Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Under the Egg (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2014 ) by Laura Marx Fitzgerald is an eggstraordinary story. Theo, now that her grandfather Jack is gone, is in charge of their 200-year-old family home and her eccentric mother. When dying, Jack told her to look “under the egg” and she’s afraid what she’s found is not only going to ruin his reputation, but that she’ll find out he’s not who she thought he was.
I love the first two lines:
“It was the find of the century.
Or so I thought at the time.”
And I love Theo. As a parent I want to take her under my wing. In my kid mind, I want to be her friend. She’s interesting, smart, and brave.
This mystery has page turning chapter endings, villains, and the fun of a hunt. It’s also a winner of the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF THE YEAR!
Take a look at Laura Marx Fitzgerald’s About Me on her website. It made me smile.
The author is also on twitter: @marxfitzy
Tag: MMGM
33 Minutes
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
33 Minutes (Aladdin, 2013) by Todd Hasak-Lowy is a fast and funny read. I love the descriptions of people and the food fight and the main character’s snarkiness. But the book has a serious side, too.
Seventh-grader Sam Lewis is going to get his butt kicked in 33 minutes by former friend Morgan Sturtz. And all the kids at school know it! But how did we get here? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
On his FAQ, the author explains how the book is not biographical, but it is emotionally biographical as we all go through losing friends. It also talks about the unusual format of the book. I love how in chapter one, Sam is always stating Fact and Opinion since that’s what his social studies teacher emphasizes.
This was Todd Hasak-Lowy’s first book for children, but he has written for adults and has a YA book coming out in 2015. Follow him on twitter @toddhasaklowy.
A Snicker of Magic
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
A Snicker of Magic (Scholastic Press, 2014) by Natalie Lloyd reminds me a bit of Savvy by Ingrid Law–I think it’s Natalie’s wonderful use of language. I like the fullness of hope in this story, too.
Felicity Pickle sees and collects words from everywhere, like magic. And magic might just be what she is looking for. She and her little sister Frannie Jo are facing yet another new town and new school. But this time is different–Midnight Gulch is the town where their mother grew up. Maybe they’ll get to stay. And, maybe Felicity can undo the curse that sent the magic away all those years ago.
This is author Natalie Lloyd’s first book, but according to her blog we can expect more as she’s working on revisions… Yea! And you should take a look at her blog just to see pictures of her dog Biscuit.
Three Times Lucky
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Three Times Lucky (Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin, 2012) by Sheila Turnage is a murder mystery that won a Newbery Honor. I love how it opens: “Trouble cruised into Tupelo Landing at exactly seven minutes past noon on Wednesday, the third of June, flashing a gold badge and driving a Chevy Impala the color of dirt.” 11-year-old Mo and her best friend Dale don’t know it, but they’re going to get mixed up good in the trouble that has come to town.
A sequel came out this year, The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing, which features Mo and Dale working to solve another mystery in their unusual small town. I haven’t read it yet, but am looking forward to it!
On her website, author Sheila Turnage has a page for Questions Kids Ask Me AKA Report Homework–it’s fun. Plus on her site you can read about her other books.
Chained
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Chained (Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012) by Lynn Kelly is a story about a young boy in India rescuing others. First, it’s his mother, then it’s a baby elephant.
10-year-old Hastin thought that working at a circus taking care of an elephant would be fun. But he doesn’t like the cruel treatment of the Nandita, who has become his best friend. Can he escape his master? Can he help Nandita escape, too?
While doing research for this book, author Lynn Kelly came across some interesting elephant facts, which she shares here. There’s also a Chained website that includes deleted scenes and more, such as information about the elephant bell.
This book is a 2013 Crystal Kite winner–the award selected by SCBWI peers.
And here’s the cover for the book published in India–just because I like it.