Winter Reading Bingo Challenge / January

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.

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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Box on the Cover

It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel // by Firoozeh Dumas

MG, Near-Historical (2017)

I loved the story of Cindy (aka Zomorod, which is her Iranian name). She was a likable character. And reading this book was definitely meant to feature her character. I loved the historical setting and learned a lot about Iranian customs.

The historical setting is great. The Iran Hostage Crisis (which is featured in the book) doesn’t occur until halfway through the book. This makes the story a little long. But other than that, I really enjoyed the themes, the friendships, the troubles that are explored in this book. [4 stars]

Full Review coming soon.

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‘Lock’ or ‘Key’ in the Title

The Secret of the Skeleton Key // by Penny Warner

Lower MG, Mystery (2011)

I think the fun about this book has to do with all the different codes. Seriously, there’s a different type of code for each message, including sign language. My favourite, I think, is the semaphore code. And the book doesn’t give away the solution to each code so YOU get to solve it as it comes.

For me, as an adult, I didn’t find the story to be super engaging. But kids will probably like it. This would be a perfect book for kids who enjoy solving puzzles and codes. [3 stars]

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Pick Your Prompt / An Epistolary Novel

Sure Signs of Crazy // by Karen Harrington

MG, Contemporary (2013)

This isn’t quite a true epistolary novel, but it does contain letters, and in many ways, it does read like it’s a diary. It’s the story of Sarah. She doesn’t know her mother because, when she was two, she (the mother) attempted to drown Sarah and succeeding in drowning Sarah’s twin, Simon. Sarah’s worried that she might end up mentally ill like her mom. She doesn’t feel she can confide in her dad (who has a drinking problem… and that’s kind of understandable; but not helpful to a daughter who needs you.)

So, Sarah begins to write to the dad she wishes she had: Atticus Finch. And through the letters, and with the help of some neighbours, Sarah begins to work through her anxieties. And get her dad some help. [4 stars]

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‘Brave’ or ‘Fear’ in the Title

Igraine the Brave // by Cornelia Funke

MG, Fantasy (1998)

Igraine wants to be a knight! When her magician parents make a tiny mistake and turn into pigs, it’s up to their daughter to go on a quest to save the day… and the castle.

A fun book, Igraine is a very likable character. I love the little touches… Like the Sorrowful Knight. Or the castle called Pimpernel! And how the mother is referred to as the Fair Melisande. And even how the brother (Albert, a magician-in-training) can only conjure up blue eggs and dry biscuits, no matter what! [4 stars]

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Red Cover

Firegirl // by Tony Abbott

MG, Contemporary (2006)

This is an interesting what-if story. What if a girl is burned so badly in a fire… and then has to go to a new school… how would her new classmates treat her? The story is told through the eyes of Tom. I actually liked the complexity of emotions of this book. I enjoyed the subplot of the two friends (Tom and Jeff) and the uncle’s special “car”. Throughout, the reader isn’t sure if Jeff is lying or what. And when you find out, there’s another dilemma that Tom has to face.

The one thing I did not quite find believable is the fact that the parents choose to send their daughter (Jessica) to face school in her situation. Especially, since she is still recovering. But, in spite of that, if I can put that aside, I did like the themes that the book explored. And overall, I enjoyed this story.

And for some reason, I really like that cover! [4 stars]

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Other MG Books I Finished this Month…

• A Pretty Book Cover // Roll // by Darcy Miller
• Character’s Name in the Title // Dear Mr. Henshaw // by Beverly Cleary
• Set in a Small Town // The Only Girl in School // by Natalie Standiford
• A Ladder on the Cover // The Case of the Missing Moonstone // by Jordan Stratford

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Final Thoughts…

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

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

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

Winter Reading Bingo Challenge / December

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 got an arrow!!)

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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Books on the Cover

Words on Fire // by Jennifer A. Nielsen

MG, Historical (2019)

When her parents are taken by the Cossacks, Audra is thrust into their life of book smuggling. She learns that people like her parents risk their lives in order to keep the Lithuanian culture alive, even in the face of Russian occupation.

I liked Audra’s spunk. And I really liked Lukas and his determination. They played nicely off each other! I should have expected some of the twists Nielsen often brings to her stories, but I really didn’t see them until they were about to be revealed.

I did find the story a bit slow in spots, otherwise, I would have given it a higher rating. [3.5 stars]

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Natural Disasters

The Pompeii Disaster // by Dan Gutman

MG, Contemporary/Time Travel (2018)

Note: This book is technically the third book in a series. The Flashback Four are a group of kids that time travel to various important events in history to… get this… take a photograph of said event. This book’s focus: Pompeii. And as you can probably guess, things won’t go smoothly with a volcano about to erupt.

The kids have to take a picture of the historical event, but that’s about it. But, I’ve included it in my list because it is kind of neat to think of having a photograph of Mount Vesuvius about to bury the city of Pompeii in ash. Wow, just wow! [3 stars]

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Pick Your Prompt / A Book About Grief

The Elephant // by Peter Carnavas

Lower MG, Contemporary (2017)

This is a sweet book about a girl who just wants her dad to fix her bike. But that is even a little too simplistic. Really, what she wants is her dad to be a dad. The elephant, of course, is a metaphor. Something that continually follows around after her dad. It’s invisible and only Olive can see it.

Ultimately, this book is a story about grief and how we deal with grief. It’s an interesting choice to show the grief felt by the father and others in the story. Told in short, easy-to-read chapters. The illustrations add a nice touch. This book is definitely intended for younger readers. Although, I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult. [4 stars]

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‘Guide’ in the Title

Wildlife Watcher Guide // by Michael Leach and Meriel Lland

MG, Non-Fiction (2016)

This was a nice little how-to guide for beginner photographers. It focuses on how to get the shots of wildlife.

I especially enjoyed the little interviews with the authors (photographers themselves) sprinkled throughout the book. Many of the photos are stunning, although I doubt any child will be able to travel to get such shots. But it is inspiring. They also do give tips on how to take photos in your own backyard.   [3 stars]

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Three Words in the Title

A Little Princess // by Frances Hodgeson Burnett

MG, Classic (1890)

A re-read for me. The riches to rags back to riches story always holds some magic in it. In many ways, Sara Crewe is a more modern (in you can call 1890 modern) version of Cinderella. She has the kindness and sweetness and optimism of Cinderella. And Miss Minchin plays a wonderful evil stepmother-type character.

While I still like The Secret Garden better, this book comes in a close second. (And to tell the truth, I do think I’d prefer Sara as a friend a little more than Mary Lennox. At least, the Mary at the beginning of the story!) [4.5 stars]

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Other MG Books I Finished this Month…

• Book About Siblings // Planet Earth is Blue // by Nicole Panteleakos
• Purple Cover // Counting on Grace // by Elizabeth Wintrop
• Author’s Name is Chris // Elijah of Buxton // by Christopher Paul Curtis
• Piano on the Cover // Who Was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart // by Yona Zeldis McDonough

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Final Thoughts…

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

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

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

Books About Photography + Giveaway

As a photographer, I’m always interested in reading about other photographers. So, this week’s post is a list of books about photography.

**NOTE ABOUT GIVEAWAY** I do have a giveaway with this post! For details, see the bottom of the page.

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Hot Cocoa Hearts // by Suzanne Nelson

MG, Contemporary (2015)

Ever since the death of her grandmother, Emery Mason has become a scrooge about Christmas. Problem is, Em’s family runs the Santa booth at the mall where she has to play the role of an elf. And then there’s Alex who runs the hot chocolate stand. He’s going to make it his goal to try to change her mind.

Photography Connection: Em loves to take photos with her mom’s old camera. She captures images at the mall to show the “unhappiness” that comes along with the Christmas season: crying children, unhappy babies, tired out old ladies. But in true Hallmark-fashion, by the end of the book, that all changes! [3 stars]

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The Pompeii Disaster // by Dan Gutman

MG, Contemporary/Time Travel (2018)

Note: This book is technically the third book in a series. The Flashback Four are a group of kids that time travel to various important events in history to… get this… take a photograph of said event. This book’s focus: Pompeii. And as you can probably guess, things won’t go smoothly with a volcano about to erupt.

Photography Connection: Of all the books on my list, this is probably the least photography-ish. Yes, the kids have to take a picture of the historical event, but that’s about it. But, I’ve included it in my list because it is kind of neat to think of having a photograph of Mount Vesuvius about to bury the city of Pompeii in ash. Wow, just wow! [3 stars]

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Counting on Grace // by Elizabeth Wintrop

MG, Historical – 1910 (2006)

When Grace gets yanked out of school to go work in the mill, her teacher is furious. How will these children ever get an education, especially when Grace is one of her best students… What’s this? Grace is one of the best students in the whole school? Suddenly, Grace wants to learn. She wants to be a teacher herself, but it won’t happen if she must work in the cotton mills for the rest of her life.

Photography Connection: This story is a fictional account of those haunting cotton mill photos taken by Lewis Hine in the early 20th century. About half-way through the book, Mr. Hines shows up at the mill with his camera to photograph Grace and the other children who work at the mill. The book also includes a scene where he shows Grace how he develops his glass slides! [4.5 stars]

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Northern Exposures // by Eric Walters

MG, Contemporary (2001)

This was a fun story about a boy who wins a photography contest by mistake! The prize? Photography the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba. And because he’s not really a photographer, he has some madcap adventures. Not to mention, the other people in his group are a bunch of senior citizens! I enjoyed learning about polar bears and getting a little geography/history lesson (which I see as fun!) about Churchill. Plus, as a photographer, I would have loved to be on this trip with Kevin and all the senior citizens!

Photography Connection: The photography contest… Oh, and because the book was first published in 2001, I loved all the film-talk… digital photography wasn’t really a thing back then! So, it definitely brought me back to the days when I first started taking serious photos with my SLR camera. [3.5 stars]

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Half a Chance // by Cynthia Lord

MG, Contemporary (2014)

Lucy is the daughter of a professional photographer who is judging a competition for children photographers. She decides to covertly enter the contest. She enlists the help of the kid next door, Nate. This book also has a connection to loons and loon-watching. I loved that aspect of the book, as well as the plot that revolved around Nate’s grandmother (who suffers from dementia).

Photography Connection: I really liked the photography treasure hunt! My favourite shot was the one they take up on the mountain. I like how the competition turns out (won’t spoil it!). I felt that it was fairly realistic and also satisfying. [4.5 stars]

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YOUR TURN…

Have you read any of these books? Are there other books that feature photography you would recommend? Let me know in the comments!

**GIVEAWAY!**

Since this is a photography book and I’m a photographer, I’m giving away one of my 2020 Photography Calendars… **ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE**.

Note: Entries must have a valid U.S. or Canadian address. If, for some reason, you cannot use the form below, leave me a comment in the comment section below.

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

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…

Quick Pick Reviews #16

NOTE: I did a review of Brave by Svetlana Chmakova… which is actually the middle book in the series! So, I decided to do a combined quick pick review of Book #1 and #3. 🙂

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Awkward // by Svetlana Chmakova

Genre: MG, Contemporary Graphic Novel (2015)

My Thoughts: Liked this first book in the series. Peppi has an adorable name! And personality. Particularly funny were all her attempts to avoid Jaime. Of course, he ends up being her science tutor! Cue the awkwardness. (One of my absolute favourite parts was when Chmakova puts little definitions of the word “awkward” = “this” with an illustration similar to the one of the cover the book!)

There’s a fun geocaching section. And I really like how the art and science clubs come together for the fair. What they create is out of this world! 😉

One of my favourite parts of these books is the design gallery at the end. Here Chmakova shows us various sketches and talks about the “making of” process she goes through for each book. [4 Stars]

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Crush // by Svetlana Chmakova

Genre: Upper MG, Contemporary Graphic Novel (2018)

My Thoughts: This is Jorge’s story. As I mentioned in my review of Brave, I loved Jorge, so I was glad to get a book devoted to him.

In this book, we get how Jorge is secretly crushing on Jazmine. The cover does a beautiful job conveying this. But it’s about more than that. We also have Jorge’s two friends: Olivia and Garrett. I really liked (painful as it was) the storyline that follows Garrett’s attempts to join the popular crowd and how he [*SPOILER] betrays Jorge in the process. [End Spoiler]

The one thing about this book is that it almost seemed older than the other books. I kept thinking that they were in high school. I checked. No, it’s middle school. Maybe it was the dance that seemed a little like “Prom” to me. (Although, I know there are dances in middle school.) [4 Stars]

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Quick Pick books are always recommendations. (If I don’t recommend the book, it’s not a Quick Pick!)

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

Fall Reading Bingo Challenge / October

I’m back to Middle Grade Carousel’s Reading Bingo challenge!

This month, I finished ten middle-grade books that fit the descriptions on the bingo card. And yes, I get to call out “Bingo!”

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. Find out more about #MGCarousel here.
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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‘Truth’ or ‘Dare’ in the Title

Double Dog Dare // by Lisa Graff

MG, Contemporary (2012)

This was a cute story about a girl (Francine) and a boy (Kansas) who get into a dare contest to see WHO will be the new anchorperson for the school announcements. She really wants; he doesn’t but is the kind of boy who can’t turn down a dare.

Most of the book was pretty silly. I really like how both kids are each struggling with their newly divorced parental situation. This is at the heart of the story and what makes the story worth the read. Most of the dares are pretty fun, but the solution was a little too obvious for me.  [3.5 stars]

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Title Starts with ‘O’

The Other Half of my Heart // by Sundee T. Frazier

MG, Contemporary (2010)

This book is about bi-racial twins. One of them is black and the other is white. And when their grandmother enters them in the Miss Black Pearl beauty pageant… cue the drama.

For the most part, the story is told through Minni’s eyes (the white twin). I loved how the author dealt with how she portrayed the two sisters, the love and connection they have with each other. As tensions in the book rise, Minni starts to question her place in the world. Is she black? Is she white? She has some good conversations with her grandmother’s neighbour, Dr. Oliphant (probably one of my favourite characters in the book!) [4 stars]

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A Book You Own

A Bear Called Paddington // by Michael Bond

MG, Classic (1958)

One of my favourite books from my childhood. Paddington is adorable. I like how he just fits right in with the Brown family. And I love his relationship with Mr. Gruber! How they share elevensies together. And Mr. Curry! Arrgh! The ultimate mean next-door neighbour.

I remember as a kid not even questioning the fact that a bear could come and live in a family.  [5 stars]

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Fairies

Fairy Mom and Me // by Sophie Kinsella

MG, Magical Realism (2018)

Cute story about a girl and her mom who is a great mom, but she’s not very good at being a fairy. The book is very episodic. In one of their adventures, Ella wants to bake cupcakes, but Fairy Mom’s Computawand doesn’t quite work the way she intends. Enter Zoe, the next-door neighbour who gives Ella trouble. But, don’t worry, all ends well. And Ella ends up with a delicious batch of cupcakes. (I just won’t tell you how that happens.)  [3 stars]

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Secret in the Title

The Perfect Secret // by Rob Buyea

MG, Contemporary

From the author of Because of Mr. Terupt… Here’s another group of middle-school kids, each of them telling their version of the events in their lives. I did not realize that this was a sequel to another book, so I didn’t already know the characters. This left me a wee bit confused over what was happening, especially at the beginning of the book.

This book did have some good parts. I particularly liked the storyline belonging to Scott, aka “Junior, the stats man” and Coach (who isn’t really their coach but lives at the Senior Center). And the relationship between Gavin and his little sister is sweet.  [3 stars]

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Other MG Books I Finished this Month…

• • An Only Child // Absolutely Almost // by Lisa Graff
  • Magicians // Nothing Up My Sleeve // by Diana Lopez
  • Pick Your Prompt / A 5-Star Book // Birdie // by Eileen Spinelli
  • Gate on the Cover // Mysterious Benedict Society // by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • A Retelling // Once Upon a Toad // by Heather Vogel Frederick

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Final Thoughts…

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

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

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

Quick Pick Reviews #15

Desirable // by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Genre: MG, Contemporary/Magical Realism (2008)

My Thoughts: This was a fun little book. And when I say little, I actually mean little. It was surprisingly short. Especially considering that the main character is in the eighth grade! I read it in a half-hour…

The story is about a boy named George who is anything but popular. He’s pretty much a loner and not even the other unpopular kids want to hang out with him. That is until his grandpa gives him a birthday gift of cologne called “Desirable”. Once he puts it on, suddenly everybody wants to be his best buddy… including the principal of his school.

I liked how it ended, but I didn’t quite see how it got to that place. [**SPOILER] With Danielle giving him the cologne. I didn’t see enough evidence that she even knew he had it in the first place. It would have been better if it had been a gift from his mum. [End Spoiler] That said, I still enjoyed this book! [3.5 Stars]

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A Royal Gift // by Marietta Moskin

Genre: Lower MG, Historical (1982)

My Thoughts: What an adorable book! This is the story of a Royal Wedding and two old ladies (sisters: Miss Agatha and Miss Prudence) who decide to give a gift to the prince and his bride. And the gift (with the twist at the end)… well, I won’t spoil it.

As a chapter book, there are gorgeous illustrations on every spread… some in black and white and others in colour. The whole book has a very old fashioned feeling to it. (Sadly, I wouldn’t be surprised if this book is out of print! My copy came from my SIL and she got it from a library book sale. It’s a pity if it is out of print because the book and story are so beautiful.)

I really liked the author’s note at the end. She calls this story “one of those ‘it might be true’ type of stories.” Apparently, it made the rounds when the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and the Queen Mum) were married in 1923. [4 Stars]

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Quick Pick books are always recommendations. (If I don’t recommend the book, it’s not a Quick Pick!)

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

Quick Pick Reviews #14

Bad Kitty Vs. Uncle Murray // by Nick Bruel

Genre: Lower MG, Contemporary (2010)

My Thoughts: This book is part of a series that gets its beginning from an ABC picture book called Bad Kitty. In that book, it introduces a character called Uncle Murray in a tiny little cameo. He’s so memorable that he ends up one of the main characters in this book! There’s just something very fun about Uncle Murray.

For me, one of the best parts of the book was Uncle Murray’s “Fun Facts”. I actually really enjoyed these facts about why cats get scared and how they react to situations that startle them. It’s a nice little addition to all the silliness and slapstick humour.

I absolutely LOVE how this book leads us directly to the next book in the series. (See below.) [4 Stars]

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Bad Kitty Meets the Baby // by Nick Bruel

Genre: Lower MG, Contemporary (2012)

My Thoughts: Bad Kitty is back… The book begins where the last book left off. We get to meet the baby! Very cute story. I love how Bad Kitty is positive that that the baby is a New Puppy. (Oh no! Not another puppy!) And then when the neighbourhood kitties arrive, they conclude that the baby is a New Kitty.

But perhaps my favourite part is when Bad Kitty’s owners talk to her about why the baby is so similar to her and Puppy. [**SPOILER] Especially on the adoption front. [End SPOILER]

And Uncle Murray gets a little cameo with his “Fun Facts”. In this book, they discuss ways to rescue cats from being stuck in a tree. (Hint: You’re NOT supposed to call the fire department, Uncle Murray!) [4.5 Stars]

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Quick Pick books are always recommendations. (If I don’t recommend the book, it’s not a Quick Pick!)

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

Spring Reading Bingo Challenge / March

Here’s my bingo card for Middle Grade Carousel’s Reading Bingo challenge.

In all, I finished eight middle grade books that fit the descriptions on the bingo card. And yes, I got my bingo!

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 Middle Grade Carousel challenge, all of the books on your Bingo board should be MG reads. Find out more about Middle Grade books here.
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… (The * means that’s the book that got me my Bingo!)

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*A Book About Basketball

Basketball (or Something Like It) // by Nora Raleigh Baskin

MG, Contemporary (2007)

Honestly, I found this book a tad confusing. It’s told through four different POVs, and I was forever getting them mixed up. Which kid is this again?? By the end, I think I had it figured out.

The one thing that did bother me was the foul language. I don’t mind it if it’s for a reason. (The Great Gilly Hopkins? Yes. I would even argue that it worked in Front Desk.) But you don’t normally see this in a middle-grade novel. So, it felt out of place. And again, there really was no real reason to include it. [2.5 stars]

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*A Rabbit on the Cover

El Deafo // by Cece Bell

MG Graphic Novel, Near-Historical (2014)

I loved this story! 🙂 I’m not always crazy about graphic novels since I usually want more words. But I thought this whole book worked beautifully as is.

I loved that Cece Bell told her story with rabbits as the characters. I loved learning about the subject matter. I loved Rabbit-Cece. I loved how she took the challenge handed her and didn’t let it stop her.

I loved this book! (Can you tell?) [5 stars]

Read my full review here.

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*Pick Your Prompt / A Sequel

Copyboy // by Vince Vawter

Upper MG, Historical (2018)

I was pretty excited when I saw this among the new books at the library. I wasn’t even it existed! And I wasn’t disappointed. While I don’t think it’s quite as good as its predecessor, it’s still a good book. 🙂 [4 stars]

Read my full review here.

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*A Book About a Curse

Enchanted // by Gail Carson Levine

MG, Fairy Tale (1997)

Having recently read Ogre Enchanted, I wanted to go back to the original book. I really enjoyed my re-read. And yes, it still holds up after all these years. THIS is Gail Carson Levine’s masterpiece. There’s a reason why it got a Newbery Honor. [5 stars]

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*Author’s First Name is Ben

Zita the Spacegirl // by Ben Hatke

MG, Graphic Novel, Sci-fi (2011)

This book is about Zita and her friend Joseph who gets sucked into another world. Zita quickly follows him… because it’s all her fault. She meets up with a ragtag band of misfits and they all go on the quest.

I generally liked this book. But this is the type of graphic novel that reminds me how much I love words. And I miss words when they’re, well… missing. I didn’t really resonate with the end of the book. Won’t spoil it, but I kind of understand WHY he did it. [3 stars]

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Other MG Books I Finished this Month…

• • Blue Cover // The Benefits of Being an Octopus // by Ann Braden
  • A Book from the Library // Number the Stars // by Lois Lowry
  • ‘Lion’ in the Title // The Mystery of the Missing Lion // by Alexander McCall Smith

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Final Thoughts…

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

Check out the next Middle Grade Carousel challenge at their website: https://elymnifoquent.com

Winter Reading Bingo Challenge / February

Here’s my bingo card for Middle Grade Carousel’s Reading Bingo challenge. This month, I got TWO bingos! Yay!

In all, I finished 14 middle grade books that fit the descriptions on the bingo card.

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 Middle Grade Carousel challenge, all of the books on your Bingo board should be MG reads. Find out more about Middle Grade books here.
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… (The * means that’s the book that got me my Bingo!)

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*Red Cover

Just So Stories // by Rudyard Kipling

Classic, Short Stories (1902)

I listened to an audiobook for this one. And it’s narrated by Boris Karloff!

Kipling has such a way with words! It’s really quite delightful to read. I think my favourite stories include the one about the Elephant’s child, and how the leopard got its spots. [4 stars]

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*Title Starts with an “F”

Front Desk // by Kelly Yang

MG, Near-Historical (2018)

I loved this book about Mia (a recent immigrant in the 1990s) and her adventures at the Calivista Motel. It was a fun read, but it was more than just that. I enjoyed the themes of courage and never giving up.

My favourite part is when Mia thinks she’s going to get an A on a school paper, but (SPOILER!) she doesn’t. Even though she’s discouraged, she keeps trying. And it’s the fact that she does try that she ends up succeeding. I highly recommend this book. 🙂 [4.5 stars]

You can read my full review here.

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*A Book About Twins

11 Birthdays // by Wendy Mass

MG, Magical Realism (2009)

Okay, so they are NOT biological twins, but the two main characters (Amanda and Leo) share a birthday. And this is quite important to the plot.

If you like the movie Groundhog Day, then this is the book for you. The story is told through the eyes of Amanda. It’s about her feud with her former best friend Leo. These two characters definitely make the book! I loved the character growth and how they figure things out together.

Note: This was also a re-read for me. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time around 🙂  [4 stars]

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*Set During the Civil War

Days of Jubilee // by Patricia C. & Fredrick L. McKissack

MG, Non-Fiction (2003)

This book takes a look at the Civil War, from the Emancipation Proclamation to the 13th Amendment. I really enjoyed all the stories as well as their clear and concise way of handling different events during the war. The part about Gettysburg was quite moving.

I also liked how the authors didn’t steer away from the complication found in history. BUT that they didn’t dwell on the ugliness. Instead, they focused on hope for the future.  [5 stars]

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*’Sugar’ in the Title

Sugar and Spice // by Sarah Mlynowski

Lower MG, Fantasy/Fairy Tale (2016)

This is actually a series of books where a sister and brother get to travel to various fairy tales. As you can probably guess from the cover, this one feature Hansel and Gretel.

I did not know this was a series when I picked this up, but that wasn’t a problem. To be perfectly honest, this isn’t really my cup of tea when it comes to books. (I’m probably being kind when I give it three stars.) I DO love fairy tale retellings, but this one didn’t quite do it for me. It does have a cute premise. I would possibly recommend this book for younger readers. [3 stars]

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*Character with a Place Name

One-Third Nerd // by Gennifer Choldenko

MG, Contemporary (2019)

Okay, so the character with a place name is Dakota. (Aside: this was the one character that drove me batty!)

While I liked this book, I didn’t love it. It’s basically about saving a dog from a nasty landlord. But, to tell the truth, I didn’t really care about the dog. I wish I did. I love fictional dogs. (Shiloh? Ribsy? Old Yeller? Winn-Dixie? Yep. I love those dogs.)

Still, the book was entertaining. I really liked the whole “one-third nerd” thing. And the friendship that springs up between the main character Liam and Moses. And Izzy the sister. She was one of the best things about this book! [3.5 stars]

You can read my full review here.

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*Pink Cover

Almost Identical // by Lin Oliver

MG, Contemporary (2012)

This story follows Sammie and Charley Diamond. They are twins and tennis players. But when as they get older, Sammie begins to see something: she and her twin are entirely identical. They like (and want) different things.

I love this coming-of-age novel. It’s told from Sammie’s POV. I definitely felt for Sammie, and at times, was furious with Charley! (Although, Sammie makes her own gaffes.) I loved how the tennis was incorporated into the book. This book gets a definite recommendation from me.

Note: This was a re-read for me. Just as good as the first time around 🙂  [4 stars]

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*Pick Your Prompt / Book for Black History Month

Finding Langston // by Lesa Cline-Ransome

MG, Historical Fiction – 1940s (2018)

This book got 5 stars from me! Yeah, I enjoyed it that much. It’s probably the library in the book that did it. For me, you almost can’t go wrong if you have a library. (That’s probably not true, but for this book, it IS true!)

It’s short, but it’s beautiful. I loved Langston’s voice. And I liked watching how the characters developed from the beginning to the end. One of the best books I’ve read this year. Yeah, I know it’s only February. [5 stars]

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*Seashells on the Cover

Daisy Dawson at the Beach // by Steve Voake

Lower MG, Contemporary/Magical Realism (2011)

Daisy Dawson can speak to animals. In this book, she makes all sorts of friends when she and her parents take a vacation at the beach. She dances with the crabs and even saves a… well, I won’t spoil it.

One weird thing that sort of puzzled me was that her parents seem to be unaware of her special ability. And I’m not sure if she really can speak to animals or if it’s all in her imagination.

If you are looking for in-depth character growth, this book is NOT for you. But it’d be a fun read for younger kids who love, love, love animals. (Also to note: each page has some sort of illustration which is a bonus for those kids just learning to read.) [3 stars]

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Other MG Books I Finished this Month…

• • Second Book in a Series // Finally // by Wendy Mass
  • Title Starts with an “R” // Rules // by Cynthia Lord
  • Hands on the Cover // Thirteen Gifts // by Wendy Mass
  • Talking Animals // The Cricket in Times Square // by George Selden
  • Dog on the Cover // Swindle // by Gordon Korman

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Final Thoughts…

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