A Kid's Review Excellent book with many twists and turns. One of my favorite stories ever!

• http://www.harcourtbooks.com/authorinterviews/bookinterview_Bloor.asp

Note: This book is available in our Library.

In this montage of sharply focused memories punctuated with b&w photographs, Spinelli (Maniac Magee; Wringer) reconstructs the experience of growing up during the '50s. His descriptions of his childhood universe (which does not extend beyond Norristown, Pa.) elicits the use of all five senses. He invites readers to gaze upon the same stars he studied as a child; to listen for the "not-very-loud" whistle of Mrs. Seeton calling not only her own brood but all the kids home to their suppers ("for a mother's call somehow touches us all"); to smell the "sour, vaguely rotten" aroma of the Adam Scheidt Brewing Company; to savor the taste of Texas Hot Wieners ("They had spunk. They fought back"); and to feel the "clack" of colliding teeth during his first kiss with Kathy Heller (in a game of Truth or Consequences). The audience might be content to bask in the warm glow of post-WWII reflections, but the author has other plans: he shows readers how the seeds of a writer were planted in his youth. Wedged between sometimes painful, more often hilarious scenes of preadolescent and adolescent angst are quiet, contemplative moments when young Spinelli develops his artistic imagination replaying the days' events and pondering such mysteries as time, space and the origin of knots in his yo-yo string. As Spinelli effortlessly spins the story of an ordinary Pennsylvania boy, he also documents the evolution of an exceptional author. Ages 10-13.

Note: This book is available in our Library.

Note: This book is available in our Library.

Ghost of Spirit Bear is the sequal to Touching Spirit Bear And tells the tale of Cole Mathews after he left the Island. Cole and peter try to find ways to do the stuff they did on the island. For Instance, Sitting In the Freezer at the Food Store was similar to Soaking in the pond, Carrying bowling balls up a stair well In a building was similar to carrying The Ancestor Rock up the hill. But school is standing in their way of finding inner peace. The Principal is not doing anything about the bullying. The school has a school wide circle talking about how they stop bullying. One idea is to Change the school Mascot to a Spirit Bear. A bulldog is mascot that shows bullying. Another idea is to rate teachers like of a A-F scale showing how well they do in school as a teacher. But how will things go with these ideas, and will they work? You will have to read the book. Hope You Like It.

• http://www.benmikaelsen.com

Note: This book is available in our Library.

Note: This book is available in our Library.

Note: This book is available in our Library.

Note: This book is available in our Library.