MMGM: The Friendship Awards: Finding Kindred Spirits in Middle Grade Fiction

With Valentine’s Day just behind us, I’ve been thinking a lot about the beauty of friendship in middle-grade novels. For many of us, those middle school years were the most eventful of our lives—full of the joy of finding a friend and the sting of being left out. 

In our home, we always used books to explore big feelings and new experiences. Whether you are a fellow homeschooler, a teacher looking for a heart-filled read-aloud, or a parent seeking a meaningful bedtime story, these books help our children find their way with friends. They show them how to handle the hurt of being left out, how to be a steady support, and how to spot a true kindred spirit.

Since the Olympics are currently underway, I thought it would be fun to host a "Friendship Awards" for some of my favorite middle-grade characters. 

The Award for Unconditional Grace

 

 

The Winner: Howard and Charlie in Wish by Barbara O’Connor. We all need a friend like Howard, someone who looks past our prickly defenses and loves us "in spite of ourselves." Howard’s steady, quiet kindness is a beautiful reminder of what it means to be a safe place to land for someone else. 

Reading Guide: Best for ages 8-12. This story touches on the "winter seasons" of family life, including foster care and parents who are absent or struggling. While the background includes some difficult realities, the focus remains on Charlie finding a "heart-home" and a quiet place to land with her aunt and uncle.

The "Instant Kindred Spirit" Ribbon

 

Three Way Tie: Anne and Diana (Anne of Green Gables), the cousins in The Story Girl (by L.M. Montgomery), and Betsy and Tacy (Betsy-Tacy).While modern stories often focus on the hard work of friendship, there is still a place for the instant connection. As someone who still keeps in touch (by letters, of course!) with my own childhood best friend, I love seeing life-long bonds celebrated. They remind us that sometimes, you instantly recognize a kindred spirit.

Note on Reading Levels: The first two books (Betsy-Tacy and Betsy-Tacy and Tib) are perfect for our younger readers (ages 5-8) and make lovely first chapter books. As the girls grow up, so do the stories; later books like Over the Big Hill and Downtown are best suited for ages 8-12.

The Award for the Unexpected Path

 

 

The Winner: Abigail and Gabby in Always Abigail. Abigail begins her year with a tidy plan, only to find herself paired with Gabby, the girl she least expected to like. This story resonated with me, perhaps because I remember being the outcast and the surprise of finding that the person I overlooked was the friend I needed most. It’s a wonderful reminder to keep our hearts open to the people we might otherwise miss. 

Reading Guide: Best for ages 8-12. This story is a wonderful mirror for children navigating the "middle school shift" in friendships. It gently explores the ache of being left out and the quiet courage it takes to be kind to someone who isn't part of the "popular" circle. A perfect choice for discussing how to spot a true kindred spirit. 

The "Strength in Vulnerability" Medal

 

 

The Winner: Peony in Peony Watercolor's Wish for Sun and Moon. It is a hard lesson to learn that real friends let people in during the "winter seasons" of life. Peony’s journey from hiding her father’s unemployment to letting her friends support her is such an important lesson. It reminds kids that they don't have to be "fine" to be loved and not to shut out those who want to help. 

Reading Guide: Best for ages 8-12. Peony struggles with the shadow of her father’s unemployment, leading her to make some poor choices about honesty with her friends. It’s a wonderful conversation starter about why we don't have to hide our hard times. It also includes a sweet, age-appropriate middle school dance.

The "Better Together" Award

 

The Winner: Mavis and Rose in Wonderland. Mavis is the spark that pushes Rose out of her comfort zone. And Henry, the runaway dog, is the project they take on together. A great reminder that good friends can be complete opposites, but they are better together than alone. 

Reading Guide: Best for ages 8-12. This story gently explores the "tangled" roles that can happen when a parent struggles to find their footing. While Mavis sometimes carries more responsibility than a child should, her journey is handled with great care and remains very kid-appropriate.

Max’s Bone-Rated Review

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴!

Well, hands down, Wonderland and Wish are my favorites because they have excellent dog representation! And we get Henry's point of view in Wonderland. Barbara O’Connor clearly understands that a dog is often a kid's first 'kindred spirit'! She knows what makes a good friend—someone loyal, a good listener, and always ready for a walk. Just like me!

A Note for the Front Porch:

Do you have a favorite fictional friendship that felt like a "heart-home" to you as a child? Which characters would you give an award to today? I’d love to hear about the stories that are currently gracing your living room or bookshelf.

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

 

 

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MMGM: If You Love Dickens: 4 Middle Grade Gems + 1 Cozy Adult Series

Did you know Charles Dickens was born February 7? I’m celebrating by sharing what I love (and don’t love) about his writing—and a few Dickens-style picks for kids and grown-ups.

If you love classics and want kid-friendly ‘Dickens vibes,’ read on.

(This post is an update from a post that ran February 2014.)

I like to read one Dickens book a year. At Christmas, I read Cricket on the Hearth, a romantic comedy set at Christmas. I also tried The Chimes (think A Christmas Carol at New Year's with darker themes), but realized why it is not so famous. :) Now I've started on Pickwick Papers, which is known for being humorous, exactly my kind of book.

I've been thinking about Dickens (who after Austen, is my favorite classic author for adults) and what he’s taught me as a writer.

What I love about Dickens:

    1. Voice-y dialogue: Dickens is a master at making each character sound unique.

 

See if you can guess who said these lines:

📝 Mini-Quiz: Can you name the character?

See if you can guess who said these famous lines before you scroll to the bottom for the answers!

A. “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness...”

B. “I’m a very umble person.”

C. “Barkis is willin’”

D. “It is a far, far better thing that I do...”

E. “Please, sir, I want some more.”

(Drop your guesses in the comments!)

     2. Memorable tags & motifs Along with dialogue, Dickens gives all his characters a physical attribute, mannerism,   dialogue tic, or repeated word or image. For example, Tiny Tim has his crutch, Mr. Micawber has a shiny bald head and a monocle, and Miss Havisham wears that ghastly wedding dress.

 
3. Names with meaning: Dickens's character’s names can sometimes be a little bit over the top, but they telegraph something about the character. Like Uriah Heep (which rhymes with creep) would not be the same with another name.

     4. Threads that braid into one plot: Dickens's plots are masterful, the way he weaves in so many different plot strands into a unified whole. You never meet a character once in Dickens, and even the smallest characters are important. 

Alas, I do have a few Dickens pet-peeves (gasp!):

1.  Sometimes he uses types or roles as labels. In many of his stories the characters are not named, but they are only referred to the as the “traveler” or the “little lady”. This only leaves a reader (like me!) confused. 

 

2. Like most Victorian novelists, the “show don’t tell” rule is not adhered to. This reminds me how modern fiction trusts the reader a bit more.  

 

3.  Dickens' Female Characters: Although most of Dickens's minor women characters are interesting (Nancy, Betsy Trotwood, Maggie, Peggoty), I prefer his vivid minor characters to his idealized heroines, like Little Dorrit or Agnes from David Copperfield). 

If you like Dickens’s style, but want to read something modern or to introduce him to kids, here are a few titles:

 

A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkins, great for ages 4-8

 

 

With Deborah's fine attention to detail, rich research, and kid-friendly prose, she tells the story about Dickens. Although a picture book, I think older readers would enjoy this and the beautiful art. I didn't know that Dickens once worked on The Strand, which is something that turns up in The Wingfeather Saga. 

Update: When I shared this post on Instagram, Hopkinson commented that she has a forthcoming book about Dickens and his dogs!  "Mr. D and his dogs Turk and Linda play a role in Lucky's Home for Lost and Hungry Dogs, out in 2027!" 

 

Independent Reads or Read Alouds: 

 

 

The Great Trouble: A Mystery of London, The Great Blue Death, and a Boy Named Eel, also by by Deborah Hopkinson 

 

Eel is a character who’d be best friends with Oliver Twist. He has spunk, charisma, and a lot of heart. Hopkinson’s style and the way that unconnected characters ended up connecting in the end reminded me a lot of Dickens.  Content note: There is some gruesomeness in describing the Blue Death, so not for squeamish readers. 

 

 

The Traitor's Gate by Avi is also told in the Dickens style. I loved how Avi emulated Dicken-style language and plotting in this. This involves John Huffman whose father has just been sentenced to Whitecross Street Prison. This was based on Dickens's early life.

 

  

 

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

 

If your family loves quirky names + big-hearted humor, this one scratches the Dickens itch—even though it’s fantasy. I couldn't help but wonder if Peterson was inspired by Dickens in naming a group of wanderer characters The Strand. The harsh elements of the Fork Factory (in Book 2) are pure Dickens. I reviewed the first book here. There is also an animated series out that is perfect for the whole family.

 

Start Here with Dickens 

• If you want light and funny: Cricket on the Hearth.
• If you want short and classic: A Christmas Carol
• If you want a longer, coming-of-age: David Copperfield

 

 

Masterpiece Adaptation of David Copperfield with a young Daniel Radcliffe. 

For adults, but so wholesome that these could be used as a read aloud or teens could read:

 

The Moosepath League Series by Van Reid

 

  

Set in Maine in the late 1800s, these novels follow a club of five gentlemen who solve various mysteries. The author, Van Reid, is like Dickens with a splash of Garrison Keiller. These novels are funny, poignant, and although there are antagonists, the characters are fine people that you would love to have as friends. Recently in Friends of the Moosepath League, Reid mentioned how Pickwick Papers--and the desire to write something humorous--inspired these books. I dare you not to read these and not walk away smiling.

 

L.M. Montgomery (author of Anne of Green Gables) also has nods to Dickens in her work (like the twins Davy and Dora). That’s part of the joy of reading classics: the conversation keeps going. 

Happy Birthday, Dickens!

Thank you for the legacy you’ve left to English literature.

Max’s Take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

Rating: 🦴 🦴 🦴

Dickens didn't produce many heroic dogs, but I’ll give him three bones for trying.

I’m not a fan of Bull’s-eye, the mean dog belonging to Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist, and Jip (from David Copperfield) is just a spoiled lap dog. Where are the brave, book-loving rescues like me? Dickens was a master of characters, but I think he could have used a few more 'Good Boys' in his plots!

Did I hear there's going to be a book about Dickens's dogs? Count me in! 

Your Turn: 

 

Do you like Dickens? Have you read any book ones that emulate his style? 

 

For more friendship-filled middle grade picks, visit Always in the Middle Always in the Middle! 

 

 

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Did you guess them all? Here are the answers to our Dickens Mini-Quiz:

    A. Mr. Micawber (David Copperfield) — The master of the "Micawber Principle" regarding happiness  and debt!
    B. Uriah Heep (David Copperfield) — The most "umble" (and creepy) villain in literature.
    C. Mr. Barkis (David Copperfield) — A man of few words, but very clear intentions.
    D. Sydney Carton (A Tale of Two Cities) — One of the most selfless and moving endings in all of fiction.
    E. Oliver Twist (Oliver Twist) — The famous request that started it all.

ISWG: Four Stages of Writing: From Inspiration to Feedback (and Back Again)

 

Photo by Somruthai Keawjan on Unsplash

If you've ever felt like a writer on an emotional roller coaster, you're not alone—and there's actually a pattern. You start out excited, then sink lower, and then back up again. At least those are the four stages I go through. Read on to discover the four emotional stages every creative goes through—from initial excitement to critical feedback. Learn how to navigate each stage and keep writing. See if you can relate.

The Four Stages Explained 

 

Stage 1: Excitement

I have a new idea, and it is the best idea ever! This could also be called “TheShiny Manuscript Syndrome.” You’re brainstorming and everything is clicking. Or maybe you have written a first chapter (or first few) and the words just fly out of your fingers. I love this stage, but like infatuation, it never lasts long. It’s this stage I look back longingly for when I’m in the murky middle.

Me in Stage 1! A brand new idea!

  

Stage 2: Getting Serious

Maybe you’ve hit a snag with your plot. You get stuck and must circle back to a previous scene and rework. Or maybe you’re on chapter two or ten and writing each word is like squeezing blood from a turnip. Welcome to the real world of writing. For me, the first three chapters usually come easily. But around chapter four I need to make myself write. You will get through this if you keep your head down.

Stage Two: Plugging away! (Notice that I write at my dining room table.)

 

Stage 3: You're Finished!

Maybe you are finishing the first draft or the seventy-seventh or maybe you finally sent out a query or hit publish on KDP. But the high that you get with finishing—whether it’s a complete novel, a short story, or a poem—is a high that can’t be beat. You want to tell the world, “Hey, um, I finished this Thing.” And people, if they are not writers, might not understand. Celebrate, you did something, but here's where the real test begins. Stage Four is coming.

Finished!

 

 

Stage 4: Critical Feedback

You get feedback or rejections or critical reviews. This is a hard stage. After the euphoria of Stage Three, after finishing an entire book (and maybe editing it multiple times), this stage is hard. Maybe there’s a plot hole you never saw (of course there is!). Or maybe a character is not as well-rounded as she was in your head. Or maybe your ending didn’t land. Or maybe you get a one-star review. When I get feedback, I usually go through three stages of grief (shock, anger, depression) until I realize that feedback is helpful, and then, you guessed it, I’m back to Stage One. Now, instead of a new idea, I have the best idea ever for fixing this manuscript. This is where I am right now. I've just gotten mostly positive feedback from betas, but I have a few more tweaks to tackle this month.

Notes from a beta reader, not very critical, but you get the idea.

 

Rinse and Repeat and Grow.

The writer’s journey is long with so many ups and downs. It’s not just the challenge of getting your work published or selling those books but fighting those voices of discouragement. This cycle is normal and worth it.

How do you cope with discouragement and doubt?

 

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MMGM: Five Fabulous Books for Kids and Tweens Set in Italy

 

Are you excited for the Milan Olympics? We are quite the Italian fans at my house. My older son taught himself some Italian via Duolingo while we were homeschooling. It is a place on our list to travel to someday. My great-grandfather was from Bari, Italy, so I have a family connection as well. And the great art, the food! 

This month, I decided to take a virtual trip to Italy—through books, of course.

If you love learning about math:

 

Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D'Agnese, Illustrated by John O'Brien

This is a picture book, but I think the content would work well in an upper elementary classroom or homeschool to introduce Fibonacci’s numbers in a fun way. Kids will relate to the fact that Fibonacci was called a Blockhead (not unlike Charlie Brown). I loved using books like this when we were homeschooling to make math more fun, but it’d definitely work well in the classroom too.

If you love learning about Leonardo DaVinci, Milan’s famous inventor/painter:

Leonardo’s Horse by Jean Fritz

You could read all of Jean Fritz books in chronological order for a wonderful overview of history (ask me how I know!). But this book is more centered on art and Leonardo’s obsession with creating a horse sculpture. I didn’t know the story, and I really enjoyed learning about how many setbacks he encountered. And there is a modern happy ending to this tale. 

If you Are interested in Italy during World War II:

For younger readers:

Bartali’s Bicycle: Italy’s Secret Hero by Megan Holt and illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

I am late to the game in praising this book.  I saw it recommended by other MMGM bloggers back when it came out. If you’ve missed this one, do not wait to get it. It follows a cyclist who won the Tour de France and when World War II helped get Jews in Italy to safety.  My favorite part, Bartoli was know for saying: 

“Good is something you do, not something you talk about.”

Just a Girl by Lia Levi with pictures by Jess Mason, translated by Sylvia Notini

This book! The voice is so childlike and innocent and yet Lia goes through so much as Italy changes with the rise and fall of Mussolini (unfortunately the fall doesn’t bring immediate relief). She often stopped to explain in short essays how things would turn out (so readers won’t worry). This juxtaposition of the sweet voice and the few parts of her life that were somewhat normal (putting on plays, squabbling with other children) made this so powerful. Even better, this is a translation from the Italian.

And if you'd love to vicariously travel to Venice:  

 

Rosa by Starlight by Hilary McKay

This was such a fun, whimsical read. I thought it was very Roald Dahl in tone with the orphan living with the unimaginative and cruel aunt and uncle. It’s all handled very light-heartedly, but if have a sensitive reader, you might want to preread. However, what I loved was the magical cat Balthazar, which just is the name of my teddy bear growing up. And Balthazar has a special computer where he can order food! This is magical realism, but also a heartfelt story about a girl learning to find true friends. What's not to love about magical cats in Italy?

 

Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 🦴🦴🦴

I liked Leonardo’s House. But where are the dogs in books about  Italy? I thought they liked their dogs…ah well. But Stella! You know, I’m not a fan of cats, but I want my own computer for ordering food. My mouth is watering! Just think as much…bacon…cheese…turkey sandwiches…Chick Fil’A Sauce…. Can I get one too?
 

Will you be watching the Winter Olympics? What is your favorite winter sport? And, of course, do you have any favorite books about Italy? Or if you've been there, what is your favorite Italian city?

 

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

 

 

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