Shala K. Howell's Blog, page 15
December 20, 2019
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide: Part 3 – Ten Great Nonfiction Books for Middle Schoolers
My favorite thing about December is that people start contacting me out of the blue asking for book recommendations. This year, I’ve gotten a larger than usual number of requests specifically aimed at buying books to give to middle schoolers, so I thought I’d post some recommendations here on Caterpickles.
Two weeks ago, I posted a list of ten graphic novels popular with the kids at the middle school library where I volunteer. Last week, I told you about some of their favorite fiction writers. This week, it’s time to explore some nonfiction options.
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide Criteria
First, a quick reminder of the list criteria. Books make this list because:
Somebody at Caterpickles Central read it and recommends itThe kids read it at the library, so I have to keep reshelving itI keep having to repair the library’s copy because the kids are reading it so enthusiastically The librarians recommend it to a student who then checked it out
I’ll let you know for each book which criteria snagged them a place on the list.
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide:
Part 3 – 10 Great Nonfiction Books for Middle Schoolers
(Books are listed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.)
#1 Brazen by Pénélope Bagieu (Biography, Graphic Novel)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Throughout history and across the globe, one characteristic connects the daring women of Brazen: their indomitable spirit. Against overwhelming adversity, these remarkable women raised their voices and changed history.
“With her one-of-a-kind wit and dazzling drawings, celebrated graphic novelist Pénélope Bagieu profiles the lives of these feisty female role models, some world-famous, some little known. From Nellie Bly to Mae Jemison or Josephine Baker to Naziq al-Abid, the stories in this comic biography are sure to inspire the next generation of rebel ladies.”
Why Brazen is on the list: The librarian recommended it, and The Twelve-Year-Old liked it.
#2 Weird California by Greg Bishop, Joe Oesterle, and Mike Marinacci (Travel Guide)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Part of the Weird US series, this title talks about the strange things to see in California, from the Pitch Monster of La Brea to the ghost of Elvis (yes, he really is dead), and from the biggest pineapple in the world to the smallest museum in America.”
Why Weird California made the list: We like to acquire the Weird Travel Guide for whatever state we’re living in and/or travel to frequently. So far, we’ve acquired Weird California, Weird Illinois, Weird Massachusetts, and Weird Florida. The Twelve-Year-Old has enjoyed reading all of them, but recommends skipping the spooky parts. Weird California apparently has a higher than average percentage of spooky entries.
#3 The Notorious RBG Young Reader’s Edition: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik (Biography)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“The New York Times bestselling biography Notorious RBG—whose concept originated with a Tumblr page of the same name—is now available in a vibrant, full-color young readers’ edition.
“Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has become an icon to millions. Her tireless fight for equality and women’s rights has inspired not only great strides in the workforce but has impacted the law of the land. And now, perfect for a younger generation, comes an accessible biography of this fierce woman, detailing her searing dissents and powerful jurisprudence.
“This entertaining and insightful young readers’ edition mixes pop culture, humor, and expert analysis for a remarkable account of the indomitable Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Heroine. Trailblazer. Pioneer.”
Why The Notorious RBG made the list: The librarian recommends it.
#4 Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin (Graphic Novel)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“This is a powerful and timely story about one boy’s epic journey across Africa to Europe, a graphic novel for all children with glorious colour artwork throughout. From Eoin Colfer, previously Irish Children’s Laureate, and the team behind his bestselling Artemis Fowl graphic novels.
“Ebo: alone.
“His sister left months ago. Now his brother has disappeared too, and Ebo knows it can only be to make the hazardous journey to Europe.
“Ebo’s epic journey takes him across the Sahara Desert to the dangerous streets of Tripoli, and finally out to the merciless sea. But with every step he holds on to his hope for a new life, and a reunion with his sister.”
Why Illegal made the list: The librarian recommends it.
#5 Plagues: The Microscopic Battlefield by Falynn Koch (Science, Comics)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“In PLAGUES, we get to know the critters behind history’s worst diseases. We delve into the biology and mechanisms of infections, diseases, and immunity, and also the incredible effect that technology and medical science have had on humanity’s ability to contain and treat disease.
“Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic–dinosaurs, coral reefs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, flying machines, and more. These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you’re a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these books are for you!“
Why Plagues: The Microscopic Battlefield made this list: Kids actually check it out.
#6 It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood (Adapted for Young Readers) by Trevor Noah (Memoir)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“The host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, tells the story of growing up half black, half white in South Africa under and after apartheid in this young readers’ adaptation of his bestselling adult memoir Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood.
“Trevor Noah shares his story of growing up in South Africa, with a black South African mother and a white European father at a time when it was against the law for a mixed-race child like him to exist. But he did exist–and from the beginning, the often-misbehaved Trevor used his smarts and humor to navigate a harsh life under a racist government.”
Why It’s Trevor Noah is on the list: The librarian recommends it.
#7 Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper by Manuela Santoni, Translated by Matteo Benassi (Graphic Novel, Biography)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“In a time of formal dances, courtyard courtships, and strict ideas about a woman’s role in the world, Jane Austen looked at the England around her and created unforgettable art. Before she was the beloved author of Pride and Prejudice and other classic novels, Jane Austen was a young woman wrestling with society’s expectations and challenges of the heart. Her own story involves choices that changed literary history—and perhaps even the choice to walk away from love. This graphic imagining of Jane Austen’s youth includes her creative awakening and her much-speculated-upon encounters with Tom Lefroy, a brash law student. Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper is a vision of the thrills and pains of young romance, the bonds of sisterhood, and the decisions that make a person who she is.“
Why Jane Austen: Her Heart Did Whisper is on this list: It’s about Jane Austen.
#8 Mr. Shaha’s Recipes For Wonder by Alom Shaha (Science)
From the book description on Goodreads…
“Why does the …? What is …? How does …?
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“Don’t worry if you don’t know the answers, you soon will!
“Every child can be a scientist with the help of Mr Shaha and his recipes for wonder!
“Turn a rainy day at home or a walk in the park into a chance to experiment. All you need are a few simple items from your kitchen cupboards — and the power of curiosity!
“Learn about sound by making wine glasses sing, investigate chemical reactions with vitamin-powered rockets, and explore Newton’s Third Law by making balloon-driven cars.
“Written by a science teacher and dad, Mr Shaha’s Recipes for Wonder gives clear, step-by-step instructions for over 15 experiments. Whether you’re a science star or just starting out, it will help you inspire young people to learn.
“Get the whole family joining in around the table, as you transform your kitchen into a laboratory!“
Why Mr. Shaha’s Recipes for Wonder is on this list: The Twelve-Year-Old and I enjoy it.
#9 Dear America: Young Readers’ Edition: The Story of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“In this young readers’ adaptation of his adult memoir Dear America, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and undocumented immigrant Jose Antonio Vargas tells his story, in light of the 12 million undocumented immigrants currently in the United States.
“Jose Antonio Vargas was only twelve years old when he was brought to the United States from the Philippines to live with his grandparents. He didn’t know it, but he was sent to the U.S. illegally.
“When he applied for a learner’s permit, he learned the truth, and he spent the next almost twenty years keeping his immigration status a secret. Hiding in plain sight, he was writing for some of the most prestigious news organizations in the country. Only after publicly admitting his undocumented status—risking his career and personal safety—was Vargas able to live his truth.
“This book asks questions including, How do you define who is an American? How do we decide who gets to be a citizen? What happens to those who enter the U.S. without documentation?
“By telling his personal story and presenting facts without easy answers, Jose Antonio Vargas sheds light on an issue that couldn’t be more relevant.”
Why Dear America is on the list: The librarian recommends it.
#10 Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson (Memoir)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Jacqueline Woodson, one of today’s finest writers, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.
“Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.”
Why Brown Girl Dreaming is on the list: I am constantly having to reshelve Brown Girl Dreaming and other books by Jacqueline Woodson.
Bonus: Nonfiction books previously featured on the Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guides
You may have noticed a few nonfiction books made their way onto the graphic novels list I posted two weeks ago. But in case you missed it, you might also want to check out El Deafo by Cece Bell (Graphic Novel/Memoir), Real Friends by Shannon Hale (Graphic Novel/Memoir), and The March Trilogy by John Lewis (Graphic Novel/History).
A final note
Obviously, not every book on this list will appeal to every reader. This list is only intended to help you start your search.
Also, I am certain I’ve missed some great writers and even better books. The Twelve-Year-Old and I would love it if you’d leave a comment and tell us about the books you’d put on your gift list.
Related Links:
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide: Part 1 – Ten Great Graphic Novels (Caterpickles)The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide: Part 2 – 15 Great Middle Grade Novels (Caterpickles)More middle grade books on CaterpicklesMore Book Reviews on CaterpicklesLook what I learned to do this fall! (Caterpickles)
December 19, 2019
Throwback Thursday: The Five-Year-Old makes her Christmas list
[image error](Facebook post: Shala Howell)
Only six sleeps left until Christmas, y’all. Have you checked your list twice?
Related Links:
What’s a parent to do about Facebook? (Caterpickles)The Seven-Year-Old is on to you, Santa (Caterpickles)
December 13, 2019
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide: Part 2 – Fifteen Great Middle Grade Novels
My favorite thing about December is that people start contacting me out of the blue asking for book recommendations. This year, I’ve gotten a larger than usual number of requests specifically aimed at buying books to give to middle schoolers, so I thought I’d post some recommendations here on Caterpickles.
Last week, I posted a list of ten graphic novels popular with the kids at the middle school library where I volunteer. This week, I’ll tell you about some of their favorite fiction writers.
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide Criteria
In some cases, I put a book on this list because somebody at Caterpickles Central read it and loves it without reservation. In other cases, I put books on the list because:
The kids keep checking it out at the library, so I have to keep reshelving itI keep having to repair the library’s copy because the kids are reading it so enthusiastically I overheard one of the librarians recommend it to a student who then checked it out
I’ll let you know for each book which criteria snagged them a place on the list.
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide:
Part 2 – 15 Great Middle Grade Novels
(Books are listed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.)
#1 Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.
“Now we rise.
“Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.
“But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.
“Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.
“Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.”
Why The Children of Blood and Bone is on the list: Kids check it out a lot. That said, The Twelve-Year-Old wants me to warn you that this book is pretty intense.
#2 Suggested Reading by Dave Connis
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“In this standalone, a bookworm finds a way to fight back when her school bans dozens of classic and meaningful books.
“Clara Evans is horrified when she discovers her principal’s “prohibited media” hit list. The iconic books on the list have been pulled from the library and aren’t allowed anywhere on the school’s premises. Students caught with the contraband will be sternly punished.
“Many of these stories have changed Clara’s life, so she’s not going to sit back and watch while her draconian principal abuses his power. She’s going to strike back.
“So Clara starts an underground library in her locker, doing a shady trade in titles like Speak and The Chocolate War. But when one of the books she loves most is connected to a tragedy she never saw coming, Clara’s forced to face her role in it.
“Will she be able to make peace with her conflicting feelings, or is fighting for this noble cause too tough for her to bear?”
Why Suggested Reading made the list: The Twelve-Year-Old recommends it.
#3 Refugee by Alan Gratz
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Three different kids.
“One mission in common: ESCAPE.
“Josef is a Jewish boy in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world…
“Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety and freedom in America…
“Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe…
“All three young people will go on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. All will face unimaginable dangers–from drownings to bombings to betrayals. But for each of them, there is always the hope of tomorrow. And although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, surprising connections will tie their stories together in the end.”
Why Refugee made the list: Kids keep checking it out. (Actually, several of Alan Gratz’s books are on fairly constant rotation in and out of the library, including Prisoner B-3087 and Allies, so if Refugee doesn’t appeal, it may be worth looking at some others.)
#4 Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“’Everybody is smart in different ways. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it is stupid.’
“Ally has been smart enough to fool a lot of smart people. Every time she lands in a new school, she is able to hide her inability to read by creating clever yet disruptive distractions. She is afraid to ask for help; after all, how can you cure dumb? However, her newest teacher Mr. Daniels sees the bright, creative kid underneath the trouble maker. With his help, Ally learns not to be so hard on herself and that dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. As her confidence grows, Ally feels free to be herself and the world starts opening up with possibilities. She discovers that there’s a lot more to her—and to everyone—than a label, and that great minds don’t always think alike.”
Why Fish in a Tree made this list: I adore this book.
#5 Masterminds by Gordon Korman
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Eli Frieden has never left Serenity, New Mexico…why would he ever want to? Then one day, he bikes to the edge of the city limits and something so crazy and unexpected happens, it changes everything.
“Eli convinces his friends to help him investigate further, and soon it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems in Serenity. The clues mount to reveal a shocking discovery, connecting their ideal crime-free community to some of the greatest criminal masterminds ever known.
“The kids realize they can trust no one—least of all their own parents.”
Why Masterminds made the list: The Twelve-Year-Old and her friends recommend it.
#6 Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD MIN comes from a long line of fox spirits. But you’d never know it by looking at her. To keep the family safe, Min’s mother insists that none of them use any fox-magic, such as Charm or shape-shifting. They must appear human at all times.
“Min feels hemmed in by the household rules and resents the endless chores, the cousins who crowd her, and the aunties who judge her. She would like nothing more than to escape Jinju, her neglected, dust-ridden, and impoverished planet. She’s counting the days until she can follow her older brother, Jun, into the Space Forces and see more of the Thousand Worlds.
“When word arrives that Jun is suspected of leaving his post to go in search of the Dragon Pearl, Min knows that something is wrong. Jun would never desert his battle cruiser, even for a mystical object rumored to have tremendous power. She decides to run away to find him and clear his name.
“Min’s quest will have her meeting gamblers, pirates, and vengeful ghosts. It will involve deception, lies, and sabotage. She will be forced to use more fox-magic than ever before, and to rely on all of her cleverness and bravery. The outcome may not be what she had hoped, but it has the potential to exceed her wildest dreams.”
Why Dragon Pearl is on the list: The Twelve-Year-Old recommends it, and Yoon Ha Lee is one of Daddyo’s favorite authors.
#7 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli spends her days working hard in the fields and her nights listening to her father spin fantastic tales about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon. Minli’s mother, tired of their poor life, chides him for filling her head with nonsense. But Minli believes these enchanting stories and embarks on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him how her family can change their fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest.”
Why Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is on this list: The librarian recommends it. Also kids keep checking out books by Grace Lin.
#8 The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point—he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well.
“As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.”
Why The False Prince is on this list: Kids check out so many books by Jennifer A. Nielsen that I can find her spot on the shelves blind-folded. Her Mark of the Thief series is popular too.
#9 Wonder by R. J. Palacio
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.
“August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.”
Why Wonder is on the list: This is another one that gets checked out so often that reshelving it is essentially an automatic act. I’ve repaired it a few times too.
#10 Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“The compelling story of a girl’s fight to regain her life and dreams after being forced into indentured servitude.
“Life is quiet and ordinary in Amal’s Pakistani village, but she had no complaints, and besides, she’s busy pursuing her dream of becoming a teacher one day. Her dreams are temporarily dashed when–as the eldest daughter–she must stay home from school to take care of her siblings. Amal is upset, but she doesn’t lose hope and finds ways to continue learning. Then the unimaginable happens–after an accidental run-in with the son of her village’s corrupt landlord, Amal must work as his family’s servant to pay off her own family’s debt.
“Life at the opulent Khan estate is full of heartbreak and struggle for Amal–especially when she inadvertently makes an enemy of a girl named Nabila. Most troubling, though, is Amal’s growing awareness of the Khans’ nefarious dealings. When it becomes clear just how far they will go to protect their interests, Amal realizes she will have to find a way to work with others if they are ever to exact change in a cruel status quo, and if Amal is ever to achieve her dreams.”
Why Amal Unbound is on the list: It seems like every time I put this book on display, someone picks it up before school ends for the day. Kids seem to like Aisha Saeed’s Written in the Stars too.
#11 City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Cassidy Blake’s parents are The Inspecters, a (somewhat inept) ghost-hunting team. But Cass herself can REALLY see ghosts. In fact, her best friend, Jacob, just happens to be one.
“When The Inspecters head to ultra-haunted Edinburgh, Scotland, for their new TV show, Cass—and Jacob—come along. In Scotland, Cass is surrounded by ghosts, not all of them friendly. Then she meets Lara, a girl who can also see the dead. But Lara tells Cassidy that as an In-betweener, their job is to send ghosts permanently beyond the Veil. Cass isn’t sure about her new mission, but she does know the sinister Red Raven haunting the city doesn’t belong in her world. Cassidy’s powers will draw her into an epic fight that stretches through the worlds of the living and the dead, in order to save herself.”
Why City of Ghosts is on the list: Kids keep checking it out.
#12 The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.
“Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.
“But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.”
Why The Hate U Give is on the list: Kids ask for this one by name.
#13 Property of the Rebel Librarian by Alison Varnes
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“When twelve-year-old June Harper’s parents discover what they deem an inappropriate library book, they take strict parenting to a whole new level. And everything June loves about Dogwood Middle School unravels: librarian Ms. Bradshaw is suspended, an author appearance is canceled, the library is gutted, and all books on the premises must have administrative approval.
“But June can’t give up books . . . and she realizes she doesn’t have to when she spies a Little Free Library on her walk to school. As the rules become stricter at school and at home, June keeps turning the pages of the banned books that continue to appear in the little library. It’s a delicious secret . . . and one she can’t keep to herself. June starts a banned book library of her own in an abandoned locker at school. The risks grow alongside her library’s popularity, and a movement begins at Dogwood Middle–a movement that, if exposed, could destroy her. But if it’s powerful enough, maybe it can save Ms. Bradshaw and all that she represents: the freedom to read.
“Equal parts fun and empowering, this novel explores censorship, freedom of speech, and activism. For any kid who doesn’t believe one person can effect change…and for all the kids who already know they can!”
Why Property of the Rebel Librarian is on the list: The Twelve-Year-Old recommends it.
#14 Pie by Sarah Weeks
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“From the award-winning author of SO B. IT, a story about family, friendship, and…pie!
“When Alice’s Aunt Polly, the Pie Queen of Ipswitch, passes away, she takes with her the secret to her world-famous pie-crust recipe. Or does she? In her will, Polly leaves the recipe to her extraordinarily fat, remarkably disagreeable cat, Lardo . . . and then leaves Lardo in the care of Alice.
“Suddenly, the whole town is wondering how you leave a recipe to a cat. Everyone wants to be the next big pie-contest winner, and it’s making them pie-crazy. It’s up to Alice and her friend Charlie to put the pieces together and discover the not-so-secret recipe for happiness: Friendship. Family. And the pleasure of doing something for the right reason.
“With Pie, acclaimed author Sarah Weeks has baked up a sweet and satisfying delight, as inviting as warm pie on a cold day. You’ll enjoy every last bite.”
Why Pie is on the list: I keep having to reshelve it. Also The Twelve-Year-Old loves this book.
#15 Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn war machine and a loyal crew of men.
“Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She’s a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.
“With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn’s paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.”
Why Leviathan is on this list: The Twelve-Year-Old loves giving copies of this book to her friends. If Leviathan doesn’t appeal, you might take a look at Westerfeld’s Uglies series. The kids check out the books in that series a lot too.
Bonus: 10 well-known series that kids keep checking out
These series are pretty well-known by now, so I’m not going to summarize them. However, don’t let that stop you from gifting these to a reader who hasn’t encountered them yet. The kids at our middle school are constantly reading these books, which tells me that their appeal hasn’t yet faded.
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Ranger’s Apprentice by John FlanaganDiary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff KinneyThe Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer Middle School by James Patterson Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan Divergent by Veronica Roth Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
(All links are to the first book in the series.)
A final note
Obviously, not every book on this list will appeal to every reader. This list is only intended to help you start your search.
Also, I am certain I’ve missed some great writers and even better books. The Twelve-Year-Old and I would love it if you’d leave a comment and tell us about the books you’d put on your gift list.
Related Links:
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide: Part 1 – Ten Great Graphic Novels (Caterpickles)More middle grade books on CaterpicklesMore Book Reviews on CaterpicklesLook what I learned to do this fall! (Caterpickles)
December 12, 2019
Throwback Thursday: My daughter winterizes her bike
[image error](Facebook post: Shala Howell)
Related Links:
What’s a parent to do about Facebook? (Caterpickles)Wordless Wednesday: Winter. Here. Now. For a very long time. Maybe forever. Bleak. (Caterpickles)
December 6, 2019
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide: Part 1 – Ten Great Graphic Novels
My favorite thing about December is that people start contacting me out of the blue asking for book recommendations. This year, I’ve gotten a larger than usual number of requests specifically aimed at buying books to give to middle schoolers, so I thought I’d post some recommendations here on Caterpickles.
Before I get to that though, let’s talk about the structure of the Caterpickles Middle School Book Gift Guide. In the interest of getting as many book titles as possible on this list without obliterating my ability to work on anything else between now and the new year, I’m going to simply copy and paste the book description from Goodreads, and limit my comments about any given book to a quick explanation of how it made the list.
I’m also going to break the list up over multiple weeks. This week, I’ll talk about graphic novels, next week I’ll provide some fiction recommendations, and in week three, I’ll list a few nonfiction picks.
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide Criteria
In some cases, a book will be on this list because I read it and love it without reservation. In other cases, I put books on the list because:
The kids keep checking it out at the libraryI keep having to repair the library’s copy because the kids are reading it so enthusiastically I overheard one of the librarians recommend it to a student who then checked it out
I’ll let you know for each book which criteria snagged them a place on the list.
Why start with graphic novels?
Every day I walk into the library, I know that I’m going to need to spend at least part of my shift cleaning up the graphic novel section. A good chunk of the kids who come into the library at break and at lunch head straight there. Their daily prowls through the graphic novel stacks inevitably leave this section in cheerful disarray.
When you’re giving a book to a middle schooler, you want your gift to be greeted with this sort of enthusiasm.
OK? Let’s begin.
The Caterpickles Middle Grade Gift Book Guide:
Part 1 – Ten Great Graphic Novels
Here are ten of the graphic novels I keep having to check out, reshelve, and repair at our local middle school library. All books are fiction, unless otherwise noted. Books are listed in alphabetical order by the author’s last name.
#1 El Deafo by Cece Bell (Memoir)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Starting at a new school is scary, even more so with a giant hearing aid strapped to your chest! At her old school, everyone in Cece’s class was deaf. Here she is different. She is sure the kids are staring at the Phonic Ear, the powerful aid that will help her hear her teacher. Too bad it also seems certain to repel potential friends.
“Then Cece makes a startling discovery. With the Phonic Ear she can hear her teacher not just in the classroom, but anywhere her teacher is in school — in the hallway… in the teacher’s lounge… in the bathroom! This is power. Maybe even superpower! Cece is on her way to becoming El Deafo, Listener for All. But the funny thing about being a superhero is that it’s just another way of feeling different… and lonely. Can Cece channel her powers into finding the thing she wants most, a true friend?
“This funny perceptive graphic novel memoir about growing up hearing impaired is also an unforgettable book about growing up, and all the super and super embarrassing moments along the way.”
Why El Deafo made the list: I keep having to reshelve it.
#2 Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don’t get noticed by the mean kids.
“Cardinal rule #2 for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them.
“On her first day at her new school, Penelope–Peppi–Torres reminds herself of these basics. But when she trips into a quiet boy in the hall, Jaime Thompson, she’s already broken the first rule, and the mean kids start calling her the ‘nerder girlfriend.’ How does she handle this crisis? By shoving poor Jaime and running away!
“Falling back on rule two and surrounding herself with new friends in the art club, Peppi still can’t help feeling ashamed about the way she treated Jaime. Things are already awkward enough between the two, but to make matters worse, he’s a member of her own club’s archrivals–the science club! And when the two clubs go to war, Peppi realizes that sometimes you have to break the rules to survive middle school!”
Why Awkward made the list: The librarian keeps recommending it to kids.
#3 Brave by Svetlana Chmakova
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“In his daydreams, Jensen is the biggest hero that ever was, saving the world and his friends on a daily basis. But his middle school reality is VERY different – math is hard, getting along with friends is hard…Even finding a partner for the class project is a big problem when you always get picked last. And the pressure’s on even more once the school newspaper’s dynamic duo, Jenny and Akilah, draw Jensen into the whirlwind of school news, social experiment projects, and behind-the-scenes club drama. Jensen’s always played the middle school game one level at a time, but suddenly, someone’s cranked up the difficulty setting. Will those daring daydreams of his finally work in his favor, or will he have to find real solutions to his real life problems?”
Why Brave made the list: The librarian keeps recommending it to kids.
#4 Real Friends by Shannon Hale (Memoir)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“When best friends are not forever . . .
“Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were little. But one day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called The Group. Everyone in The Group wants to be Jen’s #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top . . . even if it means bullying others.
“Now every day is like a roller coaster for Shannon. Will she and Adrienne stay friends? Can she stand up for herself? And is she in The Group—or out?
“Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Times bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces in this graphic memoir about how hard it is to find your real friends—and why it’s worth the journey.”
Why Real Friends made the list: I keep having to reshelve it.
#5 Zita the Space Girl by Ben Hatke
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Zita’s life took a cosmic left turn in the blink of an eye.
“When her best friend is abducted by an alien doomsday cult, Zita leaps to the rescue and finds herself a stranger on a strange planet. Humanoid chickens and neurotic robots are shocking enough as new experiences go, but Zita is even more surprised to find herself taking on the role of intergalactic hero. Before long, aliens in all shapes and sizes don’t even phase her. Neither do ancient prophecies, doomed planets, or even a friendly con man who takes a mysterious interest in Zita’s quest.
“Zita the Spacegirl is a fun, captivating tale of friendship and redemption from Flight veteran Ben Hatke. It also has more whimsical, eye-catching, Miyazaki-esque monsters than you can shake a stick at.”
Why Zita the Space Girl made the list: I keep having to reshelve it. Oh, and my daughter liked it.
#6 by Faith Erin Hicks
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“The City has many names… and no name.
“Built on an ancient mountain pass, the City is forever being invaded by one nation or another, and every new master gives it a new name. But for the natives, their home is the Nameless City, and those who try to name it are forever outsiders.
“Dreamy, sheltered Kaidu is one such outsider. He’s a Dao born and bred — a son of the latest nation to occupy the Nameless City. Cynical, street-smart Rat is a native, and at first she hates Kai for everything he stands for. But Kai’s love of his new home may be the one thing that can unite these two unlikely friends. And they will need to stand together at all costs…
…because the fate of the Nameless City rests in their hands.“
Why The Nameless City made the list: I keep having to reshelve it.
#7 The Stonekeeper (Amulet #1) by Kazu Kibuishi
From the book description on Goodreads:
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“Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a giant robot—and two ordinary children on a life-or-death mission.”
“After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.”
“Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.”
Why Amulet made the list: Kids are constantly checking it out to read at home
#8 March: Book One by John Lewis (Nonfiction)
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Congressman John Lewis (GA-5) is an American icon, one of the key figures of the civil rights movement. His commitment to justice and nonviolence has taken him from an Alabama sharecropper’s farm to the halls of Congress, from a segregated schoolroom to the 1963 March on Washington, and from receiving beatings from state troopers to receiving the Medal of Freedom from the first African-American president.
“Now, to share his remarkable story with new generations, Lewis presents March, a graphic novel trilogy, in collaboration with co-writer Andrew Aydin and New York Times best-selling artist Nate Powell (winner of the Eisner Award and LA Times Book Prize finalist for Swallow Me Whole).
“March is a vivid first-hand account of John Lewis’ lifelong struggle for civil and human rights, meditating in the modern age on the distance traveled since the days of Jim Crow and segregation. Rooted in Lewis’ personal story, it also reflects on the highs and lows of the broader civil rights movement.
“Book One spans John Lewis’ youth in rural Alabama, his life-changing meeting with Martin Luther King, Jr., the birth of the Nashville Student Movement, and their battle to tear down segregation through nonviolent lunch counter sit-ins, building to a stunning climax on the steps of City Hall.
“Many years ago, John Lewis and other student activists drew inspiration from the 1950s comic book “Martin Luther King and the Montgomery Story.” Now, his own comics bring those days to life for a new audience, testifying to a movement whose echoes will be heard for generations.”
Why March made the list: I read and love it whole-heartedly. I learned a lot from it too. Be sure to read Books 2 and 3 as well.
#9 Smile by Raina Telgemeier
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there’s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have ever had a bit of their own dental drama.”
Why Smile made the list: I keep having to reshelve it. Repaired it a couple of times too.
Note: This list is getting pretty long, so I didn’t make separate entries for them, but based on the kids’ reading habits at our school, you pretty much can’t go wrong with Raina Telgemeier. Sisters, Drama, and Ghosts are being read on constant rotation too.
#10 The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
From the book description on Goodreads…
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“Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:
“Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!
“Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart.”
Why The Prince and the Dressmaker made the list: This book met all three criteria. I keep having to reshelve it, repair it, and check it out to kids eager to read it at home.
A final note
Obviously, not every book on this list will appeal to every reader. This list is only intended to help you start your search.
Also, I am certain I’ve missed some great graphic novels. The Twelve-Year-Old and I would love it if you’d leave a comment and tell us about great graphic novels we’ve missed.
Related Links:
More middle grade books on CaterpicklesMore Book Reviews on CaterpicklesLook what I learned to do this fall! (Caterpickles)
December 5, 2019
Throwback Thursday: The Very Giant Glycodont
[image error](Facebook post: Shala Howell. Edited to hide other people’s data)
If you are in Boston, it’s worth making time to view Harvard’s fossil collection. It’s not bright and airy like other museums can be, but they have some bones there we haven’t seen anywhere else. Of course, it’s been 9 years since we visited, so maybe they’ve spruced the place up.
Related Links:
What’s a parent to do about Facebook? (Caterpickles)“Why do we eat turkey at Thanksgiving?” (Caterpickles)
November 29, 2019
Book Review: Mouse Guard by David Petersen
Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 by David Petersen
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Genre: Middle grade fiction
Publisher: Archaia
Year Published: 2009
Format: Graphic novel
Source: Library
Book Summary: Mouse Guard: Fall 1152
“The forest is a dangerous place for any animal, especially one as small as a mouse. In the past, the mouse world endured a tyrannical Weasel Warlord until a noble band of mouse soldiers fought back. Ever since, the Mouse Guard has defended the paces and prosperity of its kingdom. For generations, this league of scouts, weather-watchers, trailblazers, and protectors has passed on its knowledge and skills.
“Now three of the Guard’s finest have been dispatched. The mission seems simple: They are to find a missing mouse, a grain merchant who never arrived at his destination. But when they find him, they make a shocking discovery—one that involves a treacherous betrayal, a stolen secret, and a rising power that has only one goal: to bring down the Guard…”
From the book description on Goodreads
What I thought of Mouse Guard: Fall 1152
The graphic novel section of the middle school library where I volunteer is by far the most popular section. Every time I go in, I spend at least 30 minutes cleaning it up. The kids at the middle school adore graphic novels, but aren’t as fond of putting them back where they belong.
Since there’s a three book check-out limit at the library, and since most graphic novel series contain far more than three books that for the most part need to be read in order, the kids are quite skilled at coming with strategies to hide the next book in whatever series they are reading. I am constantly finding books filed under the wrong letter, hidden behind other books, upside down, and sideways (so that the bottom of the book faces out instead of the spine).
One of the novels I found tucked away under C instead of P last month was David Petersen’s Mouse Guard: Fall 1152. The student who had filed it had taken the added security precaution of filing it with its spine to the wall, presumably so other readers wouldn’t be able to find it until he or she was done reading.
As I was fixing it, the cover with its brilliant fall leaves and fierce swash-buckling mouse caught my attention. So I checked it out (sorry, anonymous middle schooler, but if you want to protect the books from the librarians, you’ll have to put them back where they belong).
The story itself is engaging enough. The basic premise is that the forest houses a fully-fledged mouse kingdom made up of various towns and villages filled with peaceful mouse artisans, craftspeople, and tradesmen. The society is protected from threats external and domestic by a band of mouse warriors, known as the Mouse Guard.
Although the Mouse Guard does face some serious external threats in the Fall of 1152, most notably an extremely hungry owl, the main threat to the once-peaceful society comes from within. A rogue army rises, led by a former Mouse Guard warrior determined to seize power for himself.
The quote from Variety on the book cover describes Mouse Guard as a blend of Lord of the Rings and Stuart Little, and I can definitely see why. The rogue leader, Midnight, could be seen as a mouse version of Sauron, and all stories about mice are inevitably compared to Stuart Little at one point or another.
But I think a much better description would be to call this book a cross between Jill Barklem’s Brambly Hedge and Brian Jacques’ Redwall.
David Petersen and Jill Barklem both surround their mice with mouse-sized versions of human architecture and furniture
In Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 David Petersen has created a visual feast, with richly detailed illustrations of mouse homes, pubs, workshops, and streets that remind me of the illustrations Jill Barklem created for Brambly Hedge.
[image error]The details in this illustration from Chapter 5: Midnight’s Dawn — the designs on the cabinets, the faint details on the shield, the mouse-sized furniture that looks like it could have come straight out of my grandparent’s house — remind me of the anthropomorphic style Jill Barklem uses in her picture book series, Brambly Hedge. (Image: David Petersen, Mouse Guard: Fall 1152)
And, like Redwall, the fate of this entire society depends upon the actions of a few brave mice.
There’s less feasting though. I don’t expect a Mouse Guard cookbook to be released any time soon.
There is a highly-rated role playing game, however, which reviewers describe as a great way to introduce middle schoolers to table top role playing games. The rules are less complex than Dungeon-and-Dragons, and the terrors mainly terrifying when you remember to see them from a mouse’s point of view. Still, there appears to be enough here to keep you and your middle schooler interested while you form patrols and lead missions to keep the Mouse Territories safe from owls, rogue battalions, and winter famine.
And of course, there is a set of graphic novels with which to immerse yourself into the world. So if you were looking for a role-playing game suitable for your middle schooler, this might be a good one to try.
Who would enjoy Mouse Guard: Fall 1152?
Anyone looking for a graphic novel series suitable for middle grade readersFans of Brian Jacques’ Redwall seriesReaders looking for beautifully illustrated animal adventure stories
Related Links
Book Review: Brambly Hedge (Caterpickles)David Petersen’s blogOfficial Mouse Guard websiteMore book reviews on Caterpickles
November 28, 2019
Throwback Thursday: Daddyo teaches The Three-Year-Old to use his giant camera
[image error](Facebook post: Shala Howell, edited to remove other people’s information.)
Oh, and before I forget…. Happy Thanksgiving, U.S. readers!
Related Links:
What’s a parent to do about Facebook? (Caterpickles)“Why do we eat turkey at Thanksgiving?” (Caterpickles)
November 22, 2019
What’s a parent to do about Facebook?
In the beginning, there was the group text chain…
When we had our daughter, my husband and I began to be besieged by family and friends looking for updates on how the baby was doing. “How did the nap go today?” “Has she said her first word?” “Is she over that nasty stomach bug?”
Sadly, there is not always time in the life of a new mom with an infant or a toddler to make multiple phone calls, some of which will be extended, in one day. My calls back then were pretty focused on my own personal needs, frankly.
“Help! My daughter has been crying for four hours straight again and I need someone to JUST MAKE IT STOP.”
Me, pretty much every day, circa 2007.
In her first six months, my daughter cried every blessed day from approximately 4 in the afternoon until 7 (or 8 or 9) at night, when her father would come home and make it stop. Sometimes my daughter and I cried together.
It was not the best of times. But life gets better, and all those hours of crying made me really appreciate the moments when she wasn’t crying. I got in the habit of taking pictures of those fleeting grins and sending them out by text to a select group of folks.
[image error]Sample Caterpickles-friendly text from the group text chain period. The message that accompanied this one was: “Look what I found this morning! Sparky all dressed for the day! If only I could say the same about [The Two-Year-Old].” (Photo: Shala Howell)
Sometime after the 6 month-long crying jag ended, one of my cousins asked me why I didn’t just use Facebook for that. It would be faster, she pointed out, and I could share the joy with all sorts of people whose phone numbers I didn’t have.
I thought about this for awhile, decided she was right, and like millions of other pet owners and parents, I joined Facebook.
It was great for a while. My husband and I set some straightforward rules about how we would talk about our daughter on social media (never use her full name, don’t post anything too embarrassing, remember that anything you post may end up being public information one day so be sure you’re ok with that, etc.). Pretty much the same set of rules I use here on Caterpickles.
[image error]On the afternoon of February 11, 2010, The Then Two-Year-Old decided it was more fun to dress the cat than the little magnetic doll this hat and shirt belonged to. (Photo: Shala Howell)
But time changes a lot of things. Among them are our personal parameters for what it’s ok to share online.
As loyal readers know, I’ve had to change how I use this blog, now that my daughter and her friends are in middle school and roaming about online. What my daughter thinks it’s ok for me to share publicly now that she’s in 7th grade is very different from what she was ok with me talking about in public while she was in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
A few months ago, my daughter googled herself
A few months ago, my daughter’s class reviewed the basic rules for online safety. As part of the exercise, kids were asked to google themselves to see what came up.
When my daughter told me what she was doing, I got pretty nervous. Would she find all those stories I’ve posted about her over the years on Facebook and get mad about them?
“Mommyo, when I google my name, I just see a bunch of pictures of middle-aged women.”
– The Twelve-Year-Old, after googling herself for a school assignment on online safety.
Whew!
Still, the episode made me think. I’ve been using Facebook for a decade now, more or less. And while I understand that Facebook has to make money somehow, the thought that they are mining a decade’s worth of my memories to create better targeted advertising opportunities for third vendors I may or may not have ever heard of makes me a little queasy.
To say nothing of the fact that one day, my daughter may join Facebook or Instagram and admit to a relationship with me. Suddenly all that care I took to keep her name out of my posts, and only share unidentifiable pictures of her won’t protect her any more. It will be pretty easy to link her to that entire archive of information the moment she clicks “Join.”
[image error](Post: Shala Howell)
I don’t want to leave Facebook completely, although plenty of people have
Many people, including my mother, have responded to recent news about how Facebook may or may not be using our data by simply deleting their Facebook accounts.
I have been tempted. But I’m not quite ready to do that myself. There are lots of people on Facebook that I don’t have any other way of contacting. I also like using it as an archive for old Caterpickles posts.
The rest of my data on Facebook, though, doesn’t need to stay there. At most, I’m ok with having about a year’s worth of entries there.
So I’ve been slowly – oh so slowly – using the Manage your posts feature on my wall to delete my old data – one post and one photo album at a time.
It’s a pain, and one day I may get fed up and just delete my entire Facebook account like my mom did.
But it’s also been fun.
I’ve found all sorts of tidbits that I’ve forgotten even happened.
[image error](Facebook post: Shala Howell)
As I delete them from Facebook, I’ll share some of them here with you, so that you can tromp down this particular memory lane with me.
What about you?
Have you changed how you use Facebook? What prompted it? Aging kids? Recent news about Facebook’s privacy and data-sharing policies? Leave a comment and tell me about it.
Related Links
“How can you keep kids in the loop when you’re visiting a sick relative without them?” (Caterpickles)Facebook’s latest privacy scandal: What we know about the company’s handling of user data (USA Today)
November 15, 2019
Book Review: Mister Monday by Garth Nix
Mister Monday by Garth Nix
Genre: Middle grade fiction, fantasy
Publisher: Scholastic
Year Published: 2006
Format: Audiobook (Listening Library)
Source: Library
Link: Mister Monday (The Keys to the Kingdom #1) (Goodreads)
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“Arthur Penhaligon’s first days at his new school don’t go too well, particularly when a fiendish Mister Monday appears, gives Arthur a magical clock hand, and then orders his gang of dog-faced goons to chase Arthur around and get it back. But when the confused and curious boy discovers that a mysterious virus is spreading through town, he decides to enter an otherworldly house to stop it. After meeting Suzy Blue and the first part of “the Will” (a frog-looking entity that knows everything about the House), Arthur learns that he’s been selected as Rightful Heir to the House and must get the other part of the clock hand in order to defeat Monday. That means getting past Monday’s henchmen and journeying to the Dayroom itself. Thankfully, Arthur is up to the challenge, but as he finds out, his fight seems to be only one-seventh over.”
From the book description on Goodreads
What I thought of Mister Monday
For whatever reason, I read a ton of mystery novels in October. After a steady diet of mysteries, I felt the need to read something different, and picked up Mister Monday, the first in Garth Nix’s The Keys to the Kingdom fantasy series.
The opening episode in the series follows the adventures of Arthur Penhaligon, whose first day at his brand new school is marred by a mile-run. Arthur didn’t realize that was going to happen, so brought the wrong shoes. Worse, the run triggers his asthma, and nearly kills him.
That near-death experience launches an extraordinary fantasy novel of competing agendas, time-bending experiences, and mysteriously fatal epidemics. I’m always a little nervous when I listen to middle grade novels as audiobooks, because so many narrators read them in sleepy bedtime story voices. Thankfully, Allan Corduner is not one of them. He reads Arthur’s story in a lively style with distinct, but not distracting, voices for each of the various characters. I’m looking forward to hearing more of this series.
Who would enjoy Mister Monday?
Anyone looking for a fantasy series suitable for middle grade readers
About Garth Nix
Garth Nix’s Goodreads biography makes several remarkable claims:
Nix was born to the dulcet tones of a Salvation Army band playing “Hail the Conquering Hero Comes” (or was it “Roll Out the Barrel”?) At the age of nineteen, Nix exchanged his life in Australia for a more peripatetic one in the UK. His primary possessions during this period were a beat-up Austin, a trunk full of books, and a Silver-Reed typewriter. Garth persisted in this lifestyle long after the wheels fell off his Austin. His first attempt at being a full-time writer in 1998 convinced Nix that full-time writing is directly responsible for the bulk of the weird behavior he has observed in his fellow writers. Nevertheless, working as a literary agent for a few years convinced Nix to give full-time writing another try in 2002.
(Bio adapted from Garth Nix’s Goodreads author page.)
Related Links
More book reviews on Caterpickles
