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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.

Enchanted Air by Margarita Engle – Linda Book Lady’s Review :: Spoiler Free

June 27, 2020 By Linda Jo Martin 2 Comments

Goat-Ears of Emperor Trojan

Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings is a lovely, lively, bi-cultural poetic memoir about a girl growing up in Los Angeles. Her mother is Cuban and her father’s family came from the Ukraine.
[Read more…]

Scott O’Dell Tribute: For the Author of Island of the Blue Dolphins

January 26, 2016 By Linda Jo Martin 3 Comments

The Black Pearl Book Cover

A Scott O’Dell tribute honoring the author of Island of the Blue Dolphins, Sing Down the Moon, The Black Pearl, and many other outstanding novels for children.
[Read more…]

I, Juan de Pareja, by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino – Linda Book Lady’s Review :: Spoiler Free

January 8, 2016 By Linda Jo Martin Leave a Comment

Juan de Pareja

Spanish painter, Diego Rodriguez de Silva y Velázquez, had a black slave, Juan de Pareja. This fictionalized account of the slave’s life follows him from birth into adulthood.
[Read more…]

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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