Middle Grade Monday: Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson

Image: Penguin Random House

Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson. 192 p, Nancy Paulsen Book/ Penguin Books for Young Readers. October, 2023. Review of e-audio borrowed from public library.

Happy Monday! It has been a minute since I posted a daily book talk. I thought I had enough energy to return to school after my health travails last school year, but I truly do not. I am sad about this, because I enjoy interacting with students. I don't have the energy to do all the things that teachers do, let alone keep up with these posts, during the evenings and weekends. I take care of Boo, feed and walk him and am in bed at ridiculously early hours each night. I think I lost all my immunity while on sick leave last year!

Today's book talk is Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson. Eleven-year-old Sage is at a crossroads.. She loves to play basketball, but her friends who are girls are distancing themselves from her and her baller frienda are as well. She's trying to decide where she belongs as her Bushwick neighborhood burns down. Her mother is looking to move the family out, but Sage isn't so sure she wants to move.

This character- driven novel will make you ponder much. It is short and lyrical and touches upon the reality of many working class families.

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.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Right Call by Tommy Greenwald

Image: Author's FB Page

The Right Call by Tommy Greenwald. 272 p. Game Changer series. Abrams, April 15, 2025. 9781419772856

Oops! Wednesday is almost over and I forgot to post my Waiting on Wednesday book. Waiting on Wednesday features books that I am excited for and that will soon be published. This week features The Right Call by Tommy Greenwald. I learned about this companion novel to his Game Changer series from his Facebook page last week and am super-excited because I have enjoyed reading his books ever since Ms. Sidrow told me about his Charlie Jackson books!

The Right Call won't be out until April, but you can enjoy any of his books including the Game Changer books at TMS library before then. Here's the publisher synopsis: From award-winning author Tommy Greenwald comes a thrilling companion novel to Game Changer that explores the growing pressures in youth sports, and the lengths some parents will go to make sure their kid comes out on top

Cal Klondike’s life revolves around baseball. He’s the Walthorne Baseball Academy’s star pitcher, and everyone from his coach to his dad to the town sports blogger is telling Cal he has an unlimited future in the sport. But with all this attention comes a lot of added stress, especially as the season kicks into high gear and college and pro scouts start to show up at the games. Inevitably, tensions that have been bubbling under the surface finally boil over, culminating in a confrontation that could change Cal’s relationship to baseball forever.

Told through a combination of transcripts, articles, texts, and emails, The Right Call is a gripping, fast-paced story about our split-second decisions, facing the consequences, and the courage it takes to forgive.

Happy reading!

Middle Grade Monday: Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer L. Holm

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer L. Holm and illustrated by Matthew Holm. 224 p. Sunny Book 5. Graphix/ Scholastic Inc., February, 2024. 9781338792447. Review of finished copy borrowed from public library. 

Happy penultimate Monday of summer break! I hope to make the best of the remaining days. Middle Grade Monday features Sunny Makes Her Case by Jennifer L. Holm and illustrated by Matthew Holm. This is the fifth book in the Sunny series, which is loosely based on Ms. Holm's childhood. This graphic novel series is enormously popular at TMS. Sunny is settling into middle school, sort of. While her classmates have extracurricular activities, such as cheering, Sunny hasn't yet found hers. Then, her friend Arun talks her into starting a debate club.Sunny likes arguing, so she and Arun find an advisor. At first, it's just the two of them, and then, Sunny learns there's a lot more to debate than just arguing!

The artwork, by Matthew Holm, continues to shine. Bright colors and dynamic panels move the story along. Of course, Sunny in all her relatability continues to charm. Must purchase!

Happy reading!

#tbt: Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

Image: Scholastic

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick. 304 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., January, 2004. 9780545722865.

When I posted the Teen Tuesday review of Jordan Sonnenblick's latest book, Stepping Off, I stopped to wonder if I had read all of his books since his debut, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. Turns out, I have! As I perused the list of his books in NoveList, it hit me that Drums turned 20 in January! How did I miss noting that in a #tbt? I thought I had posted about it, but maybe I just thought about posting? I haven't exactly been on my game this past year.

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie is told from eighth grader Steven Alper's POV, opening while he's on stage for his graduation and flashing back to the beginning of the year when he thought his last year of middle school would be all about jazz band, drums and unrequited love. Instead, he also has to deal with his little brother, Jeffrey's leukemia diagnosis and treatment. What makes this cancer weepie unique, is that it is hysterically funny. Most middle school boys avoid weepies like the plague. Drums is checked out and enjoyed by both boys and girls over the last twenty years.

The cover image depicted above is the latest iteration. This is the cover of the original (and the one I read):

But, I think this is my favorite cover, especially as it complements the companion novel, After Ever After so well!

Waiting on Wednesday: Instafamous by Erika J. Kendrick

Image: LBYR

Instafamous by Erika J. Kendrick. 336 p. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, October 1, 2024. 9780316566025.

I attended a wonderful online conversation about community in middle grade fiction courtesy of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on Monday. I am so happy, because all three books are now on my book order. Ms. Kendrick is a new-to-me author and her book releases on October 1.

Waiting on Wednesday features Instafamous by Erika J. Kendrick. This book sounds like so much fun! Here's the publisher synopsis: This funny and fabulous novel about a middle school diva’s hunt for the spotlight speaks to the importance of friendship and family—even in the midst of fame. 

Lyric Whitney Houston Darby has always wanted to be famous, just like her superstar mom. So when the hottest music-competition TV show announces auditions in town, it’s her chance to compete—and maybe even score a record deal.

There are just a couple of problems: First, the show requires industry experience. This means Lyric has to audition for her school’s production of The Wiz…as if middle school musicals aren’t totally beneath her. Second, she needs to mega-boost her platform on Instagram. Fast. This show is an influencers-only event!

Luckily she has her besties at her side! Or… does she? As Lyric starts to get everything she ever wanted, her BFFs are coping with their own challenges. Will Lyric be there to lift them up, or is she about to learn the real cost of being instafamous?

This bubbly story is as wise as it is witty, reminding readers of the importance of mental health, and that what you want isn’t always what you need.

Teen Tuesday: Stepping Off by Jordan Sonnenblick

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Stepping Off by Jordan Sonnenblick. 336 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., June, 2024. 9781339023175.

Teen Tuesday features Stepping Off by Jordan Sonnenblick. Sixteen-year-old Jesse Dienstag lives on Staten Island, commutes into Manhattan to attend a prestigious public school and yearns to leave the real world for his family's vacation home in Pennsylvania each summer where he teaches tennis at the local recreation center and hangs out with his two besties, Chloe and Ava, who also happen to live on the same cul de sac as Jesse. There's a wrinkle this summer though. Jesse realizes that he is in love. With both of them. If he's being honest though, he's a bit more in love with Chloe and hopes he can maintain his best friendship with Ava. Love problems aren't the only things Jesse is facing during the summer of 2019. He's devastated to learn that his parents' marriage is in trouble, though neither one addresses the issue with him. His perfect July 4th moment with Chloe and Ava is marred by tragedy, leaving Jesse and Chloe struggling to find ways to support Ava and her sister. 

Returning to the "real world" leaves Jesse stressed and his school work suffers. He also feels a bit left behind by his city best friend, Carson, who seems to have matured over the summer. Visits to Chloe and Ava don't help. As the stress builds, the pandemic hits. 

No one does male teen angst the way Jordan Sonnenblick does. Jesse is smart, self-deprecating and a bit wise beyond his years, but so dorky and cringey, yet hilarious in his romantic misadventures. My students love Jordan's books, and I know this won't sit. Stepping Off is the perfect romance for middle school readers. 

 

#tbt: A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

Image: Author's Website

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd. 336 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., 2014.

Happy Thursday! Happy August 1! There's just a little over a month left of summer break. I am so far behind in my GR goal, it isn't even funny. Part of the reason is Helga! She takes up so much time and energy! She's coming along, but she's A LOT!

#tbt features A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd. This was Ms. Lloyd's debut and published in 2014. Twelve-year-old Felicity is tired of moving frequently. Her mother has a sad and restless heart. When they land in Midnight Gulch, Tennessee, Felicity sees possibilities. She also has the gift of seeing words in the air. It seems Midnight Gulch has lost its magic. Can she and her new friend, Jonah help the town break its curse and can Felicity get Mama to settle down and stay for a while?

A Snicker of Magic was an E.B. White Read Aloud Honor book, an ALA Notable book, a New York Times Editor's Pick, and an NPR Best Book of 2014. Ms. Lloyd's subsequent books are: The Key to Extraordinary, Over the Moon, The Problim Children series, Hummingbird, and her forthcoming The Witching Wind, which I reviewed yesterday.

Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: Out of My Dreams by Sharon Draper

Image: Simon & Schuster

Out of My Dreams by Sharon Draper. 320 p. Atheneum/ Caitlyn Dlouhy Books/ Simon & Schuster, September 3, 2024. 9781665949545

Thanks to the Simon & Schuster Fall Preview for the inspiration for Waiting on Wednesday! I had no idea a new Melody book was coming! Waiting on Wednesday features Out of My Dreams by Sharon Draper. Ms. Draper's earlier books about Melody, Out of My Mind and Out of My Heart are TMS favorites! Out of My Dreams will release on September 3, so mark your calendars!

Here's the publisher's synopsis: Melody flies to London to speak at a convention about differently abled kids in this stunning sequel to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle grade novels Out of My Mind and Out of My Heart.

When Melody saves an elderly back-in-the-day actress’s life, the woman is so grateful—and impressed by Melody—that she nominates Melody to be a US spokesperson at an international symposium for kids with different abilities. To Melody’s utter shock and delight, she and two friends of her choice are chosen to participate—and this year’s symposium is in England!

Melody finally gets to fly on an airplane, and even the airline’s somewhat clumsy handling of her wheelchair can’t dampen her excitement to be in London. There, Melody meets kids from all over the world who are rallying for greater accessibility and more thoughtful planning on how to make the world more equal for every kid, no matter the unusual challenges they face. As Melody’s time to speak approaches, she hopes she can find a way to make every word count and make an impact.

Oh! Keep an eye on the Disney+ line-up. Out of My Mind has been made into a feature film, but the release date is not yet known. Happy reading!

#tbt: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Oops! I just realized that I never pushed the publish button on this one from last week!

Photo of own book

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. 414 p. Hyperion Books/ Disney, May, 2005.

#tbt features The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Posting about the new Percy Jackson series yesterday last week, where Percy is a senior and applying to college, made me think about when I first met Percy back in May of 2005.

The book opens with a bang as Percy has to defend himself against his algebra teacher during a class trip to The Met. It turns out she's really a Fury and the gods of Olympus are angry with him. He also learns that his headmaster and best friend are not who he thought they were and his mother finally comes clean about who his father is.

Mr. Riordan taught grade seven and made up stories based on Greek mythology at the request of his son, who suffered from ADHD. The success of the series enabled him to quit teaching and, over the ensuing nearly twenty years, has published over thirty books for young people. He also has an imprint at Disney books, where he nurtures the talents of diverse authors.

The cover of the The Lightning Thief has had several iterations. My personal, first-edition copy is pictured above. Which is your favorite Rick Riordan series? Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: Wrath of the Temple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Image: Disney

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Temple Goddess by Rick Riordan. 288 p. Disney/ Hyperion, September 24, 2024. 

Percy Jackson books are a perennial favorite at TMS. Here's the publisher synopsis of the next one, due on September 24.

In his continuing quest to earn college recommendation letters from the gods, Percy has to pet sit the goddess Hecate’s polecat and giant mastiff during Halloween week. What could go wrong?

Rick Riordan’s newest Percy Jackson adventure is full of hilarious set pieces, a diverse cast of gods and monsters, and many other delightful tricks and treats.

Percy Jackson, now a high school senior, needs three recommendation letters from the Greek gods in order to get into New Rome University. He earned his first one by retrieving Ganymede’s chalice. Now the goddess Hecate has offered Percy another “opportunity”—all he has to do is pet sit her polecat, Gale, and mastiff, Hecuba, over Halloween week while she is away. Piece of cake, right?

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover settle into Hecate’s seemingly endless mansion and start getting acquainted with the fussy, terrifying animals. The trio has been warned not to touch anything, but while Percy and Annabeth are out at school, Grover can’t resist drinking a strawberry-flavored potion in the laboratory. It turns him into a giant frenzied goat, and after he rampages through the house, damaging everything in sight, and passes out, Gale and Hecuba escape. Now the friends have to find Hecate’s pets and somehow restore the house, all before Hecate gets back on Saturday. It’s going to take luck, demigod wiles, and some old and new friends to hunt down the animals and set things right again.

Teen Tuesday and Arc Review: When We Flew Away: a Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary by Alice Hoffman

Image: Scholastic

When We Flew Away: a Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary by Alice Hoffman. 304 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., September 17, 2024. 9781338856941. Review of arc courtesy of publisher.

Happy Tuesday! Teen Tuesday features When We Flew Away: a Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary by Alice Hoffman. This work of historical fiction won't be out until September 17, but I was sent an arc (advance reader copy) from the publisher. Ms. Hoffman, who mostly writes novels for an adult audience, imagines Anne Frank's life from 1940 to the family's move to the annex.

The Frank family had moved from Germany to the relative safety of Amsterdam, while trying to get papers to leave Europe altogether. Anne dreamt of moving to California to be near the movie stars. She loved her Montessori school and her sister, Margot, though she felt she, as a loud child who tended toward bossiness, paled in comparison to perfect, passive Margo.

As country after country falls to the Nazi, Anne holds out hope that the Netherlands will be spared. Young adult readers already know the outcome. 

Ms. Hoffman worked with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam to weave a fascinating story. She writes in her Afterword about the impact reading Anne Frank's diary had on her when she was a teen. This imagining starts out a bit slow, but Ms. Hoffman paints a vivid, believable picture. 

My one nit has to do with the statement at the beginning of chapter twelve, where Ann "woke at six, but she made herself stay in bed until daylight flickered through the window." I am an early riser and love when it is light at five in the weeks leading up to the summer solstice and beyond. I looked it up, sunrise was at 5:18 AM on 6/12/1942, Anne's thirteenth birthday. I don't believe many, if any teen readers will notice. 

Happy reading!

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!

#tbtt: Shattering Glass by Gail Giles

Image: Macmillan Publishers

Shattering Glass by Gail Giles. 240 p. Square Fish/ Macmillan. (Own)

Oops! Almost forgot #tbt TMS Readers! Thanks to the storms last night for the slightly cooler temps. I got into my overgrown and weedy garden. Helga looked on.

#tbt features Shattering Glass by Gail Giles. This debut is a dark, dark look at bullies and bullying and is best suited for mature teen readers. Simon Glass is a nerd who is in the crosshairs of a popular group of alpha males. Suddenly, they decide to adopt Simon and make him "popular." As Simon becomes popular, he develops some ideas of his own, which goes against the clique. Will they put up with it or will Simon pay?

Shattering Glass was published in 2002 and was named a YALSA Best Book. Click on this link to Ms. Giles' website for a peek inside the inspiration for the novel. Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: Mouse and His Dog (Dogtown, Book 2) by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

Image: Macmillan Publishers

Mouse and His Dog (Dogtown, Book 2) by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. Illustrated by Wallace West. 336 p. Feiwel & Friends/ Macmillan, September 17, 2024. 9781250345004.

Happy Wednesday! And the heat goes on here in northern NJ! I am limiting the amount of time my dogs are outside and trying to stay off the hot, hot, hot pavement. Waiting on Wednesday features Mouse and His Dog by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. 

From the publisher: Mouse lives in Dogtown, a shelter for real dogs and robot dogs, where the kibble is plentiful, and the rafters hide a secret community of mice. His unlikely best friend is Buster, a big-hearted real dog who attracts trouble like a burr to fur.

Determined to help Buster find his forever home, even if means losing his best pal, Mouse embarks on a bold quest with three of Dogtown’s “unadoptables”: Buster, Stewie--a huge, lovable dog whose ex-owner said he was mean, and Smokey--a robot dog hardwired with a smoke alarm he can’t control.

But Mouse is just a mouse, and the world is big and complicated. How’s a little guy supposed to find homes for the dogs he loves?

DogTown is a TMS favorite and I just know my students will clamor for this installment. It's due out on September 17.

Middle Grade Monday: The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln

Image: Penguin Random House

The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln. 256 p. Dial Books for Young Readers/ Penguin Young Readers, July 30, 2024. 9780593617663. Review of arc courtesy of publisher.

Happy Monday! The temps continue to sizzle her in northern NJ, but not as bad as some locales in the U.S.! Middle Grade Monday features The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln. Twins Page and Turner Reed love the New York Public Library and reading better than anything in their home town of New York City. It's a good thing they are pragmatic and self-sufficient because their parents are usually traveling for business and their nanny often leaves them alone. Page decides to smuggle their dad's first edition of Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula out of the apartment in order to get the book appraised by one of the librarians. Unfortunately, it goes missing! Their father will not be happy if they don't get it back. The two enlist the aid of Ms. Literati, the Night Librarian, who's tasked with managing and containing the mysterious vandalism that is happening at the library almost nightly.

This pun filled debut graphic novel has something for every reader. It's action-packed and fast-paced featuring the relatable to the fantastic; from sibling rivalry to villains who are breaking free from their books to wreak havoc.

I read an arc (advance reader copy), so most of the art was unfinished. Sample finished pages featured hues of blue and varied panel placement that engages. This should appeal to a wide range of readers. It's out on July 30 and on my book order for my school's library. I can't wait to reread the finished book. Happy reading!

#tbt: Notes from a Liar and Her Dog by Gennifer Choldenko

Notes from a Liar and Her Dog by Gennifer Choldenko. 216 p. Putnam's, 2001.

#tbt features Notes from a Liar and Her Dog by Gennifer Choldenko. This was Ms. Choldenko's debut middle grade novel and was published in 2001. Twelve-year-old Antonia MacPherson (Ant) is convinced she's adopted. She's a middle child, stuck between two perfect sisters and everyone in her family is blond with light complexion. So she writes letters to her "real" parents and she lies. She cares about two beings, her elderly dog, Pistachio and her best friend, Harrison. She's prickly and holds everyone at arm's length until her art teacher, "Just Carol" tries to break through Ant's facade. Ant's first-person narration will make readers alternately laugh-out-loud and cringe, especially when her lies become dangerous.

Notes from a Liar and Her Dog was named a School Library Journal best book. Her next book, Al Capone Does My Shirts was published in 2004 and won a Newbery Honor. She's written three sequels to Al Capone Does My Shirts as well as picture books and other novels. She and Katherine Applegate are co-authors of Dogtown, which is the first book in the Dogtown series. Happy reading!

Waiting on Wednesday: Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus

Image: Penguin Random House

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus. 400 p. Delacorte Press/ Random House Children's Books, July 30, 2024. 9780593900741. 

Happy Wednesday. Oh dear me, it is so hot! Too hot to take the dogs for any kind of a long walk. They are lying on the tile floor trying to stay cool. Waiting on Wednesday features Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus. Ms. McManus is a favorite author among seventh and eighth graders at TMS, with her book, One of Us is Lying in constant demand. Such Charming Liars will be published on July 30, so you don't have long to wait! 

Here's the publisher synopsis: The newest mystery from the author One of Us Is Lying, the Queen of thrillers, Karen M. McManus! When mother-daughter grifters set out on their final job, the heist gets deadly and dangerously personal.

For all of Kat’s life, it’s just been her and her mother, Jamie—except for the forty-eight hours when Jamie was married and Kat had a stepbrother, Liam. That all ended in an epic divorce, and Kat and Liam haven’t spoken since.

Now Jamie is a jewel thief trying to go straight, but she has one last job—at billionaire Ross Sutherland’s birthday party. And Kat has figured out a way to tag along. What Kat doesn’t know, though, is that there are two surprise guests at the dazzling Sutherland compound that weekend. The last two people she wants to run into. Liam and his father—a serial scammer who has his sights set on Ross Sutherland’s youngest daughter.

Kat and Liam are on a collision course to disaster, and when a Sutherland dies, they realize they might actually be in the killer’s crosshairs themselves. Somehow Kat and Liam are the new targets, and they can’t trust anyone—except each other.

Or can they? Because if there’s one thing both Kat and Liam know, it’s how to lie. They learned from the best.

I love a good heist story. This one reminds me a bit of Thieves Gambit by Kavion Lewis. 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.

#tbt: Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

Image: Simon & Schuster

Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs. 304 p. FunJungle #1. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, May, 2010. 9781416987314. Own.

Oops! Happy Thursday! I hope you had a terrific Fourth of July. I have been busy getting ready to take in a foster dog. She's coming tomorrow and you will definitely hear more about her in the coming days. I'm excited. Not so sure about Boo, though. He's going to have to learn to share.

#tbt features Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs. Mr. Gibbs is definitely a TMS favorite. His Spy School novels are constantly checked out, but did you know that he has several other series? Belly Up is book one of his FunJungle series and was his debut, publishing in 2010, two years before the publication of his first Spy School book.

Twelve-year-old Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt Fitzroy has just moved to Texas with his zoologist parents from Africa. In Africa, he was homeschooled and everyday was an adventure. At FunJungle, where his parents have just been hired? Not so much. That is, until the irrascible mascot of the theme park, Henry Hippo, turns up dead under mysterious circumstances. The list of suspects is long and Teddy is determined to find justice for Henry. The action is fast-paced and over-the-top - think, Home Alone visits an amusement park. Teddy's first-person narration is sassy and hilarious.