Saturday, December 26, 2020

Vanderbeekers Book Recommendation #iLoveMG

Welcome to #iLoveMG where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth 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 fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

Recommended by Yasmin



The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is a fiction book written by Karina Yan Glaser. This book was about a family of 5 Vanderbeeker kids, Isa and Jessie (they are twins,12), Laney (4), Hyacinth(6), and Oliver (the only boy, 9). They also had a dog named Franz, a cat named George Washington, and a house rabbit named Paganini. The book takes place 5 days before Christmas which was a big deal for this family but this year it wasn't how they expected. The Vanderbeeker family lives in a brownstone in Harlem, New York City. The Vanderbeekers lived on the 1st floor, Mrs. Josie and Mr. Jeet live on the 2nd floor, and Mr. Beiderman (their landlord) lived on the 3rd floor. 5 days before Christmas day Mr. Beiderman refuses to renew their lease making them move right after Christmas. The Vanderbeeker kids come up with different ways to convince Mr. Beiderman.

I would rate this book an 8.7 out of 10 because I like the way it is written.

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Book Recommendation: The Red Pyramid #iLoveMG

Welcome to #iLoveMG where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth 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 fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Red Pyramid

Recommended by HK




The Red Pyramid is a fantastic book by Rick Riordan about two siblings, Carter and Sadie, who need to save their father from the evil ancient Egyptian god, Set. They have to go all over the place, explore with other gods of ancient Egypt, but will they save the father? It’s a great book because of all the different characters like a baboon that likes to eat things ending in o, an alligator that can talk, and the main characters, Carter and Sadie. I recommend the book The Red Pyramid if you like adventure stories. I think it’s a fantastic book and I would give it maybe 4-4.5 star rating (out of 5 stars).

This is the first book in the Kane Chronicles series.

Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

Monday, December 14, 2020

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 12/14/20



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


      It's been months and months since my last #IMWAYR, but I wanted to get back into the swing of posting, although I'm only the monthly-goal track rather than weekly.

      My school has been virtual since early March, and this year's students are writing their first book reviews to share with each other and wider book-loving audiences. You can read the first two linked above in Recent Posts.



      The Canyon's Edge by Dusti Bowling is a quick-read seat-of-the-pants style adventure and survival novel. Nora is still processing the traumatic events of her birthday a year ago, but she and her father are determined to make a new start ... they just weren't quite anticipating how quickly things would escalate.

      My students are huge fans of Dusti's cactus series (Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus and Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus), and while this is a very different style of book, I know many, many students will love it. 



      Twins by Varian Johnson and illustrated by Shannon Wright is an awesome addition to the graphic novel canon. If we were in-person right now, I know that I would never see this book on my shelves again. 

      Twins Maureen and Francine are entering middle school and trying to balance their separate desires to be seen as their own person and to still be best friends. When they both decide to run for Class President, it brings their personal conflicts out into the open. 

      This is a super-engaging and charming story about the realistic struggles of sisterhood and friendship. Author Varian Johnson is himself a twin, and brings that firsthand knowledge of how deep and how fragile twin-relationships can be, especially at this age. My student beta-reader declared this book "Great!"

      What have you been reading? Follow my blog with Bloglovin

      Saturday, December 12, 2020

      Book Recommendation: NERDS #iLoveMG

      Welcome to #iLoveMG where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth 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 fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

      N.E.R.D.S.

      Recommended by Aayush



      I read N.E.R.D.S. by Michael Buckley. It is a fiction book. The story is about a ten-year-old boy Jackson, who is a popular bully at school and somehow ends up as a member of N.E.R.D.S (National, Espionage, Rescue, and Defence Society). This is the first book of the series. 

      I enjoyed the book very much, and I have finished the whole series. If you like humor and action, this is the book for you. I would give this book 5/5 stars.

      Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

      Wednesday, December 9, 2020

      Book Recommendation: Chirp by Kate Messner

      Welcome to #iLoveMG where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth 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 fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

      Chirp

      Recommended by Coco



      I read a realistic fiction book called Chirp, and it was by Kate Messner. Chirp was about a girl named Mia who lives near a cricket farm that her grandmother owns, and she joins a club where you can make businesses. She wants to create something to help the failing cricket farm with the help of her new friends, but she also shares a secret that she’d rather forget. Meanwhile, something mysterious is happening at the farm, and Mia and her friend want to figure it out. 

      I think this is a great book because there are three main parts: first, the three friends working together to save the farm. The second part is, there’s a mystery to solve and they think someone is sabotaging the farm. And lastly, there’s an important lesson in the book. If you like realistic fiction, with some mystery in it, then you would love this book. I think Chirp is a fantastic book and I would give it five stars out of five. 

      Here is my cover design for Chirp:



      Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

      Monday, April 27, 2020

      It's Monday! What are you reading? 04/27/20



      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



          I am still here!

          Our school has been virtual since March 13th, but we had two days notice about that decision, so I was able to send my students home with one book for book club discussions and as many from our classroom library as they could carry. But for me, I have barely been able to scrape together the time (and mental energy) to read at all. (The two-year old plays a big role here, so my picture book game is still rocking!) This is the first, and only, book I've read so far since everything began. But it's a winner.


          When Stars are Scattered (2020) by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson. This incredibly moving graphic novel memoir is based on the life story of Omar Mohamed and his younger brother Hassan. The two boys were forced to flee Somalia when they were young, and when the book opens they have already been in a refugee camp in Kenya for years.

          The story is well-told and engaging, and the artwork is fabulous. Victoria Jamieson is on the front lines of proving that graphic novels should be taken seriously (Newbery Honor for Roller Girl), and this one is an amazing addition. I cannot wait to share it with students, and it would be an excellent choice for a book club centered around the refugee experience.

          I hope you all are well. Happy Reading!

          Saturday, February 15, 2020

          Book Recommendation: Amina's Voice

          Welcome to #iLoveMG where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth 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 fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

          Amina's Voice

          Recommended by Eli


          Hi everyone,

          I read Amina's Voice by Hena Khan. This book is about a Pakistani girl who lives in the US.

          A girl name Amina lives in Milwaukee. She loves to sing and play piano. But when her super religious uncle Thaya Jaan comes to town, her lifestyle encounters some big changes. Read to learn about what happens over the three months where Thaya Jaan is in Milwaukee.

          While you're reading this book, you will feel like you are the character and will have similar emotions to what the character is having. The plot is so good, you won't want to stop.

          Here is a quote that I think is good. "But I know change is gonna come. Oh yes it will."

          Do you like books about friendship, middle school issues, and an older brother who doesn't always agree with his parents? If one of these categories applies to you, you should DEFINITELY be reading Amina's voice.

          Thanks for reading my post. If you like the book, feel free to let me know.

          Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

          Saturday, February 8, 2020

          Book Recommendation: Everlasting Nora

          Welcome to #iLoveMG where I share middle grade books that my fifth graders recommend. (Please note that my fifth 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 fifth graders.) Or check out #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

          Everlasting Nora

          Recommended by Esme


          Everlasting Nora by Marie Miranda Cruz is realistic fiction and is about a girl named Nora. Her house burned down and her dad died in the fire, so her and her mama have to live in mausoleum in a cemetery. Nora tries to get money by selling everlasting daisies, but it is hard for her to get money because Nora's mama has a habit of gambling. One day, Nora's mom doesn't come back and Nora and her friend Jojo go on an adventure to find her mom, but come across many obstacles, including some mean men.

          This is a good book because it is a big adventure of her trying to find her mama and it is very exciting but also heartwarming, like it says on the cover of the book. Nora is also a very adventurous character so it is cool to see what she wants to do.

          Everlasting Nora is also kind of like The Bridge Home, which is about two girls who leave their parents and go live on a bridge, but they find two boys who they become friends with. These books are kind of similar because they both are very adventurous and nerve wracking story. I also thing the main character, Viji, kind of has a personality like Nora's.

          If you like adventures you should like Everlasting Nora. It is very exciting and surprising.

          Everlasting Nora is one of my favorite books and you should read it!

          Click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. What are your favorite middle grade books?

          Friday, January 31, 2020

          Celebrate Multicultural Children's Book Day! #ReadYourWorld

          Happy Multicultural Children's Book Day! We are so happy to celebrate with you here. Please scroll down to the bottom for the Linky to share you own multicultural book reviews and posts.


          Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2020 (1/31/20) is in its 7th year! This non-profit children’s literacy initiative was founded by Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen; two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural books and authors on the market while also working to get those book into the hands of young readers and educators.  
          Seven years in, MCBD’s mission is to raise awareness of the ongoing need to include kids’ books that celebrate diversity in homes and school bookshelves continues.

          MCBD 2020  is honored to have the following Medallion Sponsors on board


          Super Platinum



          Platinum



          Gold



          Silver



          Bronze


          Author Sponsor Link Cloud

          Jerry Craft, A.R. Bey and Adventures in Boogieland, Eugina Chu & Brandon goes to Beijing, Kenneth Braswell & Fathers Incorporated, Maritza M. Mejia & Luz del mes_Mejia, Kathleen Burkinshaw & The Last Cherry Blossom, SISSY GOES TINY by Rebecca Flansburg and B.A. Norrgard, Josh Funk and HOW TO CODE A ROLLERCOASTER, Maya/Neel Adventures with Culture Groove,  Lauren Ranalli, The Little Green Monster: Cancer Magic! By Dr. Sharon Chappell, Phe Lang and Me On The Page, Afsaneh Moradian and Jamie is Jamie, Valerie Williams-Sanchez and Valorena Publishing, TUMBLE CREEK PRESS, Nancy Tupper Ling, Author Gwen Jackson, Angeliki Pedersen & The Secrets Hidden Beneath the Palm Tree, Author Kimberly Gordon Biddle, BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 by Mia Wenjen, Susan Schaefer Bernardo & Illustrator Courtenay Fletcher (Founders of Inner Flower Child Books), Ann Morris & Do It Again!/¡Otra Vez!, Janet Balletta and Mermaids on a Mission to Save the Ocean, Evelyn Sanchez-Toledo & Bruna Bailando por el Mundo\ Dancing Around the World, Shoumi Sen & From The Toddler Diaries, Sarah Jamila Stevenson, Tonya Duncan and the Sophie Washington Book Series, Teresa Robeson  & The Queen of Physics, Nadishka Aloysius and Roo The Little Red TukTuk, Girlfriends Book Club Baltimore & Stories by the Girlfriends Book Club, Finding My Way Books, Diana Huang & Intrepids, Five Enchanted Mermaids, Elizabeth Godley and Ribbon’s Traveling Castle, Anna Olswanger and Greenhorn, Danielle Wallace & My Big Brother Troy, Jocelyn Francisco and Little Yellow Jeepney, Mariana Llanos & Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess/La Ñusta Diminuta, Sara Arnold & The Big Buna Bash, Roddie Simmons & Race 2 Rio, DuEwa Frazier & Alice’s Musical Debut, Veronica Appleton & the Journey to Appleville book series  Green Kids Club, Inc.
          We’d like to also give a shout-out to MCBD’s impressive CoHost Team who not only hosts the book review link-up on celebration day, but who also works tirelessly to spread the word of this event. View our CoHosts HERE.

          Co-Hosts and Global Co-Hosts

          A Crafty Arab, Afsaneh Moradian, Agatha Rodi Books, All Done Monkey, Barefoot Mommy, Bethany Edward & Biracial Bookworms, Michelle Goetzl & Books My Kids Read, Crafty Moms Share, Colours of Us, Discovering the World Through My Son’s Eyes, Educators Spin on it, Shauna Hibbitts-creator of eNannylink, Growing Book by Book, Here Wee Read, Joel Leonidas & Descendant of Poseidon Reads {Philippines}, Imagination Soup, Kid World Citizen, Kristi’s Book Nook, The Logonauts, Mama Smiles, Miss Panda Chinese, Multicultural Kid Blogs, Serge Smagarinsky {Australia}, Shoumi Sen, Jennifer Brunk & Spanish Playground, Katie Meadows and Youth Lit Reviews


          FREE RESOURCES from Multicultural Children’s Book Day




          TWITTER PARTY! Register here!





          Hashtag: Don’t forget to connect with us on social media and be sure and look for/use our official hashtag #ReadYourWorld.

          Share Your Multicultural Book Day Links Here!



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