Kimchi & Calamari is about a Korean boy raised by Italian parents in New Jersey. A school assignment pushes him into learning more about his heritage. Fortunately, the Milk is pure whimsy with fun illustrations. Lower middle grade that would be perfect for read-aloud. And Twerp is further proof that I’ll read any book in which Shakespeare is a theme.
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Zane Johns has a short temper, a love for excitement, and a surprisingly noble ancestry (on his mother’s side). He intimidates people almost as much as he avoids them. Oddly enough, Zane’s the only brother with a lifelong friend. Continue reading BYWAYS: Meet Zane Johns
Flight of the Phoenix
Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, #1
R. L. LaFevers
When Nathaniel’s parents are lost at sea, he’s sent to live with his father’s cousin, who decides it’s high time 10-yr-old Nate take up the Fludd family tradition of adventuring. Continue reading Flight of the Phoenix
The Unknowns is a mystery with thriller tendencies and a misfit cast. I’ve never met a more mathematical read. I’ll confess to reading Viking It and Liking It because I needed a “V” book for my alphabet challenge. But the Time Warp Trio stories are a hoot. I’ve begun collecting this lower middle grade series. Masters of Disaster is full of zany plans that’ll make any mother cringe. Set in a bygone era. I love the charismatic ringleader’s tendency to speak in capitals.
For your Bookshelf. Nothing encourages kids to read and reread a series like having copies on your home bookshelves. The award-winning Byways Books are available as both paperbacks and hardcover library editions. (Contact CJ via email if you’re interested in ordering author-signed copies.)
The Ravenmaster’s Secret: Escape from the Tower of London
Elvira Woodruff
Forrest Harper is the son of a guard at the Tower of London who holds the additional role of Ravenmaster. The boy’s best friends are Tuck, a raven he’s raised from a fledgling, and Rat, a boy who works for the Tower’s rat-catcher. Continue reading The Ravenmaster’s Secret
Summer Reading! Time for a fresh sticky post for my August BINGO board, part of the Summer Reading Challenge for #MGCarousel at Elymnifoquent.com, where Elza and I blog about middle grade books.
Play along! Grab your August bingo board here >>
Can’t read those tiny book covers? I’ve listed the titles/authors. Continue reading #MGCarousel – Summer Reading Bingo
Got one! I didn’t read as much as usual during July because of #CampNaNoWriMo, but I did manage one BINGO for #MGCarousel’s Summer Reading Bingo.
Don’t miss out on the fun. Elza posted the August Bingo Board, and the new categories have loads of potential!
My writing group is tackling a short story project this year, and I used #CampNaNoWriMo to get my thoughts down. Naturally, my story concept took on a life of its own and got entirely out of hand. Now, it’s been structured as a 6-book mystery series in a historical setting. I’ll need to do a bit more research before I go any further with my notes, but I’m cautiously pleased. Maybe sometime down the line, I’ll be announcing its debut!
C. J. Milbrandt 