Greenglass House

For one of our book projects, my 5th graders design their own book covers and write reviews. You can read more of their reviews at #iLoveMG. (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.

Greenglass House

This student drew an amazing cover but did not want to share their written review. So here's my thoughts instead:

Greenglass House by Kate Milford is the first in a series of five books about a mysterious house (now hotel) in a town full of smugglers with their own mysteries. The beginning is a bit confusing, as a colorful cast of characters appear at the hotel just before Christmas, but you soon settle in as things start going missing, and it seems like everyone has a motive! 

This is a great book for imaginative kids, especially those who like role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons, as the main characters play their own version of such a game throughout the story. If you like mysteries, games, and lots of sneaking, I recommend this book! 

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

Controlled Burn reviewed by Sophia

Another great #iLoveMG book recommendation from my fifth graders. This one is especially relevant with all the fires in the news and can help students who are trying to process such natural disasters. If you're looking for a great nonfiction complement, check out Fire Escape: How Animals and Plants Survive Wildfires by Jessica Stremer. 

(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.

Controlled Burn

Recommended by Sophia

My book is Controlled Burn by Erin Soderberg Downing. 12 year old Maia’s house got burned down. She is blaming herself for not taking her sister out of the fire sooner. When Maia finds an unexpected creature, that might bring her luck. 

This is a good book because it is interesting and hard to put down. If you like sad and hard to put down I recommend this book to you. I rate this ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(five out of five stars).

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