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Display: Ann Dee Ellis

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This is what I did By Ann Dee Ellis New York : Little, Brown, 2007. Fiction. 157 pgs. Bullied because of an incident in his past, eighth-grader Logan is unhappy at his new school and has difficulty relating to others until he meets a quirky girl and a counselor who believe in him.–Publisher You may already be a Winner By Ann Dee Ellis  New York, NY : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2017. Fiction. 347 pgs. Twelve-year-old Olivia endeavors to care for her younger sister, possibly make a new friend in the quirky and secretive Bart, and keep hope alive for her, her family, and her community of idiosyncratic neighbors at Sunny Pines Trailer Park.–Publisher. This Cookie will Change your Life By Ann Dee Ellis Atlanta : Peachtree Publishing Company Inc., 2025. Fiction. 342 pgs. It's the summer after sixth grade when a group of classmates turn up at the library at the same time. They know each other, but they're not friends. The truth is, they each spend a lot of time alone. Which is why ...
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Display: Jay Hosler

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  The Way of the Hive by Jay Hosler New York: Harper Alley, 2021. Comic. 136 pages.  " Nyuki is a brand-new honey bee, and she has a lot of questions. Follow her on a lifelong journey as she annoys her sisters, avoids predators, and learns to trust her inner voice as she masters the way of the hive." --Publisher  Ant Story by Jay Hosler New York: Harper Alley, 2024. Comic. 156 pages.  "Meet Rubi, a tiny ant with a big personality and an even bigger love for stories. Who knew the small world of her colony could be full of unexpected friendships, epic adventures, and death-defying escapes?" --Publisher Santiago!:  Santiago Ramón y Cajal--Artist, Scientist, Troublemaker by Jay Hosler New York: Holiday House, 2022. Comic. 217 pages.  "A graphic novel biography of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, the father of neuroscience." --Publisher Sandwalk Adventures by Jay Hosler Scotts Valley, CA: CreateSpace Publishing, 2013. Comic. 162 pages.  "The Sandwalk Adventures is ...
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Review: I Am a Big Fish

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I Am a Big Fish By Susie Lee Jin New York: Simon Spotlight, 2026. Easy Reader. When pufferfish insists that she's "a big fish," the other sea creatures are quick to one-up her. Shrimp is bigger than pufferfish, and octopus is bigger than shrimp. All of their bosting is quickly forsaken when a shark comes by, looking for "a big fish" for his meal. Pufferfish's ability to quickly become "a big fish" ends up saving the other creatures from a hungry shark and pufferfish is extremely glad she can be a big fish...when she wants to be. This book has everything I want out of an easy reader. The words are easily decodable–relying on mostly sight words and words with short-vowels flanked by consonant blends. The story is told entirely through speech bubbles, promoting reading out loud with or without a partner. Lastly, the story is fun! Filled with aquatic puns and a sweet story of knowing who you are, this is easily my favorite book to recommend to kids lea...
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Review: Peachaloo in Bloom

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Peachaloo in Bloom By Chris Raschka New York : Neal Porter Books / Holiday House, 2025. Fiction. 295 pages. Peachaloo Piccolozampa is stung by a wasp and gains a superpower: she understands what people mean and not just what they say. This newfound ability has come at just the right time–an audacious villain has moved into town and is planning to replace her favorite swimming hole with a golf course. Simultaneously, the citizens of Fourwords are planning their annual pageant, which reenacts a historical bank heist.  Altogether this book reminds me of  True Stories,  my favorite movie when I was twelve. Talking Heads' front man David Byrne (wearing a cowboy hat) narrates vignettes leading up to a Texan town's sesquicentennial celebration. Chris Raschka's novel is similarly rambling, off-kilter, and sweet. Peachaloo is a thoughtful and bighearted protagonist. An omniscient townsperson acts as a chatty narrator, packing the book with peculiar characters and funny asides. It...
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Review: My Bicentennial Summer

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My Bicentennial Summer: True Adventures from the Most Epic Family Road Trip of All Time Written by G. Neri Illustrated by Corban Wilkin Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2026. Informational. 75 pages. In 1976, America turned 200 and Greg Neri's family celebrated by driving from their home in L.A. across the whole country to make it to Washington D.C. for the Fourth of July. Along the way, the family visited 26 states, found strange local delicacies, encountered all kinds of accents, and saw natural and historic monuments. There's a lot packed into America, from its places to its people to its history and this book does a good job at touching on all of it. I was a little surprised how weepy this book made me feel. As we prepare for America250, looking back on the Bicentennial celebrations was making me excited for things to come and reflect on parts of American history–both good and bad. I think this book does a good job of navigating all the things that make America great, whil...
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If You Like... Sloths

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There is something so cuddly and about a slow moving sloth. It must be their big eyes and their soft fur, but we love to adore these little creatures! If your sloth-lover is looking for a good picture book, here are a few good reads. Sloth is Not a Baby! Written by Nelly Buchet Illustrations by Janie Bynum New York, NY : Feiwel & Friends book, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC, 2024. Picture Book.  Sloth is climbing up a tree and knows she can do it because she's "not a baby!" Her friend Moth reminds her of all the cools things animals can do and it giver her courage to keep going. This cute sloth is inspiring as she works hard and overcomes her fears. Mama in the Moon by Doreen and Brian Cronin New York: Rocky Pond Books, 2024. Picture Book. One night, baby sloth fell from the tree where he slept in his mama's arms in the vines and leaves below. At first he was scared, since he was far from home and his mama had to slowly make the journey down to get ...
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Review: Into the Wilderness

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Into the Wilderness Written by Haven Iverson Illustrated by August Zhang New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2026. Picture book. You have probably heard people in your life talk about their "happy place." If you haven't heard of that, the best way I can think of to describe it, is anywhere that someone feels most at home, comfortable, and where no one has to change their personality to feel completely content. My daughter-in-law's happy place is in the wilderness! She loves to be outdoors: hiking, climbing, and taking in the beauty of nature. This book made me think of her, in all the best ways! This sweet picture book follows the journey of a young child as they spend time in the great outdoors with their family. Like most young children, they start out needing a lot of help from the grown-ups in their world. As a reader, we see the child growing up and becoming more capable and independent. I found it to be a lovely reminder that so much joy is found in the journey of o...
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