Welcome to this week's edition of Must Have Middle Grade Reads, a weekly feature here on Mundie Moms where I spotlight last week's middle grade books I reviewed on Mundie Kids. It's been awhile since I've shared some of the MG books I've read. I took a little break from MKs recently, because of all that I've had going on. I'm looking forward to posting more MG reviews this week on Mundie Kids. Here's a few books I've read over the past couple of weeks that I'd recommend picking up.
By: Robin Mellom
Illustrated by: Stephen Gilpin
Published by: Disney Hyperion
To Be Released on: June 19th, 2012
Ages: 9 & up
5 stars: I Loved It!
Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
In
2012, a documentary crew descended upon Westside Middle School to
detail the life of an average seventh grader and his classmates. What
they uncovered, though, was far from average. Mostly, it was upper
average along with moments of extreme average, highlighted by several
minutes of total epicness.
This is the story...
Trevor
Jones--perfect attendance award recipient, former neurotic (he
hopes)--has been preparing for the start of seventh grade his entire
summer. But
he is NOT ready for the news his best friend, Libby (proud neurotic, in
a color-coding sort of way), drops on him: he must ask a girl to the
fall dance. By the end of the day.
Trevor
decides he would rather squirt hot sauce in his eyes than attend the
dance. Everything changes when he meets mysterious new student Molly
(excessive doodler, champion of unnatural hair colors). Trevor starts to
think that going to the dance maybe wouldn't be the worst thing ever.
But what if she says no to his invitation? More important, what if she
says yes?! -quoted from Goodreads
A
fabulously written, relatable middle grade coming of age story, The
Classroom is a hysterical read with witty, well grounded characters and a
quick, engaging plot line. It's been awhile since I've read a truly fun
book, and Robin Mellom's middle grade debut is just that! With a
documentary crew descending on Westside Middle School to document the
life of an average 7th grade boy as he learns to navigate his way
through MS, Robin was able to give a creative writing spin to her book
by telling it from a documentary point of view. This not only allows
readers to get to know the main character Trevor better, she also
introduces readers to a variety of other characters through various
interviews that take place in the book. You can read my full review here
By: Samantha Seiple
Published by: Scholastic
Released on: October 1st, 2011
Ages: 10 & up
4 stars: I Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon
Few know the story of the Japanese invasion of Alaska during World War II--until now.
I was really quite shocked when I sat down to read
this book, as I hadn't heard anything about Japan's invasion in Alaska
during June of 1942 through August of 1943. Quite honestly it made me
angry to learn that this invasion could have been voided, and also was
covered up by our own country. I thought Samantha Seiple's account of
the invasion, and what happened before, during and after this time was
well done. I felt she did a great job showing all sides of this story
not only from personal accounts, but all recorded accounts as well. You can read my full review here.
By: Naoko Stoop
Published by: Little Brown Kids
Released on: June 4th, 2012
5 stars: This is a MUST Have!
Red Knit Cap Girl is a little girl with a big dream -- to meet the Moon.
Red Knit Cap Girl lives with her animal friends in an enchanted forest. There is so much to see and do, but more than anything Red Knit Cap Girl wishes she could talk to the Moon. Join Red Knit Cap Girl and her forest friends on a journey of curiosity, imagination, and joy as they search for a way to meet the Moon.
Red Knit Cap Girl lives with her animal friends in an enchanted forest. There is so much to see and do, but more than anything Red Knit Cap Girl wishes she could talk to the Moon. Join Red Knit Cap Girl and her forest friends on a journey of curiosity, imagination, and joy as they search for a way to meet the Moon.
Gorgeously illustrated on wood grain, Red Knit Cap Girl's curiosity, imagination, and joy will captivate the hearts of readers young and old as her journey offers a gentle reminder to appreciate the beauty of the natural world around us -quoted from Goodreads
If there's only one children's picture book you pick up this year, this is the one to get! Naoko's
beautiful illustrations and heartwarming story capture the heart of
imagination for those both young and old. It's a lovely story about
friendship, adventure, and captures the essence of childhood perfectly.
Red Knit Cap Girl and her woodland friends want to meet the moon. How
does one go about doing that? You'll have to jump into this story's
delightful world and take the journey with Red Knit Cap Girl to find
out. I promise the journey will be worth it! You can read my full review here
By: Jerry Spinelli
Published by: Balzer & Bray / Harper Collins Children's Books
Released on: May 8th, 2012
5 stars: I Loved It!
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Jake
and Lily are twins. Even though they seem pretty different—Jake is the
calm one and Lily has a temper; Lily is obsessed with trains and Jake
collects cool rocks—they feel exactly the same, almost like two halves
of one person. When one of them gets hurt, the other can feel it. They
can communicate without words. And mysteriously, every year on their
birthday, they sleepwalk to a train station in the middle of the night.
But the year they turn eleven, everything changes. Their parents announce it’s time for separate bedrooms, and Jake starts hanging out with a pack of boys on the block. Lily is devastated—not to mention really, really mad. And as she struggles to make friends and get a life apart from her twin, Jake finds himself dealing with a neighborhood bully and has to decide what kind of person he really is.
Beloved author Jerry Spinelli has written another perfectly on-target, humorous, and brilliant story about the struggles of growing up and discovering who you are. -quoted from Goodreads
But the year they turn eleven, everything changes. Their parents announce it’s time for separate bedrooms, and Jake starts hanging out with a pack of boys on the block. Lily is devastated—not to mention really, really mad. And as she struggles to make friends and get a life apart from her twin, Jake finds himself dealing with a neighborhood bully and has to decide what kind of person he really is.
Beloved author Jerry Spinelli has written another perfectly on-target, humorous, and brilliant story about the struggles of growing up and discovering who you are. -quoted from Goodreads
A
fabulously told MG contemporary that is laced with humor, touching
moments and the important lessons we all face when we start to grow up.
Jake and Lily is a story MG readers and adults alike will enjoy. I loved
having the chance to sit down and read this story, as well as having
the change of getting to know twins Jake and Lilly. Though they're just a
eleven years old, they've spent most of their life doing everything
together, until now. As the twins make new friends, and develop
different tastes, they learn that it's okay to let go and try new things
with out the other. You can read my full review here
Middle Grade Monday:
Don't miss my Marvelous Middle Grade Monday meme on Mundie Kids, a weekly meme hosted by author Shannon Messenger's. You can check out this week's Mundie Kids feature here
The Classroom sounds like an excellent book. Your review makes the book sound so funny- so I definitely want to read it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete~Jess
Jess- It's hilarious! I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteGreat selections! I want to read The Classroom. Jake and Lily sounds awesome, too... Jerry Spinelli certainly knows how to write a gripping story!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ruth! Jerry did an excellent job with Jake and Lily's story. I highly recommend it.
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