Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Secrets of Valhalla by Jasmine Richards

Happy Middle-Grade Monday all!  Loved this one.

Secrets of Valhalla by Jasmine Richards

From Goodreads:  Two friends awaken a world of myth and magic in this clever middle-grade fantasy perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Anne Ursu.

It’s not every day that you find a famous weatherwoman bound by magic to a tree deep in the woods. Or discover that the weatherwoman is, in fact, Sunna, the Norse Goddess of the Sun, and one of the seven-day guardians who keep time in order. But that’s just what happens to new friends Buzz and Mary—and it’s only the start of their adventure.

Now, as the people of Earth are forced to repeat the same Saturday over and over again, Buzz and Mary must journey to collect the Runes of Valhalla and awaken the other day guardians, before vengeful god Loki can get to them first.

Last week I was bought this book on its book birthday (oh the joy of e-books!), read it, will be getting it as I continue to work on developing my library's middle-grade collection. The author pulls you immediately into the story and keeps you turning those pages. Not only that, there was an ease of reading that was not bogged now by the all important details needed to ensure enough is known about Norse Mythology.  Speaking of that mythology, I just love how the author had it manifest itself in the real world with sleeping gods and a town and characters with secrets galore and a boy who doesn't think he's smart enough. The unexpected twist (well, those usually are unexpected) was well played and totally believable. Must say, I love it when an author has you thinking you've guessed something (a big something) and you are a little bit right but the real truth is a whoa moment. This is one I know is going to be a favorite. 

As always, if you are looking for more MMGM, head back to Shannon Messenger's blog!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-The Goblin's Puzzle by Andrew S. Chilton

Hello and Happy MMGM all. Today is all about The Goblin's Puzzle :Being the Adventure of a Boy With No Name and Two Girls Named Alice by Andrew S. Chilton. I read the ARC from Net Galley and am looking forward to putting the actual book in students hands. Thinking they are going to like (and appreciate!)the cast of characters, the wit, the humour, the magic, the adventure and how the author weaves it all together.

From Goodreads:

Brimming with dragons, goblins, and logic puzzles, this middle-grade fantasy adventure is perfect for readers who enjoyed The Princess Bride or Rump.

THE BOY is a nameless slave on a mission to uncover his true destiny.
THE GOBLIN holds all the answers, but he’s too tricky to be trusted.
PLAIN ALICE is a bookish peasant girl carried off by a confused dragon.
And PRINCESS ALICE is the lucky girl who wasn’t kidnapped.

All four are tangled up in a sinister plot to take over the kingdom, and together they must face kind monsters, a cruel magician, and dozens of deathly boring palace bureaucrats. They’re a ragtag bunch, but with strength, courage, and plenty of deductive reasoning, they just might outwit the villains and crack the goblin’s puzzle.

As I read I am sure I was constantly smiling and laughing out loud. The wit and humour (as I know I've already mentioned) in this was fabulous. Had many a moment of thinking that not only is this a great middle grade fantasy for recommending to my grade seven and eight students (I'm in a 7-12 school) but it is one I would love to read out loud. So many favorite moments. One of the most favorite is the conversation between Ludwig (dragon) and Plain Alice (mistaken Princess) and how they each see the world. And Ludwig in general...just love that dragon. Add this to your TBR if you've not already done so.

This book and all books I read this year will be part of my #Read16in16 adventure which I am doing with staff and students at my school (#cobrasread!) and also part of #sixtybooks. Going to be a fun reading year. Well, it's always a fun reading year...

Looking for more Marvelous Middle Grade to add to your TBR pile? Check out these MMGM links provided by Shannon Messenger!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday-Alistair Grim's Oddaquaticum by Gregory Funaro

Time for the second Marvelous Middle Grade Monday of 2016. Hope everyone is enjoy their so far reading this year. I know I certainly am!

As I am typing this up I am anticipating tomorrow's Live Webcast of ALA's Youth Media Awards. Happily I should be able to watch it all before heading to work.

This week it's all about Gregory Funaro's  ALISTAIR GRIM'S ODDAQUATICUM

From Goodreads: When Grubb, an orphan and runaway chimney sweep, entered the wondrous world of the Odditorium, his life changed forever. Apprenticed to the mechanical marvel’s strange proprietor, Alistair Grim, Grubb unfortunately must settle into his new position on the lam, as the whole of London is convinced that Alistair Grim is a villain bent on mass destruction. Grim, however, has come up with a plan to expose the real villain: Prince Nightshade, a wicked necromancer who wants the Odditorium’s power source for himself.

With the evil prince hot on their trail, Grim, Grubb and the rest of the Odditorium's crew embark on a perilous adventure to find the legendary sword Excalibur: the only weapon capable of penetrating Nightshade's magical suit of armor. As expected, their quest turns out to be anything but ordinary. Not only can the Odditorium fly, but it can also swim! And so the crew battens down the hatches and sets off on an underwater voyage to the otherworldly realm of Avalon, home to Excalibur. Along the way, they must battle a banshee assassin, sea monsters, and a witch who seeks revenge on Alistair Grim for stealing her magical objects.

But that’s not all. Unbeknownst to Grubb and the others, their fate has been written in an ancient Avalonian prophecy—a prophecy that holds the key to a destiny not even Alistair Grim could have possibly imagined. 

I received a copy of this via Net Galley. Here's what I wrote when I was done:

The author has yet again let loose with his imagination and crafted a story filled with characters and settings young readers will love. Glad to be adding book two to our collection and certainly looking forward to more adventures  from Grubb, his father and all their companions.

To that I will add that I am impressed that the author can blend together so many different fantastical elements and make it work. Something for everyone without leaving you with a feeling it is too much. Naturally, I now await book three!

Don't forget to head back to Shannon Messenger's for more Marvellous Middle Grade Monday links!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday, #Read16in16, #Sixtybooks

2016 here we are! I am getting back into the blogging swing of things.

To start the year off I am taking part in #Read16in16 & #Sixtybooks.

You can find out more about #Read16in16 at 1000 Conversations. And more about #Sixtybooks at
Sixty Books!

With 2016 upon me I am also looking forward to catching up with the Marvelous Middle Grade Monday crew. Seems only right, then, that my first read for the above challenges is a fantasitic fantasy called Odditorium by Gregory Funara.

From Goodreads: Grubb, age twelve (or thereabouts), has never known anything beyond his miserable existence as a chimney sweep, paid only in insults and abuse by his cruel master. All of that changes the day he stows away in the coach belonging to a mysterious guest at the inn that he is tasked with cleaning. Grubb emerges from Alistair Grim's trunk and into the wondrous world of the Odditorium. Fueled by a glowing blue energy that Grubb can only begin to understand, the Odditorium is home to countless enchanted objects and an eccentric crew that embraces Grubb as one of their own. There's no time for Grubb to settle into his new role as apprentice to the strange, secretive Mr. Grim. When the Odditorium comes under attack, Grubb is whisked off on a perilous adventure. Only he can prevent the Odditorium's magic from falling into evil hands—and his new family from suffering a terrible fate. Grubb knows he's no hero. He's just a chimney sweep. But armed with only his courage and wits, Grubb will confront the life-or-death battle he alone is destined to fight.

A delightful read that wonderful captures the England of Dickens. The voice of Grubb is the perfect vehicle to tell this story. I swear I heard that boy talking in my head. Looking forward to booktalking this one. And especially delighted that I can see so many tie-ins for the study unit that grade seven does on The Christmas Carol and Victorian England. A bonus on a book I would book talk irregardless!

I am halfway through book two in this series which comes out tomorrow. More on that next week.

Happy Reading in 2016 all! And...Happy Marvelous Middle Grade Monday! Looking for mor MMGM reads? Head on back to Shannon Messenger's Blog...

Holiday Readathon & Mini Challenge Giveaway

Well now. It seems as though my blogging has become all about joining in on read-a-thons!

 So, big big thanks to those who take the time to organize and host them! This time around it is Joli @ Actin' Up With Books. She is hosting the Sixth annual International HOLIDAY #READATHON!  It takes place over the next three days and you pace yourself. Read a few minutes, read for hours. Read each day. Read just today. Read just on Saturday. Just Sunday. In other words....it's up to you! Along the way they will great prizes and challenges you can take part in as well. Speaking of prizes here's mine:

ENTER TO WIN up to 30.00 worth of books from Book Depository.

First Entry

Let me know one or some favourite all time book/s.

Extra Entry

Donate to your local support group. Your choice of what and how! A simple donated is all I need, but do share who and what if you like.

Extra Extra Entry

Reading Slump Tips. My teen book club members and I have been talking book reading slumps lately  What do you do to end the slump? Relax and wait it out? Keep on trying?

You have until the end of the read-thon (Dec. 6). I will draw for a winner Monday morning (Dec. 7) Be sure to leave me an email or link to your twitter or blog so I can contact you!

AND THE WINNER IS!!!!!

 I took everyone's name and wrote it down however many entries they qualified for (ie everyone's name went in at least twice, many went in three times) and put all the names into a web based random name generator...up popped...


Congrats and happy shopping!
Happy Holiday Read-a-Thon-ing all!

24 Hour Readathon-A quick wrap up and Closing Survey

I woke up around 2 thinking I could keep on a reading and blog hop cheering. I got a graphic novel read a blog written then then fell asleep shortly after this post. And when I say fell asleep I mean right past the final hour (6:00 AM ) and into this one (7:30 AM).

But I must say it was a fantastic readathon. I cannot thank the organizers, event hosts and cheerleaders enough. Already looking forward to the next one.


In the end I read three novels (two MG and one YA), almost four graphic novels (all YA) and started listening to Rick Riordan's latest The Sword of Summer: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard. One of my students bought her own copy and is reading it, loving it and I can see why. It's funny, it's about the Norse Gods and as always the author immediately creates a character you want to read about. And this is to say nothing of the BEST chapter headings ever. Her words (the students) and now mine.

On to The Closing Survey:

Which hour was most daunting for you? Without a doubt hour 11 to 18 I was dragging and my brain was done reading. 

Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? One I would highly recommend is The distance between lost and found by Kathryn Holmes. 

Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? I don't. You all set the bar pretty high.

What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? Although this is really my first time cheerleading, I thought the spreadsheet system worked well.

How many books did you read? In total I completed five and started two others.

What were the names of the books you read? The Iron Trial/The distance between lost and found/Through the Woods/In Real Life/The Copper Guantlet. The ones I didn't quite get done are Rapunzel's Revenge and The Sword of Summer

Which book did you enjoy most? The distance between lost and found
Which did you enjoy least? In Real Life
If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? I found what worked well for me was read an hour, cheerlead for fifteen with give and take on each time.
How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? For on participating next time and wouldn't mind trying to host a mini challenge!

Now, my fuzzy brain and I are off to read some wrap up posts from other participants and make some notes on how I am going to do this next time, because there will be a nest time oh yes there will. Until then....Happy Reading (and Resting)!

Dewey's 24 Hour Readathon-The Wee Hours and a Mini Challenge

Well, I napped for a few hours. Was only going to be a couple, but yeah, tired, very tired. Woke up, did some cheerleading, read this:

Got half way through this:

Am still pretty gosh darn sleepy! So a nice little wake me up came from The Book Monsters Shelfie Challenge! Thanks to them and here is one of the many shelves in my house (and the one I have been getting my TBRs from for the readathon):

That's it for now. Only a couple more hours before it is over. That makes this hour 23! 

Happy reading, snacking, cheerleading...sleeping everyone!