#tbt: The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart

Image: Scholastic Inc.

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart. 240 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., January, 2015. (Own)

#tbt features The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart. Twelve-year old Mark had plans to climb Mount Rainer with his grandpa. When his grandpa died and Mark learned that the cancer he has been battling since kindergarten has returned, he decides to make that trip with his dog, Beau. He packs some cash, a camera and a notebook and sets out on the 200+ miles to the mountain. The only person who knows about Mark's plans is his best friend, Jessie, whom he has sworn to secrecy.

This first-person narration alternates with half-chapters from Jessie's POV as she struggles to keep Mark's secret. Suspense is high as Mark's quest is not "after-school special," but filled with danger from both humans and the elements. Suspension of belief is required, though middle school readers won't notice. Students who love adventure as well as students who love dog stories will be riveted. 

The Honest Truth was Mr. Gemeinhart's debut novel. At that time, he was still working as a school librarian. He has published six additional novels and has a forthcoming picture book.

#tbt: The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

Image: Scholastic

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke. 368 p. The Chicken House/ Scholastic Inc. 2002. 0439404371 (Own)

#tbt is a recommendation by a rising sixth grader. Esther recommends The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke. Funke is known as the "J.K. Rowling of Germany." The Thief Lord was originally published in Germany in 2000. It was translated and published in the U.S. in 2002. It is the story of two brothers. Prosper and Bo are orphans who have run away to Venice. They fall in with a gang of orphans who live in an abandoned theater. They are led by a shadowy teen named Scipio. This work of magically realism is suspenseful and atmospheric. It was adapted for film in 2006.

Thanks Esther!

Middle Grade Monday and Arc Review: Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo

Image: Candlewick Press

Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo. 256 p. Candlewick Press, September 24, 2019. 9780763694647. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)

Happy Monday TMS readers! How's your summer reading going as we head into the second week of summer break?

Middle Grade Monday features Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo. Fans of DiCamillo first met Beverly in Raymie Nightingale. She became Raymie's friend along with Louisiana Elefante. You may remember that Louisiana got her own story from a past Middle Grade Monday featuring Louisiana's Way Home. Now it's Beverly's turn. 

Beverly may talk tough but she has a tender heart. She has buried Buddy, her beloved dog, under an orange tree in her backyard and is running away from a mother who might not even notice she's gone. She hitches a ride with a creepy cousin and ends up in a beach town, where she finds a job bussing tables in a fish restaurant. She bunks with a friendly, little, old lady in a trailer park. 

She doesn't want to make connections, but she does. 

This brief, beautiful novel brims with heart and is filled with memorable characters and absolutely lovely writing. Beverly is the prickliest of the Three Rancheros. In Beverly, Right Here, readers will grow to appreciate and love her. Beverly's life is complicated and will probably never be easy, but there is hope.

Beverly, Right Here is due out September 24 giving you time to read Raymie Nightingale and Louisiana's Way Home!

Middle Grade Monday and Audiobook Review: The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman. Unabridged downloadable e-audiobook, ~4 hours. Read by the author. Listening Library/ Penguin Random House/ February, 2019. 9781984845108. (Review of e-audiobook downloaded from public library. Own hardcover.)

Middle Grade Monday features The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman. This first-person novel takes place in Chennai, India and is written as a series of letters from Vigi to her sister, Rukku. When their abusive father turns his anger on Rukku, who is developmentally disabled, and slaps her, Vigi gathers some food and a few belongings and runs away with her sister. There are very few prospects for the girls in the streets of Chennai and many dangers. Luckily, they fall in with two boys who are willing to share their space under an abandoned bridge and show them how to garbage pick. The four form a close-knit family until disaster strikes.

Readers will ache for these children from the start and quickly become invested in their story. This slim novel packs a punch. It's quite an impressive debut! I expect it will grace a number of year-end best lists and be discussed in a variety of committees. 

The author's performance was understated, perfectly paced  and absolutely lovely. Both the book and audio belong in every library.