Tag Archives: hard work

Where the Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls

Conditional Recommendation: An engaging tale of friendship and adventure shared by a boy and his two hound dogs.

Age: Middle Grade
Series: Stand Alone
Pages: 249
Published: 1961
Genre: Adventure, Animal, Autobiographical Fiction

Awards: Massachusetts Children’s Book Award (1987), North Dakota Children’s Choice Award (1981).

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I Will Always Write Back

by Caitlin Alifirenka, Martin Ganda, with Liz Welch

Conditional Recommendation: A young American girl and a young Zimbabwean boy become pen pals and build a friendship through letters that changes both of their lives for the better.

Age: Young Adult
Series: Stand Alone
Pages: 392
Published: 2015
Genre: Memoir

Awards: The Magnolia Award for 9-12 (2017), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award (2018)

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Ishmael

by E.D.E.N. Southworth

Conditional Recommendation: Ishmael, though born motherless and impoverished, rises above his circumstances through humility, integrity and hard work.

Age: Young Adult
Series: Book 1 of 2
Pages: 528
Published: 1876

Genre: Historical

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