Middle Grade Madness! discussion

(Put banner here lol)

How It Works:
- You can recommend a book for our book list (read more about that below) OR you can just take part.
- There's no need to sign up to take part, just join in the conversation below.
- This readathon starts in May 2023.
- Recommendations for our book list closes on 28th April.
- I will feed the books from our book list into a random picker.
- Using the link below (not yet added), access the random picker, spin the wheel, and it’ll randomly pick a book from our list for you to read.
- Read the book then let us know your thoughts on it are below!
- Then spin the wheel of the random picker again and it’ll choose another book for you.
- Try to read what the random picker picks for you but if you don’t have access to that book yet or if it chooses a book you’ve already read for the readathon or that you've already read before or that you don't want to read/have DNF'ed/aren't interested in then spin it again and it’ll choose something different.
- Alternatively, you can just ignore the random picker and read anything on the list that you like, but the random picker makes it more fun.

IF YOU WANT TO RECOMMEND A BOOK FOR THE BOOK LIST:
The Rules on Recommending:
- The book must be based on a myth, have a mythical creature in it, or have a link to mythology. It doesn’t have to belong to a specific genre.
- You can recommend between 1-4 books to add to the list.
- The book you recommend can be MG, YA, Adult or New Adult.
- The book can also be a graphic novel or manga.
- The book must be in English or translated to English books are also allowed.
- The book must be more than 100 pages long.
- The book cannot be from the middle of a series if it's not possible to read the book outside of the series and still understand it.

RECOMMEND BOOK(S) FOR THE LIST HERE:
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/2...

Link to random picker:
https://wheelofnames.com/rq3-nma

Book List:
MG:
The Once and Future Geek by Mari Mancusi - Kadi
Merlin's Apprentice: The Mage by Susan McCauley - Kadi
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull - Shradz
The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron - Myla
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud - Audrey
The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi - Francisca
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi - Artemis Girly
The Lords of Night by J.C. Cervantes - Aurora
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F. Steadman - Aurora
Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao - Aurora
*Thunderous by M.L. Smoker - Aurora
The Zodiac Legacy: Convergence by Stan Lee - Lynn
The Alchemyst by Michael Scott - Lynn
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan - Lynn
When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller - Lynn
Lotería by Karla Valenti - Anita
Diana and the Island of No Return by Aisha Saeed - Anita
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger - Anita
Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee - Anita
The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes - Maeve
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna - Maeve
The Last Shadow Warrior by Sam Subity - Maeve
Nura and the Immortal Palace by M.T. Khan - Chara
Phoenix by Jeff Stone - Chara
The Flame of Olympus by Kate O'Hearn - Chara
Ring of Solomon by Aden Polydoros - Chara
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan - Patricia
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia - Patricia
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - Patricia
Athena the Brain by Joan Holub - Patricia
The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim - Artemis Girly
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez - Ilsen


YA:
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho - Ilsen
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn - Ilsen
Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer - Ilsen
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna - Artemis Girly


Key:
* - Graphic novels
Names in italics are the recommenders

OK I'm so excited about it I got copies of 3 books!

AurorainBookland wrote: "OK I'm so excited about it I got copies of 3 books!"

Ooh which books did you get copies of?

I'm putting up the book list now and I've added a link to the random picker above. It's the new random picker and it's really cool!

Kadi wrote: "AurorainBookland wrote: "OK I'm so excited about it I got copies of 3 books!"

Ooh which books did you get copies of?

I'm putting up the book list now and I've added a link to the random picker ab..."

this one was subborn had to try multiple times to get it on my Kindle





So I have options. Going to start tommorrow, so excited. All from Libby.

going to start reading this one today. May 2nd

Hi, I'm sorry I always forget to do these on time but I am finally done! I graduated on Sunday and I have just been relaxing. If it's not too late to add these, these are my picks:

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
Wicked Fox
Legendborn
Witches of Ash and Ruin

Ilsen wrote: "Hi, I'm sorry I always forget to do these on time but I am finally done! I graduated on Sunday and I have just been relaxing. If it's not too late to add these, these are my picks:

[book: Sal and G..."

Congratulations on your graduation! I liked the book Sal and Gabi Breaks the Universe. I hope you like it too:)

Patricia wrote: "Ilsen wrote: "Hi, I'm sorry I always forget to do these on time but I am finally done! I graduated on Sunday and I have just been relaxing. If it's not too late to add these, these are my picks:

[..."

Thank you!! Also my picks are a mix of read and unread. I wanted them to be included in the wheel so other people can read them. I loved Sal and Gabi Break the Universe!! I’ve been wanting to get to the end of the duology for a while now.

Haha. I'm still confused. The readathons are different than books we are all reading, yes? I swear I'll figure this out eventually.  🤣

Jami wrote: "Haha. I'm still confused. The readathons are different than books we are all reading, yes? I swear I'll figure this out eventually.  🤣"

Yes. All you have to do is read a book or books centering around some kind of myth/mythology.

Lmao completely read this wrong hmm mythology

Ilsen wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Ilsen wrote: "Hi, I'm sorry I always forget to do these on time but I am finally done! I graduated on Sunday and I have just been relaxing. If it's not too late to add these, these..."

That's great! I hope you have a nice reading ahead:)

I can’t believe I forgot to add the book list in here😂 I even had it ready in time but never added it lol sorry guys, will add it in a bit

Kadi wrote: "I can’t believe I forgot to add the book list in here😂 I even had it ready in time but never added it lol sorry guys, will add it in a bit"

I'm also confused too😅😅but it's fine:) I'm really excited for this month:D

Haha I’m surprised no one said anything! But to be fair the random picker link is up so you can see I actually started doing it and then I got distracted and didn’t add the book list as well

Kadi wrote: "Haha I’m surprised no one said anything! But to be fair the random picker link is up so you can see I actually started doing it and then I got distracted and didn’t add the book list as well"

I like the random picker as well. I just wanted to ask if the banner for this month has already yet.

Kadi wrote: "I can’t believe I forgot to add the book list in here😂 I even had it ready in time but never added it lol sorry guys, will add it in a bit"

Oh I noticed XD I just thought I was able to have more time to put my picks or that you were busy. But it’s ok. I was wondering if you can also input my selections as well!

Patricia wrote: "Ilsen wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Ilsen wrote: "Hi, I'm sorry I always forget to do these on time but I am finally done! I graduated on Sunday and I have just been relaxing. If it's not too late to ad..."

Thank you everyone for the congratulations!! Really appreciate it. I’m excited to finally be active in the group again!

@Ilsen oh absolutely I can add them! I’ll add them to the random picker too.

And hey congratulations on graduating!🎉🎉 it must’ve been quite a journey for you, it’s really cool for me and an honour that you’re still here because you were here from the start of the group and always stuck around despite how busy you were with your studies! I hope your next chapter goes well too! And now take some time to relax, you deserve it 🙌🏻

Thank you Kadi! 🥺 I love being in this group and participating when I can! It’s really fun! Also I don’t know what I’m doing but I did tell everyone I’m taking a summer break because yea college is a lot. Thank you for the congrats!!

Hey guys so the book list is finally up! Sorry for the lateness.

So I thought it would be fun to do a bit of a breakdown because the MG mythology genre is ruled by quite a lot of repeat writers:

36 books recommended
3 written by Rick Riordan
2 written by Roshani Chokshi
2 written by J.C. Cervantes

6 published by the Rick Riordan Presents imprint (an imprint of Disney Hyperion
6 published by Disney (5 by Disney Hyperion, 1 by Disney Press)
8 published by Penguin Random House (3 by Random House, 2 by Delacorte Press imprint, 1 by Puffin imprint, 1 by Viking Books imprint, 1 by Knopf imprint)
4 published by Simon & Schuster (1 by Simon & Schuster, 2 by Aladdin imprint, 1 by Margaret K McElderry imprint)
1 published by a Macmillan imprint
1 published by a Harper Collins imprint
1 published by Little Brown Books imprint
1 published by Scholastic
1 published by Celtic Sea

1 book was published by Scholastic, Aladdin imprint of Simon & Schuster AND Little Brown Books imprint of Hachette. Like wow talk about giving away your books rights to everyone! I didn't count that one towards any of the above numbers because it made it confusing.

SO in conclusion Disney wins with 12 out of 36. That's 33% of our book list!!
PRH (Penguin Random House) comes in second with 8 out of 36. That's 22% of our book list. But they only get that far because they own a lot of other publishing houses whereas Disney focuses on mythology because of Rick Riordan.
Simon & Schuster comes in 3rd with 4 out of 36. That's 11% of our book list.

There's some facts and figures for you. No idea what you can do with this knowledge but I always find it cool to see who publishes what!

It is cool! Also I’m an idiot because I thought Witches of Ash and Ruin was adult and it is not. I do have one recommendation for Adult if anyone is interested and it is Circe by Madeline Miller!

Kadi wrote: "Hey guys so the book list is finally up! Sorry for the lateness.

So I thought it would be fun to do a bit of a breakdown because the MG mythology genre is ruled by quite a lot of repeat writers:

..."

cool info! I'll check the MG list and to my TBR why because its fun,also love having options escpecially if this kind of readathon happens again.

36% through and this book is really good!

I spun the wheel and I got Thunderous I just requested it from my library!

I wonder if thunderous is on hoopla... I want to read it, the cover looks cool!

Also Ilsen and Aurora thanks! I did spend an inordinate amount of time counting how many books on our list were published by who lol. Still fun to see the results!

Update: Thunderous is on hoopla!🎉
I will be reading it soon!

Kadi wrote: "I wonder if thunderous is on hoopla... I want to read it, the cover looks cool!

Also Ilsen and Aurora thanks! I did spend an inordinate amount of time counting how many books on our list were publ..."

Your welcome :)

Thanks for the data, Kadi. Interesting...

AurorainBookland wrote: "Jami wrote: "Haha. I'm still confused. The readathons are different than books we are all reading, yes? I swear I'll figure this out eventually.  🤣"

Yes. All you have to do is read a book or books..."
👍

Heya gonna try read dragon pearl!Sal and Gabri and legendborn r def worth a read as well guys

EdenB15 wrote: "Heya gonna try read dragon pearl!Sal and Gabri and legendborn r def worth a read as well guys"

I started reading Sal and Gabi back when it was one of our books of the month. Maybe this would be a good opportunity to pick it back up and actually finish it this time...

Also I’m starting Thunderous tonight!🎉

85% there's 3 really good plot twists in this that's all

I'm saying about Zachary Ying here

AurorainBookland wrote: "I'm saying about Zachary Ying here"
I just got from the library. Will be starting on it soon! Is it a series, by chance?

it's book 1 of a series yes.

May 10, 2022 was when book 1 came out so it could be a year or so before book 2 is published

I suggest following the publisher on social media like Facebook they usually update better than goodreads does.

finished solid 4 stars might read book 2 when it comes out. I don't know. I'm not that invested in Zack, he seems so average preteen main character. I have so many other books on my TBR that seem more interesting to me.

I'll be picking up Thunderous from the library excited to read that!

I finished The Last Fallen Star with 3 stars. Lots of Korean mythology by a Korean author, which also works for Asian and Pacific Islander month. I read Gal and Sabi for our month read and liked it very much. I also listened to Fablehaven and liked those books, as well.

2 stars, it was okay.

I read Dragon Pearl, 3 stars. I used it for the TBR challenge for the red book, also for AAPI month. It was ok but the MC lied and cheated and deceived even her friends to reach her goal, and I didn't like that. however! The end was good enough that I might decide to go on with the series.

I'm reading Zach Ying. There is plenty I like, but also lots exposition to explain the Chinese myths. I have a hard time staying engaged when it is tell not show...

AurorainBookland wrote: " 2 stars, it was okay."

That's a shame! I'm starting it today so I'll give my thoughts soon...

Jami wrote: "I'm reading Zach Ying. There is plenty I like, but also lots exposition to explain the Chinese myths. I have a hard time staying engaged when it is tell not show..."

I hate when books are like that and find it hard to engage as well. Exposition really pulls away from a good narrative voice.

I'm sorry I'm joining in so late I've been busy! Anyway, I had to spin the wheel several times to find a book I haven't read and I decided I'll be reading The Lightning Thief