Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

Hello, readers! We hope you’re having as much fun with this month’s group activities as we are.

📗 In case you missed it, our current Book of the Month is The Lion of Mars.
📕 Feeling inspired to find more science fiction for your To-Read pile? The group has a whole Discussion thread with amazing recommendations.
📙 Middle Grade Carousel’s Theme of the Month is Some Friendly Competition. Add your favorite stories featuring rivalry to the conversation!
📗 Are you taking part in our annual A to Z challenge?

Show & Tell: What book first got you hooked on reading?

Ants and Elephants.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQZCSRLG

Some of my earliest memories are of the children's section in my hometown's little one-room library. I needed to use a wooden step stool to reach the special painted shelf where they kept their collection of hardcover Beatrix Potter books. They were just right for little hands.

According to my mother, I've been reading since I was two. Hooked? Oh, yes. Lifelong addict. I love good stories!

I had a set of Beatrix Potter books when I was young that I used to read over and over. It lead me to read more stories.

The Hobbit. I was in grade 3 when our teacher read it to the class, and it utterly captivated my young self.

Timothy wrote: "The Hobbit. I was in grade 3 when our teacher read it to the class....."

I have vivid (and fond) memories of all the books my teachers chose for read-alouds after lunch during my grade school years.

Hard to say, but I used to devour Geronimo Stilton books as a kid. I remember actively looking forward to new books in the series every time I visited the library.

For me it was the Fudge series by Judy Blume and Ramona series by Beverly Cleary

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. I was in 2nd or 3rd grade when our teacher read it to us, and it caught fire to my imagination

D.T. wrote: "Hard to say, but I used to devour Geronimo Stilton books as a kid. I remember actively looking forward to new books in the series every time I visited the library."

I'd never heard of the Geronimo Stilton books! Gonna nab the first and see what's up. I mean, the summary promises "whisker-licking good stories," and I've always loved mysteries.

Nicole wrote: "For me it was the Fudge series by Judy Blume and Ramona series by Beverly Cleary"

I read and re-read a handful of Cleary's books, most notably the Henry Huggins & Ramona titles. But ... I'm quite embarrassed to admit that I've never read the Fudge books. I started collecting them at thrift stores before the pandemic, so I have a few on my shelf. I'll have to see if I have Bk1.

C.J. wrote: "Nicole wrote: "For me it was the Fudge series by Judy Blume and Ramona series by Beverly Cleary"

I read and re-read a handful of Cleary's books, most notably the Henry Huggins & Ramona titles. But..."

I think they could be read out of order. I'm pretty sure I read Superfudge before Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing.

I think it will be Avonlea Series also known as Anne from Green Gables. I think I read nearly the whole series, I really enjoyed life of adult Anne and her adventure not only in Avonlea but in a big city, during the war and after her marriage with Gilbert.

Manuela wrote: "I think it will be Avonlea Series also known as Anne from Green Gables. I think I read nearly the whole series, I really enjoyed life of adult Anne and her adventure not only in Avonlea but in a bi..."

Definitely a classic. I remember receiving the boxed set during my childhood. They've been read & my favorite volumes were reread several times.

Without a doubt, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Before I was of an age where I was reading novels, my mom read 'one chapter a night' -- and I requested it again and again. I remember how magical it felt some time later holding that same beloved copy in my hands and reading it for the first time myself (and then realizing there were six more Chronicles of Narnia to enjoy!)

All around the same time, so I'm not exactly sure which came first, in 4th grade I was captivated by several books:

The White Mountains, by John Christopher. This is a Science Fiction dystopia where the Earth has been subjugated by giant Tripods who install mind control caps that all adolescents receive. This book awakened my sense of justice and freedom of thought.

For Christmas in 4th grade (9 years old), by Aunt gave me The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set , which I devoured and also the 4th book in the Trixie Belden series of pre-teen/teenage mysteries (written in the 50's so absolutely middle grade appropriate): The Mysterious Visitor.

These books gave me a life-long love of reading especially SF and Fantasy and mysteries.

DivaDiane wrote: "All around the same time, so I'm not exactly sure which came first, in 4th grade I was captivated by several books:

The White Mountains, by John Christopher. This is a Science Fiction..."

Trixie Belden! Thank you for reminding me of this great series. I loved those books, too!

C.J. wrote: "Timothy wrote: "The Hobbit. I was in grade 3 when our teacher read it to the class....."

I have vivid (and fond) memories of all the books my teachers chose for read-alouds after lunch during my g..."

Same here. My teacher for 3rd through 5th grade read to us every day. I remember Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader most vividly, but I’m sure she read others.

Manuela wrote: "I think it will be Avonlea Series also known as Anne from Green Gables. I think I read nearly the whole series, I really enjoyed life of adult Anne and her adventure not only in Avonlea but in a bi..."

Somehow, I missed reading those! I’ve read the first two as an adult in the past few years and adore them. I will definitely finish the series eventually.

For me it was the Little House on the Prairie books.

Nicole wrote: "C.J. wrote: "Nicole wrote: "For me it was the Fudge series by Judy Blume and Ramona series by Beverly Cleary"

I read and re-read a handful of Cleary's books, most notably the Henry Huggins & Ramon..."

And yes, definitely the Judy Blume books. I think the boxed set I still have was acquired in 5th grade and included, Are You There God? It's Me Margaret / Then Again, Maybe I Won't / Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great / Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing / Blubber

Karin wrote: "Without a doubt, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Before I was of an age where I was reading novels, my mom read 'one chapter a night' -- and I requested it again and again..."

My dad is the one who read the Narnia books to us like this! Good memories.

DivaDiane wrote: "All around the same time, so I'm not exactly sure which came first, in 4th grade I was captivated by several books..."

Trixie Belden! I adored those mysteries, too.

DivaDiane wrote: "For me it was the Little House on the Prairie books..."

My parents bought me the boxed set, and I read and reread them growing up.

No particular book. My dad read to us every night. He simply taught us how to enjoy reading.

Some of these responses are bringing back fond memories. Little House on the Prairie, The Babysitter’s Club, and Goose Bumps were all series that I loved. I loved listening to my teacher read the fantastical funny adventure of James and the Giant Peach. Nancy Drew and Sweet Valley High books were also devoured.

Emily wrote: "... Nancy Drew and Sweet Valley High books were also devoured..."

I read SO many Nancy Drew books. I think I had the goal of reading every one, but our library was tiny and didn't have every title (and I was too shy to ask the librarian to send for new ones).