Middle Grade Monday: Clock Hands

Vale and his family are having a hard time. He scrounges for work as best he can but without an appointment from the guild, he'll never make fair money. He can't get an appointment with the guild because he can't not purchase an entry fee.

When a stranger moves to town, he helps the family acclimate to a new town. Maestro Giuseppe wants to build a clock. His daughter will be helping him. He invites Vale to also help. Vale can't believe his good fortune. 

But he isn't sure the guilds will allow him to work. He's right to be worried. The guilds run everything and they aren't pleased. They make threats, but Vale and his friends aren't backing down. Who will win?

Why I read it: I loved Ink Girls and this is slightly connected. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book too. I love Vale and his new friends and how they stood up to the Guilds. The Guilds had too much power and they weren't using it for good. They were hurting many of the townspeople. This is a great book for a teaching tool - for historical fiction, but also unions/guilds. I loved the art in this book. I hope there are more coming in this companion series. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect 

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have for your school and public library graphic novel collection

Graphic Novel Review: Just Between Us

 

Lydia is super talented and she's smashing the competition. But she also doesn't remember why she chose figure skating. It's a lot of pressure and with the Olympics looming, she's not sure she has what it takes. When a rival starts training at her ice rink, she sees the way Elaine sparkles on the ice. Could she be the key to helping Lydia figure out her problem.

My Thoughts: I love figure skating, so I'm here for all the books. I love how these two rivals formed a friendship and began to care about each other and learn from other. And that ending! I enjoyed the soft colors with the illustrations - the yellows combined with the black.

* If you loved watching Alyssa Liu skate; read this graphic novel.

Booklists: Horse Books

 

I've always been a suck for a good horse book.

Here are a few YA and Middle Grade horse books:

YA Books:

Racing Savannah

Even If It Breaks Your Heart

Love Canter Action

Trail Rides and Starry Eyes

Middle Grade:

Canterwood Crest: Take the Reins

The Trouble with Sunshine

Horse Girl

Rose Legacy

Not pictured but I loved these graphic novels:

Middle Grade Review: Wrong Friend

One day, Charise and Casey are best friends. It didn't matter that Casey was older. But the next day, Casey ghosts Charise. Charise is heartbroken. She needs a new best friend ASAP. 

My Thoughts: Friendship break-up books are super hard to read, but they're super important. And it's hard making new friends. I wanted to give Charise a hug; she needs one. I do like how Charise tries new things - some stick and some don't. I liked the addition of Charise's grandmother and how their relationship progressed. Another winner from Frist Second

Cover Thoughts: Perfection

Source: My Library

Give this to: Readers who love Real Friends from Shannon Hale 

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your graphic novel collection

Middle Grade Review: Sugar Shack

* Book 3 in the Peapod Farm trilogy * 

Winter is here. There are a lot of chores that need doing around the farm, especially bringing in wood for the fireplace. There's so much wood to bring in. Luckily Jen has her half-sisters at times to help her. Jen still isn't sure of her place within the family. There are moments of happiness and sharp moments that make her heart ache. Will she ever get things right?

My Thoughts: This was such a fun trilogy and I'm sad that the trilogy has ended. I would have read so many of these stories. I love the moments on the farm. Winter is such fun. I loved the moments in the snow - like snow living. I used to love spending time playing in the snow as a kid. We don't get too much snow now anymore. The syrup part was cute. I love that they tapped the trees the old fashioned way and that they had a party when they had enough. The families started this trilogy fractured and getting used to each other blended well by the end. 

Why I Read This: I loved the first two books in the trilogy

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended trilogy for your school and public library

 Hand this to: readers who love drama and the outdoors

** I interviewed Lucy a few months ago, check out our conversation here. 

Graphic Novel Review: Creaky Acres

Nora loves horseback riding and competitions. She's devastated to learn that she's moving away - from her friends and her horse barn. Her new barn doesn't compete in horse shows. She isn't sure she likes her horse barn. The other riders aren't as serious. Can she find a home here?

My Thoughts: I really loved this graphic novel. Nora has a hard time adjusting to her new barn. But she does find a common ground with the other riders. I love the way they come together. I couldn't recommend this book enough. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Why I Read This: I'm still a horse girl at heart

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

Hand this book to: readers who love horses and new beginnings  

Middle Grade Review: Botticelli's Apprentice

Mella wants to be more than just a chicken girl. She would love to be an apprentice, but only boys are allowed. She's been teaching herself. Her sketches are so good that an apprentice boy steals them and passes them off as his own. 

She gets mad at him, but she gets even when she is allowed to go to the market for Botticelli. She makes a good impression in the market, but the stray dog she finds ruins her work. How can Mella prove her worth to Botticelli?

My Thoughts: I really loved this graphic novel. I loved the unexpected friendship between Mella and Datus. I loved how they started to help each other learn. I loved all the art moments; they were fascinating. While females were not allowed to do many things; I admired how Mella stood up for herself. The ending was wonderful. 

Cover Thoughts: Eye-catching

Source: My Library

Why I Read this Book: I love renaissance art

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library collections. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Graphic Novels

 This week's topic is books that include X. I've been on a graphic novel kick lately, so I'm using it to talk about graphic novels that I want to read.

Plus: 

Detective Baby: The Case of the Missing Dance Team Dollars from Meg Cabot (not cover yet).

Have you read any of these? Which should I read next?

Middle Grade Graphic Novel: Wires Crossed

 

Mia's happy when her camp friend moves to town. She can't wait to hang out with him. But Tariq becomes super popular and Mia is not. Her best friend is friends with the popular crowd and is trying to mold Mia into a clone. Mia doesn't care about boys. 

Mia is more interested in the science Olympics. She's gathered a team and they've decided to build a snake robot. Mia starts hanging out with the other girl on her team. The popular kids think she's weird, but she and Mia hit it off.  Why is middle school so hard?

My Thoughts: This was a cute graphic novel filled with all the friendship drama. There's so much going on in middle school: popularity, crushes, and figuring out who you want to be. I loved watching Mia navigate through this all. I loved the robot building moments. I loved her family - even though they were weird. They embraced it. I love how everything turned out. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public library 

Graphic Novel Review: Fresh Start

Ollie's used to moving (her dad is a diplomat) and creating a fresh start - which is great when you make a fool out of yourself. But it's also hard to keep friends when you're always moving. 

Ollie loves anime - particularly Quill. As she gets to know her classmates, she realizes that she might have judged them too soon. There are several who love anime - just like her. 

As she starts putting down roots, could everything be ripped away from her?

My Thoughts: This book was super cute. There was a lot of drama: friendship and family. Ollie's parents and her younger sister don't get along. Trouble bubbles up in the family. I love the addition of the hedgie. I really loved how the friendships developed - past and present. The illustrations are adorable. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and graphic novel

Graphic Novel Review: Chickenpox

 

Abby's friends decide they want to hang at her house - for once. They think that being surrounded by her four siblings will be fun. Abby's always looking for ways to escape the chaos of her family. The day turns out as Abby expects - her siblings ruin the fun and drive her nuts. The next day her friends are talking negatively about her - saying she acted immaturely. Abby's not sure what to do, but the next day one of her friends is home sick with the chicken pox. 

Two weeks later, Abby and all her siblings also come down with the chicken pox. They are forced to quarantine together for up to ten days. Abby can't imagine anything worse. The house is noisy and everyone is fighting. Her dad has to leave for a business trip, making her the only one that can help their mom. Abby doesn't want to be responsible for her siblings. 

My Thoughts: This was a really fun read. I felt terrible for everyone in the house. Being sick is the worst, especially afterwards when you're feeling better but you're stuck in quarantine. I only have one sister and I can't imagine have three more. Even though most of the book took place during the sickness period - there's still lots of friendship drama and family drama. This is a quick read; I read it in one sitting because I wanted to know what happened. I did like how everything turned out.

Cover Thoughts: Captures the mood of the book

Source: Book sent for review

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your graphic novel school or public library collection

Middle Grade Review: Upstaged

It's the summer before high school starts and Ash can't wait to spend the summer at camp with their best friend and crush Ivy. It's going to be amazing. But nothing turns out as planned. They're not in the same bunch. Ivy gets the lead in the play and spends much of her time learning lines and choreography. Ash starts spending their time creating a masterpiece for the stage. They're the stage manager for the production. But the more time they spend apart, the more Ash becomes cranky. Will they have any time for fun this summer?

My Thoughts: This was a great graphic novel; I loved it. As someone who worked backstage at the theater, I enjoyed those parts of the book. Ash struggled with friendships this summer. There were people in their cabin that just wanted to hang out and be friends, but Ash couldn't see it. They were too focused on how everything was terrible. I did like how everything turned out. Lots of drama here!

Cover Thoughts: Cute

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Hand this one to all your theater kids! This is a fantastic graphic novel for your library's collection.

Graphic Novel Review: Tryouts

The middle school baseball team is going for a decade of winning the championship. Al's been playing baseball for years, she's not sure that she'll be allowed to tryout for the team. But baseball is her life, and she's determined to try.

She doesn't have to fight to join the team. The coach is more than happy to give her a shot. It seems like everything is working out - until the team gets their first win. The local news channel wants to interview her. Even though Al talks about the team, that part is cut. The interview makes it seem like Al is responsible for the win. The rest of the team isn't thrilled about this. 

They keep losing and moral is at an all-time low. Even though this is a rebuilding year, they still want to win.

My Thoughts: This is the second book in the yearbook series. I love how this one centered around sports. Al was great - strong, determined, and talented. The team didn't gel, but they did have some good moments. I loved the side stories: the art club, the mascot, and the girls' basketball team. I love how the coach didn't need to be convinced to let a girl try out for the team. I admired that. I'll be honest, that wasn't where I thought the story was going. Lots of strong friendship moments in this graphic novel series. Looking forward to the next book in this series. 

Cover Thoughts: Strong

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A great graphic novel series for your school and public library collection

Middle Grade Review: Cupcake Diaries

I haven't read the book series, but these graphic novel adaptations are delightful. Of course, they make me want to bake cupcakes. This would be a club I want to join. But these books also have a serious side dealing with: friendship drama, blended families, navigating divorce, moving to a new place, money issues, and learning how to bake. Through it all, the girls can count on each other. I'm looking forward to reading more of these. 

Graphic Novel Review: Sunny Makes her Case

* Book 5 in the Sunny series *

Sunny isn't sure which club she chooses. Her friend wants to try out for cheerleading. She convinces Sunny to try out too. But Sunny doesn't make it; she doesn't have the coordination. She's just not sure what to do. But then another friend has another idea - debate club.

There is no official debate club at their school, but together they try to make it happen. It takes them time to finds an advisor, but once they do, they start practicing. Could the club become a success?

My Thoughts: I loved this one. I love how Sunny swung from cheerleading to debate club. I love how she threw herself into her new club. I really loved reading about debate prep. There were funny moments - especially with the boys who never knew about the debate team. Middle school is always hard, but graphic novels like this one makes it a little better. I'm always here for more Sunny books. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - I love the power suit!

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have series for your school and public libraries 

Top Ten Tuesday: Quick Reads

 This week's topic is quick reads or short books. I think short books really means quick reads. For me, quick reads can be graphic novels. I read a lot of these because A) they are fun and B) I want to be able to recommend them to readers at the library. Here are several that I read last year and loved.

Have you read any of these?