Books fall open, you fall in. When you climb out again, you’re a bit larger than you used to be.
Gregory Maguire
Author: Susan Uhlig
The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2024) by Gennifer Choldenko is a heart-wrenching story. Of course, her middle grade novels often are.
Hank, almost 12, and his sister Boo, 3, haven’t seen their mom in a week. The food has run out, so have the scrounged coins. The landlord is threatening eviction through the closed door. With Grandma Mae gone, what can they do? A name and address written on an unsigned permission slip is their only hope.
You’ll love both kids–such sympathetic characters.
The book has too many awards to list, but you can see them here. Read fun facts about Newbery honor author Gennifer here. I love her Alcatraz books, but I think Notes from a Liar and Her Dog is still my favorite. Check out all her books here.
Leif’s Gift
Perfect Picture Book Friday
Lief’s Gift (Norton Young Readers, 2025) by Michael Wang and illustrated by Lenny Wen is amusing and educational.
Lief likes growing plants in his bedroom with his pal Hortus (a turtle). “Lief was devoted to foliage.” He asks for specific plants for his birthday, from the tooth fairy, from Santa Claus. He has quite a collection, but doesn’t think he has enough. But when his plants grow, and grow and grow, he has trouble finding things in his room. When Hortus is missing, Lief takes an honest look at his too wild room. How can he keep his plants but make them somehow less?
Backmatter shows how to propagate plants. And includes a list and illustrations of pet friendly plants.
This is the author’s debut picture book. On this page, you’ll find activities and videos for the book. Read about Michael here.
Read about the illustrator here. Lenny is an author as well as an illustrator and you can see her books here. Sample illustrations are on the main page of her website.
Being a writer is understanding that you will have moments where writing is all you can do, and times where it’s the last thing you want to do, and both are a part of the journey.
Joy Fanning
Being a writer is
A Place to Hang the Moon
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
A Place to Hang the Moon (Margaret Ferguson Books, 2021) by Kate Albus is marvelous. I loved it so much.
It’s the beginning of World War II in London, and siblings William, Edmond, and Anna have just lost their sole relative, their grandmother. With no appointed guardian, the solicitor decides the best thing to do is to send the children to the countryside with others their age who are being evacuated. Perhaps there they can find a suitable family to become their guardians. But first they can not tell the secret that they have no one to care for them in London and that they’ll inherit their grandmother’s money.
At twelve, William, is in charge of his siblings, eleven and nine, and it’s his duty to take care of them and keep them together. But, who would want to take in three child evacuees after all? Or keep them. Suffering is ahead for all three. But at least there’s a library.
I read this award-winning book almost in one sitting–the children in the story were so cold I had to stop and make myself some hot chocolate.
This historical novel is an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Winner, a New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, Kids Indie Next List pick, a ALSC Notable Children’s Book, a CCBC Choice, and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.