Middle Grade Book of the Week: Al Capone Throws me a Curve by Gennifer Choldenko

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 do what is right, but keeps getting mixed up in schemes invented by the warden’s daughter, Piper. When Piper isn’t getting him in trouble, Moose is busy protecting his autistic sister, Natalie.

In this installment the island is getting ready for a visit from the Bureau of Prisons, and Moose’s dad is up for a promotion. Moose is about to enter high school, and his main focus is getting on the baseball team. Natalie is turning seventeen and this is creating new dangers for her living on an island of convicts. If keeping her safe isn’t difficult enough for Moose, Piper is back and sneakier (and prettier) than ever.

My Thoughts

Al Capone Does My Shirts is one of my absolute favorite middle grade books. I don’t love the sequels as much, but they are still great reads. This is the first one I’ve read since visiting Alcatraz a couple of years ago on vacation. While the kids would never have actually been able to get into the cell house or have interactions with Al Capone, the rules of the prison are very true to real life.

I really enjoyed the way the characters have matured in this series but stayed true to themselves. Moose is still trying to take care of everything. Piper is trying to be good but can’t always fight her sneaky impulses. Natalie is making eye contact but is still very young for her age. Mrs. Flanagan is making an effort to be more understanding of Moose’s feelings, but still struggles with seeing Natalie clearly.

What I love most about this series is the way Moose interacts with Natalie. Even though he often resents the responsibilities that come from having a sister with a disability, it is obvious he loves and understands Natalie. It also shows how kids are often more accepting than adults.

I would recommend reading this series in order. There is enough humor, baseball and adventure to keep a young reader interested while still giving touching life messages.

July 17, 2022

Book Review: Mud Puddle Early Reader by Robert Munsch

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a complimentary uncorrected proof. All opinions are my own.

Details:

Title: Mud Puddle

Author: Robert Munsch

Illustrator: Dušan Petričić

Publisher: Annick Press

Publication Date: 9/6/22

Summary:

This is an early reader print format of a Robert Munsch classic. Wherever Julie Ann goes a mud puddle jumps on her. Then, she runs back home where her mom drops her into the tub. A clean Julie Ann returns outside, only to be attacked by the muddle puddle once again. At last, she is able to defeat the mud puddle with a smelly bar of yellow soap.

My thoughts:

This is a delightful story that kids and parents will love. The idea of a child constantly getting dirty is relatable and the humorous illustrations add to the story. As a reading teacher, what I love most is that this imprint includes lots of good reading information to make the experience more beneficial to early readers. Included are simple bulleted lists of phonics skills, pre-reading ideas and tips for read aloud. This is so helpful for teachers and parents who want to make the reading meaningful for early readers. This would be a great addition to any primary classroom or home library.

Rating

July 14, 2022

Middle Grade Book of the Week: When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

This is week two of my new “middle grade book of the week” feature. As I mentioned last week, I created this feature to motivate myself to reach my goal of reading more middle grade books. I am so glad I did. This was another excellent book.

Summary

When Stars are Scattered is a graphic novel based on the life of a Somalian refugee, Omar Mohamed. Omar and his brother, Hassan are separated from their parents during the Somalian civil war and end up in a Kenyan refugee camp. The majority of the story takes place after they have been in the camp for several years and Omar has the opportunity to go to school. Previously, he didn’t go because he was caring for Hassan, who is nonverbal and suffers from a seizure disorder. Life is difficult in the camp and struggles with maintaining hope. But he works hard to do well in school, and dreams of becoming a UN social worker one day. Eventually, Omar and Hassan are resettled in America where Omar has gone on to help many refugees.

My Thoughts

I don’t read a lot of graphic novels. I keep them in my classroom because I know students like them, but I’m not drawn to them myself. However, I wanted to read this one because it would be a grade companion read for A Long Walk to Water, which sixth graders read at my school. It’s made me rethink my feelings about graphic novels. The format made it an engaging and quick read, without taking away from the depth of the story. I was so impressed with the way Jamieson was able to achieve so much characterization and evoke emotions with so few words. It’s a great inspirational read, that is not intimidating for reluctant readers.

July 9, 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.

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

My Favorite read for November 2021

My favorite read for November was a The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. A beautifully written tale of female friendship and strength, the book introduced me to facets of Korean history and culture that were new to me. Mi-ja and Young-sook live on the island of Jeju, a matrifocal society where women divers are the providers for their families. Occupied by the Japanese during WWII, then later by American soldiers, the story of the island is tragic. This is not a light, feel-good story, but it is the story of resilience and the power of forgiveness.

This book is perfect for readers who like

… strong female characters.

… complex relationships between characters. (not romantic)

… reading about lesser-known historical events.

… are interested in Korean culture.

… books about tragedies or injustice.

December 2, 2021

My Favorite Read of October 2021

book review, The Survivors by Jane Harper

I discovered Jane Harper when I was planning my trip to Australia in 2018. Harper does a great job of capturing the Australian terrain and lifestyle. Aside from the setting, I love that her books are character driven mysteries. Even minor characters feel real.

Kieran Elliott’s changed forever as a teenager when his brother and a family friend die in an attempt to rescue him from a storm. They weren’t the only casualties that day, all that was recovered of Gabby was a backpack.

Years later, Kieran returns to Tasmania to help move his father who is suffering from dementia when a woman is murdered. Everyone is shaken, and the citizens begin to turn on each other. This leads to questions about what really happened all those years ago.

I loved the setting and character development in this book. I think the mystery is not as strong as her other books. But, it’s a good balance if you want serious mystery without a lot of graphic detail.

November 2, 2021

My favorite Read for September 2021

One of the first metaphors we learn as children is “Do not judge a book by its cover”. In the case of The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak, I made the mistake of judging a book by its title.

I saw the title The Bookstore on the Beach, would be a perfect end of summer read. I assumed it would be a light “beach read” for booklovers. In reality, neither the bookstore nor the beach are significant to the plot, other than providing a setting, and the issues are anything but light.

The conflicts in the novel are a refreshing contrast to secret affairs that permeate women’s fiction. Shifting between four different points of view, Novak follows the typical themes of family secrets and self-discovery with unique twists. Mary (the matriarch), Autumn (Mary’s daughter), Taylor (Autumn’s daughter) and Quinn (Autumn’s high school crush and new love interest) each experience issues, which would be national-news-worthy.

One of my biggest pet peeves in literature is when minor problems are turned into major issues that could’ve been easily solved if the character simply told the truth. There were plenty of secrets, but the characters had solid reasons for keeping them. When secrets were revealed, the others were upset enough to be realistic, but ultimately empathetic and forgiving. Therefore, even though there were serious issues in the book, I still got the warm fuzzy feeling I wanted.

If you want a book that is pure lighthearted fun, this probably isn’t the book for you. However, if you want more grit to the story, while still keeping the warm-hearted feel of a Hallmark movie, this is the book for you.

October 2, 2021