May 2015

Subtitled “The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life,” this book does a great job of ripping to pieces the current educational programs of America’s top bastions of higher learning. If you – like me – feel like too many of our top students are learning how to fill test bubbles well rather than think critically, you’re in for a treat. Excellent book – almost a “manifesto.”

Thought I’d include a Classic, just to mix things up. A lot lazy readers might not realize this, but some of the important literary authors they need to know to impress people actually wrote some shorter works. This is a great introduction to Plath, considered by many to be one of the most important “self-confessional” poets of the 20^th century.

The subtitle “Why You Binge Eat and How to Stop” was simply MADE for me. Just when I thought I had problems binge eating, Bulik sobered me into realizing that there are folks with some really clinical binge-eating disorders. Fascinating research.

Smart, witty story of a girl entering her senior year with high hopes, only to find herself in the middle of a terrorist plot. Teen girls go through this book faster than a pack of soft-chew chocolate chip cookies.

A gripping account of how a teen copes with an unexpected death. Beautifully written by three-time Coretta Scott King award winner Angela Johnson.

The award-winning author of The Chocolate War delivers a touching account of a son reminiscing about times with his father.

The first in a captivating trilogy, this is the PERFECT book for the reluctant teen reader. With beautiful illustrations, this wonderfully mysterious love story is compiled of letters and postcards that leave you yearning for more.

The first in a series of stories chronicling the Orphan Train Movement at the start of the 20^th century, Wanderville is sure to commence interesting conversations among your upper elementary students. Important for students to understand and appreciate all of their modern-day conveniences.

Hilarious account of a man stalked by a skunk. With great illustrations by the always reliable Patrick McDonnell, Barnett’s book is a perfect read aloud, as it will delight adult readers as well as little listeners with its dry wit.

A lot of adults – particularly those quick to divorce their spouse – should take a look at this endearing story about a little boy who tries to trade his goldfish in for a better pet – only to discover that maybe his original pet was better than he thought.