Middle Grade Ninja: Book of the Week: IVY’S EVER AFTER by Dawn Lairamore
Do you like fantasy and fairytales, Esteemed Reader? You do! Well then, here’s a fun one for you. Ivy’s Ever After made me feel small and tucked snug in my bed as though some parent were reading the book to me. This was, of course, not the case. I can’t imagine Mrs. Ninja putting up […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: IT’S A WONDERFUL DEATH by Sarah J. Schmitt
First Paragraph(s): The gypsy fortune-teller at the Halloween carnival predicts I’ll have a long life full of possibilities. Of course, that’s right before she uses me as a human shield to avoid the outstretched hand of a black-cloak-clad, sickle-wielding Grim Reaper and then flees hysterically from the tent. Really, if you think about it, that […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Book of the Week: ISLAND STING by Bonnie Doerr
While in college, I picked up a copy of John Grisham’s The Pelican Brief at about 10:00 at night the week of finals. I was worn out from studying and I just needed a little break. Big mistake. I finished the book at about 4am and then spent the next day of finals sub existing […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Book of the Week: HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL by Donna Gephart
How to Survive Middle School by Donna Gephart is very enjoyable and very funny. But I should warn you, it’s also a little sad in places, so you’ll be alternately laughing and sniffling. That’s the best sort of story and you’re going to have a good time. Here’s the lowdown: Eleven-year-old David Greenberg idolizes Jon […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Book of the Week: THE HORSE JAR by Linda Benson
I must admit that before I became a middle grade ninja I had never read a book about a girl and her horse. I’m a boy and I’ve mostly stuck with boy books. But The Horse Jar is my third book about a girl and her horse since starting this blog. What’s amazed me is […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Book of the Week: HOLES by Louis Sachar
Classic books become classic books for a reason and we writers need to pay attention to them if we’re to have any hope of creating our own future classics. That’s why I also just reread The Indian in the Cupbard and Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing (I’ll post reviews eventually), and this week I […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: GREENHORN by Anna Olswanger
First Paragraph: “I don’t know what’s so important the rebbe couldn’t let us finish the inning,” Ruben whispered to his brother Bernie. “Now the fifth grade’s playing stickball in our part of the yard.” Anna Olswanger will be here Thursday to face the 7 Questions. This is going to be a difficult review, Esteemed Reader. I’ve been staring […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: GONE by Michael Grant
WARNING: This week’s book is actually edgy YA and it is filled with adult content. It is absolutely not appropriate for younger readers and adults should view it as the equivalent of an ‘R’ rated movie, which makes it awesome. If the reader in question can handle Ashfall by Mike Mullin, they’ll be at home […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Book Review: THE GLOBAL WARMING EXPRESS by Marina Weber
First Paragraph(s): On a warm, sunny spring afternoon at the Penguin Burial Ground on the shore of Queen Maud Land, Antarctica, a young emperor penguin named The Fluff wept for his mother. She had died after swallowing a piece of plastic floating in the ocean After the funeral, his colony offered their sympathies and departed, leaving […]
Middle Grade Ninja: Book of the Week: THE GIVER by Lois Lowry
I’m so excited, Esteemed Reader (and I just can’t hide it). This week marks the first of two very big surprises at this blog. As I’ve said before and often, I’m thrilled every time a writer agrees to appear here. I feel the same way about the literary agents we’ve interviewed, as they are a […]