The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga

The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book (my last in the #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge) an MG Lit book on a spring related theme. I loved this 2nd book by Jasmine Warga---her words were beautiful, crushingly sad, brutal, and authentic. Two best friends are grieving after a school shooting claims family members. For Cora, her older sister, Mabel, and for Quinn, her older brother, Parker, and he was the shooter. What this gun violence does is crush both families, leaving lots of unanswered questions and these two main characters who are suffering and hurting. Cora blames Quinn since her brother did the shooting--even her father, grandmother and psychologist can not convince Cora that Quinn should not be blamed for her brother's actions. The crafting of this story was mesmerizing as Cora and Quinn narrate different chapters. I was especially affected by Quinn's letters to her brother as she alternately loves and hates him. The dynamics for Cora's family was supportive while Quinn's family doesn't want to call any attention to themselves---resulting in her parents awful fighting, her mom quitting her job, and abrupt shut downs whenever Quinn tries to ask questions. I loved the time travel aspect of the storyline and felt the majesty of the old oak tree and rooted for these two girls to make their way back to each other. A must read and I recommend reading the author note as well. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

These Unlucky Stars by Gillian McDunn

These Unlucky Stars by Gillian McDunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome book as part of the #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge; a photo of a book outdoors. Annie Logan is a 6th grader who has just begun her summer vacation. Living in a small town with her father and brother, Annie is prickly, doesn't have many friends and has many questions and grief about her mother's leaving the family a few years ago---questions her father refuses to discuss. Her father and brother work at the family hardware store and have been losing business due to a larger chain store the next town over. Watching her brother play basketball; Annie is dared to ring a doorbell and run away but since Annie has been born under unlucky stars; calamity ensues. The old woman in the house falls with Annie running for help. Gillian McDunn has such a relatable protagonist in Annie Logan. Annie shuts down, gets angry and/or irritating when things go wrong but it is through a chance counseling session in school with teachers concerned that she has no friends since her mom left, that Annie makes her first real friend, Faith, using suggestions her teachers gave her. When the town decides to have a festival, Annie uses her artistic talents on many of the floats, while spending her days with Grumpy Gloria and her dog Otto as she recuperates from her fall, a broken arm. As Annie struggles with Gloria's cranky personality she ends up helping Gloria and herself as they forge a friendship that compliments their personalities. I loved everything about Gloria's dog, Otto. Even though Annie was bitten as a child she becomes enamored with Otto and how he cares for Gloria (and Gloria cares for Otto). I just loved turning the pages of this book as Annie and her unlucky stars begin to grow, feel, and journey toward new relationships with family, friends, and community. Highly recommended for middle grade students!

View all my reviews

The One Thing You'd Save by Linda Sue Park

The One Thing You'd Save by Linda Sue Park
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book in a format I don't usually choose for #BitAboutBooks Spring Book Challenge. The poems in this novel in verse are a new kind of poetry for me. Known as sijo it is a Korean line structure and I was captivated by this novel in verse, the plot, and the characters---the students and their teacher as they interact while contemplating, discussing and musing on the question asked by their teacher---The One Thing You'd Save if your home was on fire. I enjoyed the students, their teacher and especially the black and white illustrations which really highlight the students answers. A must read and highly recommended.

View all my reviews

Catywampus by Ash Van Otterloo

Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book with a title having a word 3 syllables or longer for #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge and oh did I enjoy it! With magic, witches, feuds, and a community that hates witches, Delpha McGill and Katybird Hearn have been warned and forbidden to use magic in Howler's Hollow. But magic is calling to both girls in feuding witch families--- Delpha finding her family's top secret book of hexes unleashes zombies from both families; Delpha and Katybird must quickly STOP the chaos. But what if the girls magic can't/won't work? I loved Van Otterloo's debut book for so many reasons--the writing is exciting, the characters are well drawn, but the magic, their friend Tyler, and Delpha's shed, better known as Puppet, steal the show! For a suspenseful spirited read, middle grade students will be sharing this thriller of magic, hexes, and zombies with their friends. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo

Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this for the #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge for the pre2020 book. I read this awesome Kate DiCamillo book about one of Raymie Nightingale's best friends, Louisiana Elefante. When Louisiana is uprooted one night by her Granny and taken for a midnight ride she is not surprised because this has happened before. There is a curse on her family and Granny tells her the day of reckoning has come. What she does not make immediately apparent is that she will not be taking Louisiana back home to Florida to her friends, dog and cat. Instead a saga unfolds and the reader and Louisiana learn a whole lot about her life. With this new information, her Granny unfit and unwilling to help Louisiana; Louisiana begins to fend for herself. I loved Louisiana; her honesty despite the manipulations of her Granny, her friendliness to everyone she meets and her beautiful singing voice that brings people to tears. The way Kate DiCamillo delivers this story as Louisiana narrates is simply authentic, real, and beautiful.

View all my reviews

The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan

The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I read it for #BitAboutBooks Spring Challenge with a non-human character. Readers will fall in love with Sila, her dad, Apt, and Gio, the elderly lottery winner. When Sila's mom must return to Turkey her 8 days becomes a year. Sila and her father are devastated; she turns away from her friends, school activities, and is sad all the time (but she feels it is no one's business). When her father takes Sila to fix a truck, she meets Gio and her life and Gio's changes. What follows is such an enjoyable, heartwarming story about friendship, family, empathy and second chances. With the introduction of classmate Mateo and his mom, the story just gets better and better. There was so much wonder when Gio, Sila, and Mateo save and care for an elephant, Veda. The information on the elephant dung showed the nature connection, the animal connection and the importance of caring for others. This is a book ALL should read; just like her book, Counting by 7s, Sloan is an awesome author and her message is real, timely, and authentic. A must read!

View all my reviews

Bloom Boom! by April Pulley Sayre

Bloom Boom! by April Pulley Sayre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read a 2nd book for #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge on a Spring-Related Picture Book. April Pulley Sayres celebration of flowers is just truly amazing. Each page consists of stunning photographs of flowers blooming and the many different ways they bloom. From California to Arizona to Texas the many varieties of flowers are celebrated in their breathtaking beauty. Pully has a must read section at the end with more facts information about each page of the book. A must read and visual delight.

View all my reviews

My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis by Paul Miesel

My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis by Paul Meisel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Spring Related Picture Book for my #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge and I just loved Miesel's narrator, P. Mantis!!! My granddaughters love the pictures, the facts and seeing through the illustrations and dates from May through October the life cycle of the praying mantis. The laughs the baby praying mantis gleaned from my granddaughters was always about the eating.

June 2 "I'm hungry, Growing so fast! I ate one of my brothers. Okay maybe two."
June 4 "I ate another brother. And one of my sisters too."
The giggles and re-reading were filled with learning facts and how amazing this insect is!

A truly enjoyable, ingenious picture book!

View all my reviews

Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick

Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this for the #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge and an #Own Voices story. Frankie is 13 years old, neurodiverse and her perception of the world is definitely different from others. She sees a therapist and takes medications, but ends this when she overhears her best friend, Collette and sister, Tess and another friend talking about her. Rather than confront them, she bottles it up, and she distances herself from them. Because Cat is neurodiverse she does not tell the reader that she has a twin (and this twin is also friends with Collette) and this is the way her brain works, and middle grade students will be drawn into her story that is about family, friendship, lies, secrets, and trying to figure things out. I learned so much from Frankie, but also from her sister, Tess, but the way they interact raises many questions because of the way Frankie is--compulsive, shouting out, hating being touched, and many more of her challenges. A must read!

View all my reviews

From You To Me by K. A. Holt

From You to Me by K.A. Holt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my Book of Choice for #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenges. I love K. A. Holt's books and this was not one of her novels in verse. Instead it is a gripping beautiful tribute to sisters, grief, friendship, and how to survive. Amelia's sister, Clara, drowned in the lake 3 years ago and Amelia is still crying and feeling very lonely. With her best friend, Taylor, they are going to take 8th grade by storm this year. When Amelia receives Clara's 6th grade letter to herself she decides to make each item come true for Clara. I rooted for Lily, her attempts to practice for softball tryouts, asking Billy to Kite Night, being nice to her mother, plan a prank and throw a party. As Lily becomes friendly with Twitch, and unburdens herself to Mrs. Grant, she begins a new kind of journey, living every day with her grief and memories of her beloved sister. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, just as I finished Dark Horses by Susan Mihalic (adult book about child sexual abuse) I read this as part of #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge because my librarian friend, MaryAlice, recommended it along with another book I will be reading for this challenge! Della and Suki are burned into my heart; they have had a tough life and it is about to get much more difficult. When their drug addled mother has a psychotic break and burns a hotel room down while doing meth---Della and Suki were there. When they are taken into protective custody their mother's boyfriend arrives and sweeps them away. Clifton drives a tractor trailer all week and comes home Friday nights. the way Kimberly Brubaker Bradley unfolds this story about sisters is gripping...When Clifton tries to sexually abuse Della, Suki sweeps in with a cell phone taking pictures and quickly sends to next door neighbor, Teena. The girls are placed in a foster home with Francine, going to a new school, a trial and trying to deal---but as we learn from Della---her sister Suki is always her protector, singing to her and taking care of her since age 6---but who is taking care of Suki? As Suki gets a job at Food Giant, tries to ignore her friend, Teena, and keep her away from Della, Della begins noticing/remembering things (both past and present) about Suki and she grows concerned, so is foster mother, Francine but no one seems to hear their cries and act on it. This was a harrowing book to read, process, and follow along as these traumatized sisters deal with abandonment, drug abuse and sexual abuse, suicide, the foster system, bullying in the classroom, consent and much more...but the author's words, characters, and plot are all strong, important, authentic, and compassionate. A must read for all in the school system teachers, guidance counselors, school nurses and principals and the middle grade and YA reader and parents. This book tells the reader how often this occurs, urges healing through therapists and doctors, and encourages speaking up (sometimes maybe again and again until you are heard) and always the power of love in healing. A must read!!!

View all my reviews

APlace to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this debut author awesome historical middle grade fiction as the final book I needed to read for my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for a book set in another country. I LOVED this book; the Pearce children won my heart, they were all heroes, and they were devoted to one another during such a scary time in London history with World War II and the approaching enemy. With the death of their grandmother, the three children are now orphans and her solicitor decides the best and safest place to be is with a group of children being evacuated away from London to the "safety" of the country. With William 12, Edmund 11, and Anna 9 they realize it is necessary for them to stay together but will pose a problem to find a home that will accept three children. I loved Kate Albus' characterizations; they were fleshed out- both the good and evil characters. There is humor as Edmund just can't control himself, tension as the children try to be the best occupants in each billet, and the psychological suspense with the highs and lows of wartime England and the children's secrets. Middle school readers will love the plot and setting as our three children yearn and try to find themselves A Place to Hang the Moon. The beauty and importance of family is superbly handled by Albus with each turn of the page! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

The Hedgehog of Oz by Cory Leonardo

The Hedgehog of Oz by Cory Leonardo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this animal main character for the #BitAboutBooks Winter reading Challenge and LOVED the animals and their adventures as try to help each other find home. Marcel is the sweetest main character; as a hedgehog he has fears but he is a leader as he watches over his friends (hens) Aunt Hen and Uncle Henrietta scavenge for food in his beloved Emerald City Theatre. When his world is crashed; men chasing them and Marcel loosing his friends and being spirited away in a truck, all Marcel wants to do is go home. The reader learns he had a wonderful owner, Dorothy, who took him to the movies and took the best care of him, until a boy comes around and Marcel thinks he has been forgotten. I loved Leonardo's worldbuilding--thrill tingling adventure abounds in the movie theatre and the woods, as Marcel makes friends with Oma the moth, Scamp the tiny but heroic mouse, crusty older Ingot the squirrel, and mighty baby raccoon, Tuffy. Middle grade readers will love these animals/pets and their friendships, loyalty, and courage as they search for "home" family and friends. A must read!

View all my reviews

My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee

My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, Book by Same Author. Zinny is a happy 12 yr old with a large family and friends and a love of science. Life suddenly stops and takes an abnormal turn when her beloved oldest brother, Gabriel, has a car accident and is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, while a freshman in college. Trying to grasp what is happening, their devastated parents tell Zinny, Scarlet, and Aiden to keep Gabriel's condition private without really explaining what that means. As her concerned friends try to comfort her, Zinny will not tell them anything about Gabriel, staying true to her parents wishes. Zinny begins going to her science teacher's classroom at lunch because she loves science and wants to dodge her friends' judgments. What I liked about this book is that Dee explores all the aspects of family dynamics, mental illness, Zinny's confusion, parent and teacher concern in a way that feels vital to the characters and the larger story. The closure of the story was positive and I was so happy with Zinny's journey. This was a stunning and inspiring novel, students will be sharing and talking about this book! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler

Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Author Debut Book as part of my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for 10 points and I ached for Georgia as she grieved the death of her "famous" artist Dad from cancer a year ago. Georgia's life has been defined by her artist father and art history mother and she has loved every moment. She has been best friends with Theo since their birth and they sit around all the time working on their art. Theo is the son of single mom, Harriet, who is best friends with Georgia's mom. Theo has a graphic novel that features him and Georgia as avengers of good against the evils of the world. But with the death of her father, Georgia is feelings things she has never felt before; jealousy of Theo, anger at her dead father and living mother, and the urge to stop her artistic endeavors because art is just not working for her anymore. When she finds a portfolio of her father's pictures of her, Georgia takes his last drawing of her at age 10, and does not tell anyone about it. She becomes consumed with trying to solve a mystery; but with no one to talk to, she feels even more alone and questions everything in her life. As Georgia begins to lie more and more, things unwind, and she is threatened with so many questions and feelings--will she be able to right her wrongs? I loved this debut novel, the characterization, the plot and oh what I learned and loved about all the art techniques and colors was just awesome. A must read!

View all my reviews

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of my 2nd challenge (I did the first challenge in January and loved it so I made a new challenge for February) for #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge 15 points for Book by the Same Author. This is my first Barbara Dee book and it was gut wrenching and such a needed book for middle schoolers but also parents, administrators, guidance counselors, and teachers. Mila begins 7th grade as a happy girl with a group of friends but being raised by a mom and sister and dog. Money is tight but life is good. When boys from the basketball team begin to ask for hugs, touch her sweater and say things that make Mila uncomfortable, a fall out begins. Her friends Omi and Zara don't understand, Max urges her to go to her guidance counselor or the assistant principle. Mila's female guidance counselor is on maternity leave and she is left to speak to Mr. Dolan who does not understand/help at all. Mila's conflicting feelings she keeps to herself but the reader sees her inner devastation questioning why this is happening. Without revealing all that happens in this MUST READ book, Mila hits rock bottom, is devastated by friends, teachers, and others reactions to her many ways she reaches out and draws back with all that happens. I rooted for Mila to grasp her inner strength and rise above the torment she is going through. Barbara Dee's characters are authentic - Zara is a prickly, jealous friend while Omi is not into conflict at all, Max begins to pull away from Mila when she does not take his suggestions, her mom is dealing with her own life problems and when she loses her job, Mila pulls back. The plot is riveting and will have all middle schoolers sharing this and talking about this book!

View all my reviews

Chef Yasmina and the Potato Panic by Wauter Mannaert

Chef Yasmina and the Potato Panic by Wauter Mannaert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this funny, whimsical graphic novel for my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge read a 100-200 page book for 10 pts. Middle grade readers will love the drawings, the vegetable uproar as Yasmina discovers a potato product is making anyone who eats it crazy, and act like a dog. Once her Dad is affected Yasmina is on the hunt for the bad guys. Funny and serious, readers will enjoy Yasmina's inventiveness, her push to get at the truth, and her espionage efforts. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and loved this book as part of my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge a book published in 2021 worth 15 points. Just as I loved her debut, Midsummer's Mayhem, I could not put down this affecting, touching novel in verse (which I totally loved) about Reha, a young Indian American girl who was born and raised in America but by Indian parents who migrated to the United States and married. Reha loves her life with her mother and father but feels so constrained by their expectations which are opposite what her daily American life is in school. This book deftly portrays the double world Reha lives in; I enjoyed learning about the Indian mythology especially Savitri, Amma's letter writing known as Aerogramme, and the Indian foods and culture. Especially noteworthy is Reha's friendship with her Indian friends on the weekends, and the support from the kids at school like Pete, Penelope, and Rachel when Amma is sick. This is a book that all must read--there is much to be learned about Reha's life that AA readers can and will identify with, learn from, and understand about family struggles such as illness, expectations, and differences. Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Ways To Make "Sunshine" by Renee Watson

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Ryan Hart, her grit, her happiness, her drama, and her cooking. Ryan is a 6th grader with good friends, and a brother she constantly fights with. When her father loses his job at the post office, Ryan faces challenges and ways to make "sunshine" out of the new drama in her life and school. I liked her relationship with her parents and the way she and her friends figure things out. Middle grade readers will enjoy this first in the series with family, friendship and school dynamics!

View all my reviews

Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations, #1 by B.B. Alston

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This author debut was compulsively readable and I read it for the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge. Amari is a 13-year-old, devastated by the loss of her missing brother, and being bullied at school. Amari is determined to try to find her brother, especially when law enforcement has no leads and thinks Quinton has succumb to the dangerous life of their rundown urban neighborhood. Quinton has always been Amari’s best friend and his reputation for excellence in every facet of his life propels Amari to join Quinton’s summer leadership camp; but what a surprise awaits when Amari finds out this camp is supernatural. Alston’s worldbuilding is awesome with the different aspects of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs; departments, illusions, faeries, werewolves, yetis, snakes and the magical sides of the kids. I rooted for Amari as she is maligned because her magic is considered “black” and many do not want to give her a chance. She learns more about her magic from her partner, Dylan, and roommate Elsie. Readers will be turning the pages with the illusions, magic, creatures, and tests, as Amari and her competitors fight for their place as Junior Agents. I enjoyed the action driven plot, authentic characters, good vs evil and Amari’s growth, resilience, and honesty. I can’t wait for the 2nd book in the series! Highly recommended.

View all my reviews