Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
The Inn Between (Roaring Brook Press, 2016) by Marina Cohen makes me think of the Eagle’s song Hotel California, but aimed at kids. I don’t know how else to describe this book–perhaps deliciously creepy. It’s definitely unforgettable. And hard to put down.
Eleven-year-old Quinn Martin’s best friend Kara Cawston is moving away so Quinn joins the family on a trip west from Denver through the Nevada desert. After a near accident they decide to stop at a hotel on the border between Nevada and California. When they arrive at the Inn Between, the hotel looks more like a Victorian mansion. They’re greeted by a uniformed doorman and inside discover the elevator has a live operator. The lady at the front desk greets them with “We’ve been expecting you” and doesn’t need a credit card for their stay. “Our policy is you pay when you leave.” Cell phones don’t work there; neither does the TV. But that’s just the beginning of weirdness. Can the girls solve the mystery of the hotel?
Interspersed are some past experiences of Quinn with Kara and with Quinn’s sister Emma.
At the author’s website Marina Cohen’s bio says, “In elementary school, one of her favorite authors was Edgar Allen Poe. She loved stories like The Tell-Tale Heart and The Pit and the Pendulum and aspired to write similar stories. She is a lover of the fantastical, the bizarre, and all things creepy.”
Check out the details on her other books.
Category: MG Novels
middle grade novels (for 8-12 yo)
Booked
Booked (HarperCollins, 2016) by Kwame Alexander is a novel in verse that tells the story of eighth grader Nick Hall.
Nick is a soccer star, victim of a dad who makes him read a book called Weird and Wonderful Words–written by Dad, daydreamer, and class comedian. He also has a crush on a certain girl, and his friend Coby and he have a pact about having girlfriends by ninth grade. Life is looking good, but some unpleasant surprises are headed Nick’s way.
I loved how Nick complains about the words his dad makes him learn, yet he uses them in conversation. He’s a nice mix of realistic attributes and emotion and humor. I also liked that Nick gets encouragement from a teacher during his struggles.
The author creates sympathy for Nick in this easy to read book. And I bet many kids are enjoying poetry because of Kwame Alexander’s many books. Read all about this impressive author on his website.
The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary (Wendy Lamb Books, 2016) by Laura Shovan is a different take on a novel in verse. In this book 18 kids are writing poems for a time capsule. Their school is scheduled to be torn down at the end of the year, and many of these fifth graders are not happy about that. The book covers the whole school year–what they try to save the school, friendships, and more.
I enjoyed the different way the kids approached their poems and learning about each kid’s personality from “their” writings. 18 kids is a lot to juggle, but soon I was recognizing who was who by what they said and their poetry style. I’m wondering if the variety of poems might inspire some readers to write their own poetry.
On the author’s blog Laura shares Poetry Friday entries. She tells the style of poem and what was behind writing it. Fun!
Counting Thyme
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Counting Thyme (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2016) by Melanie Conklin is an uncommon story, although too many kids are experiencing the affects of cancer in their lives. Here’s a brief introduction:
It’s November and eleven-year-old Thyme and her family have moved to New York for a drug trial that might save her little brother, Val. There are great things about being in a new place and new school–such as new classmates not labeling her as “the girl whose five-year-old brother has cancer.” But there’s bad things about not being in San Diego–missing her best friend Shani, her grandmother, her home. The drug trial is supposed to take three months, which is great as Thyme really wants to return home in March to celebrate Shani’s and her own birthday. But life gets more complicated than Thyme or anyone else plans for.
I loved sweet Val, sympathized with Thyme and her parents, and liked this touching story a lot. I hope to see this book win some awards!
On the author’s website there’s the story behind the story, a book trailer and more.
The Crossover
I’m late to the party to celebrate the 2015 Newbery medal book, The Crossover (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014) by Kwame Alexander. But actually it’s never too late to read a good book.
If you haven’t read this believable novel in verse, I strongly recommend it. It’d be especially great for those reluctant readers as it is a very quick read and so accessible. Kids into sports will like it. It’s fun to read for anyone!
That doesn’t mean it’s a piece of fluff by any means. Instead we experience the highs and lows with thirteen-year-old Josh and his twin Jordan (JB). His brother is thinking more about GIRLS than BASKETBALL. Will the brothers even be friends after this year?
Kwame is the author of 21 books. His most recent novel Booked came out in April and looks great.
Read more about the author/poet on his website.