Category: Middle Grade Fiction Review

REVIEW: Framed: A TOAST Mystery by James Ponti

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A Theory of Small Things Mystery.

Florian Bates. “Young Sherlock” and originator of TOAST, the Theory of All Small Things.  With observational skills like Shawn Spencer of the TV show, Psych, Florian uses TOAST to figure things out. Like the whereabouts of stolen paintings from an art museum. But a twelve-year-old gifted enough to work with the FBI is still a twelve-year-old. And a kid who puzzles things out from small clues can be misled by  well-placed small clues. And those kind of mistakes can lead Florian into danger!

Theory of Small Things mystery

Review

What a fantastic start to this mystery series!! Florian is a great character! He’s bright and creative as well as endearing and likeable. His best friend, Margaret, is a perfect match for him – smart enough to keep up with Florian yet with enough separation from the mystery to see danger potential. She has a mystery of her own to solve which starts in this book but will carry into a future story.

The mystery was really well done. Layers and red herrings keep the story going all the way to the end. Fun, laugh-out-loud moments added to the enjoyment. I look forward to reading MANY more TOAST mysteries in the future!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Friday Barnes, Girl Detective by R. A. Spratt

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Friday is a bright, bored middle schooler who puzzles out the solution to a bank robbery. The reward money lets Friday buy her way into a prestigious boarding school. While there, Friday uses her powers of observation and her crazy-high IQ to tackle some mysteries at her new school, too.

Brilliant Middle School Detective

Review

Wow, I liked this book! My first criteria for a “good” book is always the main character. Friday clicked for me from the start. Her family situation endeared her to me. But Friday handles her family’s quirks so matter-of-factly, I didn’t pity her.

Next, since this was a mystery, I needed the “cases” to be good. Friday is a bit Sherlockian in her methods and her brilliance. I didn’t feel like it was my job to solve the mystery before her. I didn’t have enough information. So instead I just got to sit back and watch Friday do her thing.

The thing I noticed most about this book, though, was the fast, snappy writing. It’s like watching an episode of The West Wing – part of you knows that there’s a wordy-ness to the writing. But at the same time the words are essential – no fluff. They are establishing a fast pace to every scene. The words are sharp and clever. I think this would be a fun story to read out loud.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

If this sounds like a good read for you – or someone you love – be sure to have book 2, Under Suspicion, handy because this one ends on a cliff hanger. Books three and four are coming in 2017 and are pictured below.

REVIEW: The Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The origin story of Santa! A boy and his father, poor and struggling. An opportunity to change their fortunes. The abusive guardian. A dangerous journey. Good deeds. Hope. Loss. All of these elements – and more – make up the fairy-tale-like beginnings of Father Christmas!

Origin story of Santa

Review

I really enjoyed this middle grade Christmas story. I definitely felt like I was reading a fairy tale. There’s even a Disney-esque quality to it where some amount of personal tragedy spurs the hero on his journey.

All of the classic Santa bits are here – elves, flying reindeer, gifts in stockings. But the author does a great job of doling them out in the service of the larger story. They aren’t just dumped in. (The reference to Rudolph was especially fun.)

The end of the book shifts focus from the story of Nikolas the boy to the quest of Nikolas the man to find his purpose. It almost feels like an extended epilogue or a bonus story. It feels different in tone from the larger story.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

I think this would make a great seasonal read for families to enjoy together!

REVIEW: Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A novel in verse. Garvey is a smart, bookish kid. He loves reading and music. His dad wants him to be athletic, but his sister is the sporty one. Garvey longs for his father to see him – value him – love him – for who he is.

Novel in Verse

Review

I love this book for a few very specific reasons. First, I love Garvey. I love his insight into the dynamic with his dad. I love how he begins to love himself as he is. I love how he tries something new and finds that he has a gift.

Second, I love Garvey’s friends. They love him for who he is. They encourage him to be himself. When he tries to address his weight issues in a healthy way, they support him and stand beside him.

Third, I love a story that deals well with the issue of identity. I think identity is such a huge part of growing up. Kids wonder who they are supposed to be. They try on different identities to see which ones fit. They have pressure from outside forces as well as their internal struggle. And stories that look at identity creatively and that reflect the struggle in authentic and hopeful ways, are a treasure to kids – and to the adults who love them and want to help them on the journey.

Finally, I love the way the author conveys so much story, so much emotion, in so few words. This is a short book. It’s a fast read. The story flows so well you don’t really notice the poetry/format after awhile. But when you do notice it, you’re amazed by all the author can convey while following the rules of the form she chose.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

If you are interested in other novels in verse, try The Crossover by Kwame Alexander and Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

REVIEW: The Charming Life of Izzy Malone by Jenny Lundquist

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Izzy Malone struggles to fit in. She can’t compete at home with a musical prodigy older sister. She can’t compete at school where the other girls pick their rowing team based on popularity rather than skill. Izzy knows she doesn’t fit the typical mold. And for the most part she doesn’t care. But when your mom is running for mayor, the pressure to conform is even higher. Izzy’s only hope is a correspondence charm school. If she can complete the assignments, maybe she’ll finally find her place in the world.

Great books for kids

Review

This book was outstanding! I loved Izzy from the start. Earnest, confident and caring, Izzy just wants to be accepted for who she is. But she doesn’t feel that acceptance at home or at school.

The correspondence charm school is terrific. The tasks are simple at the outset, but nothing ever goes quite right. The letters give Izzy a chance to tell someone what’s really on her heart – and she feels affirmed and accepted in some ways for the first time.

The family dynamics are fascinating. As an adult, I could infer what’s going on with Izzy’s mom. For kids, this would be a great dynamic to discuss to help build empathy and understanding for others. The evolution of that relationship was satisfying – no magic solution, but progress, which felt realistic.

The heart of this story is what drew me in, compelled me to finish it in one sitting, and keeps me thinking about the characters and the story even after the book is closed. This is a book I will keep and read again. And one I will talk about with kids any chance I get.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase by Wendy Mass

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Logan, Miles, Daisy and Philip, stars of The Candymakers are back for Candymakers #2. The factory is ready to start making the harmonicandy – the winning entry from the contest in book one. But Logan realizes there’s a problem with the recipe. In an effort to fix things, the kids head out on an epic road trip to hunt down a 50 year old secret and try to make their harmonicandy dreams come true.

candymakers-2

Review

I have been recommending The Candymakers to students and parents for years! It is constructed in a unique and clever way. Each character takes a turn telling his/her part of section one of the story. Then section two is told all at once. It’s a great example of perspective and “voice” as it highlights each character  and his/her part of the story as a whole. The story gets new depth as each character adds his/her part of the story. It’s brilliant!

Each of the main four characters gets to tell his/her story again this time, going deeper into their family stories and into how their lives changed because of the things that happened in the first book. About half of the book is told by all of the kids together. That’s when the road trip kicks off. I don’t want to give anything away but that road trip is not just about candy. It’s also about the past, the future and family.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

I can’t recommend these two books  highly enough! Please read them in order so you can really get all of the nuances in the relationships between the kids.

REVIEW: Ratpunzel by Ursula Vernon

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A princess adventure story! Princess Harriet and Prince Wilbur are off to find a missing hydra egg. Along the way, they meet Ratpunzel. She has a crazy-long tail that she can throw down from her tall tower. It’s how Mother Gothel gets into the tower. It’s how Harriet and Wilbur get up there, too! Pretty soon they aren’t just trying to find a missing hydra egg. They’re also trying to rescue Ratpunzel.

ratpunzel

Review

Such a fun addition to this great fractured fairy tale series! Harriet is a fantastic character – a princess who wants to fight monsters. She’s not interested in getting married to a prince – she’s only twelve! She’s smart, tough, and resourceful. The twists to the Rapunzel story are just right. The sassy tone of the narration left me laughing out loud several times.

I think this would be an awesome series to read out loud, at home or in a classroom! The “voice” is so fun. This would be a great mentor text for the concept of voice also.

Rating:  ♥♥♥♥♥

Book 1 is Harriet the Invincible. I recommend enjoying these books in order – the whole series is a lot of fun!

REVIEW: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Magnus Chase is the son of the Norse god Frey. He lives at the Hotel Valhalla because he died an honorable and brave death (see book 1). And now he gets to die over and over in battles to prepare for Ragnorok. Even though Ragnorok hasn’t started – yet – Magnus has plenty to keep him busy. First there’s the fact that Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, has been stolen. Then he gets a volatile new floormate, Alex, the shape-shifting, gender-fluid son/daughter of Loki. And then Loki arranges a marriage between his other daughter, Samirah, a Valkyrie, to an earth giant. Loki assures Magnus that this plan will rescue the hammer. But when as Loki ever been trustworthy?

hammer-of-thor

Review

This feels like all of Riordan’s other books, in a good way. You have the main, overarching quest and then the side trips that put everyone – and the time table for their quest – in danger. But the side trips are so important to the reader because that is where we get to know our heroes even better. Riordan is intentional about adding diversity to his cast of characters, a trend in children’s literature these days. Sam is a devout Muslim and Alex is transgender. And they aren’t token characters. These characteristics are key plot points in the story. There is some speculation online that Alex may become a love interest for Magnus in a future book. Readers who are not familiar with LGBT characters and story lines may have questions for parents/teachers about the things they read in The Hammer of Thor. Percy Jackson fans will be happy to know that Annabeth makes an appearance. And the last sentence of the book is a teaser that has many fans squealing for joy.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

 

REVIEW: Stick Cat by Tom Watson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Stick Cat and his neighbor cat, Edith, get together each day after Stick Cat’s owner leaves the apartment. (They’ve scratched a hole in the wall between the bathrooms.) Usually they play with socks or play the staring game (It is not like the human version!). One of their favorite things to do, though, is listen to “Mr. Music” play piano in the building across the street. With the window open, the cats can hear Mr. Music tune the pianos and then play them. On one particular day, though, Mr. Music gets into some trouble and no one knows he needs help – no one but Stick Cat and Edith.

stick-cat

Review

I’ve never read the Stick Dog books before, but as a cat person, I wanted to try this spin off. I heard the author speak at a Children’s Literature Festival, and I really liked him. He was funny, and he related well to the kids at the event.

Stick Cat is the smart one. Edith is pretty ditzy. They are great friends and they make a great rescue team. I can see why kids love these books. This one was so fun. The style reminds me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Timmy Failure or Big Nate. If you know a reader who likes those books, you might suggest they try Stick Dog and Stick Cat!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

There are supposed to be at least two more books in this series, plus ongoing Stick Dog books. There are pictures of those posted below.

stick-dog-collage

REVIEW: How to Avoid Extinction by Paul Acampora

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Right before the one year anniversary of his grandfather’s death, Leo’s grandmother decides she wants to go on a road trip from Pennsylvania to Utah to see a dinosaur dig site. Leo, his cousin Abbey, and Grandma Francine hit the highway.  Along the way, they see parts of the country Leo never imagined. They learn about dinosaurs. They make a new friend… and lose another. They also grow as a family.

How to Avoid Extinction by Paul Acampora

Review

This is such a great road trip book! I loved Leo, who goes from reluctant passenger to navigator and equal partner. Each character has a clear “voice” in the story. There are only a handful of key characters, so each one gets a good amount of development. While the road trip is supposed to be about dinosaurs, it’s really about so much more. Grief. Family. Secrets. Stories. This is a book that is more about the journey than it is about the destination.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

This is the second book I have read from Paul Acampora. The other one, I Kill the Mockingbird, is one of my all-time-favorite books for middle grade readers.

I Kill the Mockingbird by Paul Acampora