June 2025

Why MiNRS Is a Must-Have for Middle Grade Literature Circles

Leave a Comment / 4 Star, Book Reviews, Classroom Library, Grade, Grade 7, Grade 8, Literature Circles, Teaching /

Every now and then, a book hits your classroom like a tidal wave—MiNRS by Kevin Sylvester was that book for us. I introduced MiNRS as one of several options during our literature circles unit, unsure how many students would gravitate toward a sci-fi survival story set on a distant planet. To my surprise, it quickly […]

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Eyes That Kiss in the Corners: A Beautiful Picture Book About Identity and Belonging

Leave a Comment / 4 Star, Book Reviews, Classroom Library, Teaching /

Every once in a while, a picture book comes along that makes you pause, breathe deeply, and feel seen. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho is one of those books. Illustrated by Dung Ho, this beautifully crafted story is more than a celebration of Asian features—it’s a lyrical affirmation of cultural identity,

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