Tag Archives: Middle grade contemporary

JUST GUS

A big dog named Gus narrates this sweet and compelling tale of friendship. His main job is to guard the livestock from predators on a South Carolina farm where he lives. It’s the kind of work Gus loves. Little does … Continue reading

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HOW TO WRITE THE SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR LIFE

Murphy Parker is going to be a songwriter—if she can ever find the courage to let anyone hear her music. When Murphy dares to play one of her songs in a music class, she’s shocked by how much her classmates … Continue reading

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MY NOT-SO-GREAT FRENCH ESCAPE

When I saw author Cliff Burke’s name on the cover of MY NOT-SO-GREAT FRENCH ESCAPE, I hoped for a story just as good as his debut novel, AN OCCASIONALLY HAPPY FAMILY reviewed here in 2021. It didn’t take me long … Continue reading

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HOW TO MAKE A MOVIE IN 12 DAYS

When movie-loving Hayley’s beloved grandma dies, so does her dream of making the horror movie they were writing together. Then she inherits the money to buy a professional camera, and becomes determined to see the project through, with only three … Continue reading

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MIDDLE SCHOOL: WINTER BLUNDERLAND

The Middle School series is back with book #15 (yes, FIFTEEN!). It has been twelve years since I read the first title-Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life. I never reviewed that story as I found the main character, … Continue reading

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THE NOT-SO-UNIFORM LIFE OF HOLLY-MEI

I had this one on my stacks of books to review last year, but it never made it to the top until 2023 rolled around. The wait was well worth it. Holly-Mei lives with her younger sister and their parents … Continue reading

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Sincerely Sicily

Sicily Jordan’s worst nightmare has come true! She’s been enrolled in a new school, with zero of her friends and stuck wearing a fashion catastrophe of a uniform. But however bad Sicily thought sixth grade was going to be, it … Continue reading

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SOME SUNNY DAY

The COVID Pandemic has been a challenge for everyone. Books written about the first year are beginning to find the bookshelves. A great one to start with is SOME SUNNY DAY. Cymbeline Igloo (yes, that’s his name!) has appeared in … Continue reading

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THE SECRET LETTERS

An attic can hold many secrets, including the letters 12-year-old Colin finds in a stranger’s house. It’s his summer job helping Mom in her business of helping people get rid of junk. Should he throw them away? Maybe not. Upon … Continue reading

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NEW KIDS & UNDERDOGS

Learning about friendship and a dog agility class drives this new title. Robyn spends school years with her mom and summers with Dad. Mom is always moving so it’s been a new school and being the new kid six times. … Continue reading

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