A Net in Time

Curriculum and book reviews, faith, homeschooling and more!

Books for Middle School

Create Your Own Secret Language

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Don’t you think it would be great to be able to create your own secret language or have the tools to break codes others make?  Imagine you are an archaeologist and you discover hieroglyphs, or other languages on a wall, wouldn’t you like to know if it’s safe to go forward?  Create Your Own Secret Language gives you the steps you need to learn this important skill.

create you own secret language review image

What I am Reviewing

David J. Peterson wrote this beginner’s guide in codes and ciphers for middle schoolers just this year. Create Your Own Secret Language helps the reader to invent codes, ciphers, hidden messages, and more.  Carefully illustrated by Ryan Goldsberry.  You will find 144 purple and white pages broken into 3 sections containing several smaller sections.

One: From Letters and Numbers to Ciphers – 10 subsections
Two: From Ciphers to Codes
Three: From Ciphers and Codes to a Language.

I am delighted to review this MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group book on behalf of Raincoast Books.   

table of contents for create your own secret language

The Details – Create your own secret language

Hidden messages great us as we crack open David J. Peterson’s latest book for middle school readers. Can we figure it out?  How ever will we learn to decode this message?  

First, let’s learn a bit about how language works, some sounds are soft, others hard, and yet others can be sung.  It may be that for all languages, we can use that information to help us decipher other languages.

Using actual made up codes with plenty of space for decoding, the author helps the reader learn to decode these odd codes. 

sample page from Create your own secret language

Actual practical example create the perfect opportunity for the reader to put into use the steps they are given.   The decoded message is always provided so the reader can double-check their efforts. 

 You will learn about substitutions, numeric or picture codes. The fun continues as you discover the fun of sound based codes, scytales, and glyphs.  Learn how to make interesting scripts based off of shapes and positions.  How can a block turn into the symbol of a sound or letter?

Along the way you’ll tighten up your knowledge of the parts of speech and the differences in how the letters of our alphabet sound. It’s rather neat how it fits together… create a new language and learn your own better!

Should you Get it?

I see so much potential in Create Your Own Secret Language by David J. Peterson.  A great addition to a history study on battles and coding, a way to explore your own language and using it to create code, or even using math to create code.   It could simply be a fun summer book for a child to work through, leading to the confounding of their parents!  🙂   It’s a fun, well-made book that should delight many a 10-14 year old. 

Summer Reading Lists

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It’s a brand new month with new challenges from the crew, isn’t it fun?   This week, the challenge is Summer Reading Lists.  I was all set to do a middle school reading list for you, but decided I’d just share some books that I have particularly enjoyed.

Summer reading list

For all Humankind

This is actually a book I just reviewed.  About the moon landing, but from people all over the world.  Their perceptions.  I found it quite interesting. 

For all Humankind. An informative, eye-opening read.  It was really interesting reading stories from all over. 

The Last Lie

I found this book so very intriguing.  The last lie focused on…what is our use of language was limited?  What if language wasn’t spoken to anyone?  Could language simply be erased?  Isn’t that such a fascinating idea?

The Last Lie

Fight Your Fears

Fight your fears became my pass it along book.  Shortly after reading it, I sent it along to a church friend, who then promised to pass it along to the next person.  A useful book to help people realize their fears and through God, to combat them. 

Review image for Fight Your Fears by Kristen Wetherell review

Keeper of Wild Words

In The Keeper of Wild Words we get to go on a treasure hunt for words removed from the Children’s dictionary.  Such a fun picture book.

The Keeper of Wild Words, review image
June TOS

So, what is YOUR summer reading list?  What books would you like to share with others?  Are there any must haves on summer reading lists?  

All Together Now

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I love when books surprise me.  I didn’t expect much from All Together Now when I initially glanced through it.  My expectation was that it would be a fairly mindless read in a graphic novel format.  Instead, I received a coming of age book, watching a young lady learn important skills. A good book for middle school readers. 

All Together Now Review

What I am Reviewing

All Together Now is a graphic novel written by New York Times bestseller Hope Larson.   Published by Farrar Straus Giroux, this novel is done in shades of red with highlights of black and white.   It is the second part of the Eagle Rock series, the first in the series entitled All Summer Long.  At 192 pages it is an easy read for youth 10-14 years old. I reviewed at ARC copy for Raincoast Books. 

The story centres around Bina and three important people in her life.  Austin, Darcy and Enzo.  

The Details for All Together Now

All the coloured parts are done in shades of red and pink (and all the points in-between).  The text is easy to read. 

sample page all together now

The story is told over the period of four months, from September through December.  Teenage angst, the love of music, the creative muse, and romance (or the lack of it) fill the pages. 

sample page All Together Now

Readers will navigate the ups and downs of friendship in the real-life depictions of Bina and her friends.  Mistakes will be made, and growth will be the end result.  Readers will easily identify with the well-developed characters. 

all together now

Should You Get It?

If you have young people who like graphic novels and coming to age type stories, this will work.  To this reviewer, it is more of a girl book (centring around a girl, and growing up as a girl are themes) then one geared for boys.  Not saying that some boys wouldn’t like it, but overall.. Girls.  🙂 

I loved the good parental involvement.  Bina’s parents and older siblings seemed to be very real people, working to help, and offering good practical advise. Her relationship with her friends is just what you would expect from a middle schooler.  Confusing and mixed up, full of ups and downs as young teens start to figure themselves out. 

Caution: as so many books do these days, All Together Now contains some LGBTQ elements that creep their way in.  Not in an “in your face manner” but in a quieter format, which perhaps might be more troubling.  Just something to be aware of. 

The Last Lie

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Take a moment to imagine a world where only 500 words were allowed.  This list could be easily memorized and summed up the total words you could use EVER.   Anyone using more words could find themself in jail.  Take a moment and think about that.  What would that mean to you?  The Last Lie takes this idea and continues the exploration started in the first book The List.   Come walk with me through this intriguing work. 

The Last Lie

What I am Reviewing

Patricia Forde is the author of The Last Lie.  A fictional middle school read published by Sourcebooks.  Life in a dystopian society, with intrigue, unexpected twists, mystery and bravery.  288 pages, 34 chapters.   I received an ARC copy to review from Raincoast Books. 

The city of Ark is no longer safe. Before the rebellion, everyone could only speak List, a language of just 500 words. But when Letta became the Wordsmith, the keeper of all the words that have ever existed, she learned that being able to express yourself is what makes us human.
And now, the new ruler has wicked plans to eliminate language once and for all: If babies never hear a single word, they will never learn to speak.
Letta and the other rebels must find a way to defeat the evil for good before they lose the very thing that will set them free.

The Details on The Last Lie

When I read the back of the book (copied above) I was immediately intrigued.  What would it be like to live in a word with only 500 words?  As I got into reading I noticed a neat thing with the chapter headings.   They were all words with definitions.  

The Last Lie by Patricia Forde

There was a section of the book that just captured me.  Letta and company had stumbled onto a cabin with newspapers plastering the walls.  Letta, the wordsmith, was captivated.  She just wanted to stay there and write down the words.  It made me think of another book I just reviewed,  The Keeper of Wild Words where discovering new unique words was a joy.  This joy, that wonderful abandonment in words, that Letta had is so profound. 

the last lie

Should you Get it?

I’m trying to think if there is anything objectionable for a middle school student. The thing with the babies is horrible, but nothing directly in your face.  There are some nasty threats made that might alarm sensitive minded youngsters. Some romantic interests are expressed, but nothing happens. The bad guys are predictably fairly bad (but aren’t they almost always?).

Overall The Last Lie is a well-written story, with good characters that don’t seem too far-fetched.  The story-line fit well with the overarching theme. And in the end, it worked out, though differently then what was planned. 

If you are a fan of Patricia Forde, or enjoyed The List, or have a fondness for dystopican literature, The Last Lie is well-worth reading. 

Fly on the Wall

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Wouldn’t you just love to be a fly on the wall sometimes?  To hear everything that is going on around you and yet remain unnoticed?  What if you were in that situation and didn’t want to be?  How would that affect your life?  What would create such a situation?  All these ideas are explored in Remy Lai’s novel for middle schoolers called Fly on the Wall?

Fly on the wall

What I am Reviewing

Fly on the Wall is written by Remy Lai.  It is an illustrated fiction book geared to middle school.   Incorporating prose, text and comic format to ably tell the story of Henry Khoo.  Remy Lai also illustrated this biographical style novel.  336 pages, published by Henry Holt & Co.   I received an ARC copy to review for Raincoast Books. 

Henry Khoo’s family treats him like a baby. He’s not allowed to go anywhere without his sister/chaperone/bodyguard. And he definitely CAN’T take a journey halfway around the world all by himself!
But that’s exactly his plan. 

Follow along on Henry’s adventures.

Fly on the Wall Details

Henry, your typical middle school child, yearning to figure out the world around him yet struggling through the process.  His Best friend is no longer, but why?  New people are like chattering magpies and he doesn’t fit in.  His family hovers over him. What does a boy do?  Using humour and compassion we learn Henry’s story. 

Fly on the wall

Throughout you will find illustrations, and occasionally text messages.   These text messages kept Henry on his toes, trying to figure out just who this “frog” was who had discovered him. 

fly on the wall sample page

Most pages were black text on white, with the occasional page being the reverse.  Middle School humour filled the pages, it was an enjoyable read.  As the book progressed, I became more and more curious who “frog” was. 

fly on the wall comics

By the close of the book Henry learned a great deal about his family, apologies were made all around, the mystery was solved and I felt like I had read a decent book.  🙂 

Should You Get it?

Fly on the Wall is well worth reading. I would rather borrow it than add it to a personal library collection.  BUT if you know a middle schooler who likes a good mystery with a touch of personal drama, this is definitely birthday present material.  Giving said child a great escape from the world while following the fun antics of Henry Khoo. 

Back cover of fly on the wall

A Dog-Friendly Town

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I was originally going to post a different review today, but I got hooked on reading A Dog-Friendly Town and really wanted to share this one with you instead.  Dogs are something that I love, and I love a good mystery, and this middle school read has both.  I was hooked!

A Dog-friendly town

What I Am Reviewing

Take a St. Bernard, add in celebrity status, a dog-friendly bed and breakfast, and a quirky family.  All the elements you need for mysterious events to occur.  Who could be the culprit?   Josephine Cameron keeps the reader hooked through fast-paced action, interpersonal drama, and intriguing mystery.   Farrar Straus Giroux is the publishing company, 367 page chapter book geared at youth 8-12 years old.  I received an ARC copy from Raincoast Books for my review of A Dog-Friendly Town .

The Details on A Dog-Friendly Town

When you open the pages of this middle-school friendly mystery book, you will discover illustrations of the main characters.  They are simple drawings, giving us a glimpse into these pivotal people. 

A Dog-friendly town

Most of the A Dog-friendly town is about the people, the mystery, and their relationship.  You’ll find interspersed news articles. 

A Dog-friendly town

The story centres around McDade family and their dog-friendly bed-and-breakfast.  They live in Carmelito, California which is known as America’s #1 dog-friendly town.  Competition fills the air as they have a week of celebration of all things dog and prepare of the Puppy Picnic. 

It’s an interesting story watching each of the children’s characters emerge.  The mystery was well done with twists I didn’t expect.  It was a middle school read with a touch of elegance.  Using the skills of each main character the mystery was solved…and you might be surprised how!  🙂 

A Dog-friendly town

Should you Get it?

If you like mysteries, dogs and quirky characters, A Dog-Friendly Town is sure to please.   Not just for your middle schoolers but for anyone who likes a good mystery and interesting characters.   A good read. 

The Invisible Boy

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Oh, what a difficult subject and how carefully Alyssa Hollingsworth approaches.  The Invisible Boy makes the topic of human trafficking accessible to middle schoolers.  Well written, once I picked it up I had to continue until I was done.  I needed to know that everything would turn out okay for Eli. 

The Invisible Boy - hollingsworth

What I am Reviewing

Roaring Brook Press has come out with a compelling read in The Invisible Boy by Alyssa Hollingsworth.  Deborah Lee illustrates in a comic book format.  320 pages.  My ARC copy was trade paperback, you will find it on amazon as a hardcover with fly.  (affiliate link)

A love of comic books brings ace girl reporter Nadia Quick into relationship with two very different individuals.  They each get their own superhero names.  As the book progresses we learn a hard truth about Eli and his life. Once this hard truth is realized events proceed very quickly. Human trafficking and child abuse are not easy topics to cover.  Hollingsworth pulls it off giving middle school students information that just might save a life. 

I am reviewing The Invisible Boy on behalf of Raincoast Books.  

The Details for The Invisible Boy

23 chapers, 320 pages, Epilogue and author’s note.   EVERY page is worth reading, every comic strip worth perusing.  Nadia has a case to pursue and through that a story to tell. Will it be the right one?

The Invisible Boy - hollingsworth

Each chapter opens with a one page comic, the story leading from one chapter to the next. Pay attention to them, they will either give clues for what is to come, or hint at what has passed.   I didn’t see fully developed comics for each chapter in this ARC copy, many were just mock-ups.  As such I can’t tell you if the comic strip is complete, but I was intrigued.

sample page from The Invisible Boy - hollingsworth

Easy to read text, with clear sensitivity to the subject at hand.  The characters are very real.  I could clearly see Nadia with her quirkiness would result in few friendships, that Paddle Boy would be a bit taken aback by his quirky neighbour, and the fear in Invisible Boy.  The parents made mistakes and owned up to them. 

Make sure you read the epilogue and author’s note.  They give important information that rounds out the story. 

The Invisible Boy - hollingsworth

Recommendation

The Invisible Boy is a great book. I enjoyed reading it and felt a strong desire to finish it once I started it.  It teaches about a difficult subject and what middle schoolers can do to help break the cycle. 

For sensitive readers, you might want to read the book with them.  The close of the book has some intense sections that could bother some readers. 

It’s worth reading just for the story. It is good enough to be a useful addition to a study on