Ms.Austin’s students recently researched a notable African-American.  Using the information they learned, students wrote a Bio Poem and an “I Am” poem.  Check out the podcast of everyone reading their poems. 1stperiod.MP3 4thperiod.mp3 7thperiod.mp3

      5 Shining Stars – Easy to read, but not easy to forget Julius Lester, in Day of Tears, weaves together the haunting story of an actual historical event occuring in Savannah, Georgia - the largest slave auction in American history.  Pierce Butler auctions off the majority of his slaves because of his mounting gambling [...]

       Definitely worth checking out  Bethany always knew her parents were different.  They were older than other parents.  They also were so overprotective – homeschooling Bethany for years, never letting her out of their sight.  Bethany just accepted things for the way they were  – until……. Bethany’s parents, clearly distraught, drive across country to leave [...]

  8th graders Steven Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson cannot believe their luck.  They won the sports writing contest and now will get to attend the NCAA Final Four with press passes!  The excitement for Steven, though, soon turns to fear.Steven and Susan accidentally overhear a conversation between Chip Garber, Minnesota State’s University star player, and [...]

  Five out of five stars – Hold on tight to this one!When I saw the title, I immediately thought..ewww…..another middle school princess story!  Don’t be thrown by the title – this is not the stereotypical chick lit.Princess Academy is a delightful book!  Hale takes the reader away to the poor but proud mining community [...]