Today’s featured review looks at a nominee from the Middle Grade Fiction category–Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: Wow. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is better than any writer I know at instilling in my heart a fierce, compassionate love for girls who have come through abuse. That may sound like it’s a sordid, gritty story – but she manages to write …
REVIEW: Ghost Squad
Today’s featured review is from the Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category–Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega: The story features an Own Voices representation of Dominican folklore and culture, and it also puts a spotlight on strong friendships and family bonds (including found family). The story is very action-oriented, and kids who like a fast-moving plot will be entranced. The full review …
REVIEW: All Thirteen
Today’s review looks at Middle Grade Nonfiction nominee All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat: I loved all the great details presented in this book. I knew of this rescue mission, but I really didn’t know much about the people involved, the work involved, or the massive amounts of volunteers that spent …
REVIEW: Ways to Make Sunshine
We dipped into our reservoir of Middle Grade Fiction nominees for today’s review, featuring Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson: The scenes in the book are set up to showcase the particular joys and problems of growing up Black, but the story should be enjoyable for all kids, person of color or not. And Ryan is growing up in …
REVIEW: Embassy of the Dead
We know, we know–Halloween was last weekend–but we could resist posting a featured review of spooky Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction nominee Embassy of the Dead by Will Mabbitt, illustrated by Taryn Knight: The Embassy of the Dead is an interesting organization whose primary purpose is to keep the living of the Earthly Plane and the dead from the Afterworld protected …
REVIEW: Clean Getaway
This year, one of our nominees in the Middle Grade Fiction category is from well-known YA author Nic Stone. In Clean Getaway, Stone presents readers with a middle grade road trip story featuring a mixed race kid: A road trip across the south, one unconventional Grandma (G’ma), plus plenty of secrets/mystery make this a fun (and funny) middle grade read …
REVIEW: Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier
Today’s featured review looks at Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels nominee Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier by Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wicks, both veterans of the science graphic novel genre. There are some great and hilarious anecdotes throughout, and [astronaut] Mary Cleave’s love for space exploration and science comes through, making me hopeful that this book will inspire many, many …
REVIEW: Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe
Our featured review for today looks at Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction nominee Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez: Sal and Gabi are back! Sal’s father is worried about the holes in the universe that Sal made in the first book, accidentally and on purpose pulling things like his mother from other universes. Now his machine to repair …
REVIEW: Maybe He Just Likes You
Today we’re featuring a review by Middle Grade Fiction judge Jaymie, who blogs at The Neverending TBR. She reviewed finalist Maybe He Just Likes You (Amazon, IndieBound), writing: This is an important book for middle grade readers, especially upper elementary students and middle school students. It gives language to kids for this very specific and nuanced kind of bullying and harassment. …
REVIEW: The Dark Lord Clementine
Today’s review is of Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist The Dark Lord Clementine (Amazon, IndieBound). Round one panelist Jennifer, who blogs at Raise them Righteous, wrote: Clementine is the perfect awkward heroine of her own adventure and a lovable title character that won’t soon be forgotten. In fact, I hope to see her in a follow-up book soon!! Read the whole …