MG Review: Capture the Flag by Kate Messner

Synopsis:
Three kids get caught up in an adventure of historic proportions!

Anna, José, and Henry are complete strangers with more in common than they realize. Snowed in together at a chaotic Washington D.C. airport, they encounter a mysterious tattooed man, a flamboyant politician, and a rambunctious poodle named for an ancient king. Even stranger, news stations everywhere have announced that the famous flag that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner" has been stolen! Anna, certain that the culprits must be snowed in too, recruits Henry and José to help catch the thieves and bring them to justice.

But when accusations start flying, they soon realize there's more than justice at stake. As the snow starts clearing, Anna, José, and Henry find themselves in a race against time (and the weather!) to prevent the loss of an American treasure.

Publication Date: July 1, 2012
Genre: Middle Grade, Mystery, Adventure
Source: Thanks to Scholastic for my review copy!


Review:
First of all, this is a great entertaining MG read for the summer. It does take place in a snowed-in, all-flights-are-cancelled airport but for some reason it still gives you the right vibe for summer reading :)

The story follows Anna, Jose and Henry as they meet up and end up getting tangled in the mystery of who stole the flag from the museum. Just like Jose and Henry, I was skeptical of Anna finding anything useful in the airport to point towards who the real suspects of the crime were. She proved us all wrong by actually being right...well, about some things at least.

I liked how the book didn't shy away from the danger they put themselves in by going head to head with the people that stole the flag. It showed how important finding the flag was to them, and it showed how dedicated they all were to their family's secret society. Speaking of which, that was another thing that would make this a magical read for Middle Graders. What kid doesn't like to pretend they are part of a secret society that gets called to go on missions and all that awesome stuff?

I thought this was an enjoyable book with spunk. I loved the friendships that were formed throughout and I'm assuming these same friendships will continue if there were to be a sequel. This would make a nice Indiana Jones-esque series for this age group.

MG Review: Gold Medal Summer by Donna Freitas

Synopsis:
Just in time for the Olympics: A gymnastics novel to flip for!

Joey Jordan loves gymnastics: the thrill of performing a backflip on the beam, the cheers of the audience when she sticks a landing. But even with all her talent and style, she's never quite made it to that gold medal stand.

Now big changes shake up Joey's life in and out of the gym. Joey wants to break out some daring new beam and floor routines--but she'll have to defy her strict coach to do it. Her best friend, Alex, is thinking about quitting gymnastics for good. And an old friend named Tanner just moved back to town, and he's suddenly gotten very, very cute. Can Joey handle all the challenges coming her way, and make her gold medal summer happen at last?

Drawing on her real-life experience as a competitive gymnast, acclaimed novelist Donna Freitas delivers both a terrific gymnastics story and a classic novel about stretching some limits, bending the rules, and finding your balance.

Publication Date: June 1, 2012
Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age
Source: Thanks so much to Scholastic for providing a review copy!


Review:

I haven't read any MG for awhile now. This is another one I'll mark down as 'must read' for my girls when they are old enough. It's such a sweetly moving story of one girl's summer and how she basically matures and gains confidence in herself. I found the content to bring back so many nostalgic memories of my own summers around this time of my life. Maybe not so much the gymnastics part of it in my case :) Your first crush, the nervous anticipation of seeing that someone...your first kiss. It was...moreI haven't read any MG for awhile now. This is another one I'll mark down as 'must read' for my girls when they are old enough. It's such a sweetly moving story of one girl's summer and how she basically matures and gains confidence in herself. I found the content to bring back so many nostalgic memories of my own summers around this time of my life. Maybe not so much the gymnastics part of it in my case :) Your first crush, the nervous anticipation of seeing that someone...your first kiss. It was really easy to relate to all the things that Joey was feeling. I think 13-14 years old is a time of enormous change for kids. Especially one involved in a sport that takes so much sacrifice and dedication. I loved seeing Joey change so much from the first chapter to the last. Her transformation from questioning her abilities and whether there is room for boys (one in particular) in her grueling gymnastics training to realizing what is most important to HER and how to manage her priorities was so well done. And although I don't know much about gymnastics, I really loved every part of this book. This was an entertaining read for any age, but spot on for any Middle Grader. It shines a light on believing in yourself and sticking with your goals. A perfect book just in time for summer!

Review and Giveaway: They Stood Alone! 25 Men and Women Who Made a Difference

Synopsis:
Imagine this: For centuries everyone has believed that the sun and all the planets revolve around the earth. But by studying the old books and observing the heavens, you have concluded that the earth and all the other planets revolve around the sun. Your theory is so radical that you are hesitant to tell others about it. Your name is Nicolaus Copernicus. Although at first your beliefs are denounced and ridiculed, your observations are eventually proved correct. In time, you come to be called the founding father of modern astronomy.

Author Sandra McLeod Humphrey invites you to have the courage to stand alone too, hold on to your dreams, and follow your heart wherever it may lead. Like the twenty-five pioneers who lived before you, you too may someday make a difference!

Review:
What an uplifting and inpirational book! It presents 25 role models for kids to look up to and fashion their own endeavors after. I think it's so important for young people to be reminded of the fact that sometimes you have to pave your own way and it's not always easy, but sometimes the greatest results come from sacrificing and hard work. And just because something 'has never been done before' or is 'impossible' according to one person . . . that doesn't mean it has to be true for you.

They Stood Alone highlights 25 figures from history that stood alone and made a difference. I think this book would be perfect for a teacher to have in their classroom, for a young reader to learn from, or for those of us that had a hard time retaining some of the history lessons we learned many (MANY) years ago now :)

The highlighted people are presented in an engaging and interesting way, followed by how their life's journey led to their defining moments. Each story is the perfect length so the reader won't get bogged down, but gets all the important facts. I think it would even whet a young readers appetite to want to read more in-depth accounts about some of these people.

A very needed book. I loved it!

Genre: Middle Grade, Elementary, Non-Fiction, Educational
Source: Thanks so much to the author Sandra McLeod Humphrey for my review copy!

To find out more about this and the MANY other award winning books by this author check out her Website or find Sandra on Twitter and Facebook.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Giveaway!

The author Sandra McLeod Humphrey has given me a copy to give away to one lucky winner!

Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck!

MG Review: The Tide Changers by Sandy Green

Synopsis:
For a thirteen-year-old kid who lives right by the ocean, Ford Kahr has never been a great swimmer. In fact, he sinks like a rock in the water. He’s actually afraid to swim in the ocean after his dad, a marine biologist and experienced scuba diver, disappeared off the shore of their hotel in Cape Lore, New Jersey, three years ago.

As klutzy as Ford is in the water, his older brother Jag is a junior swimming champ, and his younger sister Mercedes has a mystical connection to the water that Ford can’t explain. But when Jag swims out to investigate the disappearing island past the jetty, Ford uncovers an amazing secret that puts a new spin on his relationship with the ocean. The ocean harbors a whole other world beneath its surface that Mercy and Ford must explore – hoping they’ll find some clue to the disappearance of their father and the astonishing secret they share about the water.

Legends of underwater people and stories of scary sea monsters push Ford and his sister to discover the truth about what’s really out there in the ocean depths.

Review:
This is a very original idea for a story. Ford's father is lost while scuba diving and has been gone for years. As a result, Ford is terrified of drowning. When his brother has an unfortunate accident while exploring the beach near their home, it's up to Ford and his sister, Mercy, to save him. They discover an amazing secret about themselves that will lead to adventure, excitement and danger. Ford shows bravery and also some good old-fashioned common sense :) He does things he never imagined he would be able to and sees his family in a whole new light.

Like I said, this is a very unique idea. I don't want to get into the source of the secret that is discovered for spoilery reasons, but I really liked this. I think it's a great, adventurous read that any Middle Grader would enjoy reading, either alone or with a parent. My only complaint is that the story feels like it's over when there are still so many places left to be explored within the world of the book. I do realize MG can't be hundreds of pages long, so maybe a sequel would fix that :)

Publication Date: December 18, 2011
Genre: Middle Grade, Paranormal
Source: Thanks so much to author, Sandy Green, and Penumbra Publishing for my review copy.

To find out more about this book and the Author visit her website Here or her blog Here.

Review: Patrick Patterson and the World of Others by James Fryar

Synopsis:

"A match was struck in the distance, bringing light to what was otherwise darkness. "


And so begins the tale of Patrick Patterson. For almost thirteen years, he's lived a quiet, simple life in the tiny town at the edge of Texas, called Farwell, but he is suddenly whisked away by a rag tag group of warriors and others across the United States to discover his true identity and a destiny clouded in mystery.


Never in his wildest dreams did he think that he'd walk through an underground city filled with citizens from across the universe, contend with powerful enemies from the edge of the galaxy, or travel to the Arctic Circle on a high speed train.


Now, he must decide what he truly desires and whether he even wants to take up the mantle of hero...or alien.


Review:
I was truly amazed by this book. It is such a perfectly blended mish-mash of so many different things. It all works together to create a quirky, unique and fun book. It's like an intergalactic fantasy/paranormal novel geared towards MG/YA. I feel like I've found a shiny gem that I want to show off :)


Patrick Patterson has gone through twelve years of his life with his head down. He lives in a boring farm town, and a good day for him is avoiding the jerkiest guy at his school. One day his whole world is shaken up, and he is taken on a wonderful and dangerous adventure to find out who he truly is. A premise that you've heard before, but it seems very fresh in this telling. Patrick is a character that you can relate to and root for. The other characters hold their own and add the extra spice to this book.


Ok, I pretty much just loved this one. The characters, the world, plot, imagery. It was all great. You know that happy feeling you get when you're reading a book and you mentally congratulate yourself for finding it and knowing it rocks? Well, this is that book for me. My only complaint is that I don't think the cover gives you a glimpse as to what you're in for. It doesn't quite fit the quirkiness of the book.


It's the first book in what will be a series, and I really see great things ahead for it and for the author. I can't wait to read the next book, 'Patrick Patterson and the Search for Infinity'. Check this one out!


You can check out the author on his website and find out more about his books here.


Publication Date: October 3, 2011
Genre: YA, MG, Fanasy, SciFi
Source: Thanks to the author, James Fryar, for my review copy!

Review: Mo Wren, Lost and Found by Tricia Springstubb

Synopsis:
Mo Wren knew that eventually she, her dad, and her sister, Wild Child Dottie, would have to move from beloved Fox Street. She just never expected it to happen so soon.

At the Wrens’ new place, things are very different. The name of the street—East 213th—has absolutely zero magic. And there’s no Mrs. Petrone to cut her hair, no Pi Baggott to teach her how to skateboard, no Green Kingdom to explore. She’s having trouble fitting in at her new school and spending a lot of time using the corner bus shelter for her Thinking Spot. Worst of all, Mo discovers that the ramshackle restaurant Mr. Wren bought is cursed. Only Dottie, with her new friends and pet lizard, Handsome, is doing the dance of joy.

For the first time in her life, Mo feels lost and out of place. It’s going to take a boy who tells whoppers, a Laundromat with a mysterious owner, a freak blizzard, and some courage to help her find her way home for good.

Review:
This was such a sweet and touching story. It's the sequel to What Happened On Fox Street, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. I guarantee after you read Mo Wren, Lost and Found that you will really want to pick up the first one!

We find Mo Wren about to leave her home on Fox Street. Her house and the surrounding neighbors have been the anchor for everything in her life, and now she has to figure out what to do with herself in a different place. She is bombarded with uncertainties and doesn't give herself the credit she deserves. She faces these things with a maturity and grace that she is completely blind to until later on in the book. Carmella sees that in her from the beginning. I loved Carmella for seeing the beautiful parts of her Soap Opera customers when they don't see it themselves.

A great book for any age. Middle graders will enjoy the story and can relate to Mo and the things she deals with. Older readers will be touched by the authentic, coming-of-age themes found throughout the book.

Publication Date: September 1, 2011
Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Coming-of-Age
Source: Thanks so much to the author, Tricia Springstubb, for my review copy!

Review: The Boy Who Flew With Eagles by Ben Woodard

Synopsis:
An adventure story of a boy challenged to save a family of eagles or become their meal. With famine looming for animals and humans, the boy works to feed the eagles and learns their wisdom. As a reward for his help, he asks the eagles to teach him to fly. The book depicts his struggle, both mentally and physically, to fly and convince his people that fewer salmon each year are due to their actions. The story combines myth, environmental awareness and the concept of working together. It is a short middle grade novel.

Review:
This is a book specifically geared towards reluctant readers. Mainly middle grade boys. It's a short novel with an easily read story that won't intimidate someone that is hesitant to pick up a book. I love that the author is putting the time and effort into getting kids to enjoy reading (especially those boys).

The story is about a boy that ends up living with eagles for a time. He helps them find food for survival, but he gains a lot in return for his efforts. There is an underlying theme of being conscious of how we use our resources. It presents a positive message without feeling preachy.

A quick, adventurous read that will boost the confidence of those reluctant middle grade readers :-)

Publication Date: November 6, 2011
Genre: Middle Grade, Adventure
Source: Thanks to the author, Ben Woodard, for my review copy!

Review: The Summer of Hammers and Angels by Shannon Wiersbitzky

Synopsis:
Delia's summer is getting off to a terrible start. First, an inspector shows up at the house and threatens to condemn it. Then lightning strikes, literally, and Mama ends up in the hospital. To make matters even worse, with no other family to speak of, Delia is forced to move in with her nemesis, Tommy "as-dense-as-a-stump" Parker.

Not one to sit around doing nothing, Delia huddles with her best friend, Mae, and reluctantly recruits Tommy, to help. The three of them resolve to tackle the long list of repairs, one by one. But Delia quickly discovers that it takes more than energy and willingness to handle some problems. When things go from bad to worse, Delia has to take another tack, one that starts with admitting she just can't do what needs to be done without a lot more help.

The Summer of Hammers and Angels is the story of an amazing summer in a girl's life, a summer of surprises and challenges, of shocks and recovery, of discoveries and friendship, and of loneliness and community.

Review:
It sounds kind of cheesy to say this is a 'heart-warming story', but truthfully. . . that's exactly what it is. I realize that this book isn't geared towards my age group (pushing 30, if you must know), but I would recommend it to a person of any age.

The sweet girl in the story is Delia. She lives with her mother and they are struck (literally) with some bad luck which lands her mom in the hospital. As she recounts the ins and outs of their lives together, you start to get the feel that she craves love and most of all attention. Her mom is normally so caught up in her own problems that she forgets the most important thing in her life. I wanted to adopt this fictional girl and take her to eat donuts with me.

This book is great for Middle Grade (which is the target audience), but even for adults I think it is a compelling read. It serves as a reminder to adults that kids need our attention and how much they love the small moments. I will even divulge that there was a part at the end of the book that had me teary-eyed (in a good way).

Also, I don't want to forget to mention that the writing is wonderful! Shannon Wiersbitzky has a true talent for putting into words the very spirit of a young girl. I could go on and on about how much I loved it, but I think you get the point :-)

Publication Date: March 25, 2011
Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction
Source: Thanks so much to the author, Shannon Wiersbitzky, for my review copy!

Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Synopsis:
Orphan Hugo Cabret lives in a wall. His secret home is etched out in the crevices of a busy Paris train station. Part-time clock keeper, part-time thief, he leads a life of quiet routine until he gets involved with an eccentric, bookish young girl and an angry old man who runs a toy booth in the station. The Invention of Hugo Cabret unfolds its cryptic, magical story in a format that blends elements of picture book, novel, graphic novel, and film. Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Brian Selznick has fashioned an intricate puzzle story that binds the reader like a mesmerist's spell.

Review:
I felt very emotional reading it for some reason. Probably picturing if Hugo were my boy, how hard that would be. A boy with so much imagination and potential who is all alone in the world.

This book expertly (perfectly, wonderfully) blends drawings and text to create such a beautiful and touching story. This book was recommended by my sister for us to read with our four year old. He is getting to the age where he likes to be read to, yet his attention wavers easily. It sounded like it was worth a try.

My husband has been reading it to our four year old every night and our three year old daughter joins them (she loves it too). They talk about what's going on in the pictures and then listen intently to my husband as he reads the other parts. I love that they are using different creative parts of their brains and interacting with the book.

The story is so wonderful that I read ahead of everyone because I wanted (needed) to know what happened to Hugo Cabret. I think older kids could relate to this story. Not every child has a loving family or an easy life. It's a great book to read as a family.

Also, a few nights ago we saw that they are making a movie called Hugo, based on this book. The excitement on the kids' faces was a sight to behold. How great is it to be a part of their first book to movie experience? I can't wait to see it with them as a family and talk about how it was the same and how it differed from the novel.

Publication Date: March 1, 2007
Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novels
Source: Public Library

Review: Big Boys Don't Spy by K.E.M. Johnston

Synopsis:
Set in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, with the CIA Headquarters around the corner, 12-year-old Will Wand, Agent 003.5, has his first assignment - to save the world, or at least to uncover the mole in his mother's advertising company. Will strongly suspects his bossy, annoying cousin Penelope, visiting from the U.K., is a double agent, and when he finds he diary written in code, he knows he's onto something ... but if you hear any more, he'll have to kill you (or at least confiscate your Star Wars walkie-talkie).

Review:
I can't say enough good things about this book. Big Boys Don't Spy is the ideal book for any Middle Grade boy or girl. Full of the whimsy of childhood and the real-life hardships that many families experience, it is a fun and relatable read.

Will Wand is an imaginative and eccentric middle child. He is obsessed (to put it mildly) with all things SPY. His father died two years ago and he lives with his busy mother, distant older brother and can't forget his Monster of a younger brother, Tristan. His British cousin Penelope (Pen) comes to visit him for a few weeks in the summer. He is most certainly not looking forward to it . . . until they find common ground when it comes to their interest in the art of spying. During their covert adventures they end up forming a great friendship that was wonderfully developed. I truly loved this book!

My kids aren't old enough to read this one yet, but it is one that I will for sure be reading to them in the future. I think it is appealing to boys AND girls (and parents as well). A lot of the quirky, weird things that kids do was portrayed perfectly throughout the story. The more serious issues of loss and sadness were addressed in an appropriate and understandable way for younger readers.

I highly recommend this one!

Publication Date: December 1, 2010
Genre: Middle Grade
Source: Thanks to author K.E.M. Johnston for my review copy!