Middle Grade Review: Let It Glow

Aviva Davis and Holly Martin meet at a holiday pageant tryout session. 

Aviva wants to be a star, but Holly's more interested in working behind the scenes. Aviva wants to create a Hanukkah song, but she's not sure that she feels Jewish enough. While her family is Jewish, they don't celebrate. But her Bubbe insists that she is. Aviva asks her parents to celebrate Hanukkah this year. 

Holly lives with her grandfather (a famous author) and her mother. She's been waiting to go get the tree, but her mom's been busy working. Lately, her grandfather hasn't been feeling himself. Her mom is worried about him being by himself so much with her at work and Holly at school. Maybe it's time for him to move to a senior community.

Once the girls meet, it's like looking in a mirror. They're both adopted. After texting with each other for a week, they decide to switch places. Will their families notice a difference?

My Thoughts: I loved this book. I'm a huge fan of the Parent Trap, so this was right up my alley. Plus, I adore holiday stories. I loved how the twins were so alike and yet so different. I loved the texts between the two of them and how they started to get to know each other. It was so cute! I loved how they both explored Christmas and Hanukkah. I loved Aviva's siblings. I enjoyed the close moments between the two families - and how the girls escaped them. One of my favorite middle grade reads this year! 

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: Book sent for review

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

**Check out the awesome activity packet with a word search, recipes, and so much more! 

Middle Grade Review: Tegan and Sara

Tegan and Sara are twins. They just moved and are now starting middle school in a new place. Both are anxious and worried about making new friends. It takes a while for them to navigate the waters. As they start having different friends for the first time in their lives, they start to form their own identities. 

My Thoughts: Confession: I don't really know who Tegan and Sara are IRL, but I do love twin stories (Thank you Sweet Valley High). But this made me do a little research on the sisters and wow. I loved how they were growing into their own identities - even if that meant sometimes growing apart. I did have trouble telling the twins apart - but that's more of a me problem. However, I was glad when one cut her hair shorter.

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great graphic novel for your school and public library's collection.  

Review: Curse of the Phoenix

 

Zac and Lu's father is having a hard time parenting them after their mother died. He's spending them to England to spend the summer with relatives they've never met. When he leaves them at the airport, the twins are certain it's going to be the worst summer ever.

But then they discover the stories their mother told them were not just stories. The creatures from those stories are real. And their family must take care of them all - it's their curse.

For the first time ever, Zac can spend time outside - without feeling sick and miserable. Lu vows to watch over him. But the two of them get into more trouble together than apart. Will their trouble cause a rift in the family and change everything?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book - I loved how the twins had to learn about this new world bit by bit - layer by layer. I loved meeting the new creatures - even if they were harmful and a bit scary. I loved how the twins came together after being apart for so long - they were really sweet even when they were annoyed with each other. I felt bad for the family - who didn't want the curse and didn't enjoy being caretakers. I really liked the ending!

Cover Thoughts: Perfection - very eye catching 

Source: ARC sent for Review

Library Recommendation:  A great middle grade fantasy for your school and public libraries. Highly recommended.