Fall Reading Bingo Challenge / November

It’s time again for another round of Middle Grade Carousel’s Reading Bingo challenge!

This month, I finished nine middle-grade books that fit the descriptions on the bingo card. I almost got two bingos, but I was shy of one title.

How Does It Work?

Pick your challenge, grab a book, and fill in the squares. Try and get 5 in a row, or attempt to fill in the whole sheet if you’re a speedy reader.

Rules

1. Because this is a #MGCarousel challenge, all of the books on your Bingo board should be MG reads.
2. Each square needs to be filled with a unique book. You cannot use the same title more than once, even if it fits multiple themes. Choose wisely!
3. You should only be filling in your Bingo board with books you’ve read during this month.

Here are my results…

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Zombies

There’s a Zombie in my Bathtub // by Henry Winkler & Lin Oliver

Lower MG, Contemporary (2015)

Cute story for younger readers. Hank and his friend always watch a certain Halloween movie every year before Halloween. This year, a new friend brings a scary zombie movie, but Hank’s too afraid to admit he’s, well, afraid.

I thought this book dealt with the topic of fear and peer pressure quite nicely. Hank is no shrinking violet by any stretch of the imagination. (After all, the character seems to be based on the author who IS the Fonz!) So, when we see that even a likable, full-of-energy kid like Hank can get scared of zombies (even though his friends aren’t scared), we can maybe relate.  [3 stars]

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Title Starts with ‘L’

Level 13 // by Gordon Korman

MG, Contemporary (2019)

This is a sequel to Slacker. Cameron Boxer is obsessed with video games. And this time, he wants to be like his gaming idols and build his own massive live-stream following. In order to do so, he has to get out of his responsibilities as leader of P.A.G. Which means, he can’t let anyone (other than his best buddies) know. Being Cameron… well, he tends to get away with such things.

Another fun book by Gordon Korman. I found it especially intriguing when we get to the reason for the title: Level 13. It doesn’t happen until about half-way through the book. But once it’s mentioned, I could wait for Cameron to get to Level 13. (He does get there, but I won’t spoil what he finds there.) [3.5 stars]

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Pick Your Prompt / A Book About WWI

The Frightful First World War // by Terry Deary and Martin Brown

MG, Non-Fiction (1995?)

The book gives the history of World War I in bite-sized chunks. Each year of the war (from 1914-1918) has its own little timeline. The book is peppered with lots of cartoons to illustrate various events during the war. This is definitely one of the highlights… and will definitely appeal to the reluctant readers. (And non-reluctant readers like myself!)

I’d recommend it for anybody who has an interest in history; but it will also appeal to those who don’t. (And for those who don’t, they just might learn something about history!) [4 stars]

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‘Lake’ in the Title

Swan Lake // by Mark Helprin

MG, Fairy Tale (1989)

I’ve heard about Swan Lake my entire life, but never really knew the story.  Not sure how closely this fits the story of the ballet, but it does have swans and a lake!

It’s told in the style of almost being a true story set in our world, yet also maintains its fairy tale origins. I like the little twist about the girl. I must admit that I didn’t see it coming until just before it’s revealed. So, I really did like that aspect.  [3 stars]

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A Boat on the Cover

The Perilous Journey // by Trenton Lee Stewart

MG, Mystery/Adventure

This one is a re-read for me.

The Mysterious Benedict Society is back! This time, it’s a year after their initial adventure, and Mr. Benedict has organized a treasure hunt of sorts. Except, suddenly he goes missing, so now Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance have to track him down.

I remember enjoying this book when I first read it, and I enjoyed it once again on this re-read. Milligan’s stand-offs always bring a smile to my face, and I think THIS book offers the best Milligan-McCracken duel in the series. It has such a cliffhanger. (Don’t worry, it’s at the end of a chapter, NOT the end of the book!) I just don’t know how Milligan does it… [4 stars]

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Other MG Books I Finished this Month…

• • Set at School // Niagara Falls, or Does it? // by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
  • Skyline on the Cover // Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden // by Karina Yan Glaser
  • Light Blue Cover // The Prisoners’ Dilemma // by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Grandparents // Broken Strings // by Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer

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Final Thoughts…

November Bingo: Complete! Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you thought of them.

For December’s challenge, go to https://elymnifoquent.com

Note: I’m also posting this for Greg Pattridge’s Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday…