#WNDB- Ashes and Everyday Hero

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Ashes (Seeds of America #3)
October 4th 2016 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Isabel and Curzon have left South Carolina during the Revolutionary War in order to find Isabel's sister Ruth and to try to not be captured by slavers or be involved in too much of the war. Eventually, they locate Ruth, who has had seizures and is somewhat developmentally delayed. This led to her being sold, but she has ended up in the care of an elderly couple who have lost their own children. The couple tell Ruth she must go with Isabel and do what she says, because Ruth doesn't want to leave, even though at 12 she is the object of inappropriate interest from an overseer. Along with Aberdeen, the group takes off and makes their way to Virginia. Isabel is able to work along the way, taking in laundry or working in taverns. In Williamsburg, the group spends some time ferrying laundry back and forth while waiting to see how the war will progress. Eventually, Curzon goes off to fight, Isabel realizes she loves him, and along with Ruth (and Aberdeen, who loves her) they must all decide what to do as the war is coming to a close. 
Strengths: This is very well researched, and offers interesting information on the plight of people brought over to America as slaves around the time of the Revolutionary War. There are lots of good notes at the back, and the details of every day survival are very vivid. This reminded me strongly of Forbes' Johnny Tremain (1943), which I know is a favorite of many American History teachers. 
Weaknesses: This is very long for middle grade (272 pages), and moves very slowly. There are a lot more descriptions of doing laundry and taking care of the wounded than of any adventures or action. 
What I really think: Chains (2008) has circulated only to members of the Battle of the Books team,  and Forge (2010) has not been checked out in three years. For now, I will pass on purchasing for my library. 

Cherry, Kathleen. Everyday Hero.
March 15th 2016 by Orca Book Publishers
Copy from Cuyahoga County Public Library
Nominated for the Cybils by SMorris 

Alice and her father have moved to Kitimat while her mother is staying in Vancouver to help her grandparents. While Alice deals with Asperger's Syndrome, her father has decided not to tell her new school about her diagnosis, so she gets frequent detentions for skipping gym class, hitting people, and not following the unspoken rules of the school. Also in detention is Megan, who is a tough, Goth dressing girl. When Alice melts down over the wrong bus coming to pick her up, Megan comes to her aid and gets her home. The two form an uneasy friendship, and Megan protects Alice from people at school who don't understand the way she acts. Megan has problems at home, and Alice's father is reluctant for the two to hang out. When Megan decides to run away to Vancouver, Alice follows her despite the difficulties she has with new situations, saving her new friend from making a very bad decision.
Strengths: This does a good job of channeling Alice's voice, and is a good addition to books with characters on the autism spectrum. Her voice is distinct, but not overdone, and very typical of many of the students I have seen in our autism unit over the years. The addition of Megan's abusive situation will draw in readers who like this flavor of sad, but I definitely appreciated that this was generally upbeat, and Alice was really trying to understand the world around her and make her way in it. 
Weaknesses: The formatting is not great- this is available only in paperback or prebind, although Orca has given this one more generous margins than many of their titles. Oddly, my students definitely prefer larger, dust jacketed hardcovers.
What I really think: Will definitely purchase. The ending was a bit too deus ex machina for me, and the friendship didn't make a whole lot of sense, but I enjoyed Alice's voice, and the plot drew me in. I think it will find a steady readership in my library. 

StarChaser (TodHunter Moon #3)

Sage, Angie. StarChaser (TodHunter Moon #3)
October 11th 2016 by Katherine Tegen Books
ARC provided by Young Adult Books Central

When Septimus' brother Simon's lapis lazuli eye starts to crumble to dust, it bodes ill for many things in the kingdom that depend on it. In order to get things back to the way they were, an ormlet being raised by Spit Fyre must be returned to the Orme Pit and hopefully an Ormlet egg can be found to bury under the castle and restore the magic. Tod and her friends embark on a variety of adventures to accomplish this, and have run ins with the Red Queen, who is greatly desirous of a castle of her own.

Sage creates a very rich, medieval fantasy world with its own spells, creatures and terminology. Readers who like to memorize the details of fantasy series will definitely enjoy seeing Tod solve problems using magic charms potions. Seeing Septimus as her teacher is great fun for those who know his adventures for the Magyk series. 

There are also lots of cozy houses with good food, deliciously evil villains with malevolent plans that Tod manages to thwart, and adventures in a vividly detailed fantasy world. There is a map at the beginning of the book showing Tod's world. 

The various characters are lots of fun as well-- Oskar, wtih his devotion to the Orme, Marissa with her evil machinations, Driffa, who is trying to restore her own kingdom, and Jo-Jo who risks everything to save the kingdom for Kraan. Hand this to readers who know the rules of Quidditch backwards and forwards, who are studying Elvish via Tolkien, or who can outline all the characters and their abilities from Prineas' The Magic Thief. 

This was one of those fantasy books that don't go over well with me personally. The fact that many of the words were bold faced in a different type(UnRaveling, Magykal, Sprites, KeyStone-- on one page!) just irritated me. I found this hard to follow because there were so many characters, although that probably means that it was a good wrap-up to a lengthy series. Plus, I got the dog trimmed, laundry folded, and the dining room table cleaned off while I read this because all of those things seemed like a better idea than finding out if the Ormlet gets sent to the Orme Pit. Will it sit in an Orme Chair? Say it out loud. Sigh. 

MMGM- Series We love

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe and What Are You Reading? day at Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. It's also Nonfiction Monday.

Vernon, Ursula. Ratpunzel: Hamster Princess #3
October 18th 2016 by Dial Books
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Harriet stops by her house, but after her mother tries to wash her face, and her father wants to go to tea, she decides that adventuring is a far better plan. Hopping on her battle quail, she takes off, running into her friend Prince Wilbur. His pet, Heady the hydra has had her egg stolen, and she is distraught. The two strongly suspect that a friend of Wilbur's mother, Gothel,  has stolen the egg, and the head off into a scary forest (in The Kingdom of Sunshine) to find her. When there, they see trees carved like people and a giant tower with Ratpunzel in it. Sure enough, she is being held captive by Gothel, who has also stolen the egg. It's difficult to get both the egg and the princess out of the tower and scary forest, but Harriet is up to the task. 

Strengths: If you haven't read these, go grab Harriet the Invincible and Of Mice and Magic right now. They are just hysterically funny on SO many levels. Are they appropriate for middle school students? Well, I'm sure the ATOS level is low, and parents would complain that kids are reading comics that are below their level, but yes. Yes, these are great books to have in a middle school library for all of the children who are tired of dealing with middle school and need some light reading. So is the Princess in Black series. 

Weaknesses: Paper over board bindings don't hold up to the heavy use these books get. 

What I really think: If parents complain, have students check out this author's Castle Hangnail, too. A bit longer and more substance. Then ask what the book the parent read last. War and Peace? Or some Danielle Steele? I don't get why we have to push students to read tough, depressing books all the time when we don't read that sort of thing as adults. 

Editors of Sports Illustrated for Kids. My First Book of Hockey: A Rookie Book: Mostly Everything Explained About the Game
September 20th 2016 by Sports Illustrated
Copy provided by Blue Slip Media

Like My First Book of Baseball, this is a good overview of the sport for the youngest readers. Terms, plays and equipment are explained in simple language with a mix of photographs of actual players and cartoon-style font and characters. Not only is this a good format for younger students who are learning about the sport for the first time, it is a great way for English Language Learners to be introduced to a sport. 

The explanations of how the game is played are accompanied by diagrams that show the field and a variety of tactics. For parents or older readers, the jokes in the asides will enliven things as well. I was glad to finally find out exactly what a "hat trick" is, although I'm still in the dark as to WHY people throw their hats on the rink after a player's third goal! 

These are a must for elementary school libraries and a great way to hook reluctant or struggling readers in the middle school. 

Lou Lou and Pea and the Mural Mystery

Diamond, Jill. Lou Lou and Pea and the Mural Mystery
October 18th 2016 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) 
E ARC from Netgalley.com

Lou Lou and Pea live in an urban neighborhood called El Corazon, and they are able to go places on their own, especially after school is out and before their parents get home. They frequent the cupcake store, and also a candle store where the proprietor, Elmira, always seem to know just which candle will help with their problems. Lots of problems are popping up-- Pea's cousin has her quinceanera dress ruined by grape juice and ink, Lou Lou's prize plant is killed, a prized necklace goes missing, and even the adults are affected. The girls blame a new boy, Jeremy, and try to spy on him, especially after Elmira's store is robbed and she isn't able to go on a candle cruise. In the end, the culprit is found in an unusual place. 
Strengths: I loved the walkable, interesting, multicultural neighborhood and the fact that the girls were able to go out in it alone. It was nice that they both had their own interests. Combine this with supportive families and a mystery that is more serious than it appears, and this is a great purchase for elementary schools. A second book is in the works. 
Weaknesses: I was surprised at the culprit and the fairly evil intentions that person had. It was somehow shocking, given the light tone of the book.
What I really think: This seemed somehow too young for my students. Debating. 

Haynes, Richard. Slingshot and Burp
August 2nd 2016 by Candlewick Press
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Slingshot and Burp live next door to each other in a rural, Southwestern area. Not only are they friends, but double cousins. They are given a lot of freedom to roam about the country side on their bicycles (which they pretend are horses, Thunder and Lightning), shoot things with their slingshots, and sleep out under the stars. The smallest occurrence can change into a big adventure with their active imaginations. When their sisters take over their "bunk house" and decorate it in pink, they must mount a counter attack. When a "ghost cat", and later, a "wild coyote" wanders into their path, they have fun hunting down the creatures. The lack of visible parents, along with cowboy dialect, gives Slingshot and Burp's adventures a ring of authenticity, even though the reader knows that the coyote is really a neighbor's dog that the sisters are grooming.

This is an excellent choice for beginning readers. At just over 100 pages, it is well illustrated and not terribly long. The fact that the main characters have such imaginative skills is impressive, and their freedom is something that many young readers will not have experienced. The Southwestern setting seems exotic to someone who doesn't live there, and the description of the landscape and the variety of deadly creatures (scorpions!) that live there will deliver a mild thrill. 

Readers who enjoy books like McDonald's Stink, Yee's Bobby the Brave, and Park's Junie B. Jones should take a look at this new title, which is almost sure to become a series featuring a variety of rough 'n tumble adventures. 

Young Adult Books

Some young adult books work in a middle school setting; some do not. Often, it isn't until halfway through a perfectly fine title that I think "No, not going to work." By that time, I want to know how the story ends! These were both interesting reads, but not quite what I need to purchase for my middle school library. 


Oppel, Kenneth. Every Hidden Thing
September 20th 2016 by HarperCollins Canada
E ARC from Edelweiss

Samuel Bolt and Rachel Cartland meet after the Civil War at a museum presentation where Sam's father is talking about a dinosaur find he has made. Rachel's father points out that he has put the skeleton together backwards, and fisticuffs ensue. The two break up the fight, and go back to their daily lives. These involve helping out their paleontologists fathers, and soon they are thrown back together as the two groups head out to Nebraska to investigate the same bones. More fossils are found, the two men spar, and the teens fall in love and get married. Who will take credit for the finds, and how will this impact the life of the young couple?
Strengths: Dinosaurs are a great subject for middle school readers, which is one of the reasons that I liked How Not to Become Extinct. The post Civil War setting and the trouble with Native Americans, as well as the lackadaisical but exuberant archaeological methods make this a fun read.
Weaknesses: The romance between Sam and Rachel was a bit much. The descriptions of kissing I could have handled, but once they get married and Rachel doesn't wish to become pregnant and they discuss how this might be accomplished, they lost me. This is a lengthy book (368 pages), which would limit its appeal anyway.
What I really think: I will pass, but this would be an interesting addition to a high school collection, especially where this author's works are popular. 

Thompson, Mary G. Amy Chelsea Stacie Dee
October 11th 2016 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young 
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

**Warning** This is NOT a creepy haunted doll book. 

After having been kidnapped six years earlier and held captive by the disturbed Kyle, Amy returns home without any explanation. Her family reacts in many different ways, but is glad to have her home. Her brother has felt guilty, her parents have divorced, and her aunt really wants to know what happened to Amy's cousin Dee. Amy is unable to tell the police what happened, but as the story unfolds we learn that Dee was the one raped and impregnated by Kyle, and Amy was the one who raised the two babies, Lola and Barbie. As Amy returns to her regular life, with the help of a lot of therapy, we learn more and more about what she went through, and about what happened to Dee. The title refers to the fact that Kyle called Amy "Chelsea" and Stacie "Dee".
Strengths: My students crave books about kidnapping and murder, so they would definitely like this part of the book. The tone is oddly disjointed, which addresses Amy's state of mind, and the details of her life are revealed in a nonlinear way. 
Weaknesses: Definitely a young adult book. In addition to the talk about rape and the description of pregnancies, there is some teen drinking. 
What I really think: I can think of several girls who have gone on to high school who would like to read this book, but it's too much information for middle school. 

Guy Friday- Spy Ski School and Blather

It's probably a bad thing to go into the faculty washroom and not come out until school is over, right? Are you sure? Because it seems like a good option today. Since I can't leave the library for two seconds without someone trying to hunt me down, it probably wouldn't work, anyway. 

Should have gone to Kidlitcon! I'm missing Lisa Harkrader. Drat. I adore Airball! 

Just didn't work out this year. I did finally register for ALA Midwinter for the first time.

On Monday, we will be jumping right into the Cybils awards! If you haven't nominated, PLEASE go do that. Middle grade fiction only has about 70 titles, and I've read most of them. That's no challenge. Still a lot of good books out there to nominate. 

It's very Friday here. Need more sleep. And decongestants. And my robot maid! Why do we have video phones (Skype, FaceTime), but no jet packs, food pills or robot maids?



Gibbs, Stuart. Spy Ski School
October 11th 2016 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young 
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Ben has survived SPYDER, Murray Hill, and his crush on Erica Hale in the first three books in this series, and is now assigned a new mission: Leo Chang, a rich Chinese businessman, seems to be up to no good, and it is feared that bad things will happen when he is vacationing in Colorado on a ostensible ski vacation. Since he dotes on his daughter, Jessica, Ben's mission is to befriend her and try to get information about her father's evil doings. Erica is irritated that she is assigned to be Ben's handler, but since a large group of students is going skiing, it's like a big vacation. Cyrus and Alexander go along to supervise, and soon Ben is taking off on the slopes and having hot cocoa before the fire with Jessica. There's also a lot of bugging of hotel rooms, dangerous skiing, and even an adventure in a helicopter. An appearance for Mike is a surprise, and there is a concern that he might be working for SPYDER. The appearance by Murray Hill shouldn't be a surprise, and Ben is able to get the mystery of Leo Chang solved... and might even get the girl. 

Strengths: These are great spy fantasy books. A little goofier than Alex Rider, perhaps, but my students can easily imagine that they are living Ben's life. The romance with Erica is fabulous-- I adore that one of the things that makes her attractive to Ben is that she is such an accomplished spy. The skiing details are brilliant, and I'm glad that Mr. Gibbs, an avid skier himself, chose to set this book on the slopes.

Weaknesses: The character of Jessica seemed a bit uneven to me, especially when it came to her use of English idioms. Small quibble; my students won't notice. 

What I really think: Mr. Gibbs has just been added to my list of authors who should have meals delivered to their families every day so that they never have to stop writing. Always a good time when I get to read one of his books, and such a relief knowing that he's not going to suddenly throw super sadness into his stories. Love.

The Wolf Keepers

My blog roll has disappeared! I don't know when that happened! Clearly, the wheels have completely fallen off the cart around here. If you were on it, don't feel personally slighted. Oh, well. Not a bad idea to rebuild those from time to time. People do stop blogging, and I hate when a list has lots of dead links. 



Broach, Elise. The Wolf Keepers
October 11th 2016 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Lizzie Durango lives at a zoo not too far from Yosemite National Park because her father is the head zookeeper. Her mother died when she was a baby. When she sees a boy steal a family's lunch, she tries to track him down to find out what he was doing. She eventually catches up with Tyler and finds out that he has run away from his foster home and is spending his summer hanging out at the zoo. Lizzie invites him to stay at the small apartment over her garage where her grandmother stays when she comes to visit, and the two start to investigate the unusual sickness that the zoo wolves have, and the possible involvement of the zoo vet, Karen, in their sickness. The two are interested in visiting Yosemite to try to find John Muir's "lost cabin", so when they hitch a ride with Karen, trying to figure out what she's doing with the wolves, and end up at Yosemite, they try to find the cabin before heading home to deal with the consequences of their actions. 
Strengths: Like Gibbs' FunJungle series and Keating's How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes Are Untied, this is an interesting behind-the-scenes look at life in a zoo. It may sound silly, but I FREQUENTLY have students ask for books about wolves-- it's really the only animal they request, but it's turned up regularly over the last 15 years! This had some intrigue, adventure, and some fun moments as well. Did like the fact that Tyler is briefly described as having a white mother and black father, and the cover does show that a tiny bit. 
Weaknesses: I wasn't pleased about Lizzie's mother being dead; there was no reason other than to have Lizzie not be supervised. It also seemed unlikely that she would ask a random stranger to live in the apartment, and the vet's actions with the wolves didn't receive the punishment I expected. These are all weaknesses that I felt but my students might not.
What I really think: Given the demand for wolf books and mysteries, I will purchase this. 

Cybils Poetry Ideas

I have a really complicated relationship with poetry, although I did nominate the new Judith Viorst book, What are you glad about? What are you mad about? I truly believe Viorst to be the most underrated poet of our time, but that's a conversation for another day. I am bowing to the greater wisdom of Check it Out for Jone's poetry recommendations. Hop over to her blog to get all the scoop on poetry, including the recommendations listed below!

https://maclibrary.wordpress.com/2016/10/12/wednesdays-wonderings/

Would you like some suggestions for Poetry? if so, see below:

1. Burg, Ann. 2016. Unbound. Scholastic.
2. Caswell, Deanna. 2016. Boo Haiku. Ill. by Bob Shea. Abrams Appleseed.
3. Caswell, Deanna. 2016. Guess Who Haiku. Ill. by Bob Shea. Abrams Appleseed.
4. Donwerth-Chikamatsu, Annie. 2016. Somewhere Among
5. Dooley, Sarah. 2016. Free Verse
6. Lewis, J. Patrick. 2016. Kooky Crumbs: Poems in Praise of Dizzy Days
7. Lin, Grace and McKneally, Ranida T. 2016. Our Food
8. Powell, Patricia Hruby. 2016. Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case.
9. Withrow, Steven and Stevens, Roger. 2016 It’s Not My Fault
10. Yolen, Jane and Dotlich, Rebecca Kai. 2016. Grumbles from the Town: Mother Goose Voices with a Twist
11. Yolen, Jane. 2016. The Alligator’s Smile and Other Poems
12. VanDerwater, Amy. 2016. Every Day Birds
13. Trillin, Calvin. 2016. No Fair! No Fair! And Other Jolly Poems of Childhood

#WNDB Wednesday- Like Magic/ The Tequila Worm

Cross Country End of Season Update: Congratulations to Genoa Middle Schools, whose boys won the Three Dogs and a Cat meet last night, beating Blendon 32 to 41. They get the lovely trophy for the year.

We will fill in the empty space with the five invitational trophies that the girls' team won. They swept the race last night, beating Heritage 15 to 55! It was a fantastic race!



I will now be turning my attention full time to reading for the Cybils!



Several years ago, we were bemoaning the lack of #WNDB that were nominated for the Cybils awards. At the time, there were very few even published, which explained it. I haven't broken down the current nominations, but it's great to have a sizable pool of titles to compare when coming up with a winner. 

Besides, my students always ask if I have read the most books! I can't do that if MG Fiction does have that many nominated! 





Acampora, Paul. How to Avoid Extinction
Arnold, Elana K. Far From Fair
Bauer, Joan. Soar.
Berend, Janet Eoff. True Vert
Brown, Gavin. Josh Baxter Levels Up
Callaghan, Cindy.Lost in Hollywood
Cavanaugh, Nancy J. Just Like Me
Frazier, Sundee T. Cleo Edison Oliver: Playground Millionaire 
Gerhardt, Jake. Me and Miranda Mullaly (Reviewed for SLJ)
Grosso, Mike. I Am Drums
Hashimi, Nadia. One Half from the East
Key, Watt. Terror at Bottle Creek
Lawrence, Iain. The Skeleton Tree
Lupica, Mike. Fast Break
Narsimhan, Mahtab. Mission Mumbai
McDonough, Yona Zeldis. The Bicycle Spy
Moore, Wes with Shawn Goodman. This Way Home
Moss, Miriam. Girl on a Plane.
Osborne, William. Winter's Bullet
Reynolds, Jason. As Brave As You
Senzai, N.H. Ticket to India
Surrisi, C.M. The Maypop Kidnapping
Vaught, Susan. Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry
Volponi, Paul. Top Prospect
Woods, Brenda. Zoe in Wonderland


Vickers, Elaine. Like Magic
October 18th 2016 by HarperCollins
(This date is outside of the Cybils guidelines for 2016!)
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Jada, Malia and Grace all have issues. Grace's best friend has moved away and she has developed severe anxiety that renders her unable to speak sometimes. Her mother is a doctor and is able to help somewhat, but when both her mother and father have to go away, she is left in the care of an aunt who is not understanding at all. Malia's mother and father run a restaurant and are frequently short of money, which means that Malia is not able to take harp lessons. Things are even worse now that her mother is hospitalized with high blood pressure and a problem pregnancy. Jada has moved to town with her father, who will be teaching in town. Her mother has left them in order to pursue a film career and find herself. Each other girls goes to the library and meets Hazel, a magical sort of librarian who lets them borrow an old looking book from the lost and found. It's really a puzzle box, and the girls each look at the box, include their own items in the box, and eventually connect with each other because of the box and a new private arts school they will all be attending. 
Strengths: The characters are all well developed and diverse. No real magic happens.
Weaknesses: This was a sad, slow story. 
What I really think: This seems to be more suited to elementary students than to middle school ones. 

Canales, Viola. The Tequila Worm
August 9th 2005 by Wendy Lamb Books
Public Library Copy

Sofia lives with her family in a close knit barrio community. She has her issues with her cousin, struggles with her ethnic identity at school, and is occasionally at odds with her parents because she wants to see something of the outside world. When an opportunity presents itself for her to study at a private school several hundred miles away, she seeks advice and support from her extended family. Going away isn't easy, but she has a solid upbringing of appreciating her culture, and the other girls at her school are, for the most part, accepting. 
Strengths:Very good description of Hispanic culture and daily living. Several holidays are mentioned, as is a Quinceanera. Strong family ties, and both parents are alive for most of the story. 
Weaknesses: More episodic that plot driven; reads more like a memoir than a story. 
What I really think: I don't know how I missed this one, but it will be a good addition to my collection. 

Nominate for Cybils! Speculative Fiction Suggestions

Fall is a busy time. Our last cross country meet is today, and I've been seeing over 500 students every day in the library! There's evaluations, new computers, and Makerspace projects. Even if you've read books this year, you might not remember which one you wanted to nominate for the Cybils awards. 

Yesterday, I posted a middle grade fiction list. While I don't read as much speculative fiction, there is certainly more of it, so take a look and see which of these you might think "Yeah, THAT'S the one I wanted to nominate!"

Middle Grade Speculative Fiction:

Angleberger, Tom and Dellinger, Paul. Fuzzy
Beddor, Frank and Kress, Adrienne. Hatter Madigan: Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X.
Beil, Michael. A New Recruit: Agents of Glass 
King, Bart. The Drake Equation
King, Wesley. Dragons vs. Drones
Martin, Laura. The Ark Plan (Edge of Extinction)
McMann, Lisa. Going Wild
O'Donnell, Tom. Hamstersaurus Rex
O'Reilly, Jane. The Secret of Goldenrod.
Park, Lina Sue. Forest of Wonders (Wing and Claw #1)
Philbrick, Rodman. The Big Dark
Poblocki, Dan. Shadow House (The Gathering #1)
Rocha, K.E. Secrets of Bearhaven

Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas.

Want some adventure on your Tuesday morning? Join the Addison Cooke Blog Tour!

Monday, 10/10 | Novel Novice

Tuesday, 10/11 | Ms. Yingling Reads

Wednesday, 10/12 | Middle Grade Mafioso

Thursday, 10/13 | The Reading Nook

Friday, 10/14 | Stories & Sweeties

Stokes, Jonathan. Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas.
October 11th 2016 by Philomel Books
ARC provided by the publisher

When Addison's aunt and uncle, both respected curators at the New York Museum of Archaeology, are kidnapped by the evil Russian Professor  Ragar, Addison knows that he must save them. Ragar wants the Incan key that he has because it leads to an ancient treasure, and Addison figures that he can find the treasure while saving his aunt and uncle. He assembles his team (his sister Molly and friends Raj and Eddie), books a flight to Colombia, and sets off to save the day. When the group lands in Colombia, they manage to make it to the small town where they think they will find the second key, and make the acquaintance of Guadalupe... who steals Addison's wallet! Later, she joins forces with them when they help her elude the police. In an adventure that takes them into Ecuador, deep into the jungle, to the wedding of a crime lord's daughter, and inside an Ecuardorian jail, Addison and his team manage to avoid going to school. But will they be able to locate the treasure and save his aunt and uncle, all while wearing their crisp school uniforms?
Strengths: I was not surprised to find that Mr. Stokes is a screenwriter; writers with this background are very good at making sure that books move along quickly. Even when Addison and Molly are coming home from school at the beginning of the book, they do it with panache. The information about the legendary Incan treasure and all of the travel details seem well researched. Lots of action, children saving he day, AND the promise of further adventures in China in the next book. 
Weaknesses: I found that Addison's affectations (the crisp school uniform, drinking Arnold Palmers, singing an Astaire/Sinatra tune at a wedding) made the book seem much less realistic to me. Middle grade readers won't think that; they will just be slightly confused. 
What I really think: Setting aside my personal objections, I think this will be a good fit for readers who like adventure books like Horowitz's Stormbreaker. Has a bit of a National Treasure feel to it as well. Since the 6th grade curriculum includes info on the Ancient Incas, this might be a bigger winner with my students than I suspect. I'm inclined to categorize this as realistic, if far-fetched, fiction.  



Lawson, Jessica. Waiting for Augusta.
May 10th 2016 by Simon & Schuster
Public Library Copy

Ben's father has passed away, leaving his family in financial distress in a small Alabama town in the early 1970s. His mother is trying to make ends meets by selling barbecued pork dinners from their house, since their restaurant was repossessed. Ben is convinced that his father would have wanted his ashes scattered on a major golf course in Augusta, Georgia, and even hears the ashes talking to him, so he takes off (with the ashes in a backpack) to do this. He meets Noni, who is running away from problems of her own, and the two make their weary way to the golf course where Ben has one final teary heart to heart with his father's ashes. 
Strengths: There aren't a lot of books that involve golf or the 1970s. 
Weaknesses: The ashes of the father talking was rather odd.
What I Really Think: This didn't feel very 1970s, and I doubt that Ben would have had a back pack available to him. The first time I saw back packs in general use was the early 1980s. He would have had a book bag or possibly a tote bag. Probably would have carried a suitcase. Admittedly, I was stuck on that tiny facet, but I can't think of a student who would be asking for a book like this. The cover seems at odds with the content, which would make it even harder to place with a reader. 

MMGM- How to Avoid Extinction

It's Marvelous Middle Grade Monday at Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe and What Are You Reading? day at Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers. It's also Nonfiction Monday.


There are middle grade books that literally make me dance a bit and want to fist pump when I finish them. They are few and far between, and this year, mainly about video games. (Which is weird, because if there is one thing in real life that I hate, abhor and despise, it would be video games in ANY permutation!) I'm a huge fan of books involving grandparents, and also love road trip books. May I also say that my father had a 1968 Buick Electra of which I was very fond? Go out and read this book immediately!


Acampora, Paul. How to Avoid Extinction
September 27th 2016 by Scholastic Press
E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline

Since his grandfather passed away, Leo's job is to keep track of his grandmother. She's fiesty, loves doughnuts, and has decided that for the anniversary of her husband's death, she wants to visit a dinosaur site that they were going to travel to together. She knows enough that she shouldn't go alone, so inveigles not only Leo but his cousin Abbey into going with her, since "I'm old. I'm able, and I've got an extremely high credit limit." Soon, the group takes off, armed with doughnuts. The first stop is the Natural History Museum in Chicago, where they meet Honey Buenafe, a student who is heading home to Nebraska. They offer to drive her, since it's on their way and she can help them find the dinosaur site they need in Utah. Her dog, Kermit, comes along. When they get out to Nebraska, they are warmly welcomed by Honey's Filipino family, but Gram takes off on her own, somewhat in part because she wants to stop by Denver to get a tattoo. Leo and Abbey, provisioned with spicy octopus snacks by Mrs. Buenafe, take off after her, eventually calling Leo's mother to come and join their trip. Leo learns a lot about his father, whom he has never met, his mother and her past, and is able to keep his grandmother safe and also help her dreams come true. 
Strengths: This is a fantastic mix of funny and serious. Leo is apprehensive about going, but loves his grandmother and wants her to be happy. Abbey is up for a road trip, especially since she would really like to be a paleontologist, and she's great about looking out for everyone. The Buick runs into understandable problems for its age. Honey and her family are so much fun, and a great lesson in how friends can be made under the most surprising circumstances. I also loved how grief was handled-- it's there, but we don't necessarily have to keep going over and over it. In fact, if there are some instances that we want to pretend never happened, that's okay, too. Loved that. 
Weaknesses: The dog is old. You have been warned. Could have done without that.
What I really think: Great cover, great story, can't wait to get this one!












You haven't nominated a book for the Cybils Awards yet? GO RIGHT HERE and do that!

Stuck as to what to nominate? Here's some Middle Grade Fiction that I would love to see added to the list. It's good to have a mix of books on a variety of topics-- notice there are a few more sports books on the list. I'd like to see all of these books get a little more attention. The list is not complete, but a good start!

Acampora, Paul. How to Avoid Extinction
Arnold, Elana K. Far From Fair
Bauer, Joan. Soar.
Berend, Janet Eoff. True Vert
Brown, Gavin. Josh Baxter Levels Up
Burkinshaw, Kathleen. The Last Cherry Blossom
Callaghan, Cindy.Lost in Hollywood
Cavanaugh, Nancy J. Just Like Me
Frazier, Sundee T. Cleo Edison Oliver: Playground Millionaire 
Gerhardt, Jake. Me and Miranda Mullaly
Grosso, Mike. I Am Drums
Hashimi, Nadia. One Half from the East
Key, Watt. Terror at Bottle Creek
Knowles, Jo. Still a Work in Progress
Lawrence, Iain. The Skeleton Tree.
Lorenzi, Natalie Dias. A Long Pitch Home
Lupica, Mike. Fast Break
Narsimhan, Mahtab. Mission Mumbai
McDonough, Yona Zeldis. The Bicycle Spy
Moore, Wes with Shawn Goodman. This Way Home
Moss, Miriam. Girl on a Plane.
Osborne, William. Winter's Bullet
Reynolds, Jason. As Brave As You
Senzai, N.H. Ticket to India
Surrisi, C.M. The Maypop Kidnapping
Vaught, Susan. Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry
Volponi, Paul. Top Prospect
Woods, Brenda. Zoe in Wonderland