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Teacher Recommendations of the Month


Click Here: to find out how I survived seventh grade)
by Denise Vega

Erin Swift is a 7th grade computer whiz and basketball fiend with extra large feet. Her best friend Jilly is a bossy, boy crazy, fashion queen. Their friendship takes a sudden turn as they become separated from one another in their first year of Middle School in two separate units. Erin finds some stress relief by writing in her personal (never meant to be seen by anyone) web blog where she can let off steam about Jilly, her family, the Cute Boy in her homeroom and the principal. She begins to enjoy the freedom from being away from Jilly until their friendship becomes strained in more ways than one. How can she face going to school after the unthinkable happens to her blog?? Erin learns a great deal about growing up and friendship in this book which is so dead on realistic that you’ll be time warped back to your own teenage years while getting caught up in Erin’s 7th grade drama. You can’t help but cheer her on and feel her pain as she struggles with everyday teenage trials and tribulations. She meets up with a very caring custodian who she runs into while hiding out in his closet after school and gets a lesson in friendship which she’ll never forget. Realistic Fiction - Recommended by Ms. Ridler


Al Capone Does My Shirts
by Gennifer Choldenko

This book is set in the 1930's and is about a 12-year-old boy named, Moose, his autistic sister Natalie, and their struggles. Their family moves to an apartment on “The Rock” after their dad gets a job as an electrician at Alcatraz (San Francisco, California). Moose gets involved in schemes, and finds it hared to stand up for what is right. The story revolves around the relationship between Moose and his sister Natalie, and the agony that goes along with having a sister who is “different.” Kids at Moose's school eagerly pay money to have their clothes laundered by Scarface (a bootlegger and vicious murderer) himself. This was a quick scheme by the warden's daughter to get rich). It's sad, but wanting to associate yourself with the bad guys is a part of America’s culture. Read it, see what happens to Moose and his friends and also what do you think is Natalie’s plight? Historical Fiction - Recommended by Mrs. Hushmendy



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Audio Clips


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Reading Lists

ALA Great Middle School Reads
ALA Growing Up Around the World
ALA Books Dealing with Diversity
NCTE Book Lists
ALA Newbery Winners
Caldecott Award Winners
On-Line Book Group

Online book discussion group is a place where members of the RCS community can come together to discuss what you like and dislike about books you have read. This group allows individuals to decide how much or how little time they are able to participate in the group. All you need is access to a computer and a working email address. If you are interested in getting more information about our virtual book discussion group, or want to join please e-mail Cara Buckley for further information.
Literary Genres

Click here to read a description of a variety of different literary genres. 



Cara Buckley, SLMS
Copyright Date 2008
Date Updated: Sept. 3, 2008
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