Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Reading Round-Up

Here's a few "As I Read Thoughts" on some books I recently finished.

AbsolutelyAlmost by Lisa Graff 

From Goodreads: Albie has never been the smartest kid in his class. He has never been the tallest. Or the best at gym. Or the greatest artist. Or the most musical. In fact, Albie has a long list of the things he's not very good at. But then Albie gets a new babysitter, Calista, who helps him figure out all of the things he is good at and how he can take pride in himself.

As I Read Thoughts:  Great, great voice. A kid boys and girls can relate to. Right in that sweet spot of middle grade in terms of the MC. Great book for #weneeddiversebooks. Good world view of middle grade life. The story of an average boy with well above average writing.

TheBadger Knight by Katherine Erskine

From Goodreads: Adrian is small for his age, even for an almost thirteen year old. It doesn't help that  he has albinism, which makes those he meets wonder if he's an angel or a devil. His father is a bowyer, and all Adrian wants to do is become apprenticed and go off to war as an archer. But that's not what his father wants for him. Since Adrian can write, his father wants him to be a scribe. That's just about the last thing Adrian wants. When the Scots invade England and Adrian's best friend Hugh runs off to find his father and fight in battles, Adrian soon follows, intent on finding Hugh and joining him in glorious warfare against the pagans invading England from the north. When Adrian finds Hugh, who is caring for a wounded Scotsman, he's horrified that Hugh would aid an enemy. But soon, as Adrian gets to know Donald, he begins to question what he's been taught about the enemy and the nature of war. In this epic journey an afflicted boy finds an inner strength he never knew belonged to him.

As I Read Thoughts: Historical fiction that is compelling enough to keep young readers going because of the main character and his deep desire to become a bowman in the English Army. The adventure he goes on is fast paced and not bogged down whilst establishing setting. The writing is approachable and smooth making this a read that a reluctant reader just might jump in and stay with it.

Tell Me by Joan Bauer

From Goodreads: The unofficial town motto is "Nothing bad ever happens in Rosemont" where  twelve-year-old Anna has come to stay with her grandmother, Mim, hoping to forget her worries about her parents' troubled marriage.  She'll be busy with the town's annual Flower Festival, a celebration with floats and bands that requires weeks of preparations.

But before long, Anna finds herself involved in a very big problem. When she observes a girl her own age who seems to be being held against her will, Anna can't forget the girl's frightened eyes and she is determined to investigate. "When you see something, say something" she's been told—but what good does it do to speak if no one will listen? Luckily, a take-charge girl like Anna is not going to give up.

As I Read Thoughts: Long time fan of her books. Unique character in a fun and quirky setting with a fun and quirky grandma. And what is key to this working and being natural is the writing is such that nothing feels forced. The quirk isn’t there for the sake of being quirk. This is the way the world that Anna lives in is. I would expect nothing less. Feels like there might be too much going on at times or the subplots didn't blend into the overall story as well as they could have.

Happy Marvelous Middle Grade Monday and "see" you back over on Shannon Messenger's blog looking for more great middle grade reads!