Alistair Grim's Odditorium by Gregory Funaro

Date Published: January 6, 2015
ISBN: 1484708997
Genre: Middle grade, fantasy
Publisher:  Disney Hyperion
Themes: Adventure, mystery, humor, magic

Add it on: Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes And Noble

About the Book: Grubb, age twelve (or thereabouts), has never known anything beyond his miserable existence as a chimney sweep, paid only in insults and abuse by his cruel master. All of that changes the day he stows away in the coach belonging to a mysterious guest at the inn that he is tasked with cleaning. Grubb emerges from Alistair Grim's trunk and into the wondrous world of the Odditorium. Fueled by a glowing blue energy that Grubb can only begin to understand, the Odditorium is home to countless enchanted objects and an eccentric crew that embraces Grubb as one of their own. There's no time for Grubb to settle into his new role as apprentice to the strange, secretive Mr. Grim. When the Odditorium comes under attack, Grubb is whisked off on a perilous adventure. Only he can prevent the Odditorium's magic from falling into evil hands—and his new family from suffering a terrible fate. Grubb knows he's no hero. He's just a chimney sweep. But armed with only his courage and wits, Grubb will confront the life-or-death battle he alone is destined to fight.
First Line: "The odd was the ordinary at Alistair Grim's."

What Others Are Saying: "Told in the engaging brogue of an apprentice chimney sweeper, this novel seems to have all the ingredients for a fun middle grade read, blending fantasy with Dickensian-esque fiction. Although the initial ideas and characters have strong promise, the execution of the story is rather ordinary." —School Library Journal

"Funaro's world building and characters are fascinating, and the fast pace and overstuffed plot-from war in the air to a daring escape from sea sirens-make for an exciting story. Funaro's first book for young readers has all the playfulness of classic adventures like The Phantom Tollbooth and the intrigue of newer steampunk novels, making it a clever mash-up of mystery and merriment, ideal for kids who loved Percy Jackson and Harry Potter." —Booklist

Bloggers Weigh In:

Mundie Kids

Geekerydo

Fantasy Book Critic

What I Thought: When Grub, the protagonist finds himself at the Odditorium, he begins a nonstop adventure. The pace throttles high and doesn't stop while adding strange magical characters, powerful power sources and legends and myths all rolled into fast moving world. Amazingly, Funaro eases out new information at just the right concentration of eccentric and detail to make this a fun ride. Grub is a great character, but I was hungry for more character development which I hope to see in the next in the series. 

About The Author: Gregory Funaro

Website

Twitter

Gregory Funaro grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island, and wrote his first story, The Ghost in the Window, in the fourth grade. He considers this to be his finest work, but unfortunately it has been lost to time. Following high school Greg majored in theatre at the University of New Hampshire, and after various acting gigs, received his AM in Theatre Arts from Brown University and an MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Greg teaches drama at East Carolina University, and is busy working on the next book in the Odditorium series.

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Amelia's Middle School Survival Guide by Marissa Moss

Classic: Marvelous Middle Grade 

Monday Review

Gram's Approved! See my
review to see why.

Published: June 23, 2009 

ISBN: 1416979875

Genre: Middle Grade, realistic fiction, humorous fiction
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Themes: middle school, friends, sisters, family
Add it on: Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes And Noble/ *Indie Bound*

About The Book: Nothing says middle school better than embarrassing moments and gossip. And no one is better at capturing the middle school experience than Marissa Moss’s Amelia. Now two bestselling classic Amelia books, Amelia’s Most Unforgettable Embarrassing Moments and Amelia’s Guide to Gossip, are together in a value-priced bind-up with a special Amelia eraser key chain. This is the perfect summer reading for middle schoolers and middle-schoolers-to-be.

First Line: (This is a notebook, you can start anywhere.)

Here's One Of My Favorite: "Only Cleo could say that about eggs that were either runny or rubbery—either way completely gross."

Kid Review: "Each page is colorfully illustrated with hilarious images and word bubbles relating to each rule, hint, and tip. Though it’s meant to be a humorous book it also gave me true tips for surviving class. What I loved most about it is the vast vocabulary. I learned MANY new words and how to use them in day to day life. All Moss’s books are great for an elementary school child yearning to soak up new words and tips for school and life." —Ayesha Reviews

Parent Review: "Moss understands how kids think and remembers what it is like to be a kid. At the same time, she has a remarkable ability to step into her stories, either in the form of older sister Cleo, a parent or another kid who just happens to have a flash of wisdom and good advice, and help Amelia through her problems, showing her how to fix things on her own rather than doing it for her. To me, that is the best kind of parenting and teaching you can find and I am happy to have Marissa Moss here to teach my kids a thing or two."—Book 4 Your Kids

What I Thought: As a grandma, I'm always trying to find ways to inspire my grandchildren to read and write. My granddaughter is beginning middle school so a survival guide is exactly what she needs. Middle School is the perfect time to begin writing a journal. She also loves to draw and I wanted to show her how a journal could be illustrated, too. 

    The Amelia Notebook series is a great introduction to keeping a journal or writing/art notebook. I know my journal got me through some really tough middle school days. Like the time a couple of tough girls followed me home, making fun of my clothes then knocking the books out of my hands. That night I carefully sketched out a plan: A map to walk home a different way each day for the rest of the week. 
     A sample teachers lesson used this series to inspire writing in their students. See that here.

Photo credit: David Toerge

About The Author and Illustrator: Marissa Moss

Website

Facebook

Twitter
You Tube

Who: "I’ve been making children’s books for a looooong time. I sent my first picture book to publishers when I was nine, but it wasn’t very good and they didn’t publish it. I didn’t try again until I was a grown-up and then it took five years of sending out stories, getting them rejected, revising them and sending them back over and over until I got my first book. Now I’ve published more than forty books and each new one is still hard in its own way. Each one takes a lot of revising because I never get things right the first time. That used to frustrate me. Now I expect it. And I don’t mind, because that gives me permission to make mistakes. It means I can take risks and try new things because I don’t have to be perfect - I can always make changes." —Marissa Moss

Newest Books

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Keeping notebooks is just plain fun! Here's one I just started for my new birding hobby.

What kind of notebooks do you keep?

MMGM: Joy of Apex by Napatsi Folger

Date Published: May 15, 2012

ISBN: 1926569474
Genre: Middle grade fiction, contemporary
Publisher: Inhabit Media Inc.
Themes: friendship, family, home, cultural diversity
Add it on: Goodreads / Indie Bound / Amazon / Barnes & Noble 

About The Book: Joy is ten years old, living in Apex, Nunavut—a suburb of Iqaluit—and loving life. Her little sister Allashua may be annoying, but all in all Joy loves living at the top of the world in Apex. But when Joy begins to notice her parents fighting a lot more than usual, and her mom staying with her sisters in Iqaluit more than she is home, Joy’s perfect life soon becomes a lot more complicated. As Joy navigates her parents’ separation and its affect on her family, she learns some valuable lessons about how to cope when life gets tough. Told in the wry, funny voice of a smart and savvy ten-year-old girl, this book will appeal to young readers everywhere.

First Line: My name is Joy Magnussen and I live in Apex, or Niaqunngun, which is the Inuktitut name for my hometown.

What Others Are Saying: "This is a well-written volume and an engaging read. The work is clearly rooted in the author’s personal experience growing up in the Eastern Arctic. Pre-teens through adult readers will enjoy this book. Highly recommended for public libraries and school libraries everywhere" —The Deakin Review

"Folger is careful at letting the story go first, working in sensory reminiscences from her own childhood in Iqaluit without creating a setting that outweighs plot or character." —Scoop It

Bloggers Weigh In:
Paper Tigers
Beverly Brenna
Pigeon Peas Booknook

What I Thought: Joy of Apex is a slice-of-life contemporary novel about a ten year old girl who's parents split up. Folger does a great job of injecting cultural detail without sacrificing plot pace. I think this would be a great choice for a cultural diversity discussion. It shares interesting peeks into Inuit life while demonstrating common threads all middle grade students share. 

Photo Credit: Nunavut Online

About The Author: Napatsi Folger

Who: Napatsi Folger was born and grew up in Iqaluit, Nunavut, She lived there until her family moved to Vancouver in 1991. Napatsi returned to Iqaluit in 2004, to work for the Department of Education, Government of Nunavut. In 2010 she moved to Toronto to continue her education at the University of Toronto. Joy of Apex is Napatsi Folger's first novel.

Next Week: 
A Week With Fiona Wonder 
                  by Kelly Huddleston







Check out the awesome books the other MMGM bloggers are highlighting:

- Natalie Aguirre is interviewing author Kelley Armstrong and giving away a copy of LOKI'S WOLVES. Click HERE for all the fun.  

- Flash, the Feline Extraordinaire, (and Professional Mews to Cindy Strandvold) recommends THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY. Click HERE to see what that's all about.    

- Michelle Mason is cheering for PLASTIC POLLY. Click HERE for her review. 

- Sue Heavenrich is captivated by THE UNIVERSE OF FAIR. Click HERE to see what she thought. 

- Gina Carey is singing praises for INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN. Click HERE to read her review.  

 - Barbara Watson is highlighting the classic MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH. Click HERE to see what she thought.  

- Mark Baker is spotlighting ALCATRAZ VS. THE SHATTERED LENS. Click HEREto see his review. 

- Michelle Isenhoff is spreading the love for THE SILVER CHAIR. Click HERE to see why she loves this classic. 

- Xander is rooting for MILA 2.0. Click HERE to see why he thinks it's not just for YA Readers. 

- Susan Olson is raving about THE SILVER TREE. Click HERE for her review.   

- Laurisa White Reyes is featuring THE SCORCH TRIALS--with a GIVEAWAY. ClickHERE for details 

       - Rosi Hollinbeck is championing NEW LANDS--with a GIVEAWAY! 
          Click HERE for details.

- Michael Gettel-Gilmarten is making sure you all REMEMBER DIPPY. Click HERE to see why.   

- Chelanne Green is caught up in NAVIGATING EARLY. Click HERE for her review 

- Annie McMahon is soaring for THE BOY WHO FLEW WITH EAGLES. Click HERE to see what she thought. 

- Dorine White has an introduction to THE EMERALD RING blog tour. Click HERE to see what that's all about.

- Deb Marshall is an MMGM regular. Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week. 

- Joanne Fritz always has an MMGM for you. Click HERE to see what she's talking about this week. 

- The Mundie Moms are always part of the MMGM fun (YAY!). Click HERE to see their newest recommendations. And if you aren't also following their Mundie Kids site, get thee over THERE and check out all the awesome!    

- The lovely Shannon O'Donnell always has an MMGM ready for you! Click HERE to see what she's featuring this week.

  - Karen Yingling also always has some awesome MMGM recommendations for you. Click HERE to which ones she picked this time!

MMGM: Calvert The Raven and The Battle of Baltimore by Jonathan Scott Fuqua

Date Published: March 4, 2013
ISBN: 1610880773
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Publisher: Bancroft Press

Themes: War of 1812, history, bravery, patriotism, freedom, independence

About The Book: You think history is boring?

  
Baltimore kid Daniel does--until a chance encounter with a magical talking raven named Calvert sends him flying back to 1814, where he finds his home city under siege by a British army on the verge of defeating the United States of America in the War of 1812.
  
Amidst the fire of muskets, the thunder of cannons, and the dark approach of the British armada, Daniel discovers just what it took for a young nation to endure the Battle of Baltimore. He witnesses firsthand the bombardment of Fort McHenry.

"History," Calvert tells Daniel, "is watery." And maybe the star-spangled banner won't survive this time.

The beautifully illustrated pages of Calvert the Raven in the Battle of Baltimore, the first book of the Flying Through History series, are as close as you can get to the Battle of Baltimore without going back in time yourself.

Author and illustrator J. Scott Fuqua takes you on a harrowing journey through a history of near misses, narrow escapes, and brave soldiers with no idea what tomorrow would bring.

First Line: Daniel searched up through the bright Baltimore sky, where a raven curled in front of the sun.

Funny Line: "Did you make yourself gigantic? Is that how I can fit on your back?"
       "Of course not. I can't do that. I made you small."

What Other's Are Saying: "... The breezy tone and plenty of dialogue will draw in readers, and the dramatic, well-executed watercolors add impact to the telling . . . The descriptions of the fighting—almost hand-to-hand combat—will surprise and inform children, who will also learn something about the causes of the war." —Booklist

"Despite some occasionally weak writing,Calvert the Raven and the Battle of Baltimore succeeds in both areas and is an interesting look at one of the most important battles in American history." —Third Grade Reading

Book Review Bloggers Weigh In:

The World Beyond

Brodart Vibe

childish nonsense

What I Thought: This is a great jumping off point for anyone trying to teach the history of this important battle. Discussing what Daniel saw, what he didn't see and why they are fighting, all serves to bring the significant details into view. I highly recommend this as a companion to teaching history to 3rd—6th graders.

My Analysis:

1. POV: Third-person limited omniscience, participant.
2. 32 pages
3. The Hook: Calvert the talking Raven "skittered onto the bench" beside Daniel.
4. Inciting event: Calvert convinces Daniel that if he goes on a trip with him, he will convince him that history isn't boring.
5. Plot and Pace: Let alone there are only 32 pages, the pace moves quickly on the page, tension is tight. Plot is straight forward.
6. Voice: I liked that it was present tense, each event unfolding for the reader just like it is for Daniel. In the dialogue, Calvert and Daniel have distinctively different voices. This conversational tone doesn't give the reader much time to doubt the reality of flying on the back of a raven.

About The Author: 

Jonathan Scott Fuqua

Website

Baltimore Style Article

Who: "In 1966, I was born outside of Frankfurt, Germany, and my family proceeded to relocate 11 times before I was 14 years old. New schools and situations were a constant fixture in my life until, on my 14th birthday, my mother put a stop to our travels and settled us in her family's home in Norfolk, Virginia. Except for art classes, I had, to that point, never enjoyed school. I was embarrassed that I couldn't memorize simple math formulas and that I spelled so poorly. Even though I was actually a pretty good student, it was always a struggle for me." —Author's Website

When: "After high school, I attended The College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia, where I began concentrating on art and art history. During my sophomore year, however, I took an adolescent literature course. Entranced by the language and subject matter — and despite my poor spelling — I tested into a fiction-writing class, where I began scratching out a succession of half-decent autobiographical short stories." —Author's Website

See what others are reading by clicking on the links in my MMGM sidebar.

Next Week: Destiny Rewritten by Kathryn Fitzmaurice

MMGM: Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Date Published: October 12th 2010
ISBN: 0385907508
Genre: Historical Fiction, middle grade
Themes: Community, home, family, friends, loss
Narrators: Jenna Lamia, Cassandra Campbell, Kirby Heyborne
Run Time: 9 hrs and 31 minutes
Producer: Listening Library
About The Book:  The movement of the train rocked me like a lullaby. I closed my eyes to the dusty countryside and imagined the sign I’d seen only in Gideon’s stories:Manifest—A Town with a rich past and a bright future.

Abilene Tucker feels abandoned. Her father has put her on a train, sending her off to live with an old friend for the summer while he works a railroad job. Armed only with a few possessions and her list of universals, Abilene jumps off the train in Manifest, Kansas, aiming to learn about the boy her father once was.

Having heard stories about Manifest, Abilene is disappointed to find that it’s just a dried-up, worn-out old town. But her disappointment quickly turns to excitement when she discovers a hidden cigar box full of mementos, including some old letters that mention a spy known as the Rattler. These mysterious letters send Abilene and her new friends, Lettie and Ruthanne, on an honest-to-goodness spy hunt, even though they are warned to “Leave Well Enough Alone.”

Abilene throws all caution aside when she heads down the mysterious Path to Perdition to pay a debt to the reclusive Miss Sadie, a diviner who only tells stories from the past. It seems that Manifest’s history is full of colorful and shadowy characters—and long-held secrets. The more Abilene hears, the more determined she is to learn just what role her father played in that history. And as Manifest’s secrets are laid bare one by one, Abilene begins to weave her own story into the fabric of the town.

First Line: The movement of the train rocked me like a lullaby.

Great Quote: “If there is such a thing as a universal--and I wasn't ready to throw all of mine out the window--it's that there is power in a story. And if someone pays you such a kindness as to make up a tale so you'll enjoy a gingersnap, you go along with that story and enjoy every last bite.”

What Others Are Saying: “History and fiction marry beautifully in this lively debut novel. It's as if readers jump off the train in Manifest, KS, in 1936 with Abilene Tucker, 12, the feisty, likable, and perceptive narrator. She is there to live with Pastor Shady Howard, her father's friend, while her father works on the railroad back in Iowa. An equally important story set during World War I is artfully intertwined.”—School Journal

“The absolute necessity of story as a way to redemption and healing past wounds is at the heart of this beautiful debut, and readers will cherish every word up to the heartbreaking yet hopeful and deeply gratifying ending.” —Starred Kirkus Review

Other Blogger Reviews:
Bunbury In The Stacks
Dee's Book Blog
Book Cubs

My Analysis:
1.POV: Abilene, stories told by Ms. Sadie, letters, newspaper articles.
2. 368 pages
3. The Hook: Abilene is sent on a train by herself by her father.
4. Inciting event: Abilene find the cigar box.
5. Plot and Pace: Several plot lines twist and wind against each other. The pace is lively.
6. Voice: Abilene's voice is incredible accurate for the age and the time.

What I Thought: Abilene immediately whisked me away and I was immersed into her world. I love her outlook, her personality and the way she deals with her situation. I'm incredibly impressed with Vanderpool's ability to to pull all these independent stories into a cohesive project that spans many years. Pretty incredible debut novel and deserving of the Newbery Award Medal. 

About The Author: 

Clare Vanderpool

Website

Who: Clare Vanderpool lives in Wichita, Kansas, about four blocks from where she grew up, in an old neighborhood called College Hill. She grew up reading many wonderful books, with favorites including Harold and the Purple Crayon, Anne of Green Gables, and Island of the Blue Dolphins. She has a college degree in English and Elementary Education, but says that her "best education has come from reading, listening to family stories, looking out the car window on road trips, pretending to be pirates with my brother, and just plain imagining." —Book Browse

How: Want to hear more about how Vanderpool created her book? Check out this audio where she shares some backstory.

Vanderpool's newest book just came out? Have any of you picked it up yet??
Don't miss the other great MMGM reviews, you can find links in my sidebar!

Next Week:Bonyo, Bonyo by Vanita Oelschlager

MMGM: Dead End In Norvelt by Jack Gantos [Audio Version]

About the Book: Dead End in Norvelt is the winner of the 2012 Newbery Medal for the year's best contribution to children's literature and the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction! 

Melding the entirely true and the wildly fictional, Dead End in Norvelt is a novel about an incredible two months for a kid named Jack Gantos, whose plans for vacation excitement are shot down when he is "grounded for life" by his feuding parents, and whose nose spews bad blood at every little shock he gets. But plenty of excitement (and shocks) are coming Jack's way once his mom loans him out to help a feisty old neighbor with a most unusual chore—typewriting obituaries filled with stories about the people who founded his utopian town. As one obituary leads to another, Jack is launched on a strange adventure involving molten wax, Eleanor Roosevelt, twisted promises, a homemade airplane, Girl Scout cookies, a man on a trike, a dancing plague, voices from the past, Hells Angels . . . and possibly murder. Endlessly surprising, this sly, sharp-edged narrative is the author at his very best, making readers laugh out loud at the most unexpected things in a dead-funny depiction of growing up in a slightly off-kilter place where the past is present, the present is confusing, and the future is completely up in the air.

First Line: School was finally out and I was standing on a picnic table in our backyard getting ready for a great summer vacation when my mother walked up to me and ruined it.

  

One Great Line: “...who proved that you don't have to do what your parents want, or what your boyfriend wants, for you to be happy. You just have to be yourself, for there is no love greater than self love”

What Others Are Saying: “This is a brilliant book, full of history, mystery, and laughs. It reminded me of my small-town childhood, although my small town was never as delightfully weird as Norvelt.” —Dave Barry

“A bit of autobiography works its way into all of Gantos’s work, but he one-ups himself in this wildly entertaining meld of truth and fiction by naming the main character… Jack Gantos.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Awards:Newbery Medal (2012), Scott O'Dell Award (2012), Boston Author's Club Young Reader Award Nominee (2012)

What I Thought: The minute I heard Jack Gantos reading his own story I was hooked. It is always interesting to listen to an author read their own work. The descriptions were colorful and incredibly visceral. "...still dazed and bleeding and completely motionless, except for the steady drops of blood ticking off seconds against the dry summer grass."(320) is just one of the lines that bring you to the front and center stage of action. Gantos is adept in presenting bits and pieces of history in snappy, immediately interesting blurbs that foster interest in further research. His voice drips off the page but hearing it gave a certain edge to this semi-autobiographical tale. A great read-aloud with many points that inspire discussion.

About The Author: Jack Gantos
Website

Who: "Jack was born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the nearby town of Norvelt. He remembers playing a lot of “pass the chalk” in Mrs. Neiderheizer’s class in first grade. He was in the Bluebird reading group, which he later found out was for the slow readers. To this day he’d rather be called a Bluebird than a slow reader. His favorite game at that time was playing his clothes were on fire and rolling down a hill to save himself.

When he was seven, his family moved to Barbados. He attended British schools, where there was much emphasis on reading and writing. Students were friendly but fiercely competitive, and the teachers made learning a lot of fun. By fifth grade he had managed to learn 90 percent of what he knows to this very day." —Jack Gantos Website

When: "The seeds for Jack’s writing career were planted in sixth grade, when he read his sister’s diary and decided he could write better than she could. He begged his mother for a diary and began to collect anecdotes he overheard at school, mostly from standing outside the teachers’ lounge and listening to their lunchtime conversations. Later, he incorporated many of these anecdotes into stories." —Jack Gantos Website

Jack Gantos' desk, with journals at the ready.   

Why: Talking about his sister, Gantos says, "When she left the house I did read her diary. It was an awful, unethical thing to do, but I was compelled. I read it, and it wasn’t terribly interesting to me. I’m not trying to run my sister down, but it seemed to me that she was missing all the good stuff of life—the juicy stuff. Here we were moving from western Pennsylvania to Cape Hatteras to Barbados to St. Lucia to Miami—you know, there was a lot going on! We were bouncing from one neighborhood to another and they all were filled with crazy characters who did the wildest things—but none of that stuff made the diary."I thought, "That’s really peculiar, because the world I’m living with and in is really interesting.” So I got my little red diary and got started." —Jack Gantos Website

Be sure to check out the other MMGM posters listed in my sidebar.

Millicent Marie Tour With Karen Pokras Toz

Welcome To The Blog Tour!! 

I'm so glad you stopped by. We've got so much going on,

 so don't miss any of it!

Today, Millicent has stopped by for a character post she's absolutely positive you will enjoy. So without further adieu, I introduce Millicent Marie, well she says that it's not her name but for now I have no idea what else to call her.

Hi everyone!

I’m twelve years old, and I’m in sixth grade. It’s kind of a big year for me because we get to do all kinds of cool stuff like go on fun trips, do sports, join the Drama Club, and even have a sixth-grade dance. 

I was going to join the soccer club, but there is this girl Haylee, who keeps saying mean things about me. She decided to join the team this year, which meant, I decided not to join the team this year. 

None of the things Haylee says about me are true. I don’t know why she has to make stuff up. She has to know it hurts my feelings. Whenever she says something about me, the other kids laugh, and then I feel even worse. I would never do anything like that. Okay, well maybe I have said some things about people, but they’ve all been true. That’s different right? I’m just reporting back facts; I’m not telling lies just to be mean. Besides, if I didn’t say it, someone else would. I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s not like I’m hurting anyone’s feelings, I’m just . . . Oh no . . . I’m doing exactly the same thing that Haylee is doing! Is that possible? 

I never thought of it like that before, but it’s true! Gossip doesn’t have to be something that is made up. Gossip is just talking about someone else, and at times it can be hurtful! I know, I’ve been on the receiving end, and sadly, it looks like I’ve been on the other end a well. But now that I know, it’s time to stop. There is nothing good that can come out of gossiping. Now I just need to figure out how to spread the message (in a non-gossiping way, of course), so other people can stop as well. 

Can you help me? Have a discussion with a friend or child, and let them know how gossiping can hurt others. Together we can make a difference.

I totally agree, Millicent and I'm definitely going to do my part. Thanks, so much for stopping by! Now, I'd like to tell you what I thought about the book.

ORDER HERE!

About The Book: Twelve-year-old 
Millicent Marie does not like her name. After all, she was named for a woman who died more than fifty years ago and was not the most lovable member of the Harris family. Her friends call her Millie, but when she
writes in her diary she refers to herself as Amanda ñ the name she
always wished she had.
       When Millie ís younger brother finds her
diary on her computer, he decides to publish it as a blog for the entire world to see, including the boy Millie has a crush on. In the midst of all the mayhem, Millie/Amanda discovers she is suddenly Springside Elementary ís most sought after sixth-grade mystery gossip and advice
columnist.
      But not all is fun and games, as Millie quickly
learns, once she realizes feelings are at stake. Nobody, least of all
Millie, expects things to turn out as they do in this tale of friendship
and respect.

First Line: September 9-Sometimes our parents have a momentary lapse of judgment when it comes to their children. 

What I Thought: Karen Toz has really hit the mark with this middle grade novel about what it's like to be in middle grade. When Millie's talking to her brother, her voice is genuine and angst drips from the words. "Go ahead and tell who ever you want. Just be prepared to have to explain to Mom and Dad why it was you were in my room, looking at my personal diary, and then setting up a blog to send it off over the Internet – cause in my book, that’s way worse than anything I’ve done. Now beat it!” The plot is great and everything keeps moving quickly. I love all the blog posts, too. 

Connect:

Website: www.karentoz.com

Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptoz

Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentoz

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.KarenPokrasToz

Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/karentoz

AND NOW....(drum roll please) THE GOODIES!

Comment on this blog for a chance to win your very own Millicent Swag Bag!

Karen Pokras Toz is also having a huge giveaway as part of this awesome blog tour. You won't believe the prizes, they are incredible!

Karen will be on

tour for the entire month of October. Check out the full schedule here. 

The Grand prize is a swag pack plus tote bage, mug, and Amazon Gift Card. You can enter that below!

As usual, don't forget to visit the other incredible middle grade book reviewers for some other great books to add to your TBR.
 I know I am!

MMGM: Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver

About The Book: Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice,until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.

That same night, an alchemist's apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable.

Will's mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes a luminous and magnificent novel that glows with rare magic, ghostly wonders, and a true friendship that lights even the darkest of places.

—Goodreads

  

First Line: On the third night after the day her father died, Liesle saw the ghost.

Great Passage: “She liked the word ineffable because it meant a feeling so big or vast that it could not be expressed in words.
And yet, because it could not be expressed in words, people had invented a word to express it, and that made Liesl feel hopeful, somehow.” (12)

What Others Are Saying: "By alternating quietly lyrical, philosophical passages with laugh-out-loud broad comedy/farce, the author takes her readers on a fantastic voyage from loss to healing and joy."—Kirkus

"Invigorating and hopeful, this novel testifies to the power of friendship and generosity to conquer greed and depression." —Publishers Weekly

What I Thought: Oliver's book is a magical blend of rich images and lyrical prose. The Dickens flavor and tone brought me at once to that place where I couldn't help but turn words and phrases around on my tongue. After reading about one third I stumbled on the audio version, narrated by Jim Dale, the same great voice that did the audio books for the Harry Potter series, I knew at once I would enjoy this. It was utterly and delightfully captivating. I loved the story, the characters and most of all the voice, strong and gentle at the same time. Oliver masters the language with lyrical prose that bears repeating. Definitely in line to become a classic.  

Be sure not to miss the author's note at the end of the book. 
An Excerpt: “Additionally, Liesl and Po is the embodiment of what writing has always been for me at its purest and most basic--not a paycheck, certainly; not an idea, even; and not an escape. Actually, it is the opposite of an escape; it is a way back in, a way to enter and make sense of a world that occasionally seems harsh and terrible and mystifying. (From the "Author's Note" at the end).”

About The Author: Lauren Oliver

Author Website

Book Website

Audio Book

Book Trailer [The music is awesome!]

Who:

Lauren Oliver captivated readers with her first novel, the New York Times bestseller Before I Fall, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. She followed that up with Delirium and Pandemonium, the first two books in her bestselling trilogy, which concludes with Requiem. Delirium has been optioned for film by Fox 2000 Pictures. Oliver is also the author of two luminous novels for middle-grade readers, The Spindlers and Liesl & Po, which was named a Kirkus Best Book of the Year. A graduate of the University of Chicago and NYU's MFA program, Lauren Oliver lives in Brooklyn, New York.

I haven't yet got my hands on her newest book The Spindlers, but I am anticipating it will be filled with just as much wonder. 

What do you think about what Lauren said about writing being a "way back in"? Back into where?

Also be sure to make a stop at the other MMGM posters listed in my sidebar. There are some really great reviews this week!!