Elza and I love games almost as much as we love reading middle grade books. You’ll find more of these over on Middle Grade Carousel and posting throughout the day on our Twitter account. Follow us and play along! ~CJ
All posts by C. J. Milbrandt
One Week Left
Not Quite an All-Cover. There’s a scant week left in June, and I’ve managed a second BINGO on my summer reading board. Heading in, I kind of wanted to cover all the squares, but I’ll definitely run out of days before I run out of books. : )
I have books set aside for most of the remaining squares, but I’m not sure how far I’ll get in six days. After spending last month reading lower middle grade quickies, it’s been so nice to tackle longer titles again. Confession: Since I’m a moderator at MGCarousel, I’ve already gotten a peek at July’s BINGO board. I’ll finish up a book or two for June, then focus on next month’s squares!
#amreading Goodness
Giant Pumpkin Suite by Melanie Heuiser Hill managed to combine many of my favorite things, all while reminding me of my childhood in Minnesota. Twins and gardening and cellos and a hint of Japanese culture. I adored The Incredible Magic of Being, in which a boy with an overprotective mother. The narrative mixed with FARTs (facts and random things) and easy-to-grasp explanations of science-y things that interest Julian. He’s an odd little cookie, and we gradually learn why as the story unfolds. And in Dealing with Dragons, Princess Cimorene’s interests always seem to fall in the “not done” category. Normally, she’d need to be properly kidnapped in order to become a dragon’s princess, but Kazul is willing to make an exception.
Simple Lines
Elza and I love games almost as much as we love reading middle grade books. You’ll find more of these over on Middle Grade Carousel and posting throughout the day on our Twitter account. Follow us and play along! ~CJ
BINGO reads
First Bingo! I’ve been on a reading binge. Some of it’s my crazy summertime schedule, because my brain fogs over during the hot (hot, hot) part of the afternoon. Some of it’s the addition of audio book walks to my exercise routine (usually late at night, when it isn’t quite so hot, hot, hot.)
I’ve been making piles of “next up” books to go for a second BINGO. I’m currently reading Wonder at the Edge of the World, which I intended to fit the “know or wonder in the title” square. Turns out, it has strong STEM/STEAM themes, so I’ll bump it up and read You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P for that square. “Title starts with W” is a cinch since I picked up the sequel to The Lighthouse Between the Worlds.
How’s your BINGO board filling in?
#amreading Across Genres
Kristy’s Great Idea by Raina Telgemeier is the first in a series of graphic novels that revisits the much-loved Babysitter’s Club books by Ann M. Martin. It’s Raining Pigs & Noodles is one of the collections by Jack Prelutsky, whose vivid wit makes poetry both accessible and fun. And Fish in a Tree is an uplifting story in which one struggling girl is found out by a teacher who’s perfectly equipped to meet her special needs.
Quite the Leap
Elza and I love games almost as much as we love reading middle grade books. You’ll find more of these over on Middle Grade Carousel and posting throughout the day on our Twitter account. Follow us and play along! ~CJ
#amreading Dangerously
The Valley of the Broken Cherry Trees is another in the Zenta and Matsuzo series, historical mysteries set in sixteenth century Japan. Pillage by Obert Skye is the first in a trilogy, starring one of the most infuriating boys I’ve ever chanced to meet (in books). Despite Beck’s (many) bad decisions, I took a real liking to the idiot. And The Night Gardener is a spooky story with a couple of redheaded orphans, a deviously dangerous tree, and a truly creepy gardener. (Not for the faint of heart.)
Summer Reading Bingo
June Bingo. I always *intend* to read strategically, but for the most part, I grab whatever book catches my interest, even if it doesn’t FIT this month’s board.
Join in! Grab your board at MGCarousel.
#BookADayMay
I had a harder time keeping my calendar updated than I did with the reading. Junie B. Jones never failed to make me smile. Now that it’s June, I’ll be back to Book Bingo. Grab your board at MGCarousel, where the theme for this month is Sweets.
