The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Animals

Source: I purchased a copy

The One and Only Ruby is the third book in the four book series written by Katherine Applegate.  The book tells the story of Ruby, the elephant we meet in the first book, “The One and Only Ivan.”  Ruby was a very small elephant when we was brought to the “The Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade”. She lived there with a larger elephant named Stella, Ivan the Gorilla and their friend Bob the dog.”

Ruby now lives in the zoo next  to Ivan.  She is not happy that she has tusks, even if they are small. She dreads having to give a speech about what Tuskday means to her. She sees no use for tusks. Maybe this is because she has seen what happens to elephants when poachers want those tusks. As she tries to work her way through her feelings leading up to Tuskday she tells her story to Ivan, his mate Kinyani, and Bob. Through this story we learn about Ruby and her life in Africa and the herd she was a part of. We learn of her joys and her sadness. Along the way we see Ruby mature and grow and actually become a part of the herd she is with at the zoo.

I was so excited when this book came out. Just as excited as when I read the first two books, “The One and Only Ivan”, and “The One and only Bob”. This book, like the others is an emotional read. It is one that I will never forget.

Student Saturday: GOATS of Basketball by Bruce Berglund

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Nonfiction

Student Reviewer:  William F.

 In the story “GOATS Of Basketball” we can see the legends of the players in their prime.  First was Michael Jordan, he played 15 seasons in the NBA and out of them he won 6 NBA championships. He went on 2 repeats of winning two times and switched from the Chicago Bulls to the Washington Wizards. As a fun act the stories says that “Michael Jordan also played in the MLB but never was good” next there was LeBron James who has been in the league for 21 seasons! He won 4 NBA championships throughout his entire career and still plays to this day. He Has played for 3 teams, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, And the Los Angeles Lakers which he still plays for today. This book is structured around who had the best legacy which in my opinion was Micheal Jordan. I would recommend this book to a friend to teach them all about the best players in basketball of all time.

Student Saturday: On the Run by Tristan Bancks

Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery
Student Reviewer: Dominick O.

There is this kid named ben, ben had always wanted to be a cop ever since he was a kid. When cops showed to bens door he was intrigued. The cops were looking for ben's parents, but his parents were not home at the time. Shortly after the cops had left bens’ parents had showed up and immediately started packing clothes and food and rushed ben and his sister into the car saying they were going on a vacation. Ben was skeptical only because his parents never go on vacations. They hid out in a remote cabin in the middle of the woods, and ben using his detective skills he found out his parents had committed a crime. When the police found their cabin, they were forced to split up into 2. Ben and his sister are now alone, and ben doesn't know if he should find help, or keep the secret and live life on the run.

 

In a Deep Dark Magic Wood by Scott Peters

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Fantasy

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Wren has lived all her life in the tower of a private school. She has three mentors who feed her and teach her. Every day, she goes to the tower's roof and sits, waiting for the young boy who struggles to walk. He always smiles at her. He seems to be the only one who can see her. 

On her thirteenth birthday, she is whisked away from the school and driven to a place she knows nothing about. She overhears a conversation between her mentor and the woman, who she learns is her grandmother.  She also learns she is to be the Griffen Queen. She follows a chipmunk and is transported into another world. Her grandmother yells something to her as she goes through the portal.

Wren finds herself surrounded by thorny vines with no way out. A young girl with green hair sees her, grabs her and pulls her through. This young girl, named Nessa believes Wren is the Herald who has come to defeat the next ascendant to the throne. Since this is the first friend she has ever made, there is no way she can tell her who she really is.  Now she has two problems. The first is that she has promised, and she meant it, to save Nessa's land. The second problem is that the monsters outside the vines want her to destroy her. How can she accomplish everything she needs when those she has promised to protect find out who she really is?

The way this ended I am hoping there is a sequel. This is an on the edge of your seat, can't put the book down read. I ordered a copy for my classroom shelves because this is such an awesome book.  Great for those who really love fantasy.

Student Saturday: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Realistic Fiction

Student Reviewer: Erika R.

Raina Telgemeier is an author who a book named, "Smile" about times throughout her life. Raina is a just a teenager but one day she trips and falls causing her front teeth to fall. She starts struggling about her personal life and worrying about her smile. I've related to her in a way because I had to worry about my smile. and have braces too. This book was fun and also serious. Comic books are fun books to read and this book was super creative. I recommend this to people who love comic books and any who are interested in like teen or just relatable books. I rate this book a 9/10, I read it multiple times!

Student Saturday: The Stonekeeper's Curse (Amulet #2) by Kazu Kibuishi

Genre:  Middle Grade, Fantasy, Graphic Novel

Student Reviewer:   Hannah T.

Emily is a bright, determined young girl, and her brother Navin is a young man with good leadership skills. They are in their great-grandfather's house, which is a colossal robot. The two of them, along with the great grandfather's robots, are looking for a cure so their mom can awake from her coma. They go to this city of waterfalls called Kanalis. While there, they meet a fox named Leon, who tells Emily he can teach her how to control her amulet better. But little do they know the elves followed them once they got to the city. Emily and Navin find out how to cure their mother. Will Emily and her brother find the cure? Or will everything take a turn for the worse?

I read this book and book 1, which met my expectations. I recommend this book to kids in 5th grade to 7th or 8th grade because I knew a kid who was reading the series when they were in 5th grade, and I'm reading it in eighth grade. I made somewhat of a connection though because when my mom is sick and she can't cook for us, i usually cook for everyone. This reminded me a lot of the fact that Emily is taking care of her brother while their mother is in a coma.

 

Student Saturday: The Hidden Kingdom (Wings of Fire #3) by Tui T. Sutherland

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Fantasy

Student Reviewer: Valeria N.

"The Hidden Kingdom, Wings of Fire" is a graphic novel created by Tui T. Sutherland. The story 
sets place in a fantasy world of dragons, Glory is a Rainwing dragon, Glory wants to learn more about Rainwings since she never really has lived with them. Everybody thinks that Rainwing dragons are lazy, but Glory does not believe this, since Glory isn't lazy at all. And Rainwings are going missing! So Glory decides to go to a Rainwing tribe and show everybody that Rainwings are not lazy, and to find the mystery of why Rainwings are going missing. So Glory goes on a journey to find her tribe, and when she reaches her tribe she is shocked Rainwings are lazy, they sleep all day on the treetops. And they don't realize that Rainwings are going missing. Glory is very disappointed in Rainwings, but she is still determined to unlock the mystery of the missing Rainwings. I personally did not like this book as it got boring really fast and escalated really fast. I would recommend this book to younger children who like graphic novels. I believe they would find it interesting.

The Tears of the Empress by Alfred M. Struthers

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery

Source: Purchased

Like always, the author has created a story full of mystery, suspense and history. In this book we have are usual cast of characters. Nathan, the young teen turned detective. He was left a unique bookcase by his father. That bookcase has helped him solve several mysteries, helped him find several treasures and almost gotten him killed more times than he could count. His best friend Gina is always in on the capers.  After one too many close calls her parents have forbid her to see Nathan at all. It doesn't matter they live right down the street from each other.  In this story we are taken on a journey that is very personal to Nathan. He learns that his grandfather was murdered. He also learns about a group his grandfather had created to help those in need. He called them the facilitators.  This time he has been assigned someone to protect him. He teaches him defensive moves, how to move quickly and plan for any contingency. He helps him with strength training.  However, none of that will stop someone from using him to try to get what they want, no matter what the consequences are to him. I read the book in two days. I didn't want to stop, but had to find time to sleep.  This is by far one of the best of his books in this series. I really enjoy the amount of historical information he gives at the end of the book. I think the historical research he does to make sure there is accuracy in his books is one of the major delights for me. Each book shows the main character growing and maturing in natural ways. The progression along with the pacing of the book makes the reader not want to put the book down. He always ties it up neatly, yet at the same time he leaves something or someone in the book that we were introduced to unfinished. It always leaves you wondering, "But what about....?"  Then he finishes off the book with a taste of the next book in the series.  This is and always had been one of my favorite series. It all began with the very first book, "The Case of Secrets." If you have not read any of this series you need to get out there and do so. Now to pass this one on to my grandson who loves this series.

Tethered by Shawn Inmon

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Ghost Story
Source: Purchased

Frankie, Eddie and their mom have just moved into a run-down house.  On the second day there Frankie sees and hears something.  Lucy and Frederick are two ghosts who inhabit the house. Some people when they die are tethered to a house for some unknown reason. That is why Lucy and Frederick are still here. After Frankie and Eddie begin to see Lucy they set off trying to figure out why she and Frederick are still stuck in the house.  This was a short story, but none the less a great story. I love short stories because the author has to have what I call tight writing. They have to tell a story as well as any novel in a shorter amount of words.  This author is one I am looking forward to reading more of their work.  Excellent job.

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor coerr

Genre: Middle Grade, Biography

Source: Purchased

It has been over thirty years since I read this book. I decided to purchase and reread it again today.  This is the story of a young girl who was an infant when the United States dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima. So many people died. Worse yet were those who developed leukemia years later. Sadako was one of them. She loved to run. She had a dream of making the running team when she got to Junior High. Instead of running, she found herself in the hospital battling leukemia. Her best friend brought her a golden origami crane. She had made it based on the story they had been told about a person making a thousand paper cranes, then they will get well.  

I am sixty-six at this reading. I was so touched at the message in this book. It is a message of hope and never giving up. It is a message of reaching for your dreams.  The author was inspired to write this story for the kids in America. She based it on the biography  of Sadako's life written by her classmates and published. I enjoyed rereading this book so much that I will make sure that I have a copy on my shelves at school. I want to reintroduce one of the most inspirational books I have ever read to a new generation of students.

 

Student Saturday: Monster Blood for Breakfast by R.L. Stine

 

Genre: Upper Elementary, Middle Grade, Horror

Student Reviewer: Landon M.

This book, Monster Blood for Breakfast by R.L. Stine is a horror story that you do not want to miss. it is full of action and excitement. The setting is both at Matt Daniel's the main character's house, and his school. Matt is an athletic person. He is on the school swim team.  Bradly Wormser is his friend next door. They call him worm because he is super skinny.  This book is about two friends, Matt and Bradley. matt is strong and on the swim team. So, Bradley orders something called monster blood. Bradley brings it over to Matt's house and explains to him what it is and what it does. Bradley says that it is monster blood and if he eats it, he will be strong like Matt. He explains that Monster blood is dangerous, and he will get rid of it the next day.  But, they have a science project and Matt is mad at Bradley for stealing his idea. So, the morning that Matt has a swim meet he puts the monster blood in Bradley's cereal. When Matt goes upstairs to change his shirt Bradley noticed Monster Blood and switched cereals with Matt. The monster blood does not just make him stronger, it makes him a lot bigger. Now he must do the swim meet because his teammates depend on him.

Will he figure out how to be normal again, or will he have to be like that forever? Find out and read Monter Blood.  In this book  when he grew super big from accidentally eating the monster blood, I thought while reading this book of something I would have done. Something I would have done is try to throw up the monster blood. Another thing I would have done is act like I was sick and not go to the swim meet.  

This book was full of adventure and excitement. I thought it would have been scarier, but it was it was still good, and I still enjoyed it. I would recommend this book to ages 10-14 and to people who enjoy adventure. Also, for people who like excitement this book would be for you. 

The Bully Book by Eric Kahn Gale

Genre: Elementary and Middle Grade Realistic Fiction

Source: I own a copy.

 

This book is loosely based on bullying the author faced when he was in elementary school. His main character represents so many kids today. Erick Haskins was looking forward to his last year in elementary school. He hasn’t seen his best friend Donovan all summer. When his best friend walks past him and sits with the bullies he doesn’t know what to think. When the Jason calls him the “grunt” he isn’t sure why. He has always tried to stay out of trouble. He has managed to stay out of the way of the school bullies. This year they have decided he is low man on the totem pole, the grunt. As we go through the year with Erick we see his journal of thoughts and learn that there is a “Bully Book”. The book is about his hunt for it. If he can just find it and read it then maybe he will know why he was chosen as the grunt, how to stop being the grunt, and maybe, just maybe prevent this from happening to someone else. If there is one thing he has learned this year is that leaving elementary school as a grunt, can carry over into the next year.

I think this was a eye opener for me. I am a teacher so not necessarily the target audience for this book. However, some of the subtle things I saw happening in the book are things that often happen in today. I had a couple of students who were the target of bullies. I tried my best to stop it in the classroom. Once they left my room I was often unable to protect them. As a teacher this is very disturbing. At one point one of my students stood up for the weak child. She called out the bullies on an issue I had not seen. They work under the radar I have learned. She then looked at this kid and said, “You have got to start standing up for yourself.” He chose to take whatever they gave out and just live with it. Talking to admin. Doesn’t always help.  I now know why my students passed this book around and when they finally put it on my desk, told me I needed to read it. It has characters and situations they can identify with, which makes them feel like they are not alone

 

Chester and the Magic 8 Ball by Lynn Katz

 

Genre: Middle Grade Realistic Fiction.
Source: I received a copy from BookBub. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Middle school is tough. I know this because I’m a middle school teacher. Sixth graders are trying to grow up yet they face so many new challenges. This is often the first time they face the death of a family member or friend for the first time. They face bullying, illnesses, changes in friendship. I guess that is why I know middle school kids will be able to identify with this story.

Georgia has wanted a dog as long as she can remember. She asks her Magic 8 Ball if she will get a dog today and the answer comes back, ‘It is certain’. Georgia puts her plan into effect and by the end of the day she has a dog in her life. Chester isn’t just any dog. He was a well loved dog whose elderly owner fed him candy which rotted his teeth. He had to have all his teeth pulled. Everyone loves Chester.  When Georgia’s father comes home from the hospital and sees the dog he argues with his wife and leave the house. Georgia knows her parents have been fighting a lot lately. But now she believes getting Chester caused her dad to move out.

As we read through the book we see how Chester’s presence has such a surprising effect on people.  Will he bring people together?  Is he psychic? After all he plays with the Magic 8 Ball and so far all his predictions to questions Georgia has asked have been correct.  A charming book full of hope and wishing for better things. A book that shows you that sometimes what you need is right in front of you.  Looking forward to sharing this with my students at school and recommending it to our media specialist.

The Girl With the Green-Tinted Hair by Gavin Whyte

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Fable
Source: I purchased a copy

What a wonderful fable about growing up and changing.  A little boy wants a really close friend. It seems the only friend he can tell anything to is his favorite tree. He has a question he has been told he must answer, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ He goes to ask his friend the tree. He hears singing and as he gets closer he see a young girl with green-tinted hair. She is singing. They become friends.  The story takes the reader through each season and the lessons that life teaches us as we pass through each season of our own life.   Absolutely loved this book

Student Saturday: Dog Driven by Terry Lynn Johnson

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction
Student Reviewer: Levi M.

I read a book called Dog Driven. It is about a fourteen-year-old girl named McKenna who is trying to win a competition to earn a job. The job everyone is trying to get is delivering mail in a dog sled. So Mckenna and her little sister are trying to win the race to get a job. But the only problem is McKenna's sister is battling an eye disease, so it is hard for her to see, and McKenna must raise/train a bunch of dogs, so they are ready for the race. 

            McKenna and her sister were so nervous about the race because they had to travel 113 miles in horrible weather and had to beat 50 other teams in this race. McKenna's team is good and strong so they should not have a problem coming close to winning. Halfway through the race McKenna was passing everyone and she was so far ahead. The weather was starting to get intense the snow is getting thicker and taller. At this point, the dogs are having an extremely challenging time getting through the snow. About 20 minutes later someone came on the loudspeakers and said everyone had to return to a safe location because there was a huge blizzard rolling in. So McKenna and her team hid under a huge cliff. Do you think they survived and won the race? 

 I recommend this book to someone who likes a book that is entertaining and if you like dogs. One of the reasons I liked this book is because I love dogs, and this was an interesting book. 

The Snow Games by Darren Greninger

 

Genre:  Middle Grade, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction

Source:  I won a copy from LibraryThing. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I absolutely loved the premise of this story and the characters.  Francesca’s school has sent out a message they are going to vote on having year-round school to battle the learning slump. Francesca and her friends decide to find a way to keep this from happening. When her brother Liam tells her about the Snow Games, she sees a way she may be able to save the day.

Tyler Young is the billionaire creator of the games.  Using snowballs and their wits, the contestants must capture a flag and then cross the finish lines.  In exchange he will provided support for the teams school.  Unfortunately, no school has ever won. That doesn’t deter Francesca. She agrees to be on her brother’s team. The team consists of her brother Liam, who suffers from severe asthma. Then there is Priya, her best friend. The only way she can get Ethan, the school’s hockey player, and who she’s had a crush on forever to join the team is to convince the new girl Lindsay to join. Each member has their own reason for being on this team and working to win. Their chaperone on this televised event is none other than Claire, the school psychologist.  Throughout the book we get a deeper look at each of these characters, their motives, and what truly drives them.

This book is a book of hope, of going for the brass ring, and not listening to those who would put you down. Most importantly it is about believing in yourself and your strengths and learning that sometimes what you think you know about yourself and what you think you want is just a small part of what you actually want and who you are. 

The Fairy of the Enchanted Lake by Kris Nedy

 

Genre: Young Adult, Middle Grade Fantasy
Source: I won a copy from LibraryThing. The opinions expressed here are my own.

 

This was an absolutely wonderful book. I read it in about four hours. We start off with a young girl who has no friends. Michaela is constantly taunted about her size and appearance.  One day while playing outside she runs into the woods and gets lost. She keeps walking until she finds a lake. She meets the fairy in the lake and she meets a talking beaver. He givers her a stick that will take her home. He also tells her that it can bring her back if she only says some magic words. She buries the stick until the day she can no longer take the taunting. She takes the stick, says the magic word and is brought back to the lake. She makes a wish to be beautiful like the fairy in the lake. The fairy tries to talk her out of it, but she insists.  Michaela becomes beautiful on the outside. Unfortunately, something else happens to her and her insides begin to turn dark. 

This is a wonderful story of consequences of our actions. It is a story of Good versus evil, light versus darkness.  The characters are all very well developed. The world building, although fantasy is so well written the reader is made to feel like they have entered the world as they are reading. This is a brand new author to me. However, I love reading stories that are allegorical and I am sure I will be reading more of this author’s work.  I highly recommend this book to young and old alike.

Twell Town by Harriet M. Winter

 

Genre:  Children, Middle Grade, Fantasy

Source: I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I absolutely loved this book.  It was fun and full of humor. The author created an alternate world that is so interesting. All the characters of Twell Town are made from fabric, yarn, and other recyclable items.

Bunny Thread is a very unique character. Bunny lives with her mother at the back of her mother's button shop.  Bunny has no school friends.  She doesn't exactly fit in with them.  She makes all her own clothes.  They are very unique to say the least. One day she comes home from school and decides to make herself a friend. She gathers up her materials and sews up a friend. Her first few tries are rejected as they aren't quite good enough. Finally she grabs some yarn and knits herself a bear. She goes to bed with him that night and when she wakes up in the morning he is gone. She finds him sitting in her window. When she goes to him he speaks to her. He makes sure she knows his name is Dexter, not Buttercup, like she had named the bear she created. He tries to explain where he is from. Finally he takes her hand and off they go to where he lives, Twell Town.

Bunny is given a tour of the town which is quite fascinating.  Everyone accepts her there. Then they get to his house. She is impressed, but he is not. Someone has been in his house. She doesn't understand how he figures that since everything is in place. That is when we learn he is definitely not a neat freak.  He is sure he know who was in his house and what they are looking for.  He tries to explain that to her but she doesn't quite understand. But she will. Dexter must get her back to her land and then try to stop the fiends from getting what he has hidden from them. But, what happens when they find Bunny and the item?

Fun adventure from the very beginning.  I loved the author's play on words.  When they visit a clothing store in Twell town the owner of the store starts listing off clothing designers whose names are very similar to those we know today. She also used a lot of figurative language that made the images jump off of the page.  Everything was well thought out and planned.  At the end I wondered if maybe there would be a sequel to this book.  It was wrapped up nicely. However, there could be more adventures down the road. 

Student Saturday: Boys of Blur by N.D.Wilson

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Adventure
Student Reviewer: Dominick O.

This mystery fiction book is a book about Boys in Taper, Florida. These boys only like one thing and that is football. But when they aren't on the field they are running through the miles of muck. But when they go at night, they are not the only ones there. Things roam at night. Things that cannot be explained, and these boys are about to find out why. In my opinion this is a pretty good book. I would recommend this book to people who like suspenseful books or movies. I would also recommend this book to people who like the author N. D. Wilson.

Cameron and the Shadow Wraiths by Mark Cheverton

 

Genre:  Children, Middle Grade, Fantasy

Source:  I won a copy from LibraryThing. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is the second book in the series: Order of the Stones.  This is a fabulous series.  I read the first book, Facing the Beast Within, and loved it.  In this sequel a year has passed and the kids are back at camp. Leonard has learned to stand up to his father when it comes to his love of History, Bobby is his same jovial person. Elise who loved archery comes back not wanting anything to do with it. Karl comes back a new person. He is no longer a bully. When Cameron steps off of the bus he hears kids chanting "The Hero of Pontchartrain."  He feels like a fraud. The school year was rough. His anxiety is back in force.  Then a childhood friend and bully show up. Twins Jessie and Jamis show up at camp.  Jessie and Cameron were best friends. Jamis does his best to torment Cameron.  When Jessie is taken by a shadow wraith it is up to these heroes to rescue her.

This journey is not going to be easy. Lord Malphas wants Cameron. He has a reason for all of this. Will he succeed? We learn a lot more about Mr. Watson the grounds keeper.  He is more than just a grounds keeper. He will play a major role in shaping the person that Cameron becomes.  The tension in this book was very high. Just about the time we think things are going to work out, something else is thrown in their path and we see Cameron's Beast come back, This time he doesn't only have to battle his own beast, but also Malphas who has found a way to get into Cameron's head.  This was such a wonderful book. The third book in this series, The Gargoyle's Revenge comes up sometime in 2025.  I will definitely be reading it.  Go ahead, read it. I recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy, kids who overcome their fears and find belief in themselves.  This one is a keeper