Category Archives: Reviews

Favorite Middle Grade Reading Moments 2016 & a Giveaway

The end of 2016 went by so fast I didn’t have time to post my GOLDEN CUP AWARDS. It’s not a list of favorite books, but instead recognition for my most memorable middle grade reading moments of 2016 and a … Continue reading

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THE UNINTENTIONAL ADVENTURES OF THE BLAND SISTERS for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Some breaking news before the review–The Cybil’s Finalists have been announced! Go here for all the nominees. Below are the choices for Middle Grade Fiction. I’ll be helping to judge the winner, but fortunately I have a head start as … Continue reading

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FALLING OVER SIDEWAYS (A CYBIL’s nominee)

This one was sitting in my pile waiting to be read for a few months. It looked interesting with the saxophone on the cover, but other than that I had no idea what it was about. It only took a … Continue reading

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CLICK HERE TO START for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

This fun mystery is a sparkling debut for author, Denis Markell. It has touches of what most young readers love: Humor, mystery, and video games. Ted is a gamer, especially escape type games. He takes his skills to real life … Continue reading

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FAR FROM FAIR-A Cybil’s Nominee

To be fair. This is not my kind of story. 12-year-old Odette spends the first half of the book whining about everything. Yes, I get it. Her almost seventh grade voice is not heard in this family of four. Her … Continue reading

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FULL OF BEANS for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The setting of Key West, Florida returns in FULL OF BEANS. Previously the author featured the setting in her the funny and endearing 2011 novel, TURTLE IN PARADISE. I spent a few days in Key West about ten years ago … Continue reading

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HOW TO AVOID EXTINCTION for Marvelous Middle Grade EXTRA

I’m reading as many of the 108 CYBILS Middle Grade Fiction Nominees before my role as a second round judge kicks in next month. Some very hardy round one judges are currently reading every book and will hand the second … Continue reading

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THE THING ABOUT LEFTOVERS for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

First my own leftovers. The winners of my holiday giveaway. A copy of FRAMED! and ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SCIENCE goes to Rosi Hollinbeck. You can see Rosi’s reviews along with some helpful writing links at THE WRITE STUFF. A copy of … Continue reading

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FAMOUS FAILS! from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS

Failure happens in everyone’s life–some of us more than most. FAMOUS FAILS brings some of the worst failures, massive mistakes, and fails that accidentally became successes together in this nifty new book. Here’s the official book jacket blurb: Famous Fails! … Continue reading

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THE BOOK OF HEROINES & THE BOOK OF HEROES

THE OFFICIAL WORD From National Geographic Kids: The Book of Heroines and The Book of Heroes (ages 8-12, $14.99) – All kids are heroes in waiting and these two titles are sure to inspire. In The Book of Heroines (By … Continue reading

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