Book cover of The Kate in Between

Book description

In this timely, call-to-action contemporary middle grade novel from Claire Swinarski, author of What Happens Next, a twelve-year-old girl must face herself, and the truth, after her participation in a bullying incident goes viral. 

Kate McAllister is desperate for a change. Something to hit refresh and erase the pain of…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Kate in Between as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

“Every story has a villain, and the one in this story is me.” With this fantastic opening line, Kate introduces herself.

Changing friendships is a classic theme of middle-grade fiction, but I love this unique point of view of the narrator as the person who abandons her longtime best friend instead of the other way around.

Kate is every bit the villain she claims to be, but I still rooted for her. My writer's brain loved the way Claire Swinarski made that happen, and it got me thinking about how I might make my main characters likable even when they…

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Book cover of Jane Addams: The Most Dangerous Woman in America

Jane Addams by Marlene Targ Brill,

This biography for middle-grade readers and up explains who Jane Addams was and why she caused such a stir worldwide. The story follows Addams' first childhood realization of how poverty limits lives, livelihoods, and health to her becoming one of the most beloved―and disliked―women of her day. She worked to…

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