Tag: middle grade

Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

Book Recommendation: The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley

Today we’re featuring The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley by April Stevens  This novel does so many things well (see reviews below), and there are many layers to explore, but a particularly wonderful one is what it’s like to have an extra-inquisitive, quirky mind. I taught in a classroom for highly gifted children, as well as a regular education room, and the label “gifted” … Continue reading Book Recommendation: The Heart and Mind of Frances Pauley

Mark Holtzen2 Comments
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Windows & Mirrors

Windows & Mirrors: Kelly Yang’s FRONT DESK

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’re featuring Front Desk by Kelly Yang!   Fifth-grader and immigrant Mia lives with her Chinese parents in a small room at the Calivista Hotel. When they arrived in America, they expected to work hard but they had … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: Kelly Yang’s FRONT DESK

Michelle Leonard2 Comments
Book Recommendations, Love Letters, Middle Grade

Dear The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher

Dear The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher, I’ve been working on a series of posts on books that shaped me, and this month, I want to highlight Dana Alison Levy’s THE MISADVENTURES OF THE FAMILY FLETCHER. The Fletchers are a two-dad, four-son, two-to-four-pet household. The brothers are all adopted. Two are white, one is African-American, and one is Indian. The best part is that all … Continue reading Dear The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher

Kate Hillyer2 Comments
Author, Book Recommendations, Interviews, Middle Grade

Interview with debut author A.M. Morgen: The Inventors at No. 8

The gorgeous cover of THE INVENTORS AT NO. 8 by debut author A.M. Morgen pulled me in immediately. Imagine my delight when I realized it was a middle grade #STEM historical adventure fantasy starring Ada Lovelace and written by a NC author! Like a moist, delicious piece of chocolate cake, I ate it up much faster than I wanted to! The Inventors at No. 8 publishes … Continue reading Interview with debut author A.M. Morgen: The Inventors at No. 8

Michelle Leonard1 Comment
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Windows & Mirrors

Windows & Mirrors: Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring

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’re featuring Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring by Angela Cervantes. Before we get into this fun and wonderful story, I have to give a shout out about the cover, designed by award-winning artist Rafael … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: Me, Frida, and the Secret of the Peacock Ring

Michelle LeonardLeave a comment
Book Awards, Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, News

Cybils Awards: MG Speculative Fiction

The winners of the Cybils Awards have been announced! If you haven’t heard yet, you must still be busy celebrating Valentine’s Day. The winner for the 2017 Middle Grade Speculative Fiction Category is … WAIT! First, what are the Cybils Awards? They are awards that recognize children’s and young adult authors and illustrators whose books combine the highest literary merit and popular appeal. Second, I had the pleasure of … Continue reading Cybils Awards: MG Speculative Fiction

Halli Gomez2 Comments
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Windows & Mirrors

Windows & Mirrors: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground

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. Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King award winner Rita Williams Garcia’s Clayton Byrd Goes Underground is one of my favorite recent middle grade reads. Full of voice, the musicality and raw emotion of the blues, and complex family relationships, … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground

Julie Artz1 Comment
Book Recommendations, Writer's Life

The Literary Couples We Love

Happy Valentine’s Day! The true origins of Valentine’s Day are unknown – in 496, it signified the start of spring. It was also believed Valentine was a person who gave love to the world. Similar to what we now know as Cupid? Whichever story is true, both represent joy and happiness. At The Winged Pen, we help spread happiness by talking about our love of … Continue reading The Literary Couples We Love

Halli GomezLeave a comment
Creativity and Craft

The Magic of Friendship

I’m working on revising one novel and pre-writing another, and one thing keeps coming up with both projects: friendship. I have two teen daughters, and I can tell you that EVERYTHING revolves around friends. And I remember that from my own teenage years – friendships were all-consuming, intense, up and down, and central to my daily life. So as I’ve worked on these two projects, … Continue reading The Magic of Friendship

Richelle MorganLeave a comment
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade, Windows & Mirrors

Windows & Mirrors: Betty Before X

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’re celebrating Betty Before X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson! Ilyasah Shabazz is the daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz. She’s the author of several books about her revolutionary family, including the critically-acclaimed adult memoir … Continue reading Windows & Mirrors: Betty Before X

Michelle LeonardLeave a comment
Book Recommendations, Love Letters, Middle Grade

Dear Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy

I’ve been writing love letters to books that shaped me, as a person and as a writer, and for this month, it’s Karen Foxlee’s Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy. I so enjoyed this book, a dreamy and beautiful retelling of the Snow Queen. What I want to talk about today, though, is how it influenced my writing. I write contemporary fantasies, and love to come … Continue reading Dear Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy

Kate HillyerLeave a comment
Book Recommendations, Middle Grade

Book Recommendation: Shadow Weaver

The shadows that surround us aren’t always as they seem… Shadow Weaver, by MarcyKate Connolly, is a middle grade fantasy story of family, friends, belonging, and betrayal – all woven together with beautiful magic. Emmeline has grown up with a gift. Since the time she was a baby she has been able to control shadows. And her only friend and companion is her own shadow, … Continue reading Book Recommendation: Shadow Weaver

Halli GomezLeave a comment