Kids Fiction
N.E.R.D.S. by Michael Buckley
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Jackson didn’t used to be observant; he didn’t need to be. He was a star football player, and the most popular kid in school. He split his time mostly between sports and torturing the “nerd herd,” the allergic, asthmatic, geeky weirdos at the bottom rung of the social ladder. But then came the diagnosis that would doom his social life: Jackson needed braces. Not just braces. The most convoluted, horrific, uncool metal headgear imaginable. At first he hoped that his friends wouldn’t judge him based on the new braces, but alas, Jackson plummeted down to the bottom of the ladder almost immediately. That is when he became observant. No one talks to him, so he begins to notice things about people. And when he notices that the nerd herd has a strange habit of sneezing all at the same time and then disappearing from class, Jackson decides to figure out what they’re up to. His spying lands him in a secret laboratory where a strange computer takes him hostage and upgrades his braces with nanotechnology to turn them into some sort of robotic fighting machine and a secret agent named Brand invites him to join a super-secret espionage team. It turns out that this team is made up of none other than the nerd herd who are not particularly delighted to have their former tormentor on board. Still, they might need all the help they can get if they want to have any hope of stopping the evil Dr. Jigsaw from achieving world domination.
N.E.R.D.S. is a very silly, quirky, sci-fi adventure with a healthy blend of action, slapstick comedy, bathroom humor, and parodies of comic book cliches. It will likely appeal very much to upper elementary and middle grade readers. A sequel follows: NERDS 2: M is for Mama’s Boy.
If you like the N.E.R.D.S. series, you might like the Lunch Lady books by Jarrett Krosoczka.
MIDDLE SCHOOL IS WORSE THAN MEATLOAF by Jennifer Holm
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Ginny has a number of important items on her seventh grade “to do” list. Among them are getting a new dad, getting her older brother Henry to “chill out,” and getting the role of the Sugarplum Fairy in her ballet school’s Nutcracker. Unfortunately, her goals have unexpected challenges and complications. Having a step-dad is more difficult than she thought it would be, and her ballet rivalry with Mary Catherine Kelly may have ended their friendship for good. On top of all of that, Henry seems far from chilling out and may end up in a military academy. Thank goodness for Grampa Joe, Becky Soo, and yellow sweaters. But will they be enough to get Ginny through seventh grade?
This story is told in an interesting style–as a scrapbook with notes and documents from Ginny’s life. It may take a while to get settled into the pattern of reading the story, but in the end it captures the story of Ginny’s life very nicely. This book will likely appeal most to middle grade girls, and the creative storytelling style may appeal to reluctant readers as well!
If you liked Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf, you might like Dumped by Popular Demand, Dork Diaries, Babymouse, and Smile.
POWERLESS by Matthew Cody
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When Daniel and his family move to a new town to take care of his aging grandmother, Daniel immediately notices something odd about the kids of Noble’s Green. At first he excuses the strange things he sees as tricks of his mind. Mollie couldn’t possibly move as fast as he thought she did. Certainly the bully Clay couldn’t be strong enough to hurl him that far through the air. But when Eric rescues him from a would-be-fatal fall and flies him up to their secret hide-out, Daniel has to face the truth. The kids of Noble’s Green have superpowers. Most of them choose to use their powers only for good and to hide their abilities from the adults. But one thing is universally true: the powers disappear on your thirteenth birthday. Your old talents vanish, and with them your memories of your childhood adventures and even of your friendships. Some of the kids have accepted this change as destiny, and watched their older friends drift away from them, knowing it would one day be their turn. But Mollie suspects that something else might be going on. Unfortunately, any kid who tried to figure out the truth in the past lost their powers prematurely. But Daniel has no superpowers, and his talent at detective work makes him the perfect man for the job. It is all up to Daniel to discover who or what is stealing the superpowers of Noble’s Green, before the supers lose another friend.
I just picked this book up when I was browsing, and boy am I glad I did! This is a great adventure mystery, built on themes of growing up and changing relationships that we can all relate to. It will probably appeal most to upper elementary and middle schoolers. A truly fun, imaginative read–I highly recommend it!
If you liked Powerless, you might like Sidekicks by Jack D. Ferraiolo.
INKHEART by Cornelia Funke
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Meggie’s father, Mo, is a book doctor. He repairs old books with loving care and encourages Meggie in her own love of books and stories. But Mo never reads aloud. Meggie has never given this too much thought until a mysterious man called Dustfinger shows up at their house in the middle of the night, and Meggie’s world is turned upside down. She and her father are forced to flee from some sort of evil man by the name of Capricorn, and no one will explain to Meggie what is going on, who Capricorn and Dustfinger are, or what all of this has to do with a book called Inkheart. Meggie, Mo, and Dustfinger seek refuge at the home of their book-obsessed relative, Elinor. But it isn’t long before Mo’s past catches up with them. When a bunch of thugs steal Mo and Inkheart, Meggie learns of her father’s ability to read characters out of books, discovers the truth about her mother’s disappearance nine years earlier, and prepares to embark on a dangerous adventure to rescue her father from the clutches of Capricorn.
This fantasy adventure will greatly appeal to all readers who have ever imagined joining characters in the world of their story–or having those characters come to life in their own lives. It is a long book, but fast-paced with beautiful imagery and complex characters. I also recommend the audio book–although it is quite long (15 hrs!)–as Lynn Redgrave’s performance really brings the book to life.
THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly
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Callie Vee Tate has never felt close to her grandfather. He spends many hours locked away in his study and doesn’t even seem to know the names of all of his grandsons–or at least which boy is which. But when he notices Callie observing the natural world and the great interest she takes in it, he decides to share his hobbies as naturalist with his granddaughter–even though it is unusual for a girl in the late nineteenth century to study such things. Together they read the works of Darwin, observe the beautiful world around them in their Texas backyard, and explore their environment as scientists. Unfortunately, Calpurnia’s parents have plans for her that conflict with her passions.
At its heart, The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is a story of family relationships and of a girl trying to find her identity and place in society. It is a sweet story with some great humorous moments, and a spunky narrator that you have to love. It will probably appeal most to girls in upper elementary and middle school, although I read it with my adult book group, and we all enjoyed it as well!
SAVVY by Ingrid Law
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Thirteenth birthdays are a big deal in the Beaumont house, because that is the age when every Beaumont child receives their “savvy”–the unique special power that everyone in the family inherits. Fish has the power to create storms. Rocket has power over electricity. But a few days before Mibs reaches her savvy birthday, her father is in a horrible car accident and slips into a coma. As Momma and Rocket rush off to see him in the hospital in Salina, Mibs, Fish, and their younger siblings get left under the care of the preacher and his wife, Miss Rosemary, who know nothing of savvy birthdays.
Miss Rosemary is intent on throwing Mibs a party to keep her mind off of the family tragedy, but Mibs just wants to be left alone to figure out what her savvy is. A newborn, uncontrolled savvy can be a dangerous thing. But in the middle of the night on her savvy birthday, strange things begin to happen. First Mibs seems to wake her sister, Gypsy, from a deep sleep, using her mind. Then she brings her brother Samson’s dead pet turtle back to life. Realizing that her savvy must be the ability to wake things, Mibs decides to run away to Salina to wake her father from his coma. Under cover of birthday party chaos, Mibs makes her escape. It is not as subtle as she planned, however, and she winds up with a motley crew of traveling companions: Fish, Samson, and Miss Rosemary’s children, sixteen year old Bobbi and fourteen year old Will Junior. The children stow away in the back of a Bible delivery bus, and their road-trip adventure begins.
Although Savvy definitely falls within the genre of fantasy, its focus is grounded in reality–dealing with themes of family and relationships, growing up, individuality, and dealing with tragedy. Yet the tone of the book is not too dark. It has its serious moments and its funny moments. I greatly enjoyed this Newbery Honor book, and would recommend it to middle grade readers!
If you liked Savvy, you might like Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech.
THE STAR OF KAZAN by Eva Ibbotson
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While on holiday in the Austrian mountains, Ellie and Sigrid find baby Annika abandoned in a church and bring her back to Vienna. The three Professors for whom Ellie and Sigrid work as a cook and housekeeper are upset at first by the introduction of a noisy, messy baby to their home. But within a few weeks, Annika becomes a beloved part of the household. Although she works hard around the house helping Ellie and Sigrid, Annika loves her life in Vienna. She loves the Emperor Franz Josef and his dancing Lipizzano horses. She loves her friends Pauline and Stefan and the games of make-believe they play in the abandoned garden. In fact, the only thing about life in Vienna that Annika does not love is Loremarie Egghart, the snobby, rich girl who lives across the street and who turns her nose up at Annika, the “kitchen girl.” But when Loremarie hires Annika to read books to the bed-ridden great-aunt whom none of the Eggharts can stand, Annika finds a new friend, a friend with exciting and exotic stories of a glamorous past life, stories that will live with Annika long after the old lady herself passes on.
Everything in Annika’s world changes, however, when her real mother arrives in Vienna. Annika had always dreamed hopefully of a day when her mother would arrive to claim her long-lost daughter. What Annika never expected was that her mother would be a “von”–a German noblewoman–Frau Edeltraut von Tannenberg. She also never dreamed of what would come after her mother’s arrival–the part where she would take her away from Vienna and everyone she knows. Annika’s new life in Germany is wonderful in some ways. For one thing, there is Zed the stable boy, with whom Annika immediately forms a strong friendship. And of course she is with her mother! But Annika quickly learns that there are secrets in her noble family, and not all of them are good.
This novel is simply superb historical fiction–one of my favorite children’s books. I highly recommend it to middle grade readers, and any adults who enjoy children’s fiction. It has an engaging plot, wonderfully drawn characters, and clean, evocative writing.
The audiobook (narrated by Patricia Connolly) is also excellent!
THE CASE OF THE MISSING MARQUESS by Nancy Springer
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On her fourteenth birthday, Enola Holmes discovers that her eccentric mother has vanished. Even her older brother Sherlock cannot find the marquess. As her eldest brother, Mycroft, makes plans to send her away to boarding school, Enola discovers a series of clues that her mother left specifically for her, and she begins to realize that the mystery may not be quite what it seems. Her investigation and her desire to avoid boarding school at all costs prompt Enola to flee from her brothers and seek refuge in the city of London. With the help of her analytical mind and her gift for disguise–traits which she shares with her brother Sherlock–Enola is determined to solve the mystery of her mother’s disappearance and any other mysteries she stumbles across along the way. And nothing–especially not her being a girl–will stand in her way.
Springer builds a vivid and detailed picture of life in Victorian London, the poverty of the East End, and the challenges of being a woman in the nineteenth century. Add a brilliant, snarky narrator, hilarious disguises, codes to crack, clues to unravel, and the indomitable Sherlock Holmes as a rival and adversary and you have one of my favorite children’s mystery books! The only down side to this wonderful mystery series is that its reading level is a bit more difficult than its interest level. It is best for advanced upper elementary readers, (possibly also middle school readers) and will probably be of most interest to girls. I highly recommend it!
Five books follow The Case of the Missing Marquess in the Enola Holmes series:
2. The Case of the Left-Handed Lady
3. The Case of the Bizarre Bouquet
4. The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan
5. The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline
6. The Case of the Gypsy Goodbye
RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE by Dean, Shannon, & Nathan Hale
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Rapunzel’s mother, Gothel, raised her in a beautiful home surrounded by luscious gardens–the product of Gothel’s growth magic–and a high stone wall which separated them from the outside world. When Rapunzel grows old enough to wonder what lies beyond the wall, she disobeys her mother’s orders and climbs to the top. There she sees the barren wasteland outside her mother’s protected garden, land stripped of all fertility by the witch’s powers and peopled by laboring peasants, Gothel’s slaves. Rapunzel also learns that one of the peasants is her true mother, from whom Gothel stole her in infancy. When Rapunzel confronts the witch with her new knowledge, Gothel takes her to a far off forest and imprisons her in the hollow of a tall, tall tree. Gothel expects that her “daughter” will eventually come to her senses and choose to support the system of slavery that keeps them living in luxury. Instead, Rapunzel grows increasingly bitter in her isolation. Gothel’s growth magic that made the tree tall also makes Rapunzel’s hair grow quickly and soon she has enough to create a lasso to help her in her escape. Teaming up with a young thief named Jack, Rapunzel adventures across the desert countryside, trying to devise a plan to destroy Gothel’s empire and using her hair to bring vigilante justice to the lawless towns she passes through.
This adventurous Wild West retelling of Rapunzel is tons of fun. The graphic novel format is perfect for the story’s fantastic action sequences. Plus, it is very, very funny! I highly recommend this book to middle grade and teen readers.
The sequel Calamity Jack came out recently and I am very excited to read it!
THE INVENTION OF HUGO CABRET by Brian Selznick
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When Hugo’s father perished in a fire, Uncle Claude took Hugo into his apartment in the train station and taught him how to care for the clocks. Now that Uncle Claude has disappeared, Hugo takes care of the clocks himself, hiding in the walls of the train station, stealing food when he can, and avoiding the Station Inspector. As soon as the clocks have been tended to, Hugo turns back to the secret project that keeps him going: the automaton man at the writing desk that Hugo’s father had been repairing when he died. Hugo is sure that if he can fix the automaton, the mechanical man will write a message from his father. Using his father’s notebook as a guide, he steals toys from the station toy booth and uses their parts to replace the missing and broken pieces. But one day, the toy maker catches him. When he sees Hugo’s notebook, he seems horrified and confiscates it immediately. Although Hugo follows him to his house, he cannot convince the toy maker to give it back. But he does meet Isabelle, the toy maker’s goddaughter, who seems to have secrets of her own. Together, she and Hugo try to get the notebook back and to decipher the automaton’s mysterious message.
This book has a very interesting premise that was inspired by a true story. It is told in words and pictures, switching back and forth between pages of prose and full-page drawings. As you discover later in the book, the format is very intentional for this particular story. I found it a bit challenging to get into because the transition between words and pictures was somewhat jarring (very different from reading a graphic novel!). But once I got into the rhythm, and deeper into the story, I was grateful for the story-telling images. The book deserves its Caldecott Medal.
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