Welcome to our first Middle-Grade Monday! Each Monday we plan to feature reviews from two books for tweens that our judges are reading. This week, we have nominees in the Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novels and Middle-Grade Fiction categories.
Book summaries come from Goodreads. Clicking the book cover will take you there, should you want to add the book to your TBR.
Today’s books (coincidentally) use sports as the backdrop for fictional-yet-real stories of perseverance, problem solving, and hard choices.
ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE-GRADE GRAPHIC NOVEL NOMINEE
1975. Wilkins Regional High School, Indiana. The girls’ basketball team is in their rookie season. Despite being undefeated, they practice at night in the elementary school and play to empty bleachers. Unlike the boys’ team, the Lady Bears have no buses to take them to away games, and no uniforms or a laundry service. They make their own uniforms out of T-shirts and electrical tape. With help from a committed female coach, they push through each improbable victory. Illustrated in full color, this story about the ongoing battle of women striving for equality in sports rings with honesty, bravery, and heart.
Cindy on behalf of Kiss the Book, review by Michelle in the Middle – A great read. A graphic novel works well in presenting the story and you will find yourself cheering for these girls. The art is bright and colorful and the frames are easy to follow. You may find yourself dumbfounded at girls who play games in tee shirts with electrical tape for numbers. Though hard to tell from just the graphic art, the characters seem to be diverse as well as Coach Montez.
Amy @ Goodreads – Readers will be inspired to practice hard and follow their passions even if the odds seem to be stacked against them, and friends don’t understand.
MIDDLE-GRADE FICTION NOMINEE
Trev would do anything to protect his mom and sisters, especially from his stepdad. But his stepdad's return stresses Trev--because when he left, he threatened Trev's mom. Rather than live scared, Trev takes matters into his own hands, literally. He starts learning to box to handle his stepdad. But everyone isn't a fan of his plan, because Trev's a talented artist, and his hands could actually help him build a better future. And they're letting him know. But their advice feels useless in his reality right now. Trev knows his future is in his hands, and his hands are his own, and he has to choose how to use them.
Jessica @ Cracking the Cover – At less than 150 pages, Hands is a relatively short book for middle readers, but it certainly packs a punch. In fact, the book is better for its brevity with author Torrey Maldonado perfectly capturing the voice his audience wants to hear. From the first page, it is as if Trev is talking directly to you. His tone, his body language, his emotion. They’re all there. Hands is a fast-paced read with short chapters that’s full of energy. For many, it will be a one-sitting read.
Amy @ Goodreads – I flew through this one in one sitting! Amazing middle grade that deals with topics of violence, personal protection, and identity. Trev has grown up being taught not to be soft – that’ll make you a target. Trev is stuck between two difficult choices. This reminded me of all the great things about Kwame Alexander and Jason Reynolds. It’s told with an authentic voice and the story is real.