Books for Middle School

Farther Than the Moon

April 17, 2024 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

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

Did you know that I used to work with CP kids? They are SO MUCH FUN. Granted not all the time, sometimes life with CP kids is hard. Helping them control their bodies, helping them to show their intelligence to those around them, helping people see more than their physical limitations, and helping them deal with the pain of life. It’s not always easy for them, OR their families/caretakers. Farther Than The Moon by Lindsay Lackey gives some insight into that WHILE showcasing the abilities of another family member. Family and friends learning to work together. It’s a VERY good read and suggest you run out and get it now! 🙂

The Basic Details for Farther Than the Moon

Title: Farther Than the Moon
Author: Lindsay Lackey
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Pages: 336
Intended Audience: 10-14 Years
Genre: children’s books, epilepsy, Jr Astronauts, children’s sibling books
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio, Paperback
Received: Hardcover
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the author and the book

Californian Lindsay Lackey grew up with big curly hair, and is the proud owner of two small dogs. Growing up in Colorado, where most of her stories are based, she was (and still is) an avid reader. Never wanting to be a story writer, she always wrote books making construction paper books as a wee child. Her encouragement to aspiring authors is to keep at it. Only we can tell our own stories! A bonus!! Lindsay has a jr. astronaut program on her website!

About Farther Than the Moon

Thirteen-year-old Houston Stewart wants to become an astronaut. His dreams feel like they’re finally coming true when he’s accepted to the highly-competitive Junior Astronaut Recruitment Program. Problem though, he’s made a promise to his younger brother.

Ever since their dad left, Houston and Robbie have been inseparable. It’s hard to tell where Houston’s love of space ends and where Robbie’s begins. But Robbie’s cerebral palsy and epilepsy mean he needs medical attention at home, so Houston is forced to take this giant leap for the two of them all on his own.

At camp, Houston is quickly drawn into the orbit of new friends, cosmic adventures, and a long-lost grandfather. But can he keep his promise to his brother Robbie? Will his idea work? What if Robbie doesn’t like it? Then what? Can he make the right plan using his new friends and family? Can he and Robbie still shoot for the stars?

Digging Deeper

I love a book that shows youth learning, growing, and following their passions. Houston does all these things. He learns and does so much it’s just a fantastic read. Ms. Lackey did an excellent job of bringing the insecurities and devotion of a 13 year old to life. She showed the determination that teens have to following their passions… in this case to be astronauts!

Houston has SO much work to do that JARP (Jr.Astronaut Program), assignments to complete, a grandfather to get to know, and working in group situations with people who are difficult. Life became just a wee bit complicated. Lies, truths, equipment failure, lack of confidence, bullying, and worry over his brother… it was all a bit much. Will advise from his astronaut grandfather help?

Part of the learning that Houston had to do was discovering what it means to make promises to his brother. It’s hard to be a person with limitations, and it’s even harder when promises are made that seem impossible to keep. Hurt feelings abound on both sides of the equation. Houston and his teammates struggle to find the solution.

I love how Ms. Lackey showed all these intense emotions and thought processes. Each member of the team felt like real people. The adults adulted well, which I find is an important part of middle school fiction. I love how mom admitted to struggles in the past but through changing her perspective onthose events (now as an adult) decided she could change the present.

I love how it was not just Houston who needed to learn, grow, and change, but all the members of the his team learned new things. Such a nice well-rounded book to encourage young teens to follow their passions and be better people in the process. Farther Than the Moon is well worth reading whether young or old!

With a Little Luck

April 10, 2024 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

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

Music, friendship, Dungeons and Dragons, the joys of school, and magic dice. Smack dab in the middle of it is Jude. Twin to Pru, friend of Ari, dungeon master, and artiste. A coming-of-age story that is heart-warming, funny, and interesting. With a Little Luck is a magically musical story filled with a good mix of competence and uncertainty…. teens in a nutshell!

The Basics for With a Little Luck

Title: With a Little Luck
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends/Square Fish
Pages: 368
Intended Audience: 12-18 Years
Genre: children’s books, teen contemporary, young adult contemporary, teen literature & fiction
Available formats: Kindle, Hardcover, Audio, Paperback
Received: ARC paperback
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books

About the Author

Marissa Meyer has wanted to be an author since she knew such a job existed. She’s written under various pen-names, and engaged in various types of writing. Hitting the New York Times best seller lists she lives with her hubby and adopted daughters near Tacoma, Washington.

About the book

Jude is determined to fly under the radar. He just wants to draw comics, host D&D night with his friends, work at his parents’ vinyl record store, and escape high school as unscathed as possible. That is, until the night he finds himself inexplicably gifted with a bout of supernatural good luck.

Suddenly, everything Jude has ever wanted is within reach. …… But how long can Jude’s good fortune last?

Learning More

I have to admit, I laughed a lot reading With a Little Luck. Jude is such a likable character who just something got in over his head. His sisters were excellent, his folks were real, and Ari is a sweet girl with a good talent. The characters fit the story so well and the interplay with them all showed family in action with good friends mixed in. Laughter and fun are a part of this coming-of-age story.

Jude is an artist! His illustrations help tell the story! In the ARC version that I received the illustrations were all done in black and white. It fits Jude’s style to have them as simple pencil drawings.

Chapter headings show off the lucky dice. Lucky number 20 is an important part in playing dungeons and dragons. Knowing Jude is to be part of the stories he creates for his friends. How will Jude handle the luck that has dropped into his life. Or if the luck leaves, what will that mean for him? Can Jude truly discover who he loves and what he really wants to do?

READ THE STORY and find out. Laugh a bit. You’ll be glad you did. We all need a bit of young romance in our lives and the love of family to see you through.

The Curse of the Shaman

February 7, 2024 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

So I’ve been slowly sorting through books that I held for my boy to read during our homeschooling years. Sometimes I go “hey, that might make a good read” so I grab it up and kept it in my stash. Unlike me, my lad didn’t turn into much of a reader, I would have liked for him to read though The Curse of the Shaman. Themes of determination, community, and help from unexpected sources.

The Basic Details for The Curse of the Shaman

Title: The Curse of the Shaman
Author: Michael Kusugak
Illustrator: Vladyanan Krykorka
Series: A Marble Island Story
Publisher: Harper Collins
Pages: 168
Intended Audience: 9-12 years, Elementary Students, Middle School
Genre: first nations, Canada, folk lore, Inuit,
Available formats: Kindle, Paperback
Read: Paperback

About the Author

Michael Kugusak is a Canadian author who has written several books. Growing up in Repulse Bay, NWT he currently lives in Sooke, BC. As a child he rode dog sled, went hunting and fishing, and lived a traditional Inuit lifestyle. This history can be seen in The Curse of the Shaman.

About the Book

The Curse of the Shaman takes us into the life of Wolverine from birth through to young adulthood. We get to see him grow up within the Inuit lifestyle. The anger of a Shaman led to a curse which is later rescinded, but Shaman’s magic helper disagreed. And so the story unfolds….

What Did I Think?

There were things I loved in this story and things that took me a bit to adapt to.

I struggled with some of the names in this story as well as some of the Inuit language. And a part of me wanted the author to make it easier for me! How my… how selfish of me is that eh? Good thing I recognize that eh? Changing the names would also have changed fundamental parts of the story, which I so much enjoyed.

The focus on family and community is fantastic! People care for their family units deeply, and getting together with others is a time of work, celebration, and appreciation of each other. People shared what they had and who they were freely because that was the best way to live in community. Share and share alike is how folks survive in a harsh environment.

Stories told to Wolverine as a youngster prove to be invaluable, again showing the importance of family. And as children grow up and develop new skills, so do shamans! 🙂 It is good to see not only children learn new skills but the grown ups on their lives as well! It’s a pleasant twist on a story, and another twist (though as an adult reader I rather anticipated it) is a good one as well. 🙂

All in all, a good story that immerses us into the lives of the Inuit and a possibility of how shamans work their magic. The Curse of the Shaman is well worth reading if you are looking at doing a study on Inuit of Canada.

The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan

January 17, 2024 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

Reviewing The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan just because I like reviewing books and this was my latest read. 🙂 Well, okay, perhaps I didn’t sit down and read it, Maddie and her family kept me company as I took care of the rabbits over this past week.

We spent long hours in the car when my lad was young on car trips listening to the Ranger’s Apprentice. Flanagan does an excellent job of bringing the Ranger core of Araluen to life. A word of horses, kings and kingdoms, and men guarding the kingdom. Sworn to protect the king and their people. Anyways, those stories centred around Will and Holt, the royal rangers series focuses on Maddie. Maddie is the first female ranger with a tough job ahead of her.

The Basic Details for The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan

Title: The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan
Author: John Flanagan
Series: The Royal Ranger (book two of six)
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Pages: 352
Intended Audience: 10-13 years, Elementary Students, Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy, Arthurian Folk Tales & Myths, Children’s Fantasy, Children’s action and adventures
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle, Audio, Paperback
Received: Audio

The Author:

Australian John Flanagan began writing stories in an effort to encourage his son with his reading. Those stories eventually become The Ruins of Gorlan, Book 1 of the Ranger’s Apprentice epic. His family now includes grandchildren!

The Story

The Royal Ranger: The Red Fox Clan continues the story of the ranger core’s first female ranger in training. Maddie, the princess, is learning what it takes to be a ranger. While on summer holidays disaster strikes! The Red Fox Clan seeks to overthrow the king. Maddie and her family are in trouble. Can she, together with her mom Cassandra, save the kingdom? Can they prove that yes indeed, women can rule effectively in times of trouble?

My Thoughts

As much as this is a children’s story it’s a fun interesting story to read/listen to. Full of action and intrigue, with people doing good.

Lessons in honesty, doing your best, humility, asking for help when needed, being patient, and working hard to achieve your goals.

I love the development of characters and how they say true to themselves. Maddie’s insatiable curiousity and determination are evident in all her actions. Her inexperience shows through at various moments which I think is excellent for Flanagan to portray.

This book is part one of a two part book. I was admittedly VERY disappointed when the book just stopped. No good conclusion. Just stopped. ALMOST but not quite made me stop wanting to read the series. I did pick up the next in series The Royal Ranger: Duel at Araluen. I’m listening to it as I write this review!

Just so you know, Duel at Araluen picks up exactly where The Red Fox Clan picks up. I really wish it had been written as one book, but perhaps that would make the book too long for the intended audience?

Should you read it? YES! If you like a good adventure story with good morals, no bad language, just overall a good story, this will fit the bill. As interesting for adults to listen to as well as children. Go out, introduce yourself to Series from Flanagan of The Brotherband, The Ranger’s Apprentice, and The Royal Ranger. Immerse yourself in the days of knights, rangers, kings and kingdoms. 🙂

The hat Diaries: the secret life of Ryan Rigbee

December 27, 2023 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product for The hat Diaries: the secret life of Ryan Rigbee through Mouth: Digital & Public Relations. Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and it is so much appreciated. 🙂

Oh, this book. I really really wish it has been at the top of my review pile…but it wasn’t. AND I do need to honour the order in which books arrive. What a rollicking ride of hats and watching a young boy become something more. Each hat adventure contains clues that he needs to put together to get some answers. I’ll warn you straight up, the answers might not be what you expect!

The Basic Details for The Hat Diaries

Title: The Hat Diaries: the secret life of Ryan Rigbee
Author: Nadine Haruni
Publisher: Speaking Volumes
Series: The Hat Diaries
Pages: 252
Intended Audience: middle school, 6-18 years,
Genre: magical realism, coming of age, teen & young adult,
Available formats: Kindle, Paperback

The Author

Nadine Haruni is best known for her Freeda the Frog children series. The Secret Life of Ryan Rigbee is her debut foray into the middle school realm. She is also a practicing attorney, Certified yoga instructor, and the proud mother of a blended family of five children.

The Book

The Hat Diaries: the Secret Life of Ryan Rigbee is the first in a trilogy. Ryan undertakes a magical adventure in the form of hats that bring him into a series of adventures. Through those adventures he develops more into the person he is meant to become. A confident young man who sees his own potential. Coming of age books are good to read eh?

What you’ll find

You will find text meant to appeal to middle school through young adult. A very easy to read tome, filled with a variety of adventures, in different fields of employment. Magician, FireFighter, Policeman, Safari Guide and more. A variety of occupations to delight the imagination of 13 year old boy. A boy who, through the change of a hat, changes his life in the course of an evening.

Each chapter starts off simply with an image fitting it. In black and white. Nothing fancy, just something to add a bit to the storyline.

I will freely admit that I didn’t read every word. I tend to skim read books when short on time and I really wanted to let you know about this read. The imagination, and the pulling together of the story was delightful. I LOVE feeding the imagination of children.

Through Ryan’s imagination, and the help of those magical hats, Ryan learned more about his family. Enough that he was able to as good questions of his mom, and figure some things out about his deceased father.

If I were still homeschooling I’d be tempted to use this book to help in a story telling class. What kind of story would YOUR imagination spin up with a baseball cap, mala beads, or _________. All these things that Ryan has to work with, and then read what Ryan’s mind came up with. Wouldn’t that be an interesting class to teach?

The Secret Keepers

September 20, 2023 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

This is one of the many books I read while on vacation Aug 26-Sept 2. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope I can inspire you to give it a boo. A little free library allowed me to pick up The Secret Keepers. I like to check them out and often find hidden reads. If I thought I could get my lad to listen to it, I’d pick it up from Audible for him! Affiliate Links will be used, thank you for your support of my blog, costs you nothing to do so, and is so much appreciated.

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

Basic Details for The Secret Keepers

Title: The Secret Keepers
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Illustrator: Diana Sudyka
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 512
Intended Audience: 8 – 11 years
Genre: fantasy, mystery, detective, spy, magic, action and adventure
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle, paperback, audiobook, audio cd

My Thoughts

If you have read the mysterious benedict society novels the feel of The Secret Keepers won’t be unexpected. As soon as I started this novel I wondered if familiar characters would show up. 🙂 They didn’t, but it was kinda fun anticipating it!

Stewart takes young characters and bestows on them the ability to think and to be courageous when called upon. Reuben is no different. A child who grew up knowing his momma loves him and allows him to make of his days as he will. Encouraging him frequently to find friends to hang out with and playing games just for the two of them. A single mom, making a great effort to parent her boy well.

Reuben, wants to help his mom and a new treasure just might be the way to do it. BUT… there are troubles along the way. Reuben is forced to get other people to help him and ends up makes friends along the way.

I enjoyed The Secret Keepers from start to finish. Admittedly, I wasn’t surprised at who the bad guy was, or doubted how it would end up. The ending felt a bit too neat though, and potentially leading toward trouble in the future.

Squire & Knight

August 30, 2023 By Annette1 Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product for Squire & Knight 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. 🙂

Squire & Knight brings us two very different heroes – one with lots of brawn who gets all the glory, and the other, a thoughtful, nerdy type that most people ignore. Can they solve a problem in a rather mysterious town? Will they conquer the enemy and solve the mystery?

Basic Details for Squire & Knight

Title: Squire & Knight
Author: Scott Chantler
Series: Squire and Knight, book 1
Publisher: First Second
Pages: 176
Intended Audience: grade 4-6
Genre: graphic novel, fantasy, folklore, medieval times, legends, fairy tales, comic, magie
Reviewed for: Raincoast Books
Available formats: Hardcover, Kindle, paperback
Received: paperback

About the Author and Book

The Author

Scott Chantler is a local boy! He works and lives out of Stratford, Ontario. Wow…he’s just a hop, skip and a jump from me. 🙂 A critically-acclaimed, Eisner-nominated cartoonist who spends time on Instagram.

The Book

Two protagonists: Squire a nerdy, rather under-appreciated under study to Sir Kelton, a brawny, inept knight. The two mismatched heroes find themselves coming to the rescue of a small town where things aren’t quite what they seem. Sir Kelton rides to the rescue while Squire stays behind to read and problem solve. Between the two of them, can they rescue the town?

Digging Deeper

Graphic novels can be fun ways to read a story, providing images to help tell the story, and breaking the story down into less words for people who struggle with too many words on a page.

First Second does a good job with their graphic novels making the text easy to read while moving the story along nicely. They provide good colour, show emotion and action well, and overall.. it’s a good read in bite sized pieces.

Don’t you just love the colour? So bright and one that draws you in. I love that not every page is filled with text, and sometimes the illustrations tell the story.

You’ll also enjoy the character and setting development. I can totally… if I believed in dragons and magic … see this world being plausible. People do foolish things sometimes when they are put into difficult situations and that’s precisely what happens here. The dragon who barters made me laugh!

My Recommendation

Such a classic story between good and bad, and brawn vs brain. Which is better? Who will win out in the end? You’ll meet a squire, a knight, a wizard, a dragon, an unusual dog, and lots of townspeople.

Everyone will have different ideas about just what the problem is…and how to solve it. You’ll have to read how creative solutions were found.

Do I think middle schoolers would enjoy Squire & Knight? Of course! Who doesn’t love a story with wizards and heroes? We all need to have some heroes in our lives!

Books for Middle School

Farther Than the Moon

The Basic Details for Farther Than the Moon