Katherine Rundell restored my faith in middle grade whimsy with her much-lauded Rooftoppers, so I was very excited to check out this wintry tale of a girl who helps the pet wolves of Russian aristocracy adjust to a wild, wolfish life. Feo and her mother are wolf wilders, humans who take in pet wolves abandoned … Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: Wolf Wilder
Tag: middle grade
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 Enchanted Egg
I tend to recommend middle grade that falls in the 11-13 range, or "upper middle grade." It's a bit more issue-driven and appropriate for kids with a certain emotional maturity. For a great discussion of what this age group encompasses, check out the re-cap of the Middle School is Hell panel featuring Mariko Tamaki, Kate … Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: The Enchanted Egg
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
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
Middle Grade Monday: Something Wiki
Middle grade fiction isn't always gentle or fantastical. Sometimes it can be downright moody, icky, and gross. Thank goodness. Puberty is rarely gentle or magical, so why should fiction tackling the subject be?In Something Wiki, we get a peek inside the mind and body of tween Jo Waller. Each chapter opens with a wikipedia entry that … Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: Something Wiki
Middle Grade Monday: Sunny Side Up
With that bright blue cover, bouncy font and beach-y theme, Sunny Side Up looks like a typical summer read. But looks can be deceiving. Sunny Side Up is a moving story about coming to terms with difficult secrets disguised as a typical summer read. So-called 'typical' elements include a summer spent away from home, steamy days spent … Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: Sunny Side Up
Middle Grade Monday: Monstrous
This cover captured my heart long before its heroine Kymera did. But now that I've read her tale, Kymera's story is one that will stay with me for a long time. In an overall strong book the character of Kymera is perhaps the strongest element and I have no doubt that other readers will root, … Continue reading Middle Grade Monday: Monstrous
Skate Like a Girl: Roller Girl Review
There is a surge in middle grade graphic novels featuring female protagonists that I am totally into. Some of these books are memoirs ( Smile, Sisters, and El Deafo) and others are fiction (Drama, Chiggers, or This One Summer). Fiction or non-fiction, they are all fabulous, and now there is a new kid on the block … Continue reading Skate Like a Girl: Roller Girl Review
