Mark My Words

This blog began in 2009, and it's transformed through different styles over the years. I've become a reviewer for the Young Adult Books Central (YABC) and posts for those books have their own look. I've also been a judge for Cybils.com since 2010 to determine the best books of the year in the category of elementary/middle-grade speculative fiction. You'll see reviews for these top books in some of my January posts from the past.

Monday, May 25, 2026

The Declaration Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Inspired Our Nation by Katie Kennedy

›
What worked: The author breaks down the Declaration of Independence step by step and explains the meaning behind its different parts. The ex...
Thursday, May 21, 2026

Deepa M.D. by Priya Swaminathan

›
What worked: Deepa’s leukemia is in remission, but she tells everyone she knows that she’s cured. She just wants to get back to having a nor...

STEM Kids Make a Robot by Carlotta Berry

›
What worked: The book describes a problem-solving process using the STEM approach. The group of kids must first identify a real problem wher...
Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Scrap by Guy Bass

›
What worked: Paige and Gnat are sisters with contrasting views of Scrap. Gnat is convinced that Scrap is the missing King of the Robots and ...
Saturday, May 16, 2026

The Unchosen One by Amy Sparkes

›
What worked: The synopsis is misleading, since Tassie doesn’t have a problem becoming part of the Chosen One’s prophecy. Saving Peryll from ...
Thursday, May 14, 2026

Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler by Amelia Tait

›
What worked: Time travel is always an intriguing topic, and the author adds a creative twist. Every New Year’s Eve, Lily is transported back...
Saturday, May 9, 2026

The Fire Serpent Legacy by Cindy L. Rodriguez

›
What worked: Auri’s parents died when she was an infant, and she compares her life to a puzzle with missing pieces. Many books save the trut...
‹
›
Home
View web version

About Me

My photo
Mark Buxton
View my complete profile
Powered by Blogger.