Just a reminder....

It's Monday! What are you reading?

Happy Monday, everyone!

Last week I was away on a family vacation, but I spent my Monday finishing up The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls.  I will admit, it wasn't one of my favorites.  It reminded me too much of other books that I love, but I felt like it was missing something.  However, if you're in the mood for a story that is twisted, dark, and creepy, this one might be right up your alley!

As for today, I am currently reading The Truth About Twinkie Pie, and really enjoying it!  It's about a 12 year old girl, who moves from rural South Carolina to a really fancy part of Long Island.  She is really smart and hard working, so she gets really good grades and goes to a fancy private school.  So far she's fitting in really well, almost too well.  I have a feeling things might get a little more challenging for her in the friend department pretty soon.  

The thing I like best about this book are the recipes.  See, the main character's mom died when she was a baby, so now she lives with her sister.  The only thing they have left from their mom is a notebook full of recipes that their mom hand wrote.  The recipes are mixed into the story and you can really get to know the mom through the funny things she wrote when describing the food.  I think I might have to try to make some of them before I finish this book!

YUMMMMM!!!!

So, what are you reading??

It's Monday! What are you reading?

At the moment, I am reading The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand.  I have to be honest, I totally picked it based on its cover.  I was intrigued by the creepy, old-fashioned gate on the cover.  So far, it reminds me a bit of Coraline by Neil Gaiman, which is a favorite of mine.  It is a little creepier and more suspenseful than I thought it would be.  I don't have a ton of time to read this week, as we are having company and getting ready for a big trip next week, but I am hoping to make some good progress over the next few days because I'm at a turning point in the book!

What are you reading??

Where have you been reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading?

At the moment, I'm reading A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord.  Just like her award winning book, Rules, she captures the voice of a 12 year old wonderfully.  The struggles and challenges of being a young girl, being raised by her grandparents, worried about her dog, and trying to navigate friendship in a small town make this book really relatable and fun to read.  

What are you reading? Let me know!

It's Monday! What are you reading?

This week I'm reading The Crossover by Kwame Alexander.  This book won the Newbery Medal this year, and I can definitely understand why! It is written in verse (like poetry) and has a definite hip hop feel to it.  It is told from the point of view of a 7th grade boy who is really good at basketball, just like his famous basketball playing father.  So far I am definitely enjoying this book.  I keep picking it up to read "just one more chapter" and then reading for at least 5-6 chapters.  

What are you reading this Monday?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July!

Interested in reading about our country's independence?  Here are some great middle grade novels about the Revolutionary War and founding of the USA.

The Fighting Ground by Avi

Night Journeys by Avi

Attach of the Turtle: A Novel by Drew Carlson

Betsy Zane, The Rose of Fort Henry by Lynda Durrant

The Keeping Room by Anna Myers