A Net in Time

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The Best Middle School Books of 2022

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So last week I walked you through the best of the picture books I reviewed last year.   Since I read a fair amount of middle school books, it’s only fair I let you know which ones I thought were the best.    So here we go with the best middle school books for 2022.   🙂   I hope you find some treasures. 

I’ll link to my reviews and if I can get the HTML to work… my amazon affiliate link for your ease in finding them all! 

The Best Middle School Books of 2022

Graphic Novels

I don’t review a lot of graphic novels.  They honestly aren’t my favourite way to read a book, but occasionally I read one that I really like.   I had that with this one Ride On.  Young people, horses, growth as youth develop in their friendship, just all good stuff.   You can find it on Amazon. 

Ride On

Historically based

Seen and Unseen brings us to the unique perspectives of three photographers of the Japanese internment during WW2.  Such a hard time for a people group.  Find it on Amazon. 

Some topics are hard to cover, and the realities of Jewish lives as Nazis take over their homeland aren’t exactly easy reading.  The Boy Behind the Door is done well, walking us through the daily changes and challenges of one young Jewish lad.  Your Amazon link. 

Fallout drops us into the Cold War all centred around the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Pictures help paint the story of this time period.   Your Amazon connection. 

Seen and Unseen

Just for Fun Reads

Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts was a good read just for fun.  Good if you like fantasy and magic and teens beating the odds and succeeding.   You’ll find it here on Amazon. 

If you want a read that’s a bit more serious, dealing with loss and coping, Lolo’s Light might suit the bill for you.  A death, a light, a wish, and so friends and neighbours find their way through.   Link.

Dealing with change while handling one’s own heritage is sometimes is a challenge.  Watching a young lass learn how to handle it all was excellent in Shine On, Luz Véliz!   You can find it on Amazon. 

I laughed my way through Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians and then hubsters grabbed it up and enjoyed it enough he proceeded to order the next couple of books in the series.  Which reminds me I should tell you what I thought of those books sometime.  Find it on Amazon and look for the rest of the series! 

Shine on Luz Veliz

Stories to Help You Think

Consider how we treat the world and the animals we live with this story split between two worlds with an indigenous flavour.  A Snake Falls to Earth is a book to take your time with as you switch between perspectives and consider connections.  Your Link. 

The Callers asks the question: Can something come from nothing? And if it can’t, where does it come from?  The disparity between the haves and the have nots is pulled into the light.  Amazon Link. 

A Snake Falls to Earth

Books to Learn From

This morning I learned a new word “ruthful”.  Being a word nerd, I like to play with new words so when I looked at Absurd Words it just fit so well you know?  Perhaps you might know a young word nerd who needs a bit of encouragement to expand their horizons.   Find it here. 

What has been your favourite middle school book this year?  What book might you recommend?

The Best Picture Books of 2022.

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Oh, do join me in a fun trip down memory lane.  I’m looking today at the best picture books of 2022.  Some of these books bring a smile to my face in memory, and I hope might present you with some good books to look for.   Help your littles learn new material, or enjoy a good read.  Let your middle and high schoolers meet a good introductory book to a new topic!   Both are good!  Do not downplay the effectiveness of an excellent picture book eh? 

I will link to my review as well as give you direct links via my amazon affiliate profile for your ease of use.

The Best Picture Books of 2022.

Topical Picture Books

The Leaf Thief.  Consider the changing seasons with this fun book about a squirrel all alarmed by his leaves disappearing on him! 

Hedgehog’s Home for Winter is another changing seasons book, this time featuring a cute hedgehog rather than a squirrel.  Loved the images in this picture book. 

Another than the evolutionary point of view in How to make a mountain, this is an excellent primer in understanding how mountains, rocks, and various ecosystems all play a role within each other. 

People are more connected globally than we might think which Our World is a Family points out quite nicely you’ll find. 

Are you struggling to help your children understand how important sleep is to the brain and even how the brain works? Good Night to your Fantastic Elastic Brain is an excellent primer to help children and youth. 

The Whale Who Swam Through Time is look at a bowhead whale over the 200 years of her life.  So much changed in the course of her life, a good way to see the affects of mankind on the created world. 

Oh you must Listen to the Language of The Trees.  See their interconnectedness.  I found this read so fascinating and discovered myself researching different ideas I didn’t know before.  A great primer of middle and high school with so many ideas for them to use as jumping off points for research. 

Listen to the language of the trees

Just a good story

Now What?  Faatz gives us a fun read of the joys of exploring one’s imagination.  I’d love this one as a bedtime story!  🙂 

I saw Love is for Roaring and I just started to smile.  Can a roaring lion learn something about love and friendship?  A good question eh? 

Bunnies and dancing!  What more could you ask for in a springtime read with your littles? It’s Just a Bunnypalooza is a fun quick read, that will teach you some dance moves too! I enjoyed sharing this one with my dancing nieces and nephews. 

Another story that made me smile from the first time I read it.  This is a great book to share with children of all ages.  🙂   Big Dreams, Small fish.  Multi-cultural, helpfulness, and family. It’s all good! 

Love is for roaring

Have you read any good picture books this year either as reviews, schooling, or with your children?   I’d love to hear what you consider to be The Best Picture Books of 2022.  Sharing books is always a good thing is it not? 🙂

The Hills Have Spies

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Some of the very first fantasy books that I read were the Valdemar books by Mercedes Lackey.  Last weekend hubby and I were out kicking about and stopped at a book store… because you know.. BOOKS!   I was browsing the discounted books section and came across “The Hills have Spies” and I immediately snatched it up.  Learning more about Mags and his family?  FANTASTIC!

The Hills have spies

Basic Details

Title: The hills have spies
Series: Family Spies, book one. A Novel of Valdemar.
Author: Mercedes Lackey
Chapters: twenty
Pages: 368
Genre: Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure
Publisher: DAW (June 5, 2018)

Author and Story

If you want to know more about Mercedes Lackey and her writing I would suggest you visit her website. Born in Illinois in 1950 she writes fantasy and music.   I have read so many of her works, the only series of her I’m not as keen on is her Elemental Masters Series.   But her world of Valdemar has always had me hooked solidly. 

Horses that are magical, a magical system that feels real and has consequences, and people being chosen to serve a higher purpose (they become Heralds).  And then we have Mags… an orphan boy that I got to watch grow up to be a Herald and he had a family!   This is book one focusing on the family of Mags. 

My Thoughts on The Hills Have Spies

One of the things I loved in The Hills Have Spies is that Mags doesn’t have all the answers.  This book truly emphasizes the unique skills of his son Peregrine yet shows him as a young adult needing help.

I have to admit that the help initially came from a source I didn’t expect, but in retrospect fit the character and gifting of Perry well.   This coming of age story takes place in the hills of the Pelagirs, a dangerous place for folks to visit.   Why is it particularly dangerous now with people disappearing?  Mags and Perry set out to discover why.  As they travel they meet individuals along the way that prove pivotal to solving the mystery and achieving a satisfactory end. 

The strange entity that was revealed is an intriguing character…and without Perry’s gift could have gone horribly wrong.  Instead, through Perry’s gifting and intelligent animals, all ends well. 

Is this a hard or complicated book to read?  By no means, its written at an easy level for teens and up.  The story flows well and Perry’s training at the start of the story bears fruit as the adventure unfolds.  

I’ve always known that the Heralds have their foibles, but seeing this clearly displayed in Arville, the Herald that initially alerted them to the problem in his area.  It brought a realness to the story.  It’s good to know that Heralds are not all-knowing and completely capable.  They are just people, albeit with their own unique giftings. 

I found it to be a nice way to kill a Sunday afternoon, delving into the world of Valdemar and watching a young man start his journey as a young adult.  The Hills have Spies is a good, easy read with believable magic and interesting symbiotic relationships. 

 

Gentle and Lowly

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It has been a while since I finished the Gentle and Lowly, and since I’ve been trying to share with you some of the books that I’m reading, I thought I must tell you about this book.   READ this book if you are faith-based person.  READ this book even if you aren’t a faith-based person, and catch a glimpse (or five) of the heart of Jesus and stretch your understanding. And just perhaps your heart will be impacted.  I know that my heart was very much impacted. 

Gentle and Lowly - dane c ortlund

The Basic Details of The Gentle and Lowly

Title: The Gentle and Lowly: the heart of Christ for sinners and sufferers
Author: Dane C. Ortlund
Publisher: Crossway
Pages: 224
Intended Audience: Adults, Young Adults
Genre: Christian Discipleship, Christian Counseling, Christian Spiritual Growth
Formats Available: Hardcover, Kindle, and Audio.

Affiliate links will be used in this post through Amazon. 

Author and Book

Dane Ortlund is a pastor at Naperville Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois.  A father of five children, and married to Stacey.  He has written several books and has edited a couple of series: Knowing the Bible  and the Short Studies in Biblical Theology. 

The book:

This book draws us to Matthew 11, where Jesus describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” longing for his people to find rest in him. The gospel flows from God’s deepest heart for his people, a heart of tender love for the sinful and suffering. 

These chapters take us into the depths of Christ’s very heart for sinners, diving deep into Bible passages that speak of who Christ is and encouraging readers with the affections of Christ for his people. His longing heart for sinners comforts and sustains readers in their up-and-down lives.

Looking More Closely

Twenty Three Chapters fill the pages with titles such as His Very Heart, What our Sins Evoke, A Tender Friend, and Rich in Mercy.  Each chapter draws us in deeper to more fully understand the character and depth of Christ’s heart.  None of the chapters are overly long, easily read for a devotional period or over a lunch break. 

Easy to read, you’ll find the essential nature of who Christ is throughout Ortlund’s writing.  I rarely, if ever, struggled with any of the language used.  This held true even when he drew from the Puritans as well.  By the time you are finished reading you will have a better understanding of Matthew 11:28-30. ” 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””   

Should you read it?

Of all the books I’ve read over this past year…. The Gentle and Lowly is BY FAR the most heart-impactful book I’ve read.  GO READ IT!   Seriously.  

Dig into the heart of Christ for his people.   See his tender regard. See Christ more deeply and clearly than you ever thought you would.  It’s important. It’s just so important to see his heart. You won’t regret it.  🙂 

Oscar From Elsewhere

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product for Oscar From Elsewhere through Raincoast Books. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 🙂

When two worlds collide in order to save the lives of an entire race, you’ll find the story of Oscar from Elsewhere come to life. Oscar is your typical American boy who loves skateboarding.  When through a slip in the grass finds himself in a world of magic.  Why is he there?   He soon discovers he’s there to help save a world…. It’s a world of figuring out who to trust and solving a mystery.  Come on, let’s take a look! 

oscar from elsewhere

The Basic Details of Oscar from Elsewhere

Title: Oscar From Elsewhere
Author: Jaclyn Moriarity
Pages: 400
Publisher: Levine Querido c/o Chronicle Books
Intended Audience: 10-14 years
Formats available: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback
Reviewed for: Raincoast books
Received: ARC Paperback
Series: I think it’s part of the Kingdoms and Empires Series

About the Author

Jaclyn Moriarty, you may remember her from The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst, writes intriguing fantasy for middle school. An Australian by birth, she currently lives in Sydney with her son.  A lover of chocolate and blueberries, you’ll find a list of recommended authors on her website.  

About Oscar from Elsewhere

During a sleepover, a letter comes to five children begging for the urgent assistance of Esther, a newly-realized Rain Weaver; she must arrive before 10am on Monday to save an entire town of elves. When they arrive, the children find two incredibly odd things: first, the town of elves, buried under layers of silver; and second, a regular-size boy who, soon after seeing the children, dies.

Oscar is that boy who skipped school in our world on Monday to skate, and found himself in the city of the elves at just the wrong moment: He fled as fast as he could, but not fast enough because the silver wave struck him and he fell down dead.

Looking Deeper

The story of Oscar alternates between Oscar and Imogen, one of the six children who came to Oscar’s rescue.  I loved how Ms. Moriarty gave these two characters very different voices. 

These children face a number of obstacles and have a quest to finish… with three known clues and six hidden clues.  They are also faced with people they don’t know if they can trust. So the quest is hard but… should they complete it, a whole people group will be saved!

Each section is one more day in their quest.  They only have six days to complete this quest.   So each day’s chapters walk us through specific adventures.  As they seek out the answers we get to learn more about each of these unique youth.  Each has their own unique abilities and perspectives. 

I didn’t get a final version, but I found myself intrigued by the story line and wondering if they finish this quest completely by the time the book is done.  (no, I haven’t quite finished it yet!).  But I can easily see a sequel happening simply due to the diverse nature of the participants.   AH AH… I skipped ahead so I could see if the story continues on.  This is a complete story line.  Be prepared for surprises!   ENJOY the surprises it’s part of the fun of this read.  🙂 

Get it?

Keeping in that I have not read the entire book, but what I have read I have thoroughly enjoyed, I will recommend it.   I love the variety in the characters, the surprises along the way, and how overall these are just nice kids.     Learning to not believe lies from their past, working to help others not related to them, and how these youth have to work together to problem-solve.  

Oscar from Elsewhere is a fun fantasy read that will be fantastic for middle school youth to read.  An intermingling of worlds where skill-sets from each help save the elves. 

But I’m Not Sick!

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Disclosure: I received this complimentary product for But I’m Not Sick through Jenkins Group, Inc. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated. 🙂

Do you have children nervous about going to the doctor whether they are sick or not?  But I’m not sick walks children through what a well-kid check at the doctor is all about.   No needles, just a health check and people helping maintain a child’s good health. 

But I'm not sick by Andrena Zeigler

Details you’ll need

Title: But I’m Not Sick
Author: Andrena J. Ziegler
Illustrator: Mark Brayer
Pages: 42
Publisher:  Palmetto Publishing
Formats Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback
Intended Audience: Children
Received: Paperback
Reviewed for: Jenkins Group, Inc.

The Author and The Book

Andrena J. Zeigler, has worked as an advanced Practical Nurse specializing in pediatrics for 20 years.   She loves teaching the next generation of pediatric nurses and nurse practitioners.  Married, with children and living in South Carolina.  In her free time Ms. Zeigler enjoys being creative in cooking, decorating, designing, and writing. 

But I’m Not Sick is about a young girl going to the doctor for a healthy child check who didn’t understand why she had to go to the doctor because she wasn’t sick.  Her mom reassured it that she was just going for a check up but still, the child looked uncertain.  The story walks us through her check up. 

Looking more closely at But I’m Not Sick

Clear images and bright colours fill the pages.  Text is highlighted on a page with blue, with full colour pages opposite.  The kindness of the medical staff is evident throughout. 

The text is large enough to read easily with a group of children, yet comfortable enough for snuggling in a chair for reading.  

The doc does her best to reassure her young charge that everything is fine, even down to her rumbling tummy.  Could it be a monster below just wanting to make himself known?   For some children this fun could be fun, and others it might be alarming, so know your children first eh? 

Through images and text you can see the care the medical staff have for their patient.  Helping their charge feel comfortable despite her insistence that she’s not sick, ergo she doesn’t need to be there!

Read it?

There were a couple of things I didn’t much care for.  For instance, in my experience, tonsils don’t sway and slide.  And calling a child’s stomach a growling monster….would work for most children but not all.   So know your children.

OTHER THAN THAT… I thought But I’m not sick, a well-done book, you could see the author’s experience shine through.  From mom accompanying her daughter through the various steps of her check, to the daughter saying But I’m not sick! 

I love how the doctor explains her actions throughout. Looking in the ears, listening to her stomach, and checking her reflexes. Sometimes doctors and nurses don’t do enough explaining with children from my experiences with my lad. 

I don’t review many books concerning medical issues, but The Button Pusher deals with ADHD (for middle school) and Fighting Parkinson’s and Winning (for adults). 

The Girl Who Escaped From Auschwitz

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I am enjoying a variety of WW2 based fiction lately.  None have impacted me as much as the story of Mala Zimetbaum as told in The Girl Who Escaped From Auschwitz.  I’m not saying other WW2 haven’t drawn me in completely, but this one drove me to learn more.  Let’s talk eh?  Oh… yes, must get the legalities out the way.  I’ll be linking to Amazon so you can find it easily should you wish.  The proceeds of that affiliate link help me bring you move reviews.  🙂

the girl who escaped from Auschwitz

The Basic Details

Title: The Girl who Escaped from Auschwitz: A world war II novel based on a true story
Author: Ellie Midwood
Genre: WW2, WW2 fiction, 20th Century historical romance, WW2 historical fiction
Formats: Kindle, Audio, Paperback
Pages: 390
Additions: Book Club Discussion Questions
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Intended Audience: Young Adult, Adult

Discovering the Author and the Book

Ellie Midwood can be found on facebook, and is an author of historical fiction.  A New Yorker, she lives with her fiancée and dog (Shark Bait).  Her grandfather fed her love of history with his stories of fighting as part of the 2nd Guards Tank Army.  A Jewess, she feds her love of WW2 and Holocaust History by collecting rare materials concerning it. 

After reading The Girl who Escaped from Auschwitz I urge you to learn more about Mala Zimetbaum.  You’ll see the cruelty and kindness of people during WW2 and life in the concentration camps.   The lies told, the truths seen, and how hope can live even in hard times.   This is the fictionalized story of Mala and Edward.  A love born in the hardness of Nazi extremism. Desperation leads to hope in escape.  Can it be done? Will it last?  We already know the story, but getting there… it’s worth the journey.

the girl who escaped from Auschwitz

The Girl who Escaped from Auschwitz

How does one find hope in horrible situations?

It’s not an easy thing to do you know.  When you are surrounded by death, bullying, and lies.  How does one find hope?  For Mala, being in a privileged position due to ability with languages, hope came in small things.  Finding ways to help fellow inmates, ways to change another’s fortunes, and ways to be beyond your present circumstances.  It’s not easy, and for hope to be overcome, is too often possible. 

And then Edward.  Unexpected, a fellow prisoner, finding courage to ask for help.  Discovering in each other a common ally. 

The clear writing pattern, and the personalization of Mala and Edward brought this story to life.  The gruffness of the Russian prisoners, the hopelessness of moms losing their children, the choice to believe despite smoke and stench, and betrayal of the photo op prisoners.  All the emotions out on a shirt sleeve for all to see, wrapped up with straight-forward depictions of being in prison just for being who you are. 

This is a well-written story to draws you in.   Definitely recommend. 

And it to your schooling?

Are you researching European History?  Or perhaps studying WW2?  Perhaps your study is more along the lines of understanding why people in confinement act they way they do.   The Girl Who Escaped From Auschwitz will add depth to those studies.  Showing you how people can live beyond religious lines, and find hope in the hard things of life.   Even if the story doesn’t end in roses, it shows that people can stand for more than you think when push comes to shove.  And THAT my dear readers, is worth reading about. 

Want to read other WW2 books?  Check out this list.