Harlem Summer

Harlem Summer by Walter Dean Myers


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really liked this YA book because of its cast of characters. I have read many Walter Dean Myers books, and enjoyed 145th Street the most.
Harlem Summer is a great book to use when teaching about the Harlem Renaissance because EVERYONE who was anyone is in this novel, including Langston Hughes, Fats Waller, W.E.B. DuBois, and even Dutch Schultz have a role.
Mark, the main character, takes a job at The Crisis, and learns what it means to be a "New Negro", but he's not sure he wants any part of it. The story has humor, some really scary parts, and was written through the very real voice of a young man growing up in New York City during a very interesting time in history.

View all my reviews >>

girl, going on 17 Pants on Fire

Girl, Going on 17: Pants on Fire by Sue Limb


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a fun, funny book. Jess Jordan is a British teen, a little overweight, but with a huge sense of humor. Unfortunately, she gets into so much trouble on the very first day of the new school term, that it looks as if her life is doomed. Jess deals with her problems the way she knows best, by being outrageously funny. A good read for 7-8th graders. They will need to know a few British words, like loo and knickers.

View all my reviews >>