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Greg Pattridge
Past
Present*ALWAYS in the MIDDLE* is your home for…
MMGM for 12/10/18
ZACK DELACRUZ UPSTAGED
Zack Delacruz returns in this series set in San Antonio. It began with ME AND MY BIG MOUTH in 2015 and JUST MY LUCK the following year. This time around sixth grade continues to be a challenge for Zack and even more so with his participation in the school play—A Christmas Carol.
He never intended to try out except for two beautiful creations that changed his mind: Extra credit and the girl he secretly adores. All of his friends from the first books return and although you’ll find an ethnically diverse cast, its never brought up as anything but normal, which is quite refreshing.
Zack’s nervousness and hesitation about performing (a panicked Zack center stage on the cover hints at his predicament), and the relationship with his divorced parents are the main focus. He has to remember his lines and remember which bus to get on each Friday depending on whether he is with Dad or Mom.
A fun read and the perfect start to this holiday season. No worries either if you haven’t read the first two Zack Delacruz books as this does find on its own. And that’s no Bah Humbug!
PUBLICATION DATE: 2018 PAGE COUNT: 192
FULL PLOT
Zack Delacruz wants to win the role of Scrooge in his school’s production of A Christmas Carol—and the lovely Abhi’s admiration, too. But he’s not the only one trying out for the play. So are José (aka El Pollo Loco), Marquis, and Janie – bah, humbug! Bowling balls, gurgling stomachs, complete chaos, and quick detective work turn this year’s drama into a spectacular scene that will have actors rising to new heights—literally—and leave readers rolling in the aisles.
What role will Zack end up playing on stage . . . and in his life? Just in time for the holidays, and with a diverse and funny cast of characters, ZACK DELACRUZ: UPSTAGED (Sterling Children’s Books) is sure to please even the most reluctant readers!
FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: ZACK DELACRUZ: UPSTAGED by Jeff Anderson
- You’ll never look at coffee the same way after Zack’s unfortunate encounter with caffeine.
- His Mom is what you hope all moms to be: A consistent sounding board, listener, and advice giver for the son she loves.
- The effective art work on the cover is continued with images on many of the chapter headings. The best though are the yearbook style renderings of Zack, his classmates and teachers inside the front and back covers.
- I observed an eleven-year-old boy laughing uncontrollably at the potty humor coming into play in several chapters… although I doubt older readers will feel the same way.
- An accurate portrayal of life on the bottom rung of a three grade middle school.
FAVORITE LINES:
The seat next to her was empty.
I gulped. It was go time. My pits trickled a little stream down the inside of my red uniform shirt. I wondered if anyone could see it. Boy, was I glad Mom convinced me to start wearing deodorant.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Anderson is the author of Zack Delacruz: Me And My Big Mouth (2015), and Zack Delacruz: Just My Luck (2016) – a middle-grade series that has sold over 30,000 copies! He’s also the author of Mechanically Inclined, Everyday Editing, 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know, and Patterns of Power. A former elementary and middle school teacher, Jeff travels to schools across the country working with teachers and students to discover joy and power in the writing process.
To learn more visit Jeff’s web site on writing and publishing at WRITE GUY.
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Congratulations to Deb from Michigan. Her name was chosen from four schools and eleven individuals entered in the drawing for THE RENAISSANCE series.
I’ll have a new giveaway later this month so stay tuned!
I AM A WONDER WOMAN
A great idea becomes reality with the release of this new non-fiction title. Sixty outstanding women 
from the present and past are each featured in their own two-page spreads. They’re presented alphabetically by first name beginning with Ada Lovelace and ending with Zaha Hadid. Read in order or use the handy Contents or Index section to find your favorite.
No matter who you start with, every page is unique in its presentation, which adds to the attraction for readers. The left half features their life accomplishments. It’s not a typical biographical layout. You’ll find straightforward blocked text on some while others are splashed across the page in colorful boxes. Common though is an illustration accompanied by dates they lived (or year of birth for those in the present) and a description of their life’s focus.
The right half of the two pages let readers dig deep with a look at themselves and the world they live in. The activity is a writing or hands-on exercise related to the person they’ve read about. Definitely fun and revealing.
The end of the book is where you create your own two page spread entitled I Am A Wonder Woman. A perfect way to summarize the Aha moments girls will get reading the stories and have it make a difference in their own futures.
There are many familiar names (like Michelle Obama, Cleopatra, and Rosa Parks) but also ones I’d never heard about (Turia Pitt or Niki de Saint Phalle to name a few). Wow! Girls can do anything and often better than their male counterparts. This is the inspiration needed for any Wonder Woman in the making.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ellen Bailey grew up in Cambridge and spent her childhood making up games, putting on plays, and writing a magazine for the other children living in her street. After studying English literature, she worked as a children’s book editor for a few years before moving into the charity sector. She lives with her husband and daughters, and is the author of a variety of bestselling activity books and annuals, including All About Me.
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Coming up this Monday is another edition of…
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book on a Monday (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count–but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you’re featuring and a link to your blog at gpcolo (at) gmail (dot) com
(Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and please don’t forget to say what book you’re featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.
Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.
Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews, non fiction
Tagged Ellen Bailey, I am a wonder woman
3 Comments
MMGM for 12/3/18
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If you would like to join in the MMGM fun and get your own spot in the parade, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count–but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you’re featuring and a link to your blog at gpcolo (at) gmail (dot) com
(Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and please don’t forget to say what book you’re featuring)
You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.
Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.
THE TURNAWAY GIRLS
WELCOME TO ANOTHER MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY!
The Turnaway Girls is set in Blightsend where singing is not allowed. The Masters — men and boys — make music with instruments. Women and girls trapped underground turn the music into gold. Twelve-year-old Delphernia Undersea hates her life, especially Mother Nine, the abusive caretaker. Despi
te the dangers, Delphernia sings in secret. Then one day a Master claims her and takes the young girl above ground where mysteries abound.
This elegantly told fantasy is like a poem stretched to bring meaning to your true self through music. Delphernia take center stage as the first-person narrator and like her, readers will at times be thoroughly confused by what is happening. Thankfully, all is explained by the climatic end. The final sixty pages gave the plot a needed push and saved the story.
Like myself, I’m sure many teachers and librarians will gush over the lyrical qualities of the book. The problem is the targeted MG age group may have a hard time wrapping themselves up in this fantastical tale. Regardless, I look forward to what comes next for this debut author.
THE OFFICIAL BLURB (From AMAZON)
FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT:
THE TURNAWAY GIRLS
- The cover does its job providing intrigue to what lies ahead for readers. Delphernia sings and in turn it raises your curiosity.
- Stereotyped gender roles and believing everything you hear are two of the powerful themes waiting for a discussion.
- The two antagonists, one above and one below ground, give you the chills at their nastiness. Well done villains are hard to create, but these two were fantastic foils.
- The prince was an interesting character I wanted to know more about. Bly’s presence was always welcome and his upbringing brought a satisfied surprise.
- Beautifully written and many of the pages will have you rereading to take in the mastery of the written word.
FAVORITE LINE
The wind catches the door again and flings it shut over the boy’s head. He jumps, but he keeps climbing down. And then we are held, the three of us, in the cloister’s quiet: me, and Mother Nine, and a boy who could have killed me.
A QUOTE FROM THE AUTHOR, HAYLEY CHEWINS
One polished draft and two rough drafts.
I’ve never done this before. I’ve always thought of myself as a one-project-at-a-time sort of writer. But if there’s anything I’ve learnt about writing (and life) it’s this: never assume anything you know about yourself is unchangeable. You can change anything if you really want to.
(For more about how Hayley writes three books at the same time, visit her blog).
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I received a copy of the book for my honest review. Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them.
If you missed Friday’s post, I’m giving a away a four book series on The Renaissance. Click here to read all about it with details on how to enter.
Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews
Tagged Hayley Chewins, Middle Grade Book Reviews, The Turnaway Girls
5 Comments
THE RENAISSANCE GIVEAWAY
European history comes alive with this new four book set from Nomad Press. Learn all about the Thinkers, Inventors, Artists, and Explorers from the 14th to 17th century. These would be great for a school or for those home schoolers studying this time period.
Get started by entering a GIVEAWAY of all four books courtesy of Nomad Press! To enter either make a comment below or if you’d prefer to stay incognito, email your name to (gpcolo at gmaildotcom). I’ll keep the entries open through December 7th. You can enter once for yourself and once for your favorite school.
The Renaissance series is absolutely fantastic. Each paperback volume has five chapters focusing on a different woman or man leading the way in their specialty. Click on an image below to take a look inside and get access to free teacher resources.
GOOD LUCK IN THE DRAWING!
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Coming up this Monday is another edition of…
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book on a Monday (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count–but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you’re featuring and a link to your blog at gpcolo (at) gmail (dot) com
(Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and please don’t forget to say what book you’re featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for the coming Monday.
Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)
*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.
MIDDLE GRADE in the NEWS 11/29/18
Here are a few news and special feature articles I’ve enjoyed recently:
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I haven’t started my holiday shopping yet so this list of BOOKS FOR EVERY YOUNGSTER ON YOUR GIFT LIST was a big help.
- Here is an enlightening and informative interview with author Darby Karchut. She’s committed to giving Dad’s a better voice in MG books.
- Last but not least are four recent sequels sure to keep youngsters reading.
That’s all for now. I’ll be back Friday with a four book giveaway.
Posted in Uncategorized
3 Comments
