So
far this year, most of the books I’ve read are middle-grade fiction aimed at
8-12 year olds (the two exceptions are Judy Blume’s Forever and Anna Waggener’s
Grim). Here’s a rundown:
Goodbye Stranger – Rebecca Stead
Bridge,
Tabitha and Emily are best friends with one rule: no fighting. Can their friendship survive the challenges
of seventh grade? This book is a great
read with an intriguing second person narrative interspersed throughout the
main story. This could be off-putting
and confusing to some people, fascinating to others. A challenging read for older (11+) middle-grade
kids.
White Ninja – Tiffany Hall
My 9-year-old
read all the books in the Roxy Ran series in a couple of days and really
enjoyed the action-packed adventures. I
read the first, White Ninja, which was enough for me. A good fast-paced read for the target
audience.
Coraline – Neil Gaiman
A
deliciously sinister, twisted tale. Just
my cup of tea. Coraline finds her way
into an alternate world where her mother and father have buttons for eyes and
want her to stay with them forever and ever.
Coraline of course would prefer to keep her own eyes thank you very
much. Note to self: must read more Neil
Gaiman – I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read of his so far.
Tensy Farlow and the Home for Mislaid
Children – Jen Storer
Tensy
Farlow is an orphan with no guardian angel.
Adopted at first, she ends up back in the Home for Mislaid Children
where she turns everyone’s lives inside out.
Meanwhile an accursed creature hunts her unprotected soul. I’m a huge fan of Jen’s and am lucky enough
to have met her in person several times.
She’s just as lovely as her writing.
Sunker’s Deep – Lian Tanner
The
second book in the Hidden series continues the tale of Petrel et al as they
reach landfall and come into contact with the last of the Sunkers. Together the two groups fight against the oppressive
Devouts.
The Secret Life of Droids – Non Fiction
Star
Wars is BIG in our household right now. I
learnt a lot more about the movies from reading this book. A timeline of all the battles puts everything
into order. The thought put into each
type of droid can teach creators much about world-building.
88 Lime Street, The Way In – Denise Kirby
Ellen
and her family move into an old house on Lime Street. They can’t find the entrance to one of the
towers but the house is showing Ellen the way in. When she finds it, she encounters magic,
danger and friendship. The beginning of
another great series of MG books.
When Marnie Was There – Joan G Robinson
I’m
nearly finished this one and loving it. Lonely
orphan Anna is sent away for the summer to stay with Mr and Mrs Pegg in
Norfolk. There she meets Marnie, who
lives in The Marsh House. Through
Marnie, Anna learns about friendship, trust and forgiveness. When Marnie is sent away she befriends the
new owners of house who have found an old diary that belonged to Marnie.
I’ve
enjoyed my adventures with middle-grade fiction, but I must say, I am looking
forward to getting back to some YA.
But even as she wept, a new and delicious
sadness was creeping over her. The sadness
one feels for something enjoyed and now over, rather than for something lost
and never found again. - When Marnie Was There – Joan G Robinson
