Is there anything better than relaxing in your favorite reading spot, lost in a book? Exactly! If you follow us on Twitter, you know that we often tweet about books that are soon or just newly released. BUT! Before you put the hold on that shiny new book – and wait your turn in line! – why not enjoy some …
REVIEW: Echo Mountain
Our last featured blogger review of the 2020 Cybils season looks at Middle Grade Fiction finalist Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk: This is the wonderful story of a spunky, persevering and brave twelve year old girl named Ellie. The setting is the wild woods of Maine in the 1930’s. Her parents lost their home in the Great Depression and were …
REVIEW: Class Act
Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels finalist Class Act by Jerry Craft is the focus of today’s featured blogger review: Fitting in, showing someone you like them, making and challenging assumptions, and finding your own way in life–all of these very real concerns for tweens and teens are beautifully represented in the students of Riverdale Academy Day School. Click here to read …
REVIEW: A Wish in the Dark
Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat is the subject of today’s featured blogger review: This says on the cover that it’s a reimagining of Les Miserables. It’s not a blow-by-blow recreation, but we do have the two central characters, one who has broken the law for understandable reasons, and one who believes that …
REVIEW: The Land of the Cranes
Middle Grade Fiction finalist The Land of the Cranes, by Aida Salazar, is the subject of today’s featured blogger review: This MG novel in verse is GORGEOUS and devastatingly sad. I’m so glad I listened to it because the narration by Dani Gonzalez is incredible and adds so much to the experience. Click here to read the full review by …
REVIEW: In The Red
Our featured review for today takes a closer look at Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist Into the Red by Christopher Swiedler: This exciting survival story made for an intriguing read. Survival stories on earth can be mind-blowing, but trying to survival almost impossible circumstances on Mars?! Not to mention, the main character, Michael, struggles with an anxiety disorder, that definitely …
REVIEW: How We Got to the Moon
Today’s blogger review features Middle Grade Nonfiction finalist How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity’s Greatest Adventure by John Rocco: John Rocco is an author-illustrator who wanted to create with this project a book he would have loved to read as a kid. He accomplished his goal in spades—creating a beautiful …
REVIEW: From the Desk of Zoe Washington
Middle Grade Fiction finalist title From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks is the subject of today’s featured review: From the Desk of Zoe Washington, a middle-grade novel by debut author Janae Marks, is a quick but impactful read. With themes of racism and wrongful conviction, it’s a timely read that’s as thought-provoking as it is engaging. Although …
REVIEW: When Stars Are Scattered
Today’s featured blogger review takes a closer look at Elementary/Middle Grade Graphic Novels finalist When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, and Iman Geddy: This book just gobsmacked me. It’s a powerful tale of two brothers in a refugee camp. Born in Somalia at the onset of a civil war, Omar, the eldest, watched his father get killed. …
REVIEW: Rival Magic
Welcome to our first review of 2021! Happy New Year! Today’s blogger review looks at Elementary/Middle Grade Speculative Fiction finalist Rival Magic by Deva Fagan: This is a fine example of the sort of middle grade fantasy that one reads in just about a single-sitting, with interesting, likeable main characters, lots of delightfully magical twists and turns, and twists in …