It has been over a month since the last time I joined Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee from Unleashing Readers to share all of the reading I've done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. December was busy because I helped to determine the finalists for the middle grade category in the Cybils competition. Congratulations to Amina's Voice, Armstrong and Charlie, Caleb and Kit, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus, Refugee, Restart, and The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora for making it through to the next round of judging. I will be looking forward to seeing which of these wonderful books is announced as the winner on February 14. Make sure to check out the finalists in all the other categories here.
The other big thing that happened is that we added a new member to our family. Meet Mookie, our 3 years old schnoodle. We rescued her from a pound over December vacation.
Here's what I read this month:
Middle Grade
Middle graders will love this new book from Elly Swartz, which releases next month. Frankie lives with her dad and her grandmother in a bed & breakfast. Her job is to make sure their guests have fresh cookies to eat at night. When people stop coming to the bed & breakfast because of rumors of ghosts, Frankie and her friend Elliott set out to investigate. As they learn more about the ghosts and the history of the bed & breakfast, Frankie is also working on a school project with her old best friend turned enemy, and did I mention that she is trying to find herself a new mom? This book is full of heart, family relationships, friendship, and cookies.
This book was added to my TBR list because it has been very popular with my students. Once I started it, I completely understood why. A historical fiction novel in verse, Inside Out & Back Again tells the story of Ha, a young girl living in Vietnam with her mother and brothers right before the fall of Saigon. Her family is able to flee on a ship to America and is sponsored by a farmer in Alabama. But life in Alabama is full new challenges and many people in Ha's new town are not ready to welcome a family from Vietnam. Based on the author's experience, Inside Out and Back Again is definitely a must read.
I was so excited to finally read the second book in the Greenglass House series. Milo and Meddy are once again faced with unexpected guests and a mystery to solve. I look forward to future adventures.
Young Adult
It is ironic that the word scythe is a current third grade word master word, because after reading this book, it has taken on a whole new meaning in my mind. In the future scientists have eliminated the possibility of dying. When people reach a certain age of their choosing, they can simply rewind and put their physical state back to any age. In order to keep the population numbers from going out of control, the government has created the Scythe. Only a Scythe can bring on permanent death and because of that, only the Scythe is above the law. Citra and Rowan are chosen as Scythe apprentices. As they learn their future role, they also learn the pluses and minuses to a small group of people having power over who should live and who should die. An excellent, and thought provoking dystopian novel.
If you enjoyed Book One Of The Nevernight Chronicles, you will love continuing Mia’s quest for revenge in Book Two. Now a sworn blade, Mia starts her life as a hired assassin but quickly learns that things are not what they seem. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends in this high fantasy mixed with Hunger Games stakes. I can’t wait for Book Three!
Moria and Ashlyn are the Keeper and Seeker of a town that borders the Forest of the Dead. It is Moria's job to enter the forest once a year to put to rest the spirit of those who were exiled the year before. But this year everything goes wrong and the "dead" are waiting.
Safiya is a Truthwitch. She has spent most of her life hiding from those who would use her power. But unbeknown to her, others have had a plan for her for a long time.
This prequel to The Golden Compass will give fans of the series some backstory to how Lyra ended up living in a university at the start of the series. The main character, Malcolm, is a wonderful character. I will have to reread the series to see if he appears anywhere in those books.
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Stacy Barnett Mozer is a teacher and a middle grade author. If you like what she's been reading follow her on Goodreads. Please leave a comment below.
It's Monday, what are you reading?
