Tag: school story

REVIEW: Slugfest by Gordan Korman

REVIEW: Slugfest by Gordan Korman

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A group of 8th graders have to take summer school PE in order to move on to high school. Kids call summer PE “Slugfest.” The “slugs” this year are:

  • Yash – He thought playing on the high school’s JV teams in 8th grade would meet his PE requirement, but it didn’t.
  • Cleo – She missed three months of school for medical reasons and has to make up ALL of her classes in the summer in order to move to high school – including PE.
  • Arabella – She hasn’t been to a gym class since elementary school out of protest.
  • Kaden – He also skipped gym all year, but for different reasons.
  • Fiona – She refuses to put her face in the water even though she CAN swim, so she “failed” the swim unit and has to retake PE.
  • Stuart and Sarah – Twins who seem to be trying to kill each other every day, not just in PE.
  • Jesse – The prank king is in summer PE as punishment.

And their “coach” is Mrs. Finnerty, a former 2nd grade teacher who is old enough to have had Fi’s DAD as a student!

As Yash watches his summer slip away while he tries to make the best of a bad situation that wasn’t his fault, he keeps his eye on the prize of being QB of the high school team when PE is over. But that goal starts to slip away too – and he begins to wonder if any of his sacrifice and “good attitude” has even been worth it.

Review

If you are EVER looking for a great middle grade book, I think you can blindly pick up any book from Gordon Korman and feel confident with your choice. He writes kids – and teachers – you will love. Some of my favorites of his books are:

And now, Slugfest. This was great! I loved watching the Slugs come together over the course of the story. While they were different and quirky, none were off-putting to the point of making the book hard to enjoy (which has happened to me with other books – but NOT this one!).  And when the group starts clicking and becoming a team, it’s even more enjoyable. Yash is an especially likeable character. While he’s really been unfairly treated and is at the mercy of the adults he trusted who have made things worse, he never becomes “that kid.” He’s frustrated and disappointed and angry. But he also works through that with maturity.

This would make a fantastic classroom read aloud or book group selection where kids can talk about teams, friendship, handling disappointment, etc.. There’s a ton here to love. Highly recommend.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Great Banned Books Bake Sale by Aya Khalil

REVIEW: The Great Banned Books Bake Sale by Aya Khalil

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Tilbury House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Kanzi loves the library at her school. The books there reflect a variety of people and stories.

When her class arrives at the library one day, the kids notice that all of the diverse books have been removed. They have been banned by the school district.

Kanzi and her friends decide to fight back by holding a bake sale to raise money to buy diverse books as well as a protest to speak out against the ban.

Review

“Some books are so powerful that they intimidate people.”

This sentence is a punch to the gut in this story – so beautifully expressed! This is a celebration of not only books – especially diverse books – but also of the families and cultures reflected in those stories.  While district book bans in America aren’t quickly or easily resolved, Kanzi and her friends are quickly successful at ending their ban, bringing a solid and affirming resolution to the story. I enjoyed the story overall, but the quick wrap up felt a bit too easy for such a widespread issue.

This would make a great classroom read aloud or book group selection for discussion with kids. The author includes a note of her own experience when a ban in 2021 included her book The Arabic Quilt, which was Kanzi’s first story. This book also includes the recipe for a treat used in the bake sale.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzales and Gabriela Epstein

REVIEW: Invisible by Christina Diaz Gonzales and Gabriela Epstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Five Latino students are dumped together to do community service in their middle school cafeteria. Through their service hours they learn to look past their assumptions about one another while also trying to help someone in need.

Review

This is an excellent, richly layered story! I love how they told so much in both English and Spanish (The author’s note on this is excellent – don’t miss it!) And the storyline of helping someone else both pulled the five individuals into a team, but it also balanced the rest of the story which focuses on the challenges for the five kids.

This would be an excellent addition to a classroom or library graphic novel collection. Also a fun addition to Spanish classes! This would be a fantastic choice for a book group where each reader could read a copy and discuss together the various layers of the story.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Jamie by L. D. Lapinski

REVIEW: Jamie by L. D. Lapinski

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Jamie Rambeau told their best friends first. Then their parents. And eventually people at school. “Non-binary.” They spelled out their preferred pronouns. They pointed out school practices that were gendered (like “boys and girls” to refer to the group as a whole). And things worked out. Some people were more accepting and cooperative than others. But overall things were fine.

But Year 7 students go to secondary school. And in Jamie’s community there are only 2 – one for boys and one for girls. Where is Jamie supposed to go?

Review

This was lovely! I enjoyed Jamie and their friends. And I learned a TON reading this book. I appreciated the emphasis on educating readers – from the between-chapter pages defining terms to the things Jamie and their community learn along the way.

This is exactly the sort of book I think about when I talked to people about how books can help develop empathy. If you had asked me before I read this to anticipate the things that would be hard for Jamie, I would only have been able to scratch the surface. But as I was reading, I was incensed on Jamie’s behalf – over things I never expected. I kept marking moments that caught my attention.

I highly recommend this for anyone who wants to get a sense of the perspective of a non-binary character. (This book was published in the UK, so you may have to hunt a bit for a source.) This would be great for a book club or class read-aloud with discussion, especially if it’s with a group learning about various perspectives – LGBTQ+  experiences or disabilities or race, etc..

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read.

 

REVIEW: Batman and Robin and Howard by Jeffrey Brown

REVIEW: Batman and Robin and Howard by Jeffrey Brown

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and DC Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

You’d think it would be awesome to be Robin! Helping Batman fight crime with cool gadgets? How amazing! But being the son of millionaire Bruce Wayne can be a drag. Like when your dad makes you go to a new school.

Damian Wayne is NOT excited about being the new kid. Howard figures Damian could use a friend. But they quickly become rivals – both in the classroom and on the soccer pitch.

But when Batman goes missing while investigating a case, Damian needs a friend more than he needs a rival.

 

Review

This was fun! It’s a meaty story – lots of new school/friendship angst for the boys along with a crime for Batman to investigate. The friendship story was stronger for me than the investigation. I did get a kick out of Batman trying to figure out which villain was responsible, though.

I first encountered the author’s work at an American Library Association conference when he was signing his first Jedi Academy novel. My son devoured it in line while waiting to have it signed. I think the kids who have enjoyed Jeffrey Brown’s Jedi Academy books (the series was later continued by Jarrett Krosoczka) as well as his other series will enjoy this new book. DC fans will also get a kick out of this. Classroom teachers and librarians will want to add this to their graphic novel collections.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Truly Tyler by Terri Libenson

REVIEW: Truly Tyler by Terri Libenson

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Balzer and Bray in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book releases next week on May 4th.]

Summary

Tyler has recently rediscovered how much he enjoys art. And it’s helped him overcome the awkwardness with Emmie over that note. Now they’re friends – and they’re working together on a graphic novel project for class.

But Tyler is getting caught up in the art project, and basketball is suffering – and right before the big game, too. To make things worse, the guys are hassling him about spending time with Emmie. Maybe he should just do his own project and try to get back in the zone, with both his more popular friends and with basketball.

Tyler and Emmie take turns telling this story, as well as telling the story within the story.

Review

This is book 5 in the Emmie & Friends series after Invisible Emmie, Positively Izzy, Just Jaime (♥♥♥♥), and Becoming Brianna (♥♥♥♥). I was surprised this wasn’t told completely by Tyler. Emmie is also dealing with a friendship situation while she negotiates her ongoing crush on Tyler. I think some readers will enjoy watching Tyler and Emmie figure out their friendship from different angles.

I think Tyler’s story, though, could have been enough on its own. He’s noticing how shallow his relationship is with his dad. And when Tyler makes an effort to seek out his older brother about it, it strengthens their relationship and opens communication. Tyler is also dealing with peer pressure about basketball vs art as well as his friendship with Emmie. AND he’s also wrestling with his identity and his own feelings about art and basketball aside from the pressure he is getting from others. This is some great, meaty stuff, and I really enjoyed it. Personally, Emmie’s story felt more like an interruption than an enhancement of that story. Her friendship issue felt forced, like it was there to give her story more depth than just her crush. And I agree, she needed more depth than that. But I think Tyler’s story alone would have made this a better fit for me.

Fans of the series will definitely want to pick this one up. The art work is stellar as always. And the author has a terrific grasp on middle school interactions and struggles!

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: The Boomerang Effect by Gordon Jack

REVIEW: The Boomerang Effect by Gordon Jack

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Lawrence Barry is one screw up away from expulsion. An appeal from his guidance counselor and a scathing letter from his lawyer father are the only things that kept it from happening already. So Lawrence agrees to an act of community service to cement his “commitment” to getting clean and staying out of trouble – mentoring an exchange student.

Spencer Knudsen is a freshman from Norway who seems destined for bullying and humiliation. He’s too smart, dresses too formally, and has awkward social skills. Lawrence is determined to help Spencer survive high school.

But Lawrence finds himself in a pile of trouble during Homecoming, including being framed for things that could send him to military school. And – surprise, surprise – Spencer may turn out to be exactly the friend, and the help, Lawrence needs.

Review

This was fun! I liked Lawrence, even though he had a habit of wanting to fix everyone to be what he thought they should be. The sobriety part of his story was unexpected, but I liked it. I also enjoyed Spencer and Eddie and Audrey. There’s a quirkiness to the cast here that was delightful!

Lawrence has a lot going on – his partying and sobriety, his relationship with his parents, figuring out his identity at school if he’s not going to party anymore, his “fixing” tendencies, and also being framed for all the trouble at school. There’s a nice balance here between Lawrence’s story and the school story. And I liked both parts equally.

Be sure to check this one out if you enjoy light mysteries (like who is framing Lawrence at school), friendship stories (like the relationship between Lawrence and Spencer), or school stories (like this one centered around Homecoming activities). There’s a lot here to enjoy! (Language, drug use and drinking, recovery)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

BONUS REVIEW: The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris Grabenstein

BONUS REVIEW: The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris Grabenstein

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Once upon a time, a ruthless pirate entrusted his treasure to his cabin boy. He forgot he killed the boy’s father; the boy had no loyalty to the pirate. The cabin boy hid the treasure and left a trail for his descendants to follow to find it.

Riverview Middle School is a shabby, derelict building whose best days were long ago. The district will likely sell the building off at the end of the year rather than invest what it would cost to bring it up to snuff. At least, that is what a certain land developer and his cohort are counting on.

Jake McQuade attends Riverview. Jake is cool and popular. And he’s at school to hang out with his friends. He figures if he needs to know something, he can just look it up on his phone rather than put a lot of effort into learning things. He’s the poster child for apathy and slothfulness.

For example, one night when his mom is working late, she tells Jake he’s responsible for making sure he and his younger sister have dinner. Rather than cooking something from the fridge – too much work – he and his sister take a bus to the hotel where his mom works. She’s working a big banquet where there’s always extra food, cooked by someone else. While Jake waits, he eats a small jar of jelly beans from the hotel’s green room.

Jake has no idea that those were no ordinary jelly beans. They were a science experiment! By the end of the night, Jake is spouting random facts and speaking foreign languages. But he doesn’t know why.

When word starts getting out about Jake’s intelligence, everyone wants Jake for something. The scientist who made the jelly beans wants to study him. His crush at school wants him to join the quiz bowl team. His best friend wants him to use his brain to make money. And the FBI wants his help solving cases. All Jake wants, though, is to go back to his normal self and his old life.

Review

This was so fun! Jake’s a great kid – both the apathetic version and the brilliant one. I loved his friends and his relationship with them and with his family.

The villains were exactly right for the audience of the book. And I enjoyed the three distinct pieces of the story – the jelly beans and Jake’s intelligence, the missing treasure, and the school pieces (quiz bowl, the principal, etc.). Everything fit together like a perfect puzzle, well-balanced and well-paced. The short chapters added to the sense of adventure and urgency of the story. This would be a fun class read-aloud because of the story, but those short chapters would be an advantage for teachers as well when kids ask for “one more chapter.”

This is another fun, captivating story from the author of the Lemoncello Library books and many others, Chris Grabenstein. Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: The Game by Linsey Miller

REVIEW: The Game by Linsey Miller

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Underlined Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

In the spring, the thoughts of the seniors at Lincoln High turn to college acceptance letters – and murder.

Well, not actual murder. Just to the annual game of Assassins. Armed with water guns, the teens of Lincoln track their peers with the hope of being the last one standing.

Lia Prince is counting on Assassins to be her claim to fame. Always in her older brother’s shadow, Lia is determined to make her name here. She’s been observing her classmates’ schedules for months, planning her strategy for this moment.

But when one of the players dies in an accident, the Assassin game is in jeopardy. When a second dies, and NOT in an accident, it’s clear something more than some good clean fun is going on in Lincoln.

Review

I knew this was billed as a mashup of Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders (which I know of but haven’t read) and Riverdale (which I’ve never seen). But I didn’t expect the tie-ins to the Christie mystery to be as clear as they were, starting with even the email address for the Council that is running the game. It was a clever set up for Christie, and it’s still a clever set up here. Those who aren’t familiar with the original mystery will probably catch on to the scheme quickly.

I enjoyed the suspense of this and the idea of a harmless game that turns deadly. The suspense and the stakes bring to mind books like #Murder Trending (♥♥♥♥) and thrillers by Karen McManus (One of Us is Lying – ♥♥♥♥, Two Can Keep a Secret). This one wasn’t as well executed as those, but there were some good moments.

The emotional beats to this didn’t click for me. I didn’t care for Lia or any of the other main characters. I also didn’t lock into Lia’s obsession over this game. She explained it several times in the book, but I wasn’t emotionally hooked into her rationales. She was pretty over-the-top in her preparation and her compulsion to put herself in danger for the sake of this game. I didn’t feel like the case for her drive was as clearly made as it could have been. I felt like her reputation as a puzzle person was more told rather than shown, and this skill/gift of hers wasn’t really reflected in the story.

Fans of thrillers, fans of The ABC Murders, and those intrigued by the premise of this one should consider it. If you are new to the genre, this might be a nice starting spot. A weird, mysterious ending could indicate that there is a sequel planned, which I know will make fans of this story excited to see what is next for Lia and her friends. (Violence)

Rating: ♥♥½*

*I have a new rating system. ♥♥½ is “Mostly solid to solid. May have some issues.”

REVIEW: More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood

REVIEW: More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Every year the core class teachers at Aligheri Prep choose a senior to represent their subject in a Renaissance Man competition. And every year excited parents and bored students listen to the presentations on English, math, physics, biology, chemistry, geography, and economics. It is the kind of thing that looks good on a college application for the few who are chosen. And the winner gets $5000 and doesn’t have to take the final for their subject area. But none of that mattered to Danyal Jilani because he was not the sort of student to ever be chosen for the Renaissance Man.

Except he IS chosen. By his history teacher. Mostly out of spite.

Danyal is supposed to speak about Winston Churchill. His history teacher is a major Churchill fan. But as Danyal starts reading about Churchill and talking to his father, he finds out about Churchill’s role in the Bengal Famine. Danyal feels a responsibility to talk about that part of Churchill’s story. But Danyal’s parents say he needs to deliver the story his teacher expects so he can graduate. His crush says the same. She likes him, but her parents won’t even consider a match between them if Danyal is going to settle for squeaking through high school and becoming a chef. He needs to wow them at the Renaissance Man, go to college, and follow the expected path.

If Danyal’s going to go against his parents, his teacher, and the girl he wants to someday marry, and live to tell the tale, he has to crush his speech at the competition. And Danyal’s rarely excelled at anything non-food related in his life. But his new friend Bisma might be just the help he needs.

Review

In the beginning, Danyal felt like an underachieving screw up. He’s not driven except when it comes to cooking. He struggles at school, both academically and with motivation. He goes for the laugh in awkward moments or when he’s caught unprepared. I thought I had him all figured out.

Then he defends Bisma, a girl he barely knows, to her father. And my whole understanding of Danyal shifted.

I am a character driven reader. If I love a character, I will excuse a lot of things that might not work for me in the storytelling. If I don’t like a character, it’s hard for me to be excited about even a well-written story. In that one moment, with Bisma and her family, I fell in love with Danyal. And he only got better as the book went on. And I loved it.

There’s a lot happening in this book. There’s the Renaissance Man speech that Danyal gets roped into. He has to decide how to approach his topic, do the research, write and prepare his presentation, and then deliver it in front of a crowd. In the midst of that, he has his “dream girl,” Kaval, pushing him to be someone he’s not. His parents are looking for a marriage match for him yet at the same time his father basically tells him that he’s a loser. Cooking is Danyal’s passion and something he is good at, but few people in his life value that about him (unless he is feeding them). Then Danyal meets Bisma, whose father shames her repeatedly. Danyal is decent to her – a true friend – and in friendship she helps him with his contest preparation.

The Renaissance Man contest and one of Danyal’s friend’s deep faith raise fascinating questions about colonization, history, and sin that weave in and around the people in this story and in their relationships with one another. And I thought it was perfect. There’s so much to enjoy here – don’t miss it.

(Language, TW: Shaming over sexual behavior) NOTE: While I thoroughly enjoyed this story, some Muslim reviewers have had a different opinion of the story and raise issues with how their faith is represented. Be sure to check out their reviews as you consider this book.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥