The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Published by Algonquin Books in August 2016
2017 Newbery Medal

"Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and deliver them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey.

One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this enmagicked girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. To keep young Luna safe from her own unwieldy power, Xan locks her magic deep inside her. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule--but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her--even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she’s always known." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This book was so awesome!  I loved the characters.  They were so well thought out that even the ones with the smallest roles you felt you knew.  How they also weaved together was also pure genius.

I also enjoyed the magical aspects of this story.  At its roots, this story was about good versus evil.  To defeat the evil, Luna and Xan did not have to use their magical powers.  The townspeople were able to crack the witch's power by having hope.  Luna in the end uses her magical powers for protection, not for injuring.  Love that!

This is definitely a book that I'm going to recommend to a lot of people.  This Newbery will translate well over ages and even over genres.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation by Shannon and Dean Hale

The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation by Shannon & Dean Hale
Published by Candlewick Press in November 2016
Princess in Black #4

"After battling monsters all night, a sleepy Princess in Black decides that she needs a vacation. After all, the Goat Avenger, a new hero who looks oddly familiar, has offered to protect the goats while she takes a much needed break. The very next day Princess Magnolia rides her bicycle to the seaside, where the air is salty, the sun is shiny, and the sea is as blue as monster fur. But just as Princess Magnolia is about to take a nap on her hammock, she hears a "ROAR!" Seriously? A monster? On the perfect beach? Impossible! Could a sea monster really ruin this vacation for the Princess in Black?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
Another favorite middle grade book!  I am always highly entertained by Princess in Black.  She is perfect for those who have just started reading chapter books on their own.  I'd definitely recommend this series to those who really like action and princesses.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton
Published by Tundra Books in October 2016

"Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.
A wonderfully silly early graphic novel series featuring three stories. In the first, Jelly learns that Narwhal is a really good friend. Then Narwhal and Jelly form their own pod of awesomeness with their ocean friends. And finally, Narwhal and Jelly read the best book ever -- even though it doesn't have any words...or pictures!" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I loved this cute book of short stories featuring Narwhal and Jelly.  I love the emphasis on friendship. It was a very fun read!  This would be very easy to use to introduce kids to easy books or to get them started on graphic novels.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Published by Scholastic Press in September 2015
Magisterium #2

"Callum Hunt’s summer break isn’t like other kids’. His closest companion is a Chaos-ridden wolf, Havoc. His father suspects him of being secretly evil. And, of course, most kids aren’t heading back to the magical world of the Magisterium in the fall.

It’s not easy for Call . . . and it gets even harder after he checks out his basement and discovers that his dad might be trying to destroy both him and Havoc.

Call escapes to the Magisterium -- but things only intensify there. The Alkahest -- a copper gauntlet capable of separating certain magicians from their magic -- has been stolen. And in their search to discover the culprit, Call and his friends Aaron and Tamara awaken the attention of some very dangerous foes -- and get closer to an even more dangerous truth." - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I liked this novel better than the first one.  The first bit was slow, but the ending more than made up for the slow start.  The world building and character development continued with this book, and I loved that now we got to see more of the history between Constantine and Call's dad.  I'm excited to continue with this series and see where it ends up.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.

The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare

The Iron Trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
Published by Scholastic Press in September 2014
Magisterium #1

"Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial.

Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail.

All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him.

So he tries his best to do his worst - and fails at failing.

Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future.

The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . . " - From Goodreads

Will you like it?
Kids who like Harry Potter or Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson will love this series.  The sense of adventure is the same.  Even some plot details are eerily similar to those found in Harry Potter and Percy Jackson novels.  Honestly, this series is a great readalike for those kids who love series and love adventure novels.  It won't win any major literary awards, but it's just the thing to recommend.

This first novel had pretty good world building.  For some reason when I first started this book I really thought Clare's Shadowhunters were supposed to be in it as well.  The plot was fairly straightforward, but I liked the "twist" at the end.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.

Royal Wedding Disaster by Meg Cabot

Royal Wedding Disaster by Meg Cabot
Published by Feiwel and Friends in May 2016
From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess #2

"Olivia Grace Clarisse Mignonette Harrison still finds it hard to believe that she's a real live PRINCESS OF GENOVIA. Not only does she get to live in an actual palace with her newly discovered family and two fabulous poodles (who all love her and think that she's anything but ordinary!) but she also gets her very own PONY!

Of course, things aren't going exactly like she imagined. Her half-sister Mia is very busy learning how to take over the country while trying to plan a wedding and her father is actually getting remarried himself-to Mia's mother!-and spends most of his time "renovating" the summer palace, although Grandmere says he is just hiding from the wedding preparations. Olivia hardly gets to see either of them.

Fortunately, Grandmere has her own plans for Mia's wedding, and needs Olivia's help to pull them off. Just when Olivia starts to think that things are going to work out after all, the palace is invaded by a host of new cousins and other royals who all seem to be angry at Olivia (although Grandmere says they are just jealous).

As the day of the wedding gets closer and closer, Olivia becomes more and more worried. For such a carefully planned event, it seems like a LOT of things are going wrong... Can Olivia keep this royal wedding from becoming a royal disaster?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I have a special place in my heart for Meg Cabot and any books that feature Princess Mia.  This one did not disappoint!  I love watching Olivia stumble through her middle school years.  I am excited to continue this series, while getting to watch my favorite characters in the background.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

An Author's Odyssey by Chris Colfer

An Author's Odyssey by Chris Colfer
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in July 2016
Land of Stories #5

"When the twins and their friends enter worlds crafted from Conner's imagination, finding allies no one else could have ever dreamed of, the race begins to put an end to the Masked Man's reign of terror. Can the twins finally restore peace in the fairy tale world?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
This entire book was dedicated to massing an army.  It was entertaining to go into all of Conner's stories.  However, it really didn't advance the plot.  Either way, I love the setting and the characters of this series.  I can't wait to read the next one!

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics by Chris Grabenstein
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers in January 2016.
Mr. Lemoncello's Library #2

"Welcome, boys and girls, readers of all ages, to the first-ever Library Olympiad! Kyle and his teammates are back, and the world-famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, is at it again!

This time Mr. Lemoncello has invited teams from all across America to compete in the first ever LIBRARY OLYMPICS. Will it be fun? Like the commercials say. . . HELLO? It’s a Lemoncello! But something suspicious is going on . . . books are missing from Mr. Lemoncello’s library. Is someone trying to CENSOR what the kids are reading?! In between figuring out mind-boggling challenges, the kids will have to band together to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Now it’s not just a game—can Mr. Lemoncello find the real defenders of books and champions of libraries?" -- From Goodreads

Will you like it?
I truly enjoyed this book.  It centered around teams coming to Mr. Lemoncello's library to compete in the library olympics.  I loved how this book combined the Olympics, intellectual freedom, and banned books.  The ending was pretty good, but definitely written for younger kids.

I loved the narrator.  This narrator also read the Percy Jackson novels, so it also felt like Percy was telling this story as well.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.

[Favorite] Middle Grade Reads of 2015

Today I'm posting about my favorite middle grade reads from 2015.  Enjoy!

The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow by Andy Griffiths

10 short stories that read like poems AND it's totally hilarious.

Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord

A novel about how bittersweet growing up can be.

This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki

Won a bunch of awards, most notably a Caldecott Honor.  

The Meaning of Maggie by Maggie Jean Sovern

Another bittersweet novel about growing up.

Nightmares! by Jason Segel

Charlie Laird must face his nightmares to save his entire town.

El Deafo by Cece Bell

Funny and uplifting graphic novel about the author's experiences growing up severely deaf.

Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer

Another fabulous fairy tale retelling.

The Terrible Two by Jory John & Mac Barnett

Two pranksters start a prank war at their school.

From the Notebooks of a Middle School Princess by Meg Cabot

I will read anything Princess Diaries.  Love that series.

The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party by Shannon & Dean Hale

Magnolia is a princess who turns into the Princess in Black to fight monsters.

Have you read any on this list?  Do you have any favorites I didn't mention?

The Platypus Police Squad by Jarrett Krosoczka

Platypus Police Squad by Jarrett Krosoczka

#1 The Frog Who Croaked 

#2 The Ostrich Conspiracy

Published by Walden Pond Press

I thought these books were adorable.  I love Jarrett Krosoczka (Lunch Lady!!) and was excited to read this first middle-grade books.  I thought the books were well done, and I think kids of all ages will be excited to read them.  I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Johnny Heller, and I think I'm hooked.  He sounded like a real old school detective.  

Disclosure: I downloaded the audiobooks through my library's digital media catalog.

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John
Published by Harry N. Abrams on January 13, 2015

Summary: "Miles Murphy is not happy to be moving to Yawnee Valley, a sleepy town that’s famous for one thing and one thing only: cows. In his old school, everyone knew him as the town’s best prankster, but Miles quickly discovers that Yawnee Valley already has a prankster, and a great one. If Miles is going to take the title from this mystery kid, he is going to have to raise his game.

It’s prankster against prankster in an epic war of trickery, until the two finally decide to join forces and pull off the biggest prank ever seen: a prank so huge that it would make the members of the International Order of Disorder proud."  --From Goodreads

This was a highly entertaining middle-grade read.  Miles was the prankster at his old school, and Niles is the suck-up kid at the new school... or is he?  I found myself giggling at many points in the book, especially when the rubber chicken came into play.  The pictures in the book are perfect, illustrating the funny bits without going completely over the top.  

If you're looking for a funny book, I would really suggest anything by Mac Barnett.  He's quickly become an author that I automatically add to my to-read list.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

Nightmares! by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Nightmares! by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller
Nightmares #1
Published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers on September 9, 2014

Summary: "Charlie Laird has several problems.

1. His dad married a woman he is sure moonlights as a witch.
2. He had to move into her purple mansion, which is NOT a place you want to find yourself after dark.
3.He can’t remember the last time sleeping wasn’t a nightmarish prospect. Like even a nap.

What Charlie doesn’t know is that his problems are about to get a whole lot more real. Nightmares can ruin a good night’s sleep, but when they start slipping out of your dreams and into the waking world—that’s a line that should never be crossed.

And when your worst nightmares start to come true, well, that’s something only Charlie can face. And he’s going to need all the help he can get, or it might just be lights-out for Charlie Laird. For good."  --From Goodreads

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I have real reservations when an author reads his own book, but Jason Segal knocked it out of the park. He knew his own characters, and in doing so, provided them with their own unique voices. My favorite was Meduso and his three snakes. Meduso lends the story the unique adult figure who also has his own nightmares to face.

I am really glad that this story is part of a series. I know I will be getting the audiobook again.

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my local library. 

El Deafo by Cece Bell

El Deafo by Cece Bell
Published by Amulet Books on September 2, 2014
Newbery Honor 2015

Summary: "Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece's class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends.

Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in school--in the hallway...in the teacher's lounge...in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it's just another way of feeling different... and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend?"  --From Goodreads

After a bout of meningitis leaves her deaf at age four, Cece must learn to navigate the world with a hearing aid.  I really liked how the author used language geared toward the elementary school audience, but didn't talk down to them either.  This novel was funny and heartwarming, and I will recommend it to anyone. 

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from my library.

A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer

A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer
The Land of Stories #3
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on July 8, 2014
Narrated by Chris Colfer

Summary: "The Brothers Grimm have a warning for the Land of Stories.

Connor Bailey thinks his fairy-tale adventures are behind him - until he discovers a mysterious clue left by the famous Brothers Grimm. With help from his classmate Bree and the outlandish Mother Goose, Conner sets off on a mission across Europe to crack a two-hundred-year-old code.

Meanwhile, Alex Bailey is training to become the next Fairy Godmother... but her attempts at granting wishes never go as planned. Will she ever be truly ready to lead the Fairy Council?

When all signs point to disaster for the Land of Stories, Connor and Alex must join forces with their friends and enemies to save the day. But nothing can prepare them for the coming battle... or for the secret that will change the twins' lives forever."

Holy bazinga!  I loved this book!  I listened to the audiobook, and I have to say it was really well done.  I normally dislike when authors read their own creations, but I really enjoyed Colfer's rendition.  I could tell that he really thought about how these characters sounded, and he did make an effort to make them all sound different.

Alex and Connor have definitely grown a lot over the course of this novel.  Gone are the kids who accidently popped into the Land of Stories back in the first book.  They take matters into their own hands and fight for everything that they love and believe in.

Overall, this series is getting pretty good.  There were a couple of bombshells and MAJOR feels in the third book.  Now I have to wait patiently (yeah... right) for the fourth book to come out.  There's not even a title yet, and apparently book four comes out in July?

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my local library.

The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern

The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern
Published by Chronicle Books LLC on May 6, 2014

Summary: "Eleven years old. The beginning of everything!

For Maggie Mayfield, turning eleven means she's one year closer to college. One year closer to voting. And one year closer to getting a tattoo. It's time for her to pull herself up by her bootstraps (the family motto) and think about more than after school snacks and why her older sisters are too hot for their own good. Because something mysterious is going on with her cool dude Dad, whose legs have permanently fallen asleep, and Maggie is going to find out exactly what the problem is and fix it. After all, nothing's impossible when you're future president of the United States of America, fifth-grade science fair champion, and a shareholder in Coca-Cola, right?"  -- From Goodreads

What I Loved:

Maggie.  I loved how she grew up over the course of the novel.  She started out as a kid, wanting to believe that everything was perfect in her own little world.  At the end, Maggie was starting to understand more about her Dad's disease and how it would affect her life.

Maggie's Dad's disease.  While I didn't love the disease itself, I loved the way that the author decided to portray the disease.  Her Dad is a person first, and the disease always comes second.  It's nice to know that a family can have a life and do normal things, even when one member cannot always be "normal".

What I disliked:

The Grandma.  The grandma coming for Christmas was a big deal in the book.  I really wish the author would have delved more into the backstory of the Dad and the Grandma.  While I know that would probably be a bit much for a middle-grade novel, it would have added a bit more to "Things Maggie Now Understands".

Overall, I think this is a novel that everyone will enjoy.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from my library.

Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord

Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord
Published by Scholastic Press on February 25, 2014

Summary: "When Lucy's family moves to an old house on a lake, Lucy tries to see her new home through her camera's lens, as her father has taught her -- he's a famous photographer, away on a shoot. Will her photos ever meet his high standards? When she discovers that he's judging a photo contest, Lucy decides to enter anonymously. She wants to find out if her eye for photography is really special -- or only good enough.

As she seeks out subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy next door. But slowly the camera reveals what Nate doesn't want to see: his grandmother's memory is slipping away, and with it much of what he cherishes about his summers on the lake. This summer, Nate will learn about the power of art to show truth. And Lucy will learn how beauty can change lives . . . including her own."  --From Goodreads

What I Loved:

Lucy & Nate.  I loved seeing their relationship blossom.  They were both on the edge of being teenagers, and weren't weirded out by the fact that Nate was a boy and Lucy was a girl.  

The Grandma.  So few novels depict a realistic relationship with a person who is starting to have a disease like dementia.  I loved the way Lord made the Grandma care about the loons.

What I Disliked:

Lucy's Dad.  While I understand how Lucy's dad may have been the premise for the entire book, there were still some times that I wanted to slap him.  He has the "Pa Ingalls syndrome" which means he's not comfortable in places for a long period of time, and he's always looking towards something else.  

Overall, I really liked this audiobook.  The narrator was a realistic child, and I enjoyed listening to her talk.  The story is one that I will recommend to those students who may be going through something similar.  It's so interesting to see how many students have grandparents that are suffering from a disease such as dementia.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my library.

The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow

Love and Other Fiascos by Amy Ignatow
Published by Amulet Books on October 8, 2013
Popularity Papers #6

Summary: "Love is in the air! Julie and Roland are an official “couple,” which means . . . well, they’re not exactly sure what, except that it makes Papa Dad extremely anxious. Meanwhile, Lydia’s mom announces that she’s marrying Coach Eric (the soccer coach from England), and Lydia and her sister, Melody, are not happy about it. With the wedding date looming, the girls will have to figure out how to accept the inevitability of change—and that even if the change isn’t what you thought you wanted, it can still end up all right, as long as you have good friends at your side." --From Goodreads

The Less-Than-Hidden Secrets and Final Revelations of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang
Published by Amulet Books on September 9, 2014
Popularity Papers #7

Summary: "Lydia and Julie have been through many adventures as they navigated junior high, popularity, families, and friendship. In the final adventure in the series, the peaceful world of Hamlin Junior High is rocked when Lydia and Julie learn that they’re going to have to play host to new students whose school burned down. The outside threat bands the Hamlin kids together against a common enemy—for a while. When the enemy gets their hands on Lydia and Julie’s notebook, no one wants anything to do with the girls. It’s the biggest threat to their friendship (and a pretty definitive failure of their quest for popularity), and it can only be solved one way. Two words: dance battle." -- From Goodreads

I'm going to miss this series so much!  I love the illustrations of the books, and the fact that it does seem like two different girls are writing.  I know I'm going to miss the insights of Lydia and Julie.  I hope Amy Ignatow does another book in a few years, just as a catch-up.  One of my favorite graphic novel series!

Disclosure: I borrowed both copies from my library.

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
Published by Feiwel & Friends on October 7, 2014

Summary: "Rose Howard has OCD, Asperger’s syndrome, and an obsession with homonyms (even her name is a homonym). She gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose’s rules of homonyms, is very special. Rain was a lost dog Rose’s father brought home. Rose and Rain are practically inseparable. And they are often home alone, as Rose’s father spends most evenings at a bar, and doesn’t have much patience for his special-needs daughter.
Just as a storm hits town, Rain goes missing. Rose’s father shouldn’t have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search. Rose will find Rain, but so will Rain’s original owners."  -- From Goodreads

Things I loved:

Rose.  Rose is a special kid.  She loves homonyms and knows the differences between wrong and right.  I also love the fact that Martin wrote Rose as a kid with a disability, not a disabled kid.

The relationships.  The relationships between Rose, her father, and her uncle are very complicated.  Rose's father just wants Rose to be normal, but Rose's uncle understands her and is more lenient with her behaviors.  

The homonyms.  I also love the fact that the homonyms are repeated throughout the book.  It made me feel as if I were in Rose's head when she was telling the story.

Thing I disliked:

The story arc.  Even though the story was short, it still seemed like the middle of the book dragged for me a bit.  It felt like nothing was happening, and the reader was waiting for Rose to find Rain.

Overall, this was a great middle-grade book.  I hope it gets recognized for a couple different awards in January.

Disclosure: I borrowed the audiobook from my library.

Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale

Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale
Published by Candlewick Press on October 14, 2014
Princess in Black #1

Summary: "Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret?" -- From Goodreads






My Thoughts:

I really liked this cute and spunky book.  The Princess is an unlikely superhero, and this can be easily incorporated into next summer's SRP.  I also appreciated how Princess Magnolia is prim and proper, but then has this edgier side as well.  I think girls will like this character, because like Princess Magnolia, they are more than just one quality.  I can't wait to see what other antics Princess Magnolia will get into!

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.