A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.
~William Styron
Hello, y'all. Hope you all are doing well. Today I am going to start a three part series where I will be recommending 5 books out of 2 different genres. All of these books I have read, or am currently reading and they will each have their blurbs attached below the title. What two genres am I picking from for the next few weeks?
Middle Grade
Young Adult
Today we will do Middle Grade so let's just dive in!!
Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand
Blurb from Goodreads:
THINGS FINLEY HART DOESN’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT
• Her parents, who are having problems. (But they pretend like they’re not.)
• Being sent to her grandparents’ house for the summer.
• Never having met said grandparents.
• Her blue days—when life feels overwhelming, and it’s hard to keep her head up. (This happens a lot.)
Finley’s only retreat is the Everwood, a forest kingdom that exists in the pages of her notebook. Until she discovers the endless woods behind her grandparents’ house and realizes the Everwood is real--and holds more mysteries than she'd ever imagined, including a family of pirates that she isn’t allowed to talk to, trees covered in ash, and a strange old wizard living in a house made of bones.
With the help of her cousins, Finley sets out on a mission to save the dying Everwood and uncover its secrets. But as the mysteries pile up and the frightening sadness inside her grows, Finley realizes that if she wants to save the Everwood, she’ll first have to save herself.
Reality and fantasy collide in this powerful, heartfelt novel about family, depression, and the power of imagination.
Here is my review of Some Kind of Happiness:
2. Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech
Blurb from Goodreads:
When John and Marta found the boy on the porch, they were curious, naturally, as to why he was there-and they didn't expect him to stay, not at first, but he did stay, day after day, until it seemed as if he belonged, running and smiling and laughing his silent laugh, tapping and patting on every surface as he made his music, and painting-with water, with paint, with mud-those swirly swirls and swings and trees.
One day a young couple wakes to find a boy asleep on their porch. Unable to speak, the boy cannot explain his history. What kind of person would leave their child with strangers? All they know is that they have been chosen to care for this boy. And as their connection to him grows, they embrace his exuberant spirit and talents. The three of them blossom into an unlikely family, and John and Marta and the boy begin to see the world in brand-new ways. Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech delivers a poignant story of finding family when you least expect it.
3. The Penderwicks
Blurb for the first book from Goodreads:
The Penderwick sisters busily discover the summertime magic of Arundel estate’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. Best of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, the perfect companion for their adventures. Icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is less pleased with the Penderwicks than Jeffrey, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Is that any fun? For sure the summer will be unforgettable.
4. Prince Warriors by Priscilla Shirer and Gina Detwiler
Blurb for book one, from Goodreads:
They heard a loud crack, and then a tree right next to them split open, its edges glowing red like embers from a roaring fire.
"Lightning!" Xavier said. They dodged out of the way as a blackened tree began to topple over, crashing to the ground in a shower of sparks. Evan felt his courage evaporate. If this was a dream, it was getting way too scary: the deadly lightning, the falling trees, the growing rumble that seemed to shake the forest to its roots, the ominous blackening of the sky. Evan wanted to wake up now.
But somehow he knew. . . . He knew that this was real.
"Welcome to Ahoratos," said the strange little creature in the purple robe. "Earth is but a shadow of this unseen realm. This is the real world where the battles rage, where your true enemy lies."
"How can we fight this enemy?" said Xavier, glancing at his little brother, Evan, in alarm. "We're just kids."
Ruwach gave the slightest smirk. "Here in Ahoratos, you are warriors. Prince Warriors. "
5. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Blurb for book one from Goodreads:
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse - Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena - Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.
6. Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
Blurb for book one, Wishing Spell, from Goodreads:
Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales.
The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.
But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.
I love a good middle grade novel, hence why I had to do six recommendations. Land of Stories is literally my childhood and I am pretty Percy Jackson really got me into reading fantasy.
Have you read any of these? Which Middle Grade books are your favorite? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time,
~Mackenzie
