A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Books for Middle School

Stargazing by Jen Wang

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I wasn’t expecting much when I opened this book.  The story initially struck me as odd, but the further I got into Stargazing by Jen Wang, the more interested I became.  Humour and friendship filled the pages. 

Stargazing by Jen Wang

What I am Reviewing

Stargazing.
Jen Wang (author and illustrator)
First Second.
Graphic Novel.
Ages 8-12.
224 pages.
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
Received Advanced Reader Copy.
Friendship, Asian, China, Children’s Illness, Asian American, Graphic Novel, Middle School,

Moon is everything Christine isn’t. She’s confident, impulsive, artistic . . . and though they both grew up in the same Chinese-American suburb, Moon is somehow unlike anyone Christine has ever known.
But after Moon moves in next door, these unlikely friends are soon best friends, sharing their favorite music videos and painting their toenails when Christine’s strict parents aren’t around. Moon even tells Christine her deepest secret: that she has visions, sometimes, of celestial beings who speak to her from the stars. Who reassure her that earth isn’t where she really belongs.
Moon’s visions have an all-too-earthly root, however, and soon Christine’s best friend is in the hospital, fighting for her life. Can Christine be the friend Moon needs, now, when the sky is falling?

Stargazing by Jen Wang

The Details

Jen Wang brings to life of Chinese-American youth who, just like other youth, sometimes have strict parents, or more lenient ones. And so a friendship blooms between two unlikely girls. 

The first 10 pages in my copy were done in colour.  The pastel hues bring to life these two girls and their families.  Even without the colour though, the careful outlines told the story well.   We see the pain, the hurt, the hope, the laughter, and the full-on friendship between girls. 

Stargazing by Jen Wang

My Thoughts

Pushing their own boundaries, learning to trust, and to become people they need to be. Protective and at times afraid, jealousy and anger raise their heads.  But in the end.. friendship holds true.   Stargazing by Jen Wang is a good story for upper elementary to middle school readers.   

If you enjoy graphic novels, this book might well appeal for itself humour and it’s friendship themes.  A good read, I would happily read more books by Jen Wang.  Stargazing is worth your youth’s time. 

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Switchback

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I was away visiting a friend, and while she was caring for her family I started reading Switchback.  I hadn’t seen this friend in a while and was eager to chat with her some more.  When she came back, I put my book away so we could chat, but every lull in the conversation had me longing to read more from Danika Stone’s newest book. 

Switchback

By the time we were done chatting it was much too late to continue reading so guess what I did when I woke up?  I READ!  Yes, I finished it in less than an hour.  🙂  Thoroughly enjoyed it!  So let me tell you about this Canadian adventure.

What I am Reviewing

Switchback.
Danika Stone.
Swoon Reads
320 pages, Age 12-18
Received Hardcover Copy
Adventure, Canada, Middle School, Survival, Canadian National Parks,
Gamer, Sexual Orientation,  Young Adult
Reviewed for Raincoast Books. 

Vale loves to hike, but kind of hates her classmates. Ash is okay with his classmates, but kind of hates the outdoors. So, needless to say they are both fairly certain that the overnight nature hike with their PE class is going to be a hellish experience. But when they get separated from the group during a storm, they have worse things to worry about than bullies and blisters.

Lost in the Canadian wilderness with limited supplies, caught in dangerous weather conditions, and surrounded by deadly wildlife, it’s going to take every bit of strength, skill, and luck they can muster to survive.

Switchback

The Details about Switchback

Middle School PE two day adventure hiking in the mountains.  Oh the fun!  The excitement!  The terror!  The “I don’t want to’s”!   Ash and Vale, two best friends, heading into a situation that neither wishes to be in. 

Vale, bullied for standing up to bullies and being a tad different than other kids.  Ash being caught between friendships. Both alone, and yet not quite.  Teachers and parents who don’t quite get it.  And a fall trip into the mountains of Waterton Park.   What could possibly go wrong?

Lost kids, a mountain, fall weather and before you know it a whole lot of trouble is happening.

Switchback is a quick read that you feel compelled to continue.  The fast pace ensures you don’t get lost in the details.  The awkwardness of teens, the love of the gaming world, the well-played examples of nerd-dom, combined with beauty, fear, and growth in characters. 

Switchback

Each chapter has a unique quote starting it out.  They come from different movies such as predator, eight below, gravity etc. 

I found the book comfortable to hold and read, the type was a great size for reading through a fast-paced book.   It was so compelling to know what would happen next, so having a good text size to facilitate that was great.

Switchback

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the story, immensely actually even though the sheer number of adventures/escapades seemed a little over the top. It was still well written and I wanted to know the end result. 

Most adventure loving young people  (upper middle school through young adult) would enjoy the story as well.  It’s well written with interesting characters, even with a bully I just want to whack upside the head a time or two. 

I do want to add a caution. Vale identifies as aro-ace.  The definition for those who didn’t know is feeling no romantic or sexual attraction towards anyone of any gender.

I struggled with this early labeling.  She’s young.  Knows her current self well but she doesn’t know her future self. Things can change. Labels don’t allow room for that coming change.

I am hesitant about encouraging youth to embrace such a limiting definition of themselves.  I don’t think it benefits youth to be encouraging them to internalize such a definition for themselves.  Reading a book may or may not reinforce that in young middle school readers.  It’s hard to know. 

Overall, Switchback is an excellent read to see a bullied youth stick up for herself and to have a friend realize some truths about himself as well. 

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Review: The Heart Changer

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Do you know the God who sees?   If you don’t I urge you to check out Jarm Del Boccio, Author‘s newest book called The Heart Changer.  Learn the story of Naaman in the bible, imagine the story of that little slave girl, and realize they are meeting the God who sees. 

The Heart Changer

What I am Reviewing

Jarm Del Boccio, Author
The Heart Changer
Only He could Set a Captive Free
Middle School
Fiction based on Bible Story
112 pages
Received digital format for Kindle.
Reviewed for The Homeschool Review Crew

MG historical fiction (middle-grade historical fiction), MG biblical fiction, Syria, Middle East fiction, Middle East, Jewish culture and religion, refugees, Middle School, fiction, 

From the Cover:

Can an Israelite captive, wrenched from all she loves, serve the very man who destroyed her village?
Miriam is asked to do the impossible: serve the wife of Naaman, commander of the Syrian army. Clinging to treasured memories of home and faith, Miriam faces captivity with worry and bitterness. Little does she know the Heart Changer is wooing and preparing her for a greater mission—far beyond what she could imagine.
The Heart Changer

The Details

“RUN!  RUN, MY DAUGHTER!  DON’T let them see you!” Miriam’s mother cried in alarm, …. and with these world a fascinating glimpse in the lives of the Israelites began. As the story progresses we are brought into the world of Naaman from Aram.   We glimpse the life of Naaman and how his life would have been.  The fear at the thought of leprosy, the sudden hope, the dismay at his instructions.  It’s all laid out in a real, living way. Biblical and historical fiction, helping us understand better the things of God. 

This tale is told over 25 chapters, on my kindle each chapter was two pages long.   The print was small, but still easily readable. 

The story was followed up with: 

  • Epilogue (about 1/2 a page) which tied up loose ends.   
  • A reader’s note encouraging readers to leave a review on Amazon. 
  • Author’s note speaking to what was fiction and non-fiction in the story
The Heart Changer

This quote jumped out at me.   I continue to ponder on the idea of a God who sees, it continues to impact me. 

The Heart Changer

Teacher’s Guide

Jarm Del Boccio has graciously provided a small teacher’s guide for use with her delightful book The Heart Changer.  In it you will find recipes, questions to ponder, fun information about Ms. Del Boccio, questions to help you do your own setting research, and worksheets.  I thought it a fun thing to add the recipes!  🙂  I have never had Stuffed Zucchini before but I have stuffed other squash so this might be fun to try.  You can find the teacher’s guide on this page, the white square at the bottom of the page. 

The Heart Changer

My Thoughts

Okay, I have to admit to not being a huge fan of biblically based historical fiction.  I find authors add things that take away from the real story OR they change the story!  Neither sits well with me.  I did not find that with this book.  There are details added that may or may not have been true, but the story itself, of Naaman, his illness, societal expectations, and the servant girl. It was spot on. 

My goal was to read enough to intrigue my son and pass it over to him. He has picked up a summer job and finds himself really busy.  After I encouraged him to read the first couple of chapters he said, “Mom, when I have the time, can I read it?”   To me that’s a glowing recommendation.   Ergo it will stay on my tablet and, hopefully during the last two weeks of August when he has no work or expectations he’ll read it.

What did I think?   Well considering that I meant to only read the first chapter so I could intrigue the lad and ended up finishing it … The Heart Changer was an interesting read.

It was a good, easy read and I have NO problems telling you to go out and get this book.  Share it with your children and let them imagine Naaman, the life he lived, the fear he faced, the pride he needed to beat, and how God used one little slave girl in his life.   And hopefully, they will see God a bit more clearly, and be able to glorify him more dearly. 

Read the Reviews

45 people read The Heart Changer.  Click on the image below to read those reviews, or follow this link. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JarmDelBoccio/
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/JarmVee
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIcs5IpR56kqsj1z4Co2Bew
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarmdelboccio/

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Destination Moon

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Richard Maurer takes us through the true story of Apollo 11’s voyage to the moon in his new book Destination Moon.   It has been 60 years since Apollo 11 took that flight.  This is the story of how an impossible dream took flight.  I am delighted to review this book.

destination moon

What I am Reviewing

Destination Moon: The remarkable and improbably voyage of Apollo 11.
Richard Maurer.
Roaring Brook Press.
Moon, Apollo 11, voyage, space travel, middle school, aeronautics, exploration, space,
400 pages, ages 10-14
Received: Softcover ARC copy
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books.

The history of NASA’s Apollo program from Earth orbital missions to lunar landings in a propulsive nonfiction narrative.
Only now, it is becoming clear how exceptional and unrepeatable Apollo was. At its height, it employed almost half a million people, many working seven days a week and each determined that it will not fail because of me.”
Beginning with fighter pilots in World War II, Maurer traces the origins of the Apollo program to a few exceptional soldiers, a Nazi engineer, and a young eager man who would become president.
Packed with adventure, new stories about familiar people, and undeniable danger, Destination Moon takes an unflinching look at a tumultuous time in American history, told expertly by nonfiction author Richard Maurer.

destination moon

The Details

400 pages, six sections, 35 chapters, more images than I bothered to count along with numerous diagrams.   This paperback is jam-packed with solid information. 

destination moon

Each new part is prefaced it’s title and quote that fits from a person during that time period. 

destination moon

Images can be found on almost every page/two page spread.  These images are just random, but further the story being told. Images of the moon when talking about the moon, astronauts when talking about spacemen etc.  We get to see history unfold, not only in words, but in picture.

destination moon

When images didn’t suffice, diagrams were provided.  All were well done and provided good information. 

destination moon

Maurer does a great job of bringing to life the stories and people of that time.   He helps us understand the dangers and struggles as all these people worked together to get to the moon. Not an easy task, but the important tasks seldom are easy are they?  🙂

My Thoughts

I do love a well-written informative, non-fiction book that is also easy to read. Destination Moon is such an easy book to read without giving you meaningless tripe.   There is a good material to be found here.   I urge you, if you are looking for a book that will delve deeply into the space race and how the improbably became probably… Destination Moon will suit your needs. 

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Elon Musk

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Occasionally I get a review book in the elicits a response from my 13 year old. Elon Musk: a Mission to Save the World is one such book. Crammed full of pictures and interesting tidbits we learn the story of Elon Musk’s life.

Elon Musk: a Mission to Save the World

What I Am Reviewing

Elon Musk: a Mission to Save the World.
Anna Crowley Redding
Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan
256 pages, middle school, trade paperback
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.
young adult non-fiction, Elon Musk, entrepreneur,
outer space, rockets, business, biography

Elon Musk is the visionary behind SpaceX and CEO of the electric car company Tesla. He is working on unique and daring improvements to both public transit and solar energy. And then, there’s his highly-publicized plans for colonizing Mars. . . 
But behind the mind-blowing headlines and legendary drive is the story of a bullied and beaten school boy, who through creativity and determination decided to rewrite his story and find his own way to make the world a better place. And to do so with a sense of fun and style.
From hosting raves to pay for college to re-writing the rules on space travel, Elon Musk has always gone his own way. 

Elon Musk: a Mission to Save the World

The Details

To be honest, I had no clue who Elon Musk was (much to my son’s horror). He then proceeded to tell me all about SpaceX, colonizing Mars, and much much more. My son gave me so much information you’d think he’d been listening to videos about him. 🙂 He still plans to read the book!

Anyways, you will find images crammed on to almost every page of this tome. I received an ARC version so some looked a bit grainey, I imagine this will be cleaned up for the jacketed hardcover that is due to be released.

Elon Musk: a Mission to Save the World

I am currently about 1/2 way through but just had to tell you how much I am enjoying this book. It has been very interesting watching his determination and following how his mind works. Determination to succeed seems to be built into his bones. It was great to see the family connectedness between two brothers as they each pursued their own paths in life.

Throughout each chaper (15 in total) are spotlights, road trip alerts, take away armour, bookshelf and many other tidbits. Occasionally a warning would be found such as don’t talk to Elon Musk about capacitors unless you want to know WAY more then you originally planned.

Elon Musk: a Mission to Save the World

Interspersed are dark pages which highlight different members of the Musk family. We learn the Kimball loves food and cooked for the firefighters who responded to 911. Justine (his ex-wife) writes sci-fi novels. Each member has a page devoted to them.

Recommendation

The easy reading style combined with loads of images and highly informational text makes this a good read for anyone middle school and up. Learn the life story and see the determination to succeed in one boy from Africa who made his way in the United States (travelling via Canada) .

For my son to willingly add Elon Musk to his reading pile speaks highly of his motivation! 🙂

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This Was Our Pact

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Do you ever have it that you are fully prepared to not like a book and then you are pleasantly surprised? This was my experience with the graphic novel This Was Our Pact. I haven’t quite finished it, but wanted to get this review done for you, so you can go out and order it for your graphic novel loving middle schoolers.

This was our pact

This was our pact.
Ryan Andrews
First Second
336 pages, 10-14 years, trade paperback
Reviewed for Raincoast books.
Friendship, Equinox, fantasy

It’s the night of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival, when the town gathers to float paper lanterns down the river. Legend has it that after drifting out of sight, they’ll soar off to the Milky Way and turn into brilliant stars, but could that actually be true? This year, Ben and his classmates are determined to find out where those lanterns really go, and to ensure success in their mission, they’ve made a pact with two simple rules: No one turns for home, no one looks back. ….. Together, Nathaniel and Ben will travel further than anyone has ever gone, down a winding road full of magic, wonder, and unexpected friendship.

This was our pact

The Details

A great deal of this story happens outside at night so many of the pictures are on a blue/black background. Ben and Nathaniel are caught up in the story of the Autumn Equinox Festival. Two boys who dads are friends, yet aren’t the friends their dads wish them to be. Over the course of the night, two boys learn friendship. They learn that different is not wrong, and in fact being different can be a good thing.

This was our pact

They meet a variety of interesting characters and have some magnificent experiences. The imaginative writings of Ryan Andrews were a delight to read.

The art work was well done, I loved how the solar system was displayed, and all those fish! It was .. I want to say amazing but that’s not the right word. Delightful? Not quite it either… stellar! 🙂 Really well done, the fit between words and images was spot on.

Learn more about equinox festivals here.

This was our pact
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All of Me

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A novel in the form of a bunch of connected poems, that when I finished reading said “that was an interesting story”. All of Me made me feel all quiet inside of myself, and pleased with a boy learning who he was. I am so pleased Raincoast sent this one to me as a review.

All of Me

About the Book

Ari has body-image issues. After a move across the country, his parents work selling and promoting his mother’s paintings and sculptures. Ari’s bohemian mother needs space to create, and his father is gone for long stretches of time on “sales” trips.

Meanwhile, Ari makes new friends: Pick, the gamer; the artsy Jorge, and the troubled Lisa. He is also relentlessly bullied because he’s overweight, but he can’t tell his parents – they’re simply not around enough to listen.

After an upsetting incident, Ari’s mom suggests he go on a diet, and she gives him a book to help. But the book – and the diet – can’t fix everything. As Ari faces the demise of his parents’ marriage, he also feels himself changing, both emotionally and physically. Here is a much-needed story about accepting the imperfect in oneself and in life.

All of Me

My Thoughts

I started this book just wanting to get a feel for it, before I knew it an hour had passed and I had it mostly done. It was such a simple, quiet read. The angst of Ari clearly felt, the upset and realness of Pick, Lisa’s genuine love, and the quiet steadiness of Jorge.

The story moves forward through a series of poems that lead one from another. Brief titles, short poems for the most part with longer ones interspersed, gently, steadily telling the story.

Anger, pain, frustration, joy, pride, all spelled out in poetic form.

All of Me

I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would.

The question I have, would middle schoolers? That’s the target market. I had my 13 year old read a few pages. Just to see if he would get hooked the way I was when I started reading it. He wasn’t. The poetic style completely through him off.

So I’ve mixed thoughts when I think of a recommendation. I want people to enjoy it as much as I did, but I tend to think of it appealing more to an older crowd than a younger one. I could be wrong though, for the right 8-12 year it might be just what they need and, more importantly, want to read.

All of Me

All of Me.
Chris Baron
Feiwel & Friends.
Trade paperback, 8-12 years, 320 pages
Poetry, Growing up, Middle School, Bullying
Received: arc copy
Reviewed for Raincoast Books.

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