Three Middle Grade Recommendations

Every once in awhile, I deviate from my adult and young adult fiction reading to pick up books in other genres and age groupings. This week I zoomed my way through three middle grade books. While this is not my main age group reading of choice, I do like diving in every now and again. I like that these books tend to be tightly paced and get right to the point. That is something that GREATLY appeals these days. Also? I have a child who is soon to enter his MG years, so I like knowing what kinds of books to buy for him. He loves comic books and plays a sport, so it felt like these three books may appeal to him. 

El Nino by Pam Munoz Ryan

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Esperanza Rising comes a riveting story that blends myth, fantasy, and reality into an entrancing adventure, perfect for fans of Meg Medina, Kate DiCamillo, and Rick Riordan.

* "Glistens like sunlight on waves." -School Library Journal, starred review

* "Ryan's skill as a writer shines." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

"An inventive, absorbing novel." -New York Times Book Review

Sometimes the only way to hold onto what we love is to let go.

Kai Sosa is so passionate about swimming he is practically a fish. This summer, he's determined to become the athlete he once was on an elite swim team.

But something invisible holds him back. His race times are off. Dreams of his sister Cali haunt him. And he hasn't found her missing gold cuff, her last request. Mom is still talking about grief, even though it's been two years since she disappeared. He's fine now, isn't he?

When Kai discovers a library book Cali had checked out multiple times-about an underwater realm and a mysterious place called the Library of Despair and Sorrow-details from the story begin to appear in his own life: dolphin pods, imposing rock towers, unusual sea creatures, and even Cali's beloved bracelet. As myth and reality collide, El Niño unleashes its fury, and Kai is swept up in a storm of events that will change his understanding of love, death, grief, and how best to honor those we've lost.

Exquisitely packaged with breathtaking illustrations by award-winning artist Joe Cepeda and printed in blue ink.

El Nino by Pam Munoz Ryan is a beautiful middle grade book that blends an exploration of grief along with the fantastical and then we add a sports element. The story follows Kai whose sister Cali disappeared two years ago. Since she’s been gone, presumed dead, Kai has not been performing to his usual swimming standard. His father also used to be really involved in the kids’ sports as he was a previous champion swimmer himself. Kai is about to start on a new elite team – Team Aquarius. However, he finds that his attention is drawn to this book his sister had checked out of the library. The book is about Queen Califia who protects the island of California from those who are greedy. Further, we see the impact of climate change and El Nino on the Bay area where Kai lives -as flooding as well as usage fo sandbags are depicted.  I found that reading this book really was a tactile experience. The book has beautifully rendered illustrations throughout. Also, the font is this blue color rather than the traditional black. It is quite an immersive experience. If you’ve got a middle grader in your life who likes sports and may be an emerging reader — El Nino is the perfect book to hand them.

Refugee: The Graphic Novel by Alan Gratz

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

The timeless #1 New York Times bestseller Refugee is brought to life in a stunning graphic novel adaptation!

JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world...

ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety in America...

MAHMOUD is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe...

All three kids must endure harrowing journeys. All face unimaginable dangers. But there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, shocking connections will tie their stories together in the end.

Refugee is a modern classic that has spent over 5 years on the New York Times bestseller list, and garnered several awards and much acclaim. Brought to life with rich, gorgeous illustrations by artist Syd Fini, this hotly anticipated graphic novel will attract a whole new generation of fans.

I want to preface my thoughts on Refugee: The Graphic Novel by Alan Gratz by saying that I’ve not yet read Refugee, the original novel. I went into this book with no context or expectations. Refugee: The Graphic Novel was EXCELLENT. This story follows three youths who are leaving their country of origin in hopes of finding safer harbor. We have Josef who is leaving Nazi Germany in 1939. He is on the St. Louis and if you know anything about history, you know the ending isn’t great for the St. Louis. In 1994 we have Isabel, who is trying to float on a raft with her family from Cuba to Florida. Finally, in 2015 we have Mahmoud, who is trying to leave Aleppo, Syria with his family for the safety of Germany. There is a little connection between all three stories. I found myself on edge reading these stories. There was one part where I had to look up spoilers from the original novel because I was stressed. I’m still stressed, being for real. Overall, this book really drove home the plight of refugees around the world. I think it is so important, particularly in the political climate in which I live. This is a great book for building empathy in kids for children who live in different situations from them. I also think that the graphic novel format now makes this story significantly more accessible to children who are emerging readers. It is tightly paced. The art is interesting. What is going on in this book is crystal clear and very easy to follow.

Facing Feelings: Inside The World Of Raina Telgemeier

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.

Spend an afternoon with Raina as she shares her artwork and tells stories about a range of topics spanning from her childhood to the creation of her graphic novels Smile, Sisters, Guts, Drama, and Ghosts!

Raina Telgemeier is the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning cartoonist who has been at the forefront of today's middle-grade graphic novel boom and has published several beloved books that are widely regarded as modern classics. The idea to create FacingFeelings was born from an exhibition featuring Raina's work that was shown at The Ohio State University's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. This book explores how Raina developed into a legendary cartoonist, looks at the artists who influenced her work, and considers why her art resonates so strongly with readers of all ages. Rare artwork, an interview, special commentary from Raina, and more are included!

Facing Feelings: Inside The World Of Raina Telgemeier is an interesting concept of a book. This book goes beyond being a biography of Telgemeier. It is apparently based upon a museum exhibit that is focused on Telgemeier’s influences and works. I guess I walked into this book expecting it to be a straightforward biography and to be entirely a graphic novel. It is not. There is a long interview in this book between Raina Telgemeier and I believe the museum curator. It was okay but I think dragged for me because I was expecting a full graphic novel, not a long prose interview. I did like learning about the author’s influences and process of creating, plus how she grew up doing cartoon journaling. After reading this, I ended up putting all of Telgemeier’s books on hold at the library. The audience for this book was clearly not me. The audience would be youths who are superfans of Telgemeier. Also, this could would really well for youths who want to become cartoonists or pursue a career in art. I did think it was awesome to learn about how Raina Telgemeier was on the ground floor of making graphic novels for kids and that the genre really exploded once she became a part of it.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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