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 head and Continue Reading »

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 Continue Reading »

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 guardianship, we ask for Continue Reading »

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 Continue Reading »

Secrets of Dripping Fang

It’s gross! Giant ants collect nasal drippings and stinky-foot odor to feed their ant larvae. It’s absurd! For example, a professor is married to a giant spider. It’s hilarious! The children are orphaned in part because of an unfortunate port-a-potty incident. And sometimes it’s a bit Continue Reading »