I REALLY enjoyed Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus. While it’s listed as middle grade (8-12), it’s the upper end of that age range and one that readers of ALL ages should read (good life insights for young and old). It is beautifully written and has an extremely strong female character. She has …
The 2018 Pacific Northwest Book Awards Shortlist has been announced! A panel of nine booksellers from the region selected these twelve titles from over 420 nominated books. Up to six winners will be announced in early January 2018. For some history on the awards, click here. Here is the shortlist: All’s Faire in Middle School …
Malu (short for Maria Louisa) straddles two worlds, punk music and record stores on her dad’s side, and academic achievement and Mexican culture on her mother’s side. When she lands at Posada Middle School, she finds herself on the outside again and takes on the school’s culture by starting her own punk band. I loved …
Ban This Book by Alan Gratz is a classic and it’s brand new! When Amy’s favorite book is banned from her school library, she decides to run a library from her locker filled with banned books. I love reading banned books, and this one is chock full of books that have actually been banned. My to-read …
Obayda’s family lives Afghanistan, and when her father loses his leg from a terrorist attack they have to move from the big city to a small village. To bring luck to the family, Obayda’s aunt suggests adopting the underground practice of bacha posh, dressing a girl as a boy. So with a chop of her hair, …
I adored this debut middle grade novel. Narrated by young Arturo, it tells the story of how he tried to save his family’s restaurant and his neighborhood from alluring yet ultimately devastating gentrification at the hands of a smarmy real estate developer. There’s some light romance, a touch of bittersweet sadness, a ton of hilarious …
Very scary, better for older middle school students. Set in England/Scotland during WWII, when parents sent their children away for safety, but these children were sent into danger. With wits and intelligence and a little magic, they defeat the evil lady of the castle. –Melanie, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur d’Alene, ID Available now in …
It’s summertime, and that means It’s adventure time! Join Squirrel and a menagerie of characters (bees, mice, crows — oh my!) for a wild ride to solve a mysterious riddle that could be a blessing or a curse. Kids are going to love the fast-paced, action-packed story and the clues and riddles are going to …
Powerful! This is a middle grade novel so worthy of discussion and rereading. Annabelle struggles as she faces evil in the form of a 14-year-old bully– and prejudice that leads a community to follow fear instead of the truth. Poetic and thoughtful, it’s a story about justice and doing the right thing (To Kill a …
On Wednesday, March 16, after reading A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, the 7th graders at Naches Valley Middle School were introduced to a man who lived the book. Abraham Abei, originally from Sudan (later South Sudan) was one of the “Lost Boys” from the Dinka tribe who traveled with Salva Dut. For years he lived without …
