COLORBLIND— A NOVEL

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Greg Pattridge

BACKGROUND: The time is 1968. The place is Montgomery, Alabama. The story is one of resilience in the face of discrimination and bullying. Using the racially charged word “Negro,” two Caucasian boys repeatedly bully Miss Annie Loomis–the first African-American teacher at the all-white Wyatt Elementary School. At the same time, using the hateful word “harelip,” the boys repeatedly bully Miss Loomis’s eleven-year-old Caucasian student, Lisa Parker, who was born with cleft palate and cleft lip. Who will best the bullies? Only Lisa’s mood ring knows for sure (From AMAZON).

The story is full of racism—from parents, students, and teachers alike. Told in third person, COLORBLIND—A NOVEL centers on Lisa Parker and the year of her awakening in sixth grade. Parts of the story also focus on her African-American teacher, Miss Loomis. I would have enjoyed the tale even more had it been a multiple viewpoint first person narrative with these characters, much like ARMSTRONG & CHARLIE from last year. Yes, many of the scenes are described rather than letting the reader experience the awareness of racism or bullying in the late 60s.

Regardless, the themes brought forth in the story beg to be discussed in this present day and time. You’ll be shocked at the attitudes of privileged Caucasian teachers and parents. Many of the students inherit those attitudes and their purpose in life is to make fun of anyone who is not ‘white and normal looking.’ Racism in the sixties meant you do everything possible to degrade those of a different color.

The people and terms you hear about in the story would be great research topics for a middle grade student: Klu Klux Klan, Governor George Wallace, and Martin Luther King Jr. to name a few. There’s also a much deeper debate that could be put forth as to how things have improved or not in the fifty years since the time period of the story.

Attitudes towards others start at an early age. Middle graders are ready to find a better understanding of these issues. They’re the ones who ask “I have a question…” and they won’t back down without an answer.

I’m glad books like this one are getting shelf space. It provides a bit of history to a problem that has gone on way too long.

The story is a reminder of several upcoming celebrations:

  • Jan. 20 National Day of Acceptance
  • Feb 12-18 Random Acts of Kindness Week
  • Feb. 11 Make a Friend Day

Also… There is an online quiz to accompany COLORBLIND. It’s called “What Kind of Friend are You? Take the Bully/Bestie Colorblind Quiz!” There are ten multiple choice questions and you can find it here.

*******************************************

Coming up next week is another…
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.
Thank you so much for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and for spreading the middle grade love!
*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 Reviews | Tagged , | 4 Comments

MMGM for 1/15/18

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Greg Pattridge

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day

MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY

The LINKS for January 15, 2018

(Click on a snowflake to take you to their site)
Today I’m reviewing THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING. You can scroll down to read (Also linked via the snowflake).
Author Fleur Bradley joins the snowy MMGM walkway this week with a review of Spy on History: Victor Dowd and the WWII Ghost Army by Enigma Alberti & Tony Cliff.
Carl at Boys Read Boys Rule! has a review of a book he calls “terrifically cool”—The Last Jedi Visual Dictionary book.
Completely Full Bookshelf is helping you feel better if you’ve caught one of those nasty illnesses going around with 5 MG books to read when you’re sick!
What Shall We Read Next?  is telling you about The Fever Code by James Dashner!
Faith Hough also joins us this week with a review of Ghosts of Greenglass House, by Kate Milford.
Michael Gettel-Gilmartin at the Middle Grade Mafioso is featuring I SURVIVED THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT ST. HELENS, 1980 by Lauren Tarshis.
Rosi Hollinbeck at The Write Stuff is reviewing and giving away Spy on History: Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army.
BOOKS 4 LEARNING is back with a review of BIRD by Zetta Elliott.
Dorine White at the Write Path has a fun Picture book parade.
Karen Yingling always has great MMGM picks. Be sure to read her review today along with the many other choices she posted the past week.
Melissa Roske has an interview with MG author Darcey Rosenblatt.
Andrea Mack at That’s Another Story has THE LIST by Patricia Forde
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun and get your own spot on the walkway, 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!
*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 MMGM Links | 2 Comments

THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on January 14, 2018 by Greg Pattridge

It’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

This new fantasy adventure features a twelve-year-old boy with the most unusual name: Prosperity Oceanus Redding. He prefers to go by Prosper. What he really prefers is to get rid of the demon living inside his body and stay alive in the process. It won’t be easy given the Redding family history. Alastor is not a welcome guest.

The darkness is more in tune for upper middle with elements of terror and creepiness (Alastor often takes a walk at night while Prosper sleeps though it all). They can also talk to each other and along with Prosper’s relationship with Nell, a witch in training, this becomes the heart of the story.

Prosper is sarcastic at times and his favorite word is “crap” but you grow to like this kid. He’s openly honest with his thoughts. You’ll also have a deep sadness for his predicament.

If you like a story where the climax wraps everything up in a nice tidy fashion—don’t expect it here. What you will get is a thrilling ending with many loose ends that will have you clamoring for the next book in the Prosper Redding series.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 368

FULL PLOT (From AMAZON)

“I would say it’s a pleasure to meet thee, Prosperity Oceanus Redding, but truly, I only anticipate the delights of destroying thy happiness .”

Prosper is the only unexceptional Redding in his old and storied family history-that is, until he discovers the demon living inside him. Turns out Prosper’s great-great-great-great-great-something grandfather made-and then broke-a contract with a malefactor, a demon who exchanges fortune for eternal servitude. And, weirdly enough, eight-hundred-year-old Alastor isn’t exactly the forgiving type.

The fiend has reawakened with one purpose–to destroy the family whose success he ensured and who then betrayed him. With only days to break the curse and banish Alastor back to the demon realm, Prosper is playing unwilling host to the fiend, who delights in tormenting him with nasty insults and constant attempts to trick him into a contract. Yeah, Prosper will take his afterlife without a side of eternal servitude, thanks. But with the help of his long-lost uncle, Barnabas, and his daughter, Nell, a witch-in-training, it seems like Prosper has at least a fighting chance of ridding himself of Alastor before the demon escapes and wreaks havoc on his family.

Little does Prosper know, the malefactor’s control over his body grows stronger with each passing night and there’s a lot Alastor isn’t telling his dim-witted (but admittedly strong-willed) human host

From #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexandra Bracken comes a tale of betrayal and revenge, of old hurts passed down from generation to generation. Can you ever fully right a wrong, ever truly escape your history? Or will Prosper and Alastor be doomed to repeat it?

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT:

THE DREADFUL TALE OF PROSPER REDDING

  1. Prosper’s rocky friendship with his cousin Nell is a delight to follow. They live under the same roof and attend school together. Not the best set up for either of them.
  2. Alastor is often creepy but also has a somewhat offbeat witty banter: I smell of conquered kingdoms and doom and despair—unlike you paunchy, knotty-pated maggot pies. Most of the subtle humor comes out in his conversations with Prosper.
  3. The book is told from Propser’s first person POV, but it does switch for a few chapters to a third person look at what the demon is up to. It was a nice break from Prosper to see more of this nasty creature who has a mind of his own.
  4. Art in schools was woven into the story in a beautiful fashion.
  5. As much as I hate cliffhangers this one was a dandy.

FAVORITE LINES :

“Like I said, it’s a bit of a shock, but…” Uncle Barnanbas’s gaze flickered between his bony hands and my face. “Do you need something for your nerves? Tea? I have a little brandy—

“I’m twelve,” I reminded him.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandra Bracken was born and raised in Arizona. The daughter of a Star Wars collector, she grew up going to an endless string of Star Wars conventions and toy fairs, which helped spark her imagination and a deep love of reading. After graduating high school, she attended The College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she double majored in English and History. She sold her first book, Brightly Woven, as a senior in college, and later moved to New York City to work in children’s book publishing, first as an editorial assistant, then in marketing. After six years, she took the plunge and decided to write full time. She now lives in Arizona with her tiny pup, Tennyson, in a house that’s constantly overflowing with books.

Alex is a #1 New York Times bestselling and USA TODAY bestselling author. Her work is available across the world in over 15 languages.

(For more visit Ms. Bracken’s author website)

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

HISTORY’S MYSTERIES

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Greg Pattridge

I love a good mystery, especially when they’re real. This new title from National Geographic KIDS reveals many of the mysteries that still stump scientists and archaeologists. There were many I had not heard of before. You’ll find the mysteries in one of the seven chapter categories:

  1. Vanished Civilizations
  2. Unexplained Deaths and Disappearances
  3. Creatures of Myth and Legend
  4. Freaky Phenomena
  5. Mystifying Monuments
  6. Cryptic Codes and Lost Languages
  7. Treasure Troves

Each mystery starts off with Background and Details. Next come The Clues followed by The Theories as to what happened. You can agree or disagree with the experts or come up with your own explanation. No matter what, the mysteries get your brain cells moving. Each chapter ends with one mystery that has recent “New Evidence Revealed,” bringing you up to date with the research. Fascinating reading!

Wrapping up the book is a bonus chapter all about sounds that stump scientists. Lastly is an interview with an Archaeologist that will peak any young person’s interest in a mystery solving type career.

Great for ages 8 and up. Your first challenge will be to get the book out of a grown-up’s hands. Thank you NG KIDS for another fantastic title.

***********************************************

Coming up next Monday is:
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, 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.
Thank you so much for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and for spreading the middle grade love!
*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 non fiction, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

MMGM for 1/8/18

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Greg Pattridge

Still Ringing in the New Year for

MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY

Special Note: The winners of my year end giveaway of a $25 AMAZON gift card are Michelle Mason and Patricia Tilton. Congrats! Be sure to check out their blogs.

The LINKS for January 8, 2018

(Click on a New Year’s bell to take you to their sites)
Today I’m reviewing SUPERFAIL by Max Brunner. You can scroll down to read (Also linked via the New Year bell).
What Shall We Read Next? is featuring the classic A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle!
Suzanne Warr is spotlighting Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman.
Patricia Tilton at Children’s Books Heal is reviewing a new book, Oddity by a new author, Sarah Cannon.
Carl at Boys Read Boys Rule! has a timely and fun post—RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! OUT OF THIS WORLD EDITION 2018 and a second feature on WHO WAS ROBERT RIPLEY?
Completely Full Bookshelf is also pulling one off the classic’s shelf with a review of  A Separate Peace by John Knowles.
Elizabeth Van Tassel joins us on the MMGM walkway with a review of Max Tilt: Fire the Depths by Peter Lerangis.
Melissa Roske has an interview with Brooks Benjamin, author of the contemporary MG, MY SEVENTH-GRADE LIFE IN TIGHTS.
Rosi Hollinbeck at The Write Stuff is reviewing and giving away When the Sky Breaks.
BOOKS 4 LEARNING is featuring WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON by Grace Lin
Dorine White is reviewing and has a GIVEAWAY of Children of Refuge by Margaret Peterson Haddix.
Karen Yingling always has great MMGM picks. Be sure to read her review today along with the many other choices she posted the past week.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun and get your own spot on the walkway, 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!
*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 MMGM Links | Tagged | 5 Comments

SUPERFAIL for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Greg Pattridge

This new book features Marshall, a defective hero who has many super powers although none of them work quite like they should. He narrates the tale in the usual way first person MG books are presented, but his thoughts and many side jokes also come out in comic book style panels on every page.

The story is fast paced and has the feel of a Saturday morning cartoon. I laughed at many of the silly setups and gags. Boys are more likely to pick up the book, but there are also many female characters that will appeal to all young readers.

Don’t expect an intricate plot, but do expect to be entertained with what you read and see. A great start to what I hope will turn out to be a series. With so many sad tales in MG books these days, it’s nice to sit back and smile.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 225

FULL PLOT (From AMAZON) Laser vision isn’t so hot when you’re cross-eyed, and supersonic flight’s a real downer when motion sickness keeps you grounded.

Twelve-year-old Marshall Preston is a Defective–a person with superhuman abilities that are restricted by some very human setbacks. While other kids are recruited to superhero teams, Marshall’s stuck in seventh grade with a kid who can run at super speed but can’t turn a corner, another with a radioactive peanut allergy that turns him into a swollen Hulk, and a telepath who reads everyone’s thoughts out loud.

Defectives like Marshall aren’t exactly superhero material, but when he uncovers a plot to destroy one of the greatest superhero teams of all time, Marshall and his less-than-super friends set out to prove that just because you’re defective doesn’t mean you can’t save the day.

With full illustrations throughout and a funny, heartwarming story, Superfail is the perfect book for reluctant young readers and the superhero fan.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT:

 SUPERFAIL by Max Brunner

  1. A well thought out group of defective characters. My favorites were Marshall and Debbie, who has a wild group of pet friends.
  2. The illustrations are fun to look at and make the story appeal to visual learners. They’ll become instant fans of the artist and his other works (See below).
  3. We can all be heroes. That’s one lesson so many kids need to hear.
  4. This is a perfect counter to all the superhero movies we get each year where the heroes super powers are always super.
  5. Perfect for preteens, especially those who might not choose reading as their favorite past time.

FAVORITE LINES:

They say your whole life flashes before your eyes when it’s about to end, but all I could think was that I didn’t want to die dressed like a character from a fast-food restaurant!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR and ILLUSTRATOR(From Hachette Book Group):

Max Brunner began his professional career as lead writer for David World Press’s popular web comic, Barbiespawn. He’s a hardcore comic book nerd and a debut author. Max lives in Cypress, California.

Dustin Mackay is an animator and story artist for Disney and most recently worked on Planes: Fire & Rescue and Tinkerbell: Legend of the Neverbeast. Dustin lives in Cypress, California.

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

1,000 FACTS ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Greg Pattridge

Did you know…

  • There are 132 Rooms and 6 Levels in the White House Residence.
  • First Daughter Susan Ford held her school’s senior prom in the East Room of the White House in 1975.
  • President Andrew Jackson once hosted an elaborate children’s Christmas party, which ended with an indoor “snowball fight ” using cotton balls.

Three down, 997 facts to go. You’ll find them all in this fascinating hard cover. Arranged in 40 categories, the facts come at you fast in colorful layouts loaded with pictures. My favorites were 15 COOL FACTS ABOUT EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE WHITE HOUSE and 25 DELECTABLE FACTS ABOUT FOOD IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

In addition to the facts there is a key word glossary, a sequential listing of dates important to White House history, and a complete list of each our 44 presidents along with pertinent background information.

Perfect for the classroom, at home, or in the break room at your office. You’ll enjoy learning about one of the most iconic buildings in the world.

Here’s the official overview from National Geographic:

Welcome to the White House. Go behind the scenes to get a 360-degree view of America’s most famous presidential residence, from how it was built in 1792 to the fire of 1812, to today’s state dinners, celebrations, celebrity pets, and more. Discover through 1,000 fun-to-read facts what it’s like to live and work at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the quirky rules of the house, and how the Secret Service keeps it safe.

Find out how the kids who have lived there play, watch movies, and entertain friends. With a treasure trove of material from the White House Historical Association, this book presents a fascinating story of the building and the many people who have shaped its 225-year history.

***********************************************************

Coming up next Monday is:

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun, 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.

Thank you so much for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and for spreading the middle grade love!

*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 non fiction, Reviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

MMGM for 1/1/18 and CYBILS NEWS

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Greg Pattridge

 

Ringing in a New Year and a New Beginning for

MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY

The LINKS for January 1, 2018

(Click on a New Year’s bell to take you to their site)
Today I have a review of a book that recently arrived in the U.S. from Spain: TOLETIS by Rafa Ruiz. You can scroll down to read (Also linked via the New Year bell).
COMPLETELY FULL BOOKSHELF is re-reviewing Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead. Check it out to find out why.
Karen Yingling always has some awesome MMGM Picks. Today she has ESCAPE FROM ALEPPO. Be sure to check out her reviews from the past week including Snow Lane, Gravedigger’s Club, and Slider’s Son.
If you would like to join in the MMGM fun and get your own spot on the walkway, 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!
*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.

CYBILS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

I will be helping judge the winner from this impressive lineup for MG fiction:

Posted in MMGM Links | 3 Comments

TOLETIS FOR MMGM’s Brand New Year

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

Happy New Year to all.

After a year of reading books where young protagonists face so many heartbreaking challenges, it was a pleasure to sit back during the holiday season and enjoy this quiet tale. First written in Spanish and now translated into English, the book consists of twelve chapters following a year in the life of Toletis. He’s a boy who contemplates a lot about the seasons, the love for his Mother, friendships, and loneliness.

Each chapter focuses on an aspect of the environment. Toletis has a passion for plants and animals and does everything to ensure the best for them. Although the text is closer to what you might find in an MG book, the result is more like a chapter book—one to be shared by a teacher with their class or a parent with a child.

Toletis is a thinker and his reflections are often accompanied by full-page color illustrations. Our “always on” generation would do themselves a favor by looking out their own windows and seeing the beauty that Toletis has found.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 272

FULL PLOT (From Neem Tree Press)

The Trees are disappearing and the adults don’t care. Toletis, his dog Amenophis and friends Claudia and Tutan are on a mission to turn their little valley town, set deep in the mountains, lusciously green again. The odds are stacked against them. Can they succeed … with some very unusual help?

A deep appreciation for nature, art, language, music, friendship, family, the passing of time, old age, loneliness; and the importance of sitting still and reflecting on life, pervade these exquisite stories. A must read for 7 to 107 year olds!

The stories are accompanied by gorgeous illustrations by the uniquely talented Elena Hormiga and have been used by 11-12 year olds in Spanish schools for teaching descriptive and figurative language, art and crafts (with students exploring different media inspired by scenes from the book), and environmental awareness classes.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: TOLETIS

  1. The fanciful and bold illustrations are a joy to the eyes. You can see some of Elena Hormiga’s work on her website.
  2. The chapters follow the seasons from spring to winter. A nice connection to Toletis’ fear that some day the beautiful scenery might never come back.
  3. There is magic in nature and touches of magical realism in several of the stories.
  4. The chapter where Toletis looks at old photos was my favorite. He imagines different people together and sees himself in ways he hadn’t seen before.
  5. The solution that Toletis and friends come up with to keep a road from being built through their town is a love card to nature.

FAVORITE LINES

But if the adults were speaking about how the meadows would feel after the rain and sleet, or if they spoke about a diseased cow, or about a marten of fox that had gotten into the chicken coop, Toletis would open up his ears. He wouldn’t even blink. He would push all of his concentration and perception to his ears, and then he would carefully order all the words into the little drawers in his brain, so that he could pull them out later in the afternoon and analyze the conversation in more detail, going back again and again to the dialogues.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Rafa Ruiz (from Amazon):  

Rafa Ruiz is a journalist and author who believes the light at the end of the tunnel can only be seen through progressive eyes. He has a staunch commitment to culture, art and the environment, and the majority of his career has been focused on these three areas. He spent 10 years at Spanish newspaper El Pais and 15 years at their weekly supplement, he has written numerous children’s books, and he codirects the Mad is Mad art gallery in Madrid which gives space to up-and-coming artists. He is also one of the partner-founders of the Press Association for Environmental Information (APIA).

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

A NEW HOME FOR MMGM

Posted on December 27, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

I’ve enjoyed the past two months posting the MMGM links for all the fantastic bloggers out there. I’m also grateful to the talented Shannon Messenger. She entrusted me to take good care of her wonderful creation.

It’s worked out so well I’m not going away!

That’s right. Shannon will be getting a new author web site soon and won’t be able to blog. The transfer of MMGM to ALWAYS in the MIDDLE has been in the works for months, but Shannon wanted to makes sure I was comfortable with the new role. The trial period is over. I’m now fully trained and ready to carry the MMGM flag into next year and beyond.

So… thanks to Shannon for all she has done for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday.

I’ll do my best to keep our MG community of bloggers together.

Welcome to your new home! I’ll be ringing in the New Year next Monday with the first set of MMGM links for 2018.

****************************************************************

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun and get your own spot on the walkway, 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!
*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 Uncategorized | 7 Comments