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MADreads for Kids

Kids posts by Molly W

Holding on to what matters most

Cover of Tree. Table. Book
A review of Tree. Table. Book by Lois Lowry

This is a touching story that starts with a day that is not like the others. Eleven-year-old Sophie Winslow is best friends with her neighbor, eighty-eight-year-old Sophie Gershowitz. Eleven-year-old Sophie is an unusual child - she's an old soul and hypochondriac. She loves using traditional library reference tools such as looking up medical ailments in the Merck Manual and memorizing quotes from Bartlett's Familiar Quotations.

Oct 18, 2024

Earl's pumpkins, peppers, plums and eggs

Cover of The Last Stand
A review of The Last Stand by Antwan Eady
Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey

This picture book is perfect for sharing during farmers' market season, especially when pumpkins are ripe. A boy and his Papa head to the last remaining stall at the farmers' market with their pumpkins, peppers, plums and eggs. A year ago, there were two vendors. The year before there were five. The community still needs the fresh produce and the boy and his Papa head to the market every Saturday while Granny makes baskets from sweetgrass on the front porch of the farmhouse. Familiar, friendly faces start lining up and their orders are ready before they even have to ask.

Oct 14, 2024

Introduction to the Norendy tales

Cover of The Puppets of Spelhorst
A review of The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo
Julie Morstad

This is the first book in "The Norendy Tales" series by Kate DiCamillo. The Puppets of Spelhorst is a wonderful story filled with hope, adventure, wisdom, courage and love. Five puppets: a king, an owl, a boy, a girl, and a wolf are "in a story together" that starts with their purchase from a toy shop by an old, broken-hearted sea captain named Spelhorst.

Sep 10, 2024

Playing fetch in a new way

Cover of Lost Stick
A review of Lost Stick written and illustrated by Anoosha Syed

Louise and Milo find a stick at their favorite park. They play fetch with Stick over and over again. Milo doesn't understand why Louise loves throwing Stick so much, but he is determined to bring it back each and every time. Then Louise pretends to throw Stick and Milo races off only to discover that he's gone too far astray while searching. He doesn't realize that Stick was never thrown! Not only is Stick "lost" to Milo, but Milo is lost as well. 

Aug 16, 2024

The magic of Perla and Isabel Allende

Cover of Perla: The Mighty Dog
A review of Perla: The Mighty Dog written by Isabel Allende
Sandy Rodriguez

Perla's two superpowers are making people love her and roaring like a lion. She is a little, scruffy dog, but her powers are mighty. She makes the Rico family fall in love with her at the shelter even though they were hoping to find a guard dog. Then she learns to roar like a lion to demonstrate what an excellent guardian she will make. 

Jul 19, 2024

Summer sock detectives

Cover of Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All
A review of Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller

Ten-year-old Magnolia Wu's parents own Bing Qi Ling Bubbles Laundromat in NYC. Instead of going to the ocean or taking a trip to an amusement park, Magnolia usually spends the summer helping out around the business and sneaking popsicles that are intended for paying customers. She is not happy about summer and wishes her life were more adventurous.  

Jun 28, 2024

What do you call a dog, a seagull, a squirrel, some bison and a couple of raccoons?

Cover of The Eyes and the Impossibl
A review of The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers
Shawn Harris

I call them winners! 

No joke, this book is sensational and worthy of all the accolades. Recipient of the 2024 Newbery Award given to the author of the most distinguished children's book of the previous year, The Eyes and the Impossible is funny, smart and unusual. I loved it.

May 28, 2024

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