You may know Peter Brown as the author-illustrator of the very funny Children Make Terrible Pets, My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I Am Not) or the earnest and lovely The Curious Garden. In his first middle grade book The Wild Robot Brown asserts himself as a deft novelist, with a fresh twist on the classic … Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: The Wild Robot
Category: American contemporary
Middle Grade Monday: Pax
I have always wanted a Direwolf of my own, so perhaps it is of no surprise that the last two books I've read have featured wild dogs: wolves in Wolf Wilder and foxes in Pax. What better way to explore humanity, our relationship with the wilderness, and our kinship with animals? I am a long-time Sara … Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: Pax
My Favourite Books of 2015
Every time I start a year in review list I am overwhelmed by the number of amazing books out there. I always intend to pick one or two books per category but it is much, much too difficult. What follows is a mere sliver of the fabulous books I read and loved this year, which … Continue reading My Favourite Books of 2015
Middle Grade Monday: The Thing About Jellyfish
Multiple people, including author Carrie Mac, Danielle at Bookish Notions and Michelle from Mabel's Fables told me that this would be a book I would love. They were correct. This National Book Award nominated title falls under one of my favourite categories, Poignant Coming of Age Story, and is particularly adept at detailing not only … Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: The Thing About Jellyfish
Middle Grade Monday: Halloween Edition
Anne Shirley isn't the only one who loves October. I love everything that this, the most gilded of months, has lots to offer: brilliant foliage, black cat decorations as far as the eye can see, post-season baseball* and of course, a glut of spooky stories. Here are three new middle grade novels you should add … Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: Halloween Edition
Some Book: George
All over the country there are debates about whether the needs of transgender children are being met in our school systems. I'm thinking particularly of this recent case in Edmonton, in which the mother of a seven year old transgender girl is fighting for her daughter's right to use the girls' washroom. The Catholic school … Continue reading Some Book: George
Middle Grade Monday: The Doldrums
I dare you to look through this book without a) gasping b) petting the cover and c) calling over your friends or colleagues so they can also gasp and pet the cover. Of course it is the untenable thing-the story-that counts, but when the package is this deluxe, it certainly doesn't hurt. Luckily Nicholas Gannon's … Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: The Doldrums
