Tag Archive for: Middle Grade

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Resistance

ResistanceTitle: Resistance
Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Genre: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade
Format: Kindle
Pages: 322
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

RESISTANCE is a powerful story of courage and bravery of the Jewish people during World War II. I loved learning about the true events that took place through this fictional story. I never knew about the couriers and what they risked for their people. I also didn’t really know much about the resistance fighters within the ghettos.

I thought Nielsen did a great job at showing the Jews’ courage as they suffered at the hands of the Germans and their own countrymen, yet risked their lives to help each other. Many of the Jews knew that their resistance movements wouldn’t “win.” The goal was resistance and standing up to the Nazis and showing the world that they wouldn’t be silenced. Because of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, the Allies finally decided to stop turning a blind eye to what was happening to the Jews in Europe.

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Ban This Book

Ban This BookTitle: Ban This Book
Author: Alan Gratz
Genre: Contemporary, Middle Grade
Format: Audio
Pages: 256
Length: 5h 17m
Narrator: Bahni Turpin
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

I really liked the story of BAN THIS BOOK. I think it did a good job of illustrating the importance of not arbitrarily banning / challenging books and that no one has a right to tell you what you’re allowed to read (or what your child is allowed to read) except you. I think everyone should read it, especially parents.

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Orphan Island

Orphan IslandTitle: Orphan Island
Author: Laurel Snyder
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Format: Kindle
Pages: 288
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

I liked the LOST-esque feel of ORPHAN ISLAND (e.g. more questions than answers, supernatural elements, mysterious island), but I didn’t really care for any of the characters. I couldn’t get fully onboard with the story. Partly, I think this was due to the age of the main character. I just got annoyed with her whining and wanted it to stop.

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Anne Of Green Gables

Anne Of Green GablesTitle: Anne of Green Gables
Author: L.M. Montgomery
Series: Anne of Green Gables #1
Genre: Classic, Middle Grade
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 371
Reason Read: Buddy Read
Rating:

My Thoughts

I was really worried I wouldn’t like ANNE OF GREEN GABLES because classics and I don’t always get along, but I needn’t have worried because I adored Anne and her spunk.

I can see why this coming-of-age story is a classic. It’s endearing with its quaint setting and memorable characters. As I said, I love Anne. She reminded me of myself, other than her being ever the optimist. (I’m definitely not an optimist.) Like her, I love to name plants and inanimate objects, anthropomorphizing them. I’m extremely talkative and competitive. I love fiercely and tend to hold grudges even though I try not to. I related to her quite a lot.

I also loved the secondary characters, some more than others. Matthew was my favorite. He was such a kind soul, always looking out for Anne. I wish we had gotten to know Gilbert more. If only Anne had forgiven him before the last couple of pages of the novel. So much wasted time. And, even though I was often frustrated with Marilla’s no-nonsense ways, I liked her because I knew she loved Anne. I look forward to reading the rest of the series at some point in the future.

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A Wrinkle In Time

A Wrinkle In TimeTitle: A Wrinkle in Time
Author: Madeleine L'Engle
Series: Time Quintet #1
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Science Fiction
Format: Kindle
Pages: 245
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I knew A WRINKLE IN TIME was fantasy and I knew it had to do with darkness and light, but I don’t know what I was expecting because this wasn’t it. I enjoyed the fantasy and science aspect of the story. In fact, that’s probably what I liked most about the story. Well, that and Charles Wallace, the 5-year-old brother of the main character, Meg. I enjoyed reading about wrinkling / tessering. And, I loved the mix of fantasy / science with religion. I thought that was rather unique.

What I didn’t like is Meg. She was so annoying and I had a hard time connecting with her in any way. I also didn’t like how short the book is. Without the introduction, afterword, acknowledgements, etc., the story is only 203 pages. I know it’s meant for children, but I feel like the story could’ve been fleshed out so much more. I also felt like the characters, other than the main three, were very one-dimensional. I have so many unanswered questions that I feel could’ve been answered with a longer book. Who was the Happy Medium? Why was she important? Why couldn’t Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which help Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace on Camazotz? Why did they just give them vague gifts and not tell them what to do or where to go?

Overall, I liked the story and I might continue the series at some point, but I don’t feel like the book lived up to the hype. Honestly, I probably would’ve liked the story better if I had read it when I was younger.