Eleven-year old Melody has a photographic memory. Maybe you wish you had that kind of memory but everything that Melody knows and feels is stuck inside her head until she gets a computerized communication board. Then, Melody becomes a member of her school's academic bowl team and the team makes it all the way to the finals in Washington,D.C. Then, the team leaves Melody behind at the airport. How will Melody's team fare without her? If you liked Cynthia Lord's Rules you will enjoy this book.

Similar books: Rules by Cynthia Lord; Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

Awards nominated: 2013 Rebecca Caudill Nominee

Awards won: 2013 Bluestem Award

Reviewed by: jb

Date read: 4/27/2010

ISBN-10: 141697170X

ISBN-13: 9781416971702

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Commenter: Valerie, grade 53

In 'Papa's Mark' by Gwnedolyn Battle-Lavert, Simms and his Papa knew how important the right to vote was to a black man living in the south during the 1960's. 'America could change for the better if all people had a say in the running of it,' was the consensus of the black community living in Lamar County. Even though the Fifteenth Amendment of the Constitution protected the rights of all people to vote, many restrictions were adopted in the southern states to make it impossible for members of the black community to exercise their rights. Gang violence, voting taxes, and literacy tests were obstacles instituted by many white communities to prevent the African-Americans from voting. So when Simm's Papa was able (after many nights of practice) to sign his own name at the voting booth, Samuel T. Blow could feel the winds of change shaping a newer and brighter America.

Similar authors: Deborah Wiles; Jacqueline Woodson;

Similar books: Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles; The Other side by Jacqueline Woodson; Goin' Someplace Special by Pat McKissack; Pop's Bridge by Eve Bunting; Coolies by Yin

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 8/1/2011

ISBN-10: 082341650X

ISBN-13: 9780823416509

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The lives of four generations are told through ten stories that span the years from 1939 through 2006. The tales begin with Rose driving the library book mobile followed by the adventures of her son Merle Henry who loves to trap. Next comes Annabeth, Merle's daughter who enjoys fairy tales, and then there is Annabeth's son Kyle who finds a summer job at the library. Books and reading are integral to the lives of the family as the adventures unfold across the years.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 9/11/2010

ISBN-10: 0805063609

ISBN-13: 9780805063608

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Hildy Biddle is a high school reporter in the small town of Banesville, New York, kicknamed The Happiest Town in the Happy Apple Valley. But the sleepy town is stricken with hysteria and fear after a series of spooky happenings start occurring near the old Ludlow House. As Pen Piedmont, the editor of the local paper, publishes fear-mongering headlines, high-school reporter Hildy has to determine if she can find what is behind the incidents and settle her community's growing unrest. Will Hildy take on the challenge or will the threats against herself and her friends stop her?

Reviewed by: bklyczek

Date read: 1/28/2010

ISBN-10: 0399234756

ISBN-13: 9780399234750

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Juliet loves the color pink, and she's planning a pink princess party for her seventh birthday. When her grandmother sends her a beautiful crown in the mail to wear for her party, Juliet decides to wear it to school. With the crown, she's in charge. Soon, all the girls are wearing pink and pretending to be princesses. What will happen when the boys rebel against the princesses? This is the first book in the Perfectly Princess series.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 8/26/2010

ISBN-10: 0545211735

ISBN-13: 9780545211734

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