Showing posts with label Middle Grade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Middle Grade. Show all posts

Refugee by Alan Gratz (Scholastic)

 


Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)

By Yara – OnceUponaTwilight.com


Refugee by Alan Gratz, published by Scholastic, is a powerful middle-grade novel that doesn’t shy away from heavy truths. It follows three young characters from different time periods and countries as they each flee their homes in search of safety. Their journeys are intense, emotional, and surprisingly connected.


What drew me to this book wasn’t just the buzz or the cover. I picked it up during our middle school Scholastic Book Fair after seeing that one of the stories follows a Cuban girl named Isabel who escapes on a boat with her family during the 1990s. That hit home. My husband fled Cuba the same way around the same time. Reading Isabel’s journey stirred up memories I’ve only heard about but could now see through a child’s eyes. And here’s the part that completely caught me off guard, one of the other characters is escaping to Cuba. That kind of full-circle storytelling really stuck with me.


Gratz also introduces us to Josef, a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany, and Mahmoud, a Syrian boy caught in the chaos of modern-day civil war. All three stories are gripping, but I’ll admit one of them didn’t hit quite as hard for me as the others. It’s the only reason I’m giving this 4.5 instead of a full 5 stars.


Still, Refugee is one of those rare books that educates and moves you at the same time. It’s beautifully written and incredibly important, especially for younger readers. If you’ve ever wondered what courage looks like in real life, this book shows you.


Highly recommend adding this to any school or home library.


Book Review: Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol


Be Prepared
Author: Vera Brosgol
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genres: Graphic Novel | Sports & Outdoors
Released: April 24, 2018
Review Source: First Second

A gripping and hilarious middle-grade summer camp memoir from the author of Anya's Ghost.

All Vera wants to do is fit in—but that’s not easy for a Russian girl in the suburbs. Her friends live in fancy houses and their parents can afford to send them to the best summer camps. Vera’s single mother can’t afford that sort of luxury, but there's one summer camp in her price range—Russian summer camp.

Vera is sure she's found the one place she can fit in, but camp is far from what she imagined. And nothing could prepare her for all the "cool girl" drama, endless Russian history lessons, and outhouses straight out of nightmares!

Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier, Cece Bell, and Victoria Jamieson, Vera Brosgol's Be Prepared is a funny and relatable middle-grade graphic novel about navigating your own culture, struggling to belong, and the value of true friendship.

Be Prepared is a cute story about a girl named Vera, that all she has ever wanted is to fit in with her peers. Vera has a tough time doing so, which causes her to be sad a lot. She doesn't understand why the other girls don't want to hang out with her like she does with them. Vera knows she is different since she is Russian, her parents are divorced, they are poor and her mom is finishing school. While the other girls come from wealthy families and have everything they want.

So after the debacle of her sleep-over birthday party, Vera is excite that she will finally (after some begging) be able to attend a summer camp. Every summer, Vera and her brother end up being the only two kids in town that never go on a summer camp trip, so she is ecstatic that she is finally doing so for the first time.

What might be the problem you ask? Vera was not expecting that the O.R.R.A. (Organization of Russian Razvedchiki in America) camp to be how it was. The camp had no bathrooms, you had to use outhouses called Hollywood. This also meant no running water, they showered at a lake. They had church services outside (even if it rained). NO CANDY ALLOWED (gasp)! The girls were mean just like back home, and it was just a lot of hard work really. She began asking her mom to please pick her up from camp, she didn't think she could last 2 weeks. Funny thing is, Mom did visit and on that second week, she finds out, they get to stay another 2 weeks. Was Vera mad or happy?

Well that's all your getting from me, to know what happens to Vera at camp, you'll have to check Be Prepared out. I loved loved loved the illustrations. I like that the colors matched the whole camping theme. Be Prepared is now in book stores, so grab your copy today.



Books to Read During Mental Health Awareness Month


Books to Read During Mental Health Awareness Month

In observation of Mental Health Awareness Month, HarperCollins Children’s Books offers a sneak peek of our list of upcoming titles promoting mindfulness and greater understanding of mental illness.

My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing written & illustrated by Nick Ortner
9780062687760. $17.99. Ages 4-8. On Sale 5/15/2018.
From New York Times bestselling author Nick Ortner comes a beautiful picture book that will help children discover calm through the magic of mindful breathing. Sometimes it’s hard to feel happy. But with this interactive picture book, children breathe along as they learn how to make angry or sad thoughts disappear. In a world that is sometimes too busy, with too many things going on, My Magic Breath will help steer children into a serene space of mindfulness, self-awareness, and balance. A wonderful classroom and naptime story, this book is perfect for fans of Susan Verde’s I Am Yoga and I Am Peace, Mariam Gates’s Good Night Yoga, and Deborah Underwood’s The Quiet Book.

Stanley Will Probably Be Fine by Sally J. Pla & illustrated by Steve Wolfhard
9780062445797. $16.99. Ages 8-12. On Sale 2/6/2018.
Nobody knows comics trivia like Stanley knows comics trivia. It’s what he takes comfort in when the world around him gets to be too much. And after he faints during a safety assembly, Stanley takes his love of comics up a level by inventing his own imaginary superhero, named John Lockdown, to help him through. Help is what he needs, because Stanley’s entered Trivia Quest—a giant comics-trivia treasure hunt—to prove he can tackle his worries, score VIP passes to Comic Fest, and win back his ex-best friend. Partnered with his fearless new neighbor Liberty, Stanley faces his most epic, overwhelming, challenging day ever. What would John Lockdown do? Stanley’s about to find out. This funny and moving second novel from the author of The Someday Birds features comic trivia, a safety superhero, and a super-cool scavenger hunt all over downtown San Diego, as our young hero Stanley Fortinbras grapples with his anxiety—and learns what, exactly, it means to be brave.

“The story never dumbs down or oversimplifies Stanley; he’s a multidimensional character of great depth who gradually learns how to calm his worried mind…. Add to the growing list of intelligent books about kids whose brains operate outside the norm.” – Kirkus Reviews

Light Filters In: Poems by Caroline Kaufman & illustrated by Yelena Bryksenkova
9780062844682. $14.99. Ages 13 & Up. On Sale 6/5/2018.
In the vein of poetry collections like Milk and Honey and Adultolescence, this compilation of short, powerful poems from teen Instagram sensation @poeticpoison perfectly captures the human experience. In Light Filters In, Caroline Kaufman—known as @poeticpoison—does what she does best: reflects our own experiences back at us and makes us feel less alone, one exquisite and insightful piece at a time. She writes about giving up too much of yourself to someone else, not fitting in, endlessly Googling “how to be happy,” and ultimately figuring out who you are. This hardcover collection features completely new material plus some fan favorites from Caroline's account. Filled with haunting, spare pieces of original art, Light Filters In will thrill existing fans and newcomers alike.

Blog Tour: Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers + Guest Post



35022959
Here We Are
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Reading Level: Picture Book
Genre: Contemporary
Released: November 2017
Review Source: Penguin Young Readers

Our world can be a bewildering place, especially if you’ve only just got here. Your head will be filled with questions, so let’s explore what makes our planet and how we live on it.

From land and sky, to people and time, these notes can be your guide and start you on your journey. And you’ll figure lots of things out for yourself. Just remember to leave notes for everyone else...

Some things about our planet are pretty complicated, but things can be simple, too: there are lots of us on here, so be kind.
Creatures that Live in Thin Air

Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers is a sweet book that introduces kids to the world, our world. Children are able to learn about space, our land, the sea, air and other facts about our planet. So to add to this introduction, I thought it would be great to talk about couple of creatures that live in thin air.


Alpine swift are known to be able to stay aloft in the air for up to seven months! They have very short legs which are used for clinging to vertical surfaces. They drink on the wing, but roost on vertical cliffs or walls.


Llamas! Yes, these creatures live in grassy open spaces at very high altitudes of 7,400 - 12,800 feet. They have more red blood cells per unit volume of blood than any other mammal.


Himalayan marmot is a marmot found  throughout the Himalayas and on the Tibetan Plateau at elevation from 3,500 to 5,200 m (11,500 to 17,100 ft). They dig large burrows, which generally restricts them to areas with light-textured and adequately deep soil.


Yak (Bos mutus) are  long-haired domesticated bovid in which their coat helps to insulate them in their cold environment. They can lives up to 6,100 m (20,000 ft) and make their homes in treeless areas which are on mountains and plateaus.. Their horns are used to break through the snow and reach
plants.



Oliver Jeffers makes art.

From figurative painting and installation to illustration and picture-book making, Oliver Jeffers’ work takes many forms. His distinctive paintings have been exhibited in multiple cities, including Lazarides Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery in London, the Brooklyn Museum and Spring Break Fair (Armory Week) in New York, and Gestalten Space in Berlin.

Oliver’s picture books — including The Incredible Book Eating Boy,  This Moose Belongs to Me, The Day Crayons Quit  and its sequel The Day The Crayons Came Home ( both #1 NYTimes Bestsellers)  and Once Upon an Alphabet — have been translated into over 30 languages. Working in collaboration with Studio AKA, Oliver’s second book Lost and Found was developed into an animated short film that has received over sixty awards, including a BAFTA for Best Animated Short Film.

Picture book awards include the The New York Times Best Illustrated Books, Smarties Award, Irish Book of the Year, The Red House Book Award, British Book Design Award, and The Blue Peter Book of the Year. Oliver won a NY Emmy in 2010 for his collaborative work with the artist and director Mac Premo. In 2013 Oliver co-directed with Mac Premo the video for Ordinary Love by U2, and more recently made art for, and helped art direct, U2’s Innocence and Experience World Tour.

Oliver is from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Giveaway: Middle-Grade Must Read #Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow



Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
Nevermoor Series #1
By Jessica Townsend
In Stores October 31, 2017
Recommended for ages 9-12
A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world--but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks--and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away into the safety of a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

It's then that Morrigan discovers Jupiter has chosen her to contend for a place in the city's most prestigious organization: the Wundrous Society. In order to join, she must compete in four difficult and dangerous trials against hundreds of other children, each boasting an extraordinary talent that sets them apart--an extraordinary talent that Morrigan insists she does not have. To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to find a way to pass the tests--or she'll have to leave the city to confront her deadly fate.

Perfect for fans of the Harry Potter series and Neil Gaiman, this fast-paced plot and imaginative world has a fresh new take on magic that will appeal to a new generation of readers.

Little, Brown sent me a copy to check out, and is partnering with me for a giveaway!

About the Author
Jessica Townsend lives on the Sunshine Coast in Australia, but has lived on and off in London for a few years. She was a copywriter for eight years, and in a previous role, was the editor of a children's wildlife magazine for Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo. Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is her first novel.

Visit the Official Site
Follow the author on Twitter and Instagram
Follow the publisher on TwitterFacebook and Instagram
#Nevermoor

Praise for the Nevermoor
  • "Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow is more than just a spectacular debut. Exciting, charming, and wonderfully imagined, it's the sort of delightful, grand adventure destined to be many a reader's favorite book." --- Trenton Lee Stewart, New York Times bestselling author of The Mysterious Benedict Society series and The Secret Keepers
  • "[A] spellbinding debut... Morrigan is a captivating heroine, filled with moxie and wit... Whimsical worldbuilding, humorous dialogue, and colorful supporting characters compliment an adventurous, magic-filled plot that champions bravery, self-confidence, and hope." --- Publishers Weekly, starred review
  • "Readers, like Morrigan herself, will feel at home in this evocative novel where magic and confidence go hand in hand. An excellent and exciting work." --- School Library Journal, starred review

Join the Wundrous Society!
One (1) winner receives:
  • copy of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow
  • branded Nevermoor lapel pin
  • and branded Hotel Deucalion pen and notebook.

Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Prizing and samples provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Blog Tour: BB-8 on the Run by Drew Daywalt + Giveaway



35022959
BB-8 on the Run
Author: Drew Daywalt
Reading Level: Childrens
Genre: Fantasy
Released: September 1, 2017
Review Source: Disney Lucasfilm Press

When BB-8 is separated from his master, Poe Dameron, on the lonely desert planet of Jakku, he has no choice but to keep rolling. It's all up to him to get a top-secret map back to the Resistance so they can find Luke Skywalker and save the galaxy from the evil First Order.

It's scary to have a big job when you're just a little droid on your own. But BB-8 isn't alone for long. As he speeds across the sand, BB-8 meets all kinds of strangers who need his help. Should he do good things, as Poe always told him, or will that get in the way of his mission?

See how everyone's favorite little astromech droid makes friends and foils enemies in this funny and exciting new Star Wars adventure!

As a fan of Star Wars, new and old, BB-8 is one of the best and most adorable droids ever! Reading this story, just made me fall in love again. If you've watched The Force Awakens, then you know BB-8 was on a mission. A very important mission. After he was separated from his master, BB-8 was all alone in Jakku and needed to escape this planet, an pronto. BB-8 was well aware he needed to get this secret message to the right person. But his master, Poe Dameron, had thought him how to be kind and always to have the will to help those in need. 

As BB-8 embarked his journey he met couple of fellows in need and his kindness was put to the challenge. He knew he had to complete his mission, but his little droid heart was telling him that he needed to help them. But things didn't go as planned. And even though he tried his best to help those in need he thought he had failed his mission. Yet BB-8 learned the importance of hope and at the end, not only was he rewarded with new friends, but now he was accompanied with someone that would do everything to make sure he delivered his message. 

BB-8 on the Run was an easy read yet full of adventures and lessons. A short story with stunning illustrations that would make this story play out in your head, just like a movie. This is a great book that kids and adults of all ages would enjoy. And if you've never watched the Star Wars movies, then this would be a great introduction to this amazing fantasy world. So make sure to get your copy!


TEN TOTALLY TRUE FACTS ABOUT DREW DAYWALT FOR YOUR AUTHOR REPORT:

Before becoming an author, Drew was a farmer in the 1800’s. 
Drew eats his weight in bamboo shoots every day. 
Drew is a man of 1000 faces. Unfortunately, every face looks exactly the same. 
The cheetah is the fastest land animal with recorded speeds of up to 80mph. 
Drew hopes one never chases him. 
In addition to being an author, Drew is also a world renowned beekeeper. 
And a race car driver. 
Drew likes to make up stories about being a world-renowned beekeeper and race car driver. (He is neither.) 
Drew just made a hot cup of tea. Please retweet. 
Drew has three rows of razor sharp teeth designed for ripping and shredding his prey. 
Drew has ferocious hair and he’s not afraid to use it. 




Giveaway:

Tour Schedule:
Week One:
9/4/2017- Novel Novice- Excerpt or Illustrations
9/5/2017- Nerdophiles- Review
9/6/2017- BookCrushin- Guest Post
9/7/2017- Book-Keeping- Review
9/8/2017- Mundie Kids- Review

Week Two:

9/11/2017- Owl Always Be Reading- Review
9/12/2017- BookHounds YA- Guest Post
9/13/2017- RhiReading- Review
9/14/2017- Word Spelunking- Interview
9/15/2017- Once Upon a Twilight- Review

Blog Tour: Heartwood Hotel by Kallie George, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin + Giveaway



Welcome to our stop on the Heartwood Hotel tour for Kallie George, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin. This tour is hosted by Rockstar Book Tour.

Heartwood Hotel
Book #1
Author: Kallie George
Illustrated by: Stephanie Graegin
Reading Level: Childrens
Genre: Fantasy
Released: July 3rd 2017
Review Source: Disney-Hyperion


When Mona the Mouse stumbles across the wondrous world of the Heartwood Hotel in the middle of a storm, she desperately hopes they'll let her stay. As it turns out, Mona is precisely the maid they need at the grandest hotel in Fernwood Forest, where animals come from far and wide for safety, luxury, and comfort. But the Heartwood Hotel is not all acorn souffl and soft moss-lined beds. Danger lurks, and as it approaches, Mona finds that this hotel is more than a warm place to spend the night. It might also be a home.

This delightfully enticing start of a new chapter book series tells a tale of friendship, courage, and community, with exquisite black-and-white illustrations throughout..


A mouse named Mona was lost in the woods after a scary storm torn her home. With no place to go, she began walking until she discovered wolves eyes staring at her. The poor mouse then fell in a river that lead her to an unknown place. Luckily she was able to open the "HH" door, met a kind badger, and found a place to stay, with conditions. Hard work, but with the wonders of the Heartwood Hotel.

As Mona learn the rules of Heartwood, she began taking care of things on her own. Yet, little by little she began breaking the rules. She talked to the guests at the hotel. Which Tilly, the squirrel, warned her not to. It was an accident at first, as she was stuck in a tub and the guests were scared off. Thankfully, Mona is very clever, and was able to assist them. And these smelly guests, were happy for her help. Then, the second time she spoke with a guest at the hotel was to let a lonely soul feel wanted and special. Then she left the premises to assist a bear find his way home! Another time, she let a six legged guest stay, even if they are not allowed. When Tilly found out, she was so furious and scared Mona out of the hotel. Gratefully, Mona return to save them all, after discovering wolves were planning to attack the hotel.

Heartwood Hotel is a sweet story that teaches that breaking rules for good and kind gestures isn't bad. Sometimes we will need to break the rules and do what's right. Mona wasn't scared to break these rules because she knew these fellow animals needed her help. She was kind and compassionate. We also learn that facing our fears and being brave is hard but at times we must face reality and our fears. Also, that working as a team many things can get accomplished.

Mona with fierce determination saves all the animals. She was home and she didn't want anyone or anything to be ruined. With her kindness, even the bear was willing to help! It shows that kindness can go a long way. And home is where the heart is.

For its lessons, I would recommend mothers to buy this book to their kids between ages 4-7. It's short and sweet. I know my niece enjoyed it as much as I did. Never be afraid, my little ones.



KALLIE GEORGE is the author of the Magical Animal Adoption Agency series. She works as an author and speaker in Vancouver, Canada, and has a master’s in children’s literature from the University of British Columbia. She also leads workshops for aspiring writers. Kallie happened across the Heartwood Hotel on a hike with her husband. Visit her online at kalliegeorge.com.



STEPHANIE GRAEGIN received her BFA in Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She later attended Pratt Institute, obtaining a Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking. Stephanie now lives in Brooklyn. Visit her online at graegin.com or on Twitter @Steph_Graegin.

3 winners will receive a finished copy of HEARTWOOD HOTEL, US Only.



FOLLOW THE TOUR
Week One:
6/26/2017- YA Book Nerd- Author Post
6/27/2017- Seraphina Reads- Review
6/28/2017- Just Commonly- Review
6/29/2017- BookHounds YA- Author Post
6/30/2017- Once Upon a Twilight- Review

Week Two:
7/3/2017- Mundie Kids- Review
7/4/2017- Word Spelunking- Author Post
7/5/2017- Mommy Ramblings- Review
7/6/2017- Batch of Books- Review
7/7/2017- Between the Cracks of Here and There- Author Post


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...