It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey as a way to share what you have read and/or reviewed in the past week. It's also a terrific way to find out what other people are reading.
Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers have given this meme a children's literature focus: picture books, middle grade novels, etc. They "encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting the other bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
I hope that everyone is having a wonderful and relaxing holiday weekend. Congratulations to those who have already started enjoying summer. And to those who are almost there - hang in there! Last week I enjoyed spending time in St. Pete Beach, Florida with my husband and his sister and mother. We were able to enjoy the beach, seafood, and some terrific time visiting. I'm so glad we went when we did, because the tropical storm Alberto is making things pretty soggy this weekend! Anyway, I had time to enjoy some great vacation reads. And those that are sitting out the rainstorms hopefully have some good books to make the time go by pleasantly! Here's what I've been reading lately:
I had the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for this review. This middle grade fantasy novel is the latest in a series of books giving the back story of some of our favorite fairy tales: Rump – The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin, Jack – The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk, and Red – The True Story of Little Red Riding Hood. And once again, I loved it!
Shurtliff expertly freshens and livens up the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves by giving us the back story of how Borlen (Grump) comes into the world of Snow White and gets involved in the conflict between the evil queen and the sweet princess. While this book is part of an awesome series, it stands by itself and is enjoyable even if you haven't read the other titles. The fifth-grade students I taught loved these books and they didn’t sit on the shelf for very long!
I know that this will be a very popular book among middle grade readers. The story is engaging and suspenseful, even to those who think they know what will happen because of the classic fairy tale. There is danger and violence, but they are appropriate to the story and not over-the-top. I also think there are some good take-away messages for young readers about friendship, loyalty, and true love. I also like the lesson about reflections: whatever you put out to the world is what will come back to you.
Shurtliff expertly freshens and livens up the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves by giving us the back story of how Borlen (Grump) comes into the world of Snow White and gets involved in the conflict between the evil queen and the sweet princess. While this book is part of an awesome series, it stands by itself and is enjoyable even if you haven't read the other titles. The fifth-grade students I taught loved these books and they didn’t sit on the shelf for very long!
I know that this will be a very popular book among middle grade readers. The story is engaging and suspenseful, even to those who think they know what will happen because of the classic fairy tale. There is danger and violence, but they are appropriate to the story and not over-the-top. I also think there are some good take-away messages for young readers about friendship, loyalty, and true love. I also like the lesson about reflections: whatever you put out to the world is what will come back to you.
As summer vacation season begins, many readers are going to be looking for that perfect beach/swimming pool read. A review copy of this young adult fiction novel was sent to me to share with my #BookRelays group, and it would definitely be a good one to hand to a teenager looking for a steamy, Love Boat meets Alfred Hitchcock Presents mystery.
Natalie is having a tough time recovering from the sudden death of her boyfriend, and so her parents take her and three of her friends on a Caribbean cruise vacation to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. But instead of cheering her up, the vacation presents a weird mystery. On the first day of the cruise, Natalie meets an attractive young man who invites her to go hot tubbing with him. But while she’s gone to get her swimsuit, he disappears mysteriously. Worried that perhaps he’s gone overboard, Natalie starts trying to figure out who this fellow is and what happened to him. As she gets more involved in this mystery, she finds out a lot about herself and her friends.
There are mature, sexual themes presented in this book. So it’s definitely a book that’s geared more towards high school and college kids, than middle grade students. But it’s a fast-paced read for a summertime vacation, perfect for the beach or a cruise ship!
Natalie is having a tough time recovering from the sudden death of her boyfriend, and so her parents take her and three of her friends on a Caribbean cruise vacation to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. But instead of cheering her up, the vacation presents a weird mystery. On the first day of the cruise, Natalie meets an attractive young man who invites her to go hot tubbing with him. But while she’s gone to get her swimsuit, he disappears mysteriously. Worried that perhaps he’s gone overboard, Natalie starts trying to figure out who this fellow is and what happened to him. As she gets more involved in this mystery, she finds out a lot about herself and her friends.
There are mature, sexual themes presented in this book. So it’s definitely a book that’s geared more towards high school and college kids, than middle grade students. But it’s a fast-paced read for a summertime vacation, perfect for the beach or a cruise ship!
I received a digital copy of this YA novel from NetGalley in exchange for this review. 14-year-old Sofia is having a difficult time letting go of the pain she’s experiencing from the sudden death of her mother. Her gynecologist father is doing the best he can to help her, but he’s grieving the loss as well. This book takes us month by month through a year in her life. Her dad starts a relationship with a surprising figure and this leads to big changes in Sofia’s life: new family, new school, and budding romance.
There’s a lot for middle grade students to enjoy. And this might be a terrific book to share with young readers who are experiencing grief in their own lives. However, while the book is aimed at kids ages 10 and up, there are some mature themes and language involving teenagers’ changing bodies, sex, and pregnancy that would be more appropriate for high school readers. Definitely consider the maturity and sensitivities of your readers.
There’s a lot for middle grade students to enjoy. And this might be a terrific book to share with young readers who are experiencing grief in their own lives. However, while the book is aimed at kids ages 10 and up, there are some mature themes and language involving teenagers’ changing bodies, sex, and pregnancy that would be more appropriate for high school readers. Definitely consider the maturity and sensitivities of your readers.
This chilling middle grade fantasy novel takes readers inside the world of nightmares for an adventure. Charlie has been tormented by terrible dreams lately, and so have his friends. But now his dreams are starting to spill over into the daytime world. Charlie is lured through the portal that separates the waking world from the Netherworld and he’s going to ha e to face his fears in order to get back home alive.
Middle grade readers that enjoy scary stories will enjoy this book. There are also elements such as gorgons, Roman gladiator games, and other creepy monsters that might remind adventure lovers a little of Rick Riordan’s stories. While it’s meant to be scary, it’s not over the top. Sensitive readers might not enjoy it, but I think it would be fine for grades five and up.
Middle grade readers that enjoy scary stories will enjoy this book. There are also elements such as gorgons, Roman gladiator games, and other creepy monsters that might remind adventure lovers a little of Rick Riordan’s stories. While it’s meant to be scary, it’s not over the top. Sensitive readers might not enjoy it, but I think it would be fine for grades five and up.
I've received a copy of The Opposite of Here, too, but haven't read it yet. Sounds like a great vacation read!
ReplyDeleteJana it looks like you have had a fabulous reading week. All of these books are new to me except Grump. I have fallen far behind in my reading of that series.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you did get to the beach, just saw the weather now & it isn't good. Can't wait for Grump, noted the other titles! Thanks, Jana!
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of you at the beach. It is raining here today in Boston so it was so nice to picture you on the beach. Thanks for telling us about two new fantasy books to add to our collection. Middle grade readers absolutely love them!
ReplyDeleteOooh, Nightmares looks like something a bunch of kids at the library will love, they're always looking for spooky reads!
ReplyDeleteI've not yet read any of the books from the series that "Grump" is part of, but I would absolutely LOVE to! Also, would you believe my children have never seen a real beach? I mean, we have a lake here in Nebraska that has some sand and about a football field's length. But it's just not the same thing. LOL I need to remedy that and head to the outer edges of our country some time. Have a wonderful reading week, Jana!
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