Start Time: 10 AM on July 15, 2022
Elapsed Time: 48 Hours
Books Read Since Last Update: 3 Total Books Read: 20
Note: I made it! Thanks to Karen Yingling for bringing back this challenging experience. I’ll have another MMGM and a review of A PERFECT MISTAKE for tomorrow. Now it’s time for a nap!
Start Time: 10 AM on July 15, 2022
Elapsed Time: 36 Hours
Books Read Since Last Update: 3 Total Books Read: 17
Note: Racing toward the finish line…
Start Time: 10 AM on July 15, 2022
Elapsed Time: 30 Hours
Books Read Since Last Update: 5 Total Books Read: 14
Note: I need a break…
Start Time: 10 AM on July 15, 2022
Elapsed Time: 24 Hours
Books Read Since Last Update: 2 Total Books Read: 9
Note: I just might have overslept…
Start Time: 10 AM on July 15, 2022
Elapsed Time: 12 Hours
Books Read Since Last Update: 4 Total Books Read: 7
Note: Gaining Traction…
Start Time: 10 AM
Elapsed Time: 6 Hours
Books Read During this Time Period: 3 Total Books Read: 3
Note: A slow start:
LET’S READ!!
(Click on each blogger’s stack of books to see their post)
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At ALWAYS in the MIDDLE I have a review of MANATEE SUMMER by EVAN GRIFFITH.
Natalie Aguirre at Literary Rambles features a guest post by debut author Melissa Dassori and her agent Jennifer Unter with a giveaway of Melissa’s contemporary/magical realism JR Silver Writes Her World and a query critique giveaway.
Carol Baldwin shares Elliott’s second review of the UPSIDE DOWN MAGIC books, #5-8.
Valinora Troy reviews The Myriad Mysteries of Eartha Quicksmith.
Maria Antonia has a post about about another Newbery Honor book: The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson.
Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads always has a fantastic MMGM book to share. Be sure to check it out along with Saturday’s review of THE BOY WHO FAILED DODGE BALL.
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The friendship of two boys in Florida is the backdrop for this engaging new tale. Peter and Tommy have been inseparable ever since they became best friends. Their deep interest in animals led them to create what they call The Discovery Journal, a catalog of wildlife in and around their town. When an animal is spotted, Tommy researches important details about the animal and Peter creates a drawing.
Their newest is a manatee they find injured by a boat (Discovery #95). The find not only gets them closer to their goal of 100 animals, but also motivates Peter to join the fight to save Florida manatees.
Well…maybe not. Tommy and his family are moving to Michigan and breaking up this twosome. Meanwhile, Peter is taking care of his grandfather while Mom works as a realtor during the day. Papa’s memory is failing and bouts of dementia are a challenge to overcome.
Emotions run deep and the first person narration by Peter is superbly crafted. He tries to navigate through the uncertainties of losing both his best friend and grandfather while not being afraid to confront Mr. Reilly, the president of the boating association—a neighbor who cares more about his boats than manatees getting injured.
You couldn’t as for a better summertime story in MANATEE SUMMER. Peter not only discovers more about himself but others in his life. The truth comes out and it’s an enriching experience for readers.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Evan Griffith is the author of the middle-grade novel Manatee Summer (Quill Tree, 2022) and the picture book biography Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist (Clarion, 2021). He studied creative writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
He worked for several years as an editor at Workman Publishing, where he specialized in non-fiction for children and adults, and he continues to edit books on a freelance basis. Through his role as the youth programming specialist at The Writing Barn, a creative writing education center, he also teaches online writing classes for kids.
He lives in Austin, Texas with a mischievous tuxedo cat and several overflowing bookshelves.
(For more information about Evan, visit his web site)
COMMENTS ARE WELCOME BELOW
One week from today begins MRS. YINGLING’S version of a fun way to read a lot of books. The MG Readathon is a challenge to read as many books as you can in 48 hours. All the details are here.
I will be starting at 10 am on Friday the 15th and finish up on Sunday the 17th. You can join the madness yourself by signing up next Friday morning. My journey will have to include breaks for sleep and various commitments, but I hope to read at least 20 books during that time.
My first will be a re-read of a classic:
My goal is at least 20 more books. I will update my other reads at least 4 times during the event. So long for now, it’s time to prepare my stack of Readathon titles.
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TIME TO CELEBRATE!!
(Click on each blogger’s fireworks to see their post)
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At ALWAYS in the MIDDLE I have a review of LIES I TELL MYSELF by Beth Vrabel.
June McCrary Jacobs at Reading, Writing, and Stitchmetic has a spotlight and review of What is the Declaration of Independence?
Carol Baldwin passes off the reviewing baton to Elliott and his review of GIRL ON FIRE by Alicia Keys.
Maria Antonia has a post about REAL PIGEONS FIGHT CRIME by Andrew McDonald.
Rosi Hollinbeck reviews Realistic Animals in Colored Pencils. Rosi also shares three links of interest for her writing friends.
Valinora Troy reviews Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi.
Karen Yingling at Mrs. Yingling Reads always has a fantastic MMGM book to share. Be sure to check it out along with Friday’s review of TREASURE TRACKS and MANATEE SUMMER.
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It’s easy to get a spot in the lineup. Email me the title of the book or feature for any middle grade book, author or giveaway, and a link to your blog. Send it to: gpcolo[at]gmail[dot]com Make sure you put MMGM or Marvelous Middle Grade Monday in the subject line so it gets sorted accurately–and don’t forget to say what you’re featuring) You MUST email me your link by Sunday evening (11 PM Eastern Time) in order to be included in the list of links for that week’s MMGM. *Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.
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 | natalieiaguirre on ROXIE IN COLOR |
| Marvelous Middle Gra… on PERSPECTIVE |
 | Susan Uhlig on PERSPECTIVE |
| Susan Uhlig on GEORGE GOODWIN DRAGON SLA… |
Always in the Middle... 