Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Dead Boy (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2015) by Laurel Gale starts right off with humor. The first sentence is “Being dead stank.” The paragraph ends with talking about spray-on deodorant not masking the smell.
Besides the weirdness of his situation, I felt such empathy for the main character. Crow Darlingson is lonely–something we’ve all experienced. His mother won’t let him go outside (the odor, maggots, and falling body parts) and he’s not allowed to have friends (ditto). Then a new girl moves into the neighborhood and waves at him through the window. She even comes to the door to meet him. Of course, his mother won’t let her in. But Crow’s willing to risk a lot to have a friend. He just doesn’t know how much he’ll be risking. Or the truths he’ll discover.
(BTW, I’m not a fan of horror, so if that’s not your “cup of tea” don’t worry that this book goes too far. The horrible elements in this story are balanced well with humor and Crow’s positive traits.)
I love what author Laurel Gale says in a Thanksgiving blog post on her website: “I’m thankful for the magical doors books open.” I agree and am thankful she wrote Dead Boy. Because of it we got to meet. 🙂
Laurel also has helpful writing tips on her website.
Tag: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Towers Falling
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Towers Falling (Little, Brown and Company, 2016) by Jewell Parker Rhodes is such a good book. Kids born after 9/11 don’t know the stories and don’t know why they should care.
Fifth grader Dèja is having enough trouble in her life without worrying about something that happened before she was born. She’s starting a new school, she and her family are living in a shelter, and Pop won’t get a job. How can Dèja’s new teacher expect her to write about her summer vacation when her family has never had a vacation? How can Dèja fit in when all she knows is Brooklyn and not the stuff in Manhattan which the class can see from their window? And how can something that isn’t there anymore affect any of the kids?
This is a moving and well-done story. Jewell is the author of Ninth Ward, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book and Sugar, winner of the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award–I wouldn’t be surprised to find Towers Falling wins awards, too! She’s written many other books as well. For more details check out her website.
Echo
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Echo (Scholastic Press, 2015) by Pam Muñoz Ryan is a 2016 Newbery Honor book–my vote is for the top award as it is so amazing.
Four stories, four different time periods, different cultures, and a prophecy, a promise and a harmonica are all woven together in an unexpected way. Otto’s story is very short, but it kicks off with mystery when he gets lost in the forest. He must pass the harmonica on at the right time. Over sixty years later we meet Friedrich struggling with hiding his birthmark in a country gone crazy labeling someone like him a defective–welcome to Nazi Germany. He finds and passes on the harmonica. Next we jump two years later to an orphanage for destitute children in Pennsylvania to be with Mike who is trying to make sure he and his little brother stay together . . . somehow. Again, the harmonica plays an important part. Seven years later we meet Ivy in California dealing with prejudice for her Hispanic background and another family’s Japanese heritage. The harmonica comes to her, too.
Each of the three main stories were heart-jerking and so important for kids (and adults) today to hear. I love how the book is resolved. This really is a must read! (It’s also a New York Times bestseller.)
The author is an eclectic writer with books in the following categories: novels, picture books, early readers, and short stories in anthologies. Learn more about her here.
All Four Stars
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
All Four Stars (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2014) by Tara Dairman is deliciously funny and definitely appropriate for any foodie.
Eleven-year-old Gladys Gatsby secretly cooks gourmet food when her parents aren’t at home, since they think cooking is nuking something in the microwave. They also don’t know Gladys’ dream of being a restaurant critic. But she gets a lot of practice after she catches the kitchen on fire–practice in writing up food disasters, that is. With a ban on cooking and orders to go out and make friends, the school essay contest sounds like a solution to her problems.
This book has an engaging main character and a satisfying ending. I’m not the only one to think so, because the book has received awards, including a 2015 Crystal Kite, and been put on state lists.
According to the author’s website, parts of the book “were written in a mall in Brazil, a guesthouse in Morocco, and coffeehouses in Argentina, Cameroon, Gabon, and Tanzania.” Recipes from the book are on the website here. Tara Dairman also includes recipes in her blog from time to time.
Two more books have followed the first: The Stars of Summer is second in the trilogy, and the third is Stars So Sweet.
Just My Luck
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Just My Luck (Harper, 2016) by Cammie McGovern is a touching story.
Fourth grader Benny Barrows has so much to worry about–not being able to ride his bike, Dad’s accident might be his fault, finding a new friend, the new contest at school… He doesn’t think anyone else has more problems than they do which makes it hard to follow his mom’s advice of thinking about someone else’s problem and trying to help them.
The author created a sympathetic and believable character in Benny. Cammie McGovern also writes YA and adult books. Read more here.