Middle Grade Review: The Beautiful Game

 

Valeria has an unusual life. She lives with her grandparents. She's in contact with her father, who rarely comes to visit. She's a soccer star; she plays on the boys' team. They've had a great season and they're heading to the play-offs. Her grandfather coaches the team. Some of the boys on the team are her best friends. 

But everything changes during a game when she gets her period. She misses much of the game as the blood seeps through her underwear and shorts. Her grandmother is out of the country visiting family. Her aunt is very sick. One of the parents helps her out, telling her want to do with the pad. The team loses the game.

Valeria is angry and sad. But she never would have believed they would kick her off the team. She's their best player. Also she's devastated that neither her grandfather nor her friends spoke up in her defense. She's heartbroken.

My Thoughts: I really loved this book.  I wanted to wrap Valeria up in a hug. She seemed so lost most of the time, but she's also prickly too. There were so many layers: family drama, period drama, friendship drama, sports drama, and becoming comfortable in your own skin. I really loved reading how Valeria (Magic) struggled her way through finding her place in the world with friendships, with her family, and with her soccer team. There's lots of soccer in this book, but it's mixed with plenty of drama to keep middle grade readers happy. 

Cover Thoughts: powerful

Source: My Library

Why I read it: I love girl sports books

Library Recommendation: A fantastic book with so many layers. This is a must have book for school and public libraries.

Hand this to: Readers who love sports and readers who love drama

Middle Grade Review: The Trouble with Sunshine

 

Dorani lives her life boldly. She's been sent to the principal's office for bringing a banned book, Anne Frank's Diary. She called her mother to meet her, but her mother never shows up. Instead, she dies on the side of the road. It's just been Dorani and her mother. Her estranged aunt shows up and takes Dorani home. 

Dorani's used to the city life as she lives in Miami. Her aunt lives on a ranch in the middle of no where - in Wyoming. Her aunt is used to caring for horses, not children. On the first day, Dorani gets locked out of the house and finds the barn.

Inside the barn, there a horse who is also grieving. Sunshine lost her family too. Dorani hasn't been around horses before, she Sunshine is easy to talk to. Sunshine responds to her. Can they use each other to help heal themselves?

My Thoughts: I felt so bad for Dorani - she felt that it was her fault her mother died. She was ripped away from her hometown, her friends and family to live in a place that's wildly different. I wanted to give her a hug. I love how she and her aunt struggled to find their connections. I loved how Dorani made friends and how she stood up for them in her new school. The new school assumed that she didn't speak English - which is not cool, but I admired how she handled it. I love how things turned out. 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Why I read this: Honestly, the cover sold me. I love horse books

Source: My Library

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

Hand this book to: Horse girls but also any student who needs a warm hug