MMGM: Rebecca Stead’s The Experiment — A Story That Stays With You

 

When I saw Rebecca Stead (When You Reach Me) had a new book, I grabbed it right away from my local library. Although I'm not a big sci-fi fan, I do like "light sci fi," think Ray Bradbury or the Twilight Zone. If sci fi is set on Earth, I'm all in. 

If you like twists and turns, intriguing premises, and strong family and friendships, you will love The Experiment!

 

Synopsis

 

Nathan wants to help his people, but first he has to figure out who they are...

Nathan never understood what was "fun" about secrets, probably because he’s always had to keep a very big one. 

Although he appears to be a typical sixth-grader (with parents, homework and a best friend, Victor), Nathan learned at an early age that his family is from another planet. Now, their time on Earth may be coming to an end. 

Nathan, his parents and nine other families are part of an experiment that suddenly seems to be going wrong. Some of the experimenters, including Nathan's first crush, Izzy, are disappearing without a word. After his family is called back to the mothership, Nathan begins to question everything he’s been taught to believe about who he is and why he's on Earth.

The Experiment is a fast-paced coming-of-age novel that asks universal questions about how we figure out who we want to be, and whether it’s ever too late to change. (from Amazon)

 

 What I liked about The Experiment:

1.    A close boy friendship. It’s rare in kidlit to see boys who have each other’s backs. Victor was an astounding friend to Nathan, sacrificing to help him discover the truth. I’d love to see more MG books with friendships like this!

2.    Lots of twists and turns. Each time I thought I had the mystery of Nathan or other characters' identities solved, I would be surprised by another twist. Stead really played with expectations in this genre, which made for a fun read.

 
3.    Cats! Max is going to hate me for this one, but I loved the role that cats played in this story. I can’t say much more without ruining a few surprises, but if you love cats, you’ll enjoy this.

 
4.    Fantastic world building. Although the action takes place in a world like our own, Stead's aliens are the most unusual and interesting I've ever encountered.

  
5.    Calvin and Hobbes! My sons poured over those books growing up. Fans of those books will love all the tie-ins with the comic through The Experiment.

 

 Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog*

 

 

 

 

 

 🦴🦴

Too many cats! But at least it had animals. I liked all the twists and turns. 

Your Turn: 

Do you like light or heavy sci fi? Have you read any Rebecca Stead? Are you a cat or dog person?

 

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

 

 

 

ISWG: Writing Expectations vs. Reality: What I Know Now as a Writer

 

Back when I started writing, it was typewriters or pencils.

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Perhaps the spark ignited with my first story at age six, or my fourth-grade teacher saying she knew she'd see my books on a shelf someday. Thank you, Mrs. Pemberton! But I always knew that writing would be part of my life. 

However, when I started writing in earnest in my late 20s, I had some interesting thoughts and expectations.

 
1. It would be easy to be a writer and a mom at the same time. I had visions of having my own office, and kids slipping in and out to talk to me throughout the day, and still somehow getting my writing time in. 

 
2.  I would be different than the millions of writers who get a ton of rejection slips and take a long road to publishing. 

 
3.  I would make a lot of money at writing. Although I’ve never been able to stop other people from making this assumption.

 
4.  I would be instantly famous.

 

Let’s see how it really turned out.

 

How I write now--or at least edit. Oh, the joys of modern life!

 
1.  Being a mom and a writer or having a full-time job on top of writing is really hard. I try to make sure my family is a priority, so that often means writing at odd times like nights when they were young and early mornings before work when I was still teaching.

 

2.  The road to publication has been long, but I've enjoyed the journey more than I expected. It was about five years before I got my first nonfiction acceptance, and nearly twenty years before I saw my fiction in print. Learning to write takes time. I continue to improve, there is always be something new to learn.

As Hemmingway said, “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” 

3.  Very few people get rich off writing. I know there are some who do. But my experience is similar to something I read this week in a comment or blog post (I can't find the exact source!). My paraphrase: “Little Women isn’t sad because Beth dies, but because Jo made $100 off her first story and writing wages haven’t increased since then.” *

 
4.  Well, as I am still not famous, I think we can rule that one out.

 
How about you? What did you think writing would be like vs. what it really is like?

Writing News:

 

My first nonfiction article is now on Barnes and Noble as an audio-read! 

Photo of typewriter by Florian Klauer on Unsplash

Photo of laptop by Christin Hume on Unsplash  

 

If you'd like to read more ISWG posts or sign up, please go HERE. You won't be disappointed.  

 

MMGM: Crack the Code! Puzzletastic Mysteries and Creating Your Own Language

Do you like stories with codes or deciphering ciphers? One of my favorite things about the middle grade mystery genre is that there’s rarely a dead body, since I tend to be a bit squeamish. The focus in middle grade mysteries is usually solving a theft or finding a treasure. 

And that almost always that involves a code.

Today I’m featuring two middle grade books, one is fiction, a collection of short stories, and the other is nonfiction. 

If you like your middle grade mysteries in short doses, check out Chris Grabenstein Presents Super Puzzletastic Mysterties: Short Stories for Young Sleuths from Mystery Writers of America! (Whew, that’s quite a title!) If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to write your own secret codes, you’ll love Create Your Own Secret Language: Invent Codes, Ciphers, Hidden Message, and More: A Beginner’s Guide by David J. Peterson with Illustrations by Ryan Goldsberry. (Another long title!)

 

Synopsis of Puzzletastic Mysteries:

From tales of hapless superheroes and stolen squirrel monkeys to murderous triplets and haunted basements, these thrilling, puzzling, and hilarious cases have one thing in common—YOU get a chance to be the detective before the author reveals the solution.

With twenty-never-before-published mystery stories, this collection will leave young detectives sleuthing for more!

Featuring stories by Chris Grabenstein, Sheela Chari, Stuart Gibbs, Lamar Giles, Bruce Hale, Peter Lerangis, Lauren Magaziner, Kate Milford, James Ponti, Tyler Whitesides, and ten other incredible authors. (from Grabenstein's website)

My Take 

I picked this book up initially because I wanted to read another tale solved by Julian and Margaret from the Framed series by James Ponti. But I ended up enjoying so many more of the stories. I loved the humor (especially in Grabenstein’s story about solving who wrote the word FART in the snow). I loved the history and mystery of the story about the cats of Hemingway house by Sheela Chari. (Chari is of my favorite writers--check out her wonderful musical mystery Vanished, if you haven't already). Many of these stories include codes, which are well laid out, so you can solve it along with the kid sleuth. The stories are certainly short enough to use for a read aloud at home or at school. As a bonus, the ending of each story is in the back, which gives kids a chance to solve it on their own, before checking. 

 

Synopsis of Create Your Own Secret Language:

Protect your diary from snooping siblings. Share your secrets with a BFF. Guard your texts from unwanted eyes. Create the lingua franca for your own fantastical secret world!

Expert language creator David J. Peterson (inventor of languages for Game of Thrones, the Marvel Universe, and more) guides you as you create your own secret languages, codes, ciphers, and hidden messages. 

From simple cyphers to entirely new alphabets, CREATE YOUR OWN SECRET LANGUAGE will help you master the skills of secret communication, whether it’s written, drawn, or spoken. By the time your finished reading, you’ll be able to share messages memora vosak laz vos otihoe vosecchi! (“that no one will be able to understand!")

 (from Amazon)

 

My Take 

 

I initially picked up this book because I wanted some inspiration for a story idea that might involve a code or cipher. (They are different, as I’ve now learned). The book is written as a workbook, so kids can practice writing and deciphering the ciphers right in the book. Also, at the end, Peterson walks kids through creating their own language! I had fun creating a cipher for my older son, who just graduated with a math minor. That gave me some insight into how my own characters might solve their cipher. It’s a fun read and very hands-on and interactive. My only caveat is that I felt like the sentences given for coding were a little snarky for my taste. So, I would change those or clarify that if I was using this as a teacher or in a homeschool setting. 

This is exactly the kind of book my math-loving son would have loved as a preteen.

 

Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog*

 

 

 

 

 

 🦴🦴

Both books had cats, but no dogs. The code and cipher book was a little too complicated for me. But I’d love to see more mysteries with dogs. Don’t they know how good I’d be at sniffing out a thief?
 

Your Turn: 

Do you like solving codes or ciphers? Do you like reading or writing short stories? Any book recs for me or Max?

 

 

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

 

 

 

MMGM: Twists and Turns with A Trick of Spades

 

While I’m not a huge fan of high fantasy, I adore magical realism. Or is low fantasy? Of course, I’m always looking for books that interest boys. The book I’m featuring today is one my younger son enjoyed even though he’s well past the middle grade age. It’s full of twists and turns, adventure, strong family connections, and a unique setting.

If you like quirky books like The Mysterious Benedict Society but with a splash of magic, you’re in for a treat!

Synopsis of A Trick of Spaces by Tasha Kazanjian

When their aunt Finna misses their father's funeral, fourteen-year-old twins Colm and Clíana know she has to be in trouble. Finna finally appears with an explanation: she's developed an illata, a unique magical power, and she's used it to become one of the city's best bounty hunters. At least, until a few weeks ago, when a powerful criminal underlord finally got the better of her. Now, he's marked her as one of his own. Finna promises the twins that she can handle it, but they know she's lying.

Certain he can save her from the underlord, Colm follows Finna back to the city, while Clíana chases after them as soon as she realizes her brother's gone. However, Colm's attempted rescue goes awry once he steals a mysterious pair of dice, and he must escape from the underlord's thugs himself. Clíana, meanwhile, sets out to recruit the help of a wizard fluent in the magical language of Alchema. Her search introduces her to an elite, exclusive world, a world she finds both intriguing and impossibly beyond her reach. 

As both twins move toward finding Finna, and each other, they soon realize they've stepped into a world, and a mystery, bigger than they ever imagined-a world of dueling magical fates. 
(from Amazon)

My Take

My favorite quote: “Don’t stop singing happy songs,” he [the twins’ dad] said. It might be hard. But everyone knows hard, and not everyone knows happy.” (p.5)

Trick of Spades is such an unique fantasy. The richly drawn setting feels like 1950s in the UK with the Gaelic-ish words*, but the country is never named. In this world, not everyone has magical abilities, but some can study and learn them. I also liked how the fantasy elements are accepted as part of life. It is a complicated world, but Tasha trusts the reader to figure things out without info dumps--always a plus in my book! Sometimes, I find dual POV doesn't really add to the story, but in Trick of Spades, the voices are distinct and each twin has their own arc with completely different goals. There are lots of interesting side characters from the overlords' minions to a professor of magic. Sticking with your family despite differences is a strong theme. I’ve heard rumors that there is a sequel coming soon. I can’t wait! 

*I don't know Gaelic, so I'm not sure if the words were correct or an approximation. 

Max, the Reading Dog*

 

 

 

 

 

Max’s Take (on a 5 bone scale): 🦴🦴

It was really exciting, but no dogs again! But maybe she’ll add one to Book 2.

Your Turn

Do you like high fantasy or fantasy books set in a real world? What good books have you been reading lately?

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

MMGM: Digging Into The Secret Lake : Time Travel for Kids

 

I first heard about this book after reading an interview with the author on Joanna Penn’s blog. Karen Inglis is a self-published author who built her audience through school visits, and The Secret Lake has sold 500,000 copies(and counting). Impressive!

Her sales aren't just because of creative marketing. The Secret Lake has all the elements that I love in a good vintage book but with a modern feel. Think gardens, time travel, endearing characters, and the most importantly, a loyal dog!

If you like time travel, The Secret Garden (or similar books), and short reads, you will love this book! 

SYNOPSIS

When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour’s small dog. Where does he go? And why does he keep reappearing wet-through?

Their quest to solve the riddle over the summer holidays leads to a boat buried under a grassy mound, and a tunnel that takes them to a secret lake.

Who is the boy rowing towards them who looks so terrified? And whose are those children’s voices carried on the wind from beyond the woods?

Stella and Tom soon discover that they have travelled back in time to their home and its gardens almost 100 years earlier. Here they make both friends and enemies, and uncover startling connections between the past and present.
A modern children's classic

The Secret Lake has been described by readers as a modern Tom's Midnight Garden and compared in atmosphere with The Secret Garden and the Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew mystery adventure stories. Its page-turning plot, with its many twists and turns, makes it a firm favourite with both boys and girls.

Karen Inglis describes it as, a time travel mystery adventure with modern twists - the kind of story that I loved to read as a child but brought right up to date. (from Amazon)

My take:

This story grabbed me right away with a scene of Tom digging in the garden, trying to find evidence of a dog that keeps disappearing from the communal garden near their flat. Stella was very relatable in how she missed her best friend from Hong Kong and longing to find a friend in their new home. Once Tom and Stella dig out a boat and find a mysterious tunnel, I was completely hooked. I loved that Inglis didn’t weigh down her story with too much description, and the characters were memorable and well-drawn. It reminded me of stories I loved as a child, where brothers and sisters look after each other and kids make friends quickly. I can see why this book is so popular with children because of its fast pace, interesting concept, and numerous twists and turns. Best of all, it has an ending I won’t soon forget.

 *This book is written in British English, so occasionally I came across words I wasn’t familiar with like polo (a type of candy) and plimsolls (a type of shoe). If you are reading it with or to kids outside of the UK, you might need to explain a few words.

Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog*

 

 

 

 

 

Not only did it keep me turning the pages, but Harry was my favorite character! Although I don't like water like he does, he is so dedicated to his owner. Just like me. 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

Your Turn: 

Do you like time travel novels? The Secret Garden? Have you read any good self-published books?

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

 

 

 

#ISWG: A Few of My Favorite Things I've Written

What a great question this month! This got me thinking about what stories I've really loved.

 

Published: "The Complete Works of Jane Austen on a Desert Island"

 

My favorite story is one I wrote based on a prompt that I read on Gail Carson Levine’s blog. I don’t remember the prompt, probably something about writing something from the point of view of something unusual.

I wrote it at a time when I was really busy with work and homelife. This story, which is from the point of view of a book (my copy of The Complete Works of Jane Austen), just flowed out of me. It was also the first time I really experimented with humor in my work. In fact, one of my critique partners couldn't believe I'd actually written it. It was so different from my normal work.

 

The book that inspired my short story.

 

Why do I love it?

It was something I just wrote for the love of writing and story. I was so pleasantly surprised that The Arts Alliance of Yamhill County enjoyed it too. It was so fun attending a reading for all the winners of this contest published in Paper Gardens.

Unpublished: Pink Fortune

 

When my younger son was in preschool, he had a year with two surgeries a few months away from each other. Understandably, I really struggled with my writing at that time. I remember writing in my journal over and over again: “I can’t write.”

At this time, since I was so discouraged, I decided to write something I just loved. I’d been reading a lot of Gail Carson Levine, Shannon Hale, and the Blue Fairy Tale book. (That winter we’d had a lot of snow, so I couldn’t go to the library. Lang's fairy tale books are free online.)  I wrote a historical fantasy set during the time of Louis XIV in France. It was a loose retelling of the Pot of Pinks by Madame d'Aulnoy. It was a book I wrote for myself, and thanks to a wonderful critique partner, this book was where I really learned how to create engaging characters and plot.

Madame D'Aulnoy, the author of Pot of Pinks, who had a cameo in my book

Alas, although I had a few bites and interest from online contests, I was never able to find an agent or publisher for it.

But recently, I’ve had some new ideas about how to refresh it and make it more reflective of the person I am now. So, stay tuned…

Common Thread

Do you see a common thread? I wrote what I loved, and what I love to read. That made all the difference. Also, I didn't realize how much I've been inspired by Gail Carson Levine. 

What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why? 

If you'd like to read more ISWG posts or sign up, please go HERE. You won't be disappointed.  

 

MMGM: Margaret Haddix: Suspense with A Lot of Heart

Today I’m featuring one of my favorite middle grade authors in the mystery genre. Margaret Haddix writes contemporaries, dystopian, fantasy, and mysteries. She shines at writing books that make you want to turn the page and have emotional depth.

I first encountered her when I was on a fairy tale retelling kick and read Just Ella a few years ago. Last year, I discovered her first book, Running Out of Time, a must-read if you like middle grade suspense.

In addition to Running Out of Time, I’m also featuring my favorite stand alone by Haddix, The Remarkables. As a bonus, for those who enjoy YA, I’m adding a short bit about my favorite Haddix YA.

Running Out of Time (1995)

 

 

Jessie lives with her family in the frontier village of Clifton, Indiana, in 1840—or so she believes. When diphtheria strikes the village and the children of Clifton start dying, Jessie’s mother reveals a shocking secret —it’s actually 1996, and they are living in a reconstructed village that serves as a tourist site. In the world outside, medicine exists that can cure the dread disease, and Jessie’s mother is sending her on a dangerous mission to bring back help.

But beyond the walls of Clifton, Jessie discovers a world even more alien and threatening than she could have imagined, and soon she finds her own life in jeopardy. Can she get help before the children of Clifton, and Jessie herself, run out of time? (from the author's website)

My Take:

This book has everything I love: a Little House on the Prairie feel with the twist of it being a dystopian-type village that’s being watched. Jessie is a fabulous character with boldness and daring. Her understanding of the modern world is limited, which adds to the tension. It’s a short book, and I dare you to put it down. I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but there are so many twists and turns that lead to its incredible ending.

The Remarkables (2019)

 

 

One minute they’re there: laughing and having fun at the house next door. The next minute, the teens are gone. Like magic. Marin can’t believe her eyes. Who are they? Can anyone else see them? What makes them so happy?

Marin is lonely in this new town of hers and eager to figure out more. Then she meets Charley, who reveals that he knows about these teenagers, too.

He calls them the “Remarkables.” Charley warns her to stay away from the Remarkables—and him. Charley and Marin both have painful secrets they’re holding on to, but could solving the mystery of the Remarkables help them both? (from the author's website)

My Take:

The synopsis doesn’t do this book justice. The mystery of who the Remarkables are was gripping, but what I loved about this book was how seamlessly the external mystery tied in with Marin and Charley’s friendship and character growth. Marin’s father, who loves football and is a doting father to her and her new baby brother, is one of my favorite fathers in kidlit. This book didn’t just grab me with its interesting time-bending twists but moved me with its theme of appreciating the what you have now.

Extra:

Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey (1996)

 

 

Everyone has to keep a journal in Mrs. Dunphrey’s English class, but the teacher has promised she won’t read any entry marked “Do not read this.” It’s the kind of assignment Tish Bonner, one of the girls with big hair who sit in the back row, usually wouldn’t take very seriously. But right now, Tish desperately needs someone to talk to, even if it’s only a notebook she doesn’t dare let anyone read.

As Tish’s life spins out of control, the entries in her journal become more and more private…and dangerous. Is she risking everything that matters to her by putting the truth on paper? And is she risking more by keeping silent? (from the author's website)

 My Take:

This YA contemporary is not for the faint of heart, and I wouldn’t recommend it for younger kids or sensitive readers. But it’s a powerful novel, and leaves the reader with hope. A reminder that there are teachers out there who truly save kids’ lives. 

Max, the Reading Dog*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Max’s take (on a five bone scale):

No dogs! Again. Just think of how I could sniff out the bad guys and protect those kid sleuths! Opportunity wasted.

🦴 

 Your Turn: 

Do you like mysteries or suspense? Have you read any books by Haddix? 

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!