Category: Middle Grade Fiction Review

REVIEW: Ms. Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ask any kid and they’ll tell you not all teachers are alike. Some seem to be there to punch a clock. Others, though, put everything they have into their students and into their subject matter. Those are the teachers kids remember later. Those are the teachers kids would do anything for. Ms. Bixby is one of those teachers to Topher, Brand and Steve. When she gets sick, these boys will do anything to be sure she can celebrate their last day together.

Books about Great Teachers

Review

I picked this up at a bookstore while I was shopping with my nieces. We got back to the house, and the three of us dove right into our new books. Pretty soon I was aware that I was building a pile of tissues next to me. And I was working really hard not to startle the girls by sobbing out loud. But this book was so touching. I love stories with amazing teachers! I was especially touched that she connected with these three students so much that they were willing to risk a great deal to give her a memorable celebration.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Do you have a favorite book about an amazing teacher?  I am planning a post for SATURDAY SMORGASBORD about amazing teachers in books. I would love to hear from you about your favorite books with great teachers.

REVIEW: Gallagher Girls Series by Ally Carter

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

The Gallagher Academy looks like just another boarding school for pampered princesses, but behind the walls, the girls are training to be spies. Cammie, Bex, Liza and Macey may seem like normal teenage girls, but they are trained for covert ops, breaking codes and sneaking in and out without a trace. They may just be students at the start of the series, but the missions and danger becomes more personal as the series comes to a conclusion.

Gallagher Girls, Book 1
Gallagher Girls Series, Book 1

Review

I decided to review this as a series because it’s been out for awhile. The series has received updated covers (pictured here) for the 10th anniversary.  You can see the covers for books 2-6 at the bottom of this post.  I read all 6 books (plus three short stories) in just under a week; I had to know how it all worked out!

The first book hooked me with how often it made me laugh out loud. I fell in love with the characters, especially the four core girls. Their relationships have realistic ups and downs, but in the end they will always have the others’ backs. The later books grabbed me as the mystery amped up with twists, turns and tension. This is the kind of series where you start to question every character – is this a good guy or a bad guy?

This is a great bridge series for kids who are still enjoying middle grade books but also are ready to stretch into teen material. There’s no language and the romance is limited to crushes and kissing. This is often labeled “clean teen” or “clean YA.” The story is strong and the characters are fantastic. If there were more books in this series, I would read them immediately!

Rating:  ♥♥♥♥

 

Gallagher Girls Series, Books 2-6