Saturday, October 21, 2023

Ruby on the Outside - book review #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.

Ruby on the Outside

Recommended by several students




Katy's review: 

Ruby on the Outside is written by Nora Raleigh Baskin. It is realistic fiction. In this book Ruby, the main character, lives with her aunt who she calls Matoo. Her mom is in prison and no one knows except her aunt. It is set during summer for most of the book. If you have read All The Impossible Things, and enjoyed it, you would like Ruby On The Outside. 

 One of my favorite paragraphs is: I imagine there comes a certain time in a new friendship when the inevitable invitation comes up: Wanna come to my house? Which will mean, sometimes fairly soon after that, you most likely have to reciprocate. This is exactly why I’ve always managed to successfully avoid it until this moment. Of course, that is also why I’ve never had a best friend before. 

This was a good book, although it was a little short for me. Although, I love long books. If I had to give a rating I would give it a 7 ½ / 10. 

Jack's Review 

The book is Ruby on the Outside by Nora Raleigh Baskin, and the genre is realistic fiction. Ruby’s mom is in prison. She doesn’t even think about telling anyone, until she meets Margalit. Will they tell each other their secrets, or will they find out more about their family’s history. It is a good book because there is friendship, and it is a good story. I would rate this book 3.5/5 stars.

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

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Starfish - book review #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.

Starfish

Recommended by Zoe




The book Starfish written by Lisa Flipps is a realistic fiction. It tells about the story of Ellie, who is a girl that ever since her fifth birthday party, has been bullied about her weight. She made Fat Girl Rules to life by. She later meets her new neighbor Catalina, someone who doesn’t judge her for who she is, and her new therapist, a woman who helps Ellie stand up for herself through the bullying. Although Ellie sees herself as beautiful, she wishes that the rest of the world (especially her mother) could see through her eyes. 

One of the unique things about this book is that it is written in verse. If you like heartbreaking, sad, and emotional rollercoasters, this is the book for you. Starfish helps people to be who they want to be, no matter what the outside world says to them.

[Note from Katie ... rumor has it that a sequel is coming!]  

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