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!

24 Hour Read-a-thon!

Well...it is over. Got some books read, not as many as I like and I've also determined that in April I want to schedule in more social time. One of the best things about this read-a-thon is the spirit and energy created by those running the event (Heather and Andi of The Estella Society), those participating. Last year, I took part more and think that is what energized me and kept me awake for way longer. Here is the final meme:

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? Nine o'clock I was really dragging my butt and wanting to sleep. Decided to have a power nap around ten...woke up at one...hmmmmm
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? I would suggest Tabula Rasa by Kirsten Lippert-Martin. Talk about grab you from the beginning and not let you go! Looking forward to purchasing this one for my library so I can hand it to students who have been asking for just this kind of fast paced action novel. 
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? I honestly have no suggestions. This is so well run and organized...
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Besides everything, I really liked the hourly posts with videos and links to a handful of meme's/challenges. 
5. How many books did you read? I completed three and have two that I made it halfway through.
6. What were the names of the books you read? The Great Greene Heist, The Crossover, I Even Funnier, The Magicians, Tabula Rasa, The Dirt Diary
7. Which book did you enjoy most? The Crossover, The Dirt Diary and Tabula Rasa
8. Which did you enjoy least? The Magicians-by mid book the characters were becoming less and less appealing to me, they felt so self-indulgent and directionless which may well be the intent, but it wasn't working for me. 
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? Wasn't a cheerleader this year. 
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? Will be participating and want to be a cheerleader next time. Really missed being more social this year. Cheerleading helps me (makes me?) get out there!

I am up and at 'em and ready to read. The reading I am doing is a mix of middle grade, young adult and adult fiction.

And here's my answers to the opening meme:

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? Canada-Alberta
2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? Omens by Kelley Armstrong
3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? The second stack posted above4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I am a librarian at a junior senior high and also a judge on this years middle grade fiction Cybils Committee. 5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? This is my second time. Tried to get my reading piles ready to go a little earlier so and have them with a wider variety so I can literally pick one book after the other. Got more snacks...of course I started in on them last night. Hopefully I have enough left, ha ha!


GOOD LUCK EVERYONE and HAVE FUN!

MMGM-A Bird on Water Street by Elizabeth O. Dulemba

Greetings all! Before I get to my MMGM post, let me give a shout out to The Cybils. Nominations are now open (until October 15), so do head on over to check it out and get thee to nominating!

For this Monday of Marvelous Middle Grade-ness I would like to tell you about A Bird On Water Street by Elizabeth O. Dulemba.

A Bird on Water Street is a coming of age story about Jack, a boy growing up in a Southern Appalachian town environmentally devastated by a century of poor copper-mining practices and pollution. Jack is opposed to the mine where so many of his relatives have died, but how can he tell that to his Dad who wants him to follow in the family trade? Jack just wants his dad safe and the land returned to its pre-mining glory with trees, birds, frogs, and nature—like he’s learning about in school. After Jack’s uncle is killed in a mining accident and the Company implements a massive layoff, the union organizes and the miners go on strike. It seems Jack’s wish is coming true. But the cost may be the ruin of his home and everything he loves. (from Goodreads)



It took me a moment to wrap my head around the fact that 1986 really is historical and when I was first starting with the library kids like Jack were living in places like Coppertown. Although a quiet, coming of age story the opening chapters pulled me in and kept me reading, wanting to know more about Jack and the place he lived. This was especially so when the town alarm sounded and everyone in town dropped what they were doing to run to the mine.  The author made me feel as if I were there, pushed up against the fence trying to see who was coming up from the mine, trying to see who was hurt. Such a well written, breath holding scene, as was the opening scene where Jack is dared to walk a train trestle.  In other words the opening chapters pulled me along and fully into the story. As the story continued I grew to love this quiet boy and budding environmentalist struggling to find his voice. But, not once did I feel as though I was being taught a lesson. The storytelling is powerful, believable, compelling and natural. Already have plans for the book talk and some students in mind who I know would like this one.

For more MMGM marvelousness head back to Shannon Messenger's. Ta for now!