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Other Words For Home, by Jasmine Warga :: Linda Book Lady’s Review :: Spoiler Free

February 10, 2021 By Linda Jo Martin Leave a Comment

Immigrant Child

I enjoyed reading Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga. It was easily readable and is a good way to introduce a child to the realities of the war in Syria and why so many Syrians have immigrated into the United States. The main character, Jude, is the first person narrator of this novel in free verse. Jude is a relatable character who anyone should be happy to call a friend.
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Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White :: Linda Book Lady’s Review :: Spoiler Free

February 9, 2021 By Linda Jo Martin Leave a Comment

Charlotte's Web Review

What a sweet book! Charlotte’s Web was originally published in 1952 when I was three months old. The following year it was named a Newbery honor book. The winner that year is rarely spoken of these days but Charlotte’s Web earned an enduring place in our hearts.
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Middle Grade March – A Booktube Adventure!

February 9, 2021 By Linda Jo Martin Leave a Comment

Middle Grade March

I’ll be participating in Middle Grade March this year. Middle Grade March is a readathon challenge that started on YouTube but has spread to Instagram as well. What’s involved? Well, there are five prompts and a group read, but if you read only one middle grade book during the month of March that’s enough to say you’re participating in Middle Grade March.
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It’s Like This, Cat, by Emily Neville – Linda Book Lady’s Review :: Spoiler Free

August 14, 2020 By Linda Jo Martin Leave a Comment

Cat

A boy in New York City, a cat, family, some friends, and adventures. This novel won the Newbery Medal in 1964.
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A Few Honest Opinions :: Reviews of Children’s Books

August 6, 2020 By Linda Jo Martin 2 Comments

I’m feeling inspired to give a few honest opinions of the many children’s books I’ve read, including books written for teens, middle grade novels, picture books – the whole spectrum of children’s literature. Here’s a listing of the book reviews I already have on the site. More to come soon.

Adam of the Road, by Elizabeth Janet Gray – I read that because it won the Newbery Medal many years ago.

Enchanted Air, by Margarita Engle – a poetic book… can’t even remember why I read it – but very interesting about a girl’s relatives in Cuba.

One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia – This one was a Newbery Honor Book, but my main reason for wanting to read it was because it is set in the city I was born in: Oakland, California.

The White Darkness, by Geraldine McCaughrean – I’d call this YA, not middle grade. Pretty phenomenal as it takes place mainly on Antartica. Can’t remember why I read it but I’m so glad I did.

I, Juan de Pareja, by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino – The biography of an artist’s slave. What a great book! This is also a Newbery Medal winning novel. Definitely YA.

Al Capone Does My Shirts, by Gennifer Choldenko – a middle grade novel about a boy growing up on Alcatraz where his father works as a prison guard. His older sister is autistic.

It’s Like This, Cat, by Emily Neville – a 14-year-old boy living in New York City adopts a stray cat.

A Visit to William Blake’s Inn, by Nancy Willard – imaginative poetry and amazing illustrations in a picture book intended for ages 4 to 7.

Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White – a precious, much loved book about a pig, his friend a precocious spider, and her web.

Other Words For Home, by Jasmine Warga – a Syrian girl immigrates to America for safety as her brother remains behind to fight in the war.

The Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la Peña, – a beautiful picture book illustrated by Christian Robinson – a boy and his grandmother ride a city bus together.

So, there’s a start… I’ll add to this page as I get more book reviews published here.

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I’m Reading Newbery Books

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About Me

I'm Linda Jo Martin, known as the Book Lady on YouTube. I'm the author of River Girl, a historical novel about a girl living in the Klamath River Valley in the 1920's. I'm also the author of the yet-to-be-published Antediluvian Adventures Series.

I tend to focus on the Newbery Medal list of middle grade and young adult novels, but may also review picture books and other children's literature.


This is my novel, available at Amazon only. It is for ages 8 to 15. It is a historical novel about a girl living in the Klamath River Valley of Northern California, c. 1920.

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