Growing a Reader for Alexa

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If you don't like to read, you haven't found the right book. -J.K. Rowling

When Anna Hunt decided on her un-essay subject, she didn't know that she would be solving a mystery. Join her as she jumps down a rabbit hole.

Book review

What Happened to Rachel Riley?

Summary

A Look Inside

Plant a Seed!

Realistic fiction with a powerful leading character is written in alternating formats, including direct message!

Swinarski. C. (2023). What happened to Rachel Riley? [Screenshot of book cover]. goodreads.com/book/show/60833948-what-happened-to-rachel-riley.

As soon as I slip into the pool, I am weighless. Limitless. For just a while. (Fipps, 2021, p.1)

Book review

Starfish

A Look Inside

Summary

Anchor the Tree

Realistic fiction with a twist of humor and easy-to-read poem format!

O'Brien, T. Screenshot of cover. Designed by Kelley Brady. Starfish, L. Fipps. Penguin Random House LLC., 2021. Front cover. goodreads.com/book/show/54458127-starfish.

Can probability and statistics help Kemi face the end of the world?

Book review

The Probability of everything

Sarah Everett

Summary

A Look Inside

Branch Out

Frazier, Laylie. Screenshot of cover. Designed by Celeste Knudsen. The probability of everything, Sarah Everett, Clarion Books, 2023. Front cover. goodread.com/book/show/62870380-the-probability-of-everything.

With a unique approach to dealing with the end of the world, this dystopian novel will give you hope when there is none!

One day, Anaya's allergies were nearly gone, but why was everyone else suffering?

Book review

Bloom

A Look Inside

Summary

Climbing into the Canopy

Science fiction and horror combine to make this an unforgettable adventure for three teens and the excitement can continue with Hatch and Thrive.

Oppel, K. (2020). Bloom. [Screenshot of cover]. goodreads.com/book/show/50215833.

Starfish

Lisa Fipps

Life isn't always fair. For Ellie, also known as Splash, just existing is hard. She is constantly being bullied because of her weight and develops different ways to deal with the constant ridicule. She has created "Fat Girl Rules" and even has a special sixth sense she has labeled "fatdar". However, Ellie does have an escape- the pool where she feels weightless. Join Ellie and her best friend, Viv, as they navigate the ups and downs of the tween years.

Fipps, L. (2021). Starfish. Penguin Random House, LLC.

A LOok Inside

"I weighed my options. Should I get caught snooping in the dresser drawer of a perfectly nice girl who had invited me to her birthday party and offered to lend me a swimsuit? Or should I try to hide the photo? But there was really no way to shove it back inthe drawer. It was obviously already in my hands. I racked my brain- could I just say None of your swimming suits looked they'd fit me, haha, I'm on my way back down?" (Swinarski, 2023, p. 115).

Swinarski, C. (2023). What happened to Rachel Riley? Quill Tree Books.

Fipps, L. (2021). Starfish. (p. 76-77)Penguin Random House LLC.

Alexa's Books What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski Starfish by Lisa Fipps The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett Bloom by Kenneth Oppel

What Happened to Rachel Riley?

Claire Swinarski

Anna Hunt is the new girl at school. She misses her home in Chicago but is trying to adjust to life in the Madison suburbs. Her 8th grade Social Issues teacher, Ms. Odell, has assigned an un-essay for the students to present a pressing issue. Anna decides to do a podcast on a classmate who seemingly has no friends. Anna is concerned and knows what it is like not having any friends as the new kid in school. Follow Anna as she discovers the truth about Rachel Riley.

Crawford-White, H. (Screenshot of book cover) Designed by Kathy H. Lam. What happened to Rachel Riley, Swimarski, C., Quill Tree Books, 2023. Front cover. goodreads.com/book/show/60833948-what-happened-to-rachel-riley

The Probability of Everything

When the newscaster announces that an asteroid is heading toward the Earth, 11-year-old Kemi knows the probability of the Earth being destroyed is 87.4 %. Instead of waiting for the Earth to be destroyed, Kemi decides that she must do something for future inhabitants of Earth to learn about the creatures that lived there before. Along the way, Kemi discovers that not everything is the way it seems, and even with math on your side, saying goodbye is never easy.

Everett, S. (2023). The Probability of Everything. Harper Collins Publishing.

Bloom

Kenneth Oppel

A mysterious black weed grows in Anaya’s little island town one day. Residents attempt to cut it down, burn it, and use herbicides to no avail. Anaya, Petra, and Seth begin to realize that more invasive and dangerous plants have arrived, some that ooze acid and can consume people, but for some reason, they are not affected by the plant defenses. The world is now invaded by various deadly plants, and people are facing starvation. Can Anaya, Seth, and Petra help discover where the plants came from and save the world?

Oppel, K. (2020). Bloom. Alfred A. Knopf.

A Look Inside

"She sneezed and blew her nose, which was red at the end. A lot of her face was splotchy, because of the acne. He could tell she was self-conscious about it because she kept her hand on her cheek, like she was trying to cover it up. He knew what it was like to feel different, to want to hide away some part of yourself. He liked how lively and intelligent her eyes were. He already knew she was smart. In math class, she answered more questions than almost anyone" (Oppel, p.41).

Oppel, K. (2020). Bloom. Alfred A. Knopf.

A Look Inside

"As we drove back, I noticed something I hadn't on our way here: more protesters, police cars in alleys, people with cameras and microphones. There weren't as many as on our street, but they were spread out through the city. The hairs on my arms stood up as straight as a tree. When we reached Aunt Miriam's house, there was absolutely nobody on her street and relief flooded my body. I'd spent every day we'd been here missing my house, missing my bed and missing having my own space, but at this moment I was so grateful that we were staying here. Something weird was happening in our town- something to do with the end of the world-and I wasn't sure I liked it" (Everett, 2023, p. 160).

Everett, S. (2023). The probability of everything. Harper Collins Publishing.