An Avalanche of Books

Posted on July 14, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

I’d like to read and review every MG book that comes along, but with over 300 titles released each year I have to wave the white flag. I will read around 130 MG books in 2017, leaving many more on the shelf.

Here are a few I wanted to read. Maybe you’ll find the time to include them in your reading stack.

THE GUTTERSNIPES by Scott Eric Barrett

Charlie Daniels is more than six feet tall, allergic to almost everything, and has a pet dinosaur, Trike, at home. His life in Arizona is relatively normal. That is, apart from the nightmares Charlie has…

Follow Charlie and his misfit friend Arty as they are flung into the past in an attempt to rescue Trike from the creepy Ms Nedivah and her cat-like sidekick. The dark underbelly of New York in the chaos of 1865 is brought to life in all its grimy glory in this fast-paced and intricate tale of ancient revenge, bloodlust and threatened friendships.

 

TOONOPOLIS GEMINI by Jeremy Rodden
Toonopolis is a cartoon city that is home to the thoughts and ideas of all sentient beings in the universe. As the center of the Tooniverse, it acts as an other-worldly rest stop for these creations.

Gemini is a teenage human boy who is thrust into Toonopolis through his father’s scientific research program. He loses part of himself in the process and immediately begins a quest to regain his lost memories with the help of his Tooniverse guide named Jimbob the Talking Eggplant.

After an altercation with a mysterious Shadowy Figure, Gemini’s mission is changed, and he begins a new quest to defeat Shadowy Figure and protect Toonopolis from his nefarious destruction. Along the way, he meets new friends, discovers just how diverse and strange Toonopolis is, and learns lessons about compassion, forgiveness, redemption, and being true to oneself.

THE PRIMAL KEY by C.A. Hartley

Alex Clarke trains for one thing — finding the broken bits of Grandmother’s Carnelian Tablet. The relic, if mended, could reveal the location of The Primal Key — the key to unlocking parallel dimensions. His family duty and his path are preordained, foretold centuries ago until . . .
Anne Clarke’s curiosity gets the best of her. She opens a storage box, the one thing Mom insists she leave alone, and prematurely unleashes suppressed talents — dangerous skills that can’t be curbed once released. Worse, she accidentally leads Seth Barthony, Grandmother’s murderous adversary, to the family’s safe house. Seth’s agents destroy their home and abduct Mom. As ransom, Seth insists Grandmother hand over the Primal Key.
As Alex scrambles to uncover clues to the Key’s last resting place, Anne learns her new talents could help rescue Mom. But Anne’s shaky and untested skills could, if forced, kill her and those she loves.

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Have a great weekend everyone!

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POSTED for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

I previously reviewed John David Anderson’s MS. BIXBY’S LAST DAY, the heartfelt tribute by three sixth grade boys to the teacher they adore. POSTED is also about a group of boys, this time an older group in 8th grade. The focus is on how words can hurt and heal and make you think.

As an adult reader I found myself reliving my own middle school years. The tense first weeks, finding my tribe—the people you would hang with, and avoiding those kids who looked like they might stuff you in a trash can at a moment’s notice. It was sad to look back because the closeness of my tribe didn’t last past ninth grade. Some went off to different high schools and soon different careers…different neighborhoods. We formed new tribes and let the other ones drift away as part of our past. Maybe a birthday or Christmas card is all that’s left of those connections. It’s the way life often works.

POSTED is in the transition zone between MG (8-12 years old; sometimes 13) and YA. (12/13–18). The listed audience is 10-14 or Upper MG as it has been called. It’s a great story, but I have the feeling adults will swoon over it more than kids. At 369 pages it’s a hard sell for any but the most avid MG reader. The best outlet for POSTED would be as a part of a reading discussion group. That way all of the issues like bullying, acceptance, and the power of the written or spoken word could be explored in depth.

The story is very believable. Starting with the elimination of cell phone use in a middle school. Texting in its modern form goes away followed by students posting notes on lockers. Nice ones at first but it soon heads downhill…in more ways than one. The overall message is a cry for change for those who don’t fit in. Bravo to the author for tackling this sensitive subject.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 369

FULL PLOT (From HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS)

In middle school, words aren’t just words. They can be weapons. They can be gifts. The right words can win you friends or make you enemies. They can come back to haunt you. Sometimes they can change things forever.

When cell phones are banned at Branton Middle School, Frost and his friends Deedee, Wolf, and Bench come up with a new way to communicate: leaving sticky notes for each other all around the school. It catches on, and soon all the kids in school are leaving notes—though for every kind and friendly one, there is a cutting and cruel one as well.

In the middle of this, a new girl named Rose arrives at school and sits at Frost’s lunch table. Rose is not like anyone else at Branton Middle School, and it’s clear that the close circle of friends Frost has made for himself won’t easily hold another. As the sticky-note war escalates, and the pressure to choose sides mounts, Frost soon realizes that after this year, nothing will ever be the same.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: FROST by John David Anderson

  1. The characters. They each have a nickname (Frost, Bench, Wolf, and Deedee). They sit together at lunch, hang out after school, and find friendship in a variety of ways. It’s how kids survive having a group to call their own. I too would have been at their table.
  2. This is middle school and it hasn’t changed much in the past thirty years. Here’s hoping this story will provide a nudge in the right direction to make things different.
  3. There are no loose threads except for one—What will these kids be like in four years? A YA sequel set in their senior year would be hard to resist.
  4. Divorce is handled with raw emotion. Too often it’s assumed that the kids will be all right. As shown here parents splitting up can have long lasting effects.
  5. A realistic view of bullying. None better.

FAVORITE LINES:
I know what you are going to say: sticks, stones, and broken bones, but words can kick you in the gut. They wriggle underneath your skin and start to itch. They set your hooks into you and pull. Words accumulate like a cancer, and then they eat away at you until there is nothing left. And once they are let loose there really is no taking them back.

FROM Mr. Anderson’s WEBSITE:

The sticky-note challenge

The challenge is simple: Go get a pad of Post-it notes (twenty, fifty, a hundred) and vow to use every single one of those notes to say something nice about someone you know. Keep the pad of notes in your backpack so that you can leave messages of gratitude, admiration, encouragement or support whenever the occasion arises. Give yourself a set amount of time to use up all your notes (a day, a week, a month); then kick back and bask in the warm, fuzzy karma, knowing your words probably gave somebody (or several somebodies) out there something to smile about.

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Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them. Click on the comments link below.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S WISE WORDS

Posted on July 7, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap up this patriotic week than to feature this new title from NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS. In today’s world of political infighting and rhetoric not only should our future leaders read this book but also the current ones.

Here’s the official background:

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Benjamin Franklin’s Wise Words by K.M. Kostyal, illustrated by Fred Harper. (ages 8-12, hardcover) – In this day and age, we could all use some words of wisdom and there are but a precious few individuals that have proven themselves to be of a greater mind than Benjamin Franklin.  Complete with fifty of Ben Franklin’s renowned sayings and paired with modern-day translations, whimsical caricature artwork and fascinating stories about Franklin’s life, this title gives sage advice on everything from good citizenship and manners to friendship, achieving your dreams and being happy. It’s a great go-to for inspirational and innovative ways to practice mindfulness, industriousness, and self-improvement by one of the United States’ most famous Founding Fathers.  History buffs young and old will particularly enjoy the book’s forward by H.W. Brands.  Brands’ book, The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. 

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Seven themed chapters contain the collection of quotes: TRANQUILITY, INDUSTRY, ORDER, HUMILITY, RESOLUTION, SINCERITY, and MODERATION. Each quote is stated on its own page in Ben’s language of the time. The quote is then rewritten in a more understanding way for kids (and adults). For example:

A SLIP OF THE FOOT YOU MAY SOON RECOVER: BUT A SLIP OF THE TONGUE YOU MAY NEVER GET OVER.

TRANSLATION: Be careful what you say. Because once it’s said, you can’t take it back—ever.

The rest of the page is devoted to how Ben followed the words in his own life. You’ll learn some fascinating insights about this famous American and the role he played in getting our country started. On the opposite page is a full page color illustration. Each one is a great visual of the quote and most are hilarious.

After reading through the over 4 dozen quotes, I had to go back and reread my favorite ones. Wrapping up Ben’s wise words are a few pages highlighting his iconic inventions.

Perfect as a discussion starter in the classroom or at the dinner table. You could take one quote per day or week and think about how you carry it out in your own life or plan to do so in the future.

Thank goodness the inspiration of Benjamin Franklin will live on forever!

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BUBBLE for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

This novel was originally released in the UK in 2016 with the title, THE BUBBLE BOY. Now it has arrived in North America with a new cover and title. The story remains the same and picks up on a familiar plot line we’ve seen in popular media about a child or teen confined to an enclosed space due to their immune system unable to keep out germs.

Here we have Joe, eleven years old and trapped in a London hospital room, shut off from the rest of the world for almost longer than he can remember. His parents are dead and his sole outlet for family is an older sister who is pursuing medical school. He knows an early death is likely for someone in his condition. How’s that for a cheery plot line? Not much.

Joe can see out his window and watch what goes on across the street and rooftops, including a good view of Heathrow Airport. Henry, his best friend, also has the same health problem, but lives far away in his own bubble in Philadelphia. They text and Skype and their conversations are the highlight of Joe’s day.

His sister Beth visits often and there are two male nurses he bonds with, Greg and Amir. Greg is more straight forward with his support, while with Amir you’ll wonder how he got by any security background checks. He’s convinced the aliens are about to land.

Stellar writing and Joe’s character helped me get through to the end of the story. I never like when anyone suffers, kids especially. My worst day won’t seem so awful when I think of Joe and all the other children dealing with the bad cards they’ve been dealt.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2016 (UK) 2017 (U.S.)   PAGE COUNT: 352

FULL PLOT (From AMAZON)  Eleven-year-old Joe has never had a life outside of the hospital, with its beeping machines and view of London’s rooftops. His condition means he’s not allowed outside, not even for a moment, and his few visitors risk bringing life-threatening germs inside his bubble. Then a new nurse offers Joe the possibility of going outside. But Joe doesn’t know if the nurse is serious—or whether he could survive the adventure.

Bubble is the touching story of how Joe spends his days, copes with his loneliness and frustration, and looks—with superhero-style bravery, curiosity, and hope—to a future without limits.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: BUBBLE by Stewart Foster

  1. A perfect book to use with a small group with discussions about the themes running through the pages.
  2. Amir was wacky but just the kind of friend Joe or any kid would gravitate toward. He turned out to be the biggest wish giver of all the characters.
  3. SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency) is the name of the condition, and I learned much about what doctors and patients have to do to cope as they wait for a cure. No sugarcoating. All out honesty.
  4. There are some wonderful lessons here about never giving up your dreams. The hero in all of his is waiting to come out.
  5. Heartbreaking but when you need it the most…uplifting.

FAVORITE LINES:

…Maybe they think I’m going to die. I think about dying a lot. It’s hard not to when a monitor beeps every time my heart beats. I never, never want the beeps to stop. I might not be able to do much in here or go outside, but I’ve got Beth and I’ve got Greg. I’d miss them and I know they’d miss me. I’d rather live all my life in a  bubble than die. It’s cool to even be born. That’s what me and Henry say.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR  (from GOODREADS):
Stewart Foster lives in Bath and wishes he’d never left school. So he went back to university far too many years later and he wrote a book, We used to be Kings, and then he wrote another, The Bubble Boy, that won Sainsbury’s book of the year 2016 (10+) and The Trinity Schools Book Award 2017.

His next book ‘All the things that could go wrong” will be published 28/06/2017

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Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them. Click on the comments link below.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2shannon

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WEIRD BUT TRUE! KNOW-IT-ALL: U.S. Presidents

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

Last February I featured National Geographic and their every four year encyclopedia on U.S. Presidents (OUR COUNTRY’S PRESIDENTS). It’s a great resource on each of the 45 men voted into this prestigious office.

This new title is a fun handbook covering the lighter side of each president along with their weird quirks and accomplishments. Between the giggles you will also find important historical information. This includes a set of pages beginning the book of how this office came to be, powers bestowed, and a look at some big words important to an understanding of the presidency.

Once through these six pages readers are treated to an look at each of the 45 presidents. You will smile or laugh out loud at Adrian Lubbers whimsical color caricatures of each man. My favorites were President John Adams, Pierce, Carter, Obama, and Trump. George Washington featured on the cover is pretty good, too.

Throughout you will find both familiar events and ones known only to the most ardent presidential researchers. Here’s the official blurb on this fun resource from National Geographic Kids:

Weird But True Know-It-All: U.S. Presidents by Brianna Dumont, illustrated by Adrian Lubbers (ages 8-12, June 2017) – What’s so weird about U.S. presidents? Plenty! Did you know that Abraham Lincoln was a great wrestler? That Ulysses S. Grant got a speeding ticket riding his horse – twice! Or that Benjamin Harrison was afraid of electricity? And let’s not forget that President McKinley had a pet parrot that whistled “Yankee Doodle Dandy” duets with him. Every president — from the 1st to the 45th — is spotlighted, featuring important historical information alongside vignette’s highlighting the oddities of each prez. “Extras” include an introduction that delves into the powers of the President, Congress, Supreme Court, an explanation as to how the electoral college works, a glossary, an index and even a listing of the Presidents’ most outrageous pranks. 

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Now that you have some background, try guessing the president for each of these five facts. There are hundreds more in the book but these are my favorites I didn’t know about before reading this guide.

  1. His father passed away when he was 11 years old.
  2. He kept his pet alligator in the East Room of the White House.
  3. This president had 15 kids!
  4. He was the first to have both his mom and dad at his inauguration.
  5. This president reported seeing a UFO.

FlagsFlagsFlagsFlagsFlagsFlagsFlagsFlagsFlags

For the answers you’ll have to get your own copy of WEIRD BUT TRUE! KNOW-IT-ALL: U.S. PRESIDENTS…

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No, I wouldn’t do that to you… Here are the answers to my teaser questions:

  1. George Washington
  2. John Quincy Adams
  3. John Tyler
  4. John F. Kennedy
  5. Jimmy Carter

God Bless America and have a great weekend!

 

 

 

 

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A BABYSITTER’S GUIDE TO MONSTER HUNTING for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

The world of babysitting has never seen this much fun, excitement, and under your bed scariness. Who knew those monsters lurking in the minds of preschoolers would make a great idea for a middle grade series.

Kelly is thirteen and trying to earn enough money to go to a summer camp she hopes will be a first step in not being invisible to her classmates. She reluctantly takes on the job of a babysitter on Halloween and sure enough it’s not a good night. Little Jacob gets carted off by monsters he always claimed were lurking in his bedroom. Kelly doesn’t know what to do until Jacob’s regular babysitter arrives to help out. She is a part of a babysitter society whose purpose is to rid the world of these scary nighttime creatures.

Filled with adventure, a few scary scenes, and humor, the story is told through Kelly’s hesitant and often comical narration. There’s middle grade angst at every turn as Kelly comes to grips with her own self and how anyone can shine if given the chance.

Perfect for fifth grade on up. More is on the way in this three book series including a future movie. As a former babysitter myself it will be fun to follow Kelly as she hopefully becomes a full fledged member of this unique secret society of babysitters.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 352

FULL PLOT (From AMAZON)

When middle schooler Kelly Ferguson’s Halloween plans switch from party-going to babysitting, she thinks the scariest part of her night will be the death of her social life. But then Baby Jacob gets kidnapped by the Boogeyman’s minions and Kelly learns there’s a whole lot more to childcare than free snacks and Netflix. Like chasing shadow monsters, drop-kicking Toadies, and mastering monster-fighting moves like the Naptime Headlock and Playground Punch.

Now, with the help of an ancient handbook and a secret society of butt-kicking babysitters, Kelly sets out to destroy the Boogeyman before he brings Jacob’s nightmares to life. But when the monsters’ trail leads to her school’s big Halloween bash, Kelly will have to prove she can save the world—without totally embarrassing herself in front of her friends.

Packed with black-and-white illustrations and insider secrets from the world of monster hunting, A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting is full of tricks, treats, and terrifying twists!

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: A BABYSITTER’S GUIDE TO MONSTER HUNTING by Joe Ballarini

  1. I thoroughly enjoyed Kelly Ferguson, the main character. She’s an every day type of girl trying to find a niche in the beginning of her teen years. Smart, heroic, and stuck in that weird time in everyone’s life known as middle school.
  2. The fun images throughout give life to the monsters and are a well done addition to the text.
  3. I always worry when I get close to the end of book one in a planned series. Will there be so many plot points unresolved you feel cheated? Certainly not here. There’s one thread dangling, but the rest are wrapped up neatly.
  4. Although set on Halloween night the story can be enjoyed any time of the year especially if you love a thrilling climatic end.
  5. The secondary cast of characters leave you with wanting to more about their past. Great possibilities lie ahead in book two and three.

FAVORITE LINES: 

“How do you know all this stuff?” I whispered, gnawing on the end of my sleeve so hard, it threatened to unravel.

“I’m a babysitter. It’s what I do.” Liz cracked open a fluorescent green can of Monster energy drink and downed it in a few heaving gulps. She never took her eyes away from the baby.

“I mean…is every sitter like you?”

“Like what? A butt-kickin’ UFC warrior?” She crushed the can in her fist.

“A deranged psychopath,” I said.

ABOUT Joe Ballarini (from Joe’s Web Site)

This guy is the author of A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting and the writer of the movie, Dance of the Dead and the upcoming My Little Pony: the Movie (oh, yeah!). Joe lives in Los Angeles with his wife, their son, and two rescue dogs.

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Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them. Click on the comments link below.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS ALMANAC 2018

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

This yearly favorite has reached new heights for 2018. Available now, ALMANAC 2018 includes twelve chapters filled with oh my gosh pictures, facts, games, quizzes and much more. Include this in your summer travels and you’ll never hear “I’m bored” from any young person who is lucky enough to have their own copy.

A look at the chapter titles gives you a preview:

  1. Your World 2018
  2. Awesome Exploration
  3. Amazing Animals
  4. Going Green
  5. Engineering and Technology
  6. Wonders of Nature
  7. Fun and Games
  8. Space and Earth
  9. Culture Connection
  10. Life Science
  11. History Happens
  12. Geography Rocks

That’s an eye popping collection contained on over 350 pages and 500 amazing photos! Each chapter also includes an 18 cool things feature.

The almanac is not only good for summer, but when school revs up again you’ll find many curriculum connections. An added plus scattered throughout is a section called HOMEWORK HELP giving tips on how to—write a perfect essay, make an oral report, write a good letter, and read a map to name just a few.

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Here’s More Background from National Geographic Kids:

One of the most effective, easiest and affordable ways to ensure students are on track academically come September is to make sure kids have access to books throughout the summer. Whether it’s making library visits a part of the summer schedule, starting a neighborhood book swap or incorporating a trip to the local bookstore as part of an outing to the ice cream shop, there are lots of ways to get kids hooked on reading this summer.

As the best selling kids almanac on the planet, the National Geographic Kids Almanac has helped millions of kids beat the summer slide. The key to getting a child to pick up a book is to find one that interests them, and the Almanac 2018 has something for EVERYONE.  The Nat Geo Kids Almanac 2018 (ages 8-12, $14.99) is the perfect way to take a big bite out of the summer slide.

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You can never stop learning, even for a big kid like me. Here are some of my “I didn’t know that” moments as I read this great resource:

  • With an app and an earpiece you can have a real time conversation with someone speaking a language you don’t know. Included are Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and English.
  • The Newsmaker Challenge next year is to Save our Sharks. A fantastic website is devoted to learning more about the importance of sharks and the health of our oceans.
  • The armadillo is truly the funniest animal on the planet.
  • Recycled denim jeans can be used as insulation in the walls of green homes.
  • The microwave oven was created by accident.
  • I was blown away by 18 Facts about Natural Disasters.
  • Harriet Tubman is set to appear on the U.S. twenty dollar bill.

There are hundreds more I could note, but you’ll want to devise your own list. The National Geographic Kids ALMANAC 2018 will for sure be the most popular non-fiction title in your home or school. Fantastic stuff!

 

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WELCOME TO THE WONDERLAND–Beach Party Surf Monkey for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

P.T. (named after P.T. Barnum) returns as the hilarious narrator in the second book in the WELCOME TO WONDERLAND series. Earlier this year I raved about Book #1—Home Sweet Motel.

This is a totally new wacky adventure and reading the first is not a requirement but encouraged. You’ll quickly find out P.T. lives in The Wonderland Motel in St. Petersburg, Florida with his mom and grandpa. P.T. has a knack for talking and convincing people his stories are real. His best friend is Gloria, a business minded classmate.

The nasty owner of the resort next door wants to bulldoze The Wonderland and use it for a parking lot. He always gets his way, but maybe not this time. P.T. and Gloria convince a movie crew to film their retro 1960’s movie, Beach Party Surf Monkey, at Wonderland. They hope doing so will bring worldwide popularity to the motel and keep P.T.’s mom from selling out.

Of course problems arise with the monkey costar and a teen idol with a huge ego. It leads to lots of baloney, a smelly finale, and the promise of a third book, BANANA SHACK SHAKE-UP.

The 79 chapters—not a misprint—fly by and reluctant readers who are under the parental rule of reading one chapter a day this summer, won’t even notice they’ve read many more.

Silly and lighthearted makes for the perfect combination this summer. Check in for a few hours at The Wonderland and enjoy all the amenities like a fun, outrageous  story with many laugh out loud illustrations.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 320

FULL PLOT (From RANDOM HOUSE)

There’s always something wacky happening when you live in a motel, and P.T. (named after P. T. Barnum, of course) has grown up at the world’s wackiest! When word gets out that the hottest teen idols in Hollywood (plus current YouTube sensation Kevin the Monkey!) will be filming their next movie—Beach Party Surf Monkey—right in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida, P.T. and his friend Gloria know that the Wonderland would be the perfect location. Now they just have to convince the producers!

But when things start to go wrong (crazed fans? missing stars?), it will take all of Gloria’s business genius and P.T.’s wild stories to save the movie before both it and the Wonderland are all washed up!

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: WELCOME TO WONDERLAND: Beach Party Surf Monkey by Chris Grabenstein

  1. The extras in the back will keep readers amused until the next book comes out. P.T. WILKIES OUTRAGEOUSLY RIDICULOUS AND OCCASIONAL USEFUL STUFF is where you will find explanations of common movie terms and a fun movie quiz. Some smart marketing person decided to put the questions in the book but the answers on the author’s web page. A great way to move readers to other content.
  2. One major cliffhanger remains. Where is P.T.’s dad? Its something both P.T. and readers will hopefully find an answer to in the next book.
  3. Books with illustrations can often be hard to read as you go back and forth from words to drawings. Here though there is a nice balance and they seamlessly integrate with each other.
  4. Grandpa is the kind of grandpa every kid should have—always there when you need him.
  5. Nothing heavy here. Leave that to the many MG books dealing with those big issues. As I read the book on my porch it had me laughing, garnering a few extra looks from passing neighbors. I let them borrow my copy and now they’re the ones smiling.

FAVORITE LINE FROM P.T. as he leads the motel’s tram tour:

As people climbed aboard, I kept up my patter. “By the way, if you lost a roll of fifty twenty-dollar bills wrapped in a red rubber band over by the concession stand, please let me know. I’ve got great news. We found your rubber band.”

FROM Mr. Grabenstein’s WEBSITE:
Yes, like we said, Chris is always writing! This morning, he wrote a grocery list, a note to his wife, J.J., and a letter to Santa Claus. It’s never too early.

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Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them. Click on the comments link below.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2shannon

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FELIX Yz for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

I try to keep a pulse on what agents, editors, and book publishers are looking for in new stories. Reading their blogs, web pages, and tweets can often give me insights (See Manuscript Wish List). Specifically in MG, here is what pops up the most:

  • I want diversity in race and LGBTQ
  • Give me a character who is not an everyday girl or boy
  • Show me the struggles of someone with a disability

There are certainly books out there who cover one or two of these, but with the quirky FELIX Yz, all of them are covered. Throw in a bully, a single parent family, and some light science fiction and you have one of the most unusual titles to come along this year or any year.

Felix is 13 and narrates the story. He has a unique problem after a freak accident left him fused with an alien inside him ten years prior. The alien has a name, Zyx, and the first sentence you hear from Zyx on page three makes you think this is going to be one weird ride: do what you want do not do what you do not want.

The story begins 29 days before the procedure doctors and scientists have devised to separate the alien from the boy. Each chapter is a countdown in name and content—29 DAYS TO GO, etc.  until you reach the chapter titled ZEROMOMENT.

The pages in between are about Felix trying to live a normal life in middle school despite his strange movements and ticks, courtesy of the other being nesting inside him. Felix is attracted to another boy in his class, Hector, and that thread carries on to the end. At home are a bisexual mother dating again, a piano prodigy older sister, and a grandparent who hasn’t settled on one gender going with Vern part of the week and Vera the rest.

Felix is scared of what might happen to him on the crucial day, but his dialog is often funny and perceptive. This one may not be for everyone, and for sure it is more of an upper MG title (10-13). It will make you see how life keeps happening no matter what.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2017   PAGE COUNT: 288

FULL PLOT (From AMAZON)  When Felix Yz was three years old, a hyperintelligent fourth-dimensional being became fused inside him after one of his father’s science experiments went terribly wrong. The creature is friendly, but Felix—now thirteen—won’t be able to grow to adulthood while they’re still melded together. So a risky Procedure is planned to separate them . . . but it may end up killing them both instead.

This book is Felix’s secret blog, a chronicle of the days leading up to the Procedure. Some days it’s business as usual—time with his close-knit family, run-ins with a bully at school, anxiety about his crush. But life becomes more out of the ordinary with the arrival of an Estonian chess Grandmaster, the revelation of family secrets, and a train-hopping journey. When it all might be over in a few days, what matters most?

Told in an unforgettable voice full of heart and humor, Felix Yz is a groundbreaking story about how we are all separate, but all connected too.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: FELIX Yz by Lisa Bunker

  1. Zyx communicates with Felix by taking control of Felix’s fingers and typing his thoughts. A perfect way for an alien to communicate with this earth boy.
  2. Acceptance is the main issue here…of who you are, who you want to be, and pushing away others who can’t accept ways different from their own.
  3. At first you’ll be trying to understand the alternate pronouns (vo and veir?), but they soon become a natural part of the story. Yes, this will test your reading brain to the max, but you’ll survive.
  4. There is a lot going on here with the other characters, but thankfully its Felix who puts everything into proper perspective.
  5. I’ll call this a contemporary sci-fi. It seems like a fitting new label for a new type of story.

FAVORITE LINES:

The only thing I have to report about today is that it has been less fun than usual for a Friday because tomorrow, all day, is the trip to the Facility to finish the Fitting of the Apparatus. Gah, all these Capital Letters. But, that’s how it feels, so, Whatever. The Facility is the science complex where the accident happened and where the Procedure is going to be performed. It’s a long way from here, back where we used to live. (Of course the fifty-mile rule doesn’t apply to driving there.) And may I just say I am not looking forward to any part of this, at all?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lisa Bunker has written stories all her life. Before setting up shop as a full-time author she had a 30-year career in non-commercial broadcasting, most recently as Program Director of the community radio station in Portland, Maine. Besides Maine she has made homes in New Mexico, southern California, Seattle, and the Florida panhandle. She currently lives in Exeter, New Hampshire with her partner and her cat. She has two grown children. When not writing she reads, plays piano, knits, takes long walks, does yoga, and studies languages. She is not as good at chess as she would like to be, but still plays anyway.(Read more at Lisa’s author web page)

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Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them. Click on the comments link below.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2shannon

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THE ETHAN I WAS BEFORE for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 5, 2017 by Greg Pattridge

Earlier this year I won a copy of THE ETHAN I WAS BEFORE at Literary Rambles. Be sure to check out the site as it is one of my favorites with frequent giveaways, author/agent interviews, and great advice for writers.

This was not a book on my radar, but I’m glad I had the chance to spend some time with Ethan, even though it was a bit depressing at times… okay, most of the time. It’s all about grieving the lost of someone you love—in this case a best friend.

We don’t start off knowing all the details. Ethan is in such a deep depression his parents have moved the family from Boston to Georgia to get him away from reminders of what happened. There’s an older brother who seems to hate Ethan and Grandpa Ike who they move in with.

Questions abound about whether Ethan caused the accident, the unsettling relationship of the parents with Grandpa, and Coralee who is a new friend with a few stories of her own. The numerous chapters are short, but always make you want to turn the page for more. A well constructed story with a satisfying end.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2016   PAGE COUNT: 368

FULL PLOT (From AMAZON)

Ethan had been many things. He was always ready for adventure and always willing to accept a dare, especially from his best friend, Kacey. But that was before. Before the accident that took Kacey from him. Before his family moved from Boston to the small town of Palm Knot, Georgia.

Palm Knot may be tiny, but it’s the home of possibility and second chances. It’s also home to Coralee, a girl with a big personality and even bigger stories. Coralee may be just the friend Ethan needs, except Ethan isn’t the only one with secrets. Coralee’s are catching up with her, and what she’s hiding might be putting both their lives at risk. The Ethan I Was Before is a story of love and loss, wonder and adventure, and ultimately of hope.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE ETHAN I WAS BEFORE by Ali Standish

  1. Ethan makes lists with titles like WHAT I KNOW ABOUT MYSELF, WAYS I COULD FIX THINGS IF I COULD TIME TRAVEL and WHY CORALEE AND KACEY ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. They delve into his thought processes and are entertaining to read.
  2. Strong readers (kids who always have a book in hand) are looking for something different and meaty. This would satisfy their taste. It will be hard sell for reluctant readers or for those looking for a few laughs. Adults will probably enjoy this one more than the intended audience.
  3. The school scenes with the different social groups were spot on. This side of middle school is rarely depicted accurately, but the author got it right here.
  4. The book ends with a redrawing of the front cover. Very poignant.
  5. I’ve read many stories where a storm serves as a subplot. It’s used here but in a way that drenches the characters with a new understanding about family, friendship, and moving forward.

FAVORITE LINES: 

Mom has started saying my name the way she placed the teetering stacks of her best china into boxes back in Boston. Carefully. Slowly. Like she’s afraid of breaking something fragile and precious.

AUTHOR QUOTE

After four years in D.C., it was time for a new adventure, so my husband and I packed up our things, including our rescue dog, Bella, and moved across the Atlantic to Cambridge, England. It was here that I wrote Ethan, in a tiny office in a small English village, while I waited for my work visa to come through. Life’s funny that way. (Read more at Ali’s author website)

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Make a comment if you have time. I enjoy reading all of them. Click on the comments link below.

Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.

MMGM2

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments