NEW MEMBERS: Hi everyone, I've joined the GMGR group. I'm ...... Showing 1,801-1,850 of 2,209

[Geoffrey]

Hello Everyone, I just joined your group today, and I am look forward to meeting all of you while discussing favorite MG reads. I am a published MG author as well, and of course, will be checking out the author only threads too.
Wishing you the best,
Geoff

[Jemima]

Hello Geoffrey, and welcome to the group. It's generally a bit quiet in summer. Mod Rebecca is off hiking in the wilderness, and I'm at Camp.

Other than that, it's business as usual, so check out the threads, and the Book of the Month and tell us about your own books in Authors corner.

If you want reviews for them, please post requests in the Reviews thread not Author's Corner. (That's mainly for the benefit of some other authors taking their first steps here!)

[Geoffrey]

Jemima wrote: "Hello Geoffrey, and welcome to the group. It's generally a bit quiet in summer. Mod Rebecca is off hiking in the wilderness, and I'm at Camp.

Other than that, it's business as usual, so check out ..."

Thanks Jemima, it all looks great :-)

[Gayle]

Duane wrote: "My name is Duane Ostler and I am an attorney, but I try not to be a corrupt one. I have enjoyed middle grade/juvenile books for many years. In law school whenever the law got too heavy, I'd go to t..."

Hi Duane, I loved Moon Over Manifest, although I did feel it was probably more easy for an adult to connect with the story than for a middle grade reader. I have 2 MGs published with Putnam/Penguin. Working on what I hope will be my third. Fingers ever crossed.

[Erin]

Hi everyone,
My name is Erin and I am a teacher librarian in Australia and mum of two girls. This year (and every year actually, but we are really going for it this year) our library focus is to encourage and promote a reading culture at our school (which is a highly academic school - but students lack 'time' for fun stuff such as reading). We are finding kids are so immersed in their phones and conflicting areas of their life, that it is becoming more and more difficult to encourage reading (despite the fact it would actually support their academic performance). Parents are worried that their 13, 14 or 15 yos don't like to read and struggle which what to do. Lastly, reading brings so much to my life, I would love to share that with my students.
Im looking forward to being part of the group.
Erin

[Glen]

Hello Everyone. I just joined the group today. This is all new to me since I just started writing seriously over a year ago. I am in the middle grade to YA genre and have also completed a thriller. Anyway, It's just good to get ideas about what people are reading and how they like the books. I am a retired dentist and have started a series called "The Tooth Fairy Mysteries." It's good to be able to be in a group like this so I can do my research, hopefully contribute, and also enjoy myself with new books. Thanks for having this.

[Rebecca]

Welcome, Geoffrey, Erin, and Glen!

Rebecca the Mod has come out of the mountains, though it will be a while before I dig out from under enough to participate in discussions much! Thanks to Jemima for holding the fort while I wander.

[Jemima]

Hi Erin and Glen (and welcome back, Rebecca!). I hope you have a great time here.

One thing you'll find is a deal of discussion about how to define Middle Grade. We're using the US school grade systems here, which I (in the UK) roughly translate to ages 9-12, which fits with UK bookshops. But several of us regularly write for 10-14, so some of our work is a tad outside the guidelines at times.

Feel free to add your 2 pennies or cents in the thread What defines Middle Grade?!

[Rebekah]

Hi! I just joined this club, and I'm in middle school, so I can't wait to get started!

[Jemima]

Hi Miki and Rebekah and welcome.

Book dragons - there's an occupation :)

I see you've been busy around the forum, Rebekah, that's great.

You're both in time to vote for the book we read in September - you'll find the poll right at the bottom of the Group's front page, and also linked at the end of the 'what shall we read in September' thread in the Book of the Month section.

Hope you both have fun here!

[Laura]

Hello everyone! I'm quite new here, too. I'm Laura Cantu, and my Middle-grade Fantasy book came out last year and in there, you can find magic portals, gnomes, faeries, talking dogs and Giant Oaks, and three biracial characters aged 12 years old. I am also a big Harry Potter fan, and had been called to Dumbledore's office one time, LOL

It's so mice to meet you all.

[C.]

Hi Laura, good to meet you.

[Rebecca]

Hi Laura, Miki, and Rebekah! Glad to have you here. I’m supposed to be Jemima’s other half in the Moderator business, but I’ve been busy moving across the country, so I’m kind of slow here! So glad to have another member of the actual target audience for the books we read :)

[Becca]

Hi everyone! I'm also a Rebecca and I'm a youth services librarian at a public library. I've been a member of the group for quite a while now, but have never posted in any of the discussions, so I thought I'd finally say hello!

[Jemima]

Hi Laura and Rebecca (thanks for coming out of that cupboard).
It's great to meet you both and I hope you have fun here. :)

[Rebecca]

Becca wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm also a Rebecca and I'm a youth services librarian at a public library. I've been a member of the group for quite a while now, but have never posted in any of the discussions, so I ..."

Well, from one Rebecca to another, welcome indeed!

[Rebecca]

Welcome, Ella Rose!
I share some of those favorites with you :) Though I'm going to have to look up The Riddle of Penncroft Farm. Not familiar with that one.

[Jemima]

Nice to see you Ella Rose. I've read hardly any of those books, but then I'm in the UK, and not all the books cross the Pond!
Hope you find lots of new favourites here!

[Louie]

Ella Rose wrote: "Hi, I'm so happy I found this group because most of my favorite books are considered middle grade!
To be honest, even though I'm a "real, grown-up girl" and a Mom, I still read middle-grade books ..."

I just read The Witch Of Blackbird Pond for the second time a few weeks ago and it was even better than I remembered it. Kit Tyler is still one of my favorite book characters of all time.

[Rebecca]

Louie, I recently read The Witch of Blackbird Pond for the first time (maybe had it read to me in grade school? Back in the day, the teachers would read aloud for 20 minutes or so after lunch recess). But I'm going to have to read it again, because I can't quite remember the story, and now that you are all mentioning it, that's driving me crazy!

[Louie]

Rebecca wrote: "Louie, I recently read The Witch of Blackbird Pond for the first time (maybe had it read to me in grade school? Back in the day, the teachers would read aloud for 20 minutes or so after lunch reces..."

I first read it a few years ago and decided to read it again this year for Banned Books Week since I had remembered liking it.

[Deb]

Hello, I am in the process of publishing my first book in a series. It is upper MG and I am happy to find a group that talks about books for this age group. I have already seen several very helpful topics addressed and I am looking forward to exploring!

D.A. Irsik

[Rebecca]

D. wrote: "Hello, I am in the process of publishing my first book in a series. It is upper MG and I am happy to find a group that talks about books for this age group. I have already seen several very helpful..."
Welcome, D! I'm glad you see some helpful topics, and look forward to your participation.

[Jemima]

D. wrote: "Hello, I am in the process of publishing my first book in a series. It is upper MG and I am happy to find a group that talks about books for this age group. I have already seen several very helpful..."

Hello, D and welcome to the club! You’ll find plenty of MG authors here, but we ask that you refrain from talking about your own books except in the ‘Authors Corner’, ‘Read 4 Review’, and ‘giveaways and Discounts’ sections. You’ll find some helpful hints for authors in the thread after this one on the main group menu, too :)

Have fun discussing the wide world of MG with us!

[D.T.]

Hi everyone, I'm Destiny (or Dest), and I'm a MG reader/writer. I love lighthearted books (and graphic novels) with humor and a dash of romance. Maybe it's why I'm drawn to MG book so much haha. I can't wait to discuss books and read recommendations

[Jemima]

Hi Dest, and welcome. I think the very faintest of possibilities of something strange about the opposite sex rather than romance at this stage. I'm just happy when boys and girls get to do things on equal footings!!

Check out our Book of the Month and Discussion threads especially, to see what people are reading.

[Rebecca]

Hi, Dest! Welcome, and let me second the encouragement to join our BOTM discussion. And share your favorites in the various threads, or start your own discussion of a genre you want more of!

[Laura]

Rebecca wrote: "Hi Laura, Miki, and Rebekah! Glad to have you here. I’m supposed to be Jemima’s other half in the Moderator business, but I’ve been busy moving across the country, so I’m kind of slow here! So glad..."

Thanks so much to all of you who welcomed me here, also Jemima & Rebecca, you've all been accommodating to everyone. I'm having a great time getting to know more readers who also love Middle Grade books :)

[Rebecca]

Laura wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Hi Laura, Miki, and Rebekah! Glad to have you here. I’m supposed to be Jemima’s other half in the Moderator business, but I’ve been busy moving across the country, so I’m kind of sl..."

Just wanted to hit the "like" button on this! So glad you're having a good time!

[Amanda]

Hi Everyone! I'm Amanda. I live in NYC, work in book publishing as a managing editor, and have recently finished writing a contemporary upper MG novel.

My favorite middle grade books are contemporary stories with tons of adventure a lot of heart. I love Kat Yeh, Rebecca Stead, and Erin Entrada Kelly. I love books like THE WAY TO BEA as well as the THING ABOUT JELLYFISH, and obviously MG that made me love reading as a kid, like ELLA ENCHANTED and HOLES.

I'm looking forward to discussing all those middle grade books that make me cry (because of course everyone in my life who doesn't understand asks me why I'm crying over a children's book).

Can't wait to meet all of you! :)

[Rebecca]

Welcome, Amanda! I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one who cries over children's books. I thought it was just because I'm a soppy sentimentalist. After all, I still cry over "Little Women," even though I've read it about 100 times.

[Jemima]

Welcome, Amanda! I occasionally shed a tear over something in books, but not Little Women :)

Have a great time here!

[Bo]

Brian wrote: "I'm a teacher in North Carolina. I love middle grade and YA fantasy books. I have a website, www.brianclopper.com, and have started publishing my books for the Kindle and Nook. I also love zombie b..."

Hey Brian. I am new to the group. I'm from NC, too. I'm from New Bern. I'm currently living in Taiwan, though. I'm teaching English over here, mostly to younger to middle grade aged kids.

You've got quite a catalog of books. Which one's your favorite?

Bo

[Bo]

Hi everyone,

My name is Bo. I am originally from the States. I am currently overseas teaching in Taiwan.

I never really grew up and still love the fictional worlds found in Middle Grade/Young Adult books.

I'm currently reading Children of Blood and Bone after a pretty long hiatus into the non-fiction realm for a healthy dose of self-improvement. Back to imaginary land. YAY!! Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

Bo

[Louie]

Bo wrote: "Hi everyone,

My name is Bo. I am originally from the States. I am currently overseas teaching in Taiwan.

I never really grew up and still love the fictional worlds found in Middle Grade/Young Ad..."

Hi Bo. I read Children of Blood and Bone earlier this year and I really enjoyed it. I hope you will like it.

[Bo]

I like it so far. I don't see that changing.

Thanks, Louie.

[Rebecca]

Welcome, Bo!

[Bo]

Thanks, Rebecca. Two people, including the moderator, welcoming me. I feel like the red carpet got rolled out. YAY!!!

Happy weekend to every1!!!

[J.S.]

Bo wrote: "Thanks, Rebecca. Two people, including the moderator, welcoming me. I feel like the red carpet got rolled out. YAY!!!

Happy weekend to every1!!!"

Hi Bo! Welcome to the group!

[Bo]

J.S. wrote: "Bo wrote: "Thanks, Rebecca. Two people, including the moderator, welcoming me. I feel like the red carpet got rolled out. YAY!!!

Happy weekend to every1!!!"

Hi Bo! Welcome to the group!"

Thanks so much, J.S. I appreciate you reaching out. Look forward to chatting more.

[Trayner]

Hello all!

I’m Trayner Bane. I read books and write books. Most recently, I was writing the backstory to a video game, and well… now it’s a book series for younger middle-graders.

For reading, I like to go old school and quench my nostalgic desires with books I read when I was a kid. How would a scarred adult who has seen the good and bad in the world interpret the same books he loved as a kid? Would their greatness be lost?

Nope. After reading Lloyd Alexander’s (The Chronicles of Prydain), I can attest that they were everything I remembered. Sure, some of the magic was gone, but the five-book series was just as enjoyable to read. I’ll probably move on to other classics, but I’m open to starting anew.

I’m looking forward to discussing books with you!

[Bo]

Trayner wrote: "Hello all!

I’m Trayner Bane. I read books and write books. Most recently, I was writing the backstory to a video game, and well… now it’s a book series for younger middle-graders.

For reading, ..."

That's the second time in two days I've seen that series mentioned. Guess I know what that means.

Will have to check out one of yours too, Traynor. They look funny!

[Jemima]

Welcome, Bo and Trayner! Sorry I'm a bit late.

You're brave re-reading those old books Trayner, although I think the kids books hold up fairly well, usually. My other love, scifi, really doesn't.

And Bo - Taiwan?! What interesting cross-cultural books can you recommend to us? Pop them in the Discussion Threads - may be 'the best book I read in....' We read Where the Mountain Meets The Moon in the spring, and I really liked that.

[Bo]

Thanks, Jemima.

I got nothing on cross-cultural books, but I'll definitely check out our recommendation. Looks interesting.

Happy New Year!

[Kim]

Hello!

I'm Kim, and I currently live in the US. I asked in the YA group I belong to if I could do an A-Z read but with middle grades and was directed here.

I love to read! In life outside of reading, I'm in school to get a master's degree in forensic psych, and plan to transition into neuropsych for my phd once I'm done with that.

*kim

[Trayner]

Kim wrote: "Hello!

I'm Kim, and I currently live in the US. I asked in the YA group I belong to if I could do an A-Z read but with middle grades and was directed here.

I love to read! In life outside of rea..."

Kim,
Very impressive educational path. Welcome to the group!
Trayner Bane

[Jemima]

Kim wrote: "Hello!

I'm Kim, and I currently live in the US. I asked in the YA group I belong to if I could do an A-Z read but with middle grades and was directed here.

I love to read! In life outside of rea..."

Hi, Kim and welcome. I’m not surprised you enjoy reading MG if you’re studying forensic psych!

The new year’s A to Z challenge will go up in the Challenge area in a few days ;)

Have fun here.

[Elza]

Hello, I'm Elza! I have an ambitious reading goal set up for myself this year, so I thought I'd give some of the challenges here a go.

I'm a graphic designer, blogger, bookstagrammer, collector of things, and a giant word nerd.

Some of my favorite books read in 2018 were:
~Confessions of an Imaginary Friend by Michelle Cuevas
~Diary of a Mad Brownie by Bruce Coville
~Baker's Magic by Diane Zahler
~The League of Beastly Dreadfuls by Holly Grant
~Wizard at Work by Vivian Vande Velde

[Trayner]

Elza wrote: "Hello, I'm Elza! I have an ambitious reading goal set up for myself this year, so I thought I'd give some of the challenges here a go.

I'm a graphic designer, blogger, bookstagrammer, collector of..."

Welcome!

[Jemima]

Welcome Elza! I hope you enjoy it here :)