Author Archives: AJ Cattapan

Monday Book Review: Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O’Brien

Posted on September 30, 2013 by AJ Cattapan

This book is sort of “dystopia before dystopia was cool.” Dystopian fiction has been quite popular during the last decade, from The Hunger Games trilogy to the Divergent trilogy (final come books out October 22!). However, authors have long been … Continue reading →

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Writing Wednesday: Saving the Cat, Anticlimaxes and How I Met Your Mother

Posted on September 25, 2013 by AJ Cattapan

When the penultimate season of How I Met Your Mother aired last May, I blogged about how monumental a task the writers would have in order to make us fall in love with the woman Ted will marry. After watching … Continue reading →

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Monday Book Review: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

Posted on September 23, 2013 by AJ Cattapan

Although I usually stick with middle grade and YA books, I couldn’t resist sharing this gorgeous picture book that speaks to the book lovers out there. Title: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore Author: William Joyce Category: Picture book … Continue reading →

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Monday Book Review: Boys Without Names by Kashmira Sheth

Posted on September 16, 2013 by AJ Cattapan

Child labor in sweatshops was a common practice in America in the 1800s and early 1900s. Unfortunately, it still exists in some countries today. In her book Boys Without Names, Kashmira Sheth imagines the story of one eleven-year-old boy tricked … Continue reading →

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Monday Book Review: Children of the Lamp by P.B. Kerr

Posted on September 9, 2013 by AJ Cattapan

Fans of fantasy novels and Egyptian culture will enjoy this series. We use it as a summer reading book at my school since the students study ancient cultures (Egyptian and Greek) during sixth grade. Title: Children of the Lamp: The … Continue reading →

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Monday Book Review: How to Survive Middle School by Nancy E. Krulik

Posted on September 2, 2013 by AJ Cattapan

As another school year gets underway, today seems like a good day to talk about Donna Gephart’s How to Survive Middle School. Not sure any of my students would actually learn any tips about surviving middle school from this book, … Continue reading →

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Monday Book Review: My Name Is Not Isabella by Jennifer Fosberry

Posted on August 26, 2013 by AJ Cattapan

While searching for a gift for one of my younger nieces, I came across this New York Times bestselling book. Not sure what to expect, I was pleased to find a fun story that empowers girls to be all that … Continue reading →

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Monday Book Review: Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins

Posted on August 19, 2013 by AJ Cattapan

I’ll admit I didn’t expect to like this book when I first picked it up. It’s on my school’s summer reading list and the 2014 Rebecca Caudill nominee list. However, I must admit it was a pleasant surprise. I found … Continue reading →

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Monday Book Review: Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Posted on August 12, 2013 by AJ Cattapan

If you follow children’s books at all, you’ve probably heard of this one already, but just in case you haven’t, here’s a book for all you fantasy lovers out there. Title: Fablehaven Author: Brandon Mull Genre: fantasy Age group: middle … Continue reading →

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Monday Book Review: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Posted on August 5, 2013 by AJ Cattapan

I can’t believe I haven’t written about this book already! I found it several years ago, and it’s been a favorite to give as a gift to my nieces. Title: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Author: Grace Lin Genre: … Continue reading →

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