As I’ve mentioned before I’m a middle school librarian. We have seventh and eighth grades at my school. Yes, I have a lot of YA in my library. Of course I also have a lot of great MG titles. I’m trying to get better at reading more of the MG in our library. Over the past few months I’ve read three that I really enjoyed. Here are a few quick thoughts for each:
The Graveyard Book
After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own.
Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod’s family…
I have been meaning to read this one since it first came out in 2008! I love Neil Gaiman’s writing. Plus, the idea of a retelling of The Jungle Book set in a graveyard intrigued me. When the audiobook went on sale I snatched it up. I mean, it’s read by the author!
This book was delightful with just the right amount of creepy. One of my favorite parts was seeing the ways Bod interacted when he went out in the human world. He’s been raised by ghosts and other supernatural beings. The skills he learned in the graveyard are not your typical things! This made for some humorous situations. It was also surprisingly relatable! How often are we in situations that we just don’t understand?!? Bod is like any other child, learning the ways of the world around him and pushing the limits of what is allowed. Add in the mysterious and disturbing man Jack and you have a story sure to capture middle grade readers.
The Crossover
“With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . .The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. Cuz tonight I’m delivering,” announces dread-locked, 12-year old Josh Bell. He and his twin brother Jordan are awesome on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood, he’s got mad beats, too, that tell his family’s story in verse, in this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood.
Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story’s heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.
I don’t always make it a point to read the Newbery winner (#librarianconfessions) but The Crossover was one I knew I wanted to check out. First, I love the cover. It’s simple but eye-catching. Total made me want to know more. Second, it’s written in verse. My students have been obsessed with these recently. Most of the ones we have focus on female characters. I love them but it was nice to find something a bit different.
As I was reading this book all I could think about was how much Josh reminds me of my students. Middle school is such a time of transition. Sometimes it seems like everything is changing! Kwame Alexander captures this perfectly through amazing poems in a variety of styles. I didn’t want to stop reading. The same goes for my students. The book is never on my shelf.
Island of Silence
The battle is over. The magical barrier between the dreary land of Quill and the fantastical world of Artimé is gone. Now residents of both places are free to mingle, but tensions are high. The artistic warriors of Artimé struggle to forgive those in Quill who condemned them to death, while the Quillens attempt to recover from the shock of Artime’s existence, the loss of their leader, and the total collapse of their safe, orderly world.
14-year-old Alex Stowe has recovered from his physical wounds since his death-defying role in Artime’s victory, but his confidence is shattered. He battles self-doubt after Artimé’s beloved mage, Mr. Today, makes a stunning request, which is further complicated by the mysterious arrival of two silent, orange-eyed teenagers.
Meanwhile in Quill, Aaron is devastated by his fall from grace and seething with anger toward his twin brother Alex. Spurred by rage, Aaron recruits a team of Restorers and devises a masterful plan of revenge that will return him to power…if no one gets in his way.
Bestselling author Lisa McMann delivers another trademark page-turner in this second book of The Unwanteds series, as Alex and Aaron’s parallel stories ultimately come together for a shocking climax that will leave readers desperate for more.
I’m almost ashamed of how long it has taken me to get to this book! The Unwanteds is one of the most popular series in my library by far. My students can’t get enough of it. I read and loved book one. I’ve just been a slacker since then. Then I saw that books three and on are narrated by Steve West. I. Am. So. In. Clearly I needed to read book two ASAP. I decided to do it on audio. James Langton narrates it. It was very well done.
As far as the book itself, what a great follow-up! It picks up where book one left off. The world is looking very different than it ever has before. Not everyone is adjusting to the changes. I loved that the book was about the struggle to adapt but also new issues and mysteries. I don’t want to spoil anything but MAJOR THINGS GO DOWN! I now know why my students come in freaking out and looking for book three!
Bill Anderson
Hello Heidi. I’ve been reading and following your blog for just a short time, but I am really enjoying your posts. I also follow you on Twitter. I’m a librarian in Seymour, Indiana and work with all ages of patrons from children to adults. I’m a new blogger as well. I’ve been a big young adult reader for the last several years and have found some new materials to add using your blog. Thanks for giving me three more books to add to my TBR pile.
Lisa
Great post, many of my the kids I work with are reading Unfortunately the Milk this year, which is a Sunshine State pick, I volunteered to be the one to discuss the books with them. The older ones I definitely tell to go look for the Graveyard Book when they get to middle school, I really liked it.