This is a review of The Great Brain Robbery by P. G. Bell. This follow-up to The Train to Impossible Places was just as enjoyable as the sequel. Bell has made an outstanding contribution to the middle-grade genre with memorable characters, outlandish situations, and a sheer determination to overcome even the most daunting circumstances. Book Review: The Great Brain Robbery P.G. Bell 2019, 384 pages 5/5 Tacos Thanks to Greg Pattridge for hosting Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Make sure to visit other MMGMers! Susie Smith, the newest member of the Impossible Postal Express, is brought ..read more

This is a review of The Last Hunt by Bruce Coville. This final installment of The Unicorn Chronicles was a book 18 years in the making. Coville brought the series to a satisfying close as readers prepare to say goodbye to some of their favorite characters. Book Review: The Last Hunt Bruce Coville 2010, 605 pages 3/5 Tacos Thanks to Greg Pattridge for hosting Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Make sure to visit other MMGMers! Cara, a young girl who found her way into Luster, the land of the unicorns, continues her quest to stop its destruction. At the end of book three, Beloved found he ..read more

This is a review of The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate. This stand-alone follow up novel is an empowering journey of grace and redemption as Bob works through his past and learns how to stand tall – or at least as tall as a small dog can. Book Review: The One and Only Bob Katherine Applegate 2020, 352 pages 5/5 Tacos Thanks to Greg Pattridge for hosting Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Make sure to visit other MMGMers! A follow-up to The One and Only Ivan, yet an independent story, The One and Only Bob explores the origins of the adopted puppy, Bob. I listened to the audio ve ..read more

This is a review of Dark Whispers by Bruce Coville. This third volume of the Unicorn Chronicles brings a compelling plot, multiple points of view, and a desire for truth to the upper middle grade genre. Book Review: Dark Whispers – The Unicorn Chronicles vol. 3 P. G. Bell 2008, 480 pages 4/5 Tacos Thanks to Greg Pattridge for hosting Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Make sure to visit other MMGMers! Dark Whispers begins in the middle of the story and ends largely unresolved. It is plot dependent, so any reader should begin with volume 1. Thus I feel required to summarize the first two ..read more

This is a review of The Train to Impossible Places: A Cursed Delivery by P. G. Bell. This debut novel was an absolute delight. With memorable characters, political intrigue, a magical postal express, and impossibly creative situations, this will enchant both you and your little reader. Book Review: The Train to Impossible Places P. G. Bell 2018, 384 pages 4/5 Tacos Thanks to Greg Pattridge for hosting Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Make sure to visit other MMGMers! Suzy Smith began her evening just like any other. That is, at least, until she stumbled upon train tracks in her hallwa ..read more

This is a review of The Erth Dragons: The Wearle by Chris D’Lacey. This page-turning upper middle grade novel will hook you from the very beginning. With heart-pounding action and excellent character development, this plot-driven novel will propel your reader into their next favorite series. Book Review: The Erth Dragons: The Wearle Chris D’Lacey 2016, 320 pages 4/5 Tacos Thanks to Greg Pattridge for hosting Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Make sure to visit other MMGMers! Let me start by saying that this is an audio book review. Both the writing and the performance were top-notch. I ..read more

This is a review of Ogre Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. This companion novel to the classic Ella Enchanted gives a fresh twist on the old story, Beauty and the Beast. It’s creative, fun, and unpredictable. Though a bit dark at moments, this is a solid option for an older middle grade reader Book Review: Ogre Enchanted Gail Carson Levine 2018, 290 pages 3/5 Tacos Thanks to Greg Pattridge for hosting Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Make sure to visit other MMGMers! The story begins when fifteen-year-old Evie rejects her friend Wormy’s marriage proposal. Unfortunately for her, the fai ..read more

July 27: It’s Monday! What are you reading? Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages! It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other. Today, I’ll share one middle-grade, one children’s, and one audio I’m working through right now. Currently Reading: Dark Whispers by Bruce Coville My daughter has been asking me to read ..read more

This is a review of A Tale of Magic by Chris Colfer. This wonderfully written prequel to The Land of Stories will delight fans of the original series, though it is a questionable choice for middle grade readers (specifics below). Some of the broader themes fit better in the YA genre. Once put on a YA shelf, the quality of the writing begins to shine. Book Review: A Tale of Magic Chris Colfer 2019, 382 pages 3/5 Tacos Thanks to Greg Pattridge for hosting Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Make sure to visit other MMGMers! Chris Colfer Fourteen-year-old Brystal Evergreen accidentally disco ..read more

July 20: It’s Monday! What are you reading? Sharing Picture Books, Early Readers, Middle Grade Books, and Young Adult Books for All Ages! It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop co-hosted by Unleashing Readers and Teach Mentor Texts which focuses on sharing books marketed for children and young adults. It offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other. Today, I’ll share one middle-grade, one children’s, and one audio I’m working through right now. Just Starting: Toro by Andrew Avner I’m excited to start this one! It’s been quite a whil ..read more