13: Thirteen stories that capture the agony and ecstasy of being thirteen

13: Thirteen Stories That Capture the Agony and Ecstasy of Being Thirteen by James Howe
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is a collection of short stories by some really good writers. I thought some of the stories were good, and some were just OK. I would definitely say the very last story, Tina the Teen Fairy, by Ann Martin and Laura Godwin was my favorite--short, cute, and funny. Some of the stories were way too serious, but a reader could always skip them. The stories are meant for both boys and girls, but I don't think too many middle school boys will find them that interesting.


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Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting

Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another very good non-fiction book from Jim Murphy--this time about the First World War. Murphy does a very good job explaining how the war began, without getting too complicated. There are actual photos and some illustrations of both sides, which brings this war to life. The remarkable truce that happened on a cold Christmas Eve during the fighting, is a remarkable story.


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