The GMGR 2018 A to Z Challenge

[Rebecca]

This challenge is all about the middle-grade books that members read throughout the year. The aim is to read one (or more) books with titles that start with each letter of the alphabet. As the year progresses, each participant can keep their list updated so it can give ideas to other members

We do have a few steps and guidelines below to keep us on the right track.

1. Set yourself up a comment on this thread
2. List each letter of the alphabet (you can do this easily by copying and editing the first post, below).
3. As you read, add the titles under the appropriate letter (you can add any you've finished this year, but you could have started them in the previous year, or 10 years ago). You can list as many as you want under each letter, but there's no extra credit :)
4. The first letter of the title must match the listed letter
5. Drop the 'The'. eg. The Camelot Kids would be listed for C
6. Drop the 'A' eg. A Wrinkle in Time would be listed for W
7. Add a rating and review link if you dare. Like this - **** My review is here
8. Keep the books you list to Middle Grade. That's what we're all about. Not YA, not adult books about kids.
9. Keep your list updated throughout the year by editing your comment
10. Use the "add book/author" button to make a link to the book here at Goodreads.
11. Visit regularly to check other lists, get ideas, and leave feedback.
12. For an added challenge, see if you can read your books in alphabetical order ... it's up to you.
13. Tip: Several people completed the 2017 challenge, so there are ideas there for difficult letters! GMGR member CJ has shared her A to Z GR list , and invites us to add to it.
14. GOOD LUCK. MAY GOOD BOOKS BE WITH YOU.

[Rebecca]

Copy, paste, and edit this for your own list! You will then be able to search the thread for your name to find your list quickly.

[Your name here] 2018 A to Z List:
A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:
H:
I:
J:
K:
L:
M:
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R:
S:
T:
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

[Rebecca]

Rebecca's 2018 A to Z List:
A: Across the Miles: Tales of Correspondence by L.M. Montgomery
B: By the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder And Bounce by Megan Shull
C: The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child by Francisco Jiménez
D: Desperate Journey by Jim Murphy
E: The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
F: Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Also First Class Murde r by Robin Stevens
G: Granted by John David Anderson & The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, the Blue Death, and a Boy Called Eel by Deborah Hopkinson
H: Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
I:I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett
J:Jolly Foul Play by Robin Stevens
K: Kit's Wilderness by David Almond
L: Little House in the Big Woods. Long time since I read that. Also Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar
M: Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch. There are 3 books in this sort-of series, all excellent.
N: The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
O: On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
P: The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall
Q: Quicksand Pond by Janet Taylor Lisle
R:
S: Standing in the Light: The Captive Diary of Catharine Carey Logan, Delaware Valley, Pennsylvania, 1763 by Mary Pope Osborne. Also: Sisters by Raina Telgemeier
T: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
U:
V: The Voice of the Xenolith by Cynthia Pelman
W: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin & The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
X: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters, by Margaret Dilloway
Y:
Z:

[C.J.]

Middlegrade is where I do most of my reading, with definite fantasy/mystery/adventure leanings. Last year was my first attempt to collect all the letters. (And it was so much fun!) This year, my goal is to get through the alphabet twice!

CJ's 2018 A to Z List:

A: Aquamarine Alice Hoffman
— Alex and the Ironic Gentleman Adrienne Kress
— At the Bottom of the World Bill Nye
— Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Benjamin Alire Sáenz
— Alida's Song Gary Paulson
— Al Capone Does My Shirts Gennifer Choldenko
— The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great Gerald Morris
B: Buried Fire by Jonathan Stroud
— Bliss Kathryn Littlewood
— Brown Girl Dreaming Jacqueline Woodson
— The Buccaneers' Code Caroline Carlson
C: The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline Nancy Springer
— The Case of the Gypsy Good-Bye Nancy Springer
— Circus Mirandus Cassie Beasley
— The Cat Who Went to Heaven Elizabeth Coatsworth
— The Cookcamp Gary Paulson
— The Council of Mirrors Michael Buckley
— Catwings Ursula Le Guin
— The Chestnut King N.D. Wilson
D: The Door in the Dragon's Throat Frank Peretti
— The Dire King William Ritter
— Drizzle Kathleen Van Cleve
— The Dagger Quick Brian Eames
— Dreamwood Heather Mackey
E: The Evil Wizard Smallbone Delia Sherman
— Enchanted Glass Diana Wynn Jones
— The Everafter War Michael Buckley
F: The Fairy-Tale Detectives Michael Buckley
— Freaks Kieran Larwood
— Fortunately, the Milk Neil Gaiman
— Felix Yz Lisa Bunker
— Forest of Wonders Linda Sue Park
— The Flight of the Phoenix R.L. LaFevers
— Fork-Tongue Charmers Paul Durham
— Frindle Andrew Clements
G: Ghostly Echoes William Ritter
— The Gravedigger's Son Patrick Moody
— A Grain of Rice Helena Clare Pittman
— The Grimjinx Rebellion Brian Farrey
H: The Hollow Boy Jonathan Stroud
— Homer Price Robert McCloskey
— Half a Chance Cynthia Lord
— Hoot Carl Hiaasen
— Hour of the Bees Lindsay Eagar
— Howl's Moving Castle Diana Wynne Jones
— The Half-a-Moon Inn Paul Fleischman
— The Hero's Guide to Storming the Castle Christopher Healy
— The Hero's Guide to Being an Outlaw Christopher Healy
I: Iron Hearted Violet Kelly Barnhill
— Inside Out & Back Again Thanhha Lai
— The Imaginary A.F. Harrold
— Island of the Blue Dolphins Scott O'Dell
— Indigo Alice Hoffman
— The Indian in the Cupboard Lynne Reid Banks
— The Inside Story Michael Buckley
J: The Jacket Andrew Clements
— Jungle of Bones Ben Mikaelsen
K: Kimchi & Calamari Rose Kent
— King of Shadows Susan Cooper
L: The Last Motley D.J. Edwardson
— Loser Jerry Spinelli
— Love That Dog Sharon Creech
— Loot Jude Watson
— The Lotterys Plus One Emma Donoghue
— The Legend of Holly Claus Brittney Ryan
M: Masters of Disaster Gary Paulsen
— Mission Typhoon Bear Grylls
— My Side of the Mountain Jean Craighead George
— Magic and Other Misdemeanors Michael Buckley
— Mr. Popper's Penguins Richard Atwater
N: Night of the Howling Dogs Graham Salisbury
— No Such Thing As Dragons Philip Reeve
— No Passengers Beyond This Point Gennifer Choldenko
O: Olive's Ocean Kevin Henkes
— One Crazy Summer Rita Williams-Garcia
— Once Upon a Crime Michael Buckley
P: Poppy Mayberry, The Monday Jennie K. Brown
— The Poet's Dog Patricia MacLachlan
— The Princess Test Gail Carson Levine
— The Problem Child Michael Buckley
Q: The Queen's Nose Dick King-Smith
— The Quilt (Alida, #3) Gary Paulson
R: The Ransomed Crown Wayne Grant
— Rules Cynthia Lord
— Rhyme Schemer K.A. Holt
— The Ravenmaster's Secret: Escape From The Tower Of London Elvira Woodruff
— Rise of the Ragged Clover Paul Durham
S: The Spindlers Lauren Oliver
— Sees Behind Trees Michael Dorris
— Starfire Jennifer Lynn Alvarez
— The Samurai and the Long-Nosed Devils Lensey Namioka
— Skellig David Almond
— A Single Shard Linda Sue Park
— The Secret Horses of Briar Hill Megan Shepherd
— Serafina and the Black Cloak Robert Beatty
— Serafina and the Twisted Staff Robert Beatty
— Serafina and the Splintered Heart Robert Beatty
— The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie Alan Bradley
— The Shadowhand Covenant Brian Farrey
T: Tommy Black and the Coat of Invincibility Jake Kerr
— The Tea Dragon Society Katie O'Neill
— Tales From the Hood Michael Buckley
— Twelve Minutes to Midnight Christopher Edge
— The Terror of the Southlands Caroline Carlson
— The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet Erin Dionne
U: The Unknowns Benedict Carey
— Unclaimed Treasures Patricia MacLachlan
— The Unusual Suspects Michael Buckley
V: Viking It and Liking It Jon Sciezska
— The Vanishing Game Franklin W. Dixon
W: The Whispering Skull Jonathan Stroud
— Wednesdays in the Tower Jessica Day George
— The Wednesday Wars Gary D. Schmidt
— We the Children Andrew Clements
— When You Reach Me Rebecca Stead
— Wings Jason Lethcoe
— The Wishing Spell Chris Colfer
— When the Circus Came to Town Laurence Yep
X: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters Margaret Dilloway
— The Xanadu Adventure Lloyd Alexander
Y: The Year of the Book Andrea Cheng
— Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear Lensey Namioka
Z: Zinnia and the Bees Danielle Davis
— Zia Scott O'Dell

[Rebecca]

C.J. wrote: "Middlegrade is where I do most of my reading, with definite fantasy/mystery/adventure leanings. Last year was my first attempt to collect all the letters. (And it was so much fun!) This year, my go..."

I think I'll make an effort this year to start with the hard letters, since many of the others fill themselves (don't know why I didn't get D last year. That seems like an easy one!).

[C.J.]

Rebecca wrote: "I think I'll make an effort this year to start with the hard letters, since many of the others fill themselves..."

I've been collecting middlegrade books (okay, amassing might be a better term) since last summer thanks to a couple of Good Will Bookstores on my usual routes. I enjoy the thrill of the hunt, but this year I intend to read all my lovely finds. I was able to pull two A-Z stacks right off my shelves. (Well, almost. I think I'm missing a V and a Q.) But it's plenty for starters, and I'm raring to go!

Thank you for organizing these challenges for all of us!

[Harley]

Harley's 2018 A to Z List:
A: . . . and now Miguel* by Joseph Krumgold
Afternoon of the Elves**** by Janet Taylor Lisle
B: By the Great Horn Spoon!**** by Sid Fleischman
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever***** by Barbara Robinson
C: A Curious Tale of the In-Between***** by Lauren DeStafano
Castle Hangnail***** by Ursula Vernon
D: Deep and Dark and Dangerous***** by Mary Downing Hahn
The Dead Man in Indian Creek***** by Mary Downing Hahn
The Day The Fifth Grade Disappeared**** by Terri Fields
E: The Enchanted Castle***** by Edith Nesbit
Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep***** by Liz Kessler
F: The Fairy Tale Detectives** by Michael Buckley
G: The Girl Who Drank the Moon***** by Kelly Barnhill
-- The Gentleman Outlaw and Me--Eli***** by Mary Downing Hahn
-- The Goblin's Puzzle: The Adventures of a Boy With No Name and Two Girls Called Alice***** by Andrew S. Chilton
The Graveyard Book***** by Neil Gaiman
Ghost Ship***** by Dietlof Reiche
The Girl Who Saved Christmas***** by Matt Haig
H:Hatchet***** by Gary Paulson
Hatching Magic***** by Ann Downer
The Hero of Ticonderoga** by Gail Gauthier
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone***** by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets***** by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban***** by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire**** by J. K. Rowling
I: If the Magic FitsIf the Magic Fits***** by Susan Maupin Schmid
Into the Land of the Unicorns**** by Bruce Coville
J: Jennifer, Hecate, MacBeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth*** by E. L. Konigsburg
Juniper Berry***** by M. P. Kozlowsky
K: King of Shadows**** by Susan Cooper
L: A Little Princess***** by Frances Hodgson Burnett
M: Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism**** by Georgia Byng
The Misadventures of Maude March***** by Audrey Couloumbis
Maude March on the Run!***** by Audrey Couloumbis
The Magic Half***** by Annie Barrows
N: No Passengers Beyond This Point**** by Gennifer Choldenko
O: The Old Willis Place***** by Mary Downing Hahn
One for Sorrow** by Mary Downing Hahn
P: Princess Academy**** by Shannon Hale
Princess Ben***** by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
The Power of Poppy Pendle***** by Natasha Lowe
Q: Queenie Peavy*** by Robert Burch
R: The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice #1)**** by John Flanagan
The Runaway***** by Kate O'Hearn
Rose***** by Holly Webb
Rules for Thieves***** by Alexandra Ott
S: Serafina and the Twisted Staff***** by Robert Beatty
Serafina and the Splintered Heart***** by Robert Beatty
The Secret Schooll***** by Avi
Skulduggery Pleasant*** by Derek Landy
Sweet Miss Honeywell's Revenge: A Ghost
Story**** by Kathryn Reiss
Spirit Hunters***** by Ellen Oh
T: The Tail of Emily Windsnap***** by Liz Kessler
U: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World***** by Shannon and Dean Hale
V: A Visit to William Blake's Inn* by Nancy Willard ( I do not consider this to be a middle-grade book. It is more suited for younger children. I included it on this list because it won the Newbery Award in 1982.)
Valkyrie***** by Kate O'Hearn
W: A Wrinkle in Time*** by Madeleine L'Engle
White Fang***** by Jack London
Witch Catcher***** by Mary Downing Hahn
X: The Xanadu Adventure*** by Lloyd Alexander
Y: Young Joan***** by Barbara Dana
Z:

[Jenny]

Jenny's 2018 A to Z List:

A:All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
B:Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
C:The Cobalt Prince by Mark Siegel et al, The City on the Other Side by Mairghread Scott, Changing Moon by Mathieu Mariolle, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling
D:A Dash of Troubleby Anna Meriano, Dragon Kiss by E. D. Baker, Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro, Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott
E:The Empty Grave by Jonathan Stroud (reread)
F: Flight Explorer, Volume 1 by Kazu Kibuishi et al., Ferrets and Ferreting Out by Mathieu Mariolle, Frogkisser! by Garth Nix
G:Ghoulish Song by William Alexander
H:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling, Hilda and the Troll by Luke Pearson, Hilda and the Midnight Giant by Luke Pearson, The Hidden Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag, Hilda and the Bird Parade by Luke Pearson
I:In a Dark Land by Christina Soontornvat
J:Jinx's Fire by Sage Blackwood (reread)
K:
L:Legends of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke, The Lost Path by Amelie Flechais, Little Robot by Ben Hatke, Lint Boy by Aileen Leijten, The Last Spell by J. A. White, The Lost Compass by Joel Ross
M:The Marvelous Magic of Miss Mabel by Natasha Lowe, Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke, Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke, The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle by Deva Fagan, Monsters and Mold by Asia Citro, May Bird and the Ever After by Jodi Lynn Anderson
N: Nightborn by Lou Anders
O:
P:The Poe Estate by Polly Shulman, Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm by Dana Simpson
Q:
R:The Return of Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke, Real Friends by Shannon Hale
S:The Sand Warrior by Mark Siegel et al., The Shepherd of Weeds by Susannah Appelbaum, Sparkers by Eleanor Glewwe, Sinister Scenes by P. J. Bracegirdle, Sparks! by Ian Boothby
T:The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling, A True Home by Kallie George, The Tea Dragon Societyby Katie O'Neill
U:Unicorn Crossing by Dana Simpson
V:
W:The Watchmen of Port Fayt by Conrad Mason, Wizardmatch by Lauren Magaziner, The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag
X:
Y:
Z:Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke

[Emily]

Emily's 2018 A to Z List:

A: Alien in My Pocket: Blast Off!
B:
C:
D:
E:
F: Friends of a Feather, Framed
G: The Girl Who Drank the Moon
H:
I:
J: Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen
K:
L: A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story
M:
N: The Nine Lives of Alexander Baddenfield
O:
P:
Q:
R: Random Acts
S:
T:
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

[Cindy]

Cindy's 2018 A to Z List:
A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:
H:
I:
J:
K:
L:
M:
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R:
S:
T:
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

reply | flag *

[Carmel]

For the very challenging letters are we able to tweak the rules a little and say that the letter must be somewhere in the title?

[M.J.]

M.J.'s 2018 A to Z List:

A:
B:
C: The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale by Carmen Agra Deedy
D:
E: Each Little Bird that Sings by Deborah Wiles
F:
G:
H:
I: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
J:
K:
L:
M:
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R:
S: Shadow of a Pug (Howard Wallace, P.I. #2) by Casey Lyall
T: The Teacher's Funeral by Richard Peck
U:
V: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
W: With a Name like Love by Tess Hilmo
- The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
X:
Y:
Z: Zinnia and the Bees by Danielle Davis

[Carmel]

Carmel's 2018 A to Z List:
A: All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook By Leslie Connor **** I loved lots of aspects of this book but there were a couple of gaps.
Ashes to Asheville by Sarah Dooley 4.5 stars
B: Begone the Raggedy Witches by Celine Kiernan ****
C: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander *****
D: The Dog Who Lost His Bark by Eoin Colfer *****
The Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson ****
E: The Explorer by Katherine Rundell *** disappointing after reading Rooftoppers and Wolf Wilder
The Ethan I Was Before by Ali Standish ****
F: Fire and Ice by Erin Hunter ****
Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson ****
Funny Kid for President by Matt Stanton
G: Girl With a White Dog by Anne Booth ****
H: How to Bee by Bren MacDibble ***** a very wonderful read - I didn't think there were any dystopian reads for Middle School - this one is perfect - optimistic with believable, inspiring main character!
His Name Was Walter By Emily Rodda ****
Help Around the House by Morris Gleitzman
I: Inheritance by Carole Wilkinson ****
J: Jane Doe and the Cradle of All Worlds by Jeremy Lachlan ***
K: Knife ****
L: The Lost Twin by Sophie Cleverly ****
A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story By Linda Sue Park 4 *
Louisiana's Way Home
M: Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King **** I love AS King's YA novels - so glad she has started written for Middle School age group.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George ***
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl *****
N: Noah Barleywater Runs Away by John Boyne ***
A Night Divided By Jennifer A Nielsen 4.5*
O:
P: The Phantom Of The Subway by Geronimo Stilton
Property of the Rebel Librarian By Allison Varnes
Pax by Sara Pennypacker *****
Q: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain ****
R:
S: The Science of Breakable Things By Tae Keller 3.5*
T:
U:
V:
W: Wormwood Mire by Judith Rossell ****
Wild Magic ****
X:
Y: Young Fredle by Cynthia Voigt ****
Z: Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennnings ***

reply | flag *

[Rebecca]

Carmel wrote: "For the very challenging letters are we able to tweak the rules a little and say that the letter must be somewhere in the title?"

There are books that fill those slots, so to date we've only accepted them as initial letters.

[Rebecca]

And...Carmel gets the prize for the first book finished in 2018! (too bad I finished one about about 11:30 last night instead of waiting!).

[Jemima]

Jemima's 2018 A to Z List:
A: After Zero 5*
B:
C: The Company of Eight 4* Castle Hangnail 5*
D: Dreamwood 4*
E:
F:
G: The Girl Who Drank the Moon 5* Guinevere On the Eve of Legend 5*
H:
I:
J: The Jewel of Peru 3*
K: Kiwi in Cat City 4*
L:
M: Mandrake’s Plot 4*
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R: Return of the Dragons 4*
S: The Shadow of the Norman Arrow 4.5* (and several more of this excellent series, to bring me up to date with it) The Secret Horses of Briar Hill 4* The Survival Game 5*
T:
U:
V:
W: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon 5* Witch Week 4*
X:
Y:
Z:

I included Sharon Skretting's Ultimate Treasure Quest 1: The Jewel of Peru for J, since that was what I was doing for my own general list, but given my lack of progress this year, I suppose it could go as U, J or even Q!
I've read far too many books starting with C, S and W this year.

[Jemima]

Rebecca wrote: "Carmel wrote: "For the very challenging letters are we able to tweak the rules a little and say that the letter must be somewhere in the title?"

There are books that fill those slots, so to date w..."

I think our founder SW originally allowed X to start a word anywhere in the title. Including just as X. We also have a list of Q's in a separate thread in this section, and a link to the Listopia Middle Grade 'hard' letters. See February's BOTM theme :)

[Michelle Von]

Michelle's 2018 A to Z List:

A -
B -
C -
D -
E -
F -
G -
H -
I -
J -
K -
L - The Long Road (The Last Dogs, #3)
M -
N -
O -
P -
Q -
R -
S -
T -
U -
V -
W -
X -
Y -
Z -

[Susan]

Susan's 2018 A to Z List:

A: Anna Is Still Here
B: A Bad Beginning
C: Counting By 7s
D: D is for Dahl
E: Exile (KotLC2)
F: A Frozen Heart
G: The Girl Who Drank The Moon
H: Holes
I: Igraine the Brave
J: Journey's End
K: Keeper of the Lost Cities
L: Little Legends
M: Moo
N: Nest
O: One Crazy Summer
P: The Prophecy
Q: Quicksand Pond
R: The Reptile Room
S: Serpent's Secret
T: A Tale of Highly Unusual Magic
U: The Unbreakable Code
V: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
W: The War That Saved My Life
X: The X'ed Out X-Ray
Y: Yellow Star
Z: Zorgamazoo

[Justine]

Justine Laismith 2018 A to Z List:
A:All The Things That Could Go Wrong 4* About a bully and his victim (who also suffers from OCD) and their points of view on their respective lives at school
Al Capone Does My Shirts 3* Historical fiction about life on Alcatraz
B: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind 5* Memoir about a boy who taught himself the laws of electricity and then built a windmill to power his home.
Beetle Boy 3* Beetle version of 101 Dalmations
Beyond the Bright Sea 4* A baby girl was washed up on a shore in a little boat. Years later, she investigates where she she might have come from.
Brightstorm 3* Captain Scott-like antarctic adventure. Twins set out in a sky-ship to find their missing explorer father.
C:Castle Hangnail 3* A girl of twelve claiming to be the wicked witch accepts Castle Hangnail's invitation for a new master.
D:Dreaming the Bear 3* A girl adjusts to her new life in Yellowstone Park, with the help of a hibernating grizzly bear.
E:The Explorer 3* About 4 children surviving a plane crash in South America.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate 4* A girl develops her interest as a naturalist in an era where STEM doors are closed to the females.
F: The Freedom Maze 4* A girl time travels from 1960 to 1860. Great insight into the lives of slaves in 1860.
Fish in a Tree 3.5* A girl discovers why she cannot read or write.
The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle 4* A refugee moves to Scotland and meets the school bully.
G: The Girl Who Drank the Moon 4* Cleverly weaved story about the world around a girl who was sacrificed, enmagicked and the consequences.
Greenglass House 4* Several guests suddenly turn up at the inn just before Christmas. Things started to go missing.
A Galaxy of Her Own: Amazing Stories of Women in Space 3* Non-fiction book about 50 women and their contributions to the work in space.
The Great Ghost Rescue 3* A good-natured ghost enlists the help of a boy to save his family from being exorcised.
The Girl, the Cat and the Navigator 5*A girl sneaks onto her father's ship when they set of to catch a whale.
H:The Honest Truth 4* Middle grade equivalent of Fault in our Stars
The House of Sixty Fathers 4* About a boy who got separated from his family when Japan invaded China.
I:The Impossible Clue 3* A girl who loves maths solves the case of a missing scientist
J:Jinx's Magic 2* About a magician's apprentice who can communicate with trees
K:Knife 4* Fairy Dystopia
L:The Last Chance Hotel 3* Agatha Christie meets Harry Potter. Looking for the murderer of an eminent magician in a hotel.
M:Murder Most Unladylike 2* Sherlock Holmes meets Agatha Christie set in Mallory Towers.
Mandrake's Plot 3* Boarding school mystery.
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl 4* A home-schooled math genius finds her way in middle school
N:The Night Diary 4* Historical fiction set in 1947 when a border was put up, forming India and Pakistan.
O: One Wish
P:Pax 3* It's about a boy being forced to let his pet fox back into the wilderness and their respective journeys to find each other again
The Peculiar 2* Fairy dystopia where humans live side by side. and mechanical birds are used as messengers
Q:
R:
S:A Single Stone 2* About the lives of an isolated village whose survival depend on seven petite girls tunnelling into the mountain to mine mica
The Secret Horses of Briar Hill 3* Set in England during the War, about a girl who can see horses in the hospital mirrors
T:Time Travelling with a Hamster 3* A boy receives a letter from his late father on his 12th birthday, giving him instructions to travel back in time to change the events that led to his death.
U:
V:Valentine Joe * A girl goes to a burial ground of WWI soldiers.
W:When Santa Fell to Earth 3* The last real Santa fell to Earth and brought joy to two children
Wed Wabbit 4* About a girl who gets thrown into the world of her pre-school sister's favourite book.
We Are All Made of Molecules 3* An academically advanced boy moves into a new home and new school.
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World 5* Beautifully illustrated and succinctly written about 50 admirable women in STEM
What We See in the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky 4* About constellations, planets, galaxies and all things related to outer space, including the mythology. Beautifully illustrated and succinctly written.
The Wheel on the School 4* A small Dutch school embark on the project to entice storks to nest in their village again.
Wolf Hollow 4* A girl gets entwined with a school bully and a vagabond.
X:Boy X 1* A boy was drugged and kidnapped after his father's funeral. I couldn't get into this book.
Y:The Year of Billy Miller 3* Good portrayal of Billy Miller's home and school life in Grade 2.
Z:

[Sandy]

Sandy's 2018 A to Z List:

A:
B:
C: The Caldera by John Flanagan
D:
E:
F: The Final Spark by Richard Paul Evans, The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley
G: The Girl Who Drank the Moon
H: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling
I:
J:
K:
L:
M:
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R:
S: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan, The Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan, The Secret School by Avi
T: Tuesdays at the Castle
U:
V:
W: A Wrinkle in Time, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
X:
Y:
Z:

[J.S.]

Stephanie's 2018 A to Z List:
A: Acea And The Animal Kingdom *** A fun story about a boy who discovers his magical tie to a kingdom full of animals.
B: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever ***** I loved this book as an adult just as much as I did as a kid!
C: Castle Hangnail
D: Dreamwood
E: Esperanza Rising
F: the sisters Grimm the fairytale detectives
G: The Girl Who Drank the Moon *** Enjoyable story with fun characters but frustrating plot holes.
H: The Horse and His Boy
I: The Iron Trial *** I really enjoyed this book and will continue the series but am only giving it three stars because of a pretty big plot hole.
J: The Jungle Book
K: Kidnapped
L: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
M: The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood *** Some fun stories but moves slow enough I don't think my kids would listen to it. -- Update on this one: my son is reading it in 5th grade and is really enjoying it!
N: The Ninja Librarian
O: One Crazy Summer ** Story was written well, but I couldn't get past the major plot hole of why the kids went to California in the first place.
P: Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes ***** This was one of the funner books I've listened to all year.
Q: The Queen's Museum and Other Fanciful Tales * I listened to four of these short stories and couldn't keep going.
R: The Red Pyramid
S: Son *** I liked the way it wrapped up The Giver series.
T: The Throne of Fire
U: The Unicorn Rescue Society
V: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street ***** Very enjoyable book with a heartwarming ending.
W: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon *** Cute fairy tale.
X: Xander and the Lost Island of Monsters
Y: Yaakov and the Jewel of Jamaica
Z: Zero G

Finished with four days to spare! Next year I'm shooting to get the tricky letters done early in the year!

[Camille]

This idea is so cool, I'm surprised I just now found out about it.

Camille's 2018 A to Z List:
A: The Abode *Molly holds a secret, something that alludes to what she truly is and what could save the other children of the rundown Abode.*
B: Breaking the Ice *A story about a girl who discovers a new side of herself on her road to redemption after an outburst about judges low scores.*
Beetle Boy *Story about a boy who is on the hunt to find his missing father when he meets a beetle who isn't like a regular beetle.*
C:
D:
E:
F: Flying in a Cage
G:
H:
I:
J:
K:
L:
M:The Mad Wolf's Daughter*About a girl who is on a quest to save her brothers and father after they are captured.*
The Midnight Gang *A boy who is sent to the hospital from a cricket injury finds out about a secret group that has adventures at night.*
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R: The Real McCoys *About a semi-hard boiled 4th grade detective who has devoted herself to finding out who stole her school's beloved mascot.*
Rebel Genius *About Giacomo, a sewer-boy who finds out he's something more in a world where practicing the arts is forbidden.
S:
T: Some Assembly Required *About a poorly made toy discovering himself and figuring out where he fits in at the Toy Academy.*
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

[Abby]

Abby's 2018 A to Z List:
A: Amal Unbound
B:A Boy Called Bat
C:Chews Your Destiny
D:
E: Esperanza Rising
F: Finding Perfect
G:Ghost Boys
H: Hello, Universe
I: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
J:
K: Kristy's Great Idea
L:
M: Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess
N:
O: Orphan Island
P:
Q:
R:
S: Spirit Hunters
T:
U: The Unlucky Lottery Winners of Classroom 13
V:
W: Wishtree
X:
Y:
Z:

[Rebecca]

Way too many of my books are starting with the same letters. Sigh.

[C.J.]

Rebecca wrote: "Way too many of my books are starting with the same letters. Sigh."

I hit an alphabetical rut with the Enola Holmes series. Every title begins with "The Case of the..." : )

[Rebecca]

C.J. wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Way too many of my books are starting with the same letters. Sigh."

I hit an alphabetical rut with the Enola Holmes series. Every title begins with "The Case of the..." : )"

Yeah, my series reads are all "Shirley Link and the..."

[Jemima]

and then there's "the Shadows of the..." Wendy Leighton-Porter :D

[Rebecca]

Jemima wrote: "and then there's "the Shadows of the..." Wendy Leighton-Porter :D"
Good point--and that's the other series I want to read more of!

[Suzanne]

Suzanne's 2018 A to Z List:

A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:
H:
I:
J:
K:
L:
M:
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R:
S:
T:
U:
V:
W: Witch's Boy
X:
Y:
Z:

[Camille]

Talia wrote: "Camille wrote: "This idea is so cool, I'm surprised I just now found out about it.

Camille's 2018 A to Z List:
A:
B: Breaking the Ice *A story about a girl who discovers a new sid..."

It is, although you might scream at the main character sometimes. Going into it, I didn't really know much about the world of ice skating, but I left knowing a nice bit. You should definitely check it out!

[Cheryl]

Cheryl's 2018 A to Z List:

A: Amina's Voice by Hena Khan
B:
C: Criminal Destiny (Masterminds #2) by Gordon Korman
D: Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1 by Jeff Kinney
E: The Ethan I Was Before by Ali Standish
F: From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
G: The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
H: Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
I:
J:
K:
L: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
M: The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris
N:
O: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
P: Prince Caspian (Narnia #2) by C.S. Lewis
Q:
R:
S: See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng
T: Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
U: Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald
V:
W: Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
X:
Y:
Z:

[Jemima]

I dont think I'm going to get through my MG list this year - I'm hardly reading any MG at present.

[Michelle Von]

Jemima wrote: "I dont think I'm going to get through my MG list this year - I'm hardly reading any MG at present."

Same here. I've read a fair bit of MG over the past several years to the point where I still enjoy it, and I certainly haven't finished all the MG books I own, but I'm currently looking around and noticing all the unread YA and adult books in my personal library that I've wanted to get to for *years*. :-/

[Rebecca]

I took a pretty slow start to the MG year, too. But we'll see. I read juvvy stuff when I get tired or stressed, and I see a lot of both coming my way.

[Justine]

Rebecca wrote: "Way too many of my books are starting with the same letters. Sigh."
Looks like we need a count up at the end of the year and see which letter of the alphabet is most popular in our challenge. Mine's a tie at the moment between G and W: three books each.

[Harley]

Justine wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Way too many of my books are starting with the same letters. Sigh."
Looks like we need a count up at the end of the year and see which letter of the alphabet is most popular in our ..."

I have a four-way tie with G, M, P, and S with three each.

[Rebecca]

Justine wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Way too many of my books are starting with the same letters. Sigh."
Looks like we need a count up at the end of the year and see which letter of the alphabet is most popular in our ..."

I don't always enter the duplicates, but given my start with the Little House books, I'd guess L :D I've just gotten another one--which was good, so maybe I'll go add it.

[Suzanne]

I’m on vacation and reading nothing on my planned list!! However, I loved THE HATE U GIVE and would consider it a must read for all of us white people. Also enjoyed THE LAST TUDOR, although it’s not my favorite Phillipa Gregory book. LUCKY BROKEN GIRL opened my eyes to a whole group of people who have gone through difficulty beyond belief.

[Suzanne]

A.
B. Beyond the Bright Sea- Absolutely a joy. What makes a family? A beautiful historical fiction story written by Lauren Wolk. I adore her writing.

[Rebecca]

Suzanne wrote: "A.
B. Beyond the Bright Sea- Absolutely a joy. What makes a family? A beautiful historical fiction story written by Lauren Wolk. I adore her writing."
Me too. That was a beautiful book.

[Jemima]

I know it's not MG, but having already been through a slew of books beginning with S, I then picked up a story bundle of World scifi - and something like 7 out of the ten titles began with S!

I've just got back on the MG reading this week - starting with Shadow of the Two Princes....but I end the series with the next one - Shadow of the Tudor Rose!

[ReadItAll]

2018 A-Z Challenge


A- Aru Shah and the End of Time
B- The Bad Beginning
C-
D-
E- The Ersatz Elevator
F- The Fourth Apprentice
G-
H-
I-
J-
K-
L-
M- The Miserable Mill
N-
O-
P-
Q-
R- The Reptile Room
S-
T-
U-
V-
W- The Wide Window
X-
Y-
Z-

Book Covers:

[Susan]

I'm done!

[Rebecca]

Susan wrote: "I'm done!"

Wow!

[Jemima]

Susan wrote: "I'm done!"

That's... disgraceful!

Well done :D

[Justine]

Wow! Well done! What are your top 5 books, Susan?

[Becky]

Susan wrote: "I'm done!"

That's great, Susan! Did you have a favorite?

[Carmel]

Congratulations! What ones were the best!

[Carmel]

Congratulations! Which ones were the best?