Matt McDonough's E-Reader's Notebook

Chmakova, S. (2015).  awkward . New York, NY: Yen Press.  Reading level: Grades 6-8 Themes: Coming of Age, friendship, survival.  Summary: Penelope "Peppi" Torres' first day at a new school starts with a stumble. When she trips into Jaime and his books fly everywhere, she realizes he is the butt of jokes at the school. Her two cardinal rules for surviving school include: don't get noticed by the mean kids, seek out groups with similar interests and join them. It's a rough start for her. Peppi and Jaime, with the help of others in the art club and school, eventually turn the tide of the school dynamic despite a series of awkward encounters that display the realities of middle school. In the end, after the tables are turned by a bully teasing Peppi and Jaime, a third rule is written: "Build. Build things. Build friendships. Build yourself. Bit by little bit. It may feel like you're not adding that much...but in the end it will add up to a ...

Brown, B. (2017, December). Removing the veil.  Junior Scholastic , 6-7. Reading level: Grades 6-8 Theme: Oppression.  Summary: Stemming from a new, proposed law in Quebec that would restrict Muslims from wearing veils in public, Brown examines cultural identity and religious freedom while giving a guide to Muslim veils. The controversy is between safeguarding cultural values and biased views. Although America is not perfect, there is greater acceptance of religious freedom than other counties, but the usually accepting Canada may go back on its promise for fairness. The guide describes the burqa, niqab, abaya, chador, and hijab.  Brown, B. (2018, February). The Civil Rights hero you've never heard of.  Junior Scholastic , 18-21. Reading level: Grades 6-8 Theme: Oppression.  Summary: Brown chronicles the story of Elizabeth Jennings, an African-American woman who was thrown off a bus at the age of 27 in 1854. In segregated New York, aft...

Caravantes, P. (2006). Deep Woods: The Story of Robert Frost . Greensboro, NC: Morgan Reynolds Publishing. Reading level: Grades 6-8 Themes: Family, Nature, the road not taken.  Summary: Caravantes chronicles the life of famed New England poet, Robert Frost. Frost, who was born in California, moved to the East coast after his father died. "Robbie" loved the New England landscape as a youngster and would go on to use the setting in his poetry. Frost barely provided for his family by farming and teaching until his poetry took off. He attended Darmouth and Harvard, but didn't graduate, and would go on to teach at the college level and be awarded 26 honorary degrees. He won four Pultizer Prizes, but his family life was not as glamorous. His mother, sister, and one of his daughters suffered from mental illness and were sent to asylums. Frost's depression was evident, even more so when his only son committed suicide. Frost, who read at the inauguration of Joh...