The One And Only Ivan is quite a departure from Katherine Applegate’s Animorphs series, allowing for Applegate’s writing to truly shine in this middle grade break out novel. Ivan is a silver back gorilla who has lived in captivity as a feature at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall And Video Arcade for 27 years. […]
Inside Out And Back Again Thanhha Lai Book Review
February 16, 2012
Inside Out And Back Again by Thanhha Lai combines three of my favorite things – middle grade, history, and free verse. Inside Out And Back Again is a National Book Award winning story told in four parts about Ha and her family’s immigration from war torn Vietnam to Alabama.
The Humming Room Ellen Potter Book Review
February 14, 2012
Oh friends, I love reading books that just fuel my love of the middle grade category. The Humming Room by Ellen Potter is a very small book. Your eye might not even see it on the shelf – which is quite unfortunate. I’ve not seen much fanfare for The Humming Room which is a shame, because it’s […]
Okay For Now Gary D. Schmidt Audiobook Review
February 6, 2012
I’m absolutely in love with Okay For Now by Gary D. Scmidt. Whether it’s the endearing characters -in particular Doug Swieteck who worships Joe Pepitone and is concerned about being a chump, the multiple themes that all built on each other, the late 1960s setting in MY state or Scmidt’s capture of the essence of […]
The Cabinet Of Earths Anne Nesbet Book Review
January 30, 2012
The Cabinet Of Earths, Anne Nesbet’s debut middle grade novel examines larger ideas. What would you sacrifice to live forever? What would you give for your sick mom to get better? These are the questions Maya Davidson, 12 year old protagonist of The Cabinet Of Earths grapples with.
Tuesdays At The Castle Jessica Day George Book Review
January 26, 2012
Friends, I LOVE it when setting is a character and Tuesdays At The Castle by Jessica Day George just fuels this love. When King and Queen Glower disappear and are considered to be dead, a few opportunists try to shove out Celie and her siblings Lilah and heir Rolf. Celie, however, turns to Castle Glower […]