THE FORGOTTEN LETTERS

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Greg Pattridge

Father’s Day is Sunday and even though my dad passed away many years ago, the June celebration gets me thinking about him more. Especially this year.

I grew up with a houseful of older and younger sisters and as the only boy it’s where my status as ALWAYS in the MIDDLE really began.  A few weeks back one of my sisters called to say she’d found a box of old letters. My dad’s letters from World War II.

Each of the more than two dozen letters are filled with humor but also eye-opening accounts of the horrors of war. As I read through them a middle grade story began to form—a troubled ten-year-old finds a box of great grandfather’s WW II letters and begins to change the person he or she wants to be. Just an idea, but one I’m going to keep playing around with in the coming months.

My father’s story wasn’t unique for the time, but quite eye opening for me here in a very different 2020. After my Dad graduated from high school he waited a few months before enlisting in the Army, knowing he’d most likely get drafted anyway.

Years later he wrote this account of his first day as a soldier:

The barracks looked like chicken houses. It was early the pitch-black morning of Nov. 27, 1944, at the front gate to Fort Logan. I shook my father’s hand, stared at the “A” gasoline rationing sticker on the windshield of the 1941 Chevrolet, got out and turned my back in tears as Dad drove away. I marched through the gate to be challenged: “Halt, who goes there?” Instead of crying out “an 18-year-old kid filled with fear of war,” I responded. “a new recruit, sir.”

After a brief training stint in Texas he was shipped off to Europe. Below are a few snippets of a boy’s letters home during a horrific war:

May 27, 1945 (France) Six Months ago today, France seemed quite a distance. That was the day I went to Ft. Logan… Our food is swell. We even had real eggs this morning with shells on them. I don’t know where they came from but they were sure good.

May 29, 1945 (France) Well we took a little walk this afternoon and fired the machine guns. I spread a little gravel before chow and then went to the Red Cross for a cup of hot coffee and 4 doughnuts. I believe I will go back for some more soon.

June 3, 1945  I have moved from France to Germany via way of Luxembourg, Belgium, and Holland and gazed at it all from the floor of a box car. I am going to sleep on a cot tonight instead of the boxcar floor. I imagine I will sleep pretty good.

June 5, 1945 …As for the Germans they are cocky and arrogant, one little kid was showing off a picture of himself in the Hitler Youth Movement.

June 17, 1945 (Father’s Day) I want you to know I am thinking of you today and thanking you for your 18 years of trouble I caused you. You did a real good job though.

June 25, 1945  I feel funny with all of these vets wearing combat infantry badges, silver stars, bronze stars, purple hearts, & Russian awards. They are swell guys though… I could use a flashlight, and if you know of any place you could get a small camera draw the money out of the bank as it won’t do me any good for a long time.

June 28, 1945 Above all don’t worry about me. I don’t know what is in store for me but if it is in the Pacific I would like it. I feel I haven’t done my part when guys all around me have had men blown up beside them and seen men’s bodies look like mush.

August 26, 1945 No, I don’t smoke but it is alright if you send me a lighter as I have many good friends who could use it and will be glad to pay any amount you ask for it.

September 12, 1945 My guardian angel was with me today. I was moving with fellow GI’s by foot, 40 & 8 train boxcars, and truck to German front. We were camped in a muddy field when loud speakers were set up and the rolling tones of Winston Churchill’s voice announced the end of the battle. Then the German troops, fearful of the Russians, surrendered to us in waves.

October 2, 1945 Remember how I use to gripe at the food at home, never again.

Nov. 3, 1945 I took a shower today, got a haircut and shave and am already to go out with my best girl on this Sat night but of course I don’t have the girl.

Feb. 10, 1946 I haven’t been writing very much of late but we have been moving around and those long truck rides in a slow convoy over rough roads take my enthusiasm for literature completely away.

March 10, 1946 I guarded at the trials last week and frankly I was disappointed, they are certainly spending money and time to no great advantage. I will be rather glad when it is over and we move out of Nuremberg. I never did like a big city and this is worse than any of them at night.

April 26, 1946 I don’t like to brag mother and the whole family need not read this but not once since coming overseas have I sworn. I hear a lot of it every day but I get along without using it, so you don’t need to worry one bit about me.

June 1, 1946 P.S. Send more candy

Dad made it back to the states in September of 1946. His parents, brothers, and sister were happy to have him back alive. Three goals remained: Get a college degree, a job, and a wife. A college degree came 4 years later followed by obtaining his career job at the city newspaper. The final goal was achieved when he met and married a special girl. He did all of this by age 30.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

MMGM for June 15, 2020

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Greg Pattridge

Starting this week and continuing through the summer, I’ll be lending the top spot to one of our frequent contributors. Today it’s Natalie Aguirre at Literary Rambles. Her site has frequent author and agent interviews, along with giveaways. If you’ve never visited Literary Rambles, today is the time to start. Click on Natalie’s gold star and then be sure to do the same for all the other posts today

Natalie turns the Literary Rambles blog over to Elaine Kaye with a guest post to celebrate her debut middle grade fantasy Bad Fairy with a book giveaway.

Here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE I have ONE LAST SHOT by John David Anderson.

June McCrary Jacobs at Reading, Writing, & Stitch-Metic has The Tale of Two Peter Rabbits, about why the same name, Peter Rabbit, was used by two different authors in popular children’s books published in the early 20th century.

Michelle Mason’s son is turning into a regular on MMGM. Today he features Book 2 in the THE UNWANTEDS series (Island of Silence) by Lisa McMann.

Matt Sweeney at Woodpecker Books, where you’ll find Middle Grade Reviews for Busy Parents and today’s choice: DWARF STORY.

Jenni Enzor has a selection of books from award winning Canadian author, Johnathan Auxier.

Faith Hough at Blythe & Bold gives us her take on Kallie George’s Anne Chapter Books series.

Patricia Tilton at Children’s Books Heal reviews Village of Scoundrels by Margi Preus.

Rosi Hollinbeck features a review and GIVEAWAY of  WRONG WAY SUMMER by Heidi Lang. Rosi also shares a set of links for her writing friends.

Karen Yingling at Ms. Yingling Reads has more great reviews today and last week including CAMP MURDERFACE.

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun and get your own spot in the parade, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count–but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you’re featuring and a link to your blog at 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 please don’t forget to say what book 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 the coming Monday.
Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)
*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.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments

ONE LAST SHOT

Posted on June 14, 2020 by Greg Pattridge

I doubt there has ever been an editor, blogger, or agent proclaiming what we need in MG fiction is a book about miniature golf. Author John David Anderson thought differently. ONE LAST SHOT covers every birdie, par, and bogie in an 18-hole tournament. No kidding. Putt-putt.

As I tee off with my review I’ll admit Mr. Anderson is one of my favorite authors with books like MRS. BIXBY’S LAST DAY, FINDING ORION, and POSTED. With ONE LAST SHOT he chose one of my least favorite storytelling strategies, starting the book at the beginning of the last scene. I’m more of a start at the beginning and end with the climatic ending kind of reader.

This has another twist which got my attention. The chapters are labeled as holes from 1 to 18. They each begin with a description of the challenges brought forth with playing the hole. Then it flashes back to the story as to what brought 12-year-old Malcolm to compete in the mini golf competition. Chapters end with how Malcolm did on the hole and how far he is from the lead.

Told in first person, the ride is a slow climb. Stick with it and the storytelling technique turns out to be quite effective. Malcolm is an only child and can never live up to his dad’s push to make him a star—hopefully in baseball but any sport would do. Malcolm is torn between not being very good at sports and wanting to please his dad.

When Malcolm shows he’s pretty good a miniature golf his dad doesn’t just let it stay that way. He hires a former pro golfer to give his son putting lessons and gets Malcolm’s okay to enter a tournament. This adds tension to an already unsettled home situation as his parents are always having loud disagreements about Malcolm and almost anything else.

By the time you reach the clubhouse, or rather the final page, you walk away with a sense of time well spent. A few holes in one and an enjoyable strong voice in Malcolm. I came away with a message that some things in life you can’t fix. Instead, you have to move onto the next shot.

Here’s the official brief synopsis:

For as long as he can remember, Malcolm has never felt like he was good enough. Not for his parents, who have always seemed at odds with each other, with Malcolm caught in between. And especially not for his dad, whose competitive drive and love for sports Malcolm has never shared.

That is, until Malcolm discovers miniature golf, the one sport he actually enjoys. Maybe it’s the way in which every hole is a puzzle to be solved. Or the whimsy of the windmills and waterfalls that decorate the course. Or maybe it’s the slushies at the snack bar. But whatever the reason, something about mini golf just clicks for Malcolm. And best of all, it’s a sport his dad can’t possibly obsess over.

Or so Malcolm thinks.

Soon he is signed up for lessons and entered in tournaments. And yet, even as he becomes a better golfer and finds unexpected friends at the local course, be wonders if he might not always be a disappointment. But as the final match of the year draws closer, the tension between Malcolm’s parents reaches a breaking point, and it’s up to him to put the puzzle of his family back together again.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: May 5, 2020 PAGE COUNT: 336

FIVE SWINGS AT WHAT I LIKE ABOUT ONE LAST SHOT

  1. The voices that live in Malcolm’s head are at times comical, sad, and downright tragic, but they’re always revealing.
  2. His relationship with an actual girl named Lex was heartfelt and sorely needed in both of their lives.
  3. Frank Sanderson as the washed up golf pro serves not only as a coach but a mentor for Malcolm. He’s a listener with some rather bizarre training techniques.
  4. Parental fighting is almost never the focus in MG. Here it takes center stage as to how it effects the child they love. If these parents could get inside Malcolm’s head, they would learn a lot.
  5. Much like a game of miniature golf, this one has twists and turns, some comical moments, and hopefully a story you get to share with family and friends, especially those kids like Malcolm.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR John David Anderson is the author of many highly acclaimed books for kids, including the New York Times Notable Book Ms. Bixby’s Last Day, Posted, Granted, Sidekicked, The Dungeoneers, and Finding Orion. A dedicated root beer connoisseur and chocolate fiend, he lives with his wonderful wife, two frawesome kids, and clumsy cat, Smudge, in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can visit him online at http://www.johndavidanderson.org.

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

Comments are always welcome below!

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

MMGM for JUNE 8, 2020

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Greg Pattridge

                         

It’s National Little League Baseball Week! Sad to say games will be sparse this summer, but you can fill your all star’s spare time with one of these great books. Click on a star to reach a blogger’s featured post.

Here at Always in the Middle I have HERE IN THE REAL WORLD by Sara Pennypacker.

Author S.A. Larsen at Writer’s Alley is hosting Children’s Author Elaine Kaye and her middle grade debut novel BAD FAIRY. She’s also doing a book giveaway.

Natalie Aguirre at Literary Rambles is interviewing debut author Josh Roberts with a giveaway of his MG fantasy The Witches of Willow Cove.

June McCrary Jacobs at Reading, Writing, & Stitch-Metic features a Book Blast for Author Rinda Beach and her new title, ‘Lake Fun For You and Me‘. She is offering a print copy giveaway to one lucky US resident.

Michelle Mason turns the review job over once again to her  middle grade son. Today he shares THE UNWANTEDS by Lisa McMann.

Matt Sweeney at Woodpecker Books has Dragonfell by Sarah Prineas and a mention of 2 blog tours.

Completely Full Bookshelf recommends Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams and is holding the 2020 Books by Black Voices Giveaway!

Mark Baker at Carstairs Considers gives a high rating to City Spies by James Ponti.

Maria Antonia at Of Books, Photography and Tea is back this week with a review of Gold Rush Girl by Avi.

Alex Baugh at Randomly Reading gives us her take on Chirp by Kate Messner.

Patricia Tilton at Children’s Books Heal follows the above  with another Kate Messner book, this one for younger kids, Fergus and Zeke and the Field Day Challenge.

Rosi Hollinbeck features a review of THE LIFTERS by Dave Eggers. Rosi also has a set of links for her writing freinds.

Karen Yingling at Ms. Yingling Reads has more great reviews today and last week including BRAVE LIKE THAT.

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun and get your own spot in the parade, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count–but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you’re featuring and a link to your blog at 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 please don’t forget to say what book 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 the coming Monday.
Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)
*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.

 

Posted in MMGM Links | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

HERE IN THE REAL WORLD

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Greg Pattridge

I first read a Sara Pennypacker book back in 2016, a story called PAX. About a boy and his beloved red fox. It tugged at your emotions and the writing was like a tutorial on what makes a great MG book. Sara’s newest is again about a boy, and I’ve known many just like him.

Ware is eleven and he’s different than other kids. He does have two friends but prefers to spend time alone with the images and stories in his head. Ware knows his parents want him to be like other boys his age, to be normal. He doesn’t know if he can or if it is even possible. With both parents working double shifts, Ware is forced to spend the summer at the Rec, a daily summer camp experience. Nothing could be worse.

HERE IN THE REAL WORLD turns into a story of friendship (makes me think back to joys of reading Bridge to Terabithia). Jolene is like no other girl he has ever met, so he ditches the Rec and spends his days with Jolene at the abandoned church lot next door. It’s quite believable how this occurs.

The third person narration takes readers on a journey through 78 short chapters. Perfect for reluctant readers who are supposed to read one chapter a night or for teachers who only have five minutes left for a read-aloud. The pull to keep going forward through this heartfelt and charming story will have you eager to return for more.

Here’s the official blurb:

Ware can’t wait to spend summer “off in his own world”—dreaming of knights in the Middle Ages and generally being left alone. But then his parents sign him up for dreaded Rec camp, where he must endure Meaningful Social Interaction and whatever activities so-called “normal” kids do.

On his first day Ware meets Jolene, a tough, secretive girl planting a garden in the rubble of an abandoned church next to the camp. Soon he starts skipping Rec, creating a castle-like space of his own in the church lot.

Jolene scoffs, calling him a dreamer—he doesn’t live in the “real world” like she does. As different as Ware and Jolene are, though, they have one thing in common: for them, the lot is a refuge.

But when their sanctuary is threatened, Ware looks to the knights’ Code of Chivalry: Thou shalt do battle against unfairness wherever faced with it. Thou shalt be always the champion of the Right and Good—and vows to save the lot.

But what does a hero look like in real life? And what can two misfit kids do?

BOOK BIRTHDAY: Feb. 4, 2020 PAGE COUNT: 320

SOME FAVORITE LINES URGING ME TO READ MORE

“Make me a new person,” he said, out loud this time. “Make me a normal kid!” he shouted. He remembered how stirring choir practice had sounded and added a “Hallelujah! for good measure. Then he fell backward.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT Here in the Real World by Sara Pennypacker

  1. The secondary characters like Jolene, Ashley, Grandma, and yes, a bartender bring more than expected toward helping Ware become the person he wants to be.
  2. Artists of all types will rejoice at the flag waving in support of good old fashioned silence. The best things are often created by quiet individuals.
  3. The disengaged kid; the ones who need time to blossom in this world…they need this book.
  4. The real world is the one you make for yourself. The theme of individuality shines throughout.
  5. Almost twelve-year-old Ware wins you over with his imagination and creative nature. Rejoice for all the Ware’s in the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sara Pennypacker is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pax; the award-winning Clementine books and its spinoff series, Waylon!; and the acclaimed novel Summer of the Gypsy Moths. She divides her time between Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Florida.

For more visit her web site!

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

COMMENTS ARE WELCOME BELOW…

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments

MY 1,000th POST WINNERS

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Greg Pattridge

Congratulations to the three winners of my recent GIVEAWAY. They each receive a box filled with 10 books and an MMGM sticky note pack. Your prize package will arrive soon. Here are the lucky threesome:

MICHELLE MASON

FAITH HOUGH

DANIELLE HAMMELEF

Stay tuned for more exciting GIVEAWAYS!

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

THE LEGENDS OF PINENA – INVASION OF THE ALIENS

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Greg Pattridge

I had not heard of author Amy Zhao when she contacted me about featuring her fourth book. Not surprising as about 75% of my reviews are for contemporary stories. When I do dip into fantasy and magical realism, I hope for a unique plot with engaging characters, wildly imagined worlds, and a few crazy creatures thrown in to spice things up. I got all three with The Legends of Pinena – Invasion of the Aliens.

Look out world, I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot from Amy in the future.  You see, she’s a 12-year-old author.

FIVE THINGS I LIKED ABOUT INVASION OF THE ALIENS by Amy Zhao

di48R8RLT

Amy spent 14 months perfecting the novel and its shows with the character arcs and progression of the action filled plot.

di48R8RLT

There are some page turning endings to almost every one of the 33 chapters. You can’t help but continue with these types of lines: I gulped, horror and fear encasing me. It was a trap.

di48R8RLT

The Slucus are half-slug, half octopus creatures out to destroy fairy worlds. They’re creepy and make the perfect antagonist blocking any takeover from Pia and her friends.

di48R8RLT

The action scenes were well crafted and they each elicit a high level of emotions out of readers. Just what writers of any age want.

di48R8RLT

A bonus section of 24 pages is included with writing experiences, lessons and tips that will encourage kids to start writing their own creative stories. Amy’s web page is also filled with writing tips, and you don’t have to be in sixth grade to benefit from her suggestions.

Here’s the official scoop on this new title:

the legend of PinenaPia knows she’s in trouble when suddenly a portal appears in her school and teleports her to a different planet, in a different galaxy …

Right into the middle of a 9-year long war between the fairy inhabitants of the planet and the invading half-slug half-octopus evil aliens.

But Pia’s sudden arrival to the planet has caught the attention of a dangerous enemy. An enemy who knows that Pia has strong powers that she herself is not aware of. An enemy who knows how to turn her powers against her.

A young adventurer.

A traitor, out for revenge.

A hero, hidden and ashamed.

A fierce warrior with a horrible past.

A beloved General, only dreading his twisted fate.

A neglected prince, seething with unspeakable rage.

The balance of the galaxy hangs in their precarious fingers.

BOOK BIRTHDAY:  March 14, 2020  PAGE COUNT: 347

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

At the moment, Amy Zhao is a 6th grader in the Northshore School District.

Amy wants to encourage & inspire one million kids to read and write more!

She has been writing books for a few years. Amy started writing this book when she was 11 years old and published it just as she turned 12. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find Amy …

– singing her heart out when she thinks nobody’s watching

– playing basketball with friends

– (attempting) to draw

– and stocking up on candy (since you never know when there will be a candy apocalypse)

Amy wants to be a great author someday.

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

She is well on her way! You can order her book through Amazon or through Amy Zhao Publishing.

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

Blogging about middle grade books or authors next week? Join the celebration:

All you have to do is blog about a middle grade book on a Monday (contests, author interviews, or anything middle grade related also count). Email me the title of the book or feature and a link to your blog at 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 please don’t forget to say what book or author 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 the coming Monday.
Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)
*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.
Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

MMGM for JUNE 1, 2020

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Greg Pattridge

                 

CLICK ON A STAR TO REACH A BLOGGER”S POST:

Here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE I have a review of WRONG WAY SUMMER by Heidi Lang.

Faith Hough at Blythe & Bold gives us a look at THE TIME OF GREEN MAGIC by Hilary McKay.

Michelle Mason has another featured review from her talented middle grade son. This week he’s covering the Jack Blank series by Matt Myklusch.

Matt Sweeney at Woodpecker Books has a review of Catalyst. Check out this review and all the other intriguing posts he features each week.

COMPLETELY FULL BOOKSHELF recommends BECOMING BRIANNA by Terri Libenson.

Patricia Tilton at CHILDREN’S BOOKS HEAL reviews THE STORY THAT CANNOT BE TOLD by J. Kasper Kramer, about the Romanian Revolution.

Rosi Hollinbeck features a review of THE TRUTH AS TOLD BY MASON BUTTLE by Leslie Connor. Rosi also also has three more not to be missed links for her writer friends.

Sierra Dertinger at Books. Iced Lattes. Blessed. shares her thoughts on The Middler by Kirsty Applebaum, a dystopian middle grade novel.

Karen Yingling at Ms. Yingling Reads has another fantastic feature on a middle grade book. Be sure to check out today’s post and all her reviews the past week including DRAGON HOOPS.

If you would like to join in the MMGM fun and get your own spot in the parade, all you have to do is blog about a middle grade book you love on a Monday (contests, author interviews and whatnot also count–but are most definitely not required) and email me the title of the book you’re featuring and a link to your blog at 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 please don’t forget to say what book 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 the coming Monday.
Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)
*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.

Posted in MMGM Links | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

WRONG WAY SUMMER

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Greg Pattridge

Summer officially begins on June 20th, but I always feel like the season starts on June 1st. What better way to start this fun time of the year with a book about a summer road trip.

WRONG WAY SUMMER takes some pleasing turns as #vanlife takes a father and his two children on circuitous route from Michigan eastward then west all the way to California.

A rarity in MG books—it’s the Mom who years before ditched the family and hasn’t been heard from since. Twelve-year-old Claire knows there was a divorce but nothing else. Eight year old Patrick adores Dad and his made-up stories. He’s sure this road trip is all about reconnecting with Mom. Claire has about had it with her Father’s stories and wants answers.

The pace is just right and you gain a real bond with the characters by book’s end. WRONG WAY SUMMER pokes at your emotions and you’ll be glad you rode along on this road trip.

Here’s the official blurb:

Claire used to love her dad’s fantastical stories, especially tales about her absent mom—who could be off with the circus or stolen by the troll king, depending on the day. But now that she’s 12, Claire thinks she’s old enough to know the truth. When her dad sells the house and moves her and her brother into a converted van, she’s tired of the tall tales and refuses to pretend it’s all some grand adventure, despite how enthusiastically her little brother embraces this newest fantasy. Claire is faced with a choice: Will she play along with the stories her dad is spinning for her little brother, or will she force her family to face reality once and for all? Equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking, Wrong Way Summer is a road-trip journey and coming-of-age story about one girl’s struggle to understand when a lie is really a lie and when it’s something more: hope.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: April 21, 2020 PAGE COUNT: 288

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT
WRONG WAY SUMMER by Heidi Lang

  1. The third person narration stays with Claire most of the time (only straying when Dad goes into one of his stories. It provides insights to the frustrations and coming of age challenges for a tween who has more questions than most her age.
  2. Patrick is a real hoot. He’ll remind many of the younger sibling in their own family.
  3. I’ll never be traveling the country in an RV, but after reading this story I understood why many choose to live this way.
  4. Dad is kind of out there in another world, but his character arc brings him back to what is most important—his two children.
  5. The author notes in the back are not be missed. Ms. Lang’s summary of how this story came to be are insightful and revealing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heidi Lang believes that the next Grand Adventure is always just around the corner. She has chased her love of judo from the east to the west coast, run ultra marathons, started her own dog walking business, and converted a Sprinter van into a tiny home so she could experience #vanlife. Currently she lives in eastern Washington with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. She is the co-author of THE MYSTIC COOKING CHRONICLES series (A DASH OF DRAGON, A HINT OF HYDRA, and A PINCH OF PHOENIX), and the WHISPERING PINES series (forthcoming September 2020) as well as the author of RULES OF THE RUFF and WRONG WAY SUMMER.

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

Comments are welcome below. Are you planning a road trip this summer?

Posted in Middle Grade Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Skulduggery Pleasant—Seasons of War

Posted on May 29, 2020 by Greg Pattridge

817hpQL--6LI featured the first book in the series 18 months ago (Skulduggery Pleasant). It’s a wildly imaginative big world adventure featuring a girl and her skeleton companion—perfect for upper middle grade with great characters and plot. Book one was released in 2008 but didn’t reach America until 2018, quickly followed by books 2-12. Now the series has progressed into book 13, and the characters have of course gotten older. I see this as more of a YA choice. Middle school, grades 6-8.

Regardless, you can start your 11-year-old on the series and soon enough they’ll be older, wiser and ready for the rest of the books. These aren’t exactly short. This current tale comes in at 592 pages. Even my fast reading skills spread the story out to nine days of frequent reading sessions.

Here the official blurb (from Amazon)

War is coming. To avert catastrophe, Skulduggery and Valkyrie are sent on a secret mission that takes them away from everything they know, to a forsaken land of magic and grim, unrelenting terror. It is here that Valkyrie will have to fight the hardest ― not only against the enemies who want her dead, but also against her own self-destructive impulses. It’s only by crawling through darkness that she’ll be able to once again stand in the light…

WHAT I LIKED

1. The bond between Skulduggery and Valkyrie (her original name was Stephanie) has progressed to a father/daughter type relationship. They are both great characters and the banter between them is always a highlight.

2. The final 10% of the book felt like a rush to get all the plot points wrapped up, but there will be a book 14 and 15. Demonstrates the international popularity of the series.

3. There are a lot of subplots here with new characters and old. Another reason to start with book one.

4. Humor is tossed in at just the right time. There is often a line that makes you laugh out loud right in the middle of the chaos.

5. The world building is spot on and will have your visual imagination running on high.

You can connect with author, Derek Landy on Twitter

Also… take a look at the the Skulduggery web site

##################

Blogging about middle grade books or authors next week? Join the celebration:

All you have to do is blog about a middle grade book on a Monday (contests, author interviews, or anything middle grade related also count). Email me the title of the book or feature and a link to your blog at 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 please don’t forget to say what book or author 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 the coming Monday.
Thanks for spreading the middle grade love and for being a part of this awesome tradition begun by Shannon Messenger and carried on here at ALWAYS in the MIDDLE! (CLICK HERE FOR PAST MMGM POSTS)
*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.
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments