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York: The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby

A promising upper-middle grade series gets underway with alternative history, fascinating puzzles, and one big mystery. The Shadow Cipher (York #1) by Laura Ruby.  HarperCollins, ...
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How to Read Aloud Hard Books: 5 Steps

Love to read aloud, but stumble over the hard books? You're not alone. Hard books are hard to read aloud. They just are. Even for ...
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American Eclipse by David Baron

This summer a full solar eclipse will cross the United States.  This captivating history examines the last time that happened, and its effect on American ...
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Vincent and Theo: the Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman

A fascinating dual biography captures the triumph and eventual tragedy of brothers who loved and fought fiercely. Vincent and Theo: the Van Gogh Brothers by ...
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Shipwreck Island by S. A. Bodeen

Shipwreck Island (Shipwreck Island #1) by S. A. Bodeen.  Feiwel & Friends, 2014, 184 pages Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 8-10 Recommended for: ages 10-14 ...
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*Cody and the Fountain of Happiness by Tricia Springstubb

Eight-year-old Cody's enthusiasm for life is contagious in this sunny chapter-book series. Cody and the Fountain of Happiness (Cody series #1) by Tricia Springstubb, illustrated ...
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The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming by J. Anderson Coats

The Many Reflections of Miss Jane Deming by J. Anderson Coats. Atheneum, 2017.  288 pages. Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12Recommended For: Historical Fiction lovers, ...
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The Unexpected Life of Oliver Cromwell Pitts by Avi

This rollicking adventure tale for middle grades by prolific author Avi takes us back to England of the 18th century. The Unexpected Life of Oliver ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 6: Generosity and Love in Literature

Betsy: It’s hard to believe we’re at the end of our Wisdom & Wonder Summer Reading Challenge! On a personal level, this has been a ...
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Wisdom & Wonder Week 6 Booklist

Our last Wisdom & Wonder Booklist to help you wrap up your summer! You'll see a couple of repeats from earlier in the summer as ...
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Week 6 : God So Loved, He Gave

Introduction This summer reading challenge has flown by!  Can you believe it’s Week 6 already?  (Granted, we did take a week off for the Fourth ...
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Let’s Talk It over: Honesty and Diligence in Literature

Janie: This week we’re taking up two major themes in Proverbs: honest work and honest words.  At first glance they may not seem to be that closely ...
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