If you read my posts regularly, you know I devour and love many books. To call me a Kate DiCamillo super-fan may be an underestimation. I was THRILLED to receive an ARC for LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo. Yes, I screamed. Ask my family. Kate DiCamillo launches us back into the world of Raymie Nightingale in LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME. This time, Louisiana Elefante is … Continue reading LOUISIANA’S WAY HOME by Kate DiCamillo
Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina. Because they are scholarship students, Merci and her older brother, Roli, are “different” from the other kids at their private school. Since they don’t have fancy cars or … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: MERCI SUÁREZ CHANGES GEARS by Meg Medina
Anyone who knows me will tell you that The Fourteenth Goldfish is one of my favorite books. EVER. I actually screamed when I heard that the sequel, THE THIRD MUSHROOM , was releasing this summer. The second the arc became available, I started reading. Ellie, my favorite middle school scientist, is back. Why do I like Ellie so much? She funny, down-to-earth, open-minded, curious, and not a … Continue reading Recommended: THE THIRD MUSHROOM by Jennifer Holm
Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring Zora and Me: The Cursed Ground by T.R. Simon. The Curse Ground is the second novel in the Zora and Me series. The first book, Zora and Me written by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon, … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: Zora & Me-THE CURSED GROUND by T.R. Simon
Many seventh graders spend their days worrying about friendship drama, their appearance, or their killer homework. But there are millions of kids in our country whose worries are related to their safety or who are living in serious poverty. We don’t see those kids in books often enough, which is why I was eager to read THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS. Zoey has her … Continue reading THE BENEFITS OF BEING AN OCTOPUS by Ann Braden
Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson. When six “special” kids are sent by their teacher to a quiet art room and told they can just hang out and talk for an hour every Friday afternoon, at … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: HARBOR ME by Jacqueline Woodson
If you asked me to recommend a good book for a kid who likes dogs, I’d immediately blurt out Barbara O’Connor’s name. She’s the author of seventeen novels and biographies for middle graders and the recipient of dozens and dozens of distinguished book awards. My favorite Barbara O’Connor books feature dogs: How to Steal a Dog, Wish (my dog’s favorite) and now Wonderland! Ten-year-old Mavis has to … Continue reading Barbara O’Connor Interview featuring WONDERLAND
It all started with Three Times Lucky in 2012. Mo (Moses) LoBeau and Dale Earnhardt Johnson III became the detectives we all wanted to be as kids (and maybe as adults too)–charming, clever, witty, and always able to solve the most impossible case plus several others that snuck their way in. Three Times Lucky has murder, race cars, a stud muffin, drunkards, and karate. It’s so … Continue reading THE LAW OF FINDERS KEEPERS by Sheila Turnage
Creepers and crawlers and things that go bump in the night? Yes, please! Since my latest literary obsession is dark middle grade fantasy, I’m especially thrilled to welcome middle grade author Charlotte Salter to The Winged Pen. Charlotte’s second novel, WHERE THE WOODS END, comes out on August 14th. The story follows Kestrel, a fierce huntress, as she strives to protect her village from Grabbers––shadowy … Continue reading WHERE THE WOODS END (An Interview with Author Charlotte Salter)
There’s nothing I love more than announcing a gorgeous new voice in middle grade fantasy. So it’s with great pleasure that I introduce you to K. A. Reynolds, debut author of the magical, glorious The Land of Yesterday. Welcome to The Winged Pen, K. A.! JA: More and more often, we’re seeing middle grade authors tackle tough subjects like grief, mental illness, and trauma for … Continue reading Interview with KA Reynolds, author of The Land of Yesterday
Welcome to Windows & Mirrors, where we feature books that provide us windows to lives outside our own and mirrors to our shared common human experiences. Today we are featuring The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani. Nisha receives a blank journal from her family’s cook on her twelfth birthday. It’s a place where she can record her thoughts, the things she thinks about but seems to … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: THE NIGHT DIARY
Publisher’s Description “You’re only as good as your partner.” Mikayla is a wrestler; when you grow up in a house full of brothers who are die-hard mat heads, it’s in your DNA. She even has a wrestling name: Mickey. Some people don’t want a girl on the team. But that won’t stop her. She’s determined to work hard, and win. Lev is determined too–he’s going … Continue reading Recommended: TAKEDOWN by Laura Shovan
