MMGM: Pencils Ready! A Sibling Hunt for Ms. Pennypickle’s Prize

I come from a long line of puzzlers. My grandfather did crosswords and loved word play. When I was growing up, we read from Donald Sobol's Two-Minute Mysteries almost every night. My mom still does crosswords, and my oldest son loves mental puzzles of all kinds. When he was in middle school, the Winston Breen Puzzle books were his favorite, because you could solve the puzzles right along with the main characters.

If you have a puzzler or a treasure hunt fan at your house, I think you’re going to love Chris Grabenstein’s new book. Think Amazing Race meets The Westing Game.

MMGM: Beyond the Picture Book: Nurturing the "I’m Reading Now" Stage

 

 

When I was teaching, it was often challenging to find books for my reluctant readers. Some of my students were already in high school. Many of them weren’t yet convinced that reading could be something they would choose for themselves.

What kind of books might help them discover that?

One year, I built a few units around some of my favorites: Nate the Great, Commander Toad, and Flat Stanley. And then one day, a parent sent me a photo of her son holding those very books at the library. She wrote that he had never picked out books just for fun—until now.

But this experience doesn’t stay in the classroom; it happens at home. There’s that in-between stage where a child can sound out the words, but hasn’t yet grabbed a book to read under the covers.

Today I’m sharing a few old and new favorites for that beautiful “I’m reading now, what next?” stage. These also make lovely read-alouds for children who have just grown out of picture books, but aren’t quite ready for longer middle-grade. 

For readers who love quiet, whimsical stories—especially with cats (and mice!):

 

 

Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin

Mona the mouse has never had a true home. After a storm floods her latest one, she goes searching and discovers the remarkable Heartwood Hotel—a treehouse hotel just for animals. Mr. Heartwood allows Mona to stay if she is willing to work as a maid, though it means learning alongside Tilly the squirrel, who is a bit prickly at first. There are mistakes to make, guests to tend (including a bear and wolves), and much to learn about courage and belonging. At its heart, this story gently reminds us that even the prickliest among us can become friends.

This is the first in a series of six books. 

 

 

The Adventures of Miss Petitfour by Anne Michaels, illustrated by Emma Block*

This delightfully whimsical story reminded me of Mary Poppins, with its episodic structure and playful tone. The joy here is in the language. I especially loved how the author explains “digression”:

“A digression is just like what happens when you’re walking to school: you stop to tie your shoelaces and notice the neighbor’s dog looking at you, and so you stop to give it a pat… That’s a digression.” (p. 14)

For parents or teachers who enjoy lingering over words, the richer vocabulary is even highlighted in color. The illustrations are lovely, and the cats who accompany Miss Petitfour each have their own distinct personalities.

 

 

When Kittens Go Viral by Darci Pattison, illustrated by Nicole Standard

This is a gentle, imaginative story for children who love cats—and perhaps are a little curious about YouTube culture. Angel, a fluffy white kitten with two different colored eyes, grows up in “Kittywood,” a world that mirrors our own. While her siblings quickly find their place, Angel struggles to discover what kind of cat she wants to be. Along the way, the story quietly asks whether “likes” and attention are what matter most.

"...every day, they [human families] watch one cat video together. It's the only way they can say, 'I love you.' I don't understand. What's so hard about saying, 'I love you'?" (p. 34) 

This is the first in a series of three books.

 

Catwings by Ursula Le Guin, illustrated by S.D. Schindler

In this short and memorable story, a litter of kittens is born with wings. Their mother isn’t quite sure why, though she wonders if it has something to do with her own dreams of flying. She is grateful for those wings, though—they allow her kittens to escape a hard life. What follows is both tender and quietly adventurous, as the winged cats meet others who don’t quite know what to make of them. The ending is deeply satisfying.

This is the first in a series of four books.

For adventure-loving readers who enjoy dogs, amphibians, and a bit of silliness:

 

Commander Toad series by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Bruce Degen

My sons loved these as early readers, especially during their Star Wars phase. There are playful nods throughout—characters like Jake Skyjumper and Deep Wader, and a ship called the Star Warts. The humor and puns make this a light, engaging entry point for children who might still be finding their footing as readers.

This is a series of seven books.

 

Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, illustrated by Marc Simont

Nate is a boy detective, with his dog Sludge faithfully by his side. In the first book, his friend Annie asks him to find a lost picture—but, of course, there’s a bit more to the mystery. Across the series, Nate solves small, satisfying cases—lost lists, missing stickers, and other everyday puzzles. There are over twenty-seven titles, and the early ones have a particular charm. You can’t go wrong with a boy detective and his dog—especially when there are cats along the way, too.

 

Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown, illustrated by Tomi Ungerer

Stanley becomes famously flat after a bulletin board falls on him—but instead of minding, he discovers all the possibilities that come with it. He can travel in envelopes, slip under doors, and see the world in new ways. His brother George, rather amusingly, is a bit jealous. This story grew into a full series, and even inspired the long-running Flat Stanley Project, where children send their own paper Stanleys around the world.

A note for the journey: While 2nd and 3rd graders might be able to navigate these books alone, younger children will find much to love if you read it aloud to them. 

*Miss Petitfour has a rich vocabulary (6th-grade independent reading level), so this might work better as a read-aloud for younger readers or for advanced readers who want a gentle, whimsical story.

Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴for Nate the Great!

I loved Sludge! I'd make a great detective just like him. But why so many books about cats this week? Of course, if I could jump into Commander Toad, I might just have him for a snack. Yum!

Notes from the Front Porch:

There is something special about the moment a child realizes reading can be its own adventure.

What book first sparked that for your child—or for you? Do you have a favorite you return to for those early readers?

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

 

 

If you love Anne and tender, heart-filled stories, you’re always welcome here. Never miss out on future posts by following this blog.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is no cost to you. Thank you for your support!

MMGM: Finding the Bridge: A Conversation with Becca Wierwille on Gentle Mysteries

 

Do you ever struggle to find books for the reader who is 'in-between'? Perhaps an advanced reader ready for longer stories, but not yet ready for heavy themes? Or a new reader who wants the adventure of a mystery without the intensity?

I remember this struggle with my oldest. Once he graduated from early readers, finding books for him was a challenge. He loved mysteries and facts but wasn't ready for the 'snark' or darkness often found in modern middle grade.

That is why I was excited to discover Becca Wierwille’s new Barnaby and Scout series. It is a beautiful bridge—a mystery series with heart. I loved that our protagonist, Scout, is homeschooled and lives at a summer camp year-round. It felt like a dream childhood, because what kid doesn't wish they could camp all year round?

The book is even better than the PBS show!

 

And then there is Barnaby! He reminded me so much of Martha Speaks, a favorite from my teaching days. He brings a splash of mischief and a lot of fun!

 

1. What was the first little spark that grew into the world of The Scout and Barnaby series? Did it start with a character, a setting, or perhaps a feeling you wanted to capture? 

 

The first spark for the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries came directly from readers and their grown-ups! At homeschool conventions, school visits, and other events, I often ask kids about their favorite types of books—and many of them love mysteries. Some of my readers specifically asked me if I’d ever write a mystery.

At the same time, I had parents and educators who loved my Road Trip Rescue series of faith-filled contemporary adventures for kids 8-12. They were actively searching for more fun stories for their kids with values they could trust. However, their young readers weren’t quite ready for a full-length middle grade novel.

I knew I wanted my next project to be a mystery that helped fill the “gap” I saw between chapter books and middle grade. I wanted the stories to be shorter (about 15,000 words each instead of about 40,000 words) with larger font, more white space, and some illustrations. And I wanted them to be fun whodunit mysteries for kids to enjoy (and try to solve along with the detectives in the stories)!

From there, several elements came together. I love writing books about a girl and her dog, and I’d always wanted to write a book that takes place at a Christian wilderness camp like the one I attended as a camper and worked at as a counselor.

That’s how the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries came to be—funny, heartwarming Christian chapter books for kids 6-10 about a girl and her unusually perceptive dog who team up to solve mysteries at a Christian wilderness camp using her love of big words and his super sniffer!

 

2.  I love how the story grew from listening to your audience's wants and needs.

Max is always on the lookout for kindred spirits with paws! Since dogs are a constant companion in your work, I’d love to know: if your pup, Georgia, were to give a 'bone-rated' review to a story, what kind of tales would she select for a cozy evening by the fire or after a walk in the park?

 

 

Georgia would definitely choose a story with a funny canine protagonist! She’d love to read all of the Phooey Kerflooey chapter books by Kristen Joy Wilks (about another pup who lives at a camp!) and the Collar Cases Mysteries by Amanda Trumpower (because what dog doesn’t dream of being an investigative reporter?).

 

3.  Ooh, those sound like heartwarming reads. Max and I will definitely be adding those to our TBR list!  When you were tucked away writing Barnaby and Scout, did you imagine a specific reader sitting down with this story? What kind of anchor do you hope your readers find within these pages?

 

Yes! I imagined the kids I’d talked with at homeschool conventions and school visits who loved mysteries and stories that made them laugh. But I also hope the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries are more than funny whodunit adventures—and that they also remind kids they are wonderfully created by God on purpose and for a purpose. We can be brave and curious because of God’s love!

4. How interesting that you were inspired at homeschool conventions! In fact, it was so refreshing to see a heroine whose homeschool life was simply the air she breathed, rather than a problem to be solved. How do you feel stories like yours help bring the wide, wonderful world into a child’s own living room, and why is it vital for our 'home-educated' friends to see their own quiet courage reflected in books?

 

Scout, the ten-year-old heroine, lives at a wilderness camp called Blueberry Creek with her family. Her parents started working at this camp two years ago, and at that point, they decided to homeschool Scout and her brothers.

So far, the stories have taken place over the summer, so school hasn’t been “in session.” And yet, we still get to see Scout learning and growing each day. Her education is not limited to a building or a school year. Instead, she learns hands-on as she helps her family run the camp, explores her love of reading and big words, and solves mysteries. One of my favorite examples of this hands-on learning is coming in book 4, which hasn’t yet released, but explores the idea of being an “entrepreneur” as Scout gets the opportunity to help at the camp’s snack shop. This is a unique experience that not every traditional student would get at Scout’s age!

I love how Scout’s lifestyle encourages kids to get outside, to explore, and to be curious in their everyday lives. I also love how it gives home-educated readers the chance to see themselves reflected in a story—rather than just reading about public or private school students all the time!

I can't wait to read it. I'm currently helping my youngest start an online clay business. 

Becca's Bio:

Becca Wierwille is the award-winning author of the Road Trip Rescue series, the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries, and other stories that show kids they are wonderfully created for the unique adventures in their lives. She also cohosts a book podcast for kids, Ice Cream with Authors: Christian Books for Kids 7-13.

Born with only half of her right arm, Becca aims to help others find beauty in what makes them extraordinary. Despite her dreams of sandy beaches and mountain peaks, she loves living in Pennsylvania with her family.

Sign up for her email newsletter to try the Scout and Barnaby Mysteries for free! When you join, you’ll also receive a free family devotional, recommendations for young readers, and other exclusive content.

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

Finally, some proper dog representation! Reading Barnaby’s point of view felt like meeting a true kindred spirit on the page. This is my favorite book of the year—five-bones! 

The Front Porch Chat

 

Do you have a 'bridge' reader in your life? What stories have helped them cross the path from chapter books into the wider world of middle grade? I'd love to hear your favorites in the comments.

 

 

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

 

If you love Anne and tender, heart-filled stories, you’re always welcome here. Never miss out on future posts by following this blog.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is no cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Photo credits: Photo of Becca Wierwille and Georgia courtesy of the author; front porch from Canva, photo of Max by Jenni Enzor; book covers from Amazon.

MMGM: More Than a Mystery: A Heart-Filled Journey to a Darjeeling Tea Plantation

 

"There is no frigate like a book,” Emily Dickinson said. And that’s exactly how The Golden Necklace made me feel. Reading this book was like opening a window to another world, filled with tea, diverse cultures and traditions, and a girl who sees what others miss.

As I read Sona’s story, I couldn’t help thinking of the time I lived in places where clean water was a precious gift, like the Crimea and Honduras. It made me think about how books can help children—and adults—appreciate simple things we often take for granted.

Synopsis  

National Book Award nominee Mitali Perkins crafts a contemporary chapter-book mystery about a 12-year-old Nepali girl who sets out to solve the disappearance of her Bengali friend’s missing jewelry.

Sona, a 12-year-old Nepali girl, has struck up a friendship with Tara, the niece of the greedy tea plantation manager who has promised Tara’s hand in marriage in order to get his hands on her inheritance of precious jewelry. Then Tara’s gold jewelry goes missing. The search is on for the culprit, and Sona must use all her wits in order to prove it wasn’t her beloved brother, Samiran Daju, who stole it.

Filled with vivid characters against a complex and multilayered political and cultural backdrop, this novel showcases a strong girl protagonist whom readers will root for. The Golden Necklace is award-winning author Mitali Perkins’s latest and most compelling story yet. (from Penguin Random House)

Reading Guide: This book would appeal to 7-10-year-olds as a Morning Time read-aloud and independent readers at the 3rd-5th-grade reading level. It's illustrated and only 128 pages, so it's a gentle introduction to middle grade mysteries. 

Why This Story Stays with Me

1.    The rich detail of life near a Darjeeling Tea plantation.  Sona had to wait in line to fetch water every day, and the tea workers wore forehead straps to carry the heavy bamboo baskets of tea. While some of the cultural terms were new to me, they felt like a gentle invitation to learn alongside Sona.

2.    How poverty was depicted. I loved the quiet details of Sona’s life—the way she saved water for emergencies, the meals she prepared, and her fierce loyalty to her brother when a rumor threatened his business. I rooted for Sona as she helped her family. Her dedication to learning and wanting to succeed in school was especially inspiring.

3.    Beautiful friendships. I really enjoyed that Sona had kindred spirits across culture and social barriers: Jampa, who only spoke Tibetan, and with whom she communicated mostly through gestures, and Tara, who was both older and from a higher social sphere. All the girls helped each other, despite their differences. 

4.    Family relationships! I loved how Sona’s heart for her brother was at the center of the mystery. Finding the necklace was the only way to prove his innocence and keep their small world safe. I loved how Sona and her mother supported each other through the ache of losing Sona’s father while simply trying to put food on the table each day.

5.    More than just a mystery.  This was a story about girl finding quiet courage to help her family. That’s exactly where Perkins shines. Like with Bamboo People or Ricksaw Girl, Perkins has given us a true sense of place, making a far-off tea plantation feel as real as our own cozy reading chair.

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

Max’s Bone-Rating: 

🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

 5/5 Bones for Kutu! He shows that sometimes the best mystery-solving partner has four legs and a very good nose. Sona couldn’t have solved the case without him! 

 

 

A Note for the Front Porch:

Does your family have a favorite 'window book' that took you to a place you’ve never been? Or perhaps a favorite fictional mystery that kept your young readers guessing?

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

 

 

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following this blog.

*Exciting changes are coming to Cozy Stories for Bookish Kids! I am transitioning to a new professional website next month. If you currently follow me here on Blogger, please subscribe via follow.it  to stay updated during the move.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. It is no cost to you. Thank you for your support!

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: 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!  

 

 

 

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!  

 

 

 

MMGM: Unlocking Secrets at Sinclairs: The Clockwork Sparrow

 

As I continue my mystery read-a-thon for the fall, I pulled out one I discovered a few years ago, but I wanted to revisit. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know I love a good historical mystery like The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency series or Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen.

Today I’m featuring The Clockwork Sparrow, the first novel in the four book Sinclair Mysteries.

If you like the Edwardian period, heroes and heroines with a lot of pluck, dastardly villains, and ciphers and codes, you will love this book!

The Synopsis:

In The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow, just as recently orphaned fourteen-year-old Sophie is settling into her new life as a shop girl at the newly opened Sinclair's Department Store in London, a priceless object is stolen, a young man is attacked and Sophie is implicated in the crime. An absolute joy of a book combining mystery, adventure and friendship with a sumptuous Edwardian setting, transporting the reader to a world of heady glamour offset by a murky criminal underground. It's Nancy Drew with a PBS twist, and readers of all ages will adore the cast of exceptionally likeable characters. (from Amazon)

Highlights of Clockwork Sparrow:

1.    An incredible setting! I loved reading about this incredible department store with its strict rules for staff and sumptuous décor. Because Woodfine used omniscient narration, we get more of a cinematic view of this incredible place, which was based on famous London stores of the time like Selfridges.

Illustration from page 2 

 2.    Incredible characters! Each character brought something to the team. Sophie was level-headed, newly adjusting to being working class, and Lil, lit up the room with her exuberant personality and acting skills. Billy, the porter, knows codes from reading about detective stories, and Joe, who recently escaped from the villain’s gang, understands how criminals think.

3.    Endearing friendships! I really enjoy when authors show the strength of same sex friendships, as it seems so rare in middle grade. I loved that although all four got along and the boys each had a crush, that their emotional bond between the two girls and the two boys was exceptionally strong.  

4.    Interesting tidbits of newspapers and clues throughout. Woodfine starts each section with a description of a hat from the time, which contributes to the atmosphere. There are also newspapers giving important information and a copy of letters or clues, which allows the reader to participate in the mystery and not just read a summary of how it was solved.

p.16: Newspaper article about the Clockwork Sparrow

5.    An interesting villain! You can’t have a good mystery without a good villain. The Baron is evil, exceptionally intelligent, and able to blend right in to high society. Sophie catches a glimpse of him near the end, and although The Clockwork Sparrow's mystery is solved, there’s a lot left open for the rest of the series.

What I learned a writer: 

Often writers are told to avoid omniscient point of view because it’s too old-fashioned or hard to pull off. Woodfine used it beautifully, however, in this series. It allowed her to tell the story from all the main characters’ points of view and dip into minor characters’ heads when it suited the story. She used it to good effect to allow the reader to see things that none of the characters noticed, which added suspense.

Max, the Reading Dog*

 

 

 

Max’s take (on a five bone scale):

There was one dug: Lucky, the pug, the dog of Miss Atwood, Mr. Sinclair’s secretary. He played a small part, but maybe he’ll do more in the other books. I also liked Blackie, the cat. And Joe seems like a dog person. 
🦴🦴🦴🦴

Your turn:

Do you like historical mysteries? Yay or nay on omniscient narrators?

MMGM: Cracking Cases with The T.O.A.S.T. Series by James Ponti

I'm glad to be back to MMGM after a busy August! Unfortunately, I had a lot of do-not-finish books last month, so I've been waiting for a good one to share with you. Now that it's fall, my tastes tend toward mysteries. Nothing like curling it with a good whodunit, watching the leaves fall. Are you like that too?

I read the first of the Framed (or T.O.A.S.T.*) series way back in 2016. I love art history and that book became a quick favorite. Recently, I picked up two more books by James Ponti to complete the series, and although neither of these books have anything to do with art history, they touched on a couple of my other interests: classical music and Russian. Two more outstanding titles to share with you today!

*For those who haven't read the series, T.O.A.S.T. stands Theory of All Small Things. As Florian explains: "The idea is that if you look for little details, you can add them up to discover otherwise hidden pieces of information." (p.7 of Trapped  by James Ponti) 

  

Synopsis for Vanished (Book 2):

 

After helping the FBI solve an art theft at the National Gallery and uncovering a DC spy ring, Florian’s finding life at Alice Deal Middle School a little boring. Then his FBI handler, Marcus, finally has a job for him. Florian can’t wait! Is it a bank robbery? Counterfeit ring? International espionage? Not even close.

 

The mission is even more middle school. There’s been a series of pranks happening at a prestigious private school attended by the president’s daughter who may—or may not—be involved. So Florian and Margaret go undercover to see if they can use their TOAST skills to figure out what’s going on before the media gets hold of the story.

 

However, once the crime-solving pair arrive at the school, they discover that there’s a lot more than a few pranks going on, and the conspiracy of silence reaches all the way to the top. Then things take a sinister turn when a student vanishes in the middle of a concert at the Kennedy Center!

 

Can Florian and Margaret save the day? Or are they about to get toasted? 

 

 

 

Synopsis for Trapped (Book 3)

Florian Bates—the only kid on the FBI Director’s speed dial and several international criminals’ most wanted lists—must clear the name of a friend being framed for a crime he didn’t commit in this hilarious third novel in the Framed! series.

 

When Florian and Margaret’s FBI supervisor, Marcus Rivers, is accused of a crime, it’s up to the mystery solving duo to jump into action and clear his name. After all, Marcus is more than their boss—he’s family.

 

The case involves one of Marcus’s first investigations for the FBI and a Russian spy ring. But the spy they’re chasing learns what they’re up to and turns the tables. Now, Marcus is implicated in a variety of crimes, including theft, corruption, and espionage.

 

For Florian and Margaret, it just got personal. They’re going to catch the spy and clear Marcus’s name…even if they have to break into (and out of) the Library of Congress to do it.

 

What to love about this series:

 

1. Well-drawn and fun main characters: I love Florian. He’s like a 12-year-old Sherlock Holmes in the way he notices small things. It's so fun watching him best adults with his skills! Margaret is the perfect crime-solving partner with her ability to people instincts, musical knowledge, and killer soccer skills, which do come in handy throughout the series. 

 

2. A friendship that grows and deepens throughout the series: These are friends who aren’t afraid to be honest with each other and value each other’s differences instead of expecting a friend to be a clone of themselves. What a great model for this age group!

 

3. The adults are well-rounded and play a part in the story. Sometimes in the desire to let the kids solve the crime in most middle grade mysteries, adults are unrealistically absent or are cardboard characters. But in Trapped, Florian’s mom drives them around and uses her Italian background to benefit the team. Nic the Knife and Marcus had depth and their own stories, which is refreshing.

 

4. A bigger story arc beyond the individual books. Every successful series has a story arc that continues throughout the books, and Ponti develops the story of Margaret trying to find her birth parents and Florian keeping that a secret (for a good reason!) throughout all three books. It made for a very satisfying ending to book 3.

 

5. Fun topics! Just like with Framed,  I learned so much from each of these books. Vanished delved into music theory, prep schools, and secret societies. Trapped taught me a lot about the Library of Congress and as a Russophile, I enjoyed the Russian spy element. (Ponti got his Russian correct!)

 

Max’s Take (on a 5 bone scale): 

Max, the Reading Dog*

 

 

 

There should be a spy dog in these books! Couldn’t they have used someone like me to protect them from getting Trapped in the Library of Congress! I would’ve been able to sniff out the bad guy right away. 

🦴

Your Turn: 

What do you like to read in the fall? Have your read the T.O.A.S.T. series?  If you like mysteries, which are your favorites?

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