MG Novels – Page 57 – Susan Uhlig

out of my mind

Posted on February 18, 2011July 25, 2023 by Susan Uhlig

out of my mind (Atheneum, 2010) by Sharon M. Draper is one of those hard to put down incredible stories.

11-year-old Melody can’t talk, walk or feed herself, so most people think she’s not very smart. Not true, and fortunately she has some champions in her life who believe that just because her body is limited, doesn’t mean her mind is. Melody is an incredibly tough heroine in unfortunate circumstances.

I challenge you to pick up the story and start reading. I think, like it did for me, that the beginning will suck you in!

The book has gotten starred reviews. It it had been up to me, it would have been one of the Newbery winners!

Read about the award winning author and teacher on her site. Sharon M. Draper has written other great books, too.

Fiona Finkelstein Meets Her Match

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Susan Uhlig

Fiona FMHM Fiona Finkelstein Meets Her Match (Aladdin, 2010) by Shawn K. Stout is one of those laugh out loud books. This fourth grader is an interesting character. Fiona doesn’t like “food that lies” and she’s too old for a babysitter, so has a “watcher” instead. She’s pretty happy in her world except that her teacher won’t choose her to be “electrician.” But then . . . a new kid comes to town and steps into her territory big time.
This is the 2nd book in a series and I had no problem reading it without having read the first book, though I’ve planning to read it now!
You can read about author Shawn K. Stout on her site. There I discovered she really likes peach pie. (Yumm, me, too!)
She answers some questions on her publisher’s site, too.

Contest, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Invasion

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Susan Uhlig

We all know the comics aren’t real . . . don’t we?
That’s what 16-year-old Colt is about to find out in the first C.H.A.O.S. novel, Invasion (Thomas Nelson, 2010), by Jon S. Lewis.
Summer vacation in Washington DC, but the building Colt’s dad has stopped in front of doesn’t look like a tourist place. Nor does it look like a camp. Inside he’ll find out all kinds of secrets about his world, but then not be able to remember them or even whom he met. Later while surfing at home in San Diego he gets attacked by a sea monster, but who’s going to believe that? It sounds like something out of a nightmare. Unfortunately, Cole’s going to experience worse in the days to come.
I enjoyed the humor in the book, and the relationship between the kids. It felt a bit comic bookish itself, so should appeal to comic book fans. As it should since the author has written comic books as well. Check out the series website.
Note: This is definitely not your stereotypical “Christian” book; in fact, there’s no preaching at all!
Jon S. Lewis is also the cowriter of the Grey Griffins Clockwork Chronicles.
I’d love to give this book to a boy who likes comic books. If you have a son, nephew, grandson, who’d enjoy the book, comment on this post with your email address, and I’ll draw from the comments and contact one lucky person to win this book.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Mockingbird

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Susan Uhlig

Speculation about the 2011 Newbery awards started last fall as people discussed books they’d like to see considered.
Mockingbird (Philomel Books, 2010) by Kathryn Erskine is one of the ones I kept hearing mentioned. (It’s already won a National Book Award.) I am so glad I followed up and read this book. Read the opening:
“It looks like a one-winged bird crouching in the corner of our living room. Hurt. Trying to fly every time the heat pump turns on with a click and a groan and blows cold air onto the sheet and lifts it up and it flutters for just a moment and then falls down again. Still. Dead.”
Wow! I had to keep reading. I was drawn into Caitlyn’s world immediately. Her brother who used to explain all the confusing things in life to this 10-year-old-girl with Asperger’s is dead. Her father cries a lot. People want to help her, but she’d rather hide. This girl who doesn’t fit in with the “norm” has surprising insights into life. Caitlin seeks for closure (she looked up the word in the dictionary) for herself and her father and works on finding a friend.
Whether the book wins the Newbery or not, it’s definitely an award winner on my shelf. I think everyone should read it. Those who want a glimpse into the life of a child with Asperger’s should definitely read it.
On her site, Kathryn includes information on the books she read while researching this novel. You won’t want to miss the section on all the places where she’s lived.

MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1: The Mysterious Howling

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Susan Uhlig

Of especially naughty children, it is sometimes said: “They must have been raised by wolves.” The Incorrigible children actually were. So reads the beginning of the jacket flap for The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book 1: The Mysterious Howling (Balzar and Bray, 2010) by Maryrose Wood.

Take your typical poor girl who must be a governess and make it untypical with lots of humor and you’ll have Miss Penelope Lumley, aka Lumawoo, and the 3 children she must civilize. . . by the Christmas party. This story actually welcomes clichés. Watch out for squirrels and Old Timothy. And what exactly do the guests mean by their comments about a hunt?