Book Review

I just finished reading The Other Side of Truth by Beverly Naidoo. This is an 8th grade Battle of the Books selection. This is the story of Sade, whose home country, Nigeria, is in political turmoil. Her father is a journalist who is trying to speak out against the government, and the government in turn murders her mom.

This book is a good read, and really allows you to see what life is like for people who have to flee their homeland in order to be safe.

I also finished Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata. This is a 6th grade Battle book. This was a simple story of 2 sisters, and the great love they have for each other. It is also a multicultural story because the family is Japanese, and they are learning to cope with life in America.

I believe I have corrected the problem, and all students should be able to post comments to this page.

Sign-ups have begun! We had the first wave of students come to the library today. The biggest turnout so far is in the 7th grade class.

8th Grade Battle of the Books

Here is the 8th grade book list:

1. Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
2. The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman
3. Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
4. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
5. Devil on my Heels by Joyce McDonald
6. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
7. Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa
8. The Other Side of Truth by Beverly Naidoo
9. Can’t Get There From Here by Todd Strasser
10. Bucking the Sarge by Christopher Paul Curtis

Book List Grade 7

1. Scorpions by Walter Dean Myers
2. Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez
3. Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
4. Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser
5. Swallowing Stones by Joyce McDonald
6. There’s a Girl in my Hammerlock by Jerry Spinelli
7. Catherine, Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
8. Heaven by Angela Johnson
9. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
10. The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez

Book List for Grade 6

Here is the Book List for Grade 6:

1. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
2. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
3. Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
4. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
5. Holes by Louis Sachar
6. Rodzina by Karen Cushman
7. Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
8. Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
9. There’s a Hair in My Toothbrush by Jerry Spinelli
10. Miracle’s Boys by Jacqueline Woodson

We will be starting Battle of the Books in November. I will announce the first meetings over the PA, and also put notices in the ELA teacher mailboxes. Each grade level will have their own meeting. Refreshments will be served. I am looking forward to a productive year.

I am still reading Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going.

I am starting a blog because I think it is a terrific way to communicate with all of the students, teachers and parents at Maxson MS. I love books, and am currently reading Fat Kid Rules the World, which I think I will recommend for 8th grade students.