Category Archives: Dawn

East Dragon, West Dragon

Dragons may be a mainstay of old-time children’s stories, but the type of dragon you’re most familiar with may depend on where you live. Robyn Eversole brings two dragons from opposite sides of the world together in East Dragon, West Dragon, a tale of cultural exposure and different perspectives. East Dragon lives like royalty in…

Spin

Showing up to an interview for your dream job is pretty bad, but you know what’s worse? Going into rehab on a ruse to get the insider scoop on the “It” celebrity of the moment. Yeah, that’s much, much worse. In Catherine McKenzie’s Spin, things go from bad to worse quickly for the protagonist. Kate…

Let’s Count to 100!

If you have a kindergarten aged child like me, then you are probably aware of the impending holiday in classrooms around the country. Different schools will hit this landmark day at different times, all depending on when they first started the school year back in the late summer. Do you know what it is? It’s…

On Reading: My Month of Middle Grade Fiction

It all started back before the holidays, when my mother-in-law asked for book recommendations for my children as she shopped. I began browsing Amazon for middle grade books for my eleven year old son, who is an avid reader and especially enjoys reading his favorite books again and again. When I saw the entire Percy…

Time for a Hug

Young children can often be heard asking, “What time is it?” even before they have a clear concept of telling time. What better way to answer that question with Time for a Hug? A new picture book by Phillis Gershator and Mim Green, with illustrations by David Walker, Time for a Hug introduces the concept…

On Reading: New Job, New Reading Habits

Having been in several levels of employment during my eleven years of motherhood, from full-time employment outside of the home to a full-time stay-at-home status, I’ve had a lot of practice finding ways to fit in my own interests in different manners. Of course, the biggest leisure activity in my life is reading, and I…

Lunatics, Review and Giveaway

Okay, there are a few things that you need to know right off the bat about the new novel Lunatics from the wacky minds of Dave Barry and Alan Zweibel: When I said “wacky,” I meant it. These two authors must have the oddest creative minds ever, but please know that I mean that in…

Cybils shortlists and worthy “also-rans”

The Cybils finalist lists are out! Check out the site for the top picks in categories from young adult, to picture books, to poetry and more. Dawn and I were thrilled to be invited back to serve as Cybils round I judges this year, her in fiction picture books and me in middle grade fiction….