As you know, I love fairy tales. We have done many posts sharing different fairy tales as well as a series of fairy tales in different cultures. Today I get to share with you a middle grades novel that is a mix of modern life and classic fairy tales. It is The Day I Fell Into a Fairy Tale by Ben Miller. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Have you ever felt like you were getting sick but needed to keep getting things done? Or perhaps you have a child who doesn't slow down even though he/she is obviously getting sick? Today's book is perfect for this situation. It is a fun picture book about a dragon who is getting sick but doesn't want to quit. The book is Roar-Choo! by Charlotte Cheng and illustrated by Dan Santat.
On March 14, mathematicians and much of the world celebrate Pi Day. Since the approximation of the number pi is 3.14, March 14th was picked for the day. It was first celebrated in 1988 in San Francisco. As a math teacher I get excited for Pi Day, however our school is always on spring break on March 14th so I don't get to celebrate it with my students. This year I thought I would do a round-up of Pi Day activities and try to share ones for different age groups since much of what I see are for younger kids and I teach high school. Be sure to start your celebration with some pi jokes and riddles like these. Some of the Best Things in Life Are Mistakes shares a round-up of free Pi Day decorations! By the way Pi Day is also Albert Einstein's birthday. You can also have a birthday celebration for Albert!
Today I get to share a fun new middle grades novel. It features Asian-American middle school girls that are creative, intelligent and trying to figure out life and how to get their dreams to come true. The book is Gigi Shin Is Not a Nerd by Lyla Lee. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12 and was released this week.
Middle school can be so hard. There are so many changes happening during this time. Barbara Dee captures so much of it and in her novels gives advice and ideas. I have shared many of her middle school novels over the years. My favorite being Maybe He Just Likes You which I honestly think every middle school student, teacher and parent should read! Today's novel is my close second favorite of Barbara Dee's works. The book is Unstuck. It is recommended for ages 9 to 13.
The lunar new year began last week. In the Chinese zodiac it is the year of the dragon. With the celebration of the lunar new year there are many different superstitions that people of different cultures hold. I shared some fun facts a few years ago about it in particular in the Chinese culture. Today I am sharing a book about a Chinese American girl who is dealing with the loss of her very superstitious father as well as being in middle school. The book is Maybe It's a Sign by E.L. Shen. Lunar new year seems like the perfect time to share this book. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.
November is Native American Heritage Month. This year I have not done as much as I normally do for November. We shared a Native American picture book about protecting our water earlier this month. Today I am sharing a middle grades novel that is also written by a Native American. It shares a bit of folklore and myth about the origin of the Messenger's Feast. It is called Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson. The suggested reading age is 8 to 12.
It is hard to believe that Halloween is next week! Halloween is not a favorite holiday in my house. However, Hazel is getting back into dressing up for the holiday although her costume choices are getting more adult as well. This week I am mostly going to focus on some books for Halloween including today's. This middle grades novel is a thriller that takes place on Halloween. It is definitely a page turner and had me staying up late to read it. The book is The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Today I get to share with you a humorous book that has some lessons built in about self-worth, friendships and so much more! The book is The Bravest Warrior in Nefaria by Adi Alsaid. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12 and will have readers laughing and enjoying the story!
It is very rare to find a good math novel. I was once gifted The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure by Hans Magnus Enzenberger by a student's family. It is a middle grade novel, so I thought it was a bit strange (to receive as a high school teacher), but then I read it. I loved it. Unfortunately, it is out of print, and I loaned my copy to someone and never got it back. That is my biggest experience with a math novel. However today I am sharing a new math novel with you. It is not a fantasy as The Number Devil, but it has some great math in it and it is explained in ways that kids will be able to understand. The book is volume 1 of the Math Mysteries series. It is Math Mysteries: The Triple Threat by Aaron Starmer and illustrated by Marta Kissi. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
What do you think kids should know? Perhaps you have heard the podcast, Stuff You Should Know. Today I am sharing a book by the creators of the podcast for middle grade kids. It is appropriately called Stuff Kids Should Know by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant with Nils Parker. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12 and they are going to love it!
I feel like it has been a while since I shared a middle grade book. I am behind on my reading. Today however I am sharing a new (out today) middle grade graphic novel. This book delves into the differences of people and cultures as well as a bit about a loggerhead turtle. To go with this book, I am providing a round-up of over 30 turtle crafts, activities, and more. The book is Saving Sunshine by Saadia Faruqi and illustrated by Shazleen Khan. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
A few weeks ago I shared some spider fun facts and spider craft round-up with the promise of two books involving spiders. I shared a picture book about the day in the life of a jumper spider and then went on vacation. Today I am sharing the middle grades novel that involves a mechanical spider. The book is a perfect summer STEM novel. It is The Girl Who Built a Spider by George Brewington. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
As the summer begins it is time to find books for summer reading. Today I get to share a fun new middle grades novel that is perfect for summer reading and adventures. It is The Kingdom Over the Sea by Zohra Nabi. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Can we talk about an important subject in every girl's life? It was taboo to discuss at one time. But perhaps you remember Stephen King's book, Carrie, or the movie based on it. I remember reading it as a child and of course with my name being Carrie I hear about it all the time. Perhaps it is the first time I really thought about menstruation discussed in public. After all Carrie White is ridiculed by her classmates when she gets her first period in high school. But these days there is more discussion as well as some more issues. Just a year ago we were still experience supply chain issues with tampons and sanitary napkins. Twenty-six states tax menstrual products as a luxury tax! The supplies for the average period is said to cost $20. Some menstruators have to decide between food and menstrual products! (Source) Today I get to share with you a book released today that delves into some of these issues. It is called Code Red and is by Joy McCullough. It is recommended for ages 8 plus.
Today I get to share with you the second book in the Lia Park series! I reviewed the first book last year and couldn't wait to get my hands on the second one. It was released last week!! The second book is Lia Park and the Heavenly Heirlooms by Jenna Yoon. It is a middle grades novel series recommended for ages 8 to 12.
Being a children's book reviewer, I read many different books. Every once in a while, I come across one that I feel every child should read and should be read in every class for a certain age. Today I am sharing one of those books with you. It is a book that delves into bullying, body image, and self-confidence and the main character is male!! The book is A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner. It is recommended for grades 3 to 7.
Today I am sharing a new middle grades novel that is perfect for your reluctant readers and anyone who likes a bit of adventure. The book is a mix of sci fi and history and lots of humor. The book is World's Worst Time Machine by Dustin Brady. It is recommended for ages 7 through 11.
Today I get to share with you a new middle school graphic novel. It is about the summer the author went on a three-week tour of Europe and experienced many firsts in his life. The book is A First Time for Everything by Dan Santat. It is recommended for ages 10 to 14.
Today I am going to share a book that I should have shared with you awhile ago. Unfortunately, I am still trying to find balance between teaching and life and finding time to read. The book I am sharing today is The Tiltersmith by Amy Herrick. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12.
