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 Diligently
My attachment to Zenta and Matsuso, the two ronin detectives in Lensey Namioka’s series brought me to Village of the Vampire Cat, the fourth in the series. Tea ceremony, New Year traditions, and missing girls. Serafina’s Promise is a novel in verse set in Haiti, where life is hard. Her family scrabbles for the barest necessities, and tragedy strikes. Resilience and love are certainly themes, but a sobering read. And my read-through of Jenny Nimmo’s series (which is technically called The Children of the Red King even though I tend to call it the Charlie Bone series) continues apace. Charlie Bone and the Shadow is the penultimate title (6 of 7).
BINGO!
Five in a Row. I am getting so close to calling a second BINGO, I want to sneak in some more reading time. My usual routine’s been curtailed for the last handful of days because it’s too HOT to safely walk. (I listen to titles on my e-reader whilst I perambulate.) I’ll be glad when the heat wave passes.
I found a couple of Ali authors. Are there squares you’re having trouble covering? Elza & I are happy to recommend titles! More over on Middle Grade Carousel >>
Is that a key?
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
Currently Reading
Part Two. I seem to be reading a lot of duologies lately. Stories in two parts. My current read fits the July BINGO board because it has a character with a disability. (Kitto Quick was born with a club foot.) I’m midway through The Dagger X, the second half of Kitto’s pirate-laced, ocean-faring adventure by Brian Eames.
Highly Recommended!
A Good Week for Books
BINGO Progress. Checking in with progress on my BINGO board. It’s been a good week for reading because I’ve had so much furniture moving/cleaning to do. And that means listening to books on my e-reader. Housework is much less of a chore when it is also my reading time. : )
#amreading Hodgepodge
Hundred Percent is the nickname of a girl named Tink (well, that’s also a nickname, but she’s been going by Tinkerbell since she was little) who is navigating the special drama that comes with being twelve. Mostly friendship drama. In Charlie Bone and the Beast (Book 6 of 7), a new boy brings trouble to Bloor’s Academy, and an old enemy is in need of rescue. More backstory, more connections. Plenty of tension to keep the pages turning. And The Return of Zita the Spacegirl is the culmination of Hatke’s graphic novel trilogy. (But it’s not the end of the story!)
Did something hatch?
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
July BINGO
Summer Reading. The new BINGO board is available from Middle Grade Carousel, and I’ve already done a bit of rummaging through the home shelves & e-reader to see what fits. Some prompts are trickier than others. Which books would you match to this month’s squares?
Join in! Grab your board at MGCarousel.
#amreading Sets and Serieses
Charlie Bone and the Hidden King is the fifth book in the Children of the Red King series. At this point, there’s very little I can say without spoilering early books in the series, and I do detest spoilers. Needless to say, new problems are multiplying nearly as quickly as old ones are settled. It’s similarly difficult to say anything about The Creeping Shadow, which is Book 4 of 5 for Lockwood & Co. Eerie and edgy and exciting straight on through. My affection for these characters flourishes. And you really need to grab Ben Hatke’s graphic novels. Legends of Zita the Spacegirl is the second in the set. Very much a favorite!
