Category Archives: Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

July 13, 2019 · 5:56 pm

I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis

I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 is a fictionalized account of the son of a FDNY firefighter and what happened to him and his dad on September 11th. It portrays the feeling and emotions of the morning without being too graphic since it is aimed at children. I highly recommend it to kids learning about 9/11.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 89
Pages Read in 2019: 22,822
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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Filed under Middle Grades, Realistic Fiction, Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

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July 12, 2019 · 1:53 pm

100 Scientists Who Shaped World History by John Hudson Tiner

Each page (in pretty small print in two columns) gives an overview of one of the 100 Scientists Who Shaped World History. It starts with Pythagoras and ends with Hawking. The focus of each mini bio is on what one or two things they discovered or invented that changed the world and is not meant to even remotely cover their whole life. This book can easily be read cover to cover or by picking and choosing a scientist to read about here and there. It’s a great introduction for kids to lots of scientists from many branches of science.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 88
Pages Read in 2019: 22,724
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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Filed under Biography, Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

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July 5, 2019 · 10:51 am

Who Was Fidel Castro? by Sarah Fabiny

Aimed at kids, Who Was Fidel Castro? gives a good overview of the life of the Cuban dictator. It’s pretty neutral as far as whether he was a good or bad person (as the book says, it depends on who you ask). There are lots of illustrations and several asides to explain things like guerrilla warfare and communism. I highly recommend this book to kids learning about Castro or Cuba.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 86
Pages Read in 2019: 22,310
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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Filed under Biography, Middle Grades, Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

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July 4, 2019 · 7:04 pm

George’s Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl

George’s Marvelous Medicine is a typical Roald Dahl book (read: weird, but fun to read). It’s outlandish and funny and quite imaginative. I highly recommend it to kids of all ages. It makes a great read-aloud, too!

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 85
Pages Read in 2019: 22,203
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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Filed under Middle Grades, Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

July 4, 2019 · 6:56 pm

What is Rock and Roll? by Jim O’Connor

What Is Rock and Roll? is packed with fascinating facts aimed at kids about rock and roll from Elvis to today (I’m not a kid and I learned a lot, too!). About half the chapters are on subgenres of rock (such as acid rock and grunge) and about half are about specific artists (such as Elvis, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and Bruce Springsteen). I highly recommend this to kids interested in rock music.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 84
Pages Read in 2019: 22,114
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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July 3, 2019 · 8:24 pm

Who Was Gandhi by Dana Meachen Rau

Who Was Gandhi? is a nice overview of his life aimed at children. It explains things in simple terms and includes plenty of illustrations. I highly recommend it for kids learning about Gandhi and Indian independence.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 83
Pages Read in 2019: 22,009
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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Filed under Biography, Middle Grades, Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

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July 3, 2019 · 4:09 pm

The Diary of Ma Yan

When Ma Yan, a peasant girl in China, was 13 and 14 she kept a journal that, on a whim, was published in the early 2000s. Her diary is a glimpse into the need for education to stop the cycle of poverty. What she wrote is interrupted occasionally with interesting explanations on the culture. I recommend it to middle grade kids and up.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 82
Pages Read in 2019: 21,904
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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July 2, 2019 · 11:03 am

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

The brave children of Norway are tasked with riding sleds filled with gold bullion literally under the noses of the occupying Germany troops in order to get the money to America and keep it from falling into enemy hands. The story is well-written and interesting. I highly recommend Snow Treasure to tweenage kids.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 81
Pages Read in 2019: 21,727
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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Filed under Historical Fiction, Middle Grades, Reason: LitHub Bingo, Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

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June 11, 2019 · 11:49 am

Children of the Great Depression by Russell Freedman

Full of stunning pictures taken during the 30s, Children of the Great Depression tells the story of (mostly) poor children and their plight during the worst economic downturn in American history. It is short, but still packed with information. I recommend it to kids who are studying the Great Depression.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 72
Pages Read in 2019: 19,565
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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Filed under History, Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

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June 5, 2019 · 5:35 pm

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

L. Frank Baum was a genius in the way he phrased things making them a delight for adults and children alike. All of the Oz books are fun to read and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is no exception. I’ve read it more than once before and every time I so enjoy reading about the Scarecrow with no brain who comes up with all the best plans, the Tin Woodman with no heart who is very kind and tenderhearted, and the Cowardly Lion who is really quite brave. I very highly recommend reading this book and all the Oz books. It makes an excellent family read-aloud!

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 66
Pages Read in 2019: 17,660
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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Filed under Children, Classic, Reason: LitHub Bingo, Reason: Pre-Reading for Adrian

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