What Joa is Reading & Other Stuff

Book reviews...from picture books to adult books, as well as books-to-movie info, and other stuff I think is interesting. Note: Not all books reviewed or recommended are appropriate for all ages.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
Games: A Tale of Two Bullies

I just finished reading Iowa author Carol Gorman's newest book, Games: A Tale of Two Bullies, and I would recommend this to kids and as a class read-aloud, especially to highlight the issues of conflict and bullying.

Games tells the story (alternating between the first person perspectives) of Mick and Boot, two middle school boys who keep getting in trouble for fighting. The new school principal decides to make the boys meet daily to play games, in the hopes that this will force them to get along.

This book was a good read...you are really rooting individually for the boys, and are able to watch them as they begin to learn to understand each other. The story is also suspenseful...both because of the aftermath of some misguided "dares" they undertake, mostly to "save face" in front of a manipulative popular girl....as well as because of each boy's difficult home life situation.

Overall, the resolution is uplifting, and reminds me of a favorite Plato quote of mine: "Be kind, for everyone is having a hard battle."

 

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Categories: Joa RecommendsRealistic ReadsTeaching Tie-ins

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2008
Next Harry Potter movie bumped to summer

The producers of the next Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, have announced that the release date has been pushed to summer, 2009 (July 17, 2009 to be exact).

Use the extra time to read the book, or to refresh yourself on the series. We have all the books in multiple formats: print, CD, and in Spanish.

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Categories: FantasyFYIMovie Tie-ins

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