Bobby's the class clown, and that's how he likes it. Mr. Matous, his teacher, usually plays along, but when Bobby stops doing his work, Mr. Matous takes it seriously. The principal, Dr. Deal, wants to send Bobby to the School for Intervention, but Mr. Matous persuades her to give Bobby one last chance. To make up for his behavior, Bobby must organize a school-wide event, the Great Laugh-Off. Can Bobby joke his way out of trouble?

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 2/4/2010

ISBN-10: 0060266023

ISBN-13: 9780060266028

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Abraham Lincoln. Civil Rights. Martin Luther King Jr. Chicago. Downers Grove. It's 1966 and Mina Edelman at age 11 is embarking on a journey that will be past, present, and future. It all began when Mina learned how to read-her dad's initials, Albert Baruch Edelman, spelled ABE. That started it all - there were other things as well that soon convinced her that they were the Lincolns reincarnated. So begins the continual interpretation of parallels between the families at the same time as Martin Luther King Jr. enters the Chicago scene. Mina's knowledge of the Lincolns is extensive and she is committed to saving her family from the Lincoln destiny. That's when the Civil Rights Movement comes to Chicago and Downers Grove, Illinois. It is a summer filled with choices and decisions that will have a lasting impact on her and her family. With the story taking place in familiar settings, the reader is drawn closer to the story.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 6/28/2010

ISBN-10: 0805090134

ISBN-13: 9780805090130

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In the 1960's, many of the smaller Alaskan towns didn't have middle or high schools, so young peole were flown in from around the state to attend boarding schools. When Luke and his brother Bunna arrive at Sacred Heart, they notice that all of the Eskimos sit on one side of the cafeteria while all of the Indians sit on the other. When Luke tries to speak to his brother in Inupiaq, their native language, a priest smacks his hands with a ruler. Luke's real name is too hard for white people to pronounce. The boys meet other kids at school, and throughout the book we hear their voices as well. They all struggle with issues of identity, family, and belonging, and as they grow closer to each other, the violence and unrest of the world outside threatens them more and more. My Name is Not Easy is a book about believing in your own voice, and having the courage to stand up for what you believe in.

Similar authors: Joseph Bruchac; Louise Erdrich

Similar books: Hidden Roots by Joseph Bruchac; The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

Reviewed by: lauraf

Date read: 8/30/2012

ISBN-10: 0761459804

ISBN-13: 9780761459804

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'Daisy's skin is brown. Agnes's skin is white. But...they both have cheeky pink tongues!' My Nose, Your Nose details what is different about one child from another, and then tells us what they share in common. With vivid, simple illustrations and a basic, repetitive structure, this title has great appeal for very young children.

Similar books: My Beak, Your Beak by Melanie Walsh

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 6/17/2010

ISBN-10: 0618150773

ISBN-13: 9780618150779

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Maddie's father is fighting overseas in WWII. Back at home in New York, she organizes a group of kids called the K3F to support the war. But everything turns when a messenger brings news that her father is injured. Read this book to find out how Maddie turns her world around when all is going wrong.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/5/2009

ISBN-10: 0590687158

ISBN-13: 9780590687157

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