Sturdy for Common Things

Quantrill’s Raid Book List for Young Readers

[Also appears on the Lawrence Public Library Children’s Room blog] There are many things I love about living in Lawrence, Kansas, one being that it is a town rich with history; a history that is celebrated and honored. This August the city of Lawrence is all a buzz for the 150th anniversary of Quantrill’s Raid, […]

Review: The Real Boy

The Real Boy by Anne Ursu Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound Published: Walden Pond Press (September 24, 2013) Recommended reading age: 8 & up In a nutshell: I’ve been looking forward to reading The Real Boy all year. I read it back in June and now I’ve dilly-dallied writing this here […]

Review: Doll Bones

Doll Bones by Holly Black Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound Published: Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster for Young Readers (May 7, 2013) Recommended reading age: 9 & up In a nutshell: I picked up Doll Bones by Holly Black not knowing what to expect and without […]

Review: A Tangle of Knots

A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff Find it at: Your library | Amazon |Indiebound Published: Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Books for Young Readers (February 5, 2013) Recommended Reading Age: 8 & up In a nutshell: Magic, mystery, and… CAKE! A Tangle of Knots is set in a world that seems like the one […]

Review: The Cats of Tanglewod Forest

  The Cats of Tanglewood Forest by Charles De Lint, illustrated by Charles Vess Find it at: Your Library | Amazon | Indiebound Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (March 5, 2013) Recommended reading age: 8 & up In a nutshell: Take a glance at the cover of this book. Multiple cats, a fox, […]

The 2013 Read Across Lawrence for Kids Book

I’m excited to announce that the Lawrence Public Library’s Read Across Lawrence for Kids (RAL Kids) title for 2013 has been selected! The Newbery Honor winning, William Allan White shortlisted… TURTLE IN PARADISE by Jennifer L. Holm! (cheering, screaming, back-flips!) Last year was the inaugural year for Read Across Lawrence for Kids (full recap here […]

Review: Genie Wishes

Genie Wishes by Elisabeth Dahl Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound Published: Amulet Books (April 2, 2013) Recommended reading age: 8 & up In a nutshell: I’m 29-years-old and I love blogging. If blogging was around when I was in 5th grade I probably would have been all about it then, too. […]

Review: Hold Fast

Hold Fast by Blue Balliett Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound Published: Scholastic Press (March 1, 2013) Recommended reading age: 8 & up In a nutshell: The Pearl family may not have much, but they have their books, their stories, and they have each other. Dashel, Summer, Early, and Jubie (Jubellie) Pearl […]

Review: Bot Wars

Bot Wars by J.V. Kade Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indibound Published: Dial Books for Young Readers, imprint of Penguin Young Readers (March 21, 2013) Recommended reading age: 10 & up In a nutshell: Action, adventure, and a new author to put on your radar. Bot Wars by J.V. Kade, pen name […]

Review: Chickenhare

Chickenhare by Chris Grine Find it at: Your library | Amazon | Indiebound Published: Scholastic GRAPHIX (February 1, 2013) Recommended Reading Age: 11 & up In a nutshell: Chickenhare has the body of a rabbit with the legs and feathers of a chicken. His friend Abe is a bearded turtle. Together, these two friends find […]