Review / Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey

Book: Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey (2021)
Author: Erin Entrada Kelly
Genre: Lower MG, Contemporary
Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Opening lines from the book …
There is a magnolia tree in Marisol Rainey’s backyard. The tree is named Peppina. It is perfect for climbing. The branches are practically made for human feet. It’s as if Peppina wanted to say: Step here, and here, and here.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) Marisol is a character that’s easy to root for. She has such an imagination that she names everything from the fridge to the tree in the backyard!

2)  I loved Marisol’s friend, Jada. Such a lovely friendship between the two girls. She understands Marisol’s fear of heights and encourages her to climb the tree, but isn’t too pushy. We could all use a good friend like Jada!

3) And then there’s Peppina! The first chapter gets right into it with Marisol’s fear of climbing Peppina. Will Marisol do it? Maybe?

4) I loved all the little nods to silent film. Marisol is big into watching old Mary Pickford movies and Charlie Chaplin.

5) And the art! I was looking to see who did the art, only to realize that the author and illustrator are one and the same! Who knew Erin Entrada Kelly could draw. I think the illustrations are adorable!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Definitely for the younger MG crowd. This sweet story is a lovely read!

 

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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

Review / Controlled Burn

Book: Controlled Burn (2022)
Author: Erin Soderberg Downing
Genre: MG, Contemporary
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Opening lines from the book …
I felt the fire before I saw it. It wasn’t the suffocating heat or the smell of smoke that hit me first. Nor did I see the claws of flames that eventually reached into every corner to rip apart our lives.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) The story begins with … you guessed it … a fire. Maia’s at home, babysitting her little sister when the fire breaks out. Amelia (the sister) ends up in the hospital and Maia is really scared that it’s all her fault! Yeah, a lot of guilt processing in this book.

2)  Anyhow, she ends up going to stay with her grandparents. She doesn’t really know them too well. I immediately liked Grandpa. (He drives a motorcycle!). And Grandma’s good too. Still, Maia’s not too nuts about being away from home. (Even though she doesn’t really have a home!)

3) Not only is Maia dealing with guilt, but she also deals with fear. Of pretty much EVERYTHING. She spends most days with Grandpa who watches for forest fires in the fire tower, but Maia is scared to climb to the top with him.

4) There’s a stray dog that hangs out with Grandpa, although Grandpa won’t give him a name. I like how Maia changes that.

5) The cover kind of gives away the end. But you can probably guess this book has to end in another fire, just from the book title alone! So, you’re in for some excitement at the end.

6) I really liked the “Stages of a Fire” sections that broke up the various chapters.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This book was a teeny bit hard for me to read as I have my own fire-trauma story (not a house-burned-down experience but close!)  But I did enjoy the book overall. I was definitely rooting for Maia. And I’m a sucker for grandparents in books, so there’s that!

 

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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

Review / New Kids and Underdogs

Book: New Kids and Underdogs (2022)
Author: Margaret Finnegan
Genre: MG, Contemporary
Publisher: Atheneum Books

Opening lines from the book …
Robyn Kellen stepped out of the car and stared at her new home. It was not much to look at. A small, boxy house covered in stucco, with gravel and succulents where a front lawn should have been. But there was a palm tree. People had promised California would have palm trees.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) Robyn is a new kid … again. After a visit to her dad’s, she comes home to her mom’s new house. And she’s glad for the constant in her life, her dogs, Sundae and Fudge.

2) When Robyn goes to school, she meets two new friends, Lulu and Marshan. These girls are popular and right off the bat we see that they’re not the best friends for Robyn. And while we know that, I like how the author doesn’t make them “evil.” Of course, she’s got to learn that her true friends are Nestor, Alejandra, etc.

3) I like Robyn’s babysitter Nivien and the advice she gives near the end. I actually wish we got to know her a little earlier in the book. All she seems to do initially is walk with Robyn to school or wherever. I love how the relationship works by the end of the book.

4) When Robyn’s at her dad’s, she gets a phone. Let’s just say that Mom didn’t really like that idea. I love how she puts all the no-phone rules in the house. But I also like that when Robyn needs to do research, Mom agrees that it’s okay to use said phone in a no-phone area!

5) Fudge and Sundae are wonderful dogs and Robyn obviously loves them very much. “Poor Fudgie” is nearly blind and Sundae has fear issues due to his chaotic life as a puppy previous to living with Robyn. I love how all of this comes into play in the story.

6) And finally, let’s get to the agility training. Such a fun, interesting topic of dog training. And I loved Nestor’s ability training for Fudge!

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is a book for anybody who’s been a new kid! And also for dog lovers. The agility training parts of the story were very interesting.

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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

Review / Who Killed Darius Drake?

Book: Who Killed Darius Drake? (2017)
Author: Rodman Philbrick
Genre: MG, Mystery
Publisher: Blue Sky Press

Opening lines from the book …
Whatever you’ve heard about Darius Drake is probably wrong. Dead wrong. Some of the stories are lies, some are mistaken, and the rest were invented by Darius himself, to fool his enemies.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) The title definitely brings you in. When you start reading, you’ll notice that Darius Drake is very much alive. Although, he’s an orphan and his parents were killed in a car crash. The thing is, it may just be a matter of some time before, you know…

2) I like that the story is told from the POV of the school bully, Arthur “Bash Man.” But Arthur isn’t your typical bully because he’s more of a thug-for-hire. And he gets paid in chocolate bars. What I like is that he and Darius team up and you find that he’s more than the thug facade he hides behind.

3) I like how Arthur’s step-sister comes into the plot. And she’s a pretty positive influence for the boys!

4) There’s a nice bit of Holmes/Watson in this story. Darius definitely has the personality of Sherlock Holmes and Arthur that of Watson. And there’s a mystery afoot!

5) Darius has a grandfather that turns up with a complicated past. Adds to the mystery of the whole thing. And there’s secret rooms and all sorts of great stuff.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’d definitely recommend this book to people who like mysteries, especially if you like a good Sherlock Holmes’ story. This is kind of like a middle-grade version of that!

 

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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

Review / Bad Kitty Goes on Vacation

Book: Bad Kitty Goes on Vacation (2020)
Author: Nick Bruel
Genre: Lower MG, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Opening lines from the book …
Radio: It’s time for a vacation giveaway!
Uncle Murray (in the shower): A vacation giveaway?!
Radio: THAT’S RIGHT! A vacation giveaway!
Uncle Murray: I want a vacation! I NEED a vacation! I haven’t had a vacation in years!

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) This is Uncle Murray’s story. He wins a trip to LOVE LOVE ANGEL KITTY WORLD (which is kind of like if Hello Kitty met Walt Disney World!) Anyhow, guess who really likes Love Love Angel Kitty? Who adores Love Love Angel Kitty? (Can you tell how much I like saying Love Love Angel Kitty?!) If you guessed Bad Kitty herself, then you’re a winner!

2) They initially try the airport. But there are problems. And issues. (As you can see from the cover art, they have to drive.)

3) And don’t think the problems stop when they get to Love Love Angel Kitty World. (Spoiler! Ironically, no cats are allowed in the theme park. But Uncle Murray and Kitty won’t let that stop them.)

4) And then there are the height requirements. Oh boy! That leads them to the only ride they can enjoy together … It’s a Small Wor— Well, let’s just say you’ll be singing a song over and over again. (Poor Uncle Murray!)

5) Yes, the book is funny. But the best BAD KITTY books have heart to them, and this one comes through in the end!

FINAL THOUGHTS

A fun book for BAD KITTY and Uncle Murray fans. If you haven’t read this series, I’d start with the first books. (Not all the books are my favorites, but I really like Bad Kitty Vs. Uncle Murray and Bad Kitty Meets the Baby.)

 

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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

Review / Key Player

Book: Key Player (2022)
Author: Kelly Yang
Genre: MG, Historical [1990s]
Publisher: Scholastic

Opening lines from the book …
I read in a book once that if you want something bad enough, all you have to do is picture it. Then BOOM, it becomes reality.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) We’re back with Mia, but this time it’s soccer fever at the Calivista Motel. There’s a big match between Team USA and Team China.

2) Mia finds herself in trouble with her Phys. Ed. teacher. She needs to bring her grade up so she can attend a writer’s camp. Her teacher tells her that if she gets a legit interview with the soccer team, he’ll raise her grade. I completely understand Mia’s POV when it comes to sporty things. (I remember that C I once got in seventh grade!)

3) One of the side plots involves Hank and his crunch burger. But he’s fighting a bigger restaurant that steals his recipe. Argh!!!

4) Another side plot is Jason’s dad, Mr. Yao. We get a hint into his past when Mia and Jason come across his old diaries. Mia gets to see another side to her former arch-enemy.

5) And finally, Mia and her parents are house-hunting in the book … to find the ultimate dream home! But of course, you know they’re going to find trouble.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Another installment of the Mia Tang / Front Desk series. It’s always fun to come back to these characters.

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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

Review / We Own the Sky

Book: We Own the Sky (2022)
Author: Rodman Philbrick
Genre: MG, Historical [1924]
Publisher: Scholastic

Opening lines from the book …
Aside from the priest and the gravediggers, me and my sister, Jo, are the only ones to witness our dear mother, Eva Morin Michaud, being lowered into her grave. Papa having perished in a mill accident some years previously, the hard, hard loss of our mama makes us orphans.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) I liked the brother and sister combo (Davy and Jo) as they navigate their new life as orphans. Fortunately, a distant cousin comes into the story to whisk them away to join her flying circus.

2) The flying circus is SUCH an interesting setting. Davy gets to sell popcorn and even gets his own stint as the popular Donkey Boy, much to the audience’s delight. As for Jo, she dreams of walking the wings in the airshow. I loved the cook, Mrs. M and Ruthie and the Captain and all of them.

3) The danger of the flying tricks will make you wonder when an accident is going to take place in the book. Well, hold on to your seats. There are some near misses and … well, no spoilers!

4) The flying isn’t the only danger featured in the book. Even though this story takes place in Maine, there is the danger of the Ku Klux Klan. Who would have known?! Apparently, this is a historical fact and, while they didn’t have so many Black people to target, they instead targeted the French/Italians Catholics among others. (This book has a good historical note at the end.)

5) I really like the book cover! At first glance, all you’ll definitely notice is the plane and the boy running at sunset. (And yeah, you’ll notice the wingwalker!) And then, in the lower left corner … you’ll see them. The KKK. But you might not notice until later.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This was an exciting book. I particularly like reading historical fiction, and this was something that I hadn’t previously known much about. Especially the stuff about the KKK in Maine! Highly recommend this book.

 

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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

Review / My Life Begins

Book: My Life Begins! (2022)
Author: Patricia MacLachlan
Genre: MG, Contemporary
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Opening lines from the book …
I am nine years old when my life begins. Before then I was the only child. The son of Maeve and Daniel Black.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) The Trips! In the story, Jacob’s family has triplets and Jacob Black calls them “the Trips.” What he really wanted was a litter of puppies, but he got a litter of Trips instead.

2) Jacob has to do a report for school and he chooses to follow the development of the Trips. It’s cute to see his notes during the year.

3) Mimi arrives to give help to Mom and Dad. She’s French (Oui, oui!) and she’s a lovely addition to the family, bringing a great sense of fun to the story and encouragement to her “dear Jacob.”

4) I really liked Jacob’s ruminations on names and nicknames, especially as he tries to figure out what he really should be calling the Trips.

5) There’s a very sweet ending to this story, which I won’t spoil.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This book was a quick read for me. It’s definitely meant for the lower grades and even has pictures. This is one of the final books Patricia MacLachlan wrote (or published) before she passed away last year. Interesting the title she chose. She will be missed!

 

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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

Review / Feathered

Book: Feathered (2016)
Author: Deborah Kerbel
Genre: MG, Historical (1980s)
Publisher: Kids Can Press

Opening lines from the book …
I’m not crazy. I swear I’m not. Ever since I was old enough to remember, I knew I had it in me to fly. I can’t explain it any better than to say it’s a feeling so powerful you shut your mouth and don’t argue with it.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) I was intrigued by the opening lines. I thought it might be a book with magical realism, but the whole feather thing turns out to be more metaphorical. At this point in my reading, I prefer that. (Not that I don’t like magical realism. I think I’m oversaturated in that genre.)

2) I really like Finch. I really felt for her and her brother, especially with how their mother is dealing with the death of their dad. She basically is ignoring them. I was definitely rooting for this family!

 

3) The brother (Harrison) has a friend adds a lot of tension and drama. He’s the yuckiest, meanest bully you just love to hate. That part was really well done. And I like the uncertainty of not knowing if we should like or trust Finch’s brother. 

 

4) There’s a new family that moves in next door. Finch tries to become friends with Pinky, only to find that her dad won’t let Pinky play with Finch. This will lead to some dramatic moments in the story!

 

5) This book takes place in the 80s. I loved the connection it had to Terry Fox who, like Finch’s dad, dies of cancer.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

I enjoyed this book. It’s short but packs a lot into the pages with a lot of memorable characters.

 

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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

Review / The Star That Always Stays

Book: The Star That Always Stays (2022)
Author: Anna Rose Johnson
Genre: MG, Historical (1910s)
Publisher: Holiday House

Opening lines from the book …
“Pa promised he wouldn’t sail in shipwreck season anymore.” The wind swallowed up Norvia Nelson’s words, and she wasn’t even sure if her older brothers had heard her. Only one question had circled the house for days: When would Pa come home?

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THIS BOOK…

1) Norvia is such a sympathetic character. I was rooting for her the whole time. She’s navigating losing a father to divorce and having to settle down with a new stepfamily. (And I like that the stepfamily members don’t turn out to be evil!)

2) The book takes a look at what it was like for families living through divorce at the turn of the previous century. It was not considered something “nice families” did. And yet, our protagonist has to live with it. I love how her stepfather (particularly) keeps his head high and shows her the high road.

3) I particularly felt for our poor girl at the party she organizes. Oh, the meanness of the other girls at her school! (I was surprised they actually came. But that’s as much as I will spoil.)

4) Love the little sister, Dicta. She’s such a chatterbox.

5) As someone who loves the writings of L.M. Montgomery and Maud Hart Lovelace, I really enjoyed reading a book written in their style. I’ve always loved the Edwardian era, so that was right up my alley as well. It’s definitely slower-paced but worth the read.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Definitely, this book is for fans of Anne of Green Gables and the Betsy-Tacy books. Oh, and Little Women. Highly recommended.

 

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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