“I sucked in a mouthful of smoky, spicy air and held it in a while I lay on the ground. It was full of all
Category: Book Reviews – Middle Grade
2020 Codas: Gifts and a Review
As 2020 ended, three picture books were given to me and I also read Gary Paulsen’s unusual memoir of his early years, written for 8
LET THE 2020 WRITERS’ RUMPUS REVIEW BEGIN
Happy Holidays to one and all in what has been the most tumultuous year many of us have ever experienced. As 2020 draws to a close (phew!), at least one thing remains unchanged: it’s time once again for the annual Writers’ Rumpus Review!
MG Book Review: The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher
For over a decade, Catherine Fisher, author of the New York Times-bestselling INCARCERON duology, has been a firm fixture of young adult fantasy. Now, Fisher
ON A GOOD HORSE
by Darby Karchut Released November 2020 by Owl Hollow Press, Utah Alex Nash is supposed to be living in Los Angeles with his mother, playing
Interview with Summer Rachel Short, debut author of The Mutant Mushroom Takeover
The book is a lightly spooky STEM novel that features eleven-year-old aspiring naturalist, Maggie, and her conspiracy theorist/YouTuber best friend, Nate, who have to solve the mystery surrounding a strange glow-in-the-dark fungus that’s spreading through their small town. Kirkus Reviews called the book, “packed to the gills with fun.”
Book Review: wild girl
The difference between wild and crazy? Preparation.
INTERVIEW: Author Josh Roberts Talks Writing Frights & Spooky Sequels
Author Josh Roberts talks about recent success and the thrilling, chilling and sometimes painful experience of writing a second book.
Book Review: The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Haley Chewins
The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Haley Chewins is a mystical middle-grade novel that celebrates the importance of family, resilience, and belonging. Chewins masterfully builds
Interview of Cheryl Schuermann, Author of A Boy Called Preacher, Plus Giveaway!
A Boy Called Preacher by Cheryl Schuermann is a middle-grade historical fiction novel that celebrates resilience, the childhood call to uncover mysteries, and the power
Middle Grade Book Review: The Unready Queen (The Oddmire #2) by William Ritter
A fast-paced fantasy adventure about a family, a goblin, and a world whose magic is slowly dying…
Middle Grade Book Review: The Elephant’s Girl by Celesta Rimington
The Elephant’s Girl by Celesta Rimington (Random House, May 2020) is a charming middle grade novel that explores the nature of family, friendship, and honoring
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
The cover of Song for a Whale drew me in like a moth to flame: the outline of a young girl, standing with her arms outstretched on a pier, conducting a song for the whale below. Immediately, questions swirled in my head! Why is she there? How did she get there? Can the whale hear her? I was hooked before reading the first page.
Don’t judge a book by its topic: An MCBA Post
January 2020 has arrived and I can’t wait to vote for my favorite MCBA book! For those who don’t live in Massachusetts, or who don’t
Spot the Differences Between These Two Books
What better way to lift someone’s spirits than with the unexpected gift of a beautifully rendered classic like BLACK BEAUTY, written by Anna Sewell with breathtaking illustrations by Christian Birmingham.
The Writers’ Rumpus 2019 Review
With so many wonderful Writers’ Rumpus posts to choose from, it’s always a delightful challenge to decide which to include in my annual review.
