THE GREAT GREENE HEIST for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

The cover really draws you into reading this new novel by Varian Johnson. I did so a few weeks ago at the end of my greeneparticipation in the 48 Hour Book Challenge. It was my final title to read. As the final minutes ticked away there was only time to read the first two chapters. Not to be defeated, I started over a few days later.  My initial two-point reaction remained the same:

  • Was this a sequel? No, it’s not but it was like I missed the first course or two of an important dinner. I needed a scorecard with all the characters and back story thrown in. Just in the first ten pages you have Jackson Greene, Mrs. Kau, Coach Rainey, Mr. James, A.P Nelson, Gaby de la Cruz, Charlie de la Cruz, Naomi Sinclair, Keith Sinclair, Dr. Kelsey, Mr. Pritchard, Blitz at the Fitz, Mid-Day PDA, Lynne Thurber, Fiona, Omar Turner, Katie, and Heather Ames. Whew, I was exhausted. I checked out the  prequel on Mr. Jonson’s web site and dove back into the story.
  • I couldn’t get over that this cast of characters were mostly just turned 13-year-olds. What’s going on in Columbus, Ohio? I kept expecting a dream sequence to end. They all acted and appeared more like a high school crowd than middle school.

Moving beyond those concerns, I tossed aside the implausible plot and just enjoyed the story. It became an enjoyable ride. The diversity angle was great and the back story eventually explained. Fans of heist movies will get a kick out of the various roles each of the characters take. Real middle school age kids will be wondering why their school isn’t anything like Maplewood Middle.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   PAGE COUNT: 226

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  Jackson Greene swears he’s given up scheming. Then school bully Keith Sinclair announces he’s running for Student Council president, against Jackson’s former friend Gaby de la Cruz. Gaby wants Jackson to stay out of it — but he knows Keith has “connections” to the principal, which could win him the presidency no matter the vote count.

So Jackson assembles a crack team:  Hashemi Larijani, tech genius. Victor Cho, bankroll. Megan Feldman, science goddess. Charlie de la Cruz, reporter. Together they devise a plan that will take down Keith, win Gaby’s respect, and make sure the election is done right. If they can pull it off, it will be remembered as the school’s greatest con ever — one worthy of the name THE GREAT GREENE HEIST.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE GREAT GREENE HEIST

  1. You are kept guessing how our young protagonist is going to pull off his plan. The reader gets many of the details, but there are still enough unanswered questions to keep those pages turning.
  2. A very rare African-American protagonist in a contemporary middle school book. No stereotypes, just another boy in a diverse group of characters.
  3. The brief though powerful scene that demonstrates racism is still out there.
  4. This cast of teen characters are smart and it’s something not to hide. Young readers take note.
  5. Many references are made to the movie, Oceans 11, but I think this would actually make a blockbuster movie in and of itself.

FAVORITE LINES:

Jackson shook his head. The idea if Mrs. Goldman being a Sk8tr Boiz fan weirded him out. He figured someone like her – someone in her thirties – would like boring music, like smooth jazz.

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

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

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Ten Favorite Summertime Middle Grade Reads

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

Yes, the time has come to say goodbye to spring, at least on the calendar. This Saturday the sun will be at its farthest point north of the equatorphoto (Exactly 6:51 A.M. EDT if you want to celebrate). It’s also a good time to take note of books you or your middle grade child want to explore. Nothing heavy for the summer. Just some light, humorous stories to read during this active season. All of them are linked to Amazon if you want to take a peek at the first few pages. Enjoy! I’m off to the pool.

ALVIN HO: ALLERGIC TO BABIES, BURGLARS, AND OTHER BUMPS IN THE NIGHTby Lenore Look

BILLIONAIRE BOY by David Walliams

CHARLIE JOE JACKSON”S GUIDE TO NOT READING by Tommy Greenwald (My review)

FAKE MUSTACHE by Tom Angleberger

FINALLY by Wendy Mass

JACK STRONG TAKES A STAND by Tommy Greenwald (My Review)

MISSION UNSTOPPABLE (The Genius Files #1) by Dan Gutman

THE FOURTH STALL by Chris Rylander

THE GREAT WALL OF LUCY WU by Wendy Wan-Long Shang

THE PET WAR by Allan Woodrow (My Review)

Coming Monday: A review of THE GREAT GREENE HEIST.

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Middle School How I Survived Bullies, Broccoli, and Snake Hill for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

It’s been 2 years since I picked up the first book in James Patterson’s series, MIDDLE SCHOOL THE WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE. It never made it here for a review because… well, I didn’t like it. The main character was a forgettable kid named Rafe that I could not attach myself to. His whole demeanor just didn’t sit with me well. Yeah, there were parts like him missing his twin brother that revealed some of his inner character, but for the most part I was disappointed and decided to avoid any future stories about Rafe.

So now MIDDLE SCHOOL – HOW I SURVIVED BULLIES, BROCCOLI, AND SNAKE HILL (the fourth book) had somehow found a home middle school on my bookshelf urging me to read. It had been there close to a year. With the official day of summer this coming Saturday, I finally opened and read the first ten pages and was laughing out loud. Rafe had become the kid I expected to read about in the first book. His internal dialog is hilarious and the summer camp setting is a fast paced read for any reader, reluctant or not. How was the rest of the book? The story did not disappoint.

With book #6  set to release next week, MIDDLE SCHOOL – SAVE RAFE!, (thanks for the shorter title) this series has many happy fans. Not sure if the new one has a co-writer but this one does, Chris Tebbetts.  Makes me feel pretty good that one of the most successful adult authors needs help from a second author to write a middle grade book. Yes, books at this level are hard to write! Kidding aside, great job on the collaboration.

PUBLICATION DATE:2013    LEVEL: 4.0  WORD COUNT: 34,646

FULL PLOT (From Amazon): Rafe Khatchadorian, the hero of the bestselling Middle School series, is ready for a fun summer at camp–until he finds out it’s a summer school camp! Luckily, Rafe easily makes friends with his troublemaking cabin mates and bunkmate, a boy nicknamed Booger-Eater, who puts up with endless teasing from the other kids. Rafe soon realizes there’s more to a person than a nickname, though, and Booger-Eater might be the kind of friend you want on your side when the boys from the Cool Cabin attack.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT MIDDLE SCHOOL – HOW I SURVIVED BULLIES, BROCCOLI, AND SNAKE HILL

  1. The various classic books thrown in along the way. When a non-reader like Rafe starts to think maybe these titles aren’t so bad, it’s a good thing for reluctant readers everywhere.
  2. Rafe isn’t the most perfect kid in the world, but this story gave meaning behind his misdeeds. It’s nice to know Rafe has a heart for those being bullied and seeks to do something about it.
  3. The plot is a writer’s guide in how to write one. There’s the beginning with the problem laid out and characters come to life. The middle that keeps pushing the reader to not put down the book. Finally the end where the problem is solved in a rather messy way, but it does get solved.
  4. Rafe’s friends in his cabin each have their own unique personality. It’s the secret Norman the bookworm is carrying around that had me cheering for Rafe and what he did to protect his new buddy.
  5. The pictures are funny and you can get lost just looking at all of the little jokes planted in each drawing. I’ve also been to camp as a kid, as a counselor, and as a teacher. Nothing like this ever happened but it felt good to bring back those memories. Whoops, I think I threw in a #6 there. Regardless, Rafe and this episode of the Middle School series is highly recommended for a summertime read.

FAVORITE LINES (There are so many, it was hard to choose just one. I let a 13-year-old pick the best from Rafe’s rambling thoughts):

  1. Maybe you already know this, but when you’re feeling like you’re about to blow chunks, it doesn’t exactly help to hear someone else doing the deed in front of you. It just kind of speeds things up.
  2. I’m not going to lie. All I thought when I saw him was, I hope this kid brought sunblock.

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

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Do Dads Get a Fair Look in MG Books?

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

Father’s Day is fast approaching and this Sunday it will be time to celebrate our dads. Happy Father’s Day!

I’ve read a lot of middle grade books the past year where the dad is not portrayed in the best light. In fact, it felt like a large number of dads in MG books were not doing their job of being a father. My curiosity took control as I wondered whether the books I’ve read really did predominantly have a poor role model father. Or could it be I was remembering the bad and forgetting the fathers who were there for their kids.

I went back to every book I read since the last Father’s Day (60 total). It wasn’t difficult as I reviewed many of them here and the rest remain on my bookshelf. I placed each dad in one of four categories. The final percentages are different than expected.

DAD IS DIVORCED OR WALKED OUT AND HASN’T BEEN SEEN SINCE (39%)

DAD HOME AND A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL IN CHILD’S LIFE (31%)

DAD IS DEAD (15%)

DAD HOME BUT NOT A PART OF CHILD”S LIFE (15%)

The largest category could probably be split as many divorced dads in books do a fine job of staying connected with their kids.

Do the results stand up to all recent MG books. Yes, I’d say this is a pretty good sample size.

Do the results parallel real life? I’d hope not, but I’m probably wrong.

What do you think? Are dad’s getting a fair shake in MG books?

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A Special MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY: Blog tour for It’s NOT Just A Dog

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

Just Dog Blog BannerI am thrilled to be the seventh stop on the Blog Tour for It’s NOT Just A Dog, a new novel by Pam Torres. Thanks for inviting me, Pam! The full schedule is below in case you missed the start and the tour roams the Internet for a whole month. I’ll do my regular MMGM look at It”s NOT Just A Dog, but then keep scrolling for more links, author background, and a fun contest.

Yes, I admit, I’m a dog person. If you aren’t, this story will still touch your heart with its underlying themes. The tale (tail) has connections to some big issues involving our canine friends along with growing up problems facing our protagonist, Madison. The novel is adventurous and would make a great read a loud. This is the second book in the Madison Project series but don’t worry, it stands on its own.

WHAT IT’S ABOUT: School’s out for the summer and straight-talking Madison and her friend Cooper have big plans Final Cover Imagefor the summer: working at the kennel, training service dogs and creating a dog-walking business—besides writing her dog-blog. Her stepdad has agreed to make Lilly, Madison’s foster puppy, a permanent member of the Morgan family, and Madison wants to make the adoption special.

When an injured dog is abandoned, Madison’s determined to discover the truth about the orphaned dog. To crack this crime she’ll have to sneak around some shady characters. It’ll be tricky since her dad isn’t happy about her animal detective activities. Her promise not to get into trouble won’t be easy. Madison convinces Cooper to strike out on their own, but Lilly is dognapped and Madison finds herself locked in a shed with no way out. She regrets her crime-fighting obsession and realizes her snooping has endangered everyone she cares about. Cooper rallies an unlikely group of rescuers to bust her out.

In the end Madison learns she can depend on her friends and her stepfather. And when it comes to people and dogs, relationships are never simple, and a dog is never—JUST a dog!

FIVE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT IT”S NOT JUST A DOG

  1. The chapter headings each begin with an arched title and a picture inside a case. It makes a nice introduction to what you are about to read.
  2. Madison is a deep thinker. Her thoughts bounce around from concern about her step dad to her beloved dogs to new and old friends colliding for her attention. She is a winning MC and one that makes you smile with her compassion for both humans and our furry friends.
  3. The adventure part of the story is handled in a page turning way. Your concern is with Madison, her friends, and the dog she is rescuing from harm. The unfortunate true to life incidents left me sad, but also happy that there are people trying to put a stop to this abuse of animals.
  4. There’s a Native American connection that is very believable. It helps Madison get a better understanding of her unique ability with dogs.
  5. The author’s love of dogs comes through on every page. I think even my dog would enjoy the story, though a treat has to come first.tatumtongue I can never resist her look or telling the world about a great new MG novel in It’s NOT Just a Dog.

 

FAVORITE LINE

Pretty soon all these questions were chasing each other by the tail in my mind. I was lost in a whirlwind of what ifs.

GOODIES, BIOS, LINKS, & GIVEAWAYS

Social Media Links
Facebook
Project Madison
Twitter
Goodreads
Pinterest

You can find It’s NOT Just A Dog! at the online stores below:
Amazon
Barnes And Noble
IndieBound

About The Author: Pam Torres

Pam Torres was born in Logan, Utah and did most of her growing up in Prairie Village, Kansas. Besides playing Dorothy during Author pictornado weather and digging Peter Pan-like underground forts she also played piano and ran cross-country. She started her family early, and had five energetic and creative children, and returned to school when the last one was four. She has fond memories of reading and playing with her children in between hefty amounts of volunteering at church and their schools. Several of her favorite memories are doing writers’ workshop, updating the art docent program, recruiting volunteers, working as the parent liaison for the curriculum team, publishing articles in the newsletter and directing a very popular after-school art club.

Writing was the one constant in her life through all the struggles of single parenthood, stepparent issues and bringing a large family together. She continued to write her brains out in hopes of writing full-time one day. After five years in sales, she quit her well-paying job to write. Her supportive husband is her biggest cheerleader and she frequently acknowledges that she couldn’t have done it without him.

The Project Madison Series is her debut middle-grade series. She organized Project Madison around its release and is donating 10% of her proceeds to the ASPCA®, animal shelters and other programs to benefit homeless or abused animals.

LINK to a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prize Packages

Grand Prize- Set of illustrations signed by the illustrators, set of bookmarks, official Netta recipe card with biscuit mold, full set of magnets, set of stickers, signed hard copies of both books in the series, and a dream catcher.

First Prize- 3 illustrations signed by the illustrators, bookmarks, official Netta recipe card with biscuit mold, full set of magnets, set of stickers, hard copies of both books in the series.

Second Prize- 2 illustrations signed by the illustrators, bookmarks, official Netta recipe card with biscuit mold, full set of magnets, set of stickers, signed hard copies of both books in the series.

Third Prize- 2 illustrations signed by the illustrators, official Netta recipe card with biscuit mold, bookmarks, magnets, stickers, signed hard copies of both books in the series.

Swag Packages- One 5×7 signed illustration, bookmarks, magnets, stickers, an ebook in the format of your choice.

More chances to win…

Facebook Page Contests- During the month of June the Project Madison Facebook Fan Page will be conducting contests and giveaways, so be sure to check there frequently for a chance to win some great prizes.

Attention Teachers and Parents:

Anyone who emails (torres dot pam3 at gmail dot com) a JPG of a tween holding my book, a student or relative will receive a personalized letter from Madison and signed by Lilly dog.

In addition, they will also be entered into a special drawing for an entire classroom to receive copies of the book and a visit from the author. (Sorry, this is for Washington State Teachers only.) One entry per child, per picture. Be sure to include your school name, teachers name and contact information.

June Blog Tour Schedule and Links

Week One
2-  Randomly Reading
3-  R-Cubed’s Reads and Reviews
4-  Book Dreaming
5-  Ordinary Girlz Book Reviews
6-  The Write Game
7-  Indigo Quill

Week Two
9-  Always In The Middle 
10-I Am A Reader
11-Beach Bound Books
12- Mommies Point Of View
13- Susan Kaye Quinn

Week Three
16- Rockin’ Book Reviews
The Write Path
17- The Owl’s Skull
18- Literary Rambles
19- Social Cafe Magazine
20- This Kid Reviews Books

Week Four
23- That’s Another Story
24- Pretty Opinionated
25- The Reader’s Perch
26- That’s Another Story
27- Reads 4 Tweens
Week Five
30- Tales Between The Pages
July 1st- Buried In Books

 

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48 Hour Book Challenge: The Finish Line!

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

I haven’t read so much in a 48 hour period since, well, never. I stumbled to the end with a few longer titles and only got halfway through THE GREAT GREEN HEIST. I’ll post a review some time this month. For now the lawn is waiting to be mowed, the dog needs a walk, and I have a dozen phone messages to take care of. Hello, Greg. What happened to you? Are you still alive?

Here’s my summary:

  • 8 1/2 books read
  • More than 250,000 words
  • 24 hours and 15 minutes plus 1 bonus hour for five hours of networking, reading others blogs, etc. = 25 hours, 15 minutes.

What I learned:

  • Empathy for others and how they see the world.
  • Turn off the cell phone. It helped being disconnected while reading.
  • I accomplished more reading away from home.
  • Goals are what provides growth. This time in learning more about diversity, different writing styles, and the power of the written word.

Thanks Mother Reader for hosting this event. I’m exhausted but it feels good. Click on the icon for all the results.

48hbc_new

 

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CROW for 48 Hour Book Challenge

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

CROW by Barbara Wright11346278

READING TIME: 320 minutes

WORDS: 63,872       PUBLISHED: 2012    READING LEVEL: 5.4

BOOK JACKET DESCRIPTION: The summer of 1898 is filled with ups and downs for 11-year-old Moses. He’s growing apart from his best friend, his superstitious Boo-Nanny butts heads constantly with his pragmatic, educated father, and his mother is reeling from the discovery of a family secret. Yet there are good times, too. He’s teaching his grandmother how to read. For the first time she’s sharing stories about her life as a slave. And his father and his friends are finally getting the respect and positions of power they’ve earned in the Wilmington, North Carolina, community. But not everyone is happy with the political changes at play and some will do anything, including a violent plot against the government, to maintain the status quo.

One generation away from slavery, a thriving African American community—enfranchised and emancipated—suddenly and violently loses its freedom in turn-of-the-century North Carolina when a group of local politicians stages the only successful coup d’etat in US history.

FAVORITE LINES OF DIVERSITY: “Aren’t white people better than us?” I asked.

“Not better. Different. Everybody is an individual. It’s like hair. Some people have red hair, some brown, some blond. But that doesn’t mean we’re different inside.”

MY THOUGHTS: The story builds after a slow start, and the empathy I had for young Moses demonstrates the strong writing from Ms. Wright. The final 80 pages are gripping. It’s a sad scar on the history of North Carolina and for the United States. This would be a fantastic tale to jump start a discussion about progress made with race relations since this story unfolded in 1898.

NEXT UP: THE GREAT GREENE HEIST by Varian Johnson

MY MOTIVATION LEVEL: Maybe I should have read CROW first as it was the type of story that requires careful reading and reflection. I’m pushing forth for another hour tonight and hope to finish the final selection before my 48 hours comes to an end at 9 am tomorrow.

 

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THE YEAR OF THE BOOK for 48 Hour Book Challenge

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

THE YEAR OF THE BOOK by Andrea Cheng

READING TIME: 100 minutes

WORDS: 20,719       PUBLISHED: 2012    READING LEVEL: 3.6

BOOK JACKET DESCRIPTION: In Chinese, peng you means friend. But in any language, all Anna knows for certain is81KVdKlgmiL that friendship is complicated. When Anna needs company, she turns to her books. Whether traveling through A Wrinkle in Time, or peering over My Side of the Mountain, books provide what real life cannot—constant companionship and insight into her changing world. Books, however, can’t tell Anna how to find a true friend. She’ll have to discover that on her own. In the tradition of classics like Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy books and Eleanor Estes’ One Hundred Dresses, this novel subtly explores what it takes to make friends and what it means to be one.

FAVORITE LINE OF DIVERSITY PAYBACK: Once a boy in my school called me a Chinese flat face and I called him a big-nosed moose.

MY THOUGHTS: This is the first in a series of books about Anna, a Chinese American. I enjoyed the plot with Anna at odds with the Chinese part of her ancestry. Great starter book for a new MG reader – girls more than boys though. Learning a few words in the Chinese language was also a plus.

NEXT UP: CROW by Barbara Wright

MY MOTIVATION LEVEL: My right eye seems to be fluttering. Don’t know why. Couldn’t be that I’m approaching 20 hours of reading, I’ve got two more books left, but they are 300+ pages each. The weather is perfect and the football campers are enjoying another day of hard work. They are excited to have some NFL players coaching them today. I’m excited to be starting Book #8. Here’s the view from my reading spot…

football

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WILLIAM for 48 Hour Book Challenge

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

WILLIAM by Anne Welsh Guy

READING TIME: 80 minutes

PAGES: 124       PUBLISHED: 1961

BOOK JACKET DESCRIPTION: “We’ve come to school and we’re going to stay! said William.

Miss Howard, the teacher in the white school welcomed the boy of determination. There were many problems for 41kIksuyNtL._SY445_William to overcome, and the biggest one was his fears. There was the fear of new people and a strange school, but mostly there was his fear of not being accepted by the members of the fifth-grade class. William’s fight to conquer his suspicions and those fo his classmates is a long struggle. The mysteriously missing class fund of twenty dollars and the exciting, almost tragic, skating party are some of the events along this road. Eventually a rewarding friendship and understanding springs between the white children and William.

FAVORITE LINE OF DIVERSITY UNDERSTANDING: “But Mama,” persisted William. “What if the kids in that school don’t want us there? What if they make fun of us – or maybe won’t talk to us or look at us?”

MY THOUGHTS: This one may be a difficult one for you to find. I got it at a yard sale (50 cents- original price for this hardback when published $2.95). I also saw it at our local library. I was curious as to how diversity was handled in literature over 50 years ago. William is a great role model for kids then and now as to how to deal with differences. The story is well told with some nice pencil sketches throughout. Recommended if you can find it.

NEXT UP: THE YEAR OF THE BOOK by Andrea Cheng

MY MOTIVATION FACTOR: I’m refreshed and ready to go with another round. I have driving duties again today and thankfully the football hungry teens smell better this morning than when I picked them up yesterday. My goal is five more books today, but two are quite lengthy so we will see.

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THE LAST BEST DAYS OF SUMMER for 48 Hour Book Challenge

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

THE LAST BEST DAYS OF SUMMER by Valerie Hobbs51n2DGnrYyL

READING TIME: 2 hours 50 minutes

WORDS: 40,011       PUBLISHED: 2010    READING LEVEL: 3.8

BOOK JACKET DESCRIPTION: For twelve-year-old Lucy Crandall, the last week of August is the most perfect time in the world. It’s when everything she’s been so worried about – her overprotective mother, her best friend Megan’s obsession with being popular, and Eddie, the neighborhood kid with Down syndrome who keeps insisting that they’re friends – melts away, and she gets to visit Grams at the cabin in Crescent Lake, California. Grams has a way of making Lucy feel centered, like one of the pots on her kick wheel – perfect, steady, and completely at peace.

But as Lucy’s week with Grams turns into a roller coaster of surprises – some good, some awful – suddenly Grams doesn’t seem to be so steady anymore. And Lucy can’t help but wonder: How is she to find her own center, without Grams to show her?

A “Hurtful” LINE OF DIVERSITY: Yeah, well. It’s not like he’s, you know, normal.

MY THOUGHTS: No differences in color here, but plenty of difference how Lucy and her popular friends react to her friendship with Eddie. Lucy tries hard to fit in, to be popular, but that means hurting others and not feeling good about herself. This is a tender, heartfelt tale of understanding. For people different from yourself and for a grandmother whose mind is slowly disappearing. Powerful writing wringing with emotion. Highly recommended.

NEXT UP: WILLIAM by Anne Welsh Guy

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