Middle school can be a tough gig, especially when you’re as different as Simon. Erin Bow’s Simon (Sort of) Says dives headfirst into Simon’s world—a place where surviving a school shooting is just the tip of the iceberg. As Simon resettles into Grin and Bear It, Nebraska, where electronic devices are banned to keep the radio telescopes clear for aliens, he faces a whole new set of challenges with his selective mutism. Simon’s silent world is beautifully portrayed through his gestures, expressions, and a trusty notebook. But it’s his unexpected friendship with Agate and Kevin that slowly coaxes him out of his shell. Together, they navigate the treacherous waters of […]
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Paulsen’s Final Adventure
“That simple. You lived or you died. And in between the two, if you kept your mind open and aware and listened and smelled and watched… In between you learned.” ― Gary Paulsen, Northwind Northwind is quite a journey. The hero of our story is a 12-year-old orphan named Leif, whose life is upended when a deadly plague strikes his small fishing camp. It’s gritty and raw—Paulsen doesn’t shy away from the harsh reality of it all. To save Leif and another young boy, a dying elder puts the two kids in a cedar canoe and tells Leif to paddle north to where the air is fresh. Unsure of his destination, Leif […]
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