Middle Grade Review: Tear This Down

Freya has always loved her hometown; but everything changes on the first history assignment in seventh grade. When researching primary documents, Freya discovers that the founding father of the town was sexist. He didn't believe that women should vote or go to school. Reading his words anger Freya. She no longer believes he's worthy of the town respect. In fact, maybe they should tear his statue down in the middle of the town. When Freya and a new friend share their idea, not everyone supports them. In fact, some people are downright rude. Not even her parents think it's a good idea...

My Thoughts: I really loved this book - it also made me really angry (in the best possible way). I loved how Freya had opinions on everything: from the books read in class to crafting classes. I really admired how Freya stood up for her beliefs; she was determined to share them and not be quiet.  I wasn't that brave at her age. I felt bad for Freya. I wanted to give her a giant hug. I loved her new friendship with Callie.  I loved how Freya researched more and found Suffragists in the town's history. Of course I loved Mai, the librarian who helped them find resources and shared ideas. I loved how this book ended; I can't say too much without spoilers... 

Barbara Dee is one of my favorite middle grade writers. I can't wait to see what she writes next. 

Cover Thoughts: Amazing.

Source: Book sent for review

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

Middle Grade Review: Medusa

When Ava deals with a bully at school, her mom decides it's time for her and her brother to attend boarding school. Suddenly they are both whisked off Venice. There, they learn they are descendants of Greek monsters, not heroes. 

Ava's thriving at the school. All her knowledge of mythology has paid off. Now she's getting more praise than her brother. But all that changes when she meets the goddess Athena. 

The Accademia isn't quite what it seems. When someone threatens Ava's friend, she's ready to cause a scene. But could protecting her friend get her expelled?

My Thoughts: It took me a little bit to get into this book, but then I was sucked in. This is a REALLY powerful story with an important message. This feminist read talks about how females lose their voice and how powerful stories can be. The Greek mythology will pull readers in, but I stayed for the friendship, the action, and the feminist twist. I love the idea that Greek mythology monsters might not have really been monsters. It seems like this could be the start of a new series and I really hope that is true. 

Cover Thoughts: Great - lots of action

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended to your school and public library

Middle Grade Review: Renegade Reporters

 

Ash and her friends used to lead the school news team. But that was last year - before they made a video of their teacher that went viral. Now, Ash is forced to watch her nemesis report the news. She doesn't think he's doing a very good job of it.

Ash and her friends decide to start their own news channel - outside of school. Convincing their parents is hard enough but coming up with news stories proves to be a little harder. Luckily, a story comes to them. And it jump starts their channel. 

Then they stumble onto a big lead, and it changes everything. Lots of research and planning goes into their next report, but the company they're going to blow the whistle on isn't making it easy. It's the same company that provides the software for the school and sponsors the news program. Ash and her friends are determined to report the truth about the company - even after the company targets them. 

My Thoughts: I really loved this book for several reasons. First the reporting and desire to share news. I loved how Ash, Maya, and Brielle didn't shy away from the truth - even after things got hard. I loved their research and reading their reports. I enjoyed Ash's interactions with Harry - especially how things worked out. Ash's family was great and added in some humor. I enjoyed the conversation about privacy and think it's an important message to share. I would love to read more about these characters in a sequel... 

Cover Thoughts: Awesome

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for school and public libraries.

Other Reporter Books (YA)

Bookstagram:

On Your Radar: Don't Judge Me (46)

Title: Don't Judge Me

Author: Lisa Schroeder

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: November 10, 2020

Reasons It Should Be On Your Radar:

* Feminist Read

* School Dress Codes

* Toxic Masculinity

* Friendship

* Secrets

* Popular People

* Female Power Party

* Finding Your Voice

** ACR sent for review 

Library Recommendation: 

A must have book for your school and public libraries.

A great book to start off discussions about feminism, toxic masculinity, and finding the courage to speak up.

If You Like Pin:

Middle Grade Review: Revenge of the Red Club

Things are changing rapidly at Hawking Middle School - and not for the better. First, the newspaper will now be advised by the principle. And stories like Riley's investigation into the gluten free chicken nuggets will no longer be published.

Next, tons of girls are now being scolded for dress code violations. But the final straw for Riley is the disbanding of the Red Club. The Red Club is a support group for any girl with her period, but while it's a safe place to ask questions, it's also so much more.

With everything that's happened, Riley's ready to fight back.

My Thoughts: I loved this book. It's an important read for the feminist tones but also for finding your voice. I love how Riley's relationship with her mother developed. I enjoyed their family nightly tradition. I love how the girls and the boys came together to talk about the problems at school. I wish there was a Red Club when I was in school because the idea is amazing. I hope that girls reading this book form a club of their own. I love that periods and mensuration are normalized in this book. I loved the ending. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries

Review: Maybe He Just Likes You

When Mila receives an unwanted hug from a boy, she doesn't think too much about it. But the next day, things change. There's another hug. Comments. Knowing glances.  Mila doesn't know what's happening, but she's not happy.

As things get worse, she's not sure who to talk to. Her friends don't seem to understand. She tries to talk to the boys, but they don't stop their actions. No where seems safe.

At least, she has two weeks of karate lessons at the gym. That seems to help, but once the free classes are over, Mila's mom can't afford to send her to class.

Mila isn't sure what to do. She's only sure that she feels uncomfortable and wants it to stop. How can she make things better?

My Thoughts: Wow - this was one powerful book. I couldn't put it down. The chapters are short and pull your right along. I felt terrible for Mila - for the unwanted attention, for the hardships of her home life, and for her friends not understanding. I just wanted to give her a giant hug and tell her everything was going to be ok. I loved the ending. I loved how she took action, even though it ruined things, she finally found her voice. I loved that the teacher looked beyond everything and understood and dealt with the situation. A really well done story for the #MeToo world - because it does start young. And girls need to figure out how to deal with unwanted attention. I can't say enough about this book.

This book should be required reading for all middle grade students and this book should be talked about at length among the teachers, students, and everyone who works in a school. 

Cover Thoughts: Good
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A MUST HAVE book for your school and public libraries.

Reviews: Two Peas in a Pod

* Book 11 in the Whatever After series *

After a rough day at school, Abby has no choice but to follow her puppy and her brother into the magic mirror. They fall into the Princess and the Pea story. Abby accidentally takes the place of the princess. But Abby knows she's not the person for the job.

She also doesn't like the way they view Princesses. She believes Princesses shouldn't be passive. Abby helps create a test for the next Princess - which involves kindness, strength, and intelligence. She hopes they can crown a princess before she has to return home.

My Thoughts: I really love this series. I adored this book - for all the usual things: the friendships, the sibling relationship, and the fairy tales. But I loved this book more because of the feminist twist. I love how Abby and other females in the book decided to test any girl in the kingdom. I love how they designed the test and how they decided which attributes a princess should have. I loved the contest and seeing how everything turned out. I will forever read this series.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable. I really love these covers
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public library.

Review: Aru Shah and the End of Time

* First in a new series *

Aru doesn't have the easiest home life; her mother travels frequently. She does have a great imagination which she uses frequently. The kids at school don't appreciate her untruthfulness. They demand to see the cursed lamp. Aru's been told never to light it; it will bring destruction upon the world. But she doesn't believe it, until she lights the lamp.

Everyone around her freezes and a God is summoned. Except he's a disgraced God and therefore a pigeon. He takes Aru to meet her soul sister, one who can help her save the world. Together the three of them head off to see the Council of Guardians. But in the past, the heroes of the world have been 5 brothers. The council asks Aru and Mini to prove themselves as Pandava descendants.

Only then will they be allowed to journey to the Kingdom of Death, find the three keys, recover the weapons, and defeat the Sleeper. If they do this, they might have a chance at saving the world from the God of Destruction - but they have a limited amount of time to achieve their goals.

My Thoughts: This is the start of a four book series from Rick Riordan's new publishing line. And it's quite good. Lots of action, danger, and plot twists. I love Aru's imagination and how she uses in it in their quest. I love her interactions with Mini and how they go from strangers to sisters. I loved the pop-culture references and humor. I loved learning more about Hindu mythology. I enjoyed learning more about both girls' lives - how Mini was a little more prepared, but how they thought her brother would be the hero and how Aru wasn't prepared at all and her mother was super busy. I loved how they fought like sisters but came to understand each other. I love the twist where the Pandava descendants are girls instead of boys. I really liked how karma came into play here and the question about if people can change. I love too that first impressions aren't always accurate.  I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Charming
Source: ARC sent for review

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

Nasty Women's Middle Grade Books

This is by no means an extensive list, only a list of books that have stuck with me and recent reads. But if you're looking for feminist middle grade books (and who isn't?) this list is a good jumping off point.

You might also like my feminist picture books post and my Fierce Female YA books post.