Book Review: All of Me

The middle grade novel, All of Me, by Chris Baron is a sweet, summery tale of self acceptance.  It is written in verse with short, free-verse poems.

Ari is uncomfortable with his body. He hates that his belly spills over his shorts. He doesn't like his love handles. Other kids tease him because of how he looks.

His mother suggests he starts a diet, and it seems to be working. But a diet can't fix everything. Over the course of one summer, Ari finds a way to accept his parents' divorce, his first crush, and himself, just the way he is.

Book Review: Over the Moon

Over the Moon, the newest middle grade novel by Natalie Lloyd, is a magical adventure with Pegasus horses they call starbirds.

Mallie is brave, doing anything she can to save her little brother from being sent to work in the mines. She joins a dangerous mission to earn extra feathersworth to buy his freedom. What she discovers is a thicket of lies, and the determination to bring the stars back again.

"You don't have to believe the story you are given!"

Book Review: Shouting at the Rain

Shouting at the Rain is the newest middle grade novel by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, author of Fish in a Tree and One for the Murphys. Set in a fishing town in Cape Cod, this is a delightful summer read about how people can look at the same situation and see different things.

It's summer, and Delsie is looking forward to seeing her friend Brandy come back to town. But Brandy has changed, and starts hanging out with Tressa, who is downright mean. She also meets Ronan, a new kid in town people don't quite trust.

This book is great for any kid who lost a friendship or feels left out. Another neat fact about it is the author included anagrams in the book. Be sure to read the author's note at the end.

"The sun is always in the sky, it just gets hidden sometimes."

Book Review: Because of the Rabbit

Because of the Rabbit, by Cynthia Lord (author of Rules) is a charming story about a girl who finds a pet rabbit the night before she starts going to public school for the first time. Up until this point, Emma was homeschooled. She worries about being different and not making friends.

Drama happens, both with Emma's attempts to make friends at school and with the bunny. What Emma is going through feels very universal, as is the message that to make a friend, you have to be a friend.

At 183 pages, this is a quick, fun read, and you might learn a little about rabbits.

Book Review: The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

"The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise" by Dan Gemeinhart is deep, and surprising, and fun, and terribly sad. I picked up this book because of the title. It looked like the perfect summer read, and I was right, mostly. This isn't a light read, in spite of the fun names, the fact that they live in a school bus, and the first chapter is about slushies and kittens.

Coyote lives on the road with Rodeo, a hippie who happens to be her father, on a renovated school bus they call Yager. Their road life has rules, and most of them are about avoiding the reality that Coyote isn't her real name, as Rodeo isn't her dad's name, and they are running away from the tragedy that took Coyote's mom, her two sisters, and essentially, her real name.

Coyote finds her way home, with some help from friends and beasts. You will leave this book with a greater appreciation of goats.

Book Review: The Collectors

"The Collectors," by Jacqueline West creates a magical world that exists out of sight for most, but not Van. He sees creatures others can't and can hear their adorable companion animals speak. It's like a wish come true, which Van soon learns is not always a good thing.

This is the first book in a series, and the ending sets us up for the next adventure in a land where wishes run wild.  It is an imaginative choice for middle grade readers that features a main character with hearing loss and no desire to change the way he perceives the world.

Book Review: A Heart in a Body in the World

A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti is a contemporary realistic young adult novel layered and deep and full of emotions. Annabelle Agnelli takes off on a whim when she decides to run 2700 miles from Seattle to Washington DC, skipping the end of her senior year and her graduation.  The idea is not well thought out, and even Annabelle wonders if it is even possible, but she has plenty of support from her family, friends, and fan page.

The road is not easy, and sometimes impossible. But the story isn't only about Annabelle's run, but what she's running from, and who she's running toward.