math genius, but she has a lot to learn about human relationships and living in the ...
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SuperGifted by Gordon Korman

A “super-gifted” boy genius bites off more than he can chew in this middle school story told from multiple perspectives.  Ages 10-15 SuperGifted by Gordon ...
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The 11:11 Wish by Kim Tomsic

A wish-granting clock is the unique agent in this tweener story about forming one’s principles against the desire to be popular. The 11:11 Wish by ...
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All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

An unusual setting makes this graphic novel a worthwhile perspective on navigating the treacherous waters of those middle years. All’s Faire in Middle School by ...
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Restart by Gordon Korman

A middle-school bully gets a chance to start from scratch—if only he can escape who he was before. Restart by Gordon Korman.  Scholastic, 2017, 256 ...
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Posted by John David Anderson

A class of seventh graders deal with verbal bullying in this thought-provoking novel (with cautions). Posted by John David Anderson.  Walden Pond (HarperCollins), 2017, 365 ...
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Hundred Percent by Karen Romano Young

This insightful novel about the awkward years between 11 and 14 could make a useful discussion starter for mothers and daughters. Hundred Percent by Karen ...
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Spirit Week Showdown by Crystal Allen

Mya Tibbs is the perky, enthusiastic narrator of this family- and school-based series for advanced chapter-book readers. Spirit Week Showdown (Magnificent Myra Tibbs #1) by ...
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School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex

The back-to-school narrative is flipped on its head in this colorful picture book as School, himself, is the main character! School’s First Day of School ...
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*Frank and Lucky Get Schooled by Lynn Rae Perkins

Frank and Lucky’s close friendship leads them into countless adventures in learning, where “school subjects” never see the inside of a classroom. *Frank and Lucky ...
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The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John

A fifth-grade prankster meets his match, joining forces with his rival to pull off the greatest fifth-grade prank of all time. The Terrible Two by ...
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Matthew Muddles Through by Glenda Mathes

Matthew Muddles Through (Matthew in the Middle #1) by Glenda Mathes. CreateSpace, 2014, 220 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 8-12 ...
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13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Since its publication in 2006, 13 Reasons Why has become the go-to novel on the subject of teen suicide, but it’s more sensational than useful. ...
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Fallout (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond

Fallout (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond. Capstone, 2015. 202 pages Reading Level: Young adults, ages 12-15 Recommended for: ages 12 and up Bottom Line: Fallout ...
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The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall. Knopf, 2008. 302 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-12 Recommended For: ages 8-10 and up Bottom ...
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Popular by Maya Van Wagenen

Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek by Maya Van Wagenen. Dutton, 2014. 259 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 11-12 Maturity Level: 5 (ages 12-14) ...
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Reviewing School Book Lists, Part Four: Reading is Spiritual Warfare

Reviewing School Book Lists: Part One. Part Two. Part Three. Part Four.  This post by Emily Whitten, co-founder of Redeemed Reader, is the final installment in ...
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Always, Abigail by Nancy Cavanaugh

Always, Abigail by Nancy Cavanaugh. Sourcebooks, 2014, 311 pages. Reading level: Middle Grade (8-10) Maturity Level: 3 (8-10) Abigail Walters is starting sixth grade with ...
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Vigilante Poets

The Vigilante Poets of Selwyn Academy by Kate Hattemer. Alfred A. Knopf, 2014, 323 pages. Reading Level: Young Adult, Ages 15 - 18 Maturity Level: 6 (ages 15 ...
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Reviewing School Book Lists, Part Three: The List

Reviewing School Book Lists: Part One. Part Two. Part Three. Part Four.  In the previous part of this series, I acquainted our readers with a young ...
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Reviewing School Book Lists, Part Two: Death of a Son

Reviewing School Book Lists: Part One. Part Two. Part Three. Part Four.  (SUICIDE LIFELINE: 1-800-273-8255) Death of a Son On Monday morning, rumors swirled at Westwood ...
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Flight School

Flight School by Lita Judge. Atheneum, 2014, 32 pages. Reading Level: picture books, Ages 0-4, Ages 4-8Recommended for: Ages 0-4, Ages 4-8 An ambitious penguin ...
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Reviewing School Book Lists, Part One

Reviewing School Book Lists: Part One. Part Two. Part Three.Part Four. This post by Emily Whitten, co-founder of Redeemed Reader, is part of a series ...
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Space Odyssey for Little Ones: An Interview with Kevin Luthardt

THE BOOK REVIEW When Edgar Met Cecil.  Peachtree Publishers, 2013.  32 pgs.  Ages 4-8. Kevin Luthardt is an author-illustrator who has had a pretty big ...
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