Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi

Image: Penguin Random House

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi. Unabridged e-audio, ~3 hrs. Narrated by Peter Romano. Books on Tape/ Listening Library, September, 2024. Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.

Middle Grade Monday features Kareem Between by Shifa Salvage Safadi. Kareem isn't too excited about starting seventh grade in 2016. His best friend moved away, he was cut from the football team, and his mother expects him to befriend a new Syrian boy whose family recently immigrated. Kareem was born in America, struggles to learn Arabic, loves the Chicago Bear and all things football. When the school bully, who happens to be quarterback of the football team promises Kareem a place on the team if he does a project for him, Kareem knows he shouldn't, but wants to be part of the team so badly, he does. Of course, it isn't only one assignment, but Kareem is stuck.

When his grandfather who lives in Syria falls ill, Kareem's mother travels there to arrange for her parents' transfer to the United States, but becomes stuck in Syria when then-President Trump's Muslim Ban goes into effect.

I read this one with my ears and the narrator did a good job, especially pronouncing the Arabic that is woven throughout.

This novel in verse flows lyrically, but the visual structure of the poems also convey meaning, so I reread it with my eyes. It's a short, powerful read that should resonate long after the story ends.

Kareem Between won the National Book Award/ Literature for Young People earlier this fall and appeared on several Best Books lists as well. 

2024 Audio Books

 January (1)
1. Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim* (1/19)

March (2)
2.The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim (3/18)
3. Louder Than Hunger by John Schu (3/24)*

April (3)

4. Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart (4/5)

5. Good Dog by Dan Gemeinhart (4/20)

6. James by Percival Everett (4/26)*

May (3)

7. The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh (5/1)*

8. James by Percival Everett (audio reread) (5/14)*

9. Dust by Dust Bowling (5/28)

June (2)

10. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Moore (6/12)

11. The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko (6/30)

July (3)

12. Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston (7/16)

13. Ferris by Kate DiCamillo (7/21)*

14. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes (7/25)

August (3)

15. The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black (8/6)

16. Elf Dog and Owl Head by M.T. Anderson (8/9)

17. Stepping Off by Jordan Sonnenblick (8/17)

September (2)

18. Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus (9/2)*

19. Air by Monica Roe (9/10)

October (1)

20. The Enigma Girls by Candace Fleming (10/7)*

21. If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin (10/31)

November (4)

22. Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds (11/9)

23. If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin (11/17)

24. Roll with It by Jamie Sumner (11/20)*

25. Jupiter Rising by Gary D. Schmidt (11/24)*

December (1)

26. Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi (12/12)

Middle Grade Monday: Air by Monica Roe

Image: Macmillan

Air by Monica Roe. Unabridged downloadable audiobook, ~5 hours. Read by Sandy Rustin. Recorded Books/ Macmillan, March, 2022. Review of audiobook borrowed from public library.

Happy Monday! We've had quite the run of spectacular weather here in northeastern New Jersey. I survived my first full week of classes with students and am so-o tired! 

Middle Grade Monday features Air by Monica Roe. Twelve-year-old Emelyn, "Emmie," has the need for speed. Being in a wheelchair doesn't slow her down, it's accessibility issues that hamper her ability to get around, especially at school. When a trick goes wrong thanks to a rickety ramp at school and she gets scraped up, her hovering and cautious school principal calls her father in for a meeting to re-evaluate Emmie's IEP. Her mom used to take care of that and would fight fiercely for Emmie's independence, but her dad, who works several jobs and also goes to night school, acquiesces and Emmie finds herself with a one-on-one aide.

This first-person novel is at turns hilarious and thought-provoking as spunky Emmie goes toe-to-toe with her new principal and the aide she doesn't want/ need.

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: Ferris by Kate DiCamillo

Image: Candlewick Press

Ferris by Kate DiCamillo. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~4 hours. Read by Cherry Jones. Listening Library, March, 2024. (Review of e-audio borrowed from the public library.)

Happy Monday. Middle Grade Monday features Ferris by Kate DiCamillo. The summer between fourth and fifth grades is an eventful one for Ferris. Her real name is Emma Phineas Wilkey, but she's called Ferris because she was born at the bottom of a ferris wheel. She lives in a small community, in a home with her parents, her beloved grandmother, her six-year-old sister, Pinky and Boomer her dog. Uncle Ted has recently left his wife and moved into the basement to paint the history of the world. She likes things predictable, but that summer there's a lot of change. In addition to Uncle Ted, Ferris receives an unfortunate perm from Ted's hairdresser wife, and her headstrong sister decides she wants to become an outlaw complete with a "Wanted" poster. Oh, and her grandmother is being visited by a ghost.

In typical DiCamillo fashion, each character in this slim novel springs to vivid life. She has a knack for capturing mundane moments and making them shine with beauty and possibility. This is a beautiful story of family bonds, best friendship, ghosts and raccoons. At turns heartfelt and hilarious, fans of Kate DiCamillo will feel right at home. The performance by Cherry Jones is pitch perfect. 

Here's  a link to a short video of Ms. DiCamillo discussing the book.

Happy reading!

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko

Image: Penguin Random House

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko. Unabridged e-audiobook ~7 hours. Narrated by Javier Prusky. Books on Tape/ Listening Library, June, 2024. 9781984833716. Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.

Happy Monday! What are you doing the beat the heat? It's pretty steamy here. Too hot to garden and too hot to take the dogs for long walks. Middle Grade Monday features The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko. 

Eleven-year-old Hank adores his three-year-old sister, Boo, even though she calls him Pooperman. He also adores his mother even though she doesn't make the best decisions. She has been gone for a week now and Hank has stayed home from school to take care of Boo, but food is running out and there's no money to buy more. The electricity was turned off and the landlord is about to evict the family for non-payment of rent. When Hank finds the name of an emergency contact, he knows his mom will be angry with him, but he feels he has no choice. Together, he and Boo take buses to find their way to LouAnn Adler's house. Ms. Adler was Hank's grandmother's best friend and runs a day care center from her home. She's not happy that Hank and Boo showed up, but she takes them in out of respect for his grandmother's memory. Hank starts a new school, makes new friends and might even make the basketball team, but deep down, he knows this arrangement isn't permanent and he really misses his mom.

There is so much to love about this first-person narrative. Hank is so earnest and endearing and Boo is just a hoot! Be prepared though, Hank and Boo's situation is dire. LouAnn can't/ doesn't want to keep the siblings and social services might split them up. Hank is very resourceful, but makes some poor decisions of his own out of love. My heart just broke for Hank and Boo.

The audio performance was well done. Mr. Prusky sounded appropriately young and had a wide variety of voices to distinguish the characters. I can't wait to add this to my library's collection and share it with my students. Highly recommended. 

PS: Posting might get a little hit or miss in the coming days. On Friday, I became a foster mom and Boo became a foster brother to Helga. She's a German Shepherd who was pulled from an animal cruelty situation. The rescue thinks she's around three. An amazing trainer has been volunteering his time to work with her and help her trust again. She's eager and smart, but a bit mouthy, especially if I try and sit down. She's doing really well and Boo is getting lots of extra treats.

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim

Image: Penguin Random House

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~ 13 hours. Narrated by Mirai. Books on Tape/ Listening Library, August, 2023. Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library.

Happy Tuesday! It looks like it'll be another beautiful day here in northern NJ. It'll be slightly hotter and not as breezy, but I hope you enjoy the day and get outdoors in nature today. Teen Tuesday features Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim. Two sisters, Channi and Vanna, are devoted to one another, but in their village, Vanna is adored and Channi is reviled. 

When Vanna was born and their mother lay dying, their father took Channi to the Demon Witch as a sacrifice. The king of the serpents saved Channi's life, but the Demon Witch cursed her with a snake face. The only way to break the curse is for Channi to bring Vanna to the Demon Witch before her seventeenth birthday, which Channi will not do. As Vanna's birthday approaches, their father, intent on enriching himself, has a contest for possible suitors to win her hand. When the cruelest, most vile suitor wins, Channi intervenes, challenges the man's champion, and when she beats him, she finds the man's attention is now drawn to her.

This layered and rich epic fantasy unfolds slowly. The world-building is vivid and based on Chinese folklore. Her Radiant Curse is a prequel to the Legends of Lor'yan duology, and, while it does stand alone, knowledge of the duology does enhance enjoyment of the prequel.

New-to-me narrator, Mirai has a wide range of convincing voices for the many characters and her performance was utterly engaging. 

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh.

Image: Macmillan

The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~9 hours. Narrated by Anna Fikhman, Christopher Gebauer, Jesse Vilinsky and Katherine Marsh. Macmillan Audio/ Macmillan, January, 2023. Review of e-audiobook borrowed from public library. 

Happy Monday! I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Monday! The heat wave broke here in NJ. It is dry, slightly breezy and just delightful. Middle Grade Monday features The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh. It's the early days of the Covid pandemic and eighth grader Matthew isn't happy about the lockdown. His journalist father is stuck in France as a result of travel restrictions. He doesn't exactly love doing schoolwork through Zoom, and his mom is all over his case about it. His feelings of loneliness and isolation are made worse by the fact that he can't hang out with friends, even outside and socially distanced, because his 100-year-old great-grandmother has moved in and catching Covid would be fatal for her.

Matthew is given the task of helping GG sort through her boxes of belongings and when he comes across a photograph of GG as a young girl in the 1930s, she becomes visibly upset and tells Matthew to leave. He's intrigued by both the photo and his great-grandmother's strong reaction and begins researching what went on in Ukraine during the 1930s after the country was annexed by the USSR.

This intense story about the Holodomor, the Soviet government-induced famine, shifts back and forth in time, from multiple points of view and unfolds masterfully. I had the honor of reviewing Ms. Marsh's 2018 book, Nowhere Boy for SLJ. Ms. Marsh connects current events with historical events seamlessly, trusting young readers to draw their own conclusions. 

The Lost Year was a National Book Award Finalist and was named an SLJ as well as Kirkus Best Book of the Year. It also won a Golden Kite Award. Readers who love historical fiction, especially about little known events in history, will love The Lost Year.