middle grade book

Book Review: Shield of Stars

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Shield of Stars by Hilari Bell
Shield of Stars (The Shield, Sword, and Crown, #1) 
by Hilari Bell

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Weasel, a former pickpocket, is the trusted clerk of Justice Holis. When the Justice is arrested for treason against the king, Weasel must return to the underground community of criminals searching for the outlaw bandit, the Falcon, the only person who could help him break Justice Holis out of prison. With the help of Arisa, an escaped prisoner, Weasel finds a mysterious old shield, rumored to be the long-lost magical shield of the king. The two set out on an impossible quest, to find the Falcon, restore the shield to the rightful ruler of the land, and save Weasel’s master.

Weasel is an interesting character, and I loved that Arisa is mysterious and full of surprises. Their sturdy friendship felt real and tugged at my heart. They are both tough and smart, but in different ways.

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Book Review: Strawberry Girl

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Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
Strawberry Girl 
by Lois Lenski

3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

I liked this book about a family who moves to a new farm in Florida, during the pioneer days, determined to make the farm a success with a beautiful orchard and strawberry grove.
Birdie is excited to become a Strawberry Girl, but is worried that the disgruntled neighbors will make trouble for her family. When the neighbor’s pigs and cows trample over the new strawberry plants, Birdie’s father is outraged and vows to fence in his property to keep them out. This begins a feud between the two farmers, but the farmer’s children are eager to make friends. Only Birdie and her forgiving mother can make peace between the warring neighbors, and make both farms a success! Continue reading →

Book Review: Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland

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Travels with Gannon and Wyatt by Patti Wheeler

Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Ireland 
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads

Gannon and Wyatt are working on a farm in Ireland, soaking in the rich Irish countryside, when they discover water pollution in the nearby river. It’s up to the twins to speak out, and bring the illegal pollution to the attention of the authorities. While they are gathering evidence, a dangerous suspect is determined to stop them, and the twins find themselves on the run in a mysterious Irish forest.

Gannon is certain that fairies, elves, and maybe even leprechauns, are stalking them in the forest. But Wyatt, ever the scientist, is only focused on getting their evidence of the pollution safely away, so they can be used to convict the suspects.

Another exciting book in the Gannon and Wyatt series! I am loving all these travel books!  Continue reading →

Book Review: Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Greenland

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Travels with Gannon and Wyatt by Patti Wheeler
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Greenland 
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodREads

Another wonderful book in this series! Twin brothers, Gannon and Wyatt, travel across Greenland by dogsled, racing to the rescue of a native group of travelers whose dogs have mysteriously fallen ill. Battling the harsh winds and below freezing temperatures, they will need every bit of courage and strength to survive.

I love the writing in these books! You can really feel the desperation of the characters, their awe at the beauty of Greenland, and their struggle to find the inner strength to endure such harsh conditions. It’s a really emotional story, with lots of action and danger too.

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Book Review: Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Egypt

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Travels with Gannon and Wyatt by Patti Wheeler
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Egypt 
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


Once again, Gannon and Wyatt are exploring the world, this time in Egypt, as they search for the lost tomb of Cleopatra. They are up against superstition, tomb robbers, booby traps, false trails, and their own fears and doubts as they embark on this dramatic adventure.

I love the brotherly camaraderie between the twins, Gannon and Wyatt, and how they tease each other, annoy each other, but ultimately rely on each other through thick and thin. They have a grudging respect for one another, even though they have such different personalities. Continue reading →

Book Review: Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana

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Travels with Gannon and Wyatt by Patti Wheeler
Travels with Gannon and Wyatt: Botswana 
by Patti Wheeler, Keith Hemstreet (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


I thoroughly enjoyed this story told through the travel journals of twin brothers, Gannon and Wyatt, as they explore the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta in Botswana. When the brothers hear about a lioness with cubs who has been wounded by a poacher, they trek into the wilderness with a native guide to find the lioness and give her some medical attention before the poacher tracks her down to finish her off! Searching for the lioness, they encounter a plethora of wild animals, and learn how to survive in the wild. Continue reading →

Book Review: Searching for Dragons

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Searching for Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Searching for Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #2) 
by Patricia C. Wrede, Peter de Sève (Illustrator)

5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads


King Mendanbar, Monarch of the Enchanted Forest, is having trouble with wizards burning up bits of his forest. He visits Kazul, the King of the Dragons, for some advice, but Kazul is missing, and Mendanbar teams up with Princess Cimorene to find Kazul and restore the Enchanted Forest.

I enjoyed this book even more reading it for the second time! I still wish that there were a little more romance between Mendanbar and Cimorene, but I do enjoy their friendship and the way they respect and rely on one another through all the sticky magical situations they find themselves in.

There are so many delightful characters in this book! Even the side characters shine with originality and wit.
The basic plot is rather straightforward, but there are so many misdirects and twisty roads for the characters to get delayed and misguided and thrown off course, that it feels like a complex plot.

Book Review: Winter Holiday

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Winter Holiday by Arthur Ransome
Winter Holiday (Swallows and Amazons, #4) 
by Arthur Ransome


5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads
The Swallows and Amazons are planning a Polar Expedition to the north end of the lake, along with their new friends, Dick and Dorothea. While waiting for the lake to freeze over so they can skate, the explorers spend their time building an “igloo”, climbing the fells to “Greenland”, and sailing the “Fram” through the polar ice. But when it comes time for the great Polar Expedition, a snowstorm threatens to ruin all their plans, and only the intrepid Swallows and Amazons can make it through to the North Pole!

I loved reading this for the second time just as much as the first! I am so in love with the delightful Dick and Dorothea, especially because they are not at all nautical like the Swallows. The D’s have to learn how to tie knots and build campfires, but they have their own strengths too, and their own useful knowledge that makes the Swallows and Amazons appreciate them as friends.

I love the Dorothea is constantly writing stories in her head, and I love that Dick gets so focused on whatever sciencey thing he is analyzing that he forgets all about everything else. Best of all, they fit in well with the rest of the crew, while still retaining their own original personalities.

Brilliant writing, wonderful setting, and lovable characters!

Book Review: Swallows and Amazons

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Swallows and Amazons
Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adore this series! They are all so fun and wholesome! Rereading it over and over, this lovely book never loses its charm. From the first page, I’m immediately swept away into the adventures on the lake, following the Swallows as they set up their camp and declare war on the Amazons. I love every delightful character, and I love how with just a few well-chosen words, they each come to life and you feel what they feel as they navigate the wild waters of summer.
Forever a classic!

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Book Review: The List

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The List
The List by Patricia Forde

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this story about a post-apocalyptic society where words are considered dangerous, and people are forced to use only The List, a small selection of words approved by the ruler of their small surviving community. Only the Wordsmith is allowed to know and use words outside of the List.
The main character, Letta, is apprenticed to the Wordsmith, and her love for the beauty of language is a major theme throughout the book. Letta uncovers a plot to rid the entire community of ALL their words, and she is caught in the midst of a desperate rebellion, full of intrigue and adventure. But is Letta willing to risk everything, just to save a few words? Continue reading →