Two Middle Grade Book Blurbs

As I navigate the new surreal abnormal normal, I’ve finally felt like reading and have gotten through two books recently. Both are easy reads and couldn’t be more opposite in subjects. And I just got a few more in the mail, so I’m ready to tackle them!

First up: Pippa Park Raises Her Game by Erin Yun

Fabled Films Press. Age range 8-12. Pub date: February 2, 2020.

From the website: A Contemporary Reimagining of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens for Middle Graders

Life is full of great expectations for Korean American Pippa Park. It seems like everyone, from her family to the other kids at school, has a plan for how her life should look. So when Pippa gets a surprising basketball scholarship to Lakeview Private, she jumps at the chance to reinvent herself.

Pippa struggles with popularity and the pressure to perform academically and athletically while keeping her past and family’s laundromat a secret from her elite new classmates. Juggling jealous Queen Bees, old and new friends, and an unrequited crush is hard enough. But when Pippa begins to receive a string of hateful, anonymous messages via social media things begin to spiral out of control.

If you like basketball, friendships, crushes, secrets, and Korean American culture, you’ll like Pippa Park. It has all things familiar: the popular clique, the cute, rich boy, the girl from the poorer side of town. Pretending to be something you’re not doesn’t usually work out, especially in middle school, but sometimes you just gotta try. And Pippa does. Eventually, she starts to figure out who she is and who she wants to be, and that’s when her true friends are found. There are a couple of twists that show Pippa’s heart. Her voice is also perfectly middle school.

Second Book: Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe

Little, Brown Young Readers: August 2020

From the publisher (I’ve shortened this first paragraph from the original):

Eva Evergreen is determined to earn the rank of Novice Witch before she turns thirteen years old. If she doesn't, she'll lose her magic forever. The only problem? Eva only has a pinch of magic.

When she lands on the tranquil coastal town of Auteri, the residents expect a powerful witch, not a semi-magical girl. So Eva comes up with a plan: set up a magical repair shop to aid Auteri and prove she's worthy. She may have more blood than magic, but her "semi-magical fixes" repair the lives of the townspeople in ways they never could have imagined. Only, Eva's bit of magic may not be enough when the biggest magical storm in history threatens the town she's grown to love. Eva must conjure up all of the magic, bravery, and cleverness she can muster or Auteri and her dreams of becoming a witch will wash away with the storm.

I have a total soft spot for MG witch books. They are always fun, fantastical, magical and you know what? Witches go through the same things we all go through. Figuring out friendships, not disappointing anyone, learning about themselves and their strengths and weaknesses. Maybe this book isn’t so different from the other one – just fantasy vs contemporary.

I know many people have compared this story to Kiki's Delivery Service, but I found it reminded me of The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol.

There are lots of subplots, layers, and obstacles. This is a long book for MG and there is some repetition, but when you arrive at the end, you are rooting for Eva and her friends and family. And the setting of Auteri is a place you’d like to visit. Lots of wonderful characters make this story enjoyable.

Book Reviews - Two Awesome Audio Books

These two books I listened to were total opposites and totally captivating for completely different reasons.

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

From the publisher:

Life is harsh on the teeming streets of Chennai, India, so when runaway sisters Viji and Rukku arrive, their prospects look grim. Very quickly, eleven-year-old Viji discovers how vulnerable they are in this uncaring, dangerous world. Fortunately, the girls find shelter–and friendship–on an abandoned bridge that’s also the hideout of Muthi and Arul, two homeless boys, and the four of them soon form a family of sorts. And while making their living scavenging the city’s trash heaps is the pits, the kids find plenty to take pride in, too. After all, they are now the bosses of themselves and no longer dependent on untrustworthy adults. But when illness strikes, Viji must decide whether to risk seeking help from strangers or to keep holding on to their fragile, hard-fought freedom.

Hearing the author read it was such a treat. It placed you right in the story immediately and I could see everything clearly. Felt it and smelled it all too.

I hadn’t read the description before listening to it, so I kept getting hints that the younger sister, Rukku, had a developmental disability. So, at first, I thought she was really young, but I finally caught on. The relationships among the four kids was sensitive and kind, even though they encountered plenty of people who weren’t.

There was never a time I got pulled out and I always wanted to go back into it.

There is pain and sorrow but also laughter and love. This story stayed with me since the characters, the world, and the story pulled me in and held me there. I would definitely recommend listening to this book since there’s a definite magic to it.

Dragon Assassin 1: Twin Fury by Arthur Slade

From the Author’s website:

Carmen wants to graduate. But the emperor wants her dead. Her classmates might, too.

At least she has a dragon on her side.

Carmen is desperate to finish ahead of her twin brother and the rest of the class. They’ve been trained to hunt using giant black swans, but Carmen has discovered a dragon. All she has to do is get on his back.

One problem: he's killed everyone who gets near him.

Then the Emperor declares war on assassins. Graduation night is about to become the fight of her life.

Take flight with this first episode in the Dragon Assassin series.

It’s a non-stop young adult adventure from best-selling author Arthur Slade. Perfect for fans of Dragon Riders of Pern, Dragon School, Eragon and Call of the Dragon.

This fantasy book pulled me in with short chapters, interesting characters, and action that forged the story ahead at full speed. 

As with the other audio book, there was never a time I got pulled out and I always wanted to go back into it. The reader is Clare Corbett and her British accents reminded me Downton Abbey characters, which of course, made me love it even more. I always marvel at the readers/actors who give you a full picture with different voice characterizations. 

There are constant twists and turns, magic, of course a snarky dragon who talks, and a host of dimensional characters you feel like you’ve gone to school with, too. 

I’ve read other Slade books, like The Hunchback Assignments and Flickers. I wrote a review on Flickers a few years ago. Loved that one too. He has so many books I want to read. And, he’s from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, just like I am. 

Do yourself a favor and download these enchanting audio books.

GRAPHIC NOVELS - 3 Reviews

Graphic Novels – 3 book blurbs               

Since I haven’t posted in Jan/Feb I’m making up for that with three graphic novel reviews – so basically one for each month. 😊 That works, right? And as life has it, reading is very good activity, not only especially now with social distancing, but always. We can all use an escape into a new world.

I’m always amazed at how different most graphic novels are from each other. But I really shouldn’t be. They’re like any other type of book genre – there are so many different middle grade books, YA books, chapter books, picture books. 

The three I read are a testament to that diversity – in content, illustrations, layout, story, character, level. Another great thing about graphic novels is their accessibility. Everyone can appreciate them.

First up: Aster and the Accidental Magic by Thom Pico

On the Penguin/Random House website, the category is Children’s MG and Children’s PB. Age range 8-12. Pub date: March 3, 2020.

It did have a chapter book feel to it with two stories in the one book, but it is definitely MG.

From the publisher: A fun, action-packed fantasy adventure about a girl, her dog, and magic gone wrong!

Quiet . . . birds . . . nature. . . .

That’s what Aster expects when her parents move their whole family to the middle of nowhere. It’s just her (status: super-bored), her mom and dad (status: busy with science), her brother (status: has other plans), and . . .
. . . magic?

In her new home, Aster meets a mysterious old woman with a herd of dogs who gives her a canine companion of her own. But when she and her dog Buzz are adventuring in the forest, they run into a trickster spirit who gives Aster three wishes. After wishing for the ability to understand and talk to her dog, she becomes only able to talk in dog language . . . and the trouble she gets into is just starting. 

Maybe the middle of nowhere will be more interesting than Aster thought.

I guessed that it was a translated book and the stories felt like they were based in folklore. The magical and fairytale elements mixed with present day issues and a talking dog, made for a fun read. Once Aster meets the old lady with the dogs, I was very involved. Loved the colors, the maps, the creatures, The Chestnut Knights and lots of action. Quite an enjoyable book and I look forward to reading the next Aster adventures.

Second Book: New Kid by Jerry Craft

On the HarperCollins website: Coretta Scott King Award (Author) & 2020 Newbery Medal

From the publisher: Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.

As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

Really well done. I was fascinated by the cool panels and how interwoven they were with dialogue, captions, action, interaction. The art draws you into Jordan’s life and you’re on this ride with him. Torn between two worlds, fitting in, race, class – it’s all in there and when you get to the end, you say, wow. And, there's a book 2.

Third book: Thornhill by Pam Smy

On the Macmillan website ages 10-14 (a little higher than regular MG). This was published in 2017.

From the publisher: Parallel stories set in different times, one told in prose and one in pictures, converge as a girl unravels the mystery of the abandoned Thornhill Institute next door.

1982: Mary is a lonely orphan at the Thornhill Institute For Children at the very moment that it's shutting its doors. When her few friends are all adopted or re-homed and she’s left to face a volatile bully alone, her revenge will have a lasting effect on the bully, on Mary, and on Thornhill itself.

2017: Ella has just moved to a new town where she knows no one. From her room on the top floor of her new home, she has a perfect view of the dilapidated, abandoned Thornhill Institute across the way, where she glimpses a girl in the window. Determined to befriend the girl and solidify the link between them, Ella resolves to unravel Thornhill's shadowy past.

Told in alternating, interwoven plotlines—Mary’s through intimate diary entries and Ella’s in bold, striking art—Pam Smy’s Thornhill is a haunting exploration of human connection, filled with suspense.

Total ambiance in the darkness of the illustrations and shown in the illustrations. So striking and creepy. Fascinating with the alternating points of view between the diary entries and the current day in illustrations. Both POVs grab you and don’t let go. Poignant stories of bullying, loneliness, how much goes on inside that doesn’t always get to come out, and lots of pain and hurt. It’s haunting. I thought about it for days afterward. The ending shows the cycle of loneliness and was a bit shocking to me. Something I discussed with a writing friend to get another perspective. I don’t want to give anything away, but am always up for a discussion if you read it.

Happy New Year fun!

December 31 always feels so special, like we're starting something exciting, new, unknown. Besides being a new year, there's hope and promise. And commitment. I'm setting realistic goals and working to achieve them, as best I can. That's what hope and promise are all about, right? So why not start with a new writing exercise. Then party! 😏

First I wanted to show the fabulous party skirt I've worn twice now and I just love it. Bought it from Etsy and it's just so fun. 

Then we write something short, sweet and get on with 2020. Cheers!

Words: 

Pierce, ribbon, fresh, established

 

Ella screamed in pain in the middle of the store.

“Hold still,” Ella’s sister Margaret said. “If you move, she won’t be piercing your ear anymore.”

“But…”

“You’ve established that it hurts and scared everyone out of here.”

Ella held her breath and closed her eyes. Another screech and the last spear was through. Her ears were finally pierced.

Margaret put her hands on Ella’s shoulders. “Happy thirteenth birthday.”

Tiny tears flowed. “Thanks, Marg. I love them. They really sparkle.”

“Just like you. And for being such a trooper, here’s a fresh ribbon for your hair tonight.”

With the biggest smile full of braces, Ella pat the red velvet. “My first New Year’s Eve. I will not fall asleep before midnight.”

Writing Exercise - and where did the time go?!

Holy doodle - how did that much time go by? Whoops. Funny how life takes over - lots of events and work and stuff! Well, glad to be back at it. I have been writing and revising so that took up most of my free time. And now that I've adopted two kittens, that has taken the rest. In a very good way. 😍

So, let's do a quick writing exercise and get those creative juices flowing. Although, plenty of people are doing NaNoWriMo, those folks most likely do not need an exercise. 

Words: Star, inn, adventure, buy

In the gift shop window of The Grand Inn, the sparkling crystal star on top of the Christmas tree winked, inviting me in on an adventure to buy it. The Grand Inn could have been named The Exclusive Inn since anyone staying there had to have gobs of money. And not just gobs, but bags loaded with gobs.

Shivering and staring brought me no closer to going in to check the price. Out of the corner of my eye, a bright red jacket approached and stood next to me.

“Beautiful tree, ain’t she?” the man said.

“Yup.” I wasn’t sure about conversing with a stranger. But it was a Christmas tree. “The star is the best part though.”

“A gift for someone?”

A sigh slipped out.

“I see,” he said.

I finally looked at him, and if he didn’t look like Santa himself. The man chuckled. I tried to break my gaze.

He shrugged one shoulder. “Why not take a look inside. Can’t hurt.”

The glittering star got my full attention again. “Maybe.” The man was gone. No red jacket appeared anywhere up and down the sidewalk. I straightened up. The door jingled as I went inside. Heat enveloped me and I shivered once more. A good shiver this time.

I chewed my lip walking right to the tree. The price tag hung down enough that I could read it. Maybe I could buy it! But how did he know?

A whiny voice made me jump. “Can I help you?”

“Yes, ma’am, I’d like to see the star please.”

She snorted. “Where are your parents?”

“At home,” I lied.

“Come back with them and you can see the star together, okay sweetie?”

The urge to kick her in the shin then run away was really strong. I glared at her and stomped out.

Deflated, I leaned against the building. A spot of red caught my eye and I glanced up. The Santa man grinned and winked. Just like the star. I smiled back, he nodded and disappeared.

Writing Exercise - Word Prompt

I've spun the random word generator wheel and come up with four that spoke to me. Sometimes, I have to go through a few rounds before I find a selection that works. I usually take the first one or maybe the second. This one needed more prodding. This is a work of fiction, this is not my grandfather or anyone else I know. That's the wonder of fiction.

Words: rough, rotten, grandfather, reason

Growing up, I didn't get to know my grandfather very well. He worked a lot. Smoked a lot. Drank even more. He never minced words and spoke directly no matter how it might affect you. Good or bad.

His rough demeanor was linked to his upbringing. In a time where a belt was the preferred form of punishment. There was no time out chair in the corner.

Could he be rotten? You bet. I'm sure he had his reasons. They don't ever make sense to a child. The only person I ever saw him express love for was my grandmother. The gentleness in his voice, his touch, his affection for her revealed an entirely hidden side only she got to see.

I saw it once. I will never forget it. There was so much more to him than I could ever know.