Middle Grade Review: On Guard

Grace isn't excited about 7th grade, especially since she and her BFF ended their friendship. She's also stuck between her parents' divorce. Grace doesn't know how to connect to her mother. She lives most of the time with her father, but she's forced to spend time with her mother too.

Her father asks her to join a club. Grace isn't sure what club to join, but she has been watching the fencing club for a week while she eats lunch. There she meets a friend. Could she have found her place?

My Thoughts: This was a great graphic novel; I read it in one sitting. I felt so bad for Grace and the situation with her mom. I did like how things turned out. Her Dad was sweet and kind. I really liked Ash. This was a great sports graphic novel with lots of drama.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: ARC sent for review

Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries

Hand this to: readers who like sports books and books about drama.

* This book comes out tomorrow

Middle Grade Review: It's All or Nothing, Vale

 

Vale used to be a champion fence; she might have been on her way to the Olympics. But a bike crash ruined her leg. Not she's desperately trying to make a comeback. But things aren't working out. Most days her leg really hurts. Some days she can push past the pain. She's not sure who she is without fencing. Will her life ever be the same again?

My Thoughts: Vale is working through the emotions of her accident; most importantly grief and anger. She wishes that life hadn't changed. I wanted to wrap her up in a hug as she struggled through her emotions. She worried about friendships, about the word disabled, and about family dramas. This novel in verse worked through my emotions; it was a powerful read.

Cover Thoughts: Powerful

Source: My Library

Why I Read this Book: The summary peaked my interest

Library Recommendation: A really great book for your school and public library