Tag: mg novel

cover of Sam
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Sam

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Sam (DCB Young Readers, 2025) by Eric Walters is as disturbing as its cover. But it’s also a good story with a hopeful ending.

Orphaned Sam can’t stay out of trouble. When a run-in with high schoolers ends badly, Sam is sentenced to Johnson “Blue Gables” Juvenile Center for six weeks. There he’s assigned to read a book about another redheaded orphan, Anne of Green Gables, which of course, Sam thinks is stupid. But despite himself, he gets interested in the story.

When I started reading this book, I didn’t even like the main character. However, the writing was so good, I pressed on. And my opinion of Sam changed as he did. I’m glad I persevered.

Read about this prolific Canadian author here. Here’s a list of many of his novels.

cover of Loon Cove Summer
Posted in #Giveaway, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Loon Cove Summer

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Loon Cover Summer (Wild Trail Press, 2025) by Donna Galanti is a heart-warming tale of family, friends, and healing. Plus disappearing loons.

Thirteen-year-old Sarah Richardson has planned a great summer, then finds out her best and only friend will be gone for six weeks. What will she do? Yeah, still work at the wild bird rehabilitation center. Yeah, still do her jobs at the Maine campground her father owns. Gemmi recommends a “Summer Dream Do List” and they each choose five things. Number one on Sarah’s list is “save a loon,” but how can she do that when she hasn’t been able to face going out on the lake since her mother died of cancer?

Readers of The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner and The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart will enjoy this story.

You can watch a book trailer of Loon Cover Summer here, read about the author here, and check out Donna’s other books here.

I have a gently-read paperback copy to share (US only). For a chance to win, comment on this post. Get an extra entry by telling me where you shared this post on social media–please include a link. Drawing will take place September 10th.

image of two book covers: Linked and The Assignment
Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books, YA Novels

Two Books – Same Theme

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

As a kid I was horrified to learn about Nazi Germany and the holocaust. How could people think like that?! My naive self thought antisemitism would disappear. And, of course, so would Nazis. Unfortunately not. Here are two books to help middle grade and young adult readers with these topics. Both are told in multiple points of view.

Linked (Scholastic Press, 2021) by Gordon Korman deals with what happens when a student paints a swastika on the school walls. Meet Michael, Lincoln, and Dana all struggling with the aftermath in their quiet town. Who did it and why? (mg novel)

The Assignment (Ember, 2020) by Liza Wiemer starts out with the good intentions of a teacher wanting his students to understand how horrific the genocide of the Jews was, but his approach is wrong and two students–best friends Logan and Cade–take on the battle to get the assignment canceled. (YA novel)

Both stories have surprising twists and are thought provoking.

Gordon Korman is a many-times-published author. On his website this time, I learned his first book was published when he was fourteen!

The Assignment is Liza Wiermer’s second novel and has won numerous honors. Check it out here. Read about Lisa here.

Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

Beginner’s Welcome

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Beginner’s Welcome (HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2020) by Cindy Baldwin is such a beautifully written and touching book.

It’s the first day of 6th grade and Annie Lee wakes to the sound of her mother crying in the bathroom. It’s been eighty-three days since her father died, but it’s as if he’s not quite gone–whiskers in the sink, smell of his aftershave, one of his favorite records playing… Not only did Annie lose her father, she feels like she’s lost her mother, who has to work all the time. And her two best friends have drifted away, too. She’s never felt so alone in her whole life. Annie decides being invisible and not getting close to anyone is a good way not to be hurt again.

I agree with what New York Times Bestselling Author of Tuesdays at the Castle, Jessica Day George says: “As delicate and powerful as a sonata, Annie Lee’s story of music, magic, loss, and love should not be missed!”

Check out the author’s playlist for the book here on her blog. You’ll also learn about her own musical background. And read her bio here.

Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Bridge Home

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Bridge Home (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2019) by Padma Venkatraman was marvelous. Such a touching story that made my heart ache for the characters.

11-year-old Viji and her sister Rukka run away from an abusive home to the big city of Chennai. There they find shelter on an abandoned bridge and make a new family with two boys. Still, life is not easy. Viji hates being a ragpicker in the city rubbish heaps, but the children can sell what they find to the waste mart man, which lets them buy food and other necessities. And then . . .

You’ll have to read it to see what happens next.

Go here for bonus material for the book. And here to learn more about Padma.