Middle Grade Madness! discussion

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 September 2023.
- 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 feature a school element in some way. It doesn’t have to belong to a specific genre.
- 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://www.classtools.net/random-nam...

BOOK LIST:
MG:
Bridge to Teribithia by Katherine Paterson - Kadi
*New Kid by Jerry Craft - Kadi
Can You Sue Your Parents for Malpractice? by Paula Danziger - Kadi
Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl - Georgina Warren
*Smile by Raina Telgemeier - Devna
Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm - Arrash Mazdai
Greenglass House by Kate Milford - Debby
The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez - Little_Reading_Wizard
The Unteachables by Gordon Korman - AnneMarie Gouveia
Amy and Laura by Marilyn Sachs - Audrey
Towers Falling by Jewell Parker Rhodes - Nicole Schultz
Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn - Aurora
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks - Aurora
Air by Monica Roe - Aurora
The Pants Project by Cat Clarke - Aurora
Join the Club, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno - Aurora
The Real Us by Tommy Greenwald - Aurora
Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango - Aurora
Go with the Flow by Lily Williams - Aurora
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee - Aurora
*One Year at Ellsmere by Faith Erin Hicks - Aurora
No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen - Kristina
Small Spaces by Katherine Arden - Lynn
The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry - Lynn
The Iron Trial by Holly Black - Lynn
Free Thaddeus! by John Gosselink - Lynn
Revenge of the Red Club by Kim Harrington - Lynn
The Epic Documentary of a Not-Yet-Epic Kid by Robin Mellom - Lynn
The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander - Lynn
The Detention Club by David Yoo - Lynn
Spy School by Stuart Gibbs - Anita

YA:
Buddha Boy by Kathe Koja - Nicole Schultz
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter - Lynn
Buzz Kill by Beth Fantaskey - Lynn
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson - Lynn
Truly, Devious by Maureen Johnson - Lynn
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus - Lynn
The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - Lynn
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune - Malissa Johnson

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

So whilst I’m putting together the book list I thought it would be nice for us all to celebrate and have a bit of a discussion about school or whatever level of schooling you’re at.

Talk about your favourite subject or an achievement you’ve made in your studies or your journey in education. Education is such a huge aspect of our society yet we all take different paths in it so it would be really interesting to see all the different ways we’ve gone in our studies!

So I’ll start us off, I finished my law degree last year and I’ve been working full time at a law firm since then. Now I’m getting back into my studies and starting from September I’ll be doing a part time course so I can qualify as a solicitor!

Even though it’s only been a year, it feels like it’s been forever so I’m a little anxious to see if I can still get back into the studying mode like I used to, but I’m also excited to have a second chance at doing this online studying but better this time!

Have any of you guys done online studying courses or anything like that?

aye congrats on your law degree! that’s super awesome.

i finished up school a few years ago with an english degree and have been working as an editor since - for the most part at least.

all i can say school-wise is that if you find the area that’s clearly meant for you, college/university will far surpass high school. i graduated from high school with the plan to never take a single english class ever again in my entire life because i LOATHED writing papers - and then a couple years into college? i became an english major lol (legit tho, best decision i have ever made)

Kadi wrote: "So whilst I’m putting together the book list I thought it would be nice for us all to celebrate and have a bit of a discussion about school or whatever level of schooling you’re at.

Talk about you..." So, I am in middle school, and umm, my school hasn’t started for me yet, so I have one week left of summer break. I honestly don’t know what I’ll learn this year, but I am in the advanced reading/writing class, so yay!

Also, congratulations on the law degree, I heard those were hard to get.

I done online school for a year.

Wow that’s awesome Kadi! I can’t even imagine how hard law school must be, I could never!

I’m currently in my senior year of high school. Next year I will be going to college for my bachelor’s in english, and then I plan to go back to graduate school and get my masters in library science, so that I can be a librarian!

I have taken online college classes before, and I honestly think they are much easier than in person classes. I don’t really enjoy them as much because I personally like being able to discuss things in class with my teacher or classmates, but they are really convenient in some ways. It’s nice to have more flexibility to study on your own time instead of being obligated to be in a physical classroom.

jessica wrote: "aye congrats on your law degree! that’s super awesome.

i finished up school a few years ago with an english degree and have been working as an editor since - for the most part at least.

all i c..."

Thanks Jessica😊 wow like a book editor? That’s really cool! If I hadn’t studied law I probably would’ve studied English instead. It was my favourite subject in school alongside history. I’m the opposite though because I always loved writing essays, that’s why all my reviews read like essays😂

Piper wrote: "Kadi wrote: "So whilst I’m putting together the book list I thought it would be nice for us all to celebrate and have a bit of a discussion about school or whatever level of schooling you’re at.

T..."

One thing I do miss from school is holidays. Like you don’t realise how many holidays you get until you start working full time and then you have like 20 days holiday for the whole year!! I hope you enjoy your last week of freedom😂 and the reading/writing class sounds super great so I hope you enjoy that too😊

Also thank you! It surprised me with how hard the law degree was actually. Probably not as hard as studying medicine though so I can still appreciate that.

finn wrote: "Wow that’s awesome Kadi! I can’t even imagine how hard law school must be, I could never!

I’m currently in my senior year of high school. Next year I will be going to college for my bachelor’s in ..."

I always wanted to be a librarian when I was a kid because it seemed like the best job ever. I hope it goes well on your path to reaching that, I think you’re going to be great!

I think it depends on the class and the teacher when it comes to online learning in terms of whether it’s easy or not. I did my last two years of my degree online because of covid and you’re right in some ways it was easier like you didn’t have to participate as much because some teachers allowed you to switch off your camera and everything.

But sometimes it was so hard. I had this one class which was family law and I really enjoyed the content and the classes actually, but my teacher was a stickler for having to do all the assigned reading and I was quite bad because I would never prepare for classes or if I did I didn’t do beyond the bare minimum. Because it was online and they already had 2 other in person classes there was only like 5 of us in the online class so if I didn’t say anything it was really noticeable. This one time I was the only person who showed up for the online class. THE ONLY PERSON!! It was one of the hardest and most terrifying hour of my life. He did tell me off for not having done all the reading but at the end he also said well done because it was basically a one on one session in which I got grilled and he knew that was difficult.

I agree that there’s less socialising on online classes but that also depends on the people in the class, I guess. I was in person for most of the first year of my degree and to be honest people weren’t very sociable in person either. I had some teachers in online classes make a point of assigning groups and discussion time and that helped the class feel less isolated. I’m hoping for my course this time around it’ll be better though. I chose to do it online because otherwise I’d have to travel by train or an hour by car for every class as the nearest campus is not in my city.

Awww congrats Kadi and good luck on your new course!! I just graduated last spring so I’m not doing school. But I am starting this new internship program and I’m not really sure what I’m going to do. It’s pretty nerve wracking.

I hope everyone has a good school year though!

i did book editing for a bit for a very small publisher - but bc they were very small, they pay was not great 😅

now I’m actually a medical editor! which definitely was not something I’d ever really anticipated bc the goal was definitely books lol

Kadi wrote: "Piper wrote: "Kadi wrote: "So whilst I’m putting together the book list I thought it would be nice for us all to celebrate and have a bit of a discussion about school or whatever level of schooling..."
Thanks! I always thought your job had something along the lines of books. Hahaha. Being a lawyer/working at a law firm seems fun.
But yeah, schools have a lot of time off, in my country teachers have summer off and major holidays like students; but students have off on teacher training day. But I can’t wait to get back to school

Ohh I am very excited for this challenge.im starting my social work undergrad in about 3 weeks time

Ilsen wrote: "Awww congrats Kadi and good luck on your new course!! I just graduated last spring so I’m not doing school. But I am starting this new internship program and I’m not really sure what I’m going to d..."

Thanks and good luck to you too on your internship programme! I know it can be daunting but honestly you're going to do great! You've got this👏🏻

jessica wrote: "i did book editing for a bit for a very small publisher - but bc they were very small, they pay was not great 😅

now I’m actually a medical editor! which definitely was not something I’d ever reall..."

Wow that's even cooler! Branching out can be hard sometimes but it's cool to see that you can go anywhere within editing and it's a broad range

for sure! and it’s always nice that the pay is better than some other editing fields 🤣

I am a freelance editor (for books and everything else). I got my degree in journalism and never got along with my English teachers.

I left two of my kids at college this summer, and the two youngest started the regular school year three weeks ago. I hate the school year because 1) having to get up early is a huge migraine trigger and 2) my autistic child tends to hit people when he's frustrated (usually with noise), so I get to meet with the principal often.

As usual, I forgot to enter my books on time so I hope I can suggest some here. If it’s too much, feel free to choose what you want! This is how much I can narrow it down!

The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl
Emmy in the Key of Code
Legendborn
Ace of Spades
Skyward
The Nowhere Girls
The Secret History
Bunny

Also I thought The House in the Cerulean Sea was adult?

I cant see it on the list but ive just started it without knowing what it was rlly about and its about schools.Its called Th3 D4te to S5ve by Stephanie Strohm and honestly not rlly enjoying it that much so far and in about halfway through…

Ok so I dnfed it and have started prom by Laurie halse Anderson instead

Hoping to read 3 of these







Reserved

finn wrote: "Wow that’s awesome Kadi! I can’t even imagine how hard law school must be, I could never!

I’m currently in my senior year of high school. Next year I will be going to college for my bachelor’s in ..."
Go for it, Finn! If I had had any sense when I was college age, I would've gone into library science, but, alas, I had NO sense. But the last 8 years before I retired, I got to work in customer service for a large library, and I loved it. Every day, I was so glad to go to work.

It's been fun reading about everyone's educational experiences.

Audrey wrote: "I am a freelance editor (for books and everything else). I got my degree in journalism and never got along with my English teachers.

I left two of my kids at college this summer, and the two young..."

Oh Audrey, I'm sorry! Sending all the love and kindness towards you and your family.

AurorainBookland wrote: "Hoping to read 3 of these







Reserved [bookcover:Join the Club, Maggie Diaz|574687..."

The First Rule of Punk is on my TBR list! Although, I am planning to read it soon:)

You seems have a great plan for your books to read;)

Patricia wrote: "AurorainBookland wrote: "Hoping to read 3 of these







Reserved [bookcover:Join the..."

Thanks :)

Just started Danny champion of the world.Always have loved Roald Dahl but dont rlly remember this one

Reading The first rule of punk. And her relationship with her dad is so pure but feels realistic at the same time and she feels like a real kid. love it

and that's only 7% in

Ilsen wrote: "As usual, I forgot to enter my books on time so I hope I can suggest some here. If it’s too much, feel free to choose what you want! This is how much I can narrow it down!

[book:The Miscalculation..."

I will add these above! Also aah I wasn't sure about the house in the cerulean sea and the tags were showing it as adult fiction and ya. I'll change it now.

So from the list I plan on reading Maybe He Just Likes You because I downloaded it literally years ago and have not read it yet.

I also want to read Go with the Flow, No Fixed Address, and The Unteachables.

But first I'm reading Doppelganger which I didn't add to our reading list because it technically takes place during the summer holiday so doesn't have any school parts in it.

I plan to read New Kid by Jerry Craft this month. I've wanted to read that one. Then, The First Rule of Punk and The Worst Class Trip Ever. Try to read 3 books this month if I can;)

Reading the kissing booth 3 i know its not rlly school but the main character is debating what college to go 2 so ig it counts

finished The First Rule of Punk 3 stars not many school scenes as I thought it would have.

go with the flow is listed as a graphic novel at the library

reading Jude saves the world which isn't part of the MG list but it has school scenes and has been on my list for awhile. 71% through and so far it's a sold 4 stars

Finished Legendborn which was one of my suggestions and it was AMAZING!! I highly recommend for a good twist on a Arthurian retelling!

Finished Jude saves the world. 4 stars

Yes, The House in the Cerulean Sea is adult. It feels like a kid's book but has adult content.

The kids have been in school for a month, and my 13-year-old has not missed any school or hit anybody once so far!

My 18-year-old is majoring in pre-nursing and my 21-year-old still can't decide.

started reading Finally seen by Kelly Yang
hopefully this can be my 3rd book. libby had it and it's been on my TBR for a bit.

im going to buy Maybe he just likes you and take my time with it since it's such a rough topic and I'm not in the mood for something that will annoy me a lot right now.

I just started reading The Secret History!

finished reading Finally seen by Kelly Yang - 3 stars. I liked it.

The Random Picker selected Bridge to Terabithia for me to read. I thought I wanted to read something less sad at first and ordered few books from the list in the library. All of them with some others that I ordered a while ago became available last week. I'm so glad I read Bridge to Terabithia! Well written, vivid, and emotional. It was like living with Jess's family in one house. 5 stars from me, and I wrote a review. I'm not sure if I will be able to finish more books from the list this month, but I'm happy I've read such a good one!