MMGM: If You Love Pippi Longstocking, Try Maria Parr

This week is spring break in Oregon, so I thought I’d feature a series that is full of fun and the joy of being a kid. These would make a perfect spring break or summer read.

Don’t we need more books like that?

If you love stories about fun heroines with silly antics, you will love these books.

Think: Pippi in Norway

Adventures with Waffles by Maria Parr

Lena is Trille’s best friend, even if she is a girl. And there is never an ordinary day when you’ve got a best friend like Lena.

Hardly a day passes without Trille and Lena inventing some kind of adventure that often ends in trouble. Whether it’s coaxing a cow onto a boat or sledding down the steepest and iciest hill with a chicken, there is always a thrill—and sometimes an injury—to be had. Trille loves to share everything with Lena, even Auntie Granny’s waffles. But when Lena has to move away and Auntie Granny leaves the world, it sometimes seems like nothing will ever be right again. The warmth of friendship and the support of family suffuse this lightly illustrated novel, proving that when times are tough, a little taste of sweetness can make all the difference.
(from Amazon)

Lena, the Sea, and Me by Maria Parr

In a charming sequel to Adventures with Waffles, Trille and Lena navigate the rough waters of friendship when a new soccer coach and a new girl in school disrupt their seaside escapades.

Trille and Lena may be getting older, but they still find everyday adventure - and trouble - in their coastal village, including sinking every raft they build, getting little sisters stuck up flag poles, and attending those dreaded music lessons. But that’s not all. The arrival of a less-than-encouraging new soccer coach is putting twelve-year-old Lena's goalkeeping career in doubt. And Trille is wondering how to impress the girl who has just joined his class. As the best friends battle the elements and their own emotions, one thing is for sure: they're not giving up, not if Lena has anything to do with it! 

In Maria Parr’s follow-up to Adventures with Waffles, the acclaimed author returns to Mathildewick Cove with a rib-tickling story of growing up.
(from Amazon)

What I love about this series:

1.Lena! I had a friend a lot like Lena as a kid, although she was a little more like a frenemy than Lena is. Lena has a huge personality and often Trille is just struggling to keep up with what she’s up to. But she also has a huge heart. You’ll love her.

2. The warmth of family: Trille has a big family and a grandfather that lives with them. For Lena, at least in book 1, it is just her and her mom. Both families and parents give their kids a safe place to fall and enough freedom to explore. (Not that they don’t get in trouble at times!) I just loved spending time with these people.

3. Silliness and seriousness: Book 1 is definitely more silly than Book 2. Trille and Lena go on lots of adventures (including the aforementioned chicken sledding incident). Book 2 is a little more upper middle grade in dealing with crushes, jealousy, and girls not being allowed to play on the boys’ soccer team. I loved how Parr could combine all these elements to make a good story and a beautiful picture of growing up in Norway.

4. Norway! I loved learning about cultural traditions and foods and just how life was a little bit different than here in the States. It is so important to read outside your comfort zone sometimes and novels in translation are a perfect way to do that.

5. Humor! You can probably guess from the description that these books are both laugh out loud funny, which are my favorite types of books to read, and yet are often hard to find. I know it is a key element that my sons always look for as well. So, please, authors, include more humor. (As a writer myself that’s something I’m trying to include myself.)

Max’s Take (on a five bone 🦴scale):

Adventures with Waffles 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴
Lots of animals in this one! A horse, a chicken, but my favorite part was when Lena and Trille write an advertisement for a dad (for Lena), but someone brings them a dog instead. 

Lena, the Sea, and Me 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

Trille's new friend/crush Bridget has a dog. The best part is when Lena finds the dog in the forest and thinks it's an answer to her wish for a brother.

Good book choices this week! Hooray for Maria Parr!
 

Your Turn:

Any plans for the spring? Is it spring break where you are? What types of books do you like to read on vacation or holiday?

Another book I previously featured by Maria Parr: Astrid the Unstoppable

If you'd like to read more middle grade reviews or join in the MMGM fun, go to Greg Pattridge's Always in the Middle blog.

MMGM: Lucky Reads: Top Middle Grade Books to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Although I am only a tiny bit Irish on my paternal grandmother’s side, this is one of my favorite holidays. We love playing Irish music, eating Irish food, and of course, eating or drinking something green. 

So, in honor of today, I picked out a few books for the middle grade set which have Irish themes. Strangely enough, these were not easy to find.

 

SET in Ireland:

 

For Younger Middle Grade and/or a Classroom Read Aloud:

 

 

Megan’s Year: An Irish Traveler’s Story (Tales of the World) by Gloria Whelan

 

Through the voice of a young girl, the life of the people known as Irish Travelers is explored. Megan spends her summers traveling around the Irish countryside with her family. They move from place to place, hauling their camper behind their old car. But they aren't on vacation. This is their way of life. Megan and her family are Travelers. As part of their summer life, Megan's father works odd jobs, from fieldwork to roofing houses. Despite the rough living, Megan loves her life and the freedom that comes from traveling the open road. But at summer's end, when there's no more work to be had, the family moves to the city of Dublin. The camper is parked and they move into a cramped house. Megan and her siblings attend the local school as their parents struggle to make ends meet. And as the seasons pass, Megan counts down the days until she can return to her summer life.  (from Amazon)

 

My Take

This book is actually a picture book but is longer and more detailed than your typical picture book. Anything by Whelan is guaranteed to be filled with rich details and research, and I found this title particular interesting because I learned so much about Irish Travelers. Megan’s father moves throughout Ireland taking odd jobs in the summer, but then during the colder months, they must live in Dublin, where she sometimes encounters prejudice, but also understanding teachers. I thought this book presented this Irish subculture in a beautiful way, and I loved how the family was depicted.

This could be an interesting book for teachers to share while learning about other cultures or Ireland.

Upper Middle 

 

Breda’s Island by Jessie Ann Foley

After Breda Moriarity gets caught stealing one too many times, Breda's mom sends her to Ireland, a place she has never been, to live with the grandfather she has never met.

While Breda doesn’t want to be in this strange land, she finally gets to meet Granda, her mom’s father. He’s a grumpy farmer who is also a seanchaí, a traditional Gaelic storyteller. But the most important story is the one nobody will talk about: what happened to her absent father. If nothing else this summer, Breda is determined to figure out the truth about her family’s history—and herself. (from Amazon)

My Take

This book for upper MG gripped me right away. Breda is sent to live with her Irish grandfather on his farm for the summer because she’d been caught stealing—and her mom has a third time you’re out policy. Grandma is difficult to live with, and Breda starts off the trip quite angry. But throughout the book, she learns how to care for animals (and helps birth a baby calf, Bo!), make friends with outsiders, and figure out the mystery of her father. I really loved the themes of forgiveness, letting go of past hurts, and how knowing a person's history helps you be more compassionate. The characters and the setting were also richly detailed. After reading this, I felt like I just came back from a trip to the Emerald Isle.

Caveat: This book does deal with some more mature themes (estrangement and abandonment, immigration issues, and abuse at an orphanage) and might not be for sensitive readers.

NOT set in Ireland, but with Irish-American characters:

 

Lower Middle Grade 

 

Sophie Steps Up by Nancy Rue
 
Sophie knows how it feels to be the new girl—different and "weird." She also remembers needing a friend. When a new girl in class is assigned to Sophie's drama group, she wants to get to know her. Sophie learns to accept her new friend's culture. But how will the other Corn Flakes teach others about acceptance if they cannot seem to learn themselves? (from Amazon)
 

My Take

Although this is the only book I've read of this series, it wasn't too difficult to pick up in the middle of Sophie's story. I loved the warmth and support of Sophie’s family, and how that didn't mean they always got along perfectly. I also enjoyed her friend group, The Corn Flakes, who treat each other and even their rivals with respect. Her imaginative daydreams were also fun. It was refreshing to see a child seeing a therapist in a positive light. But the best part of this book was Sophie’s character growth in learning to accept a new classmate from Northern Ireland, whom she doesn't like at first. It’s Sophie’s counselor and a Bible story that convince her to include stories of the classmate’s life in Northern Ireland in their play. This is a great faith-based read that also centers on family and school situations.

Max’s Take (on a five bone 🦴scale):

 

Max’s Take (on a five bone 🦴scale):
 
Megan’s Year: 5/5 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴
There’s a dog in all the pictures! Even though he doesn’t get a speaking part.
 
Breda’s Island: 4/5 🦴🦴🦴🦴
I’d like to meet Bo the cow. Moo!

Sophie Steps Up: 1/5🦴
No dogs! Again!

Your Turn:

Do you have any special traditions for St. Patrick’s Day? What is your favorite read set in Ireland or about Irish-Americans?

If you'd like to read more middle grade reviews or join in the MMGM fun, go to Greg Pattridge's Always in the Middle blog.

MMGM: Philip Reeve: Master of Historical Fantasy and Steampunk

It's so refreshing when I encounter a historical book that is true to the time and accessible for kids. Bonus points if it’s also humorous.

Recently, my younger son, who still loves middle grade fiction, discovered Phillip Reeve. First, we read the Larklight series, a Victorian steampunk/alternative history set in space. Next, we tackled a stand alone novel by Reeve, No Such Thing as Dragons. Although these books are completely different, they both remain authentic to their time periods with interesting characters that kids will relate to. In the case of Larklight, especially, they are also laugh out loud funny.

 

Larklight

Arthur (Art) Mumby and his irritating sister Myrtle live with their father in the huge and rambling house, Larklight, travelling through space on a remote orbit far beyond the Moon. One ordinary sort of morning they receive a correspondence informing them that a gentleman is on his way to visit, a Mr Webster. Visitors to Larklight are rare if not unique, and a frenzy of preparation ensues. But it is entirely the wrong sort of preparation, as they discover when their guest arrives, and a Dreadful and Terrifying (and Marvellous) adventure begins. It takes them to the furthest reaches of Known Space, where they must battle the evil First Ones in a desperate attempt to save each other - and the Universe.

Recounted through the eyes of Art himself, Larklight is sumptuously designed and illustrated throughout.

(from Amazon)

 

Starcross (the sequel)

There is an old saying: if something is too good to be true, it probably is. Take the holiday that Art Mumby, his irritating younger sister Myrtle, and their mother take to Starcross, the finest sea-bathing resort in the entire Asteroid Belt. The fact that there are no seas anywhere should give you a clue. Sure enough, Art and family quickly find themselves grappling with French spies, Yankee rebels, and man-eating starfish. With stops to the future and prehistoric Mars, it's all Art can do to keep his head about him - which is essential, since everyone else is losing theirs!

(from Amazon)

My take:

Reeve's voice is spot with the tongue-in-cheek Victorian humor. Most of the chapters are from Art's point of view, but we get chapters from Myrtle’s diaries as well. While some people (like Art) find Myrtle annoying, I thought she was a hoot, always trying to be a proper Victorian lady. You don’t want to miss the part in Starcross where her extravagant Victorian bathing costume comes in handy or her "attachment" with pirate Jack, who has his own interesting back story. The Author/Illustrator bio at the end about “Two Gentlemen of Devonshire" is as entertaining as the rest of the book. The best part, of course, is the incredibly intricate and imaginative world with Britain is leading the space race in the Victorian times. I enjoyed traveling to Venus and Jupiter and all the incredible creatures and technology Reeve created. Whether you are encountering enormous spiders or sentient hats that control people's mind, this whole series is a lot of fun.

*There is a third book, Mothstorm, but I haven't read it yet. 

If you love steampunk or alternate fantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously, you will love this. The world building reminded me of a kid's version of Jasper Fforde's work. (The Eyre Affair)

No Such Thing As Dragons

 

A thrilling new adventure from award-winning master storyteller Philip Reeve!

Ansel is a mute boy whose master is a dragon-slayer. Brock has shining armor, and scars that prove his heroic stories. Ansel suspects there are no such things as dragons. So what is the man-eating monster that haunts the crags of Dragon Mountain? (from Amazon)

My Take:

This book was much different from the Larklight series. There is still some humor, but this read more like a straight historical in the setting and details. What I loved about it is how authentic and grounded the world was. Although the setting is never explicitly stated,  it felt like somewhere in Northern Europe during the Middle Ages.  The beliefs of the villagers about dragons felt authentic and true to the time period. Although this is a short book, it has very realistic violence in parts, so it’s not for the more sensitive reader. Reeve includes a lot of perspectives on dragons but doesn’t force the reader to come to a certain conclusion. I also enjoyed the bit of humor, especially at the end, with Brock, the dragon slayer.

If you enjoy realistic historical fiction with a dose of fantasy, you will enjoy this.

Max’s Take (on a five bone 🦴scale):

The Larklight Series:

🦴Giant spiders and hats that take over your brain! This was funny, but you know I don't like bugs.

No Such Thing as Dragons

🦴 A really cool dragon, but he was scary. Big claws and teeth. And he eats cows! You really need to choose books with nice animals.

If you'd like to read more middle grade reviews or join in the MMGM fun, go to Greg Pattridge's Always in the Middle blog.

Your Turn:

Have you read anything by Philip Reeve? Do you like alternate history, steampunk, or historical fantasy? What are your favorites?

 

 

 

ISWG: Are you a Storyteller or a Wordsmith?

What type of writer are you? Recently a freelance editor commented in her newsletter that most authors she works with are good storytellers but not good writers. By good writer, she means someone good with words or grammar, which I like to call a wordsmith.

Storyteller (my definition): Someone whose strengths lie in plotting and telling the story. People who are good storytellers often have studied film or read a lot of plot-driven fiction.

I am the opposite, or at least, I think. I struggle with plotting and despite using every craft book with its fill-in-the-blank beats, it never gets easier for me. Critique partners tell me I’m good at big picture stuff, but I can only see it in other people’s work.

Wordsmith (my definition): Someone who’s good with words, grammar, and loves to play with language. People who are wordsmiths tend to read a lot, especially literary-type fiction.

Am I a wordsmith?

I love finding the “just right” word for a sentence. I love using motifs and metaphors. But like with storytelling, I usually catch grammar errors in other people’s work but struggle to find those in my own writing. 

In Novel Metamorphosis, Darcy Pattison says there are four stages of learning (p. 5):

Unconscious Incompetence: You’re completely unaware that you can’t do something.

Conscious Incompetence: You're aware of not knowing a skill, but don’t know how to fix it.

Conscious Competence: You are consciously working on skills.

Unconscious Competence: You have internalized the skill and don’t think about it.

Maybe we don’t know yet what we still need to work on. I make a conscious effort on checking grammar and plot holes. But voice and character come easier for me.Voice was something I once struggled with, so maybe I’ve moved up the ladder on that one.

Often what readers or critique partners enjoy about your work are those unconscious competencies. 

I’ve also learned that it’s important to learn to lean into my strengths and get help with the things I struggle with. Like I never send out my work now unless I’ve read it out loud multiple times.

What about you? Is telling the story or playing with words your thing? How do you overcome your weak side?

*Photo by hannah grace on Unsplash

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