Not Your Average Book Report

Join hosts Sam and Sarah on this episode of "Not Your Average Book Report" as they dive into Judy Blume's timeless classic "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." Discover how this beloved coming-of-age tale resonates with readers and explore its enduring themes of identity, friendship, and faith. 

Power Rank These Three from Worst to Least Worst: 
1.) Philip Leroy from Are You There God, it's Me Margaret 
2.) Henry Fussy from Charlotte's Web 
3.) Earnie McMillan from the Harry Potter series 

In this episode we're reading Matilda by Roald Dahl. Sam and Sarah share laughter-inducing excerpts (You can do it, Brucie!) and reminisce about their favorite teachers who inspired them. Immerse yourself in a delightful blend of nostalgia, humor, and genuine moments as we discuss this classic. 

Ah, the sweet nostalgic halls of the Mountain View Inn where you'll find loud dogs, plenty of crumbs and perhaps a MOUSE bbbbbbbbbbddddd-ing by on a motorcycle. We loved this discussion of Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle and think you will too!

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Got comments or book suggestions? You can now follow us on instagram and leave a comment or e-mail us at nyabookreport@gmail.com! We'd love to hear from you! 

And as always, support your local bookstore! 

Let's journey to Yorkshire in England to the wild and wonderful moor where Mistress Mary Quite Contrary is discovering some things about the world and herself! It's the Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett!

Today we are joined by S.D. Smith, author of the Green Ember series, who tells us about things like writing being a job you do with an apron on, telling stories to your kids and we find a way to talk about Narnia.

You can find Sam on the web at sdsmith.com. There you can find info about his newest book: Jack Zulu and the Waylander's Key. 

We are back from our little fall break and we've got a doozy. We read Wonder by R.J. Palacio based on a recommendation from our friend (who you might just be hearing from later on in the show!). Wonder is a heart-warming book in the truest sense and we hope you enjoy it and this episode as much as we did. 

It all ends here. "One will die at the hands of the other, for neither shall live while the other survives."  Join us as we conclude our Summer of Potter (in October, it's fine, it's fine). 

Just when we think things can't get worse, they do. And I'm afraid for poor Harry, this is far from the end of his troubles but we're here every step of the way as we continue our journey through the Harry Potter series in our SUMMER OF POTTER. 

Ah, being 15 again: being angry all the time, feeling misunderstood and of course girls bursting into tears when you kiss and the evil wizard invading your dreams. Wait what? Yep, things are getting wild for Harry Potter and we're here to discuss as we dive into the fifth book in the Harry Potter series! 

Today we are joined by our friend Raychel McKelvy! Within minutes, Raychel blows my mind with some of the symbolism in the books and the conversation only gets better from there.

Rachel is an actress, a writer as well as an assistant professor of communications at Moody Bible Institute. She also happens to a be a Ravenclaw! Be sure to follow Raychel on Instagram.

Raychel's professor Ted Sherman posts his lectures on Youtube. 

We rejoin Harry Potter as he faces new dangers like dragons, merpeople and talking to girls! It's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as we continue our Summer of Potter. 

The worst thing about prison was the dementors! But for Harry Potter, those dementors are now swirling around Hogwarts looking for the murderer Sirius Black who apparently wants nothing more than to murder Harry! Join us as we continue our Summer of Potter with the third book in the series, the Prisoner of Azkaban.

It's the Summer of Potter! We're going to read the entire series by September and you should join us! The weather is heating up and so are things at Hogwarts as Harry faces new perils like Dobby trying to save his life, giant snakes and Ernie McMillan's accusations! It's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. 

It's the Summer of Potter! We're going to read the entire series by September and you should join us! Today we're kicking it off with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's (or Philosopher's) Stone!

Here's the article where Rowling discusses where the K. came from. 

Here's Rowling's diagram for Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince. 

The 2013 Newberry Award winning The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate is a precious story about a gorilla named Ivan who lives in a shopping mall with his friends Bob the stray dog and Stella the elephant. Join us as we discuss this fun book and themes like belonging, caring for animals and more. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The Giver falls more in the young adult category and deals with some heavier themes which young ears may not be ready for. So if you’re listening with youngsters around, we advise discretion.

We're diving into the classic The Giver by Lois Lowry.  Did you know this 1993 classic was the #11 most challenged book (a challenge is an attempt to ban it from a library) by the American Library association? We discuss why and as always delve deeply into the prevalent themes in this fascinating book. 

Eulalia!  We're jumping into the first of Brian Jaques Redwall series, the eponymous story that started it all.  And to make it even more special, we're joined by Nat Scott (Sarah's husband, Sam's brother), an english teacher who loves this series!

This week we are reading the 1999 Newberry Medal winner,  Holes by Louis Sachar. Join us as we journey with Stanley Yelnats to Camp Green Lake as he digs some holes (and learns so much more). 

Get ready for all the feels because we're jumping into Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

Today we are reading My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett. Join us as we discuss lions getting their hair done, the beauty of imagination and have our very first guest join the show!