The two Percy Jackson movies didn’t do this series justice. They tried to take a cool, YA approach that defied what made this book (and series) so popular in the first place. The voice! Percy is fun and sarcastic, and the new TV series captures that. But the book captures it even better. 🙂
Category: MG Contemporary
The Chance to Fly
We all need a book that breaks boundaries, and this is one that you will love. When Nat Beacon has a chance to try out for Wicked, she doesn’t let her wheelchair get in her way. Whether you love musical theater or cheering for a character with plenty of resolve, this story will touch your heart.
The Lemonade War
Sibling rivalry takes a heated twist in this classic story about a brother and sister in a battle to make the most from their lemonade sales. Family dynamics, friendship, and fun math—yes, fun math–all drive this story to an intriguing end.
City of Ghosts
For middle grade, the balance between scary and not-too-scary is difficult to perfect, and Schwab does a great job giving kids the creeps without completely creeping them out
Restart
What happens when a school bully gets a second chance? When Chase Ambrose falls off a roof and gets amnesia, he’ll have to start over. But will he be able to come to terms with the type of person he was before his accident? Will his new friends in the video club ever really accept him?
Ban This Book
In this story, a brave fourth grader takes on her school and some overreaching parents to preserve the books that she loves so dearly. In Ban This Book, Alan Gratz helps young people understand both the reasons and the dangers behind what is, frankly, happening in schools today.
Frankie & Amelia
I have a confession to make. I have fallen in love with cats. Well, my cat, in particular. Well, my daughter’s cat, actually. So, when I started reading McGovern’s middle grade novel written from a cat’s perspective, I loved the way she captured the characteristics of a feline.
Brave Like That
I first heard chatter about this MG novel on Twitter, and the comments from the readers were so positive and forceful (YOU MUST READ THIS) that I decided, okay. This is such a great story on so many levels. First of all, I think most children face a moment when they want to tell their parents, “This isn’t me.”
Front Desk
I highly recommend this story as something that will encourage you to think about what the American dream means, and how we can all take tough moments in our lives to overcome the biggest hurdles.
Night of the Amber Moon
Both creepy and heartwarming, Night of the Amber Moon tells the story of 11-year-old Izzy, a girl with a hard problem. A story of dealing with guilt, the story leads readers on a journey to forgiveness, with just the right amount of suspense.
A Monster Calls
I have been remiss in not giving this book a posting earlier. A Monster Calls paints a dark and beautiful narrative of what it feels like for a child to watch a parent struggle with terminal illness.
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
When thinking about a good book to blog about for father’s day, this was the perfect candidate. No, the father in this story is far from perfect, but then, most father’s aren’t perfect. It’s the relationship between him and his daughter, Coyote (the main character), that makes this book a treasure.
Kid List 