Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Middle School Favorites: magical realism

My middle school students are using Kidblog to share posts and book recommendations with each other, and I would like to share some of their favorites more widely. (Please note that my seventh graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for seventh graders.) Click on the middle school tag for more. (You can also check out #3rdfor3rd for book recommendations from my third graders.)


Middle School Favorites: magical realism


Magical realism can be a difficult genre to explain, but I am grouping these two books together because both take place mainly in our modern world but with just a little bit of something special thrown in ...

Maybe a Fox by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee

Recommended by Gabby


** Early spoilers **

Maybe A Fox, by Kathi Appelt and Alison McGhee, is a wonderful read, that pulls at your heartstrings. I would say that the genre is fantasy mixed in with magical realism, with strong themes of family evident throughout the book. After Jules' sister, Sylvie doesn't return from the woods one day, everything turns around. Jules is living in an 'after Sylvie' world, staying in her house, not going to school or doing homework, hardly doing anything she loves at all. Jules becomes determined to find out the end of Sylvie's wish, the reason why she died. All Jules knows is what Sylvie would tell her, To run faster so that... One day when Jules plucks up the courage to go out into the woods, by the dark underwater cavern they call the slip, the very same slip that stole her sister, she finds an answer to her question. Sylvie wants to run faster so that...

If you like stories about family, that make you cry, this whimsical, mystical tale is right for you! I would rate this 5/5 stars!

[This is also a book club discussion book choice in our classroom.]

Holes by Louis Sachar

Recommended by Andrew


Holes, by Louis Sachar, Mostly Realistic Fantasy. Stanley Yelnat has a family curse, and now he is sent to Camp Green Lake, where bad kids each dig a hole five feet wide and five feet deep once a day. Stanley tries to find why they dig up holes in this evil camp in the middle of nowhere.

If you like other books by this author, or like books with a Newberry Medal, this book is for you. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Want more book reviews? Click on the middle school tag for more middle schooler recommendations or check out #3rdfor3rd for book recommendations from my third graders.

Monday, November 13, 2017

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 11/13/17


It's Monday! What are you reading? was started by Sheila at Book Journey and was adapted for children's books from picture books through YA by Jen of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee of Unleashing Readers. You can visit either site for a round up of blogs sharing their weekly readings and thoughts or search Twitter for #IMWAYR.



Recent Posts


Middle Grade



Forest World (2017) by Margarita Engle. This middle grade novel-in-verse is set in modern Cuba and told in the alternating perspectives of two siblings separated as toddlers: Edver taken to the US with his mom and Luza stated in Cuba with their dad. At its heart, this is a story of family and endangered species but seemed to skate over some issues (like not telling Edver he had a sister).

Young Adult



Long Way Down (2017) by Jason Reynolds. Jason Reynolds came to speak in Madison last week, so I knew I wanted to catch up on his latest book before hearing him. He is an incredible speaker - I highly recommend seeking him out! (I am looking forward to hearing him again this week at NCTE.)

This is a novel-in-verse narrated by a 15-year-old boy, William, whose brother Shawn was just shot and killed in the opening of the book. I don't want to give too much about the way about the rest of the book or its structure, so just believe me when I say read it. Immediately. It will be well worth your time (and as a verse novel, it's quick). Powerful.

Happy Reading! Anyone else going to NCTE? Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Middle School Favorites: dystopias

My middle school students are using Kidblog to share posts and book recommendations with each other, and I would like to share some of their favorites more widely. (Please note that my seventh graders read a wide variety of books across a wide variety of genres, levels, and topics. Do not think that these books are "only" for seventh graders.) Click on the middle school tag for more. (You can also check out #3rdfor3rd for book recommendations from my third graders.)




Middle School Favorites: dystopia


The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

Recommended by Brynn


The Hunger Games books are dystopian novels by Suzanne Collins, author of The Underland Chronicles. You should read this series if you like adventure, dystopia, and a bit of sadness in books. Readers of the Divergent and Cinder series will also enjoy. In the first book, Katniss Everdeen volunteers herself to be a tribute in the Hunger Games, a sport held in the capital of Panem every year, where two children from each of the twelve districts are pitted against each other to the death, in order to save her younger sister from being sacrificed. When the other tribute from her district declares his undying love for her, she must create a story that will enthrall the viewers of the Hunger Games in order to win the favor of the Gamekeepers, the ones who can arrange for tributes to die, and the games.

I rated this book 4.5/5 stars. It was amazing, but the series has yet to win the spot of my favorite book. This might have to do with the fact of my sister telling me that xxxxxxxx dies, which is completely ruining the second book for me.


Legend by Marie Lu

Recommended by Luka


My book that i am recommending is called Legend by Marie Lu and I think it is a fantasy / dystopia / adventure genre.

Day, criminal mastermind is trying to get medicine for his brother Eden who has come down with the plague, as he is escaping from his heist, Mattias a high ranking republic soldier stops him. Day throws a knife at Mattias making him fall to the ground. Day than proceeds to escape into the sewers. June Iparis, Mattias's younger sister is now on the case to find the republics most wanted criminal, Day.

If you liked The Maze Runner by James Dasher you will love this book!
*****- five stars

Want more book reviews? Click on the middle school tag for more middle schooler recommendations or check out #3rdfor3rd for book recommendations from my third graders.

Saturday, November 4, 2017

November #diversekidlit

Welcome to #DiverseKidLit ! Please join us in sharing your diverse children's book links and resources, as well as visiting other links to find great suggestions and recommendations.

What Is #DiverseKidLit?


Diverse Children's Books is a book-sharing meme designed to promote the reading and writing of children's books that feature diverse characters. This community embraces all kinds of diversity including (and certainly not limited to) diverse, inclusive, multicultural, and global books for children of all backgrounds.

We encourage everyone who shares to support this blogging community by visiting and leaving comments for at least three others. Please also consider following the hosts on at least one of their social media outlets. Spread the word using #diversekidlit and/or adding our button to your site and your diverse posts.

DiverseKidLit

We hope this community serves as a resource for parents, teachers, librarians, publishers, and authors! Our next linkup will be Saturday, December 2nd and the first Saturday of each month.

Most Clicked Post from Last Time



The most-clicked post from the previous #diversekidlit was Svenja's incredible resource: 37 children's books to help talk about racism and discrimination. This list is helpfully divided into books for elementary, middle, and high school ages and includes a brief description of each along with the cover image. Definitely one to bookmark and come back to again and again!

#DiverseKidLit is Hosted by:


Katie @ The Logonauts
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

Becky @ Franticmommmy
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram

Bethany @ Biracial Bookworms
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / Goodreads

Carolina @ La Clase de Sra. DuFault
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+

Gauri @ Kitaab World
an online bookstore for South Asian children's books, toys and games
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / PinterestInstagram

Gayle Swift, Author of ABC, Adoption & Me
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Google+

Marjorie @ Mirrors Windows Doors
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest

Mia @ Pragmatic Mom
Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram

Myra @ Gathering Books
Blog / Twitter / Facebook

Shoumi Sen, Author of Toddler Diaries
Blog / Twitter / Facebook


Want to be notified when the next #diversekidlit linkup goes live?

Receive an email reminder for each new #diversekidlit linkup





Interested in joining as a host or an occasional co-host? Contact katie at thelogonauts.com.

(Never participated in a linkup before? Please click here for a more detailed step-by-step.)

Get #DiverseKidLit Recommendations on Pinterest!


Our Pinterest board highlights a wide range of amazing posts and resources for Diverse Children's Books. Please consider following the board for even more great books!


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