Showing posts with label middle grade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label middle grade. Show all posts

Jun 20, 2019

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee ~ #MeToo


Introducing a new title for middle graders that I thought might be of interest to most of my readers 
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee

Barbara Dee explores the subject of #MeToo for the middle grade audience in this heart-wrenching—and ultimately uplifting—novel about experiencing harassment and unwanted attention from classmates.

For seventh-grader Mila, it starts with some boys giving her an unwanted hug on the school blacktop. A few days later, at recess, one of the boys (and fellow trumpet player) Callum tells Mila it’s his birthday, and asks her for a “birthday hug.” He’s just being friendly, isn’t he? And how can she say no? But Callum’s hug lasts a few seconds too long, and feels…weird. According to her friend, Zara, Mila is being immature and overreacting. Doesn’t she know what flirting looks like?

But the boys don’t leave Mila alone. On the bus. In the halls. During band practice—the one place Mila could always escape.

It doesn’t feel like flirting—so what is it? Thanks to a chance meeting, Mila begins to find

May 20, 2018

New books in the Fairday collection: Check out this review of the original Secret DMS files!



For this review, I was sent a paperback copy of The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow by one of the authors: Jessica Haight.  I was so excited for the chance to read and review for Jess since she is my most faithful follower on this blog; and since I am always on the lookout for new middle grade books to entice my 10 year old to read more. 

About the book ~ taken from the blog :


The newer book cover!


~ For more info on the book, the authors and some clue-finding fun ~
visit: Jess's blog:   http://jessicahaight.com/The_DMS_Home_Page_.html
or Fairday's blog:   http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/
Fairday on Facebook:  #/fairday
Jess on Twitter:  #/#!/@dmsfiles


My Review :
I fell in love with the characters in this book from page one.  Fairday and her family are unique, entertaining, and completely believable.  I enjoyed getting to know Fairday, her family, Lizzy and the kids in Fairday's new school.  The  mystery and suspense is perfect for young readers (and even older ones like me).  The writing flows and I never had to re-read or pause to figure out what was going on.  I love that the story is easy to read and understand and yet written in such a way that kids ages 10 through teen will enjoy the story, the characters and the adventure.  I am anxious to see what happens next!  The story ends perfectly with a mystery solved, yet with more adventure and mystery yet to come!  Excellent job Jess and Stephanie!  A definite 4.5 stars from this book lover!

On a personal note - I was trying to think of a creative way to entice my 10 year old son to give this book a try.  So, I pretended that the spiders on each page were "scary" to me (I would fake shudders and quickly close the page repeatedly to make him laugh and tease me).  Now, all 3 of my kids tease me about the spiders every time they see the book. - lol

I highly recommend you give this book a try - as I've found out from the blog, this is the first book of a series of five.  I can't wait to read the next mystery solved by the DMS team: Fairday Marrow and the Talking Library!


Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Jul 11, 2015

Riley Mae and the Sole Fire Safari by Jill Osborne



If you’re gonna run for your life, you gotta wear the right shoes.
Pre-teen shoe model Riley Mae laces up her flaming orange Sole Fire running shoes for another ad campaign—this time in Kenya, Africa! Kenya is the perfect place for runners to train, with its high elevation and encouragement from Olympic athletes. It’s also a great hiding place for Riley and her Swiftriver friends from so-

Dec 20, 2014

Demon's Heart by Emily Bates ~ Middle Grade or YA adventure #review


Author/Artist: Emily Bates
Format: Paperback
Release Date: 2014-12-01
ISBN/UPC: 9781462115150

Pages: 272

Young ruffian Rustav is determined to escape his abusive uncle and hated homeland, even if it means braving the demon-infested forest. His escape is halted, however, when a race of legendary beings reveal him to be the country’s fabled

Aug 31, 2014

Diary of a Real Payne "Oh Baby" book tour and #Giveaway


Diary of a Real Payne Oh Baby by Annie Tipton  

 
Title: Oh Baby! (Diary of a Real Payne, Book 3) | Author: Annie Tipton | Publication Date: September 1, 2014 | Publisher: Barbour Books | Pages: 195 | Recommended Ages: 8 to 12 

Summary:   In this final fabulous release in the Diary of a Real Payne series you’ll find yourself ROTFL with EJ’s hilarious adventures with a new little Payne. The Payne family has just adopted a roly-poly package of pudge with bright eyes and a

Jun 3, 2014




Review: All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall


Based on a true story, All of the Above is the delightful and suspenseful story of four inner city students and their quest to build the world's largest tetrahedron. Weaving together the different personal stories of the kids, their teacher, and the community that surrounds them, award-winning author Shelley Pearsall has written a vividly engaging story about math, life and good-tasting barbecue. Filled with unexpected humor, poignant characters and quiet brilliance, All of the Above is a surprising gem.



My review: No, this isn’t a new release, but one I would have been sorry to miss! I came across this book at a charity book sale, and must say this is one of the best middle grade stories I’ve ever read! Based on a true story, disgruntled and disillusioned math teacher Collins forms some kind of an after hours math club reminiscent of the breakfast club. Students who would never have hung out together (with some of them not even attending by choice!) tackle the construction of the world’s largest tetrahedron, a three dimensional pyramid comprised of smaller ones. Pearsall does an outstanding job switching narratives so each student gets to share their unique story. The characters truly come alive, including all their struggles living in poverty and broken homes, while fighting a society that has already written them off. This is their one chance to get their names into the Guinness Book of World Records, and finally be someone. A brilliant story, and a welcome break from the usual middle school dramas.


About the author: Shelley Pearsall grew up in the blue-collar Cleveland suburb of Parma where she began writing stories in her bedroom closet as a child. She sent her first story to a New York publishing house at the age of thirteen. Although the manuscript was never published, its themes of survival and freedom ultimately became the inspiration for Pearsall's first published novel, TROUBLE DON'T LAST, written twenty years later.
In 2003, TROUBLE DON'T LAST received the prestigious Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction among other honors. Pearsall's first contemporary novel ALL OF THE ABOVE was a 2007 ALA Notable book. Her books have received starred reviews and have been named Booklist Editor's Choice, New York Public Library Top 100, VOYA Top Shelf, Junior Library Guild, and have been nominated for numerous state reading award lists. In 2005, Pearsall was the Children's Writer-in-Residence for the James Thurber House.
Before becoming a full-time author, Shelley Pearsall was an intermediate and middle school teacher. She has also tried many unusual jobs over the years, including a Revolutionary War shipwreck archaeology project, working in an 18th century shoemaker shop in Colonial Williamsburg, and performing Great Lakes stories on an ore boat. Although she no longer works as a classroom teacher, she is a frequent guest author in elementary and middle schools where she does presentations and leads writing workshops on everything from Elvis to shoes.
Shelley Pearsall lives in Silver Lake, Ohio with her husband Mike, stepson Ethan, and a senior-citizen cat named Marbles.




Disclosure: I did not receive the item(s) mentioned in this post for free, but paid for it with my own money. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Mar 5, 2014

Free Amazon download on March 7th: Under the Shadow of Darkness by James and Issa Cardona



Free Amazon download on March 7th: Under the Shadow of Darkness by James and Issa  Cardona


Magician’s apprentice Bel, along with a wise cracking wizard, must journey under the shadow of darkness to try to discover how the fabric of reality has been rent, tearing open a gateway to the underworld and allowing the dead to walk among the living. Who did it and why? Was it

Feb 27, 2014

{Review & Guest Post} Secrets, Spies & Sherlock Blog Tour & Giveaway on Mom Loves 2 Read

Welcome to Day 4 of the SECRETS, SPIES & SHERLOCK BLOG TOUR, featuring two exciting new middle grade mystery series: Sherlock, Lupin & Me: The Dark Lady by Irene Adler and Secrets & Spies: Treason by Jo Macauley. Each stop on the 2-week tour will feature fun posts and a chance to win a set of finished copies!  Today’s post features Treason.

Feb 26, 2014

CFBA Book Tour ~ The Ether: Vero Rising by Laurice E. Molinari

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Ether: Vero Rising
Zonderkidz (February 4, 2014)
by
Laurice E. Molinari


ABOUT THE BOOK
The Fiercest of Warriors? Vero Leland always suspected he was different from others his own age, ever since his childhood attempts to fly. But he never could have predicted the truth---or how much his life was about to change. Soon after his twelfth birthday, Vero learns he is a guardian angel and is abruptly transported to the Ether, the spiritual realm that surrounds the earth. 

Jan 16, 2014

Help fourth grade detective Maisy solve mysteries in Maisy and the Missing Mice ~ Children's Book Tour


Title : Maisy and the Missing Mice
Genre: Children’s Mystery Fiction
Author: Elizabeth Woodrum
Publisher: Elizabeth Woodrum
Pages: 70
Language: English
Format: Paperback & eBook


Purchase at AMAZON
(*right now this ebook is on sale right now - available for only $.99!! through 1/16, then will creep up in price each day returning to full price on 1/21 - don't miss your chance to grab it for less!*) 


Maisy Sawyer is not your average fourth grade student. She is a detective with a special skill for solving mysteries. She loves black and white mystery movies, cherry lollipops, and her dog, Reesie. When a thief known as The Black Boot steals the school's mascots and her lollipops, Maisy sets out to solve the case. Can she help

Jan 8, 2014

Go on an epic Adventure with Time Trapped by Richard Ungar ~ Book 2 in the Time Snatchers series ~ Book Tour & GIVEAWAY


9780399254864_large_Time_Trapped Time Trapped
The high-octane sequel to Time Snatchers.

Caleb thought he'd escaped Uncle's clutches and could have a normal life in 1968, but no such luck. After being forcibly returned to Timeless Treasures and his old job of stealing valuable objects from the past, he learns that things have gotten even more sinister. Training the new kidnapped recruits doesn't seem very important to Frank, Uncle's evil lackey, even though a few of these kids have amazing thieving skills and genius for new technology.

But then Caleb figures out it's because Frank doesn't plan on

Dec 9, 2013

Noah Zarc Cataclysm by D Robert Pease ~ Review, Giveaway & New Book Out! Holiday Gift Guide 2013

Book 1, Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble
Book 2, Noah Zarc: Cataclysm

Book 3, Noah Zarc: Declaration
Noah Zarc Omnibus, includes all three books

 Noah Zarc: Mammoth Trouble
Noah lives for piloting spaceships through time, dodging killer robots and saving Earth’s animals from extinction. Life couldn’t be better. However, the twelve-year-old time traveler soon learns it could be a whole lot worse. His mom is abducted and taken to thirty-first century Mars; his dad becomes stranded in the Ice Age; and Noah is attacked at every turn by a foe bent on destroying a newly habitable, post-apocalyptic Earth.

Traveling through time in the family’s immense spaceship, Noah, a paraplegic from birth, must somehow care for the thousands of animals on board, while finding a way to rescue his parents. Along the way, he discovers his mother and father aren’t who he thought they were, and there is strength inside him he didn’t know he had.

Dec 7, 2013

Show your Holiday Spirit With the Gift of E - Send ebooks this Christmas! #openroadmedia


During this Busy Holiday Season, many are searching for just the perfect gift, but we all want to find them at the perfect price too.  So, while you are online searching for holiday gifts for family and friends, why not give ebooks a try this year?  Ebooks are personal, immediate, and easy.  With ebooks you can find something for everyone at any age.  Ebooks come in all genres, age ranges and personal styles.  From newborn picture ebooks, children's interactive, middle grade adventures, young adult, mystery, romance, science fiction and everything else.  There are even holiday specials in ebooks!

Avoid the headache of crowded malls, long lines at the post office, and the crushing feeling that time is running out with e-gifting instead! Giving an ebook is personal, immediate and easy. It will save you precious time worrying about packaging, delivery, and will help with your tech street-cred.

Nov 5, 2013

Alyssa McCarthy's Magical Missions by Sunayna Prasad ~ book tour #pumpupyourbook

Title: Alyssa McCarthy’s Magical Missions: Book 1: From Frights to Flaws Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Author: Sunayna Prasad Publisher: FriesenPress (August 22, 2013) Pages: 216 Language: English ISBN-10: 1460207017 ISBN-13: 978-1460207017

Twelve-year-old Alyssa McCarthy can no longer stand the toughness of her uncle and wants a better life. But one day she discovers not only the existence of magic, but also a villain hunting her down. The villain uses magic and magical technology to kidnap Alyssa to the Fiji Islands. As much as she wants to go home, she has to face some dangerous challenges first. Not only that, the villain himself must also be defeated. Can Alyssa succeed, even with the help of her mentors?

Oct 14, 2013

The Mysteries of the Magical Horse ~ book spotlight on Mom Loves 2 Read




Title ~ The Mysteries of the Magical Horse
Author ~ P J Flynn
Format – Paperback or e-copy
ISBN – 0-9547587-0-6 - Paperback
ISBN - 978-1301735686 - e-book
Genre – Children’s fiction – ages 7 - 12


BOOK BLURB
Vicky was an ordinary teenager, helping out in her parent’s smallholding with the horses.
Her life suddenly changed dramatically into a roller-coaster journey through the ages. Through Elizabethan times; Through World War II; Through the Swinging Sixties and many more times.
Come and join Vicky and her horse Red on their exciting travels.

Sep 23, 2013

The Emerald Ring by Dorine White ~ Book Tour Blast & $50 Giveaway on Mom Loves 2 Read


Sara Bogus's life turns upside down when she discovers an emerald ring that once belonged to Cleopatra. The fun of discovering the ring's unique abilities turns to fear when she finds out a dangerous cult bent on restoring Rome to power is after the ring. Forced to choose between keeping the ring and saving her friends, Sara learns the price of bravery in this electrifying read! The Emerald Ring is a middle grade fantasy novel.   

Sep 4, 2013

Keeper of Reign Book Excerpt & Giveaway on Mom Loves 2 Read

Keeper of Reign copy
Welcome to Mom Loves 2 Read - today I have a great book to spotlight for you. - I have not yet read it myself, but it sounds like an interesting fantasy adventure - check it out then feel free to enter the author sponsored giveaway!

keeper Keeper of Reign
 
Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it? For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema. Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn't get himself killed first.  


Greystone Valley by Charlie Brooks ~ Middle Grade Review on Mom Loves 2 Read

Greystone Valley is a land of wizards, dragons, and warriors... and one young girl who ends up there quite by accident when her idle wish is granted. 
Sarah discovers that not everything in the valley is as magic as she might've wished - especially the nearly illiterate wizard, the mouse-sized dragon, and the warrior who can't stand the sight of blood.
Being hunted isn't helping, either. 
Will Sarah survive this new life of hers, and can she make it home? And, more importantly, will she ever be the same again?

Aug 23, 2013

Helda out of the Hedgelands Book Tour & $25 Giveaway

Helga tour
 
Helga: Out of the Hedgelands

Twelve-year-old Helga has more danger in her life than most beasts her age—Wrackshee slavers after her, a vicious attack by bandits that nearly kills her, a race against dragons pursuing her, and leading a daring rebellion to save her life and rescue friends and family from the insidious WooZan. And that is just the beginning. But what do you expect when you are a young beast who just can’t see the stupid rules of the world making any sense? Helga can’t accept things as they are and ends up taking on not just one, but two all-powerful, supreme tyrants in two different realms. 

Helga never intended to lead a revolution. It just sort of happened because she wouldn’t go along with the “rules of normal” that keep tyrants in power and entire societies enslaved. Beginning on a dangerous quest to solve some mysteries in her own past, Helga leads her quirky comrades on a journey that will not only forever change them, but upset ancient civilizations. 

Aug 22, 2013

The Lost Medallion by Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick ~ Middle Grade Adventure ~ Book Tour

The Lost Medallion
B&H Kids; Mti edition (June 1, 2013)
by Bill Muir and Alex Kendrick


ABOUT THE BOOK
Archaeologist Dr. Michael Stone looked for the lost medallion his entire life, and now his son Billy has taken up the search. Amazingly, the medallion ends up in Billy's hands and a spontaneous wish in a precarious situation takes Billy and his best friend Allie, back 200 years to what they realize is a very different Aumakua Island. When Billy and his friends are not jumping off waterfalls, avoiding animal traps, crossing the ocean, sneaking through caves or escaping a prison they're facing their nemesis Cobra, who wants nothing more than for them all to disappear. With no other way to get home, and the well being of the entire island resting on his shoulders, Billy must discover the key to reclaiming the medallion and its tremendous power. One way or another, this adventure will change Billy, and life on the island, forever. Best-selling author and film director Alex Kendrick (The Love Dare, Courageous) and Youth for Christ veteran Bill Muir bring us this exciting novelization of The Lost Medallion movie.