-
The Encyclopedia of Me
The Encyclopedia of Me written by Karen Rivers was an interesting take on the middle school drama that all girls go through. Rather than a novel, The Encyclopedia of Me is actually written as an encyclopedia with entries for each letter that actually works really well as a story too!…
-
Almost Home
Almost Home written by one of my personal favorites – Joan Bauer and is about a 12-year-old girl named Sugar. When her grandfather dies and her father runs off yet again, Sugar’s mother loses their home and Sugar is left homeless – lost and confused and unsure where to turn.…
-
The Whole Story of a Half Girl
The Whole Story of a Half Girl written by Veera Hiranandani grabbed my attention, again due to the cover. It was definitely something I wanted to read and I’m so glad I did! Sonia Nadhamuni’s father loses his job and she is forced to go to public school for 6th grade. Never has her…
-
The Boy On Cinnamon Street
I am in love with Phoebe Stone’s cover art for many of her books. I recently read The Romeo and Juliet Code and I just picked up The Boy on Cinnamon Street this weekend. Her cover art is always something that makes me want to pick up her books and…
-
Dear Blue Sky
There are a number of middle grade stories about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but Dear Blue Sky written by Mary Sullivan, is one of the most realistic, heart wrenching, and real accounts of what life is like both for Americans and for people across the globe. The story begins…
-
Prairie Evers
Prairie Evers is a ten-year old girl who has been homeschooled by her grandmother until the family moves to upstate New York and her parents decide it’s time she goes to public school to be around children her own age. Prairie is content to stay at home on the farm…
-
One for the Murphys
When Carly Connors in placed in the foster care system at the age of twelve after an incident at home with her mother and step-father she is blindsided. The Murphy family with whom she is placed is drastically different from how she grew up and although it takes a little…
-
See You At Harry’s
See You At Harry’s written by Jo Knowles is a beautiful story filled with the complexities of middle school. Fern feels invisible at the age of 12 when her older siblings are beginning to distance themselves from childish games and her younger brother will not stop bothering her. Fern feels that…
-
The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars written by John Green is one of those books you pick and you know that no matter what there will a point in the story that you will cry. Personally, I dislike sad books… I hate crying while I’m reading, but The Fault in Our…
-
It’s Never Too Early to Think About the Newbery Award
In recent years, I’ve begun following the Newbery Award more closely. It’s extremely interesting because the Newbery Committee does not provide the public with a short list of books that they are looking at for receiving the award, but there are plenty of blogs circling the blogosphere that offer their own opinions…