Although as an adult, he does become a translator who ended up working at his trial. The main character does NOT actually play Atari with Saddam Hussein.Here are three things to know about Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein : But then, the bombings come and life for Fadhil and his family is becoming more and more bleak. And it’s based on the true story of Ali Fadhil’s life as an ordinary 11 year old boy who loves playing video games and watching American TV like the The Muppet Show. This historical fiction novel is set in 1991 in Basra, Iraq – just as the United States is launching Operation Desert Storm. Our first featured middle grade novel this week is Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein by Jennifer Roy with Ali Fadhil. They are Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein by Jennifer Roy & Ali Fadhil, Me, Frida and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes, and Rebound by Kwame Alexander. This week we are back to some book talks! And instead of having them fit a particular theme, I thought I’d simply share with you three really great recent releases from this past spring. I know you are busy and I want to make it effortless for you to find things!īook Talk – Three Fantastic Spring Releases We have lots more coming, so keep an eye out!Ī quick reminder that the outline of today’s interview and a full transcript of all the other parts of this show can be found at – including links to every topic and book we mention. Laurie Morrison and Cordelia Jensen will on the podcast soon so if you have a question you want me to ask them, please let me know! In June we’ll be reading The Mad Wolf’s Daughter by Diane Magras and July’s pick is Just Under the Clouds by Melissa Sarno.Īnd – I hope you’ve been as inspired as I have by the Educator Spotlight interviews at the MGBookVillage site.

Īlright – announcements! I hope you have been loving the May Middle Grade at Heart Book Club pick Every Shiny Thing as much as I have. This is Episode #49 and today I’m discussing three new middle grade releases, and then I’ll share with you a conversation with authors Ann Braden and Saadia Faruqi from the Lifelines Podcast.

And having a mother who is and has always been such a staunch supporter of my reading life.

I’m your host, Corrina Allen – a 5th grade teacher, a mom of two girls who are 8 and 11, and feeling extraordinarily lucky on this Mother’s Day to have my mom in my life. Hi everyone and welcome to Books Between – a podcast to help teachers, parents, and librarians connect kids between 8-12 to books they’ll love.

Fifteen by beverly cleary summary