A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Books for Middle School

The Boys in the Back Row

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I thoroughly enjoyed The Boys in the Back Row by Mike Jung.  What a great story about two boys, their friendship, and the problems they had along the way.  But mostly, friendship, from a boys perspective as opposed to from a girls perspective.   Amazon affiliate links will be used. 

Boys in the back row

What I am Reviewing

272 pages round out Mike Jung’s chapter book The Boys in the Back Row.  Middle School boys learning how to adjust to change, and how to continue friendship through it all.  I received a trade paperback ARC version from Raincoast Books.  Publisher Levine Querido c/o Chronicle Books has put together a finely crafted book with great characters, that help middle school readers ask themselves good questions. 

The Details

From the cover: Best friends Matt and Eric are hatching a plan for one big final adventure together before Eric moves away: during the marching band competition at a Giant Amusement Park, they will sneak away to a nearby comics convention and meet their idol-a famous comic creator. Without cell phones. Or transportation. Or permission. Of course, their final adventure together is more than just that-really, it’s a way for the boys to celebrate their friendship, and their honest love and support for one another. 

The artwork was very minimalistic, confined to chapter headings.  Eric and Matt, along with their classmates, are true-to-life characters.  The adventure that the boys came up with I could totally see boys coming up with.  One big blast with no-one the wiser!  What fun!

The book itself is comfortable in the hand, the font easier to read and the text appropriate for the middle grades.  

Should you get The Boys in the Back Row?

YES!  I thoroughly enjoyed this read.  It was great to follow Matt and Eric on their adventures.  Seeing their friendships, and enmities with other boys gave a real glimpse into the lives of middle school boys. 

The Boys in the Back Row is a good read.  I can totally see young guys really enjoying it as they race through the pages.  Well-written with believable characters.  You’ll laugh, and shake your head. Geeky kids having a good friendship, being surprised by classmates (sometimes for good or ill), and adventures expected and … unexpected!  

Living Books for World War 2

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Over this past year, my son has been working through a study on World War 2.   We’ve engaged in a number of different ways to do so, watching movies, working through a unit study from Home School in the Woods, doing small unit studies, using timeline figures, reading a lot of living books, and doing independent research.   He has learned a lot and has thoroughly enjoyed his research.  I thought I would share some of the living books for world war 2 that he has gone through. 

Living books for World War 2

Independent Reading

“MOM!  You have got to read this series.  It’s very interesting!”  The Series on Camp x by Eric Walters consumed my lad.  For a while, every time I saw him it seemed like he was reading yet another in the series.   He spent his time learning about Camp X, a camp for Canada’s spies. 

In this series you’ll find

  • Camp X
  • Camp 30
  • Fool’s Gold
  • Shell Shocked
  • Trouble in Paradise
  • Enigma

He also read Spy Smuggler which is the story of Paul Lelaud a 13 year old French boy who wants to fights the Germans. 

How to Lose WW2 by Bill Fawcett. This book is part of the How to Lose series, and focuses on errors made during the war. 

On the Horizon is a book of poetry that looks back on the lives of soldiers at Pearl Harbour as well as citizens in Hiroshima.  

living books for world war 2

Reading Together

One of my joys in life is reading books together with my lad, one to two chapters either at night before bed, or just after dad leaves for work.  It’s our time which I guard jealously… my son perhaps not quite so much.  🙂   

But we’ve read some good books this past year. All of these came in as review books and I’ve linked to the reviews I did of them. 

Not a living book

My lad has also read some less “living book” style books.  I picked up a few books for doing some research.  Sometimes it’s easier to just have a book at hand than to go to a library and have to return them before you are ready.  

Spies, Lies and Disguise was an excellent book.  Providing problems, and then the solutions to problems. 

World War II by R.G.Grant.  My son said, “This was a good book, I learned a lot!” 

Canada’s Wars: An Illustrated History by Jonathan Webb was an overview book.  “It just told me a bit about the wars Canada has been part of.  I liked it!”  It was a source of inspiration for a couple of research papers. 

So there you have it.  Have you had your students delve deeply into a subject?  How did you approach it?  Did you utilize living books?  Or perhaps unit studies or hands-on studies? How does your student like to engage in in-depth study?  My son has enjoyed the mix of living books for World War 2 alongside his independent research and unit studies. 

AstroNuts Mission two

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Do you remember the review I did for AstroNuts Mission one?  Yes, these crazy misfits have been upgraded and they are back for their second mission, this time to a Water Planet.  What can we learn about taking care of our own planet as we follow along with AstroNuts Mission Two?

astronuts mission two

What I am Reviewing

Jon Scieszka and Steven Weinberg are back with AstroNuts Mission Two: The Water Planet.   I am reviewing an Advanced Readers Copy, only a few of the pages were done in full-colour.  228 pages, geared to youth 8-12 years old, a graphic novel that uses humour throughout.  Published by Chronicle Books. 

From the cover: The book follows a new mission, where AstroWolf, LaserShark, SmartHawk, and StinkBug must find a planet fit for human life after we’ve finally made Earth unlivable.

After they splash-land on the Water Planet, they find power-hungry clams, a rebellious underwater force, and a world full of too-good-to-be-true. Can this aquatic world really be humans’ new home? And why are these clams so eager to swap planets?

The Details for AstroNuts Misson Two

Take a moment to imagine this team: AstroWolf, LaserShark, SmartHawk, and StinkBug. Bioengineered and intelligent they have a number of unique skills.  BUT they have much to learn about working together and how to function well as a team for the good of Earth.   

Author Jon Scieszka uses humour to make this adventure comic a good read for middle school youth.  While Steven Weinberg includes lots of colour to convey the wonder of The Water Planet. 

You’ll find good use of math and science throughout. Isn’t that a great way to encourage the love of these sciences?  

Each of the characters has lessons to learn with teamwork being a big part of it.  How do you set aside your own agenda to do what is good and right for others? 

Easy to read, with intrigue and danger.  The question is… could the AstroNuts figure out what was going on before it was too late? 

Should you get Astronuts Mission Two?

I personally find AstroNuts Mission Two to be a bit odd.  The four main characters are so unique it was hard to take them seriously. But I could see their appeal to readers on the lower end of the middle school grades.   

From an environmental, political treatise…it’s worth a second look.   It’s good to think through the implications of some of the actions we take.  It is very good to consider how we can take care of our planet better. 

A Place at the Table

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Cross-cultural relations is sometimes a tough road to cross.  There are so many things about other cultures that we don’t understand.  It’s so easy to make mistakes that can sever relationships.  A Place at the Table gives us two young ladies who are learning to ask questions, open their hearts, and learn how to stand up for each other.  A most excellent read for middle schoolers and up!  Come, read my review!  (affiliate links will be used)

A place at the table

What I am Reviewing

Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan have written an excellent book with A Place at the Table.  A careful look into immigrant and inclusion issues within a community.  With well-developed characters, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt books has published an excellent read for youth 10-12 years old.  320 pages of alternating chapters, you really couldn’t tell who was writing from one chapter to the next. Good drama fills the pages, the kind that encourages students to look deep into the ideas presented. 

I am reviewing an ARC copy on behalf of Raincoast Books. 

The Details for A Place at the Table

From the Cover: 

Sixth graders Sara and Elizabeth could not be more different. Sara is at a new school that is completely unlike the small Islamic school she used to attend. Elizabeth has her own problems: her British mum has been struggling with depression. The girls meet in an after-school South Asian cooking class, which Elizabeth takes because her mom has stopped cooking, and which Sara, who hates to cook, is forced to attend because her mother is the teacher. The girls form a shaky alliance that gradually deepens, and they make plans to create the most amazing, mouth-watering cross-cultural dish together and win a spot on a local food show. They make good cooking partners . . . but can they learn to trust each other enough to become true friends?

I love the flowers that open each chapter, the easy flow between the authors chapters, and the growth found within. The character development was excellent, the life experiences real, and the competition result wasn’t easily predicted which I loved!  The girls made real errors in judgement and from that learned how to really be friends, even when it was tough. 

Should you get A Place at the Table?

I can see middle school readers, plus their moms loving this story.  I don’t know if most boys will love it as much.  It’s feelings and good drama between female protagonists named Elizabeth and Sara. One of them is English/Jewish and the other is Pakistani/Muslim.  How can they take an uneasy partnership and turn it into a friendship?

It’s a wonderful book about the art of friendship.  Learning to speak truth and open oneself up for understanding. Not easy things to learn in sixth grade, or for that matter, any age.  It’s hard to open yourself up for potential hurt from others AND to learn how to prevent hurt in new friends. 

The Willoughby’s Return

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Okay, Lois Lowry, I think everyone who reads has heard of her.  She has written more than 40 books for children and young adults, and The Willoughby’s Return falls right in the middle of that bracket.  Come join me for this review won’t you?   

Amazon affiliate links will be used. 

The Willoughby's Return

What I am Reviewing

Author Lois Lowry brings us a sequel to The Willoughby’s with this hilarious sequel, The Willoughby’s Return.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and running at 192 pages, this chapter book is geared for children 8-12 years old.  I am reviewing this middle school read for Raincoast books. 

From the cover: 

Although they grew up as wretched orphans, the Willoughby siblings also became heirs to the the Melanoff candy company fortune. Everything has turned out just splendidly, except for one problem: Richie Willoughby, son of Timothy Willoughby, is an only child and is quite lonely.
Winifred and Winston Poore have long admired the toys of their neighbor Richie Willoughby and finally befriend the mysterious boy next door. But just as Richie finally begins to make friends, selling sweets is made illegal, and the family’s fortune is put in jeopardy. To make matters worse, Richie’s horrible Willoughby grandparents-frozen atop a Swiss mountain thirty years ago-have thawed, remain in perfect health, and are making their way home again.

The Details of The Willoughby’s Return

If the author could find a thing to poke at… she did!   From poor people (the Poore’s) to a couple’s total bewilderment with google.  You’ll find the encyclopedia salesman, the love of candy (tossed on it’s head) and a myriad of other items to have fun playing around with. Ms. Lowry plays.

As you’ll note, from the very first page, subtext appears.  Some are funny like this one, others are very informative.   Very easy to read.  Nothing jumped out at me as overly difficult to read that didn’t have a footnote attached to it. 

Most of the book was text, occasionally graphics were included. 

Should you get The Willoughby’s Return?

It’s an odd book! 

I don’t know how else to put it.  The Willoughby’s Return is not really my style of reading at all.  BUT I can totally see it appealing to a different audience.  One that loves witty sarcasm and oddness in their reading.

There’s a true exaggeration in the characters, and you do see growth in most of the main characters. Each becoming something more than what they were at the beginning of the book.  I love seeing positive change in people, and this particular part of The Willoughby’s Return I enjoyed. 

Should you get it?  I don’t know to be honest.  Since it’s not my style to poke fun at things, and it wasn’t funny enough to make me laugh, I hesitate to do.  On the flip side though, I could see my 15-year-old getting the humour and enjoying it. 

Science Comics : Crows

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Did you know that I now know more about crows than I ever really wanted to?  🙂 Yes, crows are fascinating, SMART animals.  Like intensely intelligent and now I know why.  Science comics: Crows gave me all the answers, and hints on where I can go to further my education into these amazing animals. 

Come along, discover why YOU should learn about the Corvidae family of birds, you’ll be delighted, I promise.

Amazon affiliate links used in this review.

Science Comics: Crows

What I am Reviewing

Science comics: Crows is part of the fascinating and educational series of Science Comics.  An illustrated, full-colour graphic novel style, this comic goes in-depth into the intelligence of these wonderful birds.   Crows are such a genius animals!   Produced by First Second books and written by Kyla Vanderklugt. A hardcover that runs at 128 pages. Written for youth 9-13 years old, it fits well within that demographic, though as an adult, I loved it!   I am reviewing Crows: Genius Birds on behalf of Raincoast books. 

Details on Science Comics: Crows

From the cover: Did you know that crows make their own tools, lead complex social lives, and never forget a human face? Scientists are just beginning to unlock the secrets of the crow’s brain to discover how these avian Einsteins can be as smart as some primates, and even perform some of the same cognitive feats as human children! Crows have problem-solving skills that will make you you rethink what it means to be a bird brain!

You will adore this book, or at least your middle schoolers will.  Humour is found throughout as the crow and dog communicate.   You’ll love the clean, well-inked graphics, and the easy to read font. 

Being delighted with the sheer amount of information presented with a great story-line, you will most likely read through Crows: Genius Birds more than once.  

Should you get Science Comics: Crows?

YES!  Seriously, whether you love crows or not, learning about these amazing birds is well worth your time.  Science Comics: Crows is a well-done graphic novel written with a clear font and good inking.    Have fun learning about these wonderful birds, and who knows, maybe you can think of your own challenge for them.

It would be a great addition to a study on birds, intelligent animals, part of a zoology unit, animals using tools unit and such like. 

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The Blue Wings

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Sometimes families fracture. Divisions happen as dreams lay unfilled, or become more important than other decisions.  Sometimes in the fracturing secrets lurk, pain hidden, to be revealed later.  And then healing begins.  It’s an interesting occurrence to observe. The Blue Wings is a tenderly written tale of two boys, one who is neurally diverse, the other with a fierce love for his older brother. 

Affiliate links will be used throughout this review, no extra cost to you, may help me with blog costs.  🙂 

The Blue Wings

What I am Reviewing

Reviewing The Blue Wings on behalf of Raincoast Books, I was given an ARC version of this tome written by Jef Aerts.   A good middle school read containing great artwork within its 224 pages. Published by Levine Querido c/o Chronicle Books, it has been translated by Laura Watkinson. 

From the cover: Two brothers bound together by affection and responsibility. Jadran is five years older than Josh and huge enough to be nicknamed Giant. Josh is younger, and smaller; but his sweet and stubborn brother thinks in a way that would be more typical of a small child. They are both dealing with changes to their newly blended, Muslim family. So Josh looks after Jadran and they both adjust. When the brothers find an injured young crane, Jadran wants to bring it back to their small apartment and teach it to fly at any cost. And it turns out the cost is high.

Details of The Blue Wings

I love the artwork I found hidden within the pages, from the crane opening each chapter, to the two page spreads scattered throughout. 

Don’t you just love the detail in the illustrations?   Just love these drawings.  🙂 

The story is good though difficult. There are aspects to this story that are so true to life, it’s hard to read.  You just know that something not so good is going to happen. In the end, it’s not all made right, which is how life is eh?  BUT different pathways are laid, which leads to a family being less fractured.   THAT makes for a real story. 

Textually you’ll find it fits in well with middle school abilities.  You’ll learn a good amount about cranes, and see how families stick together, even when life is hard and filled with change. 

Should you Get it?

This is a hard one.  I left The Blue Wings feeling very conflicted, I suppose that’s good though right?  It means I had a gut-reaction and books that do that stick with you a while.   (at least in my experience). The difficult story of boys closely linked, one with difficulties, and the other needing to figure out separation. It’s not always an easy read. But you know what?  Sometimes harder reads are necessary to our growth and development. 

Ergo, in the end, yes… get this book.  Read it.  Not just your middle schooler but YOU too!  🙂