Middle Grade Monday: Gordon Korman's UNGIFTED

Donovan Curtis is definitely NOT what you'd call gifted. Unless you're referring to his trouble-making ability, at which he excels. So when Donovan accidentally causes a disaster that nearly destroys the school gym, he's certain he's gone to far. Thanks to a mix-up by a school administrator, Donovan is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction- a school for the gifted. Donovan knows that it is only a matter of time before they figure out he doesn't belong but until then, it's the perfect place to hide out. But after an ongoing experiment with a live (and pregnant) sister, a dramatic school dance, and an astonishing come-from-behind robot victory, it turns out that Donovan's "gifts" may be exactly what the students at ASD needed.

I am a total Gordon Korman fan. Ever since he stood up in my sixth-grade assembly and pointed out the teacher who assigned him the writing project that became Macdonald Hall, I have religiously read and laughed at all of his books. Anyone who is familiar with his work knows that he's one of the best when it comes to zany, madcap adventures for middle-grade-  stories that appeal to the mischief-maker in all of us, and make us laugh until our sides hurt.

What I didn't expect, and was pleasantly surprised to discover about Ungifted, is that it is not only funny, but that it has depth- enough that it easily made my Canadian Library Association Book of the Year For Children Award committee's shortlist, and was a favourite with all of us.

Donovan is a trouble-maker- pure and simple. Neither particularly bright or academically challenged, He devotes a great deal of energy to playing pranks and causing trouble, but he's a surprisingly likable character. Korman makes no apologies or excuses for him- he simply is one of those kids. This is why, when after his latest prank (which results in unforeseen disaster), he's shocked when his parents receive a letter telling them that he's being transferred to a school for the academically gifted.

Again- you have to suspend your disbelief here- the mix-up is completely unlikely, and the idea that the District Superintendent  would lose his name and take most of the book to trace him is completely insane. However, this is what happens, and what really sets the story in motion.

The Gifted Academy is fairly standard as far as our image of Gifted Kids goes. The students in Donovan's new class are insanely smart, but like child versions of the characters on The Big Bang Theory, they lack certain social skills. Being normal kids has been lost on them, and everything is about academics and their robotics club.

When Donovan shows up, the kids are immediately suspicious and puzzled. He is completely alien to them, and they look at him like he's a science experiment they don't quite get. The thing is- that even though Donovan is completely average in his academics, he's actually good for the rest of the group. He names the robot Tin Man, which never occurred to them to do.  That, combined with Donovan's skill with a joystick (earning him the privilege of driving the robot in competition), emotionally invest the kids in the project, and earns him their admiration.

Told through the multiple perspectives of his classmates, his sister, and his teachers, readers will discover that being good at Math and Science alone do not make a person gifted. Donovan's gift is what he is able to do for the kids in his class- give them a sense of camaraderie, unity, and normalcy, and brings out the kid inside all of them.

Sensitively told, and laced with humour, this is a fantastic read for any kid whose ever tried to figure out what gifts they possess, and how they fit into the world.

False Prince & Runaway King: Must-Read Young Adult Political Fantasy

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the people, Conner, a nobleman of the court hatches a risky and dangerous scheme- to install an impersonator of the long-lost prince on the throne, and use him as a puppet to control the kingdom. Four orphans are recruited to "audition" for the role, including Sage- a defiant young orphan and thief, who bears a striking resemblance to the lost prince. Sage knows that Conner's motives are dubious, but he also knows that if his life almost certainly depends on being chosen for the role.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layers of deceit and treachery unfold, culminating in a revelation that is bigger and more dangerous than all the lies together.

The Runaway King, the second book in the Ascendance trilogy picks up where book one leaves off, taking readers on a roller-coaster ride of treason and murder.

For months I'd been hearing about Jennifer Nielsen's The False Prince as something I had to read, and I was not disappointed! Years ago I was enthralled by Megan Whalen Turner`s The Queen`s Thief series, and this trilogy greatly reminded me of these fabulous books.

From the very beginning you know that Sage is different from the other chosen boys, but you just can`t quite put your finger on what. He`s a thief- and smart one. He seldom gets caught, but can talk his way out of trouble (mostly) when he does, he`s witty, nimble, and is not nearly as malleable as Conner expects him to be. While the other boys mostly fall in line with Conner`s plans, Sage will not be manipulated or controlled.

For the careful reader, there are clues- and if you follow them, you`ll understand exactly what makes Sage so different, and why he can be so confident that he will be king. I picked up on the clues pretty quickly and figured out the twist early on, but it didn`t detract from my enjoyment of the book at all.

The author does a fantastic job world-building, and the political tensions and intrigue is completely believable. You also can`t help but adore Sage, and root for him to become king. In a situation where he could have been cut-throat and done anything necessary to win, he demonstrates compassion and justness-qualities you wouldn't expect to see in an orphan and a thief.

The story moves along at a breakneck pace, and even suspecting where it was going, I was compelled to keep reading just to find out how everything would resolve itself. Calling a book clever is not something I do very often, but the plotting in False Prince is extremely clever and intelligently done, and kids will love the twists and turns.

In book 2, and I won't say much about this plot for fear of giving away spoilers, the story continues. The new king is in place, and adjusting to his role, the bad guy (or at least the known bad guy) has been taken care of, and now the politics of the kingdom and the full weight of the returned king take the focus. The book retains the quality and consistency of book one, and I found it to be equally exciting as the first. In fact, I probably liked the second book a bit better, (which is rare) just because it was so much more intense. I was very fortunate to have an ARC of the second book on hand to read it immediately after reading the first, and now I can't wait for the third book!

In an age where everybody talks about getting boys- and particularly those in 7th or 8th grade reading- Jennifer Nielsen has created a masterful pair of books full of action, adventure and danger that will keep them on the edge of their seats, and never wanting to leave this world and these phenomenal characters.

Nix Minus One & Counting Back From 9: Compelling YA In Verse

It happens sometimes that I inadvertently pick similar books to read, and as I was reading Nix Minus One and Counting Back From 9, it became apparent that I'd done it again. I decided to read both of these books largely because of my affinity for these authors, and neither one disappointed. Books in verse can be extraordinarily challenging to execute well, but both of these authors rose above the challenge to create emotionally resonant and compelling novels.

Nix Minus One, releasing from Pajama Press this February, is told from the point of view of Nix- a fifteen-year-old boy who although he has recently shed some of the fat that earned him the nickname "Fatty Humbolt", still struggles to make friends and to emerge from his elementary school handle.  At home, he finds refuge in woodworking and constructing intricate boxes and furniture in his father's workshop. He also spends his time trying to avoid arguments with his polar opposite sister Roxy, who seems to radiate energy. His relationship with Roxy is explosive, but Nix would still do anything for her- especially if it meant saving her from the guy he knows is trouble. When he's not in the workshop, Nix spends his time walking and caring for Twig- a neighbour's neglected dog. When Twig is endangered and Roxie gets into some real trouble, Nix is forced out of his comfort zone and into action in order to save those he loves.

Nix's story is one of transformation. Nix is an introvert. He finds relationships difficult, and is more at home expressing himself through the things he makes. A connection he does form his to his neighbour's neglected (and possibly abused) dog, whom he arranges to start walking every day. With Twig, Nix can do what he can't do for his sister Roxy. Nix knows that Roxy's relationship is toxic, but she won't listen to him. The more out of control she becomes, the more desperate he becomes to protect Twig.

What I loved most about this book is the the way that Nix evolves.In the same way that Twig transforms from a sad and frightened animal, Nix transforms from a sad and timid boy into the knight-slaying dragon he wishes he could be. Nix finds strength he didn't know he possessed- the strength to fight for what matters and protect what he loves no matter how difficult or at how high a cost.

Counting Back From 9, (Fitzhenry & Whiteside November 2012) also told in verse, is about love, loss, and secrets. Laren Oliver knows that having a romance with a friend's ex-boyfriend is against the rules, but her attraction to Scott is just too strong and she can't stay away. Laren tells herself that if she can just keep the romance a secret, everything will be fine, but she's not the only one with something to hide. In a year-long journey through secrets, lies, exposures and betrayals, Laren must find a way to reconcile who she is with what she's done. And when tragedy strikes, Laren finds herself struggling with a discovery so shocking, it rocks the foundation of her world.

Remember being a teenager and being completely obsessed with the guy/girl you know you shouldn't be with but can't stay away from? This is Laren's problem. Scott is her best friend's ex-boyfriend, (except he wasn't an ex yet when they first got together) and she knows that it's all kinds of wrong. The thing is, she needs to be with him. The attraction between them is so strong (or so she believes), she'd rather keep their relationship a secret than give him up. Of course, a secret never stays secret, and when their relationship gets out, Laren finds herself completely shunned by her circle of friends, and left alone with her feelings of guilt, regret and loss.

While she's dealing with all of this, tragedy strikes. Her father is killed in an accident, and it turns out he had some secrets of his own. Everything she thinks she knows about her family is thrown into turmoil, and Laren is forced to examine some hard truths about her own supposed relationship.

Both of these books were impossible to put down, and left me thinking about them long after I finished reading. They are emotionally engaging and thought-provoking, and the verse format asks readers to read between the lines and fill in the blanks. They deal with loss, and secrets, and figuring out who you are, and are highly accessible and appealing teenage reads.

True (...Sort of) by Katherine Hannigan: Must-Read Middle-Grade

Delly (Delaware) Pattison knows that she's everything they say she is. She's trouble, she's bad, she's hopeless. She doesn't mean to be, but she also doesn't know how not to be. Everything she thinks will be great fun turns to trouble, and if ever she needed a surpresent (a surprise that turns into a present) it's now. Brud Kinney wants to play basketball like nobody's ever seen, and when the Boyds arrive, Brud meets somebody who plays like he's never seen. Ferris Boyd is unlike anyone Brud or Delly have ever met, but she will impact both of their lives like they could never have imagined, and nothing will ever be the same.

I LOVED this book so much, I seriously have been waiting all day for a quiet moment to rave about it. This is a gem of a book that really gets under your skin and is completely unforgettable.

Eleven-year-old Delly knows that she's bad. She doesn't mean to be bad-really she doesn't, but everybody's been telling her she's trouble for so long, she knows in her heart it's true. All the trouble and the hurt is replaced with mad, and comes out as  fighting and yelling, inevitably getting her into more trouble. But the thing about Delly is that she isn't bad at all. She's got a big heart, and is such an original spirit that the adults around her just don't really get her.

The real truth, is that all Delly really wants is to make her mother proud, and this, along with her brother RB's suggestion that she count and ask questions when she wants to yell or fight, helps her to start controlling her behaviour. The trouble with questions though, is that sometimes the answers can hurt,

The game changer in Delly's life is Ferris Boyd- the boy who's actually a girl, who doesn't speak and can't be touched.  Ferris is a real puzzle to Delly, and Delly finds herself wanting to be her friend. The way their friendship develops is beautifully written. Their friendship makes Delly's heart hurt just a little bit less each day, and Ferris gradually brings out the gentle and softness that she'd lost.

This book has the same kind of classic potential as Bridge to Terabithia.  It is a book about children who find each other and need one another whether they realize it or not. It's a book about keeping secrets and trusting the right people with secrets, and about understanding that a friendship is something you share- not keep for yourself.

There are so many things to love about this book, but you'll have to read it to discover them all for yourself.

Every You, Every Me: An Enthralling Photographic Mystery

Evan, a tormented teen, starts to discover a series of unnerving photographs- some of which feature him. Someone is messing with him- threatening him- but Evan has no idea who it could be. Worse, ever since Ariel's been gone, he's barely slept, and spends every night torturing himself for his role in her absence. As crazy as it seems, Evan starts to believe that it's Ariel punishing him. The more Evan starts to unravel the mystery, the more his paranoia and insomnia intensify, and the more he starts to unravel. Told with black-and-white photographs insterted between the pages, this is a one-of-a-kind departure for a one-of-a-kind author.

As often happens, I've had this book sitting on my shelf for quite some time, and as I've been selling it this season, my curiosity grew until I couldn't wait anymore to read it.

This is such a unique and intense mystery, and I was completely hooked from the first page. Where Ariel is, and what actually happened to her is a deliciously slow reveal. At the start of the novel, we know that Ariel is gone, and that Evan blames himself. Is she dead? Has she run-away? Does anybody know where she is? Will she/could she come back? These are all questions that were running through my head throughout the novel.

I also loved the way the photographs are interspersed with the text, allowing readers to see exactly what Evan is seeing. When you look at the photographs, you truly understand the phrase "a picture's worth a thousand words".  Each photograph reveals a piece of the puzzle, and builds tension until the shocking ending.

The writing style is also unique. Told in Evan's voice, the prose takes the form of a letter to Ariel that clearly will never be sent. While the strikethroughs have frustrated some readers, I found them extremely intriguing and effective. The crossed-out lines are a story unto themselves. They are a kind of un-edited, stream-of-consciousness free-write, which made Evan's unravelling even more visible.

Due to the darkness of the story, the novel may not be the best choice for a younger reader, but for mature readers in 8th grade and high school, this is a fast-paced, highly readable mystery that will keep you guessing until the last chapter.

End of Days: A Page-Turning Teen Read

The year is 2012, and all of the world's most renowned astrophysicists, theoretical mathematicians and astronomers have died within the same 12-month period. Except they haven't. Their deaths have been faked, and They've been taken by the International Aerospace Research Institute to hopefully find a way to destroy an asteroid (200m in diameter) that will collide with earth in approximately 24 years. Seven years later, their mission is revealed by the brilliant and reclusive innovator Joshua Fichett, whose alleged death the next day is attributed to a Judgement Day group who believe that the asteroid is God's way of purifying the earth. As the day of impact approaches, society crumbles, resulting in supply shortages, violence and desperation.

Meanwhile, Fitchett, who staged his death is working on his own solution to the disaster. He recruits hundreds of gifted children and 16-year-old gang-leader Billy to lead them. The End of Days is drawing closer, and Billy and the children are the Earth's last, best, hope to preserve civilization.

When I started this book, I have to admit I was skeptical. However: It only took a couple of chapters before I was completely sucked in and absolutely riveted. Aftermath novels are extremely popular right now, but what makes Eric Walter's book unique is that he explores the impact of this impending disaster on society as it waits for the disaster.

When Fitchett makes his announcement, the reaction is understandably doubtful. They are the words of a crazy man- one who has spent too much time away from society, and surely must be wrong. But as the evidence starts to prove him correct, the world takes a different turn. In the ensuing years leading up to the disaster, Walters presents a picture of a different world than the one we know. It's a dog-eat-dog world, where religious extremists find legs, and essential supplies such as food and fuel are scarce. Poverty, starvation and violence are part of the norm, and it is an overall bleak, and chaotic environment.

The writing is tightly focused, the story suspenseful, and offers a lot of ideas for discussion. For as long as I can remember there has been speculation about the Nostradamus and Incan prophecies predicting the end of the world. So far, they've been refuted, disputed and dismissed, and the world has continued as normal. But- what if the end of the world were truly imminent? Does a visionary like Fitchett exist who could find a solution? Would religious extremists become the new leaders? These are all questions I pondered while reading the book, and Walters' vision is not difficult to imagine.

I've read quite a few of Eric Walters' books, and this is by far the best of the bunch. It is thoughtful, suspenseful and realistic, and there is no romance or teen angst to disrupt the narrative.  As a Red Maple Award nominated title for 2012, I expect that this highly absorbing and entertaining  novel will be a popular choice with teens and tweens- and especially boys.

Highly recommended!

Must Read Middle-Grade: The Casson Family Saga by Hilary McKay

Welcome to the world of the Casson family. There's Eve and Bill, the clan's artist parents, Caddy (Cadmium) the eldest, then Saffy (Saffron), Indgo and Rose.  If you live in Britain, Hilary McKay might already known to you. If you don't know her, and you've enjoyed books by authors such as Beverly Cleary, Gennifer Choldenko or Jeanne Birdsall,  you should run out and buy these books for yourself, or your favourite 10 to 13-year-old reader.

The series officially begins with Saffy's Angel, which introduces the family, and middle-child Saffron. All of the Casson family are named for colours on the colour spectrum, except Saffy. This leads Saffy to realize that she's adopted, and the story focuses on her quest to find out where she came from but also solidifies her place within the family.

Next comes Indigo's Star, which is the only book focusing on Indigo- the only boy in the family. It's a story about bullying, and friendship, and as with the first book, McKay depicts the way that the family comes together when it matters, and the closeness that the siblings share.

The 3rd and 5th books feature the baby of the family- Rose. Rose, affectionately called "Permanent Rose" (Which is also the name of the 3rd book) because of her premature birth and initial uncertainty of her survival, picks up shortly after the events of book 2, and really demonstrates the feistiness  and determination of this character. Book 5, titled Forever Rose, picks up about a year or so after book 4, and Rose is feeling somewhat left behind. Saffy and Indigo, now teenagers, are busy with their teenage pursuits, and Caddy has been MIA ince her almost wedding just over a year ago. But Rose being Rose, she doesn't stay down for long, and readers are treated to a first-person account of Rose's irrepressible spirit.

Book 4, Caddy Ever After, focuses on the romantic entanglements of a now 19-year-old Caddy. Not to be outdone, each of her siblings also has a tangle with love, and four hilarious, and intertwining stories emerge. McKay also returns the focus to Caddy in the sixth book and prequel to the series called Caddy's World, introducing readers to Caddy at 12-years-old, the year that everything changes for her and her family.

Eve and Bill, though both artists, are quite different. Eve reminds me a great deal of the Jennifer Saunders character from the Britcom Absolutely Fabulous, (though without the drug abuse and excessive drinking), and I always picture Bill Nighy (another famous British actor) as the dad- but also completely wholesome. The pair, while not divorced, live apart during the week. Bill retains a flat and a girlfriend in the city, (though he does come home occasionally and phones almost daily) and Eve stays at home with the children, and has a sort of studio in a shed on their property. They are both loving parents, and devoted to each other and their children, but parenting is a bit of an abstract idea, and thus the children's upbringing is quite unusual- and entertaining!

Ever since the publication of Saffy's Angel in 2002, this series has been one of my favourites to read and recommend to girls who want the depth but not the content of YA.  Hilary McKay is a masterful writer, and her characters really come to life on the page. The stories are funny, fast-paced, and really entertaining. The children are realistic, the parents frazzled, and no matter what kind of situations they face, or what different directions life pulls them in, the closeness they share is unfaltering.

The Casson family is unconventional and off-beat, but are also a warm, loving and realistic family that you will wish you were part of, and want to spend time with.

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip: A Home Run Read

When a freakish injury ends high school freshman Peter Friedman's career, he has a few things to figure out. Is there life after sports? Why did his grandfather just hand him thousands of dollars of camera equipment, and is it his imagination, or is the hot star of the girl's swim team flirting with him? In his new novel for tweens, Jordan Sonnenblick explores themes of friendship, romance, family, and tragedy, all with his signature humour and warmth.

A star pitcher/catcher in elementary school, Peter thought he had it all figured out. He'd play high school ball, get scouted, and eventually play in the major leagues. When he suffers a career-ending elbow injury and is told he'll never be able to play ball again, he feels like he's gotten the wind knocked out of him.

In an age where we are reading almost daily about serious injuries to young athletes, this novel imparts an important message to anyone who has ever devoted themselves to a single sport or hobby. Yeah it sucks to see your dream disappear, but when you're only 14, it's not the end of the world. He also happens to be a talented photographer (having been taught from an early age by his grandfather), and photography can open up a host of new possibilities for him- if only he'll allow himself to see them. Not every kid is necessarily super-talented at many things, but I think the point here is that when you no longer have that all-consuming thing, you can take the time to pursue other things that interest you.

I also like how Sonnenblick explores all of the other things that go through Peter's head when he can't play baseball anymore. Baseball defined him, and without it, he has no idea what he's about or who he is. Baseball was his ticket to popularity. It's what was going to get him noticed- make him stand out. And now, he's got nothing-or so he thinks. He also worries that his best friend AJ (who also plays ball) who will get wrapped up in the team and leave him behind. For a fourteen-year-old kid, these are all valid worries, and they're handled with sensitivity and understanding.

And then there is the girl thing. Angelika, the only other freshman in his advanced photography class, is smart, cute and seems to like him, but Peter is so wrapped up in the loss of his baseball identity, he can't seem to appreciate that she likes him and not AJ.

On the home front, Peter can tell that his grandfather is acting strangely, but his parents are busy and distracted and don't really pay attention when he tries to tell them that something is wrong. Unable to get them to listen, he takes it on his shoulders and tries to handle it himself. His parents are not bad people or irresponsible- there are just some things they can't or don't want to see, and it takes something major to wake them up.

Ever since I read his début novel Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie (grab it and read it now if you haven't yet), I've been sold on Jordan Sonnenblick as a major talent.  A former 8th grade English teacher, his understanding of kids- and particularly boys- is apparent in everything he writes.  His characters are flawed, yet likeable people, and they feel like kids you either do know, or would want to know. Sonnenblick has never shied away from tackling the difficult issues, and he's also one of the few authors who can make you laugh and cry in the same book. He's got a way of bringing out the humour in the most tragic of situations, and yet he doesn't detract from the seriousness of the issue.

I could go on for pages more about how wonderful this book was, but sports fan or not, this is a must-read tween novel, and I highly recommend that you become acquainted with this incredible author.

Code Name Verity: A Compelling YA Read

When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, her Nazi interrogators give her a terrible choice- record her confession of her mission, or be executed. With each page, Verity intricately weaves her confession, uncovering her past, her friendship with Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked and burning fuselage of their plane. With each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life. But will it be enough to save her from the enemy?

Wow! Wow! Wow! Really- those were the first words that came to mind the entire time I was reading this, and while it started out a bit slow, it became a book I stayed up late reading. I first heard about this on Twitter, and when enough people start raving about something, I take notice!  It's suspenseful, engaging, gut-wrenching, and just an all-around emotional roller coaster. I just don't feel like there are enough words to properly describe what a mind-blowing and essential read this book is.

Code Name Verity is one of those books that is so intricate and complex that you'll keep thinking about it long after you finish reading. It's also the kind of book that adult readers will absolutely devour. You don't read it and think "Wow, this is a great YA novel." You think "Wow! This is a great novel- period!" The first section, structured as a written-confession is told from Verity's point of view (we don't learn her real name until later), and through it, we come to know and love this incredibly brave woman. What does she actually know about the plans of the British? Something, or nothing, but she knows that whatever she tells them, she'd better make it good if she wants to stay alive. On the brink of exhaustion, cold, hungry, and a victim of torture, Verity never falters. She is courageous, gutsy, and quick-witted, and the story she tells is one of tremendous friendship and loyalty.

In an unexpected twist, the perspective shifts to Maddie for the second part of the book, who unbeknownst to Verity has survived the crash and is alive and well, and working with the resistance. Her mission is not as much about the war, as it is about finding a way to rescue Verity. Maddie's story perfectly compliments Verity's story, filling in the gaps in her story. There is, it turns out, a great deal about Verity and Maddie's mission that we didn't know about, and Maddie fills in many of those details. I know I had several "holy crap" moments as a fuller picture came into focus.

The WWII backdrop offers readers fascinating insight into the lives of female pilots during the war, but above all, Code Name Verity is a story of friendship, loyalty and courage. It is about two young women who become as close as sisters, and who are fully prepared to die for one another. It's about friendship and the loyalty, and how far they would go to protect one another.

Middle Grade Monday: A Tinfoil Sky

12-year-old Melody knows what it's like to live rough. For as long as she can remember, she and her mother Cecily have moved from place-to-place, searching for a place to call home. When Cecily gets arrested and sentenced to a month in jail, Mel is sent to live with her grandmother. Although everything is not working out as she'd hoped, the arrangement does allow Mel to find out more about her mother's past, and to gain an understanding of herself and the kind of person that she wants to be.

Cyndi Sand-Eveland's follow-up to Dear Toni, offers readers a gritty and realistic look at what it's like for children without a place to call home.


I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. All the reviews talk about how it's a gritty look at homelessness, which it is, but I don't really see that as being the main theme of this novel. Yes Mel and Cecily have lived under bridges and in their car, but it's less about being homeless than the need and desire to have a home.

Mel's mom Cecily is a mess.  She's immature, irresponsible, and selfish. Her drinking and shoplifting are out of control, and goes from one deadbeat guy to another. She tries to take care of Mel, but she can barely take care of herself, and Mel is often forced to be the adult in their relationship. Mel doesn't approve of her mother, but she loves her, and Cecily loves her. Possibly the single mature decision that Cecily makes is knowing that she is not what's best for Mel, regardless of how hard it is to leave her.

When Cecily announces that they are going back home to live with Mel's grandmother, Mel imagines a loving and nurturing woman whom she can call grandmother, and who will welcome them with open arms. What she doesn't expect is that her grandmother won't even open the door, and that she and Cecily end up once again with no money and nowhere to go.

Mel is a wonderful character. She's world weary, yet vulnerable.  Her life isn't easy, but as we see when she's forced to spend a rainy night hungry and alone in her mother's car, we realize just how young she actually is.

Things seem to go from bad to worse when Cecily is thrown in jail for 30 days, and she's forced to live with her grandmother. She wants to believe that she's important like the judge said, but her grandmother treats her like an unwanted burden. My heart completely broke for Mel the first morning when she's locked out of the apartment because her grandmother is afraid she'll steal her stuff.

Mel finds solace at the town library, and I love that books play such an important role in transforming this girl. Wherever she's gone and whatever she does, she always takes solace in reading. In fact, books are so important, that when the judge asks Mel if there is anything she needs, she shocks everybody by asking for a library card. As the month ticks by, Mel starts putting down roots. She finds a sense of belonging, makes a friend, and even finds a part-time job reading to kids at the library once-a-week. In the back of her mind she knows there's a chance her mother will want to leave, but she desperately wants to believe that they will stay.

I also really liked the way that the relationship between Mel and her grandmother transforms. At first, she can only see Mel as an extension of Cecily- a person who has betrayed her trust and devastated her before. She's understandably not eager to open up her home or her heart, and Mel, feeling rejected and unwanted responds in kind.  Without even realizing it, they start to care about each other, and the house key is a subtle but important representation of the bond that grows between them.

A Tinfoil Sky is a novel about growing up, about finding your place, and about having the maturity to choose what kind of life you want to live, as Mel does at the end of the book. It is a beautifully and sensitively written book, and one which will give readers a lot to think about and discuss.

Middle Grade Monday on Tuesday: Small Medium at Large by Joanne Levy

After getting hit by lightning at her mother's wedding, 12-year-old Lilah Bloom is shocked to discover that she has developed a new talent- she can hear dead people! Among them are her deceased Bubby (Grandmother), a fashion designer and a mischievous boy. Together with a few other ghosts, they help Lilah navigate seventh grade and to face her one big fear- talking to a boy!

As one of the hosts of the weekly Middle Grade Lit chat on Twitter, I made a pledge to myself that I would make a concerted effort this year to try and read even more middle grade this year than I usually do. Thankfully, Canadian author Joanne Levy made this an easy pledge to keep with her debut.

Lilah is a typical 12-year-old. She's wrapped up in school, friends, and of course, boys. What she really wants is for crush Andrew Finkel to notice her and maybe even ask her to the seventh grade dance, but at the same time, the prospect of going out with a boy terrifies her.

One of the things I enjoyed about this book is how completely realistic Lilah is. (Despite having the ability to talk to ghosts.) She's smart, but not obnoxiously so, pretty, but not drop-dead gorgeous, and she has a small circle of friends, but isn't popular. She's a regular, likeable kid, and I would have liked to be friends with her when I was 12.

I also really enjoyed the way the author uses the ghosts, and especially the ghost of her Jewish grandmother  and the prissy fashion designer who of course, bonds with her bubby and is equally full of advice. Lilah's bubbe reminded me a great deal of my own grandmother (who also had a talent for bonding with strangers), and I suspect that were I able to hear ghosts, that's pretty much what it would be like. While it would have been easy to make this a story completely about using her ability to help people (which she does), or to make it something Sixth Sense creepy, that's not what this novel is really about. It's about getting your first bra (and without spoiling it, this scene will make you laugh-out-loud), going to your first dance, kissing your first boy, and helping your hapless divorced Dad get back on the dating scene. The different ghosts all help Lilah understand something new about herself, and the people around her, and to navigate some hilarious, but often embarrassing stumbles.

Overall, Small Medium At Large is a fun and original read, and if you are a fan of books by authors such as Wendy Mass or Laurel Snyder, this is definitely a book to put in your pile!

Mr & Mrs. Bunny: A Fun, Whimsical Read

10-year-old Madeline is used to being the sensible one in her family, and taking care of things for her flighty, hippy parents. So when she comes home from school one day and discovers that they've gone missing, she knows what needs to be done. With the help of Mr. & Mrs. Bunny- a pair of fedora-wearing, rabbit detectives (whom she more or less stumbles upon), a garlic bread-loving marmot, and a host of other quirky characters, she sets out to find her parents, learning important lessons about friendship, family, and herself along the way.

Polly Horvath has long been one of my favourite authors, and her newest book exceeded my expectations. Madeline is a character that both adults and kids will enjoy. She's precocious without being obnoxious, and she's very clearly the grown-up in her family. It's not that her parents don't love her- they do, but they are very live-as-you-please sort of people, and have untraditional priorities. They are not the sort of parents who will come and watch her receive her school award, or be impressed that it's being given to her by the Prince of Whales, but getting a pair of white shoes for the event is important to Madeline, and she needs to get them to agree to give her the money. Madeline is thoughtful, wise, and always in charge, but she also demonstrates moments of vulnerability that remind you she actually is a child.

When some some foxes need the help of Madeline's Uncle Runyon (who just happens to be an expert decoder)  to decode a secret recipe for rabbit, they kidnap Madeline's parents in the hopes that they will lead them to him. Unfortunately, neither of them remember where he lives, which poses a problem for the foxes, but they decide to kidnap them anyway until they remember. The foxes really made me laugh. They are totally over-the-top villains, and it works perfectly for this story. They can speak, and write english (entirely self-taught), and they assume that humans are stupid and easily foiled.

Mr. & Mrs. Bunny, having only recently taken up detecting (all because of the fedoras), are immediately taken by Madeline, and offer to take her case. They also insist that she stay with them until they find her parents, and get the idea that they could possibly keep her as a pet. For the first time, Madeline gets a sense of what it's like to be taken care of, and she's really conflicted. On the one hand, she enjoys being parented, but on the other, she's so used to being the adult, she can't quite trust any adult- human or otherwise to be competent to handle anything.

The Bunny's are extremely entertaining, and adults in particular will appreciate the comical banter between them. Polly Horvath does comedy extremely well, and the satire is extremely clever. Some of the jokes might go over the heads of child readers, but there is plenty about this book that will endear it to them.

I am also a sucker for beautiful language, and this book certainly has that. More than a few times I paused reading to take in a particularly wonderful phrase. The author does not shy away from using sophisticated language, and I actually see this as a plus- not a negative. This is a perfect book for both reading aloud, and it should absolutely find a place on the shelf of every middle-grade reader.

Must Read Middle Grade: Storybound by Melissa Burt

In the land of story, children go to school to learn how to be characters. They learn to be heroes, sidekicks, ladies, or even dastardly villains. They then go on to find work in stories written just for them. In our world, 12-year-old Una Fairchild has always felt out of place. That is until she stumbles onto a mysterious book in the library and is transported into Story. But all is not perfect in Story.With a Tale Keeper watching her every move, and whispers of a secret that involves Una herself- one that could put her- and Story- in grave danger!

Many years ago I read a book by Roderick Townley called The Great Good Thing. I'm not sure if it was ever a bestseller, but I loved it. I loved it because the characters in the book knew that they were characters, and yet when the book was closed, they had lives outside of the story. Storybound  reminded me a great deal of that and of course, of Inkheart, to which it's often compared.

Books like this are wonderful because they take you beyond the book, and make you wonder- what do the characters in our favourite stories do when we aren't reading them? Do they have lives outside of their stories? The characters in Storybound certainly do, and Story feels as real and as possible as ours is.

The characters are brilliantly flushed out, and nobody is exactly what they seem. On first blush, Snow is a spoiled and snotty girl, but as the novel progresses, readers learn how much more there is to her than what we saw. Snow is a lonely girl who feels abandoned by her mother (who has left her to live with a seemingly uncaring aunt and uncle) and just wants to feel important. She also wants to capture the attention of Peter, a boy in Story who is training to be a hero. Many of the other characters in Story are also not what they seem, including Una herself.

The story moves along quickly, and though I was wondering in the beginning where it was leading, it wasn't long before I was wholly engaged. I ended up finishing the last 300 pages in the space of a few hours on a Friday night because I simply couldn't put it down. The author creates some wonderful twists and turns, and I have to admit that I was totally taken by surprise by some of the revelations at the end.

Storybound is a really wonderful quest fantasy, and even better, it`s intelligent! It is not so difficult a read that kids will struggle, but it`s content rich, thoughtful, and a perfect book for reading alone or for reading aloud.

Armchair BEA: Introductions

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

I got into blogging because several of my industry colleagues suggested that I should be sharing my reviews and passion for books.

       2. What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

I am currently reading 3 books: 1. Hunted by Cheryl Reinfield, 2. This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers and 3. Outcasts of River Falls by Jacqueline Guest

       3. Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.

I am a total musical theatre nut and it's probably my second biggest passion (next to books) I am also a virtual social butterfly, but much more shy and reserved in real life. 

        4. What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

My favourite part about the book blogging community is that it is a community. I love connecting with other people who are huge readers and intelligently and passionately talk/write about the books that they read. I've connected with awesome people this way. 

       5. Has blogging changed the way you think about books and how? 

I'd say yes it has. I've come to think about books more thoughtfully and critically than I did before I blogged. I've learned to go beyond my superficial reaction and consider more carefully my response to a book. 

       6.  Where do you see your blog in five years?

I honestly have no idea. I hope that I am still blogging and have grown it to a sizeable readership. 5 years seems like a really long time from now though, and I'm not sure where life will take me in that time. A lot can happen!

       7. What books do you most enjoy blogging about? 

I blog about the books I enjoy most. I read a lot and will often finish more than one book in a week. My writing time is so limited I'd rather blog about something that is a 4 or 5 star read for me than a book I didn't enjoy. 

The One and Only Ivan: An Enchanting Middle Grade Read

Ivan the gorilla is used to being something of a spectacle. Taken into captivity as a juvenile, he's lived most of his life in a domain at the Big Top Mall and Arcade. Life, in general is pleasant for Ivan. He's got his favourite stuffed gorilla toy, friends in Stella the elderly elephant and Bob the stray dog, and his television. Ivan hardly thinks about the jungle at all anymore. Mostly he thinks about his art, and how to capture his thoughts with colour. Then he meets Ruby. Ruby is a baby elephant, taken from her family and brought to Big Top Mall to renew interest in the exhibit. Through her eyes, Ivan comes to see their home, and his art in a different light, and it's up to him to make things change for the better.

It's not very often that a book comes along that gets spoken about in the same breath as Charlotte's Web, but Katherine Applegate's new book has received lots of well-deserved praise and attention since it's release in January, and when we reach the 60th anniversary of its publication, I believe it will be as fondly remembered.

There's no question that animal stories are heart-tugging, but this one is especially so because it challenges us to think about the lives of animals being kept in captivity, and what it does to their quality of life and their happiness.

From the moment you meet him, you know that Ivan is special. Once the star-attraction at the Big Top Mall, he knows that people are not as interested in him as they once were, but that doesn't really bother him.  He has his friends and his art, and his memories of life in the jungle with his parents and twin sister are faint. It has been many years since he's even seen one of his own kind, and though he doesn't initially understand what the feeling is, he's lonely. Ivan's voice is pitch perfect. He has a very simple and straightforward way of viewing the world, and much like Charlotte, he finds his purpose in his promise to Stella to save Ruby.

The novel illustrates the best and the worst of humanity, and captures the both the heart-warming and the heart-breaking aspect of these animals and their relationships. Katherine Applegate is a masterful writer, and the quality of the prose alone makes this a book not to be missed.

Middle Grade Monday: The Humming Room by Ellen Potter

12-year-old Roo is an expert in hiding. Living in an unstable family, there are times when she needs to just disappear out of sight. When her parents are murdered, it's her special hiding place under the trailer that saves her life. Much to Roo's surprise, a wealthy, eccentric uncle agrees to take her into his home on Cough Rock Island. Once a Sanatorium for children with TB, the island is full of legends and secrets. Roo doesn't believe in fairy stories, but what are the strange noises she keeps hearing in the house at night, and who is that strange boy on the river? Roo knows that people are keeping something from her, and she's determined to learn the truth.

Ellen Potter has been a favourite author of mine ever since she published Olivia Kidney back in 2005, and when I learned that she had written a new novel inspired by my childhood favourite The Secret Garden, I knew I had to read this.

What a wonderful treat this was to read! If you are familiar with The Secret Garden, you'll recognize the references to it in this novel,  but it isn't a necessity. Roo, the Mary Lennox character is a quiet and solitary child. When her arrival on Cough Rock Island is met with general indifference by her uncle, she's initially puzzled, (and maybe a bit hurt), but being used to counting only on herself, she's content to "disappear" all day and explore the island.

What I loved most about this book is the gradual transformation of Roo from someone who wants to be left alone to a child who cares about others and is cared about in return. Like the nearly forgotten garden that she lovingly nurtures, the island nurtures something in Roo, and awakens the part of her that probably always wanted to be loved.

The Humming Room is a beautiful novel about friendship, love, and the transforming power of nature, and is a perfect gift for the little girl in your life who still believes in magic.

White Horse: A Post Apocalyptic Debut

30-year-old Zoe is working as a janitor in the labs for Pope Pharmaceuticals when the world comes crashing down. People are dying around her from a cancer-like virus, and nobody knows what it is or how to stop it. When the American President declares that humans are no longer compatible with life, she knows it's time to flee. Scared and alone, she sets off on a journey that will take her halfway around the world. Along the way, she will see the best of and worst of human nature, and realize, that it is our actions and not genetics that define who we are.

This is one of those books that I would have no reason to know about if not for some well-timed tweets from its publisher Simon and Schuster. Being the curious sort, I clicked the link to the description, and was intrigued enough to put it on my to read list. It certainly sounded like a book I'd enjoy, and while there are infinite numbers of MG/teen novels that I'd like to read, I promised myself that I'd devote more time to doing some non-work-related reading. I'm very glad I did.

This book absolutely fascinated me. The author skilfully alternates between the past and the present, allowing the reader to witness the diminishing population, and Zoe's ultimate purpose. The past very much influences Zoe's present, and each glimpse into the past fills in another blank of where she's going and why.

Zoe is a basket case. She's intelligent, but she's a bit of a wandering soul, and took the job at Pope to do something that didn't require her to think too much, and give her some time to sort her life out. Married once in lust, as she described it, she was widowed before she had a chance to love him, and she's really not sure if she knows what love is. She wants to feel it, and maybe could feel it if she'd allow herself, but it takes something bigger than herself to realize what it is.

One of the things that makes post-apocalyptic novels interesting is that they are a study in human nature, and this book is no different. A crisis can both create anarchy and bring out the best in people, and both of these things happen. The name of the virus, White Horse, is coined by a priest who believes the virus is another plague meant to wipe sinners off of the earth. The real source of the virus is even more disturbing, and what's worse, not a stretch to imagine.

The writing is excellent, and Alex Adams fully drew me into this world that became increasingly bleak and terrifying. You can feel the world falling apart, and feel it become more sparse and desperate.  I also really like the randomness of how the virus affects people, and there are some truly deep moments.  A Larger-than-life figure proves to be flawed and human, and a quip about the virus having killed Oprah the month before offers a sobering reminder that in the end, we are all the same. There are a few story elements that definitely ask the reader to stretch their imaginations, but they don't detract from the plot.

The book can be a bit gruesome and has some violent moments, but it would make a good cross-over title for older teens and "new adults" who are graduating from the YA offerings into something a bit more mature. First in a trilogy, this book does have a definitive ending and can be read as a stand-alone, but I am definitely curious to read the next book and see how Zoe's story evolves.

The Wonder of Wonder

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to school- until now. He's about to start fifth grade at Beecher Prep, and it's hard enough being the new kid when you're ordinary- let alone when you have an extraordinary face. Can Auggie convince his classmates to get past his appearance and give him a chance?

I received a copy of this book from Random House a while ago, but not knowing anything about it, I put it on my shelf to read sometime, figuring that with all of the reading I had to do over the next several months, I'd get to it one of these days. Then, all of a sudden I started hearing things about this book. Two different colleagues/friends whose opinions I greatly respect told me that this was a book I had to read. Then I started hearing about it on Twitter, and I just couldn't resist any longer.

The book is so beautifully written, and there are moments of total heartbreak and absolute joy. You will not find another character like Auggie. He knows what he looks like, and he knows how people perceive him. In his short life, he's become a master at recognizing that flicker of shock that registers on a person's face when they first see him, and he knows when adults put on the "too shiny" smile that means they are trying to disguise what they are thinking. Imagine what it felt like as a teen when you had that huge red zit on your nose, and amplify that by 100. Then you might be able to comprehend how Auggie feels when people looks at him. As wise as he's been forced to become, Auggie is still a vulnerable little boy, and the way that people behave towards him reveals a lot about human nature both good and bad.

When his parents introduce the idea of school, Auggie is terrified. He knows that his appearance will make things difficult, and a big part of him wants to stay shielded from the world.  Kids can be extremely kind, and extremely cruel, and Auggie experiences both throughout the school year. Julian is one of the cruel, but as Auggie explains to his mother,  he only acts that way when adults aren't around.

Through the multiple voices in the novel, readers gain deeper insight into the person that everybody else sees.  Auggie's sister Via (short for Olivia) has always been his biggest champion, but now that she's in high school, she's carrying a lot of her own baggage, and just once wants the right to be selfish and think about herself first. Jack and Summer are the first kids to actually accept Auggie, but all friendships have their bumps in the road, and part of Auggie's growth is learning how to accept that people make mistakes, and find a way to get past it.

Every so often, a book comes along that is so unique and special that you just can't wait to share it with everybody you know. This is one of those gems, and I'll tell you right now- you will fall in love.  this is a one-of-a-kind book that you'll remember long after you've turned the last page, and want to start reading again immediately. A warning though:  don't read this without a box of Kleenex nearby. I got about halfway through before I started bawling (and on the subway no less) and I never quite recovered.

The Way We Fall: A Chilling Speculative Read

When a deadly virus strikes sixteen-year-old Kaelyn's small island community, the government quarantines the island and posts military to make sure that nobody can get in or out. As the doctors race to find a cure, those who are left fight for dwindling supplies. Kaelyn clings to the belief that there is a way to save her friends and family, but how far will she go to save them, and what will she do if she can't?

This book completely creeped me out, but in a good way because it felt so real and so possible.. From SARS to H1N1, there have been no shortage of epidemic scares, but I think what particularly amplifies the terror of this one is that it takes place on an island.

Imagine living in a place where the only way you got supplies was by shipping them in from the mainland. Now imagine what happens when those supplies stop coming. When the people around you are sick and dying. When stores don't open, when schools are closed, and people point guns at you if you cough or sneeze in front of them. This is the world that Megan Crewe creates in the first book of her new series.

Written in letter/journal format, Kaelyn does her best to accurately record everything that happens so that Leo (the boy who was her best friend until their falling out a year ago) will know the truth in case nobody on the island makes it. As the disease claims more and more people, Kaelyn's fear is palpable. Her father, a scientist is working around the clock to try and figure out a way to treat the disease, but they are working against a clock that is rapidly running out. Kaelyn's entries also reveal the absolute terror of isolation as weather knocks out most of their communications systems, and completely cuts them off from the mainland.

Also chilling are the episodes of cruelty and anarchy that occur when the community is at its most vulnerable. Not only do some people start breaking into stores and stealing, but they also start burning homes and killing people who seem to be infected with the virus. It's horrible to imagine, but not unlikely that this would and could happen.

What I liked most about the book is how the author manages to make it an extremely human story. In the midst of everything that's happening, Kaelyn finds a friend in the girl who she thought was her rival and romance with a boy she thought was an enemy. When I read this on the jacket copy I rolled my eyes thinking it would be really corny, but it wasn't. I think circumstances have a way of drawing people together who in any other time might not have connected, and Kaelyn is totally aware of this. Would either of these relationships have happened if not for the virus? Probably not, but does it really matter? No.

My only criticism of the book is that it left me with some nagging questions. Who was patient zero? How did it get to the island, and how did it spread? Most likely it is airborn, but that's really just a guess. Hopefully they will be better answered in book 2.

Overall, I thought that this was a fantastic and thrilling read, and I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for something thrilling yet not dystopian or post-apocalyptic.

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder: An Unexpected Treasure

When 16-year-old Amber sneaks out early on a rare spring-like morning, she's hoping to have one perfect day. One day where she can escape the pressures of family and friends. One day that's just for her before her world is turned upside down. When she meets Cade, they form an instant connection. Cade has also come to the beach also looking for an escape, but for a very different reason. Neither of them know what tomorrow will bring, but whatever happens, they are determined to make the most of every minute of the day before.

There is a bit of a story behind how I came to read this book. I was going through my Simon & Schuster catalogue choosing the YA novels I want to stock & promote this fall and the book caught my attention. After reading a few positive blog reviews about it, I decided that it looked like something I'd be interested in reading and I went rummaging through my books to find an ARC. I really wasn't planning on reading it that day. I'd already started reading something else, and had several more in the to-be-read stack behind me, but something compelled me to open it up. I did, and after just three pages I was hooked and decided I had to read it immediately.

Told in verse through Amber's eyes, readers gradually discover the reasons why both Amber and Cade have come to the beach. Tomorrow is a day that both are dreading, and that neither want to arrive. Tomorrow is a day full of unknowns. All they know is that tomorrow is when their lives will irrevocably change, and it scares the heck out of both of them.

As you have probably already figured out from the title of this post, I absolutely loved this book! It's such a compelling and beautiful story, and it ended up being completely different than what I was expecting. This is not a book about a great love story, or even a tragic one. It is about two people that find something unexpected in each other, and give each other the courage to face whatever happens tomorrow.

I loved Amber's character. Amber loves music and movies, and even loves to drum. Though her parents are divorced, she sees her father regularly, has a loving and supportive mother, and a good relationship with her younger sister. I love how they leave each other notes when there is something they just can't express by talking. Amber's world is about to change, and she's confused and scared. All she wants is some time to herself to block everything out, and that's what her day is all about.

When Amber meets Cade, they just seem to understand each other, and it's easy between them. No  obligation, no questions, no promises. Amber senses that Cade is hiding something, but she leaves it to him to reveal it in his own time and own way- if he wants to. The jacket copy implies that there is a darkness about him, but I didn't really see that. I don't think you could even call it brooding. His tomorrow is also something major, and he just wants this day to live it as fully as he can.

I love the impulsiveness of the day, and the magic that they find in simple things like throwing glitter into the air, flying a kite and flipping a coin. Days like that are so special and rare, and the author does a phenomenal job of drawing the reader so completely that while you're reading it everything else disappears.

The language is absolutely beautiful and there were so many passages that I wanted to highlight and quote, but there was one that particularly stood out for me (as it did for many others judging by the number of times it's referenced on Goodreads.)

"“Oftentimes 
when I read a book, 
I want to savor 
each word, 
each phrase, 
each page, 
loving the prose 
so much, 
I don't want it 
to end. 

Other times 
the story pulls me in, 
and I can hardly 
read fast enough, 
the details flying by, 
some of them lost 
because all that matters 
is making sure 
the character 
is all right 
when it's over.” 

This book was both of these things for me. It was a story that I could hardly read fast enough and yet I didn't want to finish it. I wanted to linger over it and save it, and savour it, and I didn't want it to end. It's a book that will stay with you once you've finished reading, and like the seashells in the sand, is an absolute treasure. 

Highly recommended for Grade 6 and up.