THE BLOSSOMING UNIVERSE OF VIOLET DIAMOND for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

This is a charming, heartwarming tale of discovery for a biracial girl who lives with her white family but is very curious 817ummDbaaLabout the other side of her roots. It is a quiet story (Translation: Not many boys will be flocking to this one), but it does present an issue not often explored in MG books.

Yes, Violet is wanting more than anything to get a connection to her African-American side. That’s the meaning of the title. My reason for choosing this story was in wanting to learn about Violet’s feelings. I know several bi-racial boys and girls who never express any interest in their heritage. For her it seemed right to have this quest, but for many other bi-racial youngsters at this age, they’re just busy being kids while growing up in a loving family.

PUBLICATION DATE: 2014   WORD COUNT: 39,914   READING LEVEL: 4.3

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):

Violet is a smart, funny, brown-eyed, brown-haired girl in a family of blonds. Her mom is white, and her dad, who died before she was born, was black. She attends a mostly white school where she sometimes feels like a brown leaf on a pile of snow. She’s tired of people asking if she’s adopted. Now that Violet’s eleven, she decides it’s time to learn about her African American heritage. And despite getting off to a rocky start trying to reclaim her dad’s side of the family, she can feel her confidence growing as the puzzle pieces of her life finally start coming together. Readers will cheer for Violet, sharing her joy as she discovers her roots.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE BLOSSOMING UNIVERSE OF VIOLET DIAMOND  by Brenda Woods

  1. Violet. She narrates the story so if you didn’t connect with her nothing else would matter. She excels on all counts with her constantly questioning mind. Violet also keeps a list of words she’s never heard before so she can learn what they mean and use them herself.  I love when kids do something like this.
  2. The realities of being a mixed race child. The white world thinks of you as black while the black world thinks of you as white. That alone would make a great discussion starter on ethnicity.
  3. Violet’s best friend is Greek and her sister speaks French. Nice to see these other cultures tossed in as Violet is learning about her African-American side.
  4. The biggest change comes perhaps not from Violet but from her ‘new’ Grandmother, Bibi. It’s the heart of the story as change often takes the support of several individuals. The relationship between these two made me smile.
  5. How could you not love that cover? The sparkle in Violet’s eyes and the light shining above her head says a lot about how this story turns out.

FAVORITE LINES:

The next thing he almost whispered. “So what’d you come down here for … tryin’ to learn to be black?”

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

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ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG FAT QUITTER for Marvelous Middle Grade MIDWEEK

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

After posting my last thoughts on Joey Pigza, little did I know another ADHD main character was to follow with this bonuseliza-bing-jkt review. A friend with twin 8-year-olds was looking for recommendations for a first MG book after they had exhausted the chapter book selections. I thought of many Beverly Cleary titles to get them started, but soon after found ELIZA BING…  and I promptly read it over a four day period.

Eliza is on meds for her ADHD, but it’s a much calmer and sweeter story than what you’d find in Joey Pigza’s world. There aren’t really chapters but section headings as Eliza narrates the story in the same way she thinks. Issues of friendship, sticking to a task, and preparing for middle school would give a new MG reader an nice introduction to this contemporary genre. Older MG readers may pass on this one, but girls diagnosed as ADHD might benefit from checking this one out. You get a clear understanding that ADHD doesn’t have to control everything you do in life.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   WORD COUNT: 34,250  READING LEVEL: 4.1

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  In this uplifting novel about determination and the rewards of hard work, a preteen girl struggling with ADHD must stick with a summer taekwondo class to prove that she s dedicated enough to pursue her true passion: cake decorating.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT ELIZA BING… by Carmella Van Vleet

  1. It’s fast paced with Eliza stating an initial thought for each scene, then taking us through what got her to thinking that way. Some are a few lines while other last several pages.  An interesting approach to get us into the mind of Eliza.
  2. Yes, an actual two parent family. Lately, I’ve been wondering if that doesn’t happen in MG books. Here it is portrayed with an honest look at a Mom who is working while the Dad is changing careers. They both love Eliza with their own unique relationship.
  3. Eliza has an older brother. She’s 11 and he’s 15. Many families share this dynamic. You see the realistic balance of disdain and friendship these two siblings go through. Yes, they often aren’t the others favorite person, but when needed they are there to rescue each other.
  4. You’ll understand the range of subtle to striking differences that come with an ADHD child. Eliza learns to persevere and find other ways of succeeding.
  5. With taekwondo featured throughout the story, you learn not only about the discipline it takes to learn, but also many Korean words. There’s a nice glossary in the back covering all of their meanings

FAVORITE LINES:

Heads up: I’m switching channels. I do that sometimes.

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THE KEY THAT SWALLOWED JOEY PIGZA for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

In 1998 I came across a new book with an odd title, JOEY PIGZA SWALLOWED THE KEY. I read it out loud to my 9780374300838classroom of 11-13 year olds. The story of a wired boy labeled as ADHD with a tough family life grabbed the attention of a few Joey’s I had sitting in front of me that year. With head shakes and laughter, they truly connected with this character. Sixteen years later Joey is back for the fifth and final book in the series, THE KEY THAT SWALLOWED JOEY PIGZA.

Joey is still the wired and funny kid I got to know, but perhaps this is the darkest of the stories. It might be a bit much for the 10 and under crowd. If you haven’t read the others and begin with this one, you’ll get snippets of what happened in the other volumes: an emotionally abusing grandmother, a mentally unstable mother, Joey’s first kiss with Olivia who is blind, a home schooling disaster, and a dad who is in and out of the home and just as wired as Joey.

Nothing lasts very long in the Pigza family, but what author Jack Gantos does to end the story made me smile: There’s hope for the Joey’s of the world. I bet there is a tinge of sadness for the author as he closes the file on a unique boy, Joey Pigza. It’s been a fun and interesting ride.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   WORD COUNT: 36,453  READING LEVEL: 5.4

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  The fifth and final book in the groundbreaking Joey Pigza series brings the beloved chronicle of this wired, wacky, and wonderful boy to a crescendo of chaos and craziness, as everything goes topsy-turvy for Joey just as he starts to get his feet on the ground. With his dad MIA in the wake of appearance-altering plastic surgery, Joey must give up school to look after his new baby brother and fill in for his mom, who hospitalizes herself to deal with a bad case of postpartum blues. As his challenges mount, Joey discovers a key that could unlock the secrets to his father’s whereabouts, a mystery that must be solved before Joey can even hope that his broken family might somehow come back together—if only it doesn’t pull him apart first.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE KEY THAT SWALLOWED JOEY PIGZA by Jack Gantos

  1. The voice. That’s what I remember the most. It’s a first person emotional roller coaster ride through the thoughts and feelings of this boy on and off meds.
  2. It can be hilarious and sad all on the same page. Only a gifted writer can pull this off and Jack Gantos is at the top of his form.
  3. The way Joey transforms into a boy who is more mature in his handling of life’s big bumps in the road than the adults in his life. Joey wants to be the man of the household and he is.
  4. Food is woven into the storyline and it makes for a nice sidelight to the issues facing Joey.
  5. The unique chapter headings tell much about what’s ahead and the turmoil going on in Joey’s head.

FAVORITE LINES:

My favorite teacher, Mrs. Maxy, had quit. Everyone said I did her in. One year of having me spin around in my seat all day while yelling out “Can I get back to you on that? Can I get back to you on that?” really tried her patience.

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

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SHIPWRECK ISLAND for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

I was strolling through the bookstore last month with gift card in hand. I’d already found one title and had enough left to grab one more. On the new releases shelf was SHIPWRECK ISLAND beckoning me. Looked intriguing. I read the inside51-k20Rj0LL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_ book jacket and got pulled in more: A contemporary story about a newly formed blended family taking a vacation to get to know each other. I held on to it tightly and headed to checkout.

A week later after getting about 75% through the book, the light bulb appeared… there were too many story lines to be resolved in the remaining pages. I’d been tricked. There’s not one word in the book or book jacket that this the first in a series. I only found that out by going to the author’s website. I quickly read the remaining pages and sure enough, not a single plot point was resolved. It was all set-up. Should have done my research.

Okay, enough ranting. I did enjoy the adventure, but I’m not sure I would invest any more time by reading future volumes. The two main characters (12-year-old  Sarah and Marco) were not memorable enough to warrant more of my attention. But… you never know. I said the same thing about a similar ship wreck/island series from Gordon Korman back in 2001. Sometimes the pull to know the ending is enough to keep you reading through multiple volumes.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   PAGE COUNT: 184

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):

Sarah Robinson is deeply troubled in the wake of her dad’s second marriage. She now has to deal with a new stepmom and two stepbrothers, Marco, who is her age, and Nacho, who’s younger. Even though they’ve all moved from Texas to California to start life as a new, blended family, none of the kids seem remotely happy about it. Sarah’s dad and stepmom then decide to take the whole family on a special vacation in order to break the ice and have everyone get to know one another. They’ll fly to Tahiti, charter a boat, and go sailing for a few days. It’ll be an adventure, right?Wrong. Dead wrong.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT SHIPWRECK ISLAND by S.A. Bodeen

  1. Nacho. Ten-year-old little brother. He’s a minor character who provides more insights and help to the dire situation than anyone else. I can see him taking a bigger role in future books.
  2. The third person POV alternated between Sarah and Marcos. It was good reading to listen to their different insights and what they thought of each other in their inner thoughts.
  3. If you want a guide about poor decision making by an adult, look no further than the dad. Some of his actions were laughable and far from being safe.
  4. The first part of the book while the family was on the ship is thrilling and I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter.
  5. If you loved SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON or more recently on the airwaves, LOST, then this one will be one to follow. You’ll just have to wait awhile before the whole story is available.

FAVORITE LINES:

…Sarah found herself sitting on her floor beside her bed, wishing she could do something about the fact that she was about to embark on a trip with the new family she wanted nothing whatsoever to do with. And she was furious because she knew there was absolutely nothing she could do to keep it from happening.

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

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RILEY MACK STIRS UP MORE TROUBLE for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

It’s the start of another year of reviews for MMGM here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE and time to announce the winners of my first giveaway. As announced last week ROSI HOLLINBECK won the first part of the contest and a $25 Visa Gift Card. You can catch Rosi’s fun and informative blog at THE WRITE STUFF.

Here are the results of the drawing for part two of the ARE YOU KIDDING? contest:

A Dozen Hardback MG Books: SA LARSEN (Find her blog here)

$25 Visa Gift Card: MARCIA STRYKOWSKI (Find her blog here)

$25 Amazon Gift Card: MICHAEL GETTEL-GILMARTIN (Find his blog here)

Congratulations to all and once you send me your address, I’ll send out your prize. What’s next? I’m planning already!

Now, let’s jump into this week’s review. I’m a bit late getting to this series as it has been buried on my TBR list for a year. I chose to read the second book (The first, RILEY MACK AND OTHER KNOWN TROUBLEMAKERS was released in 2012). It didn’t matter that I’d missed that one as character backgrounds are slipped in along the way.

Okay, let me get a few things out of the way. The plot is far-fetched as are many of the adult and child characters. I was shaking 9780062202970_p0_v2_s260x420my head a few times at the unbelievable dialog on many of the pages. Similar to the recent GREAT GREENE HEIST, I moved beyond those concerns  and just enjoyed the story. The tale borders on the impossible in more ways than one, but it’s fun following Riley Mack as he attempts to make right too many wrongs.

PUBLICATION DATE:2013   PAGE COUNT: 324

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):

Briana Bloomfield, the talent Jake Lowenstein, the genius “Mongo,” the muscle Jamal Wilson, the fifth grader —and—Riley Mack, the fearless leader

Together, these five are the Known Troublemakers, stirring up trouble in the name of justice. Wherever a wrong needs righting or an innocent kid needs protecting, Riley and his friends will be there, ready to use their problem-causing expertise for the greater good.

Only this time, injustice strikes a little too close to home. School’s out for the summer, and somebody’s polluting the gang’s favorite swimming hole. And if that wasn’t enough to ruin the vacation, one of the Troublemakers is in serious trouble, and all of Riley’s efforts to help are only making things worse. With ten thousand dollars and the fate of his friends and family on the line, Riley will have to think fast if he hopes to pull off his most daring caper yet!

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT RILEY MACK STIRS UP MORE TROUBLE by Chris Grabenstein

  1. Riley has a touching relationship with his dad who is stationed in Afghanistan. It’s what so many kids have to go through in the U.S. as a parent they adore is so far away. Riley mimics his dad’s army way of communicating, especially in the few opportunities they get to talk with each other.
  2. The humor had me laughing several times. Most of it comes from Riley’s mom or one of the other adult characters. The gags might go over a young reader’s head. For example, would they giggle at Mrs’ Mack’s request of a screwdriver (the kind used for screws) and everyone mistakenly assumes she’s ordering a drink by that name. I doubt it, but it was funny.
  3. Despite failing numerous times, Riley keeps coming up with new ideas. Success can only happen if you keep trying.
  4. The mystery in the story does its job. The outcome will have you guessing until that AHA moment when the various subplots come together to make a satisfying whole.
  5. Plenty of technology here for tech loving kids.

FAVORITE LINES:

Riley Mack’s extraordinary awesome talents weren’t the kind he could showcase on TV or at a school talent show.

If he did, he might end up in detention hall.

For life.

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

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A Year of Marvelous Middle Grade Monday! Are You Kidding?

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

photoFifty-two reviews in one year. It’s been a fun ride and one that will continue. This week though it’s time to celebrate with my first ever monster-size giveaway. But first a look back at the titles…

  1. IDA B
  2. DEAD END IN NORVELT
  3. BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE
  4. FAKE MUSTACHE
  5. RUNAWAY TWIN
  6. OUT OF MY MIND
  7. RULES
  8. GRAVE IMAGES
  9. THE WEDNESDAY WARS
  10. THE GIVER
  11. SCHOOLED
  12. LIAR & SPY
  13. WHEN YOU REACH ME
  14. OKAY FOR NOW
  15. JACKIE AND ME
  16. THE SEVENTH LEVEL
  17. THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY
  18. THE PET WAR
  19. 33 MINUTES…
  20. PHINEAS L. MACGUIRE ERUPTS
  21. FREAKIE FAST FRANKIE JOE
  22. ROAD TRIP
  23. THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER
  24. FURIOUS JONES AND THE ASSASSIN’S SECRET
  25. ALSO KNOWN AS HARPER
  26. THE KINDLING
  27. TURN LEFT AT THE COW
  28. HOPE IS A FERRIS WHEEL
  29. I AM NOT JOEY PIGZA
  30. BOOM
  31. DESTINY REWRITTEN
  32. CHARLIE JOE JACKSON’S GUIDE TO NOT READING
  33. THE ADVENTURES OF BEAN BOY
  34. BETTER TO WISH
  35. THE 9 LIVES OF ALEXANDER BADDENFIELD
  36. ANDI UNEXPECTED
  37. CHASING THE MILKY WAY
  38. THE GREAT GREENE HEIST
  39. MIDDLE SCHOOL- HOW I SURVIVED…
  40. THE LAST BEST DAYS OF SUMMER
  41. JACK STRONG TAKES A STAND
  42. SOPHIE HARTLEY AND THE FACTS OF LIFE
  43. SORRY YOU’RE LOST
  44. NICKEL BAY NICK
  45. THE SPY CATCHERS OF MAPLE HILL
  46. EVERYBODY BUGS OUT
  47. THE SHORT SELLER
  48. ABSOLUTELY ALMOST
  49. IT’S NOT JUST A DOG
  50. DIEGO’S DRAGON: SPIRITS OF THE SUN
  51. A HITCH AT THE FAIRMOUNT
  52. RILEY MACK STIRS UP MORE TROUBLE (Holding this review for next week)

Now on to my first “Are You Kidding” contest to thank past, present , and new readers. It’s actually two contests. One is complete (Yes, I’m sneaky at times). For the past year I’ve been holding a secret contest that only I knew about. The winner is my most frequent visitor, the loyal reader who commented more than anyone else. Congratulations to this active follower who will receive a $25 Visa Gift card! Drum roll…

****Rosi Hollinbeck****

Pause while she screams “ARE YOU KIDDING?” No, I’m not.

The second half of the “Are You Kidding” contest begins today and will run all week until 8 p.m. Eastern, Sunday, September 21st. The winners will be announced on Monday, Sept. 22nd.  To enter just add your name to the comments on this post and you don’t even have to say anything intelligent. An “I’m in” is fine. Yes, Rosi, you’re also eligible for this contest.

I’ll assign a number for every entry (one per person) and throw the number into a giant twirling metal cage.

wheel

Okay, maybe not as impressive in picture form, or as clean as a Rafflecopter drawing, but I like the sound when it spins around.

The winner will receive all 12 middle grade hardbacks:

bookcontest

Yes, every last one! The pages have only been opened once, so they are like brand new. You could fill a shelf and the stories will keep you occupied for the rest of the year – probably longer.

If you don’t snag the GRAND PRIZE. I’ll twirl the cage for two more numbers. The 1st runner-up will get a $25 Visa Gift Card and the 2nd will be enjoying a $25 AMAZON gift card. And I’m still not kidding.

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

I can’t stay any longer. I’ve got to devour that cupcake and start on my next set of 52 reviews.

Posted in Book Lists, Contests, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

A HITCH AT THE FAIRMONT for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

Although Jim Averbeck has written numerous children’s books, A HITCH AT THE FAIRMONT is his debut MG novel. 51CikMVMbtL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_Did he miss the memo on word counts? This one stands at over 60,000 words – probably not one for reluctant readers who typically don’t touch anything thicker than their index finger. With that said I thoroughly enjoyed this unique tale. Younger readers may not get the film connections, but older Hitchcock fans should eat this one up.

CONNECTION SIDELIGHT: The title is what first pulled me in. As a teen I had lunch with my aunt at the Fairmont Hotel. I felt very special sitting in that iconic hotel. Years earlier I met Hitchcock, well sort of. I was  on the tram ride at Universal Studios. The tram stopped and you could hear a pin drop. From under a tent appeared a man, standing only six feet from me.

I tugged on my mom’s arm and said, “Who’s that old guy?”

She replied, “The great Alfred Hitchcock.”

Mom could have said John Smith because it meant nothing to me. I waved anyway and with his eyes pointed right at me, he returned a short salute before retreating. It was the next year I saw my first Alfred Hitchcock movie, FAMILY PLOT, his final film and the one he had been filming that day we made eye contact. I’ve seen quite a few other Hitchcock films since then, but perhaps my favorite is REAR WINDOW.

With that short detour, let me return to Jim Averbeck’s story set in 1956. It’s a unique mystery featuring an 11-year-old boy and his unlikely new companion, Alfred Hitchcock. This one begins as young Jack sits at his mother’s funeral which is what happened in another MG title making its debut this year (SORRY YOU’RE LOST). I hope this isn’t a trend.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   WORD COUNT: 60,096  READING LEVEL: 4.6

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  After the mysterious death of his mother, eleven-year-old Jack Fair is whisked away to San Francisco’s swanky Fairmont Hotel by his wicked Aunt Edith. There, he seems doomed to a life of fetching chocolates for his aunt and her pet chinchilla. Until one night, when Aunt Edith disappears, and the only clue is a ransom note written…in chocolate?
Suddenly, Jack finds himself all alone on a quest to discover who kidnapped Aunt Edith and what happened to his mother. Alone, that is, until he meets an unlikely accomplice—Alfred Hitchcock himself! The two embark on a madcap journey full of hidden doorways, secret societies, cryptic clues, sinister villains, and cinematic flair.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT A HITCH AT THE FAIRMOUNT by Jim Averbeck

  1. Much of the action is centered at the Fairmont Hotel, but when Hitch and Jack journey  to some of San Francisco’s iconic sights, the excitement and fun increases. Cable car rides, Nob Hill, Union Square, Chinatown, Cliff House, and of course the Golden Gate bridge. Each site made me want to revisit this grand city.
  2. There is a great section in the back with the background on the story and it helped connect the dots for me. Also included is information on every Hitchcock film referred to in the book as each of the 35 chapters is the name of a Hitchcock movie. Perfect place to start if you have no connection to this popular director’s works.
  3. I guessed the big plot reveal early on but getting there was loads of fun. The thrilling conclusion was well worth the wait.
  4. Although this a fictional account of Hitchcock, the author did his research to combine the director’s TV personality with that of his regular one. It was heartwarming that a famous director would take young Jack under his care and together they go over clues to solve the disappearance of Jack’s aunt.
  5. Jack’s voice is believable and it doesn’t take much into the book before you like spending time with this young protagonist.

FAVORITE LINES:

(The latin phrase occurs several times in the first two thirds of the story, giving a hint of its eventual importance)

Jack traced the blocky letters of the Latin phrase with his finger. “Ipse Dis,” he said. My father may have been worthy man, but he certainly wasn’t lucky.

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ARE YOU KIDDING? No, I’m not and next week is a celebration of my first year in MMGM. It’s my debut contest and the payoff is huge for three lucky readers. See you then if not before!

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

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Putting Down a Book I was Supposed to Love

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

I’ve been reading fast and furious – not hours a day but whenever there are 15-20 minutes of spare time. My goal in 2014 was to read 24 MG titles. So far I’ve more than doubled that with the 50th about to be opened. Many of those completed have been used for review purposes, while others are enjoyed, but maybe less so. Not every book is discussed here, especially if I have more negative than positive to share. I know how much work it is to create and tell a story and me bashing a book isn’t going to help.IMG_0246

What are the turnoffs? What makes me get partway through a novel and decide – It’s not working? ­ The answers are easy and as I write my own stories it has helped provide the needed focus to not make the same mistakes.

The Unlikeable Protagonist   If I am going to choose to spend my time with a book, I have to connect with the main character. It doesn’t matter if they are male or female, old or young, set indoors or out. By the time I get halfway through the book there’d better be a connection. I want to stand behind the MC and twist, sigh, maybe even scream to have that individual reach their goal. Otherwise, it’s a yawn.

Lack of Humor   I’m not talking about a gut splitting romp. Humor, especially when not expected, can bring charm to a serious story. When I smile or laugh, the story has me.

Plot Holes   We’ve all been there. You reach the last page of a fairly good book and you wonder if someone stole the final chapter. What happened to the important plots and subplots I just spent hours learning about? I want them resolved and tidied up by the time I get to THE END.

No Conflict  The MC goes to school, says hi to friends, does well on a test, attends choir practice, kisses Mom when he/she gets home, practices soccer, goes to sleep. Oversimplified for sure, but these types of stories have no stakes. I want conflict, and then I’ll join the ride, turning each page until it gets resolved.

There are a few other situations that raise a red flag, but not enough to dislike a story:

  • MG voice that sounds more like high school
  • Unrealistic paths to getting out of a problem
  • Dialog that could be two adults talking to each other instead of two 11-year-olds
  • Stories about bullies (for a while I thought this was becoming its own genre)
  • Prologs

No, I’m not asking for much in the stories I read and write. What are your turn-offs?

My first contest offer is only 12 days away. It will have you saying ARE YOU KIDDING? Stay tuned for more details.

 

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DIEGO’S DRAGON Book One for Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

I was thrilled to win a copy of the first of three DIEGO’S DRAGON books. The story had me hooked and set 343_Diego_Cover_08_29_11up what a great series should do – make you want to read more. The dragon is truly magnifico and many chapters will have you on edge. I am currently mentoring a young Latino boy, so this book was a perfect window to their customs and the importance of family.

Kevin Gerard has written a tale that will be enjoyed by readers for years to come. The novel centers on Diego, the eleven-year-old protagonist, and that alone puts it solidly in the MG category. But some schools/parents at this level may frown on the use of a few scattered curse words. Nothing too heavy and it certainly puts the realistic tone to the dialog.

Overall, the book is a quick read and will appeal to dragon loving readers whether male or female. Your time with this fantastic tale will be well spent. Also available are Book Two: DRAGONS OF THE DARK RIFT and Book Three: BATTLE AT TENOCHTITLAN.

 

PUBLICATION DATE: 2010   Pages: 173

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  An eleven-year-old Latino boy wins a district-wide writing contest for sixth graders. When an author visits his school to award his prize, Diego Ramirez has no idea how much his life is about to change. Nathan Sullivan hands Diego his statue, a handsome, glistening black dragon. He shakes his hand and leaves him to his friends. The students crowd around Diego, asking for permission to hold it. After hearing the name Magnifico spoken aloud by family and friends, Diego awards it to his new dragon. If he only knew how fitting the name was, he might have known what lay ahead. Magnifico is the leader of the Sol Dragones, dragons that live within the magical fires of the sun. Nathan Sullivan is the earth’s connection to the mysterious creatures. It is his task to find Magnifico’s guide. As Magnifico comes to life he becomes quite mischievous, playing tricks on Diego to embarrass him. As he discovers his bloodline, however, Diego assumes greater control over his dragon and his destiny. In the climactic journey, he frees his people and suffers a terrible loss by guiding Magnifico to their goal.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT DIEGO’S DRAGON (Book One) by Kevin Gerard

  1. There are few if any recent books with a Latino hero and Diego’s Dragon does a superb job of rectifying that situation.
  2. Your pulse will rise when the dragon takes flight with Diego hanging on. The author’s words provide a vivid picture each time the dragon is in the air.
  3. I like good endings and this one has a great one. Every plot point is considered and nicely concluded.
  4. The other characters also shine: Diego’s parents and Raquel, Diego’s first crush.They too are smart and care deeply for Diego and the decisions he must make.
  5. Diego’s older brother is straying away from the family and younger brother he once cared about. Diego still feels a connection to his brother and that love becomes the center of the story.

FAVORITE LINE:

Every thought slammed together against his skull like a pinball machine gone mad.

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

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Only two weeks to go until the huge ARE YOU KIDDING? contest is revealed. It’s the first one for this blog and not one to be missed.

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WINTER SKY for Marvelous Middle Grade MIDWEEK

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Greg Pattridge

I’m a few weeks ahead with my MMGM posts so I’m throwing this one in midweek. It’s nice to be ahead, but with 9780385371933_p0_v1_s260x420revisions on my own writing looming, it won’t be long before I’m back to my old ways. Anyway, enjoy this review of a sweet story about a girl, her fighter fighting father, and the scruffy dog she finds in the dead of winter.

PUBLICATION DATE:2014   WORD COUNT: 24,361  READING LEVEL: 3.8

FULL PLOT (From Amazon):  Sirens! A scary sound, especially to Siria, whose brave pop is a firefighter. Siria loves everyone at Pop’s city firehouse. She also loves to study the stars. Her mother named her after the brightest start in the winter sky.
When Siria hears sirens, she sneaks out to chase the trucks, to bring Pop and the other firefighters luck. She’d be in big trouble if she ever got caught. Good thing her best friend, Douglas, is always by her side.
As Christmas approaches, Siria suspects that someone in the neighborhood is setting fires. She has to find out who’s doing it. When clues point to a surprising suspect, she realizes that solving this mystery will take all kinds of courage.
Patricia Reilly Giff, the author of many beloved and award-winning books, is at her best in this action-packed story. In Winter Sky, friends, family, and a very special dog help Siria see how brave she really is.

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT WINTER SKY by Patricia Reilly Giff

  1. Siria is a strong female protagonist who has a lot of freedom to roam. I didn’t like some of her choices, but it was interesting to see her spunky and brave personality get  through several tough situations.
  2. It’s nice to have a story where the dad is the single parent. I’ve read so many books recently where the father is no where to be found. Siria’s mother had previously passed away. The love Siria has for her Pop is heartwarming.
  3. Without giving anything away I was surprised with the ending. Seemed like we were heading down one road to resolution of the problem when suddenly there was a detour.  Surprise your readers is advice I’ve heard and its certainly in play here.
  4. Siria was named after a star and the theme runs throughout and connects her with the past. I enjoyed the snippets about the star patterns in the sky. I’ll be looking for Sirius next time it’s dark enough to see.
  5. This one will be a hard sell for boys looking for a short book, a dog story,  or one with a lot of action. Reserve it for the quiet girl who might connect with the anxious inner thoughts Siria has about her family and life.

FAVORITE LINES:

The star was called Sirius.

“That’s what we named our daughter,” the mother said. “Siria, for the brightest star.”

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Keep coming back because in mid-September I will be unloading the biggest contest in the more than two year history of this blog… Okay, it’s my first giveaway, but it will still have you saying ARE YOU KIDDING?

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