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 This round was a tough one for sure!

Fighting Words and When The Ground is Hard were both very poignant. 

In my eyes Fighting Words takes this round. I found that I could more easily connect with the story and found that I was getting choked up fairly often. Being a teacher and seeing how Della was treated at school really hit home for me. Although When The Ground Is Hard is also a fantastic book, I found it more difficult to connect with the story as it was difficult for me to imagine the story taking place; the setting was harder to visualize.

While I participate in Smack Down I look for the books that will work in my classroom. I want books that I can hand to students and say "you'll connect with this. This book is for *you*." In this regard, Fighting Words wins out!