Category Archives: Non-fiction
“Escape” and “Stolen Innocence”
“Escape” by Carolyn Jessop and “Stolen Innocence” by Elissa Wall I have to admit that I’ve become somewhat fascinated with polygamists cults in the last few years. As I read headlines about kids being removed from polygamist parents—and given back—I … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Non-fiction
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“The Little Book of Plagiarism”
The Little Book of Plagiarism by Richard A. Posner This book is literally little—the pages are 4 by 6 inches, and it’s only about 100 pages long. However, its comments on plagiarism—how it is defined (with difficulty) and what it … Continue reading
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“Night” and “Dawn”
“Night” and “Dawn” by Elie Wiesel Knowing that all freshmen here at COHS read “Night” by Elie Wiesel, and that sophomores have “Dawn” as a possible outside reading choice for history projects, I decided I’d have a go at it. … Continue reading
Out of War
“Out of War: True Stories from the Front Lines of the Children’s Movement for Peace in Columbia” by Sara Cameron Nine chapters of “Out of War’ each discuss one of the child leaders of the Children’s Movement for Peace in … Continue reading
“In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer”
Many of the books that are popular with young adults have a life crisis as their theme. All teenagers can relate to trauma and good novels and biographies often help the reader to see through the anguish. They can show … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Multicultural, Non-fiction
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Born on a Blue Day
Born on a Blue Day by Daniel Tammet Daniel Tammet has a unique brain. Although he has Asperger’s Syndrome, an autistic disorder, he is a savant as well. He lives independently and is capable of telling others what’s going on … Continue reading
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A Long Way Gone
A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah Perhaps you saw the movie “Blood Diamond.” If so, you may recognize the place, the names and some of the action of this first-person account of the civil war in Sierra Leone, Africa. … Continue reading
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Mountains Beyond Mountains
When teachers ask students to read biography or memoir, I know their secret hope is that students will learn something about a role model. Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder is a book that honors that secret hope. It’s the … Continue reading
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The Autobiography of Malcolm X
We often hear of Malcolm X and his militancy, but The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley helps the reader understand where Malcolm X came from, why he believed as he did, and how he came to change his … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Multicultural, Non-fiction
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Always Running
Always Running is recommended reading for the college-bound student, but every student I know who has read it liked it. Its author, Luis J. Rodriguez, was born in Mexico, but grew up in Los Angeles, in many impoverished neighborhoods. He … Continue reading
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Multicultural, Non-fiction
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School Library Lady 