Task 5: Read a Middle Grade Novel

[Claudia]

I'm going to read A Murder for Her Majesty by Beth Hilgartner.

[Karen]

I think I am going to read The Sword of Summer for this one - my son received it as a Christmas present.

[Julia]

I just finished reading Camp Can't: The Complicated Life of Claudia Cristina Cortez. Amazon has it recommended for ages 9 - 13. The protagonist is a 13 year old girl. It was a cute story about summer camp.

[Jules]

Shirley wrote: "I'm going for a wrinkle in time for this one."
Cool, I might try this too -- all my friends read this but I never did.

[Courtney]

Our state has a reading competition for kids in 4-12th grades called Oregon Battle of the Books - they always choose some great ones from a variety of genres.

I think I'll listen to A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story.

[Betsy]

I think Roddy Doyle's "A Greyhound of a Girl" is a great choice - I found my copy in a children's book store and loved it.
I just finished "the Giver" by Lois Lowry. I liked it, but I'm such a Sci Fi junkie that it felt predictable to me. Oh, well. I finished the middle grade novel task.

[Janet]

I'm going with a twofer cause Lumberjanes is both a ya book and a comic that was created in the last 3 years

[Monica]

I'm reading Zoe's Tale which is Scalzi's foray into YA. I may be quibbling a bit on the definition of "middle grade" but I think it qualifies.

[Amelia]

I think I'm going to read The BFG by Ronald Dahl. With the movie coming out this year, I'd like to read the book first anyway

[Barbara]

The Worst Bestellers podcast just did an episode on the hosts' favorite middle grade and YA books of the last year. There are enough interesting sounding books in that list that I'm sure I'll find something.

If all else fails, I've been meaning to re-read From the Mixed up Files of Mrs Basi E Frankeiler. I remember loving it as a kid, but I can't actually remember anything about it other than that.

[Lissa Mascio]

I'm reading Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. I'm actually reading it out loud to my 5th grader so it counts for tasks #4 and #5. I think I might also read Half a Chance, which is one she is reading in school, so we can discuss.

[Jo]

I just finished The Screaming Staircase and it was AWESOME. I didn't realise it was aimed at 9-11 year olds until I was almost done, either, and actually debated with myself over whether it wasn't a bit scary for kids; then I thought about how much I would've LOVED it when I was that age and realised I was being silly.

So yes, would recommend!

[Danielle]

Jo wrote: "I just finished The Screaming Staircase and it was AWESOME. I didn't realise it was aimed at 9-11 year olds until I was almost done, either, and actually debated with myself over wh..."

I LOVED The Screaming Staircase! I love horror books in general, so this was right up my alley. I will be honest in saying this was one of the scariest books I have ever read (and yes, I have read Stephen King!)

[Hebah]

I just read Thanhha Lai's Inside Out & Back Again

This story of Ha', a ten-year-old Vietnamese girl whose family ends up in Alabama in 1975 after Saigon falls, was a bit of a departure for me in its verse form. The form really lent itself to the emotional resonance as Ha' experiences war time, being a refugee, coming to a new country, and trying to learn a frustrating language. Her experiences learning English, with all its rules and exceptions and snaky SSSSSS sounds, made me smile. Her new life isn't all bad; her family is helped along the way by a few kind souls like their "cowboy" sponsor (who does not, in fact, have a horse) and Miss Washington, and Ha' herself has very authentic-feeling interactions with her brothers, both when they pick on her and when they help her deal with being bullied. Overall a very charming, hopeful, poignant historical fiction story based largely upon the author's own experiences.

[Jennifer]

Hebah wrote: "I just read Thanhha Lai's Inside Out & Back Again

This story of Ha', a ten-year-old Vietnamese girl whose family ends up in Alabama in 1975 after Saigon falls, was a bit of a depart..."

I loved that book so much. Her book Listen, Slowly is on my list of possibilities for this category or A Book By an Author from Southeast Asia.

[Hebah]

Listen, Slowly sounds wonderful as well. Onto Mt. TBR it goes!

[Ramona]

I read Tuck Everlasting. I'd never heard of it before and received it from one of my besties as a gift last year because it's her childhood favorite. That fact made it extra enjoyable for me. I found the concept a bit strange but the story was very sweet and had great messages throughout.

[Ramona]

Bobby wrote: "I have difficulty determining whether any given book is a children's novel, middle school novel, or YA novel, especially when I haven't read it yet. The books I remember reading in junior high (as ..."

I listened to Coraline audiobook last year. It's a wonderful performance although the story was a bit too creepy for my tastes!

[Trina]

I'm glad I read the more detailed description, otherwise I would have gone more YA, but this seems like pre-YA. I may read the first Harry Potter. It's the only one I never read. Otherwise there are great suggestions here.

[Jo]

Danielle - so glad I'm not alone!

[Elle]

Philippa wrote: "I'm not sure what counts as Middle grade, but my 12 yo is insisting I read Dodger by Terry Pratchett, so I'm hoping that counts. I'm new to the challenge, so hello!"

Middle Grade (publisher classification) books are aimed at 8-12 year olds. Dodger has been tagged as Young Adult (age 13-18+). But if you have an endorsement from a 12 year old - you've got gold there - go for it and count it as Middle Grade. Plus anything by Terry Pratchett is fantastic. And welcome to the challenge.

[Hayley]

I just started reading The Phantom Tollbooth (never read it as a kid!). I think that counts as middle grade...?

[Bonnie G.]

Hayley wrote: "I just started reading The Phantom Tollbooth (never read it as a kid!). I think that counts as middle grade...?"

It does, and it is so good!

[Hayley]

Bonnie wrote: "Hayley wrote: "I just started reading The Phantom Tollbooth (never read it as a kid!). I think that counts as middle grade...?"

It does, and it is so good!"

Thanks Bonnie! I'm definitely enjoying it so far.

[Patricia]

I am a long way away from school or from having kids in school so I went with the New York Public Library recommendations for this challenge and am reading Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan. I must confess that I was expecting a much more simplistic book for this age group. I was also expecting a quick read but Echo is 585 pages! I am reading an e-copy from the library so hadn't realized how long it is before I started. All that said, I'm enjoying the story and am anxious to see how the author brings all the principal characters together at the end.

[Jayanti]

I decided upon The Book Thief for this category. It was very affecting.

[Trina]

I'm reading Zen and the Art of Faking It. I can probably double count this one as a book about religion also, if necessary.

[April]

Hebah wrote: "I just read Thanhha Lai's Inside Out & Back Again

This story of Ha', a ten-year-old Vietnamese girl whose family ends up in Alabama in 1975 after Saigon falls, was a bit of a depart..."

I almost picked this one. It was a close second to Brown Girl Dreaming

[Jamie]

Would Nancy Drew books count as middle grade? I've never read one, but have been wanting to.

I'm guessing I'm safe with Lemony Snicket books?

[Bonnie G.]

Jamie wrote: "Would Nancy Drew books count as middle grade? I've never read one, but have been wanting to.

I'm guessing I'm safe with Lemony Snicket books?"

I am no expert, but my son read Lemony Snicket in 1st-3rd grades, I think they are aimed at younger than middle-grades readers. I read Nancy Drew at about the same age, 2nd grade I think, around the time I read the Little House books.

[Hebah]

April wrote: "I almost picked this one. It was a close second to Brown Girl Dreaming "

That one is still on my to-read list.

[Monica]

I picked up a copy of Charlotte's Web at Costco. I'll read it and gift it to one of my nieces...or not ;-)

[Katy]

I read "Listen, Slowly" by Thanhha Lai for this category and absolutely adored it. It would also count for the author from Southeast Asia category, as the author was born in Vietnam. What a sweet and real story about a Vietnamese-American girl accompanying her grandmother on a trip to Vietnam to find out the truth of what happened to her grandfather during the war. Really can't recommend this one highly enough.

[Heidi]

I read As I lay dying by William Faulkner for this category. It was a book that many read in junior /high school and I considered that middle school. It is the story of a Southern family that must bury their deceased mother. I didn't really enjoy this book, but completed because it's considered a classic in American literature.

[Heather]

I read Smile and really liked it. It's been on my TBR for ages too.

[Wellington]

For this challenge I read Number The Stars by Lois Lowry. This book looks at how the Danish people saved their Jewish population from the Nazis in World War II. It starts several years into the Nazi occupation of Denmark and tells the story through the eyes of 10 year old Annemarie Johansen. When the story starts, Annemarie is aware of the Nazis and how they have affected everyday life. Soon however her best friend Ellen and her family, along with all of the Jewish people in Denmark, are targeted for relocation by the Nazis. Ellen comes to stay with the Johansens when her parents have to leave. When the Nazis come calling to find out where Ellen's family is, the Johansens pretend Ellen is one of their children. As the story progresses Annemarie learns what bravery and courage truly mean. The story is simple, yet profound. The author does an excellent job of telling children what life during wartime was really like without treating them too much like children. Very worthwhile read!

[Bex]

I'm contemplating Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm or a second attempt at Little Women. I wonder if these are considered middle grade?

Edit: Ooh! I'll probably just re-read From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. I remember reading and loving it as a ten year old!

[Mary Sue]

I chose Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson for this task. It has been shelved anywhere from Children's Lit to Y/A, so I think it fits this category. I enjoyed it a lot more that I thought I would - 4 stars!

[Michelle]

Just finished my new favorite book:

[Alice]

I'm suddenly worried that Pretty Little Liars might not fit the requirement. Ack!

Can someone let me know?

[Hebah]

Alice wrote: "I'm suddenly worried that Pretty Little Liars might not fit the requirement. Ack!

Can someone let me know?"

I think it's typically classified as young adult, especially since it sounds a little darker and more mature.

[Lara]

Jamie, I think Nancy Drew series is fine for this task. I defo read the series as a middle grader.

[Alice]

Hebah - Thank you! I have some others I bought for my daughter & step daughter, so I'll tear through one of those! :)

[Jules]

Monica wrote: "I picked up a copy of Charlotte's Web at Costco. I'll read it and gift it to one of my nieces...or not ;-)"

:-) or not ... I loved that book. It's a keeper.

[Alice]

I now have copies of Eoin Colfer's The Supernaturalist and The Wish List… acceptable? :)

[Anna]

Dana wrote: "For this challenge I read Number The Stars by Lois Lowry. This book looks at how the Danish people saved their Jewish population from the Nazis in World War II. It starts several years into the Naz..."

Oh, man. One of my favorite books!

[Meghan]

These Shallow Graves I read this one, but I felt like it was meant for an older audience than middle-schoolers. Though when I was ten years old and in middle school, I was reading Lord of the Rings, so I may be a bad judge.

[Emily]

Rainey wrote: "I am going to read Harriet the Spy"

This was one of my very favorite books growing up. I wanted to be Harriet with her green notebooks! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did so many decades ago!

[Martha]

I eventually want to read Pax. I've heard good things about it. I'm #11 on the waiting list at the library so it will be a while before I get to it.

[Ashwise]

I read Frozen: Hail to the Queen