Middle Grade Monday: The Year I Stopped Drawing: an Illustrated Novel in Verse by Grant Snider

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The Year I Stopped Drawing: an Illustrated Novel in Verse by Grant Snider. 312 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, November 10, 2026. 9781419788383. Review of arc courtesy of publisher.

Adam Zane has always been known as the best artist in his class, but he's entering seventh grade and everything is about to change for him - his brother left for college and hasn't communicated with Adam, his parents are fighting, but pretending that they're not, his best friend had a growth spurt, and worst of all, a new girl is a better artist than he. He's at sea. His grades begin to suffer, he refuses to attempt to create any art. When his anger at being constantly bullied by Jason erupts, and he ends up with an in-school suspension, his counselor sets him a challenge

Trust me when I say that grade seven is cataclysmic. So much change is happening to these kids from the onset of puberty (or lack of onset) to the shifting friendships, to the increased difficulty of classes. The appeal of this illustrated novel in verse lies in its utter relatability and readability. Post-It Notes separate chapters by months of the school year and there are pencil drawings accompanying each poem. The presentation is clean and engaging. Middle school readers will find much to connect with. Touching at times, humorous at others, this book is a solid addition to any collection. I can't wait to read the finished book! Highly recommend!

Happy reading!

Teen Tuesday: Unraveller by Frances Hardinge

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Unraveller by Frances Hardinge. 432 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, January, 2023. 9781419759314. (Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.)

Fifteen-year-old Kellen is blunt, off-putting and easily irritated. He also has a singular talent that the residents of Raddith find useful. He's an unraveller and there are quite a number of residents who need their curses unravelled, including Kellen's traveling companion, Nettle, who was cursed into a heron's body and was unravelled by Kellen. She is now his traveling companion. 

Curses spring from curse eggs and can appear at any time, but is usually brought on by intense hatred. There is a government department, the Chancery, devoted to rounding up the cursers and separating them from society. Cursers are remanded to the Red Hospital, presumably for treatment, but it's little more than a prison. The unravelled also tend to suffer from PTSD and are never the same. 

There is a quiet revolution afoot. Someone is releasing captive cursers and there may a traitor among the Chancery! Kellen and Nettle receive an invitation from a mysterious one-eyed man who drives a carriage pulled by a marsh horse. But as they venture deeper into the Wilds, Kellen and Nettle no longer know whom they can trust. 

This was absolutely exquisite. I wanted to swallow it whole due to the suspense and mystery, but slowed to savor the absolutely lovely writing, flawed and complex characters and vivid world building. It's definitely a book I would reread! Highly recommended!

Middle Grade Monday: Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17) by Jeff Kinney

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Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17) by Jeff Kinney. 224 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams Books, October, 2022. 9781419762949. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! Middle Grade Monday features Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17) by Jeff Kinney. Roderick wants to make his band, Diper Överlöde big and he thinks that by winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands will do it as it also launched the career of his favorite band. Greg isn't all that interested in being Roderick's roadie, but on the off-chance he does become famous, Greg wants in. Fans of the series will not be disappointed. There's a wait list for it. 

#tbt: Sisters Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley

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Sisters Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley. Illustrated by Peter Ferguson. Amulet Books/ Abrams Books, 2005. 

Happy Thursday! #tbt features Sisters Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley. The Fairy Tale Detectives is the first entry of the nine book Sisters Grimm series. The sisters Grimm are orphans Sabrina and Daphne, who are placed in a series of foster homes after their parents disappear. They are surprised when they are released to the care of their grandmother, Reida Grimm, whom the sisters thought was dead. Oh, and she may or may not be a witch. She whisks the girls to a town called Ferryport Landing, which has an unusual amount of criminal activity. It isn't long before they learn that they are descendants of the Brothers Grimm and that Ferryport Landing is inhabited by Everafters. 

If you like fast-paced, humorous stories inspired by folk or fairy tales, this is the series for you!

Waiting on Wednesday: Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17) by Jeff Kinney

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Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17) by Jeff Kinney. 224 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams Books, October 25, 2022. 9781419762949.

Waiting on Wednesday features Diper Överlöde by Jeff Kinney. It's hard to believe, but book 17 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is due to drop on October 25. Personally, I think the series continues to hit all the marks for humor and dead-on observation of familial and middle school life. Here's the publisher synopsis: When he decides to tag along with his brother Rodrick’s band, Löded Diper, Greg doesn’t realize what he’s getting into. But he soon learns that late nights, unpaid gigs, fighting between band members, and money troubles are all part of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle.

Can Greg help Löded Diper become the legends they think they are? Or will too much time with Rodrick’s band be a diper överlöde?

#tbt: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

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The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. Origami Yoda #1. 192 p. Amulet/ Abrams Books, April, 2010. (Own)

Happy Thursday! My, but this week really flew! #tbt features The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. With yesterday being May the fourth, this book popped into my head. Next year, May the fourth will actually fall on a #tbt, but I can't wait that long to talk about this fun book, which is part of a humorous series.

The book is a series of case files concerning sixth grade oddball, Dwight. Our narrator, Tommy wants to get to the bottom of the Origami Yoda question. You see, Dwight owns Yoda and, while Dwight himself is a bit socially inept, Yoda imparts uncanny wisdom through him. Each chapter/ case file in this illustrated novel contains a different classmate's testimony about whether Origami Yoda is real. The humor ranges from slapstick to wry and satirical. And there are instructions at the back of the book for readers to create their own Origami Yoda.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda was Mr. Angleberger's debut and published in 2010. It won an E.B. White Read Aloud Award, was named an ALA Notable Book and won quite a few State Awards. Darth Paper Strikes Back published in 2011 and five books followed.

Happy reading (and folding)!

#tbt: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney - Going Strong for Fifteen Years!

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. 224 p. Diary of a Wimpy Kid #1. April, 2007. 9781419741852. (Own.)

#tbt celebrates the fifteenth anniversary of the publication of Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. This hilarious illustrated novel hit the ground running. Greg Heffley is at once relatable and obnoxious as a sixth grader who just can't get a break. He's mistreated by his older brother, embarrassed by his parents and constantly upstaged by his baby brother. He does have one friend in Rowley, but when Rowley's popularity seems to rise, Greg is not happy.

The book grew out of a series of webcomics at funbrain.com. Originally, three books were planned, but sixteen have since been published. The series is beloved by all kinds of readers, but especially by readers who love to laugh. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Dinged by Tommy Greenwald

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Dinged (A Game Changer Companion Novel) by Tommy Greenwald. 288 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams Publishers, September 6, 2022. 9781419755156.

Publisher synopsis: A star football player watches his father deteriorate from injuries he suffered playing the very same sport

Caleb Springer is the up-and-coming star freshman quarterback on the high school football team, which isn't a surprise considering his dad, Sammy Springer, was an NFL superstar and is now the town celebrity. College scouts are already snooping around Caleb, and his future seems set.

But just as Caleb’s glory days begin, his dad starts to change. He’s forgetting things and getting angry at random times. Caleb is forced to confront a bleak possibility: The sport that gives him so much status and self-worth might be the cause of his dad’s strange behavior. Will Caleb keep playing the sport of his dreams, even if he knows how dangerous it can be?

I really enjoy Tommy Greenwald's books. While most definitely veer toward breezy and funny, Game Changer was intense and emotional. Looking forward to this and I love the cover.

#tbt: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

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The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. 160 p. Origami Yoda #1. Amulet Books/ Abrams Books, March 2010. 9780810984257. (Own)

Happy Thursday! How are you managing in this heat? I was smart enough to take Boo for a longish walk early, but then made the mistake of taking him for a short (1 mile) walk downtown to pick up lunch. Evil!

 #tbt features The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. This series starter was published in 2010. It is presented as a case file compiled by Tommy, who is trying to figure out if Origami Yoda really is speaking through Dwight. Dwight is the class oddball, but when he sports Origami Yoda on his finger, he speaks words of wisdom in a Yoda voice. The case file is filled with anecdotes illustrated by Tommy's friend, Kellen and told from the POV of a variety of classmates, many of whom believe in Dwight's powers. There are directions for folding your own Origami Yoda at the back of the book. This series starter is followed by Darth Paper Strikes Back, Secrets of the Fortune Wookiee, The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett, Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue, and Emperor Pickeltine Rides the Bus. Each book contains instructions for more origami folding fun.

Middle Grade Monday: Rowley Jefferson Books 2 & 3 by Jeff Kinney

                

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome, Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney. Abrams Books, 224 p. Abrams Books, 2020.

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Spooky Stories by Jeff Kinney. 224 p. Abrams Books, March, 2021. (Review of finished books borrowed from public library.)

Happy Monday! My break is going well, though I would wish for better weather. Middle Grade Monday features two books from a series. When I came across Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Spooky Stories recently, I realized I missed book two of this Diary of a Wimpy Kid spinoff, Rowley Jefferson's Awesome, Friendly Adventure. So this Middle Grade Monday recommendation is a two-fer, or a three-fer if you missed the first.

If you're a fan of the Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, you know all about Rowley Jefferson, Greg's long-suffering best friend. In Rowley Jefferson's Awesome, Friendly Adventure, Rowley wants to write a story. He has no plans to become famous for his book. He just wants something for his parent to read to him at night. Greg has other plans though. He has visions of movie rights and merch.

In Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Spooky Stories, Rowley reveals his dark side with stories of vampires, werewolves and zombies and such. Most are humorous with a side of gross. Fans will devour both books and ask for more.

#tbt: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

Image: Abrams

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. 180 p. Origami Yoda #1. Amulet Books/ Abrams, March, 2010. 9780810984257. (Own)

#tbt features The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger. It's hard to believe that this inventive, funny series starter is about to turn ten in about a month! Though Tommy is the narrator, this illustrated story is told from multiple points of view. Tommy's classmate and friend, Dwight, has always been out there. Sometimes he won't change his tee shirt and he's often socially inept. He does have a talent for origami and he folded an origami Yoda who has begun dispensing sage advice. Tommy wants to know how Dwight, or is it Yoda(?) can give such great advice. Each of their classmates weigh in with how Dwight/ Yoda helped them. 

The book ends with step-by-step instructions for folding your own origami Yoda. Ten-years-ago, I had a student who was a fan of the book and folded an army of origami Yodas. 

If you enjoy this book, there are five more books in the series to laugh your way through. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Rivals by Tommy Greenwald

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Rivals by Tommy Greenwald. 320 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, March 23, 2021. 9781419748271.

Happy Wednesday TMS Readers! I hope that you're settling in nicely to your new method of instruction. For me, each day seems to be presenting fewer challenges. Waiting on Wednesday features a new book coming in 2021 by one of my favorite authors. Back in 2011, Tommy Greenwald made his MG debut with a hilarious book called, Charlie Joe Jackeson's Guide to Not Reading. it was the story of Charlie Joe and how he actually made it to sixth grade without ever finishing a book. But, in sixth grade, his strategies are failing him. This illustrated novel features a charming slacker, short chapters and a fast pace. It was followed by four or so more books in the series.

Rivals releases on March 23, 2021 and here's the publisher synopsis: "From the author of the award-winning Game Changer comes a new novel about two student-athletes searching for stardom, a young reporter searching for the truth, and a crosstown basketball rivalry that goes too far."

While you're waiting for Rivals to release, you can read the Charlie Joe Jackson series and Game Changer, a story told in texts, news articles and bedside conversations about a young football player who is in a coma.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Deep End by Jeff Kinney

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The Deep End by Jeff Kinney. Diary of a Wimpy Kid #15. 224 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, October 20, 2020. 9781419748684.

Waiting on Wednesday features The Deep End by Jeff Kinney. Yes, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series is going strong at #15. The Hefley family is hitting the road in an RV for the cross-country trip of a lifetime. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney

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Waiting on Wednesday features Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney. You may recall that Greg Hefley's best friend Rowley got his own series and book two is due to drop on August 4. Here's the publisher synopsis: From the imagination of Rowley Jefferson comes an adventure of epic proportions. Join Roland and his best friend, Garg the Barbarian, as they leave the safety of their village and embark on a quest to save Roland’s mom from the White Warlock. Will our heroes survive? Find out in Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure!

Middle Grade Monday: Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney

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Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney. Diary of a Wimpy Kid #14. 224 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, November, 2019. 9781419739033. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Middle Grade Monday features Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney. Yes, Greg and the Hefley family are back in book fourteen of a series that is still going strong and quite popular at TMS. The Hefleys find out that they've inherited some money from an aunt they hardly knew. After attending the wrong funeral, they collect their check and decide to renovate their home. Greg, of course has big dreams about all the luxurious amenities. Anyone who has lived through a home renovation knows it can be a headache at best and a nightmare at worst. Three couples I knew got divorced shortly after their own renovations! 

I guess I am mentally stuck at age eleven because I find this series hilarious. Sure, some are better than others, but Greg is so humorously self-centered. I will continue buying them and reading them as long as my students' interest remains high. That shows no sign of flagging.

Waiting on Wednesday: Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney

Image: Abrams

Wrecking Ball by Jeff Kinney. Diary of a Wimpy Kid #14. 224 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, November 5, 2019. 9781419739033.

Publisher synopsis: In Wrecking Ball, Book 14 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series—from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney—an unexpected inheritance gives Greg Heffley’s family a chance to make big changes to their house. But they soon find that home improvement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Once the walls come down, all sorts of problems start to crop up. Rotten wood, toxic mold, unwelcome critters, and something even more sinister all make Greg and his family wonder if the renovations are worth the trouble. When the dust finally settles, will the Heffleys be able to stay . . . or will they need to get out of town?

This the circulation for this series remains robust. Even I cannot wait.

Fact Friday: Rocket to the Moon by Don Brown

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Rocket to the Moon by Don Brown. 132 p. Big Ideas That Changed the World Series #1. Amulet Books/ Abrams, March, 2019. 9781419734045. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Fact Friday features Rocket to the Moon by Don Brown. Borrowing from the Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series, Rocket to the Moon is narrated by Rodman Law an aviation daredevil and arguably the first man to fly in a rocket. He covers the history of rocketry from ancient China through the moon landing in 1969 - the highs and lows, warts and all. It wasn't all noble and heroic. 

The art is gorgeous. The palette is appropriately muted, save for the brilliant red of the odd explosions. It's predominantly black, white and gray tones. Plentiful back matter consists of a timeline, a note on Rodman Law, chapter notes, an extensive bibliography an Author's Note and an index. 

A promising start to a new series. No graphic novel collection would be complete without Rocket to the Moon. I can't wait to see which "big idea" is next! 

Middle Grade Monday and Review: Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal by Jeff Kinney

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal by Jeff Kinney. 218 p. Amulet/ Abrams, April, 2019. 97819740275. (Review of purchased finished copy.)

Middle Grade Monday features Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal by Jeff Kinney. Greg Hefley's long-suffering best friend gets his own book but not the spotlight because of course, Greg is mad and jealous. He tries to convince Rowley to make his journal a biography of Greg. Rowley tries. He naively relates stories of memorable times he had at the hands of with his best pal. Fans of the series already know how long-suffering Rowley is. They won't be disappointed with this spin-off.

I've always had mixed emotions about this series. I knew from book one, this would be a hit with my students and am thrilled that they love the books literally to pieces. I love that students who identify as non-readers are faithful fans. I think that Kinney really nails middle school drama. I also think Greg is a bit of a, um, jerk. (That wasn't my initial word of choice.) That said, there are jerks in middle school, so kudos to Kinney for depicting them. Greg also seemed to mature a tad as the series went on. In this book, he's back in jerk-mode. Instead of thinking it humorous, I found it somehow sort of sad and was sadder still at Rowley's naiveté. But, I'm an old fart and the kids won't notice. They are reading! A win.

Waiting on Wednesday: Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal by Jeff Kinney

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal by Jeff Kinney. 224 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, April 9, 2019. 9781419740275.

Publisher synopsis: Get ready for a whole new look into Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid! Introducing the newest Wimpy Kid author—Rowley Jefferson! Rowley’s best friend Greg Heffley has been chronicling his middle-school years in thirteen Diary of a Wimpy Kid journals . . . and counting. But it’s finally time for readers to hear directly from Rowley in a journal of his own. In Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid, Rowley writes about his experiences and agrees to play the role of biographer for Greg along the way. (After all, one day Greg will be rich and famous, and everyone will want to know his life’s story.) But Rowley is a poor choice for the job, and his “biography” of Greg is a hilarious mess. Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson’s Journal offers readers a new way to look at the Wimpy world—one fans won’t want to miss!

This should be fun! 

ETA: I scheduled this post two Wednesdays ago. Later that day, a newsletter from Abrams popped into my email with a link to this cute trailer. 

Teen Tuesday and Arc Review: The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters

The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters. 362 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, April 16, 2019. 9781419733628. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

The author imagines the master of the macabre as a teen who is eager to leave his foster father's house to attend the University of Virginia. The chapters alternate POV between Edgar Allan Poe and Lenore, his muse. Readers somewhat familiar with Poe's works and his life will get a kick out of the many Easter eggs sprinkled throughout; but such knowledge is not necessary to enjoy the story. 

Winters does a great job of transporting readers back to the antebellum south and depicting Poe as a sensitive, angsty teen who has had a great deal of tragedy in his young life. Lenore's POV is eerie and mysterious. Is she real? Is she a figment of Poe's imagination? If so, how do the townsfolk see and fear her? 

The Raven's Tale is atmospheric, vivid, compelling and intriguing. Impeccably researched with notes on Poe's life and works following the narrative. These notes put things nicely in context for young adult readers and might inspire further reading. 

The cover is absolutely gorgeous. I'd be very interested in re-reading this as an audiobook. I wonder if there are plans for one. The Raven's Tale is a must-read for any fan of Poe's works, for fans of horror or gothic novels or for potential fans of the inventor of the mystery genre.