Author Archives: Brianna

Use Your Gray Matter: Summer Reading

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Brianna

Use Your Gray Matter: Summer Reading Temperatures are rising and university courses are wrapping up. Soon, our friends in elementary, middle, and high schools will be out for the summer as well. Because I work with young people, my life … Continue reading →

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Review: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Brianna

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valence. Feiwel and Friends, 2011. Currently available. Genre: Fantasy Face Value: Simply enchanting. It presents as exactly what it is: a luscious fairy tale. The … Continue reading →

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Review: The List by Siobhan Vivian

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Brianna

The List by Siobhan Vivian. Scholastic, 2012. Currently available. Genre: YA Contemporary Realistic Fiction Face Value: We’ve got a headless body count of three here, which is not ideal. However, the girl at the center of the image has all … Continue reading →

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Review: Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett & Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Brianna

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Jon Klassen. Balzer + Bray, 2012. Currently available. Genre: Picture book Face Value: To die for. Jon Klassen’s illustrations throughout the book are worthy of framing, but the cover is especially dynamic. I love … Continue reading →

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Review: Vegan, Virgin, Valentine by Carolyn Mackler

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Brianna

Vegan, Virgin, Valentine by Carolyn Mackler. Candlewick Press, 2006. Currently available. Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction Face Value: Sigh. Another disembodied girl. So boring. I would much prefer the cover image to be a hot, melting, oh-so-sexy grilled cheese sandwich. (If … Continue reading →

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Review: Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Brianna

Not That Kind of Girl by Siobhan Vivian. Scholastic, 2010. Currently available. Genre: YA Realistic Fiction Face Value: Terrible. Just terrible. I cannot take this book anywhere unless I peel off the dust jacket. I even feel the need to … Continue reading →

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Review: Giants Beware! by Rafael Rosado and Jorge Aguirre

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Brianna

Giants Beware! by Rafael Rosado and Jorge Aguirre. First Second Books, 2012. Currently available. Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel Face Value: I love it. The whole terrific cast of child characters graces the cover, with Claudette front and center, taking the lead. … Continue reading →

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Review: Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Brianna

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary “Jacky” Faber, Ship’s Boy by L.A. Meyer. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2002. Currently available. Genre: YA Historical Fiction Face Value: Here we have a curious tale of two covers for … Continue reading →

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Review: Pearl Verses the World by Sally Murphy

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Brianna

Pearl Verses the World by Sally Murphy. Candlewick Press, 2011. Currently available. Genre: Middle Grade Poetry Face Value: So endearing. Heather Potter’s illustrations have a gentle beauty. I would want to have this cover as a poster print on my wall. … Continue reading →

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Review: The Grand Plan to Fix Everything by Uma Krishnaswami

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Brianna

The Grand Plan to Fix Everything by Uma Krishnaswami. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011. Currently available. Genre: Middle Grade Realistic Fiction Face Value: This cover is dynamite. The illustrator, Abigail Halpin, created this vivid depiction of Dini’s new setting – … Continue reading →

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