Summary: Jordan wants to go to art school, but his mom is convinced Riverdale Academy Day School will provide him with the best opportunities for his future. The exclusive private school, with little diversity, is a whole new culture for Jordan. He struggles to balance two worlds while staying true to himself. My Thoughts: Many... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: The War with Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith
Summary Peter loves his grandfather and is happy that he will be moving in with the family. Until he finds out it means giving up his room. He thinks Grandpa will give up the room if he plays a few pranks. Instead, Grandpa declares war. My Thoughts This classic from the 1980's was made into... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: Area 51 Files written by Julie Buxbaum and illustrated by Lavanya Naiou
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review. Publication Date: September 13, 2022. Summary: When Skye's grandmother moves to a retirement community, Skye is not allowed to go with her. Instead, she is sent to live with her Uncle Anish in Area 51. Yes, that Area... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: What We Found in the Sofa and How it Saved the World by Henry Clark
Summary: When River, Freak, and Fiona discover a mysterious sofa sitting at their bus stop, their search for loose change produces a rare zucchini-colored crayon. Little do they know this peculiar treasure is about to launch them into the middle of a plot to conquer the world! The kids' only hope is to trap the... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: The Unteachables by Gordon Korman
Summary Kiana is spending two months with her father and "stepmonster" while her mother films a movie. On the way to register for her new school her baby brother gets sick and her stepmother rushes off to the doctors before she can register Kiana for classes. Due to a mix-up at that office she ends... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
Summary After his father loses his job, Georges' family moves to a Brooklyn apartment building. The first day there he notices an invitation to join a spy club. He thinks it's a joke, but then he meets Safer and his sister, Candy. Safer pulls Georges into a mission to spy on their mysterious neighbor, Mr.... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Summary When a ship carrying robots crashes on a deserted island, most of the machines are destroyed. Otters from the island find one still intact, and inadvertently activate it. Knowing no other life, the robot, Roz, learns through observing the animals. At first, they think she's a monster, but as they get to know her... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine.
This is really my book from last week, but I did not finish in time. Hoping to squeeze in another one in the next few days so I'm back on schedule. Summary It's 1958 and Little Rock, Arkansas is divided over the issue of desegregation. As the book opens Marlee Nisbett is more concerned with... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the week: Heroes Like Us: Two Stories by Onjali Q. Raúf
Goodreads Link This week I was fortunate to receive an eARC copy of Heroes Like Us: Two Stories by Onjali Q. Raúfroes from NetGalley. This review is based on my own personal opinions. Summary Heroes Like Us is a collection of two stories in which children make a difference and become heroes. The first story,... Continue Reading →
Middle Grade Book of the Week: Al Capone Throws me a Curve by Gennifer Choldenko
Goodreads Link For this week's middle grade book, I returned to one of my favorite middle grade series: Tales from Alcatraz. Summary Al Capone Throws Me A Curve is book four in the Tales from Alcatraz Series. The Flanagans, like the other families of Alcatraz guards live on Alcatraz. Moose, the narrator, always tries to... Continue Reading →