Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

It's time to share our favorite Middle Grade read for January.

My favorite MGR for January was . It was a fast-paced,outdoor romp - a nice change of pace from what I normally read - and I really enjoyed it a lot.

My favorite book for January was Inside the Shadow City, (Kiki Strike #1), by Kirsten Miller.

From my GoodReads review:

There is so much to recommend this book that it is hard to know where to begin! I wanna be a girl scout! I want to be dangerous! I want to be an irregular!!! I knew almost immediately what great hands I was in; Kirsten Miller's rapid-fire and hilarious mind is stamped on every single page. But it was when I was halfway through the book (and out in the weeds as far as the mystery was concerned) when I realized I was up against a mystery as formidable as one from Agatha Christy. I love good mysteries. Don't get me wrong, I like stories where I can see the ending coming a mile away. When I first saw Star Wars, and that Death Star showed up on the screen? Yeah, it didn't take more than a few seconds to know exactly how THAT was going to end. But, to be midway through an entertaining read, and NOT know where the author is taking me? That is not only rare, but wonderful! And I learned all kinds of stuff I never knew! And about subjects I never thought I would learn things about! :)

Thank you, Kirsten Miller, for setting Kiki Strike loose upon the world. I will never walk the streets of New York City and look them the same way again. Now where did they hang those pirate heads? Let me get out my maps!Inside the Shadow City

I think I only finished two MG books in January. One was an old classic, Knight's fee by Rosemary Sutcliff, and the other was Ginnie Dare: Crimson Sands, by Scott Roche. They were so radically different that to say which was better would be absurd (I reviewed each on my blog: http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2013/01...

And http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2013/01...

I read through all of the Joshua Files by G.M. Harris as I planned. It was fun to read & worth the effort but not top of the line. The only other MG book I got to was "Freakling" which I quite liked & actually would rank above it above the Joshua set, so that's my best February read. Here is my review:
The reader is immediately drawn into a culture unlike that of our own where psi power is the means for doing anything at all. We are introduced to a young protagonist with an appealing personality who suddenly finds himself thrust into the middle of complex and vicious power struggles in his society who must make crucial decisions for the direction the society will take. The story covers a lot of ground in just 300 pages without seeming rushed or skimpy. That is, the people and places are well-drawn.

My favorite book I read in January was In A Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz

From my Goodreads review:

Once upon a time, there were two cousins, and well a frog who has three-legs instead of four, because of well an unfortunate accident. You see these two cousins get themselves in a little predicament when they swear on their lives that they can retrieve a glass that has been lost for a very long time. It's a good thing that Frog comes along and they have some help from three ravens, otherwise things would be really grim. Their journey will take them through some famous fairy tales, nursery rhymes with some legends and poems weaved in as well. It's a sequel and I loved this one so much more then the first.

I reread Princess Academy so I could then read the sequel, Palace of Stone. I liked it even more than I did the first time, though I still prefer the original cover: . The sequel is also excellent, but perhaps a bit complex for most MG kids.

Question - I'm absurdly sensitive to 'grim' stuff, like for instance gave me nightmares (though it will make my 'best MG of Feb' post). So, I gotta ask, are Gidwitz's Grimm books as 'thrilling' as their descriptions, or should I be able to enjoy them despite the gore? Do they have other redeeming qualities? Adam Gidwitz

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "I reread Princess Academy so I could then read the sequel, Palace of Stone. I liked it even more than I did the first time, though I still prefer the original cover:[bookcover:Princess Academy|186..."

I would say the second is less Grim. There is a narrator hinting at the things to come but I found this one more funny then scary. Gidwitz stays pretty true to how the fairy tales were originally written but puts a few twists on them to make it entertaining. Overall, it has a great message that isn't to preachy.

I haven't read MG this month, I've mostly been catching up on some history and memoirs instead. One of them, though was MG, . My daughter picked it for her biography assignment and I read it later.

It was interesting to read about her growing up in Alabama during the civil rights movement and her perspective on race relations in the United States. But it was also had a very interesting (and detailed) account of how she came into the job of Secretary of State after starting out majoring in piano performance, and how her parents influenced and supported her. I found that interesting from a parenting perspective.

UNGIFTED by Gordon Korman was my favorite January read. Donovan Curtis is an average student and a trouble maker, but ends up in a school for gifted students. This book is a must for writers that wonder about character development. The changes in Donovan seem so natural.

My favourite book in January was Animal Andy by Kathy Ryggs. What a delightful book. It's about a boy who lives in a zoo. This magical carousel arrives and every time he rides it, he turns into an animal, and then helps the animals solve their problems since he can communicate with them.

Sounds like you guys have been reading some great books. I'm sorry to say I've been so busy writing, I haven't had a chance to finish reading any books, :( though I have several Indies on my list: The Underwear Dare by Lisa and Gina Nardini, The Golden Acorn by Catherine Cooper and Madison Morgan - When Dogs Blog by Pam Torres.

So maybe next month I'll have read them all. (Fingers crossed.)

M.G. Harris Invisible City

Ungifted Gordon Korman

Animal Andy Kathy Sattem Rygg

The Underwear Dare: Nerd vs. Bully!

The Golden Acorn

Madison Morgan: When Dogs Blog

Also, thank you Brenda for your notes about the Gidwitz books.

My favorite book that I read was Jessica Day George. I was so surprised at how much I enjoyed this book! I could not put it down and have already used it for a booktalk with the 5th graders I see. I loved the fact that the castle was magical! I wish my house was like that!!! It is very funny, full of action, and has a surprise at the end. Loved, Loved, Loved it!!!
My "serious" book that I enjoyed was Sharon M. Draper. What a great insight into to the mind of a child with disabilities. Every child and adult should read this book...it makes you think! Very moving!!!

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "I reread Princess Academy so I could then read the sequel, Palace of Stone. I liked it even more than I did the first time, though I still prefer the original cover:[bookcover:Princess Academy|186..."

I have to admit that I love his books. I don't mind the gore and the kids at my library love them. The fact that he breaks his books up with humor and wisdom is one of the things that I love the most. Honestly, I'm waiting on pins and needles for the next one! I will tell you that I do warn the kids that it is not for the faint of heart.

Beth wrote: "My favorite book that I read was Jessica Day George. I was so surprised at how much I enjoyed this book! I could not put it down and have already used i..."
My daughter read that as a 4th grader and loved it!

There is a Christmas story: Holiday's at the Castle in ebook for this as well. http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/download...

Brenda wrote: "There is a Christmas story: Holiday's at the Castle in ebook for this as well. http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/download..."

OH Thanks! I'll have to check that out.

I read Something Wickedly Weird The Wooden Mile. Great illustrations, this is a fantastic book for boys transitioning from reading picture books to chapter books because of all the illustrations. I read it to my nephews and they loved it.

I just love Andrew Clements. I am reading "No Talking" to my fourth grade students. I'm new here. So, "hi!" :-)

Marcy wrote: "I just love Andrew Clements. I am reading "No Talking" to my fourth grade students. I'm new here. So, "hi!" :-)"
Hi Marcy! Glad to have you!

Thanks, Beth!

Oh I love Andrew Clements, too. I'm glad to hear you're sharing his work with a whole classroom.