The Gauntlet book reivew

"If you like books that have a little bit of mysterious and fantasy in them then you will love this book."

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (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.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Gauntlet

Recommended by Anneliese

My book is called The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi and the genre is realistic fantasy. The Gauntlet is a book about a girl named Farah and how on her 12 birthday she receives a game called The Gauntlet as a present. 

When she and her friends start to play the game her little brother runs into the room and disappears into the game. Farah and her friends have to go into the game and do two things: Go find her brother. Complete the game without making any mistakes.

I really liked this book because it was like Jumanji (which is a movie about two kids that go into the future and they have to play the game but it always disappears after they move a piece) with a twist. It had a very interesting plot and it would alway leave something out and then answer it but then yet another thing was unexplained. If you like books that have a little bit of mysterious and fantasy in them then you will love this book. I give this book a 4/5 star rating.

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

Rain Reign book review

Rain Reign is "a perfect read for dog lovers or anyone in search of a emotional journey."

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (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.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Rain Reign

Recommended by Luca

Rain Reign is a captivating novel that grips you from the very first page. The main character, Rose, has a fascinating obsession with homonyms, happy in the way her name fits the rule. She even names her beloved dog Rain, which has multiple homonyms, reign, and rein. But when a powerful superstorm sweeps through their town, Rain goes missing, and Rose is faced with the ultimate challenge, will she be able to find her dog when it matters most? 

This book excels in weaving a good, engaging storyline filled with unexpected twists that keep you interested the whole book. It’s a perfect read for dog lovers or anyone in search of a emotional journey. If you’re looking for a book like this, dive into Rain Reign, I guarantee you’ll fall in love with it!"

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

Pay Attention, Carter Jones book review

"This is a sentimental book and has my whole heart." [Katie note: keep the Kleenex handy.]

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (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.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Pay Attention, Carter Jones

Recommended by Anonymous

My book is Pay Attention, Carter Jones by Gary Schmidt, and the genre is realistic fiction. The book is about a boy named Carter Jones, and on the first day of school, a butler knocks on the door. Turns out, his father, who's in war, sent a butler. The butler quickly helps the Jones family clean up the house and takes them to school in a shiny purple S.U.V. Carter must now figure out how to navigate the complex world of middle school without his father, and with this new strange man in his life, all while dealing with the grief and anger from his past. 

This is a sentimental book and has my whole heart. It’s engaging and will never bore the reader and its warmth will reach out to all of its readers. You’ll find yourself cheering on Carter as he slowly opens to the butler and figure his way through middle school. I love it and rate 11/10!

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

The Benefits of Being an Octopus book review

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (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.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Benefits of Being an Octopus

Recommended by Ash/Max

My book is The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden. The book is about a girl named Zoey. Zoey lives with her mom's boyfriend, Lenny, in a trailer situated in a neighborhood full of rich kids. She has to deal with all sorts of issues as well as taking care of Aurora, Bryce and baby Hector. At school, she tries to be invisible and go unnoticed. Unfortunately, her teacher Ms. Rochambeau forces her to join the school debate club. Debate club eventually leads to Zoey seeing things in a different way, like her mom’s relationship, her best friend Fuchsia’s issues, and her own place in the world. 

 I enjoyed The Benefits of Being an Octopus because of its descriptive imagery and underlying messages about the cultural divide and the gun debate. I probably wouldn’t have picked this up and read it, but I’m glad I did. This was overall a pretty good book.

 

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

A Snicker of Magic book review

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (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.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

A Snicker of Magic

Recommended by Bennett

The book is called A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd and its genre is magic. 

Felicity Juniper Pickle sees words people are thinking or saying and collects the good one’s in her big blue book, but there is one word she has never seen “home”. She never has stayed in one place long enough to call it home, but as she drives with her family to Midnight gulch she hopes it might change. Her mom tells her that she once lived in Midnight gulch, but she tells Felicity that before she was there there was magic. Felicity feels like there just might be a snicker of magic. 

A Snicker of Magic has a good plot starting out by Felicity and her family driving to a town that had magic in it. If you like books that have a fast start to it with magic then you will like A Snicker of Magic. In conclusion I would give this book 7/10.

If you're curious about more books by Natalie Lloyd, read Carina's review of Hummingbird or click here for all of our #iLoveMG posts. 

Hummingbird book review

"I looooooooove this book because it combines the real world with magic." Read on for the full review!

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (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.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Hummingbird

Recommended by Carina

My book is called Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd and the genre is fantasy. This book is about an eleven-year-old girl named Olive, who has osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease) and has been homeschooled her whole life long. When she finally convinces her parents to let her attend Macklemore Middle School, a traditional school that looks straight out of Olive's favorite fantasy books, she is super excited! Unfortunately, her first day goes… not so well. 

The next day, she hears about a magical hummingbird that can grant wishes, and believes it might solve all her problems. Teaming up with a new friend who also wants to find the magical bird, she starts collecting clues and looking for it, and discovers it is real. 

I looooooooove this book because it combines the real world with magic. I think it’s very well-written (THANK YOU Natalie Lloyd), I couldn't put it down! I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy with a little mystery. I definitely rate this book 5/5 stars because I love both realistic fiction and fantasy (and a little mystery to make things interesting).

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

Luck Uglies review

This is part of my continuing series, #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.

Luck Uglies

Recommended by Anonymous

My book is called The Luck Uglies, by Paul Durham. It is about tween Riley O’Chanter, AKA Rye, who needs to be told about her true family, and stop monsters who threaten the village she lives in. It is a very good book, and apparently, part of a trilogy. I rate this 5 stars out of 5, and please get the series if you like this book as much as i did. 

When mysterious monsters from the bogs threaten Rye’s village, it seems like the right time to call upon the old protectors , the Luck Uglies, to help, but the earl doesn’t want them back in the village. But if Rye can help, she must help. 

So She Does…

[Katie note: book two is called Luck Uglies 2: Fork-Tongued Charmers.]  

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

Coyote Sunrise Review

This is part of my continuing series, #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 Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Recommended by Fiona

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise is a very eventful, and charming chapter book that involves accidental passengers. Animal and human. And warm friendships that last forever. But when they decide to head back to the town, a police car pulls them over and takes the dad to jail. Coyote has to get back to that town and quick! To save the memories of her mom and sister who are gone forever but still need to be remembered. Can she save those memories or do the memories slowly fade away?

Bonus: the sequel is now out - Coyote Lost and Found.   

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

My Side of the Mountain review

This is part of my continuing series, #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.

My Side of the Mountain

Recommended by Fox

My Side of the Mountain is a very delightful, engaging story about a boy who runs away to the Catskills mountains and lives there and makes lots of animal friends and human friends. He survives the beautiful and treacherous winters of the catskills. This book will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions and you will get attached to the characters as they evolve. This is the best book I have ever read.

[Katie note: there are additional books in this series too!]    

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

The Ogress and the Orphans book review

"This part mystery, part heart-warming book is a great recommendation for a mystery or fantasy fan. "

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (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.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Ogress and the Orphans

Recommended by Ezra

The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill is a low-fantasy book which shows the importance of trust and distrust. It is about an ogress named, conveniently, the Ogress. She believes that the more you give, the more you have. The Ogress lives on the edge of a peaceful village – well, a village that used to be kind and good until the town’s library and school mysteriously burned down – called Stone-in-the-Glen. She is misunderstood, though. Instead of being thought of as kind, the townspeople think the Ogress is stealing children and wreaking havoc. 

This part mystery, part heart-warming book is a great recommendation for a mystery or fantasy fan. This book has great characters and a great storyline. Kelly Barnhill’s Ogress and the Orphans is an amazing read.

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

Wild Robot book review

This is part of my continuing series, #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.

Wild Robot

Recommended by Anonymous

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown is very heartwarming. The main character’s name is Roz, AKA ROZZUM unit 7134, who is from a factory ship that sunk into the ocean during a hurricane. All the other carts/robots got destroyed, except Roz. She ends up on an island and meets animals and makes relationships. If you like adventure mixed with a little bit of sadness, you will love this book. I absolutely love this book, it can be a little sad at times, but it’s just the right amount of sad. If you like adventure mixed with a little bit of sadness, you will love this book. I rate it:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(five stars)!

The Wild Robot, in addition to being a blockbuster movie, is also the first in a series of books!

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

Myth of Monsters: Medusa review

"I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mythology. This book isn’t a slow starting book."

This is part of my continuing series, #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 Myth of Monsters: Medusa

Recommended by Anonymous

The book I read was called The Myth Of Monsters, MEDUSA. It was all about this girl named Ava, who had a hard time controlling her emotions. There was an incident with a snobby boy named Owen. 

When Ava told her mom and her mom was understanding. The next day, Ava transferred to a boarding school, Accademia. Her mom went there when she was a kid, so Ava thought she would give it a try. 

The principal, Mr. Orion, gave an announcement that made every students’ jaws drop. Everyone was a descendant of monsters. 

Could Ava find out what her monster is? Will she find the true story of her ancestors? I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mythology. This book isn’t a slow starting book. 

I like this book because there is adventure, drama, and there are clues that you can figure out, too! This is one of my favorite books of all time, and I think that whoever picks up this book, will fall instantly in love, like how I did.

[Bonus! Book Two, The Gods Revenge arrives on April 22nd, 2025! I've already pre-ordered and have tons of students on the hold list.]     

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

Preorder The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin!

I am thrilled to share with you my fifth grader's review of the forthcoming The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon - Grace Lin's first middle grade novel in nine years! (We are huge Grace Lin fans here. My son has an autographed copy of A Big Mooncake for Little Star, and Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Newbery Honor) is a book club selection for my fifth graders.)

This post is also part of  #iLoveMG, my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (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.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon

Recommended by Anonymous

I think The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon by Grace Lin was REALLY good. All the characters have their own flaws and good things about them, and are very distinctive. The problem is kind of confusing at first (for the characters, not for me) and I love the rivalry between the dragon-head and the real dragon. The worm was probably my favorite character: he's so wise! (for a worm) The stories in between the book helped me understand what was going on, and it was a really good idea in the first place. 

Overall, I would rate this book 4.99 stars. Good job, Grace Lin! There would just be one thing I would fix: some of the drawings are a bit strange, and don't really match the story or what I'm thinking. Maybe they could be changed, or just removed. [Teacher note: this was the advanced copy with the sketches, not the full-color images.] Otherwise, this story was awesome with no flaws whatsoever.

Preorder Information

Grace is running several preorder campaigns for the book. And all preorders should receive the deluxe first edition, which is going to have these super-lovely sprayed edges with decorations. So fancy! 

- Preorder from High Five books for an exclusive sticker

- Preorder from Porter Square books for an enamel pin

- Preorder from the Eric Carle Museum for a virtual visit (order by April 11th) -  this is the one our school librarian is doing, yay! 

- All links available here 

- There is also details about all her upcoming tour dates (none in Wisconsin yet, sigh)

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

The Wolf's Curse book review

"I recommend this book to people who people who like books about fantasy and nature."

#iLoveMG is my continuing series where I share middle grade books recommended by my fifth graders. (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.) For younger readers, #3rdfor3rd for recommendations from when I taught third grade.

The Wolf's Curse

Recommended by Nathalie

My book is The Wolf’s Curse by Jessica Vitalis, and the genre is fantasy. It is about a boy named Gauge. Gauge lives with his grandfather in Bouge-by-the-Sea. He’s done so for twelve years, even when his life was upended by him realizing he can see the mysterious Wolf. 

But one day his grandfather dies, and leaves telling Gauge to stay away from the wolf. Gauge’s whole world is upended, leaving him homeless and an orphan. But he knows he has to complete the ritual that will send his grandfather to the Sea-in-the-Sky, where he can actually “rest in peace.” 

But Gauge starts noticing little thing about the way they send people to the Sea-in-the-Sky, and has to face a choice: Will he believe what he has thought his whole life, or will he believe the mysterious wolf and let the walls of reality crash in? 

This is a good book because it is about not always believing everything you are told, and the plot flows nicely. I recommend this book to people who people who like books about fantasy and nature. I rate this book 4 ½ out of 5 stars.

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

Review: Ms. Bixby's Last Day

"If you like sad or scary books you might like this book. If you like a happy book this might be your book. This book is happy and sad. "

This is part of my continuing series, #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.

Ms. Bixby's Last Day

Recommended by Violet M

Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson is a book that everyone should read. It is full of love and compassion. The main Ms. Bixby has a loud taste and personality. When she announces a big change to the class, three boys are on a mission to save her. They try to save her but end up doing something else. This book is good in so many ways. If you like sad or scary books you might like this book. If you like a happy book this might be your book. This book is happy and sad. This is why you should read this book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

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?

Gregor the Overlander book review

This is part of my continuing series, #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.

Gregor the Overlander

When Gregor finds himself falling down an air duct, He soon realizes he will not be coming back for a while. Can he face the rats to stop a war, follow a prophecy and find his dad? But his two year old sister might also not be the best person to take on a dangerous journey……….. I would rate this book ⅘ stars.

Gregor the Overlander is part of a five book series by author Susanne Collins (Hunger Games).   

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

Lucie's Best Books

As part of our end-of-year wrap up in 5th grade, I asked my students to compile their own #BestBookList. They could choose an overall theme or not. You can see all of their recommendations at #BestBookList. For individual book recommendations, check out our  #iLoveMG posts. If you are looking for younger readers, #3rdfor3rd features recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Best Books

Recommended by Lucie

Masterminds is a fun-filled book about a “real safe” world that might be a trap. 

The Wolf’s Curse is about a boy whose grandpa dies and has to learn how to take care of himself. 

Deenie is a book about a girl who has scoliosis and is embarrassed about it and has confidence issues with her back brace.

Just as Long a We're Together is about two girls who then find a friend who just moved there and then starts to take over the friend group. 

Restart is about a boy who falls off his roof and doesn’t know why. Lose your memory and find your life.

Click here for all of our #BestBooks posts. Which would you choose?

Best Book List - read or else!

As part of our end-of-year wrap up in 5th grade, I asked my students to compile their own #BestBookList. They could choose an overall theme or not. You can see all of their recommendations at #BestBookList. For individual book recommendations, check out our  #iLoveMG posts. If you are looking for younger readers, #3rdfor3rd features recommendations from when I taught third grade.

Read or Else

Recommended by Name

Warriors: Best books to read ever 

Inheritance series: whee, nightmares. 

Xkcd: best book for laughs 

Foxtrot : best books for worshiping Bill Amend 

Alex Rider: best action books.

Click here for all of our #BestBooks posts. What is your favorite middle grade book for 5th graders?