Margaret

Teaching The Lightning Thief in Grade 7: Themes, Triggers & What Teachers Should Know

5 Star, Book Reviews, Grade, Grade 7, Grade 8, Read Aloud, Teaching /

If you’re thinking about teaching The Lightning Thief in Grade 7, you’re probably asking: Is Percy Jackson appropriate for middle school? How violent is it? Will parents object? Is it still engaging in 2026? Short answer? Yes. It still works. Long answer? Let’s break it down so you walk in prepared. Why The Lightning Thief […]

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Teaching The Giver in Grade 7/8: Themes, Triggers & What Teachers Should Prepare For

4 Star, 5 Star, Book Reviews, Grade, Grade 7, Grade 8, Read Aloud, Teaching /

If you’re planning on teaching The Giver in Grade 7, this post is your full teacher prep guide. When I reread The Giver as an adult preparing to use it in my classroom, I realized something important: This is not a simple dystopian novel. It’s emotionally heavy. Ethically complex. And yes — it contains scenes

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📚 Linked by Gordon Korman: A Powerful Classroom Read That Sparked Real Conversations

5 Star, Book Reviews, Classroom Library, Grade, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Highschool, Literature Circles, Read Aloud, Teaching /

Every so often, a book comes along that doesn’t just engage students—it changes the conversation in your classroom.For us, that book was Linked by Gordon Korman. I added Linked to our classroom library after hearing strong recommendations from other teachers—and I’m so glad I did. What started as just another reading option quickly turned into

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

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

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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Sadia by Colleen Nelson – A Powerful YA Novel About Identity, Sports, and Social Justice

4 Star, Book Reviews, Classroom Library, Grade, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Highschool, Literature Circles, Teaching /

I recently read Sadia by Colleen Nelson and immediately knew it needed a place on every middle school classroom bookshelf. This award-winning Canadian novel is an excellent example of inclusive young adult fiction. It explores themes of identity, friendship, belonging, and standing up for what’s right—all through the eyes of a determined teen girl navigating

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The Proudest Blue – A Picture Book That Champions Identity, Family, and Resilience

4 Star, Black Authors, Book Reviews, Classroom Library, Grade, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Read Aloud, Teaching /

When I first read The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family, I knew it would spark meaningful classroom conversations. Written by Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and author S.K. Ali, this picture book shares a touching story of pride, identity, and strength. The illustrations by Hatem Aly make it even more powerful. If you’re

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The Misfits by James Howe: A Relatable and Heartfelt Middle School Story

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

The Misfits by James Howe is an incredible book that perfectly captures the middle school experience. Told through the eyes of Bobby, the novel follows a tight-knit group of friends as they navigate seventh grade and take on student council elections. This story resonates deeply with young readers, offering relatable characters and heartfelt lessons. Relatable

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