Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

What did you read this month that you want to shout about?

I was impressed by how much I enjoyed both Anyway*: *A Story About Me with 138 Footnotes, 27 Exaggerations, and 1 Plate of Spaghetti by Arthur Salm... a nice story with no abuse, orphans, deaths... I think the biggest challenge is that Max is borderline ADHD. Very funny, maybe an answer to 'What do I read after Wimpy Kid?"

I also was charmed by The Thing about Georgie by Lisa Graff. I'm surprised it doesn't come up in conversations when ppl are talking about Wonder. It's actually probably a little easier/ younger than that, I'm guessing.

I thought The War that Saved My Life was excellent.

I also really enjoyed The Goose Girl, a re-visioning of the fairy tale.

Ah, Shannon Hale's Bayern books. So fun. My library has them as YA, I assume because the MCs are older, marriageable... but I think they're ok for middle grade, just long.... What do you think?

The War that Saved My Life is now on my list, thank you for the heads-up.

I think I put The Goose Girl under YA, because there was some pretty grim stuff. But there's nothing that's inappropriate for kids, really, and less adult matter than in, say, the later Harry Potter books.

I didn't realize there were more books about Bayern! I'll have to go looking, because I became rather fond of the princess!

West of the Moon I was in a new library and picked up this book on impulse. The story was nothing like what the title and the blurb implied. Say that though, once I was able to put aside that feeling of being misled, I actually really enjoyed the fantasy story surrounding Nordic life and their folklore.

Aschwood Academy by M.B. Cohen was such a fun read! It's the first book of a new fantasy/adventure series. It's a great quick read that made me never want to put it down! I love how they were able to weave in humor and I found myself actually laughing out loud. It's on sale now too through Amazon for the next day or so for .99 cents

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B010KJP...

I have just finished 'The Boy at the Top of the Mountain' The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne, the author of The Boy in Striped Pyjamas.

I think it is a provocative and challenging novel, which presents a very important perspective. What I would like to know, from others who have read it, is would you consider it Middle Grade fiction? I tend to have a wide tolerance, so, while I might disagree, I would like to know what others think.

I read the Ascendance trilogy by Jennifer Nielsen and loved it. A very well written series with fun characters.

I read by Jason Segel. This is the first MG book that I have read as an adult. I loved it! I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series soon.

Story Thieves by James Riley was a huge hit in my house. I read it aloud to my kids, ages 9 and 6. It was fast paced, humorous, and engaging. I enjoyed it too, although my adult brain puzzled about a character with a fictional father and how exactly conception worked but luckily the kids didn't ask.

LOL, Lori! I wish I'd thought of that one! (And now I'm thinking of a short story to explain it...but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be PG :D ).

The Iliad by Homer! Classic books in general have always terrified me but thanks to my amazing professor I got through this book and absolutely fell in love! I'm now reading The Odyssey without as much help as I needed before. :)

The book I read this month is written by another author of my publisher, but I still think it's a good book--good values (warning: It is a Christian book, for those who either like or dislike such.), plenty of age-appropriate action, and a great sense of humor. The book is Pillow Fight Professional by Angela Ruth Strong. It's the fourth in a series. It's an easy, fun read.Angela Ruth Strong

Bana wrote: "The Iliad by Homer! Classic books in general have always terrified me but thanks to my amazing professor ..."

I want to take his (her?) class!

Finished From the Cutting Room of Barney Kettle, by Kate De Goldi which I loved. Barney Kettle has already made 4 short films, and is now pondering his next great film. The story leads to an unexpected (if you weren't reading closely) ending, which is both extraordinary, tear inducing and powerful.

Have also read The Boy at the Top of the Mountain, by John Boyne, who also wrote The Boy in Striped Pyjamas. This is very different, but very thought provoking.

I read . It was well written, but there were almost too many plot lines.