Chapter Adventure Reading Challenges discussion

Read a Middle Grade novel.

--- Comment below with ---
(1) The name and author of the book you're reading for the challenge,
(2) CHALLENGE COMPLETE if you've finished reading the book.
(3) Did you like the book? What did you love (or not love) about it?! Let's help each other find great books to read!

I read The polka dot shop. It was a nice read, but I didn't love it as much as I thought it would. It's a good book for budding fashionistas. Challenge complete

Challenge Complete!
Read two this month, my daughter (22, works at the library) insisted on choosing some for me, even though I had one picked out. (Who am I to argue?) One a classic, one I had not heard of before, but was a perfect fit.
1st read The Tale of Despereaux, which may be intended for slightly younger audiences than middle school, but a sweet classic none the less.
2nd read The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson. Perfect for this month, as May is also Mental Health Awareness month! The main character has severe OCD, but still becomes the hero in the end. Very engaging, finished it in two sittings! Would strongly recommend this as reading for middle grades, to raise awareness of at least one type of mental illness.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished last month by completing the Tamora Pierce series "Protector of the Small", 4 books that are so well written, as are all her books. Really enjoyed the Beka Cooper series also, read that a few years ago. I see why this author was my daughter's favorite.

1. Princess in Waiting (The Princess Diaries, #4) by Meg Cabot
2. CHALLENGE COMPLETE
3. I loved the movies inspired by the books, so I wanted to compare it to the series. I’m enjoying them, and now my daughter wants to read the books.

All set for May!

Magic in My Shoes by Constance Savery

CHALLENGE COMPLETE!

I read two this month and enjoyed them both.

An exceptionally rich historical fiction ... really, who can resist dinosaurs during the Civil War. I was only able to get access to this as an audiobook & was pleased that the narrator did an excellent job of bringing life to the various characters. Definitely a fun read with a message but I don't think it came through clearly from the audiobook. To truly hear the complete message I feel I should actually read the book.

I absolutely adore this book & plan to purchase a copy for my personal library. This is a truly believable middle grade book that makes one consider: do you believe in magic? I fell into Natasha's world & simply had to know the author of the notes. And the ending? Let's just say I wasn't expecting *that*.

CHALLENGE COMPLETED
I thought this would be easy. Finding a 'classic' I hadn't read was the challenge. Found 2 that I thought I might enjoy and settled on Black Beauty.
This was fun to do, thanks.

(1) They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
(2) CHALLENGE COMPLETE
(3) This book is thought-provoking and touches on difficult topics. It made me think about our own mortality and living life to its fullest. I would recommend it.

I read this one for this challenge: