Middle Grade Book of the Week: My Storied Year by Katie Proctor

Two of my goals for summer are to read more middle grade books and to write more blog posts. So, I’m going to combine the two and a feature a new middle grade book each week. This will also help keep me accountable. When I wrote my Top Ten Tuesday post this week, I included five middle grade books that I planned on reading this summer. It wasn’t until after I posted that I remembered that there was another book I had to read first. At the end of the year, one of my students gave me (and all of her other teachers) a book for our classroom libraries that she had read with her mom and enjoyed. The week before one of my friends had asked my opinion on an end of year gift for her kids’ teachers. My response was that I wished more students would give me books. Granted, it’s not easy for anyone, including close friends and family, to pick out a book for me because I have so many. But, I love the idea of students sharing books they love for the classroom. I loved this book for so many reasons, it was a great start for my middle grade posts. My Storied Year is somewhat obscure, as it only had 92 ratings on Goodreads. So, I don’t know if I would’ve found it otherwise.

Summary

Dragon (yes, that’s his real name) is a seventh-grader with dyslexia and a slew of problems at home. He spends most of his time at school trying to fly under the radar, except when he can’t control his frustration and lashes out. But, seventh grade is different. The assistant principal tries to help him find ways to cope instead of just punishing him. Then, his English teacher hooks her students as writers by having them share stories. She is such a good writer and storyteller that he can’t hide his interest for long. He slowly begins sharing more with his classmates and finds he actually likes writing.

My thoughts

One of my biggest complaints about books set in schools is that you can tell the author is writing about their own experience at school, which may have been decades ago. Proctor is a teacher, and it shows. This felt like a contemporary school. The way Mrs. Parkman talks about writing from small moments, is a lesson I’ve given myself. The staff obviously has some understanding social emotional learning and has some awareness of why Dragon acts out and how to help him. Without actually saying it, you can tell that Dragon is in classes with special education support, since the same kids are traveling together, but other kids are sometimes added. I could pick out so many of my students in these characters.

Taking away my teacher mindset, as a reader it was just a great story. This a quick read that is intended for young readers, which they will be able to relate to their own lives. However, it still deals with adult themes like the importance of connections and the effects of trauma. It touches on these themes in a way that is accessible to kids. So many times, the books we pick out for students are the books we think they should like from our adult perspective. This meets them at their level. I highly recommend it.

Rating

July 2, 2022

My Favorite Read of June 2022

She knew that love was the answer, but it was more than love- or rather more than the marshmallow kind of love that people understood when they thought of the word. Sometimes love meant you had to take the hard line and had to force people to do things they didn’t want to do.
Dale Mayer, Aaron (Hathaway House, bk 1)

Goodreads Synopsis

Former Navy SEAL Aaron Hammond has no idea how he wound up at Hathaway House, Texas. Nor does he particularly care. All he can see is his anger. Anger at the betrayal that destroyed his physical body and at the loss of the future he wanted but that he’ll never have now. He’s a cripple, less than half a man, and all he can look forward to is a half life, alone with himself and his pain.

Dani Hathaway runs Hathaway House with her father, an ex-military man nicknamed the Major, and she knew Aaron and his brother SEAL Levi in another life. Levi was a good friend to her through her difficult teen years, but it was Aaron who caught her eye more than a decade ago. When she heard what happened to him, she moved heaven and earth to get him to Hathaway House, where she could help him regain his health and return him to the man he used to be.

Old feelings resurface as Dani continues to push Aaron to acknowledge that his life is not over, and that, if he chooses, he can find both love and a future at Hathaway House.

Welcome to Hathaway House. Rehab Center. Safe Haven. Second chance at life and love.

My thoughts

I downloaded the free ebook version of Aaron by Dale Mayer for a quick romance. Which it was, but there was more depth than I was expecting. Even though the story is primarily a romance, it is equally about healing. Like most people, Aaron doesn’t accept help easily. HIs time at Hathaway house helps him to realize that we all need help at times, and there’s no shame in accepting the kindness of others.

What I loved about this book:

Aaron and Dani were both likeable characters
I love the idea of Hathaway House, a full rehabilitation center for both veterans and animals
It was a great set up for future books in the series (there are 18 as of now)

July 1, 2022

Attended Book Launch

I joined Lilac City Rochester Writers in fall of 2020. The first event (over zoom since it was the height of the pandemic) was a critique. One of the pieces we reviewed was a chapter from Rick Ieckel’s book about the history of the Rochester airport. Today I got to attend the book launch. It was exciting to be a part of the event. I was able to get an early copy a couple of weeks ago and highly recommend the book to any in the Rochester, NY area or those interested in aviation history.

The ROC: Journey thru the 20th Century by Rick Iekel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rick Iekel worked at the Rochester, NY airport for 28 years, eventually serving as the director. So, he is the perfect person to tell its story. While it is very well researched and gives lots of information about the history of the airport and aviation in general, what sets it apart from other local history books is Iekel’s personal connection to the content. The story is told in a conversational voice that mixes factual information with behind-the-scenes stories. While the book is of most interest to people with a connection to Rochester, NY, it would appeal to anyone interesting in aviation history.

View all my reviews

June 2, 2022

My Favorite Read of May 2022

“All this time, I’ve been afraid of my ability, when instead I should have been regarding it as a treasured weapon.”
Namina Forna, The Gilded Ones

Goodreads synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki–near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire’s greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she’s ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be–not even Deka herself.

My thoughts:

I haven’t read a book like this in a while. There’s enough craziness going on in the world, so I didn’t feel like reading anything with dystopian themes. This one appealed to me because of its “girl power” message. I enjoyed Deka’s journey as she discovered her own power. She is a dynamic character who changes greatly throughout the book.

This book is definitely on the older end of YA as it deals with issues of physical and sexual abuse. However, I found the overall message to be powerful for young girls. It shows strength and the power to overcome obstacles without downplaying the long-term effects of trauma. Above all, it showed the value of female friendship and standing together.

What I loved about this book:

Complex characters that are developed
Strong friendships
BIPOC and LGBQT+ characters as leads without race or sexuality being the main focus
Lots of action
A pet kitten that can transform into a dragon!

June 1, 2022

My Favorite Read of April 2022

I’ve been waiting for this one. I finished reading it on April 2, but already knew it was going to be my favorite read of the month. It’s not just my favorite read for April, it’s one of my favorite reads ever.

Goodreads Synopsis

When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.

Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop’s owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.

But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

Under the Whispering Door is a contemporary fantasy about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with.

Things I loved about this book

Original concept: I loved this interpretation of the afterlife, where people are given time on Earth to adapt to being dead before crossing over
The characters: There are so many great, diverse characters in this book.
The message: the story has a great message about how to live your life and what really matters
Humor: When I read the description of this book, I had no idea how funny it would be. Not many books make me both laugh and cry, and this one did

May 1, 2022

My favorite read of March 2022

Goodreads Synopsis:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Shadow and Bone is the first installment in Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha Trilogy

My Thoughts:

This is the third book I’ve read by Bardugo. Her world building is so thorough that it can take a few chapters to understand. Once you understand the world, the books are amazing. Since Alina didn’t initially know about her powers, the reader is learning about the Grisha world along with her. There are so many twists and ambiguous characters and situations, that I couldn’t stop reading. I am especially fascinated by the Darkling and can’t wait to see how the character develops throughout the series.

My favorite read of February 2022: The Pirate Vishnu by Gigi Pandian

Pirate Vishnu (Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery, #2) — The Pirate Vishnu

Goodreads Synopsis:

A century-old treasure map of San Francisco’s Barbary Coast. Sacred riches from India. Two murders, one hundred years apart. And a love triangle… Historian Jaya Jones has her work cut out for her.

1906. Shortly before the Great San Francisco Earthquake, Pirate Vishnu strikes the San Francisco Bay. An ancestor of Jaya’s who came to the U.S. from India draws a treasure map…

Present Day. Over a century later, the cryptic treasure map remains undeciphered. From San Francisco to the southern tip of India, Jaya pieces together her ancestor’s secrets, maneuvers a complicated love life she didn’t count on, and puts herself in the path of a killer to restore a revered treasure.

My Thoughts:

This is the second full length book in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery series. The character relationships will make more sense if you’ve read Artifact, but it could be read as a standalone. All of her life, Jaya Jones has been told stories about her Great Uncle Anand who died rescuing a friend during the San Fransisco Earthquake. But, then a lawyer shows up at her door with a treasure map that implies he might not have been so heroic after all. When the lawyer is murdered, Jaya knows there’s more to the story. I really like Pandian’s storytelling technique. She alternates between Jaya’s investigation and flashbacks of her ancestor. It’s a light, cozy mystery series, but I also learned about Indian history and culture.

Book Review: Frankenslime written by Joy Keller and Illustrated by Ashley Belote

Summary:

Victoria Franken is young scientist who loves making slime. Along with her dog, Igor, she uses the scientific method to create different kinds of slime such as Intergalactic space slime and Glow-in-the-dark zombie slime. Then one day, one of her creations comes to life.

This is a delightful story that also teaches kids about the scientific method. Adults will also enjoy the references to the original Frankenstein. The illustrations are filled with details that will keep kids coming back. One of my favorite features is the hidden chameleon on each page. The author even includes slime recipes.

I had the great pleasure of attending a zoom presentation by Joy Keller and Ashley Belote last week. During the presentation a lightbulb went off in my mind that this might be the book I’d been looking for. I have a student who is an extremely reluctant reader and it’s been my mission to find a book he will like. Frankenslime seemed like the kind of kooky story he would love. So, as soon as the meeting ended, I was on Amazon ordering it.

I introduced the book to him on Tuesday with trepidation and prepared myself for disappointment. Who knew all it would take to get him to read was a hidden chameleon? Once he started looking for the chameleon, he was drawn into the pictures and then the story. He even requested that I get the sequel, Valenslime, which will arrive just in time for Valentine’s Day. This book is a miracle.

February 11, 2022

My Favorite Read for January 2022

The Queen's Fortune — The Queen’s Fortune

Goodreads Synopsis:

As the French revolution ravages the country, Desiree Clary is faced with the life-altering truth that the world she has known and loved is gone and it’s fallen on her to save her family from the guillotine.

A chance encounter with Napoleon Bonaparte, the ambitious and charismatic young military prodigy, provides her answer. When her beloved sister Julie marries his brother Joseph, Desiree and Napoleon’s futures become irrevocably linked. Quickly entering into their own passionate, dizzying courtship that leads to a secret engagement, they vow to meet in the capital once his career has been secured. But her newly laid plans with Napoleon turn to sudden heartbreak, thanks to the rising star of Parisian society, Josephine de Beauharnais. Once again, Desiree’s life is turned on its head.

Swept to the glittering halls of the French capital, Desiree is plunged into the inner circle of the new ruling class, becoming further entangled with Napoleon, his family, and the new Empress. But her fortunes shift once again when she meets Napoleon’s confidant and star general, the indomitable Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. As the two men in Desiree’s life become political rivals and military foes, the question that arises is: must she choose between the love of her new husband and the love of her nation and its Emperor?

From the lavish estates of the French Riviera to the raucous streets of Paris and Stockholm, Desiree finds herself at the epicenter of the rise and fall of an empire, navigating a constellation of political giants and dangerous, shifting alliances. Emerging from an impressionable girl into a fierce young woman, she discovers that to survive in this world she must learn to rely upon her instincts and her heart.

Allison Pataki’s meticulously researched and brilliantly imagined novel sweeps readers into the unbelievable life of a woman almost lost to history—a woman who, despite the swells of a stunning life and a tumultuous time, not only adapts and survives but, ultimately, reigns at the helm of a dynasty that outlasts an empire.

My thoughts:

I love fiction that focuses on the lesser-known historical figures. Before reading this book, I knew almost nothing about Desiree Clary. She was engaged to Napoleon Bonaparte, until he met Josephine. Even after the engagement ends, Napoleon’s influence dominates her life. Yet, in the end, she is the one whose blood still flows through European royalty. I found her story fascinating.

My Favorite Read for December 2021

Goodreads synopsis:

When Meddelin Chan ends up accidentally killing her blind date, her meddlesome mother calls for her even more meddlesome aunties to help get rid of the body. Unfortunately, a dead body proves to be a lot more challenging to dispose of than one might anticipate, especially when it is inadvertently shipped in a cake cooler to the over-the-top billionaire wedding Meddy, her Ma, and aunties are working at an island resort on the California coastline. It’s the biggest job yet for the family wedding business—”Don’t leave your big day to chance, leave it to the Chans!“—and nothing, not even an unsavory corpse, will get in the way of her auntie’s perfect buttercream flowers.

But things go from inconvenient to downright torturous when Meddy’s great college love—and biggest heartbreak—makes a surprise appearance amid the wedding chaos. Is it possible to escape murder charges, charm her ex back into her life, and pull off a stunning wedding all in one weekend?

My thoughts:

This was such a fun read. When her blind date is too aggressive, Meddy accidentally kills him. The situation snowballs and soon Meddy, her mother and aunts are in the middle of a huge cover-up. While the situation is crazy, Sutanto does a great job creating insane , yet realistic, family dynamics.

This book is perfect for readers who like

…loving, meddling families

… second generation immigrant stories

… crazy, humorous situations

… second chance romance

January 2, 2022