The Choice by Cindy Cipriano

Date Published: June 9, 2015 

ISBN: 9781922200181
Genre: Middle grade, fantasy
Publisher: Odyssey Books
Themes: friendship, family, home, loyalty
Add it on: Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes And Noble

The is the second book in The Sidhe series, see my review of the first, The Circle, here.

About The Book: For Calum Ranson, seventh grade brings changes in his relationship with his parents and his friends, and a confrontation with his bully. Calum’s talents have also developed to a level unheard of in the Sidhe world, and he surprises everyone when he cleverly catches the person responsible for casting Finley out from the Otherworld.
When Calum goes against everything he knows is right, he makes a choice that may cost him his friendship with Laurel. An old friend steps in, but her mysterious ways leave Calum questioning her motivation.
  
In the second book of the Sidhe Series, Calum, Laurel, and Hagen reunite in their search for Finley. And while many things have changed, Calum remains steadfast in his belief that Finley is still alive and that Calum will bring him home. —Goodreads

First Line: " Are you sure you saw it?" Calum asked, running his hand through his light brown hair. "You saw the glowing?"

What Others Are Saying: 
"The Choice is filled with lessons about friendship, morals, love, and loyalty. And written in such a deep and profound way that I find lacking among most YA authors today. With this book, itself, I already wanted to know about what will happen to Finley. The Choice is an engaging read and the description of the Sidhe’s world was vivid in my mind. And I wanted to be part of it." —Plethoric Thoughts

"...rarely will you find a story so involved, so deep and mysterious. Cipriano didn't "dumb down" anything, as some YA authors are known to. She assumed that teens would understand or strive to understand every emotion, every name and every element of the story." —Kelly Smith Reviews


What I Thought: Again, Cipriano doesn't disappoint as she weaves her fantasy involving the Gaelic myth of the Sidhe, a fae population living among humans. I love the characters and their seeming normalcy even with their extraordinary powers they are struggling to balance. The estrangement that the knowledge of their difference creates between Callum and Laurel due to Laurel's parents inability to accept Callum and his family is palpable. I'm sure any tween or teen that has experienced that kind of prejudice when a parent has difficulty trusting and at the same time protecting their child can relate to Callum and Laurels experience. This is a great read and I highly recommend it!

About The Author: Cindy Cipriano
Website
The Sidhe Series
Twitter
Interview on Writer And Authors
  
Who: Cindy Cipriano lives in North Carolina and has taught middle school science since 2001. She was named a North Carolina Outstanding Science Teacher in 2009 by the North Carolina Science Teachers Association. In 2012, Cindy received the Burroughs Wellcome Fund PRISM award for innovative teaching. Cindy has a M.Ed. and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She is also a North Carolina Certified Environmental Educator. Cindy is a member of the Drawbridge Writers Group, and the Triad Writers Group. Cindy enjoys speaking at conferences and is available for conference presentations, book club meetings, or other author visits.

Perfect Gifts For Arthurian Legend Fans

Gifts Under $10

Todays MMGM is a previously published book that's now available in digital, and one of several wonderful books for that middle grade reader on your list that loves swords, magic and brave knights and damsels.

Published: July 2, 2013, First published on September 30, 1990
ISBN: 9781480423343
Genre: Middle grade, fantasy
Publisher: Open Road Media
Themes: arthurian legend, friendship, self-discovery, dragons, knights
Add it on: Goodreads, / Amazon / Barnes And Noble/ Kobo

About The Book: Artos is a lonely child, teased or ignored by the other boys in the castle of Sir Ector. One day, he follows Sir Ector’s runaway hound into a mysterious, dark cave, where he encounters a dragon who offers him the gift of wisdom.
Both frightened and intrigued, Artos becomes the dragon’s student and gains what he’s always longed for: the friendship and respect of other boys. Under the guidance of the dragon, Artos’s life begins to take shape in a way he could never have imagined. But has Artos really learned everything the dragon has to teach? And what does the dragon mean when he refers to him as “Artos Pendragon,” or “Arthur son of dragon”?

This ebook features a personal history by Jane Yolen including rare images from the author’s personal collection, as well as a note from the author about the making of the book.

What Others Have Said: “A good introduction to Arthurian legend . . . Yolen skillfully develops those aspects of Artos’ character that will guide him in his adult life.” —School Library Journal

"In an original novel based on Arthurian legend, a gigantic dragon becomes young Artos’s mentor, imparting his wisdom of books, tricks, and wondrous tales. Artos is at first furious and then deeply moved to discover that the dragon is really a feeble old alchemist named Merlinnus. A crisply told, accessible, and entertaining story." —Horn Book
Bloggers Weigh In:
Reading and Sharing
APB Sal
Words From JL

What I Thought: This was the first book I've read by Jane Yolen and it won't be my last. This book is out of print but is being distributed digitally. I think this might be best suited to older, more advanced middle grade readers. Yolen spins a complex tale and Arto is just one of the characters that represent the traditional arthurian fantasy.  

Image credit: © 2012 Jason Stemple

About The Author: 
Jane Yolen
Website

Who: Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.    

Looking For Other Great Arthurian Legend Books? Here are some links to some great lists:
  
Children of Arthur
Youth Fiction
National Center For The Study of Children's Literature

Hope your holidays are happy and bright!
     

MMGM: Bonyo Bonyo by Vanita Oelschlager

Date Published: April 1st 2010
ISBN: 098197144X
Genre: Nonfiction, biography
Themes: Education, dreams, persistance, cultural diversity, community

About The Book: "Bonyo Bonyo" is a true story about how a Kenyan boy's courage and determination, along with critical support from family and strangers, helped him to live his dream of becoming a physician.

First Line: This is a true story.

One Great Passage: "In my village, there was a word that meant togetherness. That word was "harrambee." I will never forget how everyone helped me. I knew that someday I would help them." 

Illustration From Bonyo, Bonyo

Illustrator: 
Kristin Blackwood
Blog





Who: She has a degree from Kent State University in Art History. In addition to teaching and her design work, Kristin enjoys being a mother to her two daughters.

More of Blackwoods's Work

What Other's Are Saying: "Young readers will appreciate the details that describe life in rural Kenya e.g.we had brown cows and goats, too. A smattering of Swahili words provides cultural context as Bonyo describes everyday realities. We ate mostly ugali.
      These strengths make the book worthy of recommendation. However, the text reads in an occasionally halting style due to extensive direct quoting and little additional narrative. While the verbatim recollections lend authenticity to the book, some passages could have been smoothed out with additional narrative from the author." —Africa Access

"Inspirational” is the word for this picture-book biography of a poor child in rural Kenya who grows up to become a successful doctor in the U.S. and returns to set up a clinic in his home village...     The quiet, triumphant climax shows people today lining up with their babies at Dr. Bonyo’s village clinic. The message of harrambee, of togetherness, is universal."

Other Bloggers Weigh In:
Meeting Vanita Oelschlager
The Children's Book Review

What I Thought: I believe it's important for Tweens to learn about other cultures, different points of view and begin realizing they are part of a diverse beautiful world full of extraordinary people. One of the best ways is to introduce them to non-fiction biographies. This is a great one. I especially was impressed with how important getting an education was to Bonyo. 

Find out more about Dr. Bonyo's Kenyan Mission here.


About The Author: 
Vanita Oelschlager
Vanita Books, LLC—Find out how 100% of net profits all go to support multiple sclerosis. 

Who: Vanita is a wife, mother, grandmother, former teacher, current caregiver and, for almost ten years, author and poet.

She was born and raised near Pittsburgh. She is a graduate of Mt. Union College in Alliance, Ohio, where she currently serves as a Trustee.

She has also supported and helped Jim as he built Oak Associates, ltd. into a successful investment management firm.

Today, as an accomplished author, Vanita shares openly the experiences that she, Jim and their families have had with multiple sclerosis. She has likened MS to living with an elephant, one that won't go away or be ignored. Together, she and Jim have found ways to live with this "elephant", and to share some of the larger lessons about life they've learned through the disease.

What non-fiction middle grade books have you enjoyed?

Be sure to check out other MMGM reviewers listed in my sidebar!!

Give-Away & MMGM: Nate Rocks The Boat by Karen Pokras Toz

About The Book: The Adventure Continues...With fourth grade finally winding down, 10-year-old Nathan Rockledge is looking forward to a fun and relaxing summer at home with his friends. That is, until his mom decides he has to go to overnight camp with his annoying older sister. When his best friend, Tommy, decides to tag along, Nathan thinks maybe his summer won’t actually be so bad. After all, he does get to be away from his mom's awful cooking for an entire six weeks. Amongst Color War competitions, a flaky counselor, and a bully named "No-Neck,” Nathan turns to his trusty sketchpad, transforming himself into Nate Rocks: 10-year-old extraordinaire. His speedboat ready for action, Nate saves the day time and agan from the perils of floods, snakes, ghosts, and even the most wanted criminals. Join Nathan, Tommy, Abby, and a whole new cast of characters as Nate Rocks once again proves nothing can hold him back. -Goodreads
First Line: "But, why Mom?"
One Great Line: "The children's menu is on the back along with some games," the waitress said pointing to the placemats.
    Really? Going into fifth grade and she thinks Tommy and I are only interested in grilled cheese sandwiches in the shape of boats. Not to mention the fact that I am so hungry I feel like I could eat five burgers.


What Others Are Saying: “Nate Rocks is back and better than ever! This is a must have for the young readers in your life!” -Stacey Rourke, Author of The Gryphon Series 


"Karen Toz has done it again! It's very difficult to find a book that boys will love. Nate fills the bill. This is the second installment in the Nate series. It's fantastic to read about a great kid who knows how to use his imagination. There is a great lesson about friendship in this book. The lesson is given in a fun to read manner. Kids, especially boys, will love this book. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for Nate's next adventure." -Donna Lawrence, Book Lovers Paradise

What I Thought: You know what I love about Nate? His frank and honest tone. Jake's tween view of the world is exactly the right combination of sardonic spark and hopeful optimism.  This is the perfect book for boys who need to have something happening on every page, either adventure or hilarious banter.  

Other books: Nate Rocks The World- See my review and Interview with Karen here. 
   

About The Author:
Karen Pokras Toz
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

Who: Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife, and mom. Karen grew up in the small town of Orange, Connecticut and graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Finance. She also attended the University of Richmond, where she studied law and business, receiving both a JD and an MBA. Karen is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Karen lives in Montgomery County, PA with her husband and three children.


Be sure to check the other awesome MMGM reviewers in my sidebar.


Come back tomorrow for the second half Socia's look at Twitter.


Wednesday: Interview with Jodi Meadows

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MMGM: The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-long Shang

(Whoops! This was the one for today...)
About The Book: In this humorous and heartfelt debut about a split cultural identity, nothing goes according to plan for sixth-grader Lucy Wu.Lucy Wu, aspiring basketball star and interior designer, is on the verge of having the best year of her life. She's ready to rule the school as a sixth grader and take over the bedroom she has always shared with her sister. In an instant, though, her plans are shattered when she finds out that Yi Po, her beloved grandmother's sister, is coming to visit for several months -- and is staying in Lucy's room. Lucy's vision of a perfect year begins to crumble, and in its place come an unwelcome roommate, foiled birthday plans, and Chinese school with the awful Talent Chang.

First Line: There is a Chinese story that goes like this: An old man lived at the edge of the northern frontier.

One Great Line: The whole party was becoming a mess wrapped up in a disaster covered in a mistake.(210)

What Other's Have Said: "In Lucy Wu, author Wendy Wan-Long Shang has accomplished something quite difficult: She's made a girl who constantly feels sorry for herself extremely funny and relatable as Lucy attempts to strike a balance between parental expectation and self-fulfillment, her Chinese heritage and the American lifestyle." —Susan Carpenter LA Times

"There’s little in the way of plot twists that experienced readers won’t see coming, but the cultural depiction of the Chinese-American family, Shang’s use of traditional tales and Yi Po’s heart-wrenching story add dimensionality and heft, and the novel’s final scenes are genuinely touching." —Kirkus

What I Thought: I love, love, love Lucy Wu. She is clearly trying to navigate the issues of duel cultures and Shang does an excellent job of contrasting her U.S. upbringing with her heritage. When her Great Aunt comes to live with her you can just feel her embarrassment. Lucy is the perfect mix of teen angst. Complete with sardonic moping and crazy humor, so hilarious you can't help but like her.  

Awards: (Holy jumpin' gummi bears!)

2012-2013 Georgia Children’s Book Award Nominee 2012 Kansas Reading Circle Catalog
2013 Maine State Book Award Nominee
2013 Rhode Island Children's Book Award
2012-2013 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Master List (Vermont)

Many thanks to the Cooperative Children's Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for selecting LUCY for its CCBC Choices List and to Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee, for including LUCY for its Best Children's Books of the Year list.

The Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association has awarded LUCY its 2012 Children's Literature Award. And my fellow Mixed-Up Files blogger Sheela Chari received Honors in this category for her amazing book, Vanished.

LUCY was a finalist in the CYBILS (Children's and Young Adult Blogger Literary Awards) Middle-Grade Fiction category for 2011!

The Wall Street Journal blog, Speakeasy, mentioned LUCY as part of its "Best of Asia and Asian-America 2011".

The American Booksellers Association has made LUCY a New Voices middle grade book selection! New Voices selections represent ten middle grade and ten young adult books by debut authors. Now I've got some reading to do!

LUCY has received Silver Honors from Parents' Choice! Parents' Choice "honors material that respects a child’s age, interests and abilities, and adheres to universal human values".

Wendy  Shang

About The Author: 
Wendy Wan-Long Shang

Website
Twitter

Who:I was born in Wilmington, Delaware. After a brief stay in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, my family moved to northern Virginia, outside of Washington, DC, and I live there now. My husband is also from this area, and we feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by lots of family. We have three kids, one dog and two cats.-Website

When:Like many writers, I loved to write as a kid. I wrote my first book when I was about five - it was called The Big Fight and it was about a bunny and a sheep arguing over who was the fluffiest. Like many writers, I went on to law school. (Well, not right after being five. A little later than that.)-Website