How much do you know the 1800s in America--well, San Francisco and the Barbary Coast? We all learn about the gold rush and know it is a bit of the Wild West at this time, but what was life really like? Today we are sharing a historical fiction middle grades novel that shares a bit of insight. It is The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince by Bobbi Miller. It is recommended for ages 9 to 12.
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Shawn Hainsworth to bring you this post.
Do you have trouble getting your child to finish a book? As kids get older the books get longer and for the reluctant reader it can be hard to finish one. This is where graphic novels come in handy. Think about it, you have a kid who has always struggled with staying still and you are asking them to sit still and read a novel. Graphic novels are usually full of action and entertaining just like we found comic books when we were younger, but graphic novels are longer than most comic books, so they have more of a plot and count as reading a novel in most schools. For kids who cannot sit still, an action-packed graphic novel is perfect. Today we are sharing one that is great for those kids who need constant motion. The book is Zicky: Wrath of the Rat King created by Darin S. Cape and illustrated by Zeno Decrux and Hiorsh Gabotto. It is recommended for ages 9 and up and there is a giveaway at the end of this post!
As autumn is hitting New England one often thinks about the trees. Well, I guess the leaves. When Hazel was young, we would take nature walks around the neighborhood and collect leaves. We would do crafts with them, and I would try to teach her about the kinds of trees in the neighborhood. It is important for the next generation to understand the importance of nature and taking care of it. Today we are sharing a middle grade book about a girl and some large trees. It has some STEM in it as well as the normal life things--friends, family, etc. The book is Nora T and the Champion Tree by Mona Martin Batchelor and illustrations by Maggie Latimer. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Do you have a child in your life who loves graphic novels? Today we are sharing three middle grade graphic novels that range in types from fantasy to a book about siblings and friends on a trip to Japan. Between the three books the ages are 8 to 14. The first book is from The Wingfeather Saga. The Wingfeather Saga is four middle grade novels as well as an animated show. Today's book is the first graphic novel of the series! It is On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness by Andrew Peterson and illustrated by Alessia Trunfio. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this set of books in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Ryan Cowan to bring you this post.
Do you love Halloween? Do your kids/students? A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to share this book with you and today I am reviewing it again with its activity book! It has been interesting re-reading the book. It has been a while since I have re-read novels. The book is Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal by Ryan Cowan, and it is accompanied by Mr. Moonbeam and the Halloween Crystal Activity Book/Novel Study Grades 3-5 also by Ryan Cowan. Now the book has 31 chapters, and the activity book has activity pages for each chapter, so this book is amazing for a countdown to Halloween! After my review is a giveaway!!
If you could wish for something for yourself, what would it be? Would it be to meet someone famous? Or go somewhere you've never been? Or do something you always wanted to but never would get the chance to? Today we are sharing a middle school novel about three kids who have different illnesses and decide that even though they are "too old" for wishes they will make them but only if all three of them can be at each other's. Then they each struggle with their choices, family, friendships and dealing with their illness. The book is Wish You Well by Jamie Sumner. It is recommended for ages 10+.
I love a good mystery. It is my favorite genre of books to read. Today we are sharing a middle grade mystery that is well written and does so much more than just entertain. The kid detectives in the book use prayer as their secret weapon. It is a very Christian book with some scripture in the story as well. The book is the first in the Kingswell Kid Detective Series. It is The Mystery of the Missing Falls by Jen Weaver and Gayle Veitenheimer. After my review there is a giveaway!
There are many believes about what happens after death. Many cultures believe in an afterlife. Even going back to the myths there are stories of the underworld. We have shared a few books that share different views on the afterlife. Today we are sharing a new middle grade graphic novel about two kids who venture into the Land of the Dead to find loved ones. The book is Through the Black Gate by Alfredo Cáceres. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
It is hard to believe that the United States is celebrating 250 years this week! We have been sharing a bunch of different books for different ages that are perfect for celebrating and learning more about the United States. Topics include Independence Day, individual states, historical figures and events and so much more! Today we are sharing a second book from the Who HQ Graphic Novel series. (You can read about the first one here.) Today is our final book in this collection but we are sure there will be many more books about the United States over time! The book today is Who Was Accused in the Salem Witch Trials? Tituba by Insha Fitzpatrick and illustrated by Rowan MacColl. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12 and is a graphic novel.
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Alan J. Hesse to bring you this post.
Do you have a reader who loves graphic novels? Perhaps you want him/her to read more educational themed books? Today we are sharing a fun middle grade graphic novel about climate change and in particular about the Amazon Rain Forest and climate change. It is the fifth book in The Adventures of Captain Polo Series. The book is The Adventures of Captain Polo: Polo in Brazil by Alan J. Hesse. After my review is a giveaway for the whole series so far!
Independence Day is quickly approaching! It is a special year for the BIG celebration of 250 years!! We have been sharing nonfiction books for different ages to help celebrate the big anniversary. Today we are sharing another group of books to help celebrate and learn more about the country and states. Several were released last week! The first book is 250 Facts About America by J. D. Forester and illustrated by Risa Rodil. This book is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Have you caught World Cup Fever? I feel like every time I turn around, I am hearing about it or seeing merchandise for it. It is on the news almost daily and of course with some of the games being in the Boston area, it is all anyone is talking about. The first game in Boston is about a week away and people are getting excited for it, or they are dreading it because of the crowds that will be coming this week. However, I am looking at it like the Olympics. It is a positive time where countries gather and compete in a friendly way. Our world needs more friendly. The first book is a picture book. It is The World's Game by Yamile Saied Méndez and illustrated by Andrés Landazábal. It is recommended for ages 3 to 7.
Sometimes life is difficult. Sometimes family is difficult. And sometimes the hardest thing is escaping and standing up for yourself. Today we get to share a new book written in verse about a young girl and her mother who escape a tough situation. They escape to a ranch that raises dogs to help with bears. The book is called Kestrel Takes Flight and is by Joy McCullouogh. It is recommended for ages 10+.
Happy Memorial Day!! To honor our fallen soldiers, we thought we would share a book about them. We are focusing on the Civil War and the middle grade graphic novel we are sharing is more about how the Civil War was reported to the citizens of the United States and in particular by Alfred Waud. The book is What Was the Turning Point in the Civil War? Alfred Waud Goes to Gettysburg by Ellen T. Crenshaw. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12. It is not only great for Memorial Day but also helps teach some of the history of the USA just in time for the big 250th celebration in July!
It is hard to imagine a new take on middle school life. There are many books out there about the average life of middle school students. There are the friendships, first loves and family and everything else. Today we are sharing an interesting middle grade novel about a middle school student who time travels each year and all her family and friends do too! The book is Lily Tripp Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler by Amelia Tait. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.
In this day and age, there seems to be a lot to talk about. There are the environmental issues around the world. There are rights and protections that seem to be in the possibility of being lost. Today we are sharing a magical middle grade novel that could lead to discussions about some of these issues. The book is The Genie Game by Jordan Ifueko. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.
Do you read for fun? Do your kids? According to a flyer shared with one of the books: "Reading for fun in the US has fallen by nearly 40 percent!" For many kids reading has become a chore. It is not fun when you don't get to read what you want. For reluctant readers and others graphic novels bring some of the fun back to reading. Today we are sharing two middle grade novels that are fun and interesting and even have some facts in them! The first is A Fishboy Named Sashimi by Dan Santat. This book is recommended for ages 6 to 10 and is the first in a series.
April is poetry month and today we are going to share a book written in reverso poetry. They say history repeats itself and today's book illustrates this in a powerful way. The book is Barbed Wire Between Us by Mia Wenjen and illustrated by Violeta Encarnación. It is recommended for ages 7 to 12.
Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.
It has been a while since I have shared a middle grade book. Today we are sharing a newly released fantasy middle grade novel. It is the first book in a series. The book is The Traitor Moth by Katharine Orton. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Life can be hard. It is extra hard when your dog is gone. You are not sure where, but he is gone. Was he stolen? You best friend doesn't seem to care and is acting strange. Perhaps the friendship is over. Oh, and your father is on one of his disappearances again too. Yup, life can be hard in the middle grades. This is the middle grade novel we are sharing today. It is called Glory Be by Jamie Sumner. It is written in verse. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
