★★★★★ I really, really enjoyed The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman. Clare is a one-eyed fox that is not quite dead, but not quite alive. He lives alone in Deadwood Forest and shepherds souls to their final afterlife destination: Peace, Pleasure, Progress, or Pain. Clare's work moves along routinely until one day… Continue reading Book Review: The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
Tag: 3rd grade readers
Book Review: Away by Megan E. Freeman
★★★★ Away is the companion novel to Megan E. Freeman's bestselling, Alone. Readers of Alone may remember that Maddie woke up one day to find herself alone in her small Colorado town. Whereas Alone takes reader on Maddie's survival journey in an abandoned town, Away explores what happened in that Colorado town to force evacuations… Continue reading Book Review: Away by Megan E. Freeman
Book Review: Cassi and the House of Memories
★★★★ Cassi and her Grandpa are very close. They tell stories, play music, play hide and seek, and blow bubbles together. But Grandpa sometimes forgets things, like the end of stories and that he's supposed to be looking for Cassi during a game of hide and seek. One evening Grandpa wanders off, and Cassi sets… Continue reading Book Review: Cassi and the House of Memories
2025 Newbery Award Winner: The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
The 2025 Newbery Award winner was announced in January, and the incredible honor went to The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly. I had read this novel the previous year, and gave it a re-read once it received the Newbery Award. I enjoyed it even more on the second read. I highly recommend… Continue reading 2025 Newbery Award Winner: The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
3rd Grader Book Recommendation: Nugly by M.C. Ross
My 3rd grade daughter wanted in on the book recommendations, so she has put together this recommendation for Nugly by M.C. Ross. I haven't had a chance to read this one myself, but I think kids looking for a gentle and heartwarming chapter book with the great message of loving yourself for what's on the… Continue reading 3rd Grader Book Recommendation: Nugly by M.C. Ross
Mid-Winter Break 2025: Book Recommendations For Ages 8 – 13
It's hard to believe that mid-winter break is almost upon us. My kiddos were home from school almost all of last week due to snow and ice, so the thought of everyone back home for another week so soon is a little, well, daunting. So I'm pulling together a few reading recommendations for them to… Continue reading Mid-Winter Break 2025: Book Recommendations For Ages 8 – 13
Book Recommendation: The Eyes & The Impossible by Dave Eggers
Ha ha hoooo! I highly recommend this hilariously beautiful novel by Dave Eggers. The Eyes & The Impossible is the 2024 Newbery Award winner, and I can see why! Students, teachers, and families will all love this gentle, funny, and endearing tale of a wild dog and his animal friends. OVERVIEW: Johannes is a wild… Continue reading Book Recommendation: The Eyes & The Impossible by Dave Eggers
Book Recommendation: Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Freewater is the 2023 John Newbery Award and Coretta Scott King Book Award winning novel that I wholeheartedly recommend to upper elementary and middle grade readers. It is a beautifully written and inspiring story about two young runaway slaves who escape deep into the swamp and find a hidden community of formerly enslaved people called… Continue reading Book Recommendation: Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Birdie's Bookshelf 