If you are a fan of the Adams Family, then you may appreciate the darker humor of this series of books by Charles Ogden. The twins, Edgar and Ellen, are deplorable in their behavior and devise naughty schemes with which to trouble their neighbors. In Rare Beasts, the twins decide to steal the neighborhood pets and, with the help of glue, paint, and other supplies, turn the pets … [Read more...] about Edgar and Ellen: Rare Beasts
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Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson
Twisted is a coming of age story about a boy of nearly eighteen who is facing many challenges in his life. He is no angel, but he is not the bad boy everyone seems to believe he is. His home life is troubled, and his future is uncertain. When he is falsely accused of a crime that could very well send him to prison, he loses hope and seriously contemplates … [Read more...] about Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key is about an elementary school student with attention-deficit disorder. Joey tries very, very hard to follow the rules, but between his disorder and his vivid imagination, he finds staying out of trouble to be quite difficult (often with humorous results). The author of the Joey Pigza books, Jack Gantos, does a phenomenal job of reaching into Joey's … [Read more...] about Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!
For good reason, library policy states that only parents or legal guardians can sign for library cards for children. I have met many well-meaning grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others to whom I've had to recite this policy. As an extra precaution, we ask not "Are you the child's mother?" but "What is your relationship to the child?" When someone does claim legal … [Read more...] about Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!
Much Ado About Shakespeare
Perhaps it’s the spring weather that has sprouted the Shakespeare phenomenon at my house, or perhaps it is mere coincidence, but Shakespeare is everywhere I turn lately. First a friend of mine invited me to see a Shakespeare play at the Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta. Then, my sixth grade son began spouting lines from the oft-quoted balcony scene in … [Read more...] about Much Ado About Shakespeare