Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass

The Little Free Library that appears on the town green intrigues eleven-year-old, Evan. He takes two books from it on his first visit. Both books turn up surprises and mystery for him, especially after his father's odd reaction when Even showed him one of them. Curiosity has Evan and his best friend, Rafe, on the case. One thing they notice is that all the books in the Little Free Library are old library books, and they all have the same date stamped inside them. This gets them learning about the history of their town and events that happened in it years ago. They both learn more about their town and its occupants than they would have ever expected. Where did the library come from? Why is Evan's dad so weird about the book that was found? What is the significance of the date in the books? Will Evan and Rafe be able to get all the pieces to fall into place? You will have to read this suspenseful and magical tale to find out. 

The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass is told from the viewpoints of Evan, Al (a ghostly librarian), and Mortimer (a cat). I really like the way the story had parts of the story coming from characters with different information. The characters lives were intertwined, and it was interesting to watch the mystery unfold. Evan and Rafe were great characters who acted realistically, and I liked the way they went about solving the cases together. It was really amazing how books helped to bring people together. Yay for Little Free Libraries! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries, books, and ghosts. It was a page turner! I have read books by these authors before, and I look forward to reading more by both of them in the future.

Has anyone else read The Lost Library? Or have you read another book by Rebecca Stead or Wendy Mass? We would love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.
 

MMGM: The Legend of Greyhallow by Summer Rachel Short

 

Twelve-year-old Ainsley Galloway's parents have just bought a house in a small town to turn into a bed and breakfast. The house once belonged to the famous director who created the spooky Greyhallow series, but he disappeared a long time ago and the house is in need of some love and care. While her parents are busy working on the renovations, Ainsley and her younger brother, Tobin, visit the town fair. It's filled with lots of actors dressed as characters from the movies, and there are games and food too. There they meet a strange woman who gives them a wooden box as a welcome present. She's very mysterious, but Ainsley is intrigued. After some work, Ainsley is able to get it open to discover a key to something. Tobin helps her find the answer, and they find a strange room in the attic. It has all kinds of cool movie artifacts from the Greyhallow movies, including costumes, a popcorn machine, and a projector. But even cooler, they discover that the movie screen is a portal to Greyhallow. Ainsley has always been an impulsive person. She definitely can’t resist seeing some of her favorite characters in the movie. Tobin is very reluctant, but joins her. They decide to visit a happy scene from the first movie, but the people are not as welcoming as they'd expected. Nothing in Greyhallow seems exactly as it did in the movie trilogy. Ainsley and Tobin encounter very real danger on their way back home, but they also get to meet some interesting characters. They're excited to make it home, but accidentally bring something back from the movie. What happens if Greyhallow characters come to the modern world? Will they ever find out what happened to the director who once owned the house? What will happen when they meet the villain from the movies? You’ll have to read this unique fantasy book to find out!

The Legend of Greyhallow by Summer Rachel Short is a fantastic fantasy! I loved getting to see a new world based on a scary movie. It made the story fun, especially because Ainsley and Tobin were seeing familiar things from the movies, but something was different. I would totally want to be friends with Ainsley and Tobin because they like exploring mysterious worlds and attics, just like me and Fairday! I liked learning about the rules of the movie world and seeing how the kids reacted to the chaos that gets unleashed. I appreciated the way the characters worked together to try to solve the mystery, and they even got their parents involved. I would recommend this book to anyone in fourth grade and up who enjoys fantasy and just the right amount of spooky. I look forward to reading more books by this author, and I hope there will be more in the series! 

Has anyone else read The Legend of Greyhallow? Or have you read another book by Summer Rachel Short? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM: Scritch Scratch: A Ghost Story by Lindsay Currie

Claire may be in seventh grade but she knows there’s no such thing as ghosts. She’s very scientific after all. Of course her father couldn’t disagree with her more as he runs a spirits tour around Chicago and has written a book about ghosts. Claire is horrified and doesn’t like it if people at school know about her father and how weird he is about ghosts. Even though Claire knows ghosts aren’t real, she finds that she is scared when she walks in the alley near her house or in the dark basement, so she uses counting to help her. When her father's assistant isn’t able to make an important tour, Claire has to step in to help because she knows her family needs the money from the tour. The tour is going okay, Claire is staying organized and not getting freaked out until she sees a boy in a white suit dripping wet in the back of the bus. No one else seems to see him. When she gets home, she’s very rattled. She's worried that she’ll see the boy from the bus in her house. Hearing the scritch scratch on the walls sends her into her closet to sleep for the night. At school. Her best friend has befriended the new girl and seems to be changing. Claire doesn’t know what the big deal is and why her friend is now into makeup and stuff they used to make fun of last year. Claire’s not sleeping, so she's irritable and scared. And then, numbers appear on her bathroom walls and water is in a dresser. Did something follow her home? Is there a ghost trailing her? What does the ghost want? And how can she get it to leave her alone so she can go back to her regular life? You’ll have to read the spooky book to find out!

I knew I had to read, Scritch Scratch by Lindsay Currie as soon as I saw that amazing cover! I read another book by her, so I knew this would be a perfect fall read. I like that Claire is into science and the scientific method, and I thought it was interesting learning about a lot of the landmarks in Chicago and the ghost stories associated with them. I also like seeing the way the middle school relationships were portrayed. Very realistic! The book was definitely spooky, and I will admit I read a few parts during the day so that I wouldn't be too scared before bed! I would recommend this book to anyone in fifth grade and up who likes a good fright and learning about history! It’s a book that will make you want to learn more that’s for sure. 

Has anyone else read Scritch Scratch? Or have you read another book by Lindsay Currie? We’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM: The Clackity by Lora Senf

Evie Von Rathe moved to Blight Harbor after her parents supposedly died in a fire. It is one of the most haunted places in the country, but the ghosts are mostly nice. She lives with her Aunt Des, a ghost hunter. Evie misses her parents, but she doesn't believe they are dead. She loves her aunt and they are very close. Plus, she loves her aunt's best friend, a known witch who runs the town library. It's summer break and the whole summer is before her, until Evie meets her aunt at the old slaughterhouse. She gets a very spooked feeling, and she never wants to go back. Something is very off there. Unfortunately, the next day her aunt is summoned to the old slaughterhouse again and Evie decides to go there to try to stop her. As soon as she sets eyes on her aunt, she watches her disappear. The Clackity comes creeping out of the walls and makes a "very good deal" with Evie, which gives her a chance to try to save her aunt. She enters another world and sees seven houses before her and knows she has to unlock a puzzle to free her aunt. The Clackity is creepy and Evie isn't quite sure what it is or if she should trust it. Worse yet, she finds there is an evil ghost who is after her. Will Evie figure out what to do in each house? Why did the Clackity make the deal with her? Is it really a very good deal? Can Evie save her aunt and avoid the evil ghost? You’ll have to read this spooktacular book to find out.

I have wanted to read The Clackity by Lora Senf since I first saw the amazing cover. I love spooky houses and this cover pulled me right in. The setting of the book was cool, and I could easily imagine the town and its ghosts. The other world Evie goes to is creepy, and I was intrigued by the characters she meets there. I thought Evie was a great character, and I enjoyed her relationship with her aunt. Evie thinks things through and acts from her heart, which made it interesting to see what decisions she makes on her quest. She is so brave! I like the way the book was spooky, but not too scary, and nothing gruesome happened. I would recommend this book to anyone in fifth grade and up who likes to be frightened, likes creepy houses, magic, and fantasy elements. I noticed this is the first book in a trilogy, so I look forward to reading the rest them to find out what else happens to Evie and her family.

Has anyone else read The Clackity? Or have you read another book by Lora Senf? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM: Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis

 

It’s the mid-1980s and twelve-year-old Cayenne and her family live in their van and travel wherever they feel like going. They dance around campfires and sing, and aren't held to one area. They have a mostly good life, only when you aren't in one place for very long it's hard to feel like you belong somewhere. Lately money is tight, and things are a little strained now that Cayenne's younger sister is getting bigger. It's a surprise, when at the start of her seventh grade year, Cayenne‘s parents decide to settle down in one town. Her father now has a job, which helps the situation. Cayenne is excited to be able to make friends because she'll be in one place. She's never gone to school, but she's happy to be there, and she really wants to be part of the popular crowd. She's making some friends, and in social studies they are learning about The Titanic, which she finds interesting. Cayenne can relate to the different classes on The Titanic; fitting in isn't as easy as she thought it would be. While her new house seems amazing, it’s nothing like the houses the other kids live in. She has chickens in the front yard and they still don’t have a lot of money. Her dad seems to be working hard, but her mom is not too happy with their new life.  Will Cayenne be able to fit in with the girls she wants to hang with? There is a new boy she thinks is cute, but does he like her too? Will her family stick around long enough for her to find out? You'll have to read this book to know what happens!

Told as a novel in verse, Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis is a book unlike any I’ve ever read. Although I’ve read a lot of historical fiction, I don’t recall reading any from the mid 1980s. I was a child growing up then, so it was interesting to go down memory lane with all of the fads and clothing, as well as the music. I could also picture a lot of what was happening very easily because of my life experiences. I tried to think about if a new student like Cayenne moved into my school back in the 80s and how people would have treated her. I hope people would have been nice, and I think overall it was easier for kids then to wear hand me downs and not always have the latest fashions. The author did a great job making Cayenne's experience realistic. My heart went out to her as she struggled to fit in both with her friends and with her family. Her dad had been in Vietnam and smoked a lot of marijuana in his bedroom. This definitely made it challenging for Cayenne when people stopped over, especially friends from school. All she wanted was to have friends and to have her family be happy, but what a challenge everything was for her! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and likes the 1980s or learning about The Titanic. I think anyone in fourth grade or up who has ever worried about fitting in and struggled to find the balance between their school and home life will enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more books by this author. 

Has anyone else read Unsinkable Cayenne? Or have you read another book by Jessica Vitalis? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~Stephanie 

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM: Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

 

16-year-old Hattie has been shuffled around from relative to relative her whole life. She’s been living with her aunt and uncle, but her aunt is not happy having her there. She's said that Hattie needs to stop going to school and start work cleaning a boarding house. Then, out of nowhere Hattie receives a letter from her long-lost uncle giving her the land that he’s trying to farm and pay back to the state (prove up on his claim). Hattie takes this chance and moves to Montana, where she meets the cast of characters who will play important parts in her life. They help her learn what it means to be a homesteader. It's harder than she'd imagined! Hattie is a fast learner, but there are a lot of ins and outs of frontier life. Will she be able to put up the fence that's required of her? Is it possible for Hattie to plant the wheat, bag it, and sell it? What was life like out in the plains during the early 1900s when a war was going on? You’ll have to read this exciting historical fiction book to find out!

I read Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson because it was on The Week Jr., US Read Across America Map The Week Jr., US Read Across America Map for the state of Montana. I had already read some of the other books that were nominated for a state, but wanted to check out something new. I'm so glad I picked this book up! I LOVED it! I cared about Hattie and what she was going through. I learned about life at that time. Being a homesteader was not easy! Hattie is someone I would definitely want on my side, and someone who I would stand up for. I would recommend this historical fiction book to anybody in grade 4, and up who is interested in what life was like just a little over 100 years ago in part of our country. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Has anyone else read Hattie Big Sky? Or has anyone read another book by Kirby Larson? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM: The Lucky Diamond by Valinora Troy

 

Five children are orphaned in Lowdar after their last adult family member was exiled from the community. Now the children live on the streets and life is even harder. When they find a diamond, it turns out to be no ordinary gem. They have met Lucky, a princess in a magical species. Lucky needs to return home, but there are many beings trying to stop her at any cost. The children agree to bring her home and Lucky promises they will be rewarded. A canoe, named Charlie helps them on their way and they have many dangerous terrains to pass- from water to mountains. Four of the five children have a special gift given to them by their mother before she died, and the items help them on their way. During their travels they get split up and their lives are in peril. Encounters with Queen Rose show the children what evil is capable of and they hope to help stop her from taking over the kingdom.  Will the children meet up with each other again? Will they get Lucky home? Can Queen Rose be defeated? You will have to read this fabulous fantasy to find out! 

Lucky Diamond by Valinora Troy was a fast paced fantasy that kept me captivated. It is the first in a series, but I was happy that everything wrapped up at the end of the story and I wasn't left on a cliffhanger! The siblings each have their own personality and I enjoyed seeing the way they interacted with each other. The magical elements were fascinating and I loved discovering more about the special items given to each child by their mother. I could easily picture the settings throughout the fantasy land and while there are places that sound beautiful, there are others I wouldn't want to visit! I liked trying to figure out who could be trusted and how they would get out of certain situations. I would recommend this book to anyone in 4th grade or up who enjoys fantasy, magic, and adventure. This was a page turner! I look forward to reading more books by this author. 

Has anyone else read Lucky Diamond? Or have you read another book by Valinora Troy? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM: Secret of the Shadow Beasts by Diane Magras

 

Nora lives in Brannland, where shadow beasts called the Umbrae come out once the sun goes down. Adults who are bitten die, but there are children who are immune. These children become knights at the age of 7 when they train to destroy the shadow beasts. Although Nora Kemp’s blood was tested and proven to be immune, her father refused to allow her to become a knight. Knight's train hard and live away from their families and Owen Kemp wanted his daughter to have a normal childhood. Instead, Nora lives in the countryside on a farm where she has sheep and plays the fiddle. Her family has always known they have to be inside when the "gloaming" comes because that is when the Umbrae come out to attack anyone outside. But life on a farm doesn't always stop. It’s been over a year since the beasts got her dad and now Nora’s mother has been almost bitten by them (even being near them can make someone sick). Only Nora’s quick thinking saves them both. But this makes Nora think about being a knight and she calls up the school and talks to the person who tested her when she was seven. The umbrae have been getting worse and there are less people who are able to fight them, so the school agrees to have Nora come and try out. She missed five years of training but that doesn’t stop Nora’s natural instincts and abilities from shining through. Nora has a lot to learn about the school, which is divided into different orders. It takes a little bit of time for her to bond with her new order, but they are a team the first night they go to fight the Umbrea together. Unlike the video game Nora played at home, these battles are exhausting, dangerous, and extremely stressful, as she needs to protect herself, her order and the citizens. When someone from another order does something that puts the lives of everyone in Brannland in danger, Nora and her order try to come to the rescue. What they discover is even more dangerous and petrifying than they could’ve ever imagined. Can Nora and her order defeat the beasts? What secrets will Nora discover about her family? Why are the beasts multiplying? You’ll have to read this fast paced adventure to find out.

I own a hardcover copy of Secret of the Shadow Beasts by Diane Magras, but I was lucky enough to win a copy of the audiobook online. I am so glad I did. The narrator does an amazing job and I felt like I was right there in the store with Nora. The way the setting was painted made the scenes easy to imagine. Nora is a character that people can relate to because she seems like a regular kid who enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending time with her family. I like seeing how the relationships in the book change as Nora gets to know everyone. It’s dangerous for children to be out fighting the beasts, but the story explains why it needs to be children, not adults. I highly recommend this book to anyone in fourth grade or up who enjoys action, adventure, and characters who really make you care about them. I have read The Mad Wolf's Daughter by Diane Magras and I look forward to reading other books by her in the future.

Has anyone else read Secret of the Shadow Beasts? Or have you read another book by Diane Magras? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM: The Deliverers 4: Sparkling Mist of Time by Gregory Slomba

 

Every year on his birthday Eric Scott and his family celebrate by attending the local reenactment of The Battle of Canfield Corners which was fought October 22, 1777. But ever since his dad died, it hasn't felt the same to Eric. After the festivities he is summoned by The Gatekeeper who had given him his last three assignments. Eric meets with him and finds out that he and the rest of the Deliverers (Stig- a talking owl, Hallo Tosis- a dwarf, and Kate- a friend he met on his first assignment) must go back in time to 1777 to stop a creature who is using a sparking mist to punch a hole in the fabric of time. Although Eric is excited to see his old friends and to be working on a new assignment, he is also worried about going back in time and stopping something so powerful. When they arrive in Eric's town over two hundred years earlier it is familiar and strange. Luckily, they meet Mathias, a boy close to Eric and Kate's age, who is able to help them figure out what has been going on. In order to stop the creature they need to work together and use Eric's knowledge of the Revolutionary War to stop the creature from changing history and erasing the world and everyone in it. Can The Deliverers stop the creature? Will they be able to figure out the creature's reason for trying to change history and alter the world? What will happen if they fail? You will have to read this exciting ending to The Deliverers series to find out!

I have read all the books in this series and The Deliverers 4: Sparkling Mist of Time by Gregory Slomba was an amazing ending to an awesome series. I love that everything was wrapped up. It was a story that will keep readers turning the pages. I also liked that readers who haven't read the other three books would be able to read this one and understand what is going on (though it is always better to read the whole series in order, in my opinion). So happy to learn how this adventure/fantasy series ends! It was great to see the friendships continue to evolve and grow throughout their adventure in time. I also learned a lot about the American Revolution and some of the battles that took place in and around Connecticut. I definitely have some places I want to check out in person now- like Keeler Tavern.  Changing time is such an interesting concept and I think the author did a fabulous job making everything easy to understand. As I  turned the last page I was happy to have the series wrapped up and all my questions answered, but I was sad that I wouldn't be reading about these friends again.  I recommend this series to anyone in 4th grade and up who enjoys adventure, sci-fi/fantasy, and history.  

Has anyone else read The Deliverers 4: Sparling Mist of Time? Or have you read another book in The Deliverers series? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~L

Our reviews of the rest of the series here.

Visit Gregory's website to find out more about the books!

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM Spotlight: The Deliverers by Gregory Slomba

This week we're spotlighting an excellent middle grade series, The Deliverers. 

We connected with the author of the books, Gregory Slomba, some time ago, and we've been on the book block with him pretty much since the beginning of our own journey into the depths of the Begonia House. 

The Deliverers books have new illustrations that whisk you right off into the adventure, and the fourth book is in the works! 

Book 1: Sharky and the Jewel

Eric has never talked to birds before, nor has he heard of a land called Calendria.  All of that changes when an ordinary campout changes his life forever. After an owl named Stig asks him to go on an adventure with him, Eric is intrigued and agrees to go. They travel through a door to the Hallway of Worlds and the Gatekeeper gives them their assignment.  From there Stig and Eric enter a new world and meet a member of Calendria, Kate. She is convinced that they are “The Deliverers” from an old legend and that they have been sent to help her people get away from Sharky, a pirate that has been making life difficult for her village...

Continue reading this review 

Book 2: Order of the Crystal Lion

Eric and the rest of the Deliverers are back together on a new adventure. This time the Hallway of Worlds has sent Eric, Kate, Hallo, and Stig to a place where the people and beings are involved in a civil war with each other. A group of people called the Vynistri have been using a device, the Machine, to alter the DNA of the Chazum. The Vynistri is being ruled by the evil Chancellor Trelango. His brother, Selango, who claims to be the Crystal Lion spoken about in legends, is rallying the Chazum and their supporters. Two brothers fighting on opposite sides! It's up to the Deliverers to make sure that the Machine is destroyed and that peace is restored in the land...

Continue reading this review 

Book 3: The Golden Dragon of Ang

Eric, Stig, Kate, and Hallo are on another adventure to save a world under distress. The black mist from Eric’s recent nightmares seems to be connected to this new world, the Dragon Islands. Unfortunately, Eric isn’t sure what the mist is all about. Here the people rely on the Voice of the Dragon, a speaker who relays wisdom from Golden Dragon of Ang. Whenever a speaker dies, the next one is already announced and it must be a child between the ages of 12 and 15. But, not this time! The Voice is gone and no one is in line to take over. The governors from each of the five Dragon Islands are trying to figure out where the next Voice of the Dragon will be from, and they all want it to be the island they rule. With this unrest comes conniving and scheming in order to benefit different islands and bring them power...

Continue reading this review

Find out more about the author, Gregory Slomba!

Where did you get the idea for the The Deliverers 2: Order of the Crystal Lion?

When I set out to write the sequel to Sharky and the Jewel I wanted to make it different than the first, so I made the setting a slightly futuristic sci-fi one. I actually wanted to make it more sci-fi than it wound up being, but as I wrote I kind of shifted back and forth between the future and the past. I don’t know if that was effective when all was said and done, but I think it made for a unique world.

Continue reading this interview 

Authors, Stephanie Robinson & Gregory Slomba

Visit Gregory's website to find out more about the books!

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM: Bubba and Squirt: City of Bones by Sherry Ellis

 

Bubba and Squirt are siblings who have had some exciting adventures together. They may not always get along, or see eye to eye on a situation, but they are very loyal to each other and will do whatever they can to help the other one out. It’s been a awhile since their last adventure, but after a dream in which their great-great-grandfather comes to Bubba things move fast. Especially since the vision may send them on a path to find their missing father. They use their magic shovel and it sends them to the catacombs of Paris. While they are trying to figure out where they are, they meet new friends who tell them where they are and explain about all the bones. Although their main goal is to find their missing father, they witness something shady involving some artwork and they can't let the thieves get away with it. They four friends decide to follow the thieves to see if they steal any more art or lead them to any clues. Since Bubba's vision involved a door and artwork, they figure they are working on two cases at once.  When another burglary happens right in front of them- they are right in the mix of  everything. Danger is everywhere. What should Bubba and Squirt do? Is following the thieves worth it? How will they ever find the door Bubba saw in his dream? Will they ever find their father? You will have to read this fast paced adventure to find out!

Bubba and Squirt: City of Bones by Sherry Ellis is the third installment in the Bubba and Squirt series and it was especially fun! It certainly helps to have read the other books first, but this could also work as a standalone. I loved learning a little bit about some interesting Paris landmarks and getting to learn more about some of the big museums in the area. The back of the book includes a glossary and extra information about some of the places and things mentioned in the book, which is a great way to learn more!  I’ve been curious about the catacombs since I first heard about them and it was interesting to have them as a setting in this story. The action really gears up and I couldn’t believe all of the things that happened. I like that the siblings met some nice friends and they all worked together to try to solve the mysteries. The story is told in the present tense (unlike the previous books in the series) and everything isn't resolved in the end, so readers will need to grab the next book in the series to find out where Bubba and Squirt are headed next.  I recommend this book for kids in third grade and up who like adventure, mystery, and a little bit of scary in their books. Also- because this book is less than 100 pages  it will appeal to readers who are intimidated by a thick book or for those who are looking for a shorter read. I look forward to the next Bubba and Squirt adventure!

Has anyone else read any of the Bubba and Squirt adventures? Or have you read another book by Sherry Ellis? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy Reading!

~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

MMGM: American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar

 

Lekha Divekar is the only Indian American in her small town. She was born in America, but she thinks other people see her as an outsider. Lekha feels like she is two people; the girl who does her best to blend in and be invisible at school, and the girl at home who is happy eating Indian food and watching old Bollywood movies. Trying to balance it all is hard. But Lekha can't stand being called names because of her culture and having kids make fun of her because they say she smells funny. Her best friend and neighbor, Noah, is the only one who knows both sides of her. Neither of them feels strong enough to stand up to the kids who are being mean. When a new Desi girls moves in, Lekha thinks all her prayers have been answered. Now she will have a friend who understands all her struggles. But when she meets Avantika she realizes that the new girl has moved to the small town straight from India and doesn't feel the same way as Lekha. Now that there are two Desi girls in school will Lekha be able to blend in? Will there be a time when Lekha will use her voice? You'll have to read this enlightening book to find out!

American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar is up for the Intermediate Nutmeg Award and I can see why! The characters tugged at my heart, and I also loved learning about Indian culture. Middle school is hard, so I can imagine that a lot of kids try to blend in, but for Lekha it's an even bigger deal. I felt bad for her thinking about how hard it was for her to live two lives. She kept finding herself in tough spots where she was going to disappoint her family, her swim team, or herself. When she has a decision to make during Diwali, the most important holiday of the year for her family, my heart broke for her. The kids in her town don't celebrate Diwali and to them it is just another day. It made me think about important holidays in other cultures and religions. It must be hard if you celebrate a holiday and no one else in your town does, so people expect you to do regular every day things. I like how the book helped me learn about Indian foods and traditions. I would recommend this book to people in 4th grade and up who like realistic fiction and stories about standing up for ourselves and what we believe. I can't wait to read another book by this author.   

Has anyone else read American as Paneer Pie? Or have you read another book by Supriya Kelkar? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: The War I Finally Won l by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 

The War I Finally Won picks up right where The War That Saved My Life ended. Adad had her surgery to correct her foot and there is a world of possibiliries awaiting her. She and her brother, Jamie, are living with Susan Smith, who has been caring for them more than their own mother ever did back in London. Sadly, they are no longer living in Susan‘s comforting house as it was bombed. They’re living in a cottage that belongs to Lady Thorton. This new house is dark and dismal, but they are making do. Lady Thorton is a little sharp tongued and cold, making Ada feel tense. Things become a little more difficult when a teenage girl named Ruth comes to live with them from Germany. Lady Thorton is not happy, but she has to allow it. Could Ruth be a spy? With the war going on and all the changes in her life, Ada has no choice but to change and grow.  Who will she be?

I absolutely adored The War I Finally Won. Ada is a characters who touched my soul and made me care about her and the things that she’s gone though. I was hoping now that she and Jamie are officially with Susan that there life would be easy. But, the times weren't easy and war brings a lot of sadness, and Ada had tough things to experience. I enjoyed getting to see old friends from the first book like Maggie and I enjoyed meeting new ones. It was interesting trying to figure the new characters out!  The characters will definitely stay with me, as they have made their way into my heart! This is a great sequel to a wonderful book and one I would recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction and is 9 years old and up. I bet even people who aren't fans of historical fiction will be captivated by Ida, Jamie, Susan, and their story.  I definitely look forward to reading more books by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

Has anyone else read The War I Finally Won? Or have your read another book by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Unicorn Island: Beyond the Portal by Donna Galanti

 

In the final book in this series, Sam is tying to distract herself now that she knows her mother disappeared through a portal on Unicorn Island ten years ago. Could her mother still be alive? It’s consuming all her thoughts, so she decides to learn everything she can about her new role as a unicorn protector. With the help of her friend, Tuck, she explores a book and uncovers a hidden code, explaining more about the portal. Sam and Tuck know going through the portal would be extremely dangerous, and they also know neither of their parents would allow it. But, they can’t resist the urge to find out more. How else will they know if Sam‘s mother is still alive. They decide to go through the portal, with Barloc (a unicorn) as their guide. They all know it is dangerous to bring a unicorn through the portal, because the portal was created years ago to save the unicorns who were being hunted in another world. What if they are still being hunted today? Is Sam‘s mother still alive, and if she is will they even be able to find her? Once they go through the portal will they be able to get back? 

It’s always a good feeling when the final book in a series or trilogy wraps everything up. Unicorn Island: Beyond the Portal does just that! I was so happy that all my questions were answered by the end of the story. I liked seeing the way Sam grew as a character from when we first met her. I’m glad she has such a good friend in Tuck. They help each other come to conclusions and decisions, each bringing something different to their friendship. This book will be a huge hit with anyone who likes unicorns, adventures, or other worlds. I would recommend this book to kids in second grade and up. I think it’s awesome that the series can be found online on Epic Books for kids and it’s available in hardcover. My copy is beautiful, and I love the illustrations. They are bright and colorful! Having them periodically throughout the book was an additional treat to look forward to while I was reading. The three books in this series have been a fun adventure! Although this series may be over, I’m looking forward to the next book by Donna Galanti.

Has anyone else read Unicorn Island: Beyond the Portal? Or have you read another book by Donna Galanti? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Reading!

L

Our review of Unicorn Island Book 2

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Rescue by Jennifer A. Nielsen

 

Meg Kenyon has been counting the days since her father left their farm in France to go fight in World War II. She is worried about him, especially since there has been a rumor that he has been captured by the Nazis. She tries to stay close to him by practicing her code breaking, something she and her dad had worked on together. But the jar full of codes for her to break has dwindled, reminding her how much time has passed since she saw her dad. One night she discovers an injured spy named Captain Stewart in her grandmother's barn. She isn't sure if she should trust him or not, but after he hands her a coded letter from her father she decides to help him. He wouldn't have the letter if he was not trustworthy, right? Captain Stewart tells Meg that he was supposed to guide a family of German refugees across France and into Spain. There he was to meet Meg's father at a location he can't tell her. Since the Captain is too injured to lead the rescue he asks Meg to take over for him. The Nazis are searching the local farms looking for a spy and a radio operator. Meg's mother and grandmother are worried for everyone's safety so they agree that Meg can lead the rescue mission and leave immediately. But can she trust the German refugees? Right away it seems to her that there is something each of them is hiding. Although Meg knows the French countryside and mountains, will she be able to lead them all to safety? Can she crack the code and decipher her father's letter? And how will she know where to meet her father once she gets to Spain? You will be on the edge of your seat with Meg as she tries to piece together the clues and works on making her way along a dangerous journey. 

I read the Ascendance series by Jennifer A. Nielsen and really enjoyed it, but Rescue was the first historical fiction book of hers that I have read. I really liked Meg and how she gave everything a lot of thought. She was very good at cracking codes and trying to figure out who to trust. As she helped the British pilot and worked on the code in her father's letter I was rooting for her. It was so hard to know who Meg could trust and there was danger everywhere. The introduction of the German refugees made the story even more interesting. Like Meg, I worried if she could trust them. I like that Meg was brave and smart. She definitely took some risks! Her code cracking skills were impressive and it was easy to see what an important skill that is for a variety of reasons. The description of the mountains and paths in France made me feel like I was there. This is a story that will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction, especially books set during World War II. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of this author's HF books! 

Has anyone else read Rescue? Or have you read another book by Jennifer A. Nielsen? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath the Sand by Donna Galanti

In volume 2 of the series, twelve year old Samantha Sea Wells is amazed at how much her life has changed since she arrived at Foggy Harbor. Once she discovered that unicorns are real, she feels happier and more at home. After their last adventure on Unicorn Island, she and her new friend, Tuck, are learning to be unicorn protectors. How lucky are they! Sam is happy to have the time with Uncle Mitch learning all she needs to know to keep the unicorns safe. It's even better spending time on the island and learning about unicorns with a friend. But when the unicorns' horns start shrinking, real danger erases the comfort and joy Sam has been experiencing. What is causing their horns to shrink? Will the unicorns still have their magic if their horns disappear? Is there anything that can be done to reverse the damage? Sam and Tuck don't have a lot of time to sort it all out. They need answers! You will have to read the second volume in the Unicorn Island series to find out what happens to the unicorns. 

Over the years I have read and loved many books by Donna Galanti. I read the first volume in the series about a year ago, so I was excited to catch up with Sam and Tuck and find out how things were going on Unicorn Island. I love the purple cover and the illustrations on the cover. It's really eye-catching and would make anyone want to pick it up and check it out. Like volume 1, there are color illustrations by Bethany Standcliffe throughout the book. The illustrations definitely make the story even more magical, and when I was done reading I went back and looked at all the pictures again. Just beautiful! I liked that Sam is feeling happier and more settled. You can tell by her behavior, and it was nice to see her enjoying herself more. It's great to see a character grow! Tuck is still an awesome friend, and I think his kindness makes him someone we'd all like to have in our corner. I was curious about the mystery and wondered if and how it would be solved. It is always a thrill to piece together clues along with characters. I think other kids would enjoy trying to solve the mystery too. What an experience it would be to see unicorns in person! I would recommend this book to anyone eight and up who loves magic, unicorns, mysteries, and adventure. I have enjoyed both volumes and hope there will be more in the series! 

Has anyone else read Unicorn Island: Secret Beneath the Sand? Or has anyone read anything else by Donna Galanti? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

Virgil, Valencia, Kaori, and Chet are four kids growing up in the same town, and their lives are more intertwined than any of them know. Summer break may just change all of their lives. Virgil isn’t as happy as he should be for the start of summer vacation. He’s happy not to see the bully at school, but he regrets that he didn't do something he had tried to get up the nerve to do all year. Virgil is very quiet and comes from a family full of loud and chatty people. Only his grandmother seems to really get him. He sets of some regular appointments with Kaori, a self-proclaimed psychic who lives in his neighborhood. Maybe she can help him. Either way, Kaori loves having Virgil over so she can show her younger sister how to read signs and tell the future. Valencia loves the woods and likes to record her observances in her journal, just like other scientists. She would like to find a friend to talk to and confide in. Life would be a little bit easier for her if her parents would learn sign language, but she makes it through reading lips and using her hearing aides, which give her some help. And then there is Chet, a kid who likes to make fun of others and who can't stand all the "weird" kids in his town. He just wants to get better at basketball and get a snake picture to brag about. But when Chet throws Virgil's guinea pig down a well, things change in more ways than one. Will Chet get in trouble for his antics? Will he get his snake picture? Will Virgil be able to save his guinea pig? Can Kaori tell the future? Will Valencia find the friend she desperately needs? You will have to see what happens when four lives intersect and a well changes everything.

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly is a book that made me really care about the characters. I was rooting for Virgil to become a little braver right from the very beginning. I could understand that he was afraid to speak to a lot of people and stand up for himself, but it is sad to watch someone have opportunities pass them by. Valencia is a great character. I loved how she told people around her what she thought and wasn't afraid to be herself. When Virgil went in the well to save his guinea pig, I kept wishing he would stop and get help. I was so stressed out for him. He didn't have any food, water, or a cell phone to call for help. I am a big fan of books that have multiple characters whose lives are intertwined, so this book  was right up my alley. I loved seeing the way things unfolded  and the way things eventually turned out. Very interesting! I didn’t know when I started reading this book that it received the Newbery Medal in 2018. I found the story very compelling, and I still think about Virgil, Valencia. and Kaori. I would recommend this book to kids in fourth grade and up who like stories about friendship and brave people. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Has anyone else read Hello, Universe? Or have you read another book by Erin Entrada Kelly? We’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy Reading!

~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

 

Twelve-year-old Willow Chance is a genius. She also loves the number 7 and is obsessed with plants and medical conditions. Her adoptive parents love her more than anything. Willow feels the same way about them. They are different, but they fit together perfectly. When Willow's parents are killed in an accident everything changes. She has to leave the garden she has worked on for years, the place that has been her comfort zone and allowed her to grow. The two people who took care of Willow are gone. She's hoping to find a place where she belongs. Those who help her along her journey will never be the same. Will she find another place she feels comfortable? Will Willow be able to create a new garden? Is it possible for her to move on? Read this touching book about loss, change, and hope to find out!

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan is a book that took me by surprise! I read it in just over day because I was curious about what would happen to Willow and the people in her life. Willow's unique personality made her endearing. Willow is smart and caring. I like the way her brain organized things, and that she was so knowledgeable about plants and medicine. It would be fun to talk to her and see her green thumb in action. She cracked me up, and I liked the way 7 kept showing up in her life (it's one of my favorite numbers).  I think anyone who has experienced a major loss will connect with this story. Although Willow had tragedy strike her life, the story was about her search for another place where she belongs, and about how she dealt with her grief. I recommend this book to anyone in fifth grade and up that is ready for an emotional story with characters that will make them think. It's been a while since I finished this book, and I'm still thinking about Willow. I can't wait to read another book by this author soon!

Has anyone else read Counting by 7s? Or have you read another book by Holly Goldberg Sloan? We’d love to hear your thoughts! 

Happy reading!

~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday # MMGM Book Review: The Backyard Secrets of Danny Wexler by Karen Pokras

Eleven-year-old Danny Wexler is growing up in a factory town during the late 1970s. His days are spent going to school, taking piano lessons, playing kickball, and hanging out with his friends. Danny has a Super-Secret Spy Notebook where he jots down mysteries he's trying to solve- like if his piano teacher is part tarantula. He's had a lot to add to his notebook recently, especially with all the reports of a white van approaching children in local towns. People are talking. Danny and his best friends, Frank and Nicholas, have a theory about the van and missing children. They know the Bermuda Triangle is involved. It has to be! They've read all about it in one of Frank's encyclopedias. Their investigation into the possible white van suspects leads them to theories about werewolves and aliens. Will they be able to solve the mystery of the white van? Is Danny's piano teacher part spider? Does the Bermuda Triangle have a role in what is happening? You'll have to try to piece together the clues with Danny to see how it all turns out!

I have read and enjoyed other books by Karen Pokras, so I was excited to get my hands on a brand new copy of The Backyard Secrets of Danny Wexler. I'm a big fan of historical fiction and mysteries, so this was a winning combination for me. Danny and his friends may have been growing up in the 1970s, but they were still easy to relate to, and I loved Danny's Super-Secret Spy Notebook. I definitely know how important it is to keep track of clues. It's amazing what you can notice when you keep a list of the facts. I liked the way aliens and the Bermuda Triangle were explained. I asked my mom about the Bermuda Triangle, and she told me when she was growing up she worried about the disappearances there. I definitely need to learn more about that area. I felt sorry for Danny as he dealt with struggles with friends. It's never easy to have problems with our friends, and watching the way some people were treating him because of his religion was really sad. I'd recommend this book to kids in third grade and up who like mysteries, realistic fiction, and history woven together. I look forward to reading more books by Karen Pokras and hopefully Danny and friends will have another mystery to solve.

Has anyone else read The Backyard Secrets of Danny Wexler? Or have you read another book by Karen Pokras? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!

~L

For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.