Summer Reading List Middle Grade Version

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions are my own.

Schools are ending and summer vacations are beginning. But that means summer reading is beginning as well!! Earlier this week we shared a roundup of new picture books for 4- to 8-year-olds. Today we are sharing the middle grade roundup including three new books--two of which will be reviewed today. (The third will be reviewed later this summer!) There is a variety of books here and there is something for everyone in the age range of 8- to 12-year-olds. The first book is the only graphic novel on the list. It is Space Chasers by Leland Melvin and Joe Caramagna and illustrated by Alison Acton.

New Picture Books Perfect for Summer Reading

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is hard to believe that school is almost out, and summer is almost upon us. We had the high school graduation on Friday. I have some classroom cleanup to do and then conferences next week, but otherwise I am done! Summer means so many things. Of course, there is often a summer reading assignment as well as summer reading programs at libraries and Barnes and Noble. Grades 1 through 6 can read eight books this summer and get a free book at Barnes and Noble. When Hazel was younger, I liked to come up with different themes for us to explore in the summer. This summer I plan to share some themes and resources with you. We will start today with a roundup of new picture books that are perfect for 4 to 8-year-olds. With each book there are ideas of activities or more books to check out with it. Happy reading!

Oshún and Me: A Story of Love and Braids -- Picture Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

I always love seeing Black people with braids. I once had some braids put in my hair at a diversity camp. It takes a long time to do them. I cringe when I hear about people not being able to wear their hair in traditional or cultural ways. It saddens me that anyone thinks they should have the power to tell someone how to wear their hair. I understand if you join a group like the military--you know what to expect, but in everyday life like school, kids should get to choose. Today I am going to share a book that spreads new light on the tradition of braids. The book is Oshún and Me: A Story of Love and Braids by Adiba Nelson and illustrated by Alleanna Harris. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6. 

A Gift of Dust: How Saharan Plumes Feed the Planet -- Picture Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Did you know that the dust from the Sahara reaches the United States? Back in March 2023, Hazel and I were visiting my close friend in Amelia Island, Ferdinand, Florida. There are many cool things to see there besides my friend and her husband. (Be sure to check out American Beach if you are there! Talk about history.) However, their condo is on the beach and from the deck you can see the ocean and the sunrise and from the balcony on the other side you can see the sunset. It is pretty cool. We were also able to see the moonrise. Did you know the moon rises? I had never thought about it before, but it makes sense. Anyway, while we were there the moonrise was a red moon. Later in the evening it would be back to a whitish yellow, but it always rose red. (See picture below.) My friend's husband told us this was because of dust in the Sahara Desert. I didn't totally get it but believed him. He is very into knowing things like this.

Survive This Safari -- Middle Grade Novel Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Are you looking for a summer reading book for your 8 to 12-year-old? I have a wonderful one!! I will also be doing a summer reading list soon. I have to get through a few more of my chapter books to complete it! Today's book will definitely be on it. Last week we shared a book about an animal race and today we are sharing one about an animal sanctuary competition. Both are amazing books and perfect middle grade summer reads. Today's book is Survive This Safari by Natalie D. Richards. 

Picture Books Featuring School & More!

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

It is hard to believe it is almost the end of May and thus almost the end of the school year! When are your kids out of school? I only have a week and half left of work with kids in my room. Today I am going to share three new books that have different school themes to them. The first book is Together, a Forest: Drawing Connections Between Nature's Diversity and Our Own by Roz MacLean. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

Armando & The Amazing Animal Race -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Diana Schaffter to bring you this post.

Are you an animal lover? I find many kids are. I feel like there are some great new books featuring animals as well as climate change. Today I am sharing an amazing middle grade novel that dives into the amazing world of animals and tries to bring to light some of the endangered animals. But it also is a riveting, action-packed story full of relationships and adventure. The book is Armando & the Amazing Animal Race by Diana Schaffter. There is a giveaway at the end of the post to enter!

The Traveling Taco: The Amazing & Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Where do tacos come from? What about pizza? We have all heard stories of food coming from one place or another and even some stories about different places claiming the first of a food. Today I get to share a fun new book with you that explores the origins of some of our favorite foods and how they became what they are today. The book is The Traveling Taco: The Amazing & Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods by Mia Wenjen and illustrated by Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong. Mia blogs over at Pragmatic Mom and is cofounder of Read Your World (formerly Multicultural Children's Book Day). The book is recommended for ages 5 to 8. 

Picture Books About Finding Your Home

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What makes a place a home? What happens when you move? What about when your family left your home country before you were born? What if your home country is no longer on the map? Today I am sharing some picture books that help to answer some of these questions. One book is about moving and the other is about trying to find Palestine on a map and perhaps help the discussion that is needed with it. The first book is Home Is a Wish by Julia Kuo. It is recommended for ages 3 to 6.

The Glass Pyramid -- Book Review & Giveaway with Pyramid Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey to bring you this post.

What is the most famous art museum in the world? I would say it is the Louvre. I know I would love to go there and see the Mona Lisa in person. How about you? Today I get to share with you a book that tells the story of how I.M. Pei designed and built the glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre. The book is The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I.M. Pei by Jeanne Walker Harvey and illustrated by Khoa Le. To go with this book, I am sharing a roundup of pyramid crafts and activities and there is a giveaway at the end!

Pop Manga Postcards & Stickers

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Are you into manga? It seems like manga is a growing artwork. It is originally a graphic novel from Japan. Now we see manga style artwork without the comic part. Today we are sharing some new manga artwork product by Camilla d'Errico. The products are post cards and a sticker book. The post cards are Pop Manga Postcards. 

New Books About the Importance of Family

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Family is important. Each family is unique. Each family has its own traditions. And each has its own problems. Family can be blood relatives or ones we pick. Families can be human families or animal families. Today we are sharing a roundup of new picture books about families. These books are for the range of 4- to 8-year-olds. Each has powerful messages and each is very different. We will begin with Fierce Aunties! by Laurel Goodluck and illustrated by Steph Littlebird. 

Read and Play Rocket -- Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A few weeks ago I shared a middle grades book about the first trip to the moon and the amazing photograph of Earth. In that post I shared some pictures from our recent visit to Kennedy Space Center. Today I am sharing a fun book about a rocket, Artemis III to be exact and that turns into a toy rocket. The book is Read-and-Play Rocket by Bridget Heos and illustrated by Sona Avedikian. Even though it is a board book, it is recommended for ages 4 to 8. I would say the story itself if for the older side of this group.

I LOVE Blueberries! -- Book Review with Blueberry Recipe & Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Are you a berry lover? What is your favorite berry? Mine is blueberries. Perhaps that is why I'm so excited to share today's book. The book is I Love Blueberries! by Shannon Anderson and illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett. A few years ago, I reviewed their other book: I Love Strawberries! It is recommended for 5- to 9-year-olds.  At the end of this post I have a roundup of blueberry recipes and crafts. 

Feelings Are Like Farts -- Picture Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Do you remember being embarrassed by your feelings? How about when you farted? Ever let a toot go and hope no one realized it was you? Or perhaps you cried or yelled in front of everyone and later regretted it? Feelings can be very hard to navigate especially when you are young. Today I get to share with you a book that normalizes all feelings. The book is Feelings Are Like Farts by Christopher Willard and Tara Wosiski and illustrated by Toshiki Nakamura. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

New Books for Spring & Easter

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Spring has sprung however you wouldn't know it here. I saw snow mixed in with our April showers today. I however love spring. I love seeing the world come back to life after the long winter. I love seeing the blooms and thinking about things like gardening, getting outdoors and for my family, Easter. What do you think about when spring comes? Today I am sharing four books with you that are perfect for celebrating spring and Easter. We will start with the books for just spring. The first is Alfred Blooms by Carrie Kruck and illustrated by Carmen Mok. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. 

A Teacher's View on DEI

 

I have always believed in equal rights. I truly believe each of us is equal and deserves to be treated with kindness and respect (unless they are doing something to hurt you or those you love). I have shown this side of me throughout Crafty Moms Share and am a proud member of Multicultural Kids Blogs and reviewer (and have been cohost) of Read Your World Day (formerly Multicultural Children's Book Day). As a teacher I have worked hard to make students of different cultures, ethnicities, races, genders, abilities, etc. feel welcome and included. I began teaching in public schools in the mid 1990's. There was some diversity as to race in the schools I taught in but not much. Most was due to busing programs in Boston. I helped develop and run diversity programs in several schools in which I taught and went through various diversity training. I have even been an advisor/chaperone at Anytown. Each of these trainings and experiences have made me a better teacher. In general, I try not to get involved in politics or speak about them here. However sometimes I find I have to speak out. This is one of those times. My heart is breaking as President Trump is trying to get rid of DEI programs in schools as well as elsewhere. Today I am going to share why I feel it is so important to have DEI programs in schools.

The Flicker -- Middle Grades Dystopia Novel Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

In our chaotic world, sometimes it is not hard to think about the end of the world. After all we have environmental problems everywhere. The wildfires have been raging around the world and certainly across the country. Hazel and I recently binge watched the show, The 100, on Netflix. It is about the human world after a nuclear war. Many people were able to leave Earth and live in space. However, their united ships are now running out of air and supplies. They decide to send 100 teenagers who have been imprisoned for breaking a law to Earth to see if it is inhabitable yet. As we were watching this show I began to read The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon. The book and show have many similarities as both are dystopia. There are some similar thoughts and ideas and yet they are so different. Today I get to share The Flicker with you. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

If Kamala Can ... You Can Too! -- Book Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own.

Our world seems to be very chaotic lately. Many people are upset by the election. Yet, our society does it by popular vote at least by popular vote to electors, and Kamala Harris did not win. Today however I am sharing a beautiful picture book about Kamala Harris and all she has accomplished. The book is If Kamala Can ... You Can Too! by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Ariana Pacino. It is recommended for ages 5 to 10. It is a perfect book for Women's History Month as well as Black History Month and Asian and Pacific Island Heritage Month. 

Energy Wars: The Awakening -- Book Review & Giveaway

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Jodi Dee to bring you this post.

Have you ever thought about what happens when someone insults or upsets another? Today I get to share a middle grades/middle school novel that shares a bit about the science of bioenergy fields as well as a fantasy element. The book is the first in a series. It is Energy Wars: The Awakening by Jodi Dee. There is a giveaway at the end of this post.