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.
Tag: Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
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.
Sweet Home Alaska
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Sweet Home Alaska (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2016) by Carole Estby Dagg is a fun and interesting historical read. I never realized there were pioneers as recent as 1935 until I read this book!
Here’s a brief summary of the story:
Terpsichore’s father is out of work like so many men during the Depression. He’s determined not to go on relief, so when he finds out about a chance to resettle in Alaska, he’s willing to take it. Unfortunately, since he isn’t on relief, the family’s not eligible. Terpsichore’s best friend and family are going, however, so she secretly fills out the paperwork. Yes, they end up in Alaska, but nothing goes according to plan. And what’s Terpsichore to do when her mother doesn’t want to stay?
This book is a Junior Library Guild selection. It is reminiscent of the main character’s favorite books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
I love that the author included how she came to write the story on her website.
Mouseheart
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Fans of Runt the Brave series by Dan Schwabauer and the Redwall books by Brian Jaques will like Mouseheart (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2014) by Lisa Fiedler.
Hopper is a mouse in a pet store. He wishes he was braver. But his bravery is about to be tested. Can he save his siblings? Can he survive when he gets washed from the uplands? And how can he tell who is telling the truth in this new world where he finds himself?
I was satisfied with the ending of this first book in the trilogy, but want to know more about Hopper and his the world. Fortunately the other books are already out. 
Book two is Hopper’s Destiny and book three is The Return of the Forgotten.
The author has a lovely website that even has games.
Beautiful illustrations are done by Vivienne To–see more of her work here.