Middle Grade Monday: School Dance

* Book 3 in the Brinkley Yearbook series * 

The Snowball Soiree is fast approaching and Milo is nervous. Whenever he dances, something bad happens. While he wants to go, he doesn't think that he should. His father is a great dance and tries to help. Taking dance lessons might work - but the only person who can take him is his grandmother who's not supposed to drive without one of his parents. Keeping secrets is making him more stressed. Can he relax and find his rhythm?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - there's a lot of drama and friendship. There's even a little romance. I loved the group of friends. I loved Milo's grandmother and her desire for freedom, even though it's hard. She made me miss my grandmother! I loved their relationship. I loved how everything turned out. I hope there are many more books in this series.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

 Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school or public library. 

Middle Grade Monday: Offside

With the World Cup happening, I'm highlighting a soccer graphic novel out tomorrow

The soccer team at the middle school has gone co-ed and not everyone is happy about it. 

1. Nicky fought for the opportunity to try out. Her friends are mad that she left the girls' team. She wants to play professionally.

2. Al, the team captain, is NOT happy to play with girls. 

3. His father makes a bunch of comments to his family about how girls shouldn't play soccer. 

4. Palmer gets injured off the field and it out for the season

5. Fabiola and Seba are new to school and speak Spanish but not much English

6. Their coach is excited about this team

Can they find a way to play together?

My Thoughts: This graphic novel has a lot going on. There is both Spanish and English text, which is cool. I loved the coach and how he was inspired by Ted Lasso. The misogyny and bullying in this book made me angry - but I did enjoy how it all worked out. The characters made a lot of mistakes. I didn't agree with many of the choices, but I enjoyed their problem-solving skills. I really liked the storyline with Palmer as a journalist and meeting an adult journalist. There wasn't one central character, which I enjoyed. This graphic novel is perfect for any reader; there's something for everyone here. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: This is a great sports graphic novel with ALL the drama - a must have book for school and public libraries.

Holiday Book Gift Ideas: Middle Grade Books

 

Each year, I share an annual list of books I've read this year that would make great gifts. I read a LOT of books, so I separate them so that the lists are not huge.

Today I'm talking about Middle Grade Books. I classify these books as middle school books - which is not always the same as how the publishers classify them. 

Graphic Novels:

Happy Shopping.

Middle Grade Graphic Novel Review: Mia and Friends

Mia Hamm became the face of Women's Soccer - this graphic novel shares her story: from the first moment she touched a soccer ball to the 1999 Women's World Cup final. 

She (and her teammates) inspired a generation of women. She didn't give up; her work ethic was amazing.

I love how this graphic novel shares the history of that women's soccer team, and how they exploded into popularity. They made women's soccer exciting.

    

There are two pieces after the story ends:

1. update on players today

2. how the women fought for a won equal pay (honestly, this could have been its own graphic novel)

It's important to see the history so we can see how far we have come. 

Middle Grade Review: Sink or Swim

Ty's headed off to camp with his best friends. His cast just came off his arm and it should be a great summer. But it's not because:

1. Anxiety rears its ugly head

2. Body Issues - not being able to swim changed his body

3. Friendship drama 

But there's also:

1. Building a Boat

2. Making new friends

3. RPG moments

This graphic novel has a lot to unpack, but it's also really good. I loved how there are good moments and bad moments. I liked the depiction of anxiety. And it was really brave of Ty to ask for help. I love that the counselor didn't know what to say, but came back with more information. I think that's an important piece - everyone's learning and now one has all the answers. 

Holiday Gift Ideas: Middle Grade

Each year, I share an annual list of books I've read this year that would make great gifts. I read a LOT of books, so I separate them so that the lists are not huge.

Today I'm talking about Middle Grade Books. I classify these books as middle school books - which is not always the same as how the publishers classify them. 

Middle Grade

* There is a brief scary moment about the dog, but the dog is fine. 

Middle Grade Graphic Novels:

Nonfiction: