GENUINE SWEET for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

I spent a summer in a small Mississippi town and can attest that the depiction of life in this new novel is spot on. Everyone knows everyone and51sxQrzPNFL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_ secrets aren’t that way for very long. Since I grew up in a big city and have never been far from one since, I can’t see myself ever moving to a small town, but I’m thankful for books like this that bring alive a special slice of American life.

This novel is a quiet magical story that is set in the South and what a great name for the protagonist: Genuine Sweet. She narrates the story and her voice springs from the pages. A first crush, dealing with a father who drinks too much, and a gift for granting wishes to others, Genuine has a heart for making things right. It’s a tough job that she faces head on, unafraid to speak her mind. One of the strongest female characters in MG the past year.

Perfect for out loud reading, girls will navigate to this one more than boys. I’m glad I took the chance and hope for a sequel.

PUBLICATION DATE:2015   PAGES: 277

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  Twelve-year-old Genuine Sweet, of tiny Sass, Georgia, can grant any wish . . . except her own. It’s a peculiar predicament, considering how much she could use a few wishes. New friends help Genuine give her family a boost–and then she takes her gift global! Life finally seems to be on the mend. But when she’s faced with unexpected trouble that no amount of wishing can fix, Genuine must puzzle out the difference between wishing for a better life and building one.
Told in the engaging, irresistible voice of Genuine Sweet herself, Faith Harkey’s debut novel spins a remarkable tale of a small-town girl with big-time magic and an even bigger heart.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT GENUINE SWEET by Faith Harkey

  1. Anyone who becomes a wish fetcher discovers a unique way to grant the wish. For Genuine, her recipients taste one of her homemade biscuits made from magical flour. I got hungry very quick, and the next time I’m eating a biscuit, I may make my own wish.
  2. Genuine’s friend, Travis, is a handful. We discover why as the story progresses. The change we see in him is heartwarming.
  3. The author expertly defined the town of Sass, Georgia. I felt like I was walking down the main street. Superb world building.
  4. Heavy adult themes of death, alcoholism, and cancer are handled well. I’d have no problem with a fourth grader reading this book.
  5. If you enjoy books like A Snicker of Magic, Savvy, or A Tangle of Knots, then park yourself and enjoy this debut.

FAVORITE LINE: Right then, I found myself thinking of what Gram had said about wish fetchers being the underlings of angels.

AUTHOR QUOTE: “Like a lot of girls I knew, I was a huge Judy Blume fan. At the time there weren’t a lot of people — in books or otherwise — who were giving voice to the powerful emotions and experiences of growing up. I was also a devoted reader of Newbery Award winners, The Westing Game and A Wrinkle in Time being two of my all-time favorites. For a while, I had a pretty serious Choose Your Own Adventure addiction.”

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

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

WATCH THE SKY for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

I won a copy of this book from fellow writer and blogger, Rosi, over at her fantastic blogging home, THE WRITE STUFF. Check it out and some day you may win, too!

I found WATCH THE SKY to be a beautifully written though a difficult to read story. I would only use this as a read-aloud or in a reading group.watchthe sky The story is rich with discussion topics:

1.  What is wrong with the stepfather, Caleb? (We suspect PTSD from his soldier days or another form of mental illness.) I detested him immediately and hated what he was doing to this family.

2. Why does the Mom blindly follow this man not seeing how he is endangering the children?

3. Where did little adopted sister, Kit, come from? It’s only explained she showed up in a pumpkin patch one day.

4. Is it possible for one person to convince others his decisions are going to save their lives, even though what he says is far from plausible? How does a person become so controlling?

Not every one of these points are covered by the last page so they are ripe for debate. The most pressing question though is what happens to this family in the future? Too many unanswered pieces as I closed the book for the last time.

PUBLICATION DATE:2015   WORD COUNT: 47,149   LEVEL: 4.0

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  The signs are everywhere, Jory’s stepfather, Caleb, says. Red leaves in the springtime. Pages torn from a library book. All the fish in an aquarium facing the same way. A cracked egg with twin yolks. Everywhere and anywhere. And because of them, Jory’s life is far from ordinary. He must follow a very specific set of rules: don’t trust anyone outside the family, have your work boots at the ready just in case, and always, always watch out for the signs. The end is coming, and they must be prepared.

School is Jory’s only escape from Caleb’s tight grasp. With the help of new friends, he begins to explore a world beyond his family’s farm. Then Caleb notifies the family that the time has come for final preparations: digging in their backyard canyon at night. Every night.

As the hole gets deeper, so does Jory’s doubt about whether Caleb’s prophecy is true. When the real reason for their digging becomes clear, Jory must choose between living his own life or following behind Caleb, shutting his eyes to the bright world he’s just begun to see.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT WATCH THE SKY by Kristen Hubbbard

  1. Jory is the hero of this story. Willing to question despite his conscience telling him it is wrong to do so. In the end he is more adult than any of the adults in the story.
  2. Jory’s friend, Alice. She was such a breath of fresh air and exactly what Jory needed when he was away from his bordering on abusive family situation. Alice is the kind of kid who initiates conversation and is curious abut the unknown. I’d read a book with her as the protagonist for sure.
  3. If you are tired of the same old storyline in MG, this book is for you. There’s nothing quite like it on the bookshelf.
  4. There is racial diversity from Jory’s new friend to his little sister with the olive skin. It’s not a central theme to the story but that’s the way it should be in a tale like this.
  5. The cover does draw you into the mystery ahead. Each image serves as a hint to the story inside. Well done.

FAVORITE LINES: Most kids had friends they hung out with after school. Most kids had mothers who left the house more than every couple of weeks. Most kids had siblings who spoke. And Jory never asked, but he was sure nobody had step-dads who constantly talked about signs.

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

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

MMGM2

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

THE ONLY GAME for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

Growing up I devoured sports books like candy. It’s what kept me reading. Nowadays I find myself into  a wide variety of books, but when summer or51Xx4hmhAfL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_ fall approaches I get the urge to immerse myself in another thrilling sport’s story. Mike Lupica is one of my go to authors for this purpose and his newest, THE ONLY GAME, arrived just in time.

The story is about dealing with a tragedy, quitting something you love because of that tragedy, but then finding new friends who understand and help. Our protagonist, Jack, has much to worry with the choices he feels he must make. It’s not your typical book about baseball though there are numerous games played. I’ve known kids who have lost a close sibling, and its a tough road to travel for each of them. It does take time and though parts of this novel are predictable, I enjoyed this tale enough to feature it today.

PUBLICATION DATE:2015   WORD COUNT: 59,561    LEVEL: 5.0

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  Jack Callahan is the star of his baseball team and sixth grade is supposed to be his year. Undefeated season. Records shattered. Little League World Series. The works. That is, until he up and quits.

Jack’s best friend Gus can’t understand how Jack could leave a game that means more to them than anything else. But Jack is done. It’s a year of change. Jack’s brother has passed away, and though his family and friends and the whole town of Walton thinks baseball is just the thing he needs to move on, Jack feels it’s anything but.

In comes Cassie Bennett, star softball player, and the only person who seems to think Jack shouldn’t play if he doesn’t want to. As Jack and Cassie’s friendship deepens, their circle expands to include Teddy, a guy who’s been picked on because of his weight.

Time spent with these new friends unlocks something within Jack, and with their help and the support of his family and his old friends, Jack discovers sometimes it’s more than just the love of the game that keeps us moving—and he might just be able to find his way back to The Only Game.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE ONLY GAME by Mike Lupica

  1. Jack’s parents are supportive and understanding. They are both there for him in different ways and together they make a super family. You’d love to have them as neighbors.
  2. Cassie, Jack’s new friend, is a feisty and strong female character. It’s understood by everyone that she is a leader and you’d best listen to her advice. No early romance here but their friendship strengthens as the story unfolds.
  3. Too often baseball books are formula written with a team playing through a season to win a championship. The addition of Jack’s struggles to regain his past and his drive to help another new friend, Teddy, The Only Game takes a much different path.
  4. The coach reminded me of many of the fine coaches you see and hear each summer in the Little League World Series. There’s a trick to motivating 12-year-olds and these gifted coaches always seem to have the right words.
  5. This becomes the first book in Mike Lupica’s new series called A HOME TEAM. I am looking forward to whatever this brings forth whether it be the same characters we’ve met here or new ones.

FAVORITE LINES: He knew how much he was going to miss baseball. He was missing it already, just watching the Red Sox play the Orioles on television. Now he wondered how much he was going to have to miss his best friend, too. But maybe you could get better at missing things–and people–with enough practice.

No Quote from the author this week as most were too long. You may be interested in Mike’s author page where you can see the wide variety of MG related sport’s books he has written.

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

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

MMGM2

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Cover Reveal for MYSTERIES OF COVE – FIRES OF INVENTION

Posted on May 15, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

I’m excited to be a part of the blog tour for this new series by J. Scott Savage. The cover grabbed my attention and I’m anxiously looking forward to the scheduled release in Fall, 2015. Read on for all the details.Myteries of COVE_cover

************************************
STEAMPUNK! Plus Dragons!

Trenton Colman is a creative thirteen-year-old boy with a knack for all things mechanical. But his talents are viewed with suspicion in Cove, a steam-powered city built inside a mountain. In Cove, creativity is a crime and “invention” is a curse word. Kallista Babbage is a repair technician and daughter of the notorious Leo Babbage, whose father died in an explosion-an event the leaders of Cove point to as an example of the danger of creativity.

Working together, Trenton and Kallista learn that Leo Babbage was developing a secret project before he perished. Following clues he left behind, they begin to assemble a strange machine that is unlikely anything they’ve ever seen before. They soon discover that what they are building may threaten every truth their city is founded on-and quite possibly their very lives.

A Note from author, J. Scott Savage:

Like many of my books, the inspiration for my new series Fires of Invention came from the collision of two ideas. The first time the savage, j. scottstory occurred to me was while I was watching the musical Wicked with my wife. The moment I walked into the theater and saw the huge mechanical dragon above the stage, I thought, Wow! I have to write a story about that! A few weeks later, I was talking with my nephew, who is probably the most creative kid I know, but whose inventiveness often gets him into trouble, and I thought, What if a kid who had the talents of my nephew lived in a world where creativity was against the law? What if the kids were building . . . a steam-powered dragon? Bam! I had my story.

Powered by great feedback from my agent, Michael Bourret, my good friend and author James Dashner, my publisher, Chris Schoebinger, and the song “Warriors” by Imagine Dragons, I wrote the entire first draft of the first volume in the series, Mysteries of Cove in four weeks. This book is unlike anything I have ever written. There are elements of City of Ember, Dragon Riders, and Hugo in it all mashed up together in a world I fell in love with from the moment I started writing.

I think what’s most exciting to me about this book is that it’s about giving yourself the freedom to imagine. To take chances. Too often we limit ourselves by only trying things we’re confident we can succeed at when what we need to do is give ourselves permission to fail. Often it is when we attempt things with no idea of how we can possibly pull them off that we achieve our greatest successes.

Author Bio:

J. Scott Savage is the author of the Farworld middle grade fantasy series and the Case File 13 middle grade monster series. He has been writing and publishing books for over ten years. He has visited over 400 elementary schools, dozens of writers conferences, and taught many writing classes. He has four children and lives with his wife Jennifer and their Border Collie, Pepper, in a windy valley of the Rocky Mountains.

FACEBOOK       TWITTER
INSTAGRAM: jscottsavage
WEBSITE

Posted in New Release | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

JOSHUA AND THE LIGHTNING ROAD for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

I know I’m into a great book when between reading sessions my mind is swirling with thoughts of “What will happen next?” JOSHUA AND 24761910THE LIGHTNING ROAD is a thrilling, hard to put down fantasy adventure that will have wide appeal. I was lucky to read the story before its scheduled May 19th release.

The world building by author Donna Galanti is excellent and with every conflict you feel as if you are in Joshua’s shoes experiencing each new frightful turn. There’s barely time to breathe. You’ll be pushed forward by end of chapter cliff hangers and frequent action scenes. Told in first person, Joshua’s voice is spot on as he wrestles with who he is in two different worlds and what his future has in store for him. Bring on the sequel because I’ll be the first in line for another adventure.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2015   PAGE COUNT: 278

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):

Twelve-year-old Joshua Cooper’s grandpa has always warned him about the dangers of lightning. But Joshua never put much stock in his grandpa’s rumblings as anything more than the ravings of an old man with a vast imagination. Then one night, when Joshua and his best friend are home alone during a frightful storm, Joshua learns his grandpa was right. A bolt of lightning strikes his house and whisks away his best friend—possibly forever. To get him back, Joshua must travel the Lightning Road to a dark place that steals children for energy. But getting back home and saving his friend won’t be easy, as Joshua must face the terrifying Child Collector and fend off ferocious and unnatural beasts intent on destroying him. In this world, Joshua possesses powers he never knew he had, and soon, Joshua’s mission becomes more than a search for his friend. He means to send all the stolen children home—and doing so becomes the battle of his life.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT JOSHUA AND THE LIGHTNING ROAD by Donna Galanti

  1. The creatures are magical and frightening. Not only will you find them in the skies above, but be careful when crossing any creek. You may not make it to the other side.
  2. You are in the story with Joshua because the sense of sight, touch, smell, sound, and taste pull you in. A great lesson for those writers needing a boost with flat scenes. You’ll be inspired to add more perception to your own writing from the wonderful examples in this tale.
  3. The old line says “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but you can in this case. The cover here is a peek as to what lies ahead: action, adventure, and mystery. No false advertising there.
  4. The scary elements are handled perfectly for the MG audience including the scariest plot point of all: Children are kidnapped from Earth to be slaves in another world. Yikes.
  5. The inclusion of Greek gods in the storyline was a fun way to give meaning to this distant world.

FAVORITE LINES: The foxes jerked their heads up in unison, and it felt like spiders skittered up my spine. Red eyes glowed bright like lava and burned fiercely into mine, hungry for what I feared was me.

QUOTE FROM AUTHOR: (From Donna Galanti’s website) “But it was my son, Joshua, who inspired me to write and finish my first book about a boy who finds adventure in the mountain forest when he meets magical animals and they band together to fight a power-hungry fox who plots to rule the world. It’s hidden in a box in my closet, but I went on to write Joshua and the Lightning Road and can’t wait to share the first book in the series with you!”

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

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

MMGM2

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

MY LIFE IN DIORAMAS for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

Earlier this year I featured THE BATTLE OF DARCY LANE and enjoyed it so much this new title by Tara Altebrando was an easy choice.  Little did I know how much joy and reflection the ride would be. I only wish I had this book many years ago.51r5kxE+UyL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_

In my third year of teaching a student named Sarah was in my class. I got to know her older sister and family the previous year. They had always lived in the neighborhood and what happened mid year shook the class, school, and community. This beloved family was moving to another state. I got word one early morning as Sarah came to my classroom, her eyes streaked with sadness. It had been her only home and now she was going off to a strange new world, leaving friends and teachers behind.

MY LIFE IN DIORAMAS explores just that subject –  when events out of your control leave your family with the only decision left – moving from the place where you grew up. Our protagonist, Kate, reacts to the news as expected, but what she does to stall the move brings many surprises. Her middle grade voice is spot on and the supporting cast of friends and family make Kate’s struggles even more lifelike.

It’s a pleasure to be a part of the blog tour for this heartfelt title. It’s one I won’t soon forget.

PUBLICATION DATE:2015   PAGE COUNT: 256

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):

Kate Marino knows very well that home is where her heart is, and if she had any say in the matter, her heart would stay put in Big Red. The old, rambling farmhouse has withstood the test of time with her family, but now Kate’s parents have decided to sell it from under her feet.

The preventative solution: sabotage the realtor’s tours with the help of best friends and a plan that has maximum stinkage potential.

The back-up plan: hang on to at least a little bit of life at Big Red by creating shoebox dioramas of each room.

But even with a full-scale assault, will her mission be a success? And if not, what will the diorama of Kate’s future look like?

With a keen eye for capturing the moments that matter, acclaimed author Tara Altebrando explores the pain—and promise—of letting go.
FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT MY LIFE IN DIORAMAS by Tara Altebrando

  1. The Dioramas. Kate brings comfort to herself and others by extending a classroom diorama assignment to much bigger proportions. Pieces of her life are scattered in each. What a great background for this story.
  2. Moving is not the only problem for Kate. First crushes, shaky friendships, and a depressed mother bring many interesting scenes that will have you turning the pages for resolution and even a few laughs.
  3. The story will have you reflecting back to your own childhood home. Good and bad memories possibly, but like Kate, helping you become the person you are today.
  4. Kate is a dancer and its a marvelous hook to balance the story with what seems like a separate element but by the end it beautifully wraps itself around the themes of friendship and loss.
  5. Kids do understand if you explain. Kate is not happy she’s in the dark about so many of her family’s decisions. Her spunky reaction eventually convinces others that she may have more understanding than many of the adults.

FAVORITE LINES: I felt my body wake up from the tips of my toes to the top of my head as my bad mood blasted off me with each leap and turn. The energy in the room was totally different now than it had been before. We were going to get on a bus and perform on a big stage in front of hundreds of strangers and there’d be videos of us out there in the world for everyone to see.

QUOTE FROM AUTHOR: I was a music journalist when living in Dublin and interviewed groups like Rage Against the Machine, Duran Duran, The Frames (Glen Hansard!) and more. (From Tara’s website)

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

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

MMGM2

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

SEAN ROSEN IS NOT FOR SALE for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

I had just pulled into the driveway one night a few weeks back when a boy from next door greeted me. He had a book to return that was 512fKOz1P+L._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_borrowed the previous July fourth. Yes, my home checkout policy is rather lenient. His family had been over that night to celebrate. I love that holiday. All you have to do is worry about what you’ll eat and watch fireworks light the sky. There’s no brunch to attend, trees to put up, or turkeys to cook. Oh, sorry. I’m getting off track much like our MC, Sean Rosen. I enjoyed the first book – I REPRESENT SEAN ROSEN and looked forward to the sequel. I only forgot that it had left my bookshelf almost ten months ago.

I read the new version in a few days. Despite its length many of the pages are in short screenplay format. You’ll be in the head of 13-year-old Sean and it may be a rough ride for adult readers. He’s all over the place with too much on his mind. I enjoyed his journey though I’ve been around this age group most of my life, and I still remember myself as a young teen (okay wipe that memory away). Regardless, many boys enjoy Sean because he’s like them with loving parents and a future he’s not sure about. My reluctant readers also willingly give Sean reading time. That says a lot.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   Length: 384 pages

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  The stakes are higher, the funny stuff is funnier, and the completely original and individual wunderkind Sean Rosen is balancing middle school and his career in ways never before seen. The adventures of Sean Rosen and his fictitious manager, Dan Welch, continue as Sean works on his screenplay, deals with seventh grade and track practice and a dog-walking job, records his podcasts, and tries to keep his brush with stardom a secret from his parents. Meanwhile, a major Hollywood movie studio has sent a private detective to Sean’s town to find out who this Sean Rosen kid is, and what the nature is, exactly, of his big idea.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT SEAN ROSEN IS NOR FOR SALE by Jeff Baron

  1. Sean is an only child in a two parent family. Nothing unusual there except this set-up is far from my usual MG selections this year. It’s just nice to read about a family who have become friends and support each other.
  2. Could a 13-year old kid get the attention of big movie executive and trick him into thinking he has an agent? Probably not, but Sean’s voice is so believable, funny, and teen-like, you have to assume maybe it could happen.
  3. Sean produces short podcasts and he talks about them frequently. Even better is actually watching them online. You can see a few of them here.
  4. The story shows kids it’s okay to try something and fail. Whether it be creative or athletic. Sean’s venture into middle school sports lasts about one hour, but his reasons for quitting are understandable.
  5. Sean has friendships with a diverse group of students. He’s not attached to any one clique and does fine with the popular girl and the quiet boy who sits by himself in the cafeteria. You’d be happy your kids had a friend like Sean.

FAVORITE LINES: I don’t hate school, but I don’t love school. My main problem with it is that’s it’s all day long, and there are a lot of other things I’d rather be doing. The parts of school that I like only take up a few short hours, but then you’re stuck there for the rest of the day.

QUOTE FROM AUTHOR: “When I first thought of Sean Rosen, it was a movie idea. Then for some reason, I remembered something a FOX studio executive suggested to me years ago after I pitched a movie—”Write it as a novel first.” I had never tried writing a novel, but Sean Rosen’s voice popped into my head, and once he started talking, he never stopped.” SOURCE

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

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

MMGM2

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

THE NINJA LIBRARIANS: THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

A year ago I added THE NINJA LIBRARIANS:THE ACCIDENTAL KEYHAND to my future books to read list. The recommendation came from 21839074another MMGM blogger (The Reading Nook). My list has now grown to over 80 books and this title would still be there if author Jen Swann Downey hadn’t contacted me to announce the recent release of the paperback version. She graciously sent me a copy and I took to it right away.

What a marvelous world we have at Petrarch’s Library. There’s mystery, a large cast of unique characters, and magical surprises. Dorrie is an endearing MC who we follow as she and her older brother explore this unique place. Conflict and danger lurk in the shadows and the final 50 pages left me breathless. The good news at the end of the paperback version is a sneak preview of the sequel, THE NINJA LIBRARIANS: SWORD IN THE STACKS, due out in late 2015.

Avid readers from MG on up will devour the pages, but reluctant readers will most likely pass at it’s hefty size. They’ll miss out on a fantastic debut by a very talented writer. I’ll be waiting anxiously for the next adventure.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   Word Count: 74,662    Reading Level: 5.8

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):

When Dorrie and her brother Marcus chase Moe-an unusually foul-tempered mongoose-into the janitor’s closet of their local library, they make an astonishing discovery: the headquarters of a secret society of ninja librarians.

Their mission: protect those whose words get them into trouble, anywhere in the world and at any time in history.

Petrarch’s Library is an amazing, jumbled, time-traveling secret base that can dock anywhere there’s trouble, like the Spanish Inquisition, or ancient Greece, or…Passaic, New Jersey. Dorrie would love nothing more than to join the society, fighting injustice with a real sword! But when a traitor surfaces, she and Marcus are prime suspects. Can they clear their names before the only passage back to the twenty-first century closes forever?

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE NINJA LIBRARIANS by Jen Swann Downey

  1. Fourteen-year-old Marcus is a hilarious sidelight to Dorrie’s more serious side. His comments had me laughing at unexpected times. He’s all boy and often speaks before he thinks in his favorite Star Wars way.
  2. Dorrie is not your typical female main character and that’s what makes her special. Sword fighting is her passion, but in the 21st century she is more of a pretender. Her internalization of each event are superb and it doesn’t take long for you to have an attachment to to this girl. Feisty and strong – a great role model for young girls.
  3. When an author creates an imaginary world so vivid you want to visit, that alone is a success. What the residents can do with books at Petrarch’s Library is one of the coolest ideas I’ve ever read.
  4. In the back of the books is a welcome guide to the people, places, and other marvels found in Petrarch’s. Fun to relive what you already know and learn a few more things.
  5. The underlying theme of censorship is a bold one to take on, but what a fantastic way to introduce young readers to the struggles authors have had in the past to get their written words to an audience.

FAVORITE LINES:

Twelve-year-old Dorothea Barnes was thoroughly un-chosen, not particularly deserving, bore no marks of destiny, lacked any sort of criminal genius, and could claim no supernatural relations. Furthermore, she’d never been orphaned, kidnapped, left for dead in the wilderness, or bitten by anything more bloodthirsty than her little sister.

QUOTE FROM AUTHOR:

With all my soul, I have loved libraries since I remember loving anything. As a kid, libraries seemed like magic palaces of possibility. The shelves seemed to hold rows and rows of moveable worlds, each one fronted by a door in the shape of a book cover. All you had to do was swing it open and walk inside. And voila! Imaginary people and situations and places and choices. Those childhood books made it clear that I had choices about what kind of person I wanted to be, how I could live, what might count as “normal” or “good”. Libraries have to rate as one of our most beautiful human inventions, especially public ones. SOURCE: From Jen’s Website

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

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

MMGM2

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

TEDDY MARS: ALMOST A WORLD RECORD BREAKER for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

Teddy Mars fills a void for any new MG reader looking for an easy read, an endearing MC, and a funny story. If you were raised in a small y450-293family and want an understanding of what it’s like to be the sixth child out of seven, Teddy will fill you in fairly quick. Those that already know the feeling of having four times the number of people in the house than bathrooms will smile as Teddy takes things into his own hands. With five older sisters and a younger brother he calls The Destructor, Teddy just wants to stand out and be recognized rather that getting lost in the crowd.

The story is laid out by months with separate subsections for each event that occurred in Teddy’s life. The format should appeal to younger readers who may be intimidated by long chapters. Teddy has a spot on 10-year-old voice that you will not forget. This is a great addition to a 3rd or 4th grader’s library. I’m glad to have spent some time with Teddy.

PUBLICATION DATE:2015   PAGE COUNT: 215

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):

Fans of Jeff Kinney’s humor and Sharon Creech’s heartfelt stories will love this hilarious new series about a ten-year-old boy from a big family who dreams of making it into The Guinness Book of World Records.

Teddy Mars is determined to stand out in a world full of wonders and a house bursting with siblings. With the help of his best friends, Teddy tries to build the biggest snow mound, stuff the most grapes in his mouth, and lift a chair with his teeth. He’ll do anything to succeed—even if it means sleeping in a tent and cleaning up pigeon poop for Grumpy Pigeon Man. Too bad his pesky little brother, also known as The Destructor, always wrecks Teddy’s record-breaking plans!
FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT Teddy Mars by Molly B. Burnham

  1. The illustrations are weirdly wonderful. Rich detail is given to each character’s facial expression and it makes for some amusing takes. The illustrations are scattered rather than being the focus of the story and that works well in this case. Kids though may be clamoring for more pictures.
  2. The inclusion of Guinness Book of World Records throughout the book gives the story a fun angle. You’ll learn many of the wacky records that people have accomplished.
  3. The importance of recognition for each member of a large family is brought forth beautifully. Teddy gets his recognition in an unusual way and it involves a backyard tent. A great prop to bring this theme full circle.
  4. I didn’t seek this title out to learn about pigeons, but I’m glad to be an expert now on their behaviors. The relationship with Teddy and the Grumpy Pigeon Man was heartfelt and believable.
  5. Coming soon is book #2 in the series (yay!): TEDDY MARS: ALMOST A WINNER.

FAVORITE LINES: (I don’t usually choose the first line but I couldn’t resist.) “The day my brother climbed into the cat box was the day I knew my life would never be normal again.”

QUOTE FROM AUTHOR: (SOURCE: From Molly’s website)Screen Shot 2015-04-03 at 2.03.56 PM

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

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

MMGM2

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

TIME SQUARE – THE SHIFT for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Greg Pattridge

It’s a good day when you make a comment on an author’s web site and come away the winner of a contest. Yes, I snagged a copy of S.W. Lothian’s book and spent spring break enjoying a Kindle version. The story is a set-up for the series with TIME SQUARE – UFO available now and TIME SQUARE – 20957080TRIANGLE to be released in 2015.

S.W. Lothian has created an amazing world in this time travel adventure. Time Square is the place where time is kept and it’s a busy place with all sorts of surprises. The statues alone are enough to convince you this is no ordinary place. On the human side there are Lewis and Eva, very engaging youngsters who follow there dad into this unique place. As the plot thickens and races to Book #2, they will be center stage even more.

You’ll be left hanging at the end but that’s intentional. The mark of a great series is that you want to read on – and you certainly will in this case.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   PAGE COUNT: 210

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  There’s more to time than ticks and tocks.

Imagine this. Your dad is a part-time archaeologist who has a tendency to discover things. One day, he comes home from an expedition with a crusty old relic, and dumps it in the basement. You’d probably think everything would be fine and dandy, but that’s where you’re wrong. Because that’s precisely when all the trouble started.

It’s 1930, and Lewis and Eva Hudson are a couple of twin teens with just such a dad. Then, on a chilly wintry day in Washington D.C., the three of them mysteriously disappear into thin air, without a trace. Throw in a weird and mysterious rival with a point to prove, add a looming disaster that threatens to break time itself, and pretty soon they’re smack bang in the front seat of a roller-coaster to doomsville.
FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE SHIFT by S.W. Lothian

  1. The secondary characters leave you with more than one chuckle. Betty Pocker, Horrie Houston, James Blonde, and Ludwig Von Messalot to name a few.
  2. Eva and Lewis are paired with more experienced time travelers, Max Wells and Razer Sharpe. This team known as ELMR will be fun to follow as they embark on their first mission together in 1947 Roswell, New Mexico in the previously mentioned sequel TIME SQUARE – UFO.
  3. The cover is a brightly colored clue as to what lies ahead for readers– suspense, humor, and craziness.
  4. The writing is crisp with just the right balance of action and description. Certainly a necessity with so much to be revealed both in 1930 Washington D.C. and in the magical Time Square.
  5. The front dedication will bring a tear and a smile to anyone reading. You can check it out on the author’s website.

FAVORITE LINES: (There are many including this one from a ‘P word’ loving secondary character) “Mr. Tingleton, it’s Penelope Poppins your personal page. Mr. Hootsnap and a party of people have popped in to appraise you of preparation and plans for the portal placement project.”

QUOTE FROM AUTHOR: “I am a huge fan of books that are full of magical settings (like Harry Potter), action and adventure.  I love reading and writing this genre, as I’m not one who loves to watch or read needless violence and murders, etc.  When I write, it’s for my kids. I try to excite, inspire, and teach them the importance of respect and teamwork.  My books are full of awesome edge-of-your-seat action and adventure which is scattered with plenty of humor and fun.  I also hope to help adults remember the dreams of their own childhood.” SOURCE

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

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

MMGM2

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments