I Survived #24, The Black Death, 1348 by Lauren Tarshis*

 Years ago when I tutored reluctant and struggling readers, I used these books with my upper elementary boy readers to build stamina and confidence. At that time the main characters were boys. Now the series also features female characters. 

Elsie and her best friend Humphrey discover that Sheriff Grimwood is working with the band of outlaws, stealing the town's treasures. Unfortunately, Grimwood spies the two children fleeing from their hiding place and sets out to find them. Meanwhile, members in their town are dying from the plague. Elsie is soon bedridden with it and wonders if she will survive . . .

A fast-paced book that introduces readers to the way of life during the medieval era and allows them to experience the agony (only through words!) of the bubonic plague. Many additional pages about this time period and the plague are included after the story.

*Highly recommend for reluctant readers.

Discuss: plague/death, views about Covid (Ms. Tarshis compares some aspects of the plague with Covid.)

-Borrowed from the library.

To Stay Alive by Skila Brown

 A novel in verse about Mary Ann Graves who traveled west to CA with the infamous Donner Party. Readers are transported into the group's struggles with Mary Ann's narration. And yes, the poems relate how they ate members from their party to survive! This book will provoke a lot of discussion! 

A fascinating account!

I recommend it for high school and older.

-Borrowed via ILL.

Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson

 Elsbeth Culpepper and her father move to Boston from Philadelphia after her mother and siblings die from the smallpox. Mr. Culpepper is employed as a sailmaker. Elsbeth is a kitchen maid in a separate location. She longs to apprentice as a seamstress. When her employer,a Loyalist, flees Boston, Elsbeth finds new employment, where the head kitchen maid is cruel and nasty. With the backdrop of the Revolutionary War, readers experience this era and the smallpox inoculation first hand through Elsbeth's first-person account.

I enjoyed this riveting tale. Ms. Anderson researches extensively and knows how to develop credible characters and how to immerse the reader into the historical event. 

Warning: Elsbeth is a liar. Lying is her natural defense and solution. Her lies eventually get her into trouble. I still liked her as a character-her compassion, her perseverance, her cleverness are all admirable. 

-Borrowed from the library.

The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner

 Finn kicked over a gravestone. He is failing seventh grade. Instead of having to pay for the headstone, the daughter of the deceased, requires Finn to hike the 46 Adirondack peaks with the deceased's dog. To pass seventh grade, he must compose poems about a hero.

As he hikes and writes poems to describe the hikes and his dad, a local hero who died, Finn discovers more about himself and his father.

A family member recently made it his goal to hike the 46 peaks in the Adirondacks. As a result, I was especially curious to read about the different peaks. Ms. Messner is a 46er, so she writes with authority about the hikes.

Discuss- alcoholism, death, lying, vandalism, 9/11, covid

-Borrowed from the library.

Candle Island by Lauren Wolk*

A great summer read! 

Lucretia & her mom move to Candle Island, Maine to escape---her father's death, journalists who want to interview her artist mother. Candle Island contains its own secrets-vandals, children with special gifts, a hidden room. 

I was captivated by the author's poetic sentences, her development of the setting (I wanted to move to Candle Island & explore it!), and her plot pace-how she revealed the secrets to the reader. Ms. Wolk also created likable, distinct characters. I appreciated Lucretia's relationship with her mom-so sweet.

The description of yummy meals Mrs. Sanderson made & served gave me the desire to knock on their door & ask to partake!

*Highly recommend but--Lucretia seemed too wise beyond her years . . .yet when I learned her full story, I could understand why she seemed a lot wiser than a typical 12-year-old.. . . Despite this slightly downside to the book, I still consider this novel as one of my favorite middle grade novels I have read in awhile.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold*

 Aidyn, a reporter for the Kansas City Star, asserts herself too far. Her superiors send her on an assignment that is perceived as insulting-writing someone's obituary. Clara Kip has been admitted to a hospice care unit. Intitially Aidyn assesses her subject as ordinary. As she begins to ask questions and research this woman's life, she discovers not only an interesting life but one that has impacted others for eternity.

I loved Mrs. Kip! She reinforced the importance of truly loving people and reminding oneself that each person before us are eternal souls. She also teaches the reader how to live and to die well. 

I did not think the character of Aidyn was well-developed. I did not connect to her or like her. It seemed like she was only necessary to reveal Mrs. Kip.

*Highly recommend but see my above assessment.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Correspondent by Virgina Evans

 I could have read this book in one sitting if I had that leisure. Ms. Evans has created a compelling, interesting, and well-written novel about the life of Sybil Van Antwerp. By reading her letters & emails to various individuals (& some replies) over an eight year period, readers are immersed into her life. Now in her seventies, Sybil lays out the triumphs, tragedies, regrets, pleasures from her life via her correspondences. One letter is continuous throughout the whole book, which she resumes randomly throughout the years. My favorite character was her sweet neighbor, Theodore Lubeck.

This was a bestseller so I should not be surprised to find some aspects of it that do not agree with my beliefs--

Considerations: her brother, Felix, is gay and lives with/marries another man, Stewart-they break up for a period of time because Stewart had formed a friendship with another guy; Sybil moves in with a man at the end of her years; the series, The Outlander is mentioned & that it includes lots of sex & some sexual violence; some/minimal swearing; the author's political leanings are made clear --why can't I find modern novels that support conservative politics?!

For the above reasons I am not "highly recommending" it. The literary value is superb. 

-Borrowed from the library.

 

The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman

 Award winner-Newbery Honor-2026

Clare the fox died but is undead. He resides in Deadwood Forest and ushers dead creatures into the Afterlife. The Afterlife reveals to him which place each creature is to enter: Peace, Progress, Pleasure, or Pain. For six years he has maintained a productive mushroom garden, devoured interesting books, cared for his cottage, and of course, ushered souls into their deserved afterlife realm. Then a badger named Gingersnipes knocks on his cottage door, and his predictable life is upheaved. 

This book is well-crafted-characters, plot, setting, word choice. I loved reading it and especially appreciated Clare and Gingersnipes.

Considerations: worldview about the afterlife, Afterlife is treated as a supreme being, most souls are considered "good", karma is mentioned, where creatures go is based on how they have lived/view themselves

NCIS Origins**DVDS

 This series reveals how Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Mike Franks form a friendship  when NCIS was just NIS in the 1990s. The 1st episode begins with elderly Gibbs reflecting on his early years as a marine and how he joined NIS. He narrates and then the "younger versions" of himself and his team come into focus and unfold the story. 

We love this series. With depth and character development, the show is a rarity "these days". Although each episode focuses on a naval murder case, it has flashbacks providing the backstory of the team members. I cannot really express how well-written and well-produced this show is. The acting is superb also. This show displays flawed humanity and its desire to find meaning in life and to find justice.

Viewers who like constant action with little character development may not appreciate this show.

**Highly, highly recommend for older teens & adults.

Warnings/considerations: violence-war, murder-sometimes graphic, snippers/revenge, Gibbs's wife & daughter are murdered, murdering is portrayed/reasoned as ok in some situations; Tish, Franks's girlfriend was raped-it is alluded to-not depicted; Franks & Tish live together, unmarried; Franks smokes a lot; drinking to unwind; death of beloved people; cursing; during the last episode the viewer can infer Wheeler is participating in a homosexual relationship w/ a FBI agent-he vows to stop, restore his marriage, & not lie anymore

Giant by Judith McQuoid

 Sarah Mackenzie interviewed Mrs. McQuoid on RAR about her debut book, Giant. It was one of my favorite author interviews ever! Redeemed Reader also reviewed it this past summer (2025). 

Mrs. McQuoid offers readers a sample of C.S. Lewis's childhood when he lived in Belfast. The main character, however, is Davy, a boy from a working-class family. Davy's mother works for the Lewis family as a housekeeper. When she brings Davy along to work in hopes he can work small jobs for the Lewis family, Davy forms a friendship with C.S. Lewis. Their friendship bolsters both of them-Davy to pursue his love for art and reading and Lewis to persevere during his mother's illness, her eventual death, and then a horrible boarding school situation. 

I loved the book and would have read it in one sitting if time allowed. Will middle grade readers like this gentle story? If they value friendships, character-driven stories, and a love for C.S. Lewis, they will appreciate it. More plot-driven readers may not see the point to it. 

I love that Mrs. McQuoid includes in the back a list of books mentioned throughout the novel.

-I own it.

The Birds' Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggins

 Carol Bird was born on Christmas Day. Celebrating her birthday on Christmas each year delighted her and her family. Even though years later she becomes ill and bed-ridden, she continues to bring joy to those around her. Her last Christmas on earth she invites a less fortunate family to join her festivities. 

I liked reading this shorter story but did not like how sadly it ended. Carol is an inspiring character, though. First published in 1886.

 Spoiler alert & consideration: She dies that last Christmas.

-Borrowed via ILL.

The Teacher of Nomad Land -A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri*

  Babak, age 13, and his sister Sana, age 8, are orphans. When the British and the Soviets invade Iran, the British mistake their father and a group of goatherd as resistant fighters. They shoot at them, causing a rocky ledge to fall, killing them.

For a year the siblings live apart (in the same town) with Babak saving his money in a hole in a wall. After the money is stolen by his caretakers, he and his sister leave, hoping to join the nomadic tribe. Babak tries to convince them he can continue his father's former job teaching their children to read. The tribe's leader, Mr. Hussein, is not impressed with Babak. On their despondent trip back to their home town, they encounter a German spy and a Jewish boy on the run. These two individuals add excitement to the plot, which lasts until the last chapter!

I had not realized that WWII had trickled into Iran. So many books have been written about WWII so reading one about a little known topic (at least to me) was intriguing.

The chapters are short. The plot is well-paced. The characters are likable. I especially like how the first chapter (the main reason for his father's death) foreshadows the plot in the last chapter with opposite results!

God is mentioned often. But is it God or Allah? Probably Allah since Iran is mostly Muslim.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Where Are You, Bronte? by Tomie dePaola illustrated by Barbara McClintock

 Tomie's last fully written book before he passed away in 2020

Tomie relates how special his dog, throughout its life and how much he misses him when Bronte dies.

Written in 2nd person-directly to Bronte

Children who love their pets will connect with Tomie's love for Bronte.

Ms. McClintock mimics Tomie's illustration style well. She includes the dove with a heart on it throughout the pages.

-Borrowed from the library

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood

 What a captivating and unique book. Ms. Wood  developed credible characters and created a entralling plot. Her writing is superb (sentence formation, metaphors/similies, word choice etc.). 

Quinn, a neglectful husband and father, finds himself fulfilling his deceased eleven-year-old son's Boy Scout assignment-doing chores for 104-year-old Lithuanian woman, Ona on Saturdays. As the Saturdays progress, Quinn realizes that he enjoys Ona and calls her his friend. He also discovers more about his son and decides to finish his son's goals for Ona, to have her earn an entry in the Guinness World Records.

Aspects I did not like-some swearing/including f-word, a mother, whose sons are in a Christian rock band, is quite rough and says their faith is just a phase-not exactly a positive of Christians, one of Ona's friends may have had relations w/ some high school boys she was teaching

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

 Two different years- 2017 & 2019

Two different characters-Mukesh, an elderly widower who grieves over his wife constantly, and Aleisha, a seventeen-year-old who feels trapped in her own home with her mentally-ill mother

What joins these two characters together? A library and books 

Aleisha works at the local library in Wembly, London. She dreads her job until she finds The List. Someone had taken the time to write a list of books to read with the welcoming introduction, "Just in case you need it . . ." As Aleisha reads through these novels, she finds peace and companionship. She also develops friendship with Mukesh as she suggests these books to him and then follows up with discussion. An unlikely friendship develops.

This story was compelling and realistic. I found reading about a main character with an African Hindu background interesting. I also liked the ending. I reread the prologue after I finished. It made more sense then. My favorite character was Mukesh. One character left me feeling so sad and wishing he could have been saved from his turmoil.

What was on "The Reading List"? To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, The Kite Runner, Life of Pi, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Beloved, and A Suitable Boy.

Considerations: some swearing (including "f"), Aleisha gives someone the middle finger, underage drinking & drug use, a main character's family member commits suicide during the story, mental-illness

I would like to read Ms. Adams's newest novel, The Twilight Garden. It seems like another novel that focuses on relationships.

-Borrowed from the library.

A Walk in the Woods by Nikki Grimes illustrated by Jerry Pinkney & Brian Pinkney**

 A boy grieves his father's death. A week after his funeral he opens an envelope from his dad, which contains a treasure map through the woods they would explore together.  As the boy follows the map, he encounters many creatures he and his dad would admire. The treasure is so, so special. 

Ironically, Jerry Pinkney, the illustrator, died before he completed the illustrations. His son, Brian, finished the illustrations. Once you read the story, you will understand the irony.

I loved this book. The writing, the story . ..and also it features African Americans in a regular setting with a normal plot.

**Highly, highly recommend.

Discuss/consideration: The boy senses his father next to him and feels his hand on his shoulder even though his father is no longer alive. The author portrays that our loved ones communicate with us even after they die.

-Borrowed from the library.

The Cart That Carried Martin by Eve Bunting illustrated Don Tate

 This picture book focuses on how the cart that carried Martin Luther King Jr.'s body on his funeral day was acquired, used, and returned. I liked how Ms. Bunting correlated the cart's traits with MLK Jr.'s character traits. 

Very interesting piece of history with a unique perspective.

-Borrowed from the library.

Whale Fall by Melissa Stewart illustrated by Rob Dunlavey

 Ms. Stewart reveals how vital a whale's death is to a myriad of sea creatures. Enlarged inserts of the creatures support the text and help the reader comprehend. In the back Ms. Stewart provides more information about each of the creatures mentioned (scientific name, size, diet, predators, life span, & field note).  

A fascinating topic! This picture book will appeal to elementary students.

Pair with Life After Whale (Life After Whale presents more information about whale falls and has better illustrations.)

-Borrowed from the library.

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie*

 Two places where I find book recommendations (Read Aloud Revival and Redeemed Reader) "spoke" highly about this book in their reviews. Fantasy is not my favorite genre, so I would not have selected this book to read. While I was reading it, our latest World magazine arrived, which also recommended it!

It is a book about friendship, love, hope, and sacrifice. Although I did not relish the fantastical creatures and world, I loved the characters and how they chose to live.

Christopher Forrester is to spend the holiday with his grandfather in Scotland, a man he has not seen in years. His grandfather gives him permission to explore his land except he is not to go near the top of the hill. Christopher goes to the top of the hill.  Soon he finds himself transported to a magical world, The Archipelago. He discovers he is The Guardian between the two worlds.

Mal lives with her aunt. A cloak given to her enables her to fly. When a man enters their home and murders her aunt, Mal flees and encounters Christopther. Together they diagnosis the sickness invading The Archipelago and sail the seas to cure it, no matter the sacrifice.

Although this book is tense, Ms. Rundell throws in humor just when it is needed.

Abundant black and white illustrations (not my taste in art, though). The Guardian's Bestiary is included in the back, referencing all creatures mentioned throughout the story.

*Highly recommend.

**On September 11, 2025 book #2 will be available!

-Borrowed from the library.

Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte*

Award-winner 

1805 Martha's Vineyard-

Mary Lambert is deaf. She is comfortable within her community on Martha's Vineyard, where many people are deaf. Those who are not deaf speak with signs too. Then a young man from Boston arrives to discover the "cause" of the community's prevalent deafness. As Mary watches him, she realizes he views their deafness as an illness and treats them as lesser individuals. Mary reads his notes/letters and discovers he will be bringing dirt and water samples from the island plus a live specimen. She wonders what a live specimen is. Unfortunately, she finds out! A life of horror and confusion awaits her.

A fascinating piece of history I had never encountered before reading this book. 

Book #1 of a trilogy

The author's biography has a misspelling, which annoyed me.

*Highly recommend but  discuss----

Points to Discuss: deafness, treatment of Wampanoag and freedmen, prejudices,  kidnapping, physical abuse, Mary's hearing brother died (before this book takes place) and her mother is treating Mary unkindly in response to it (Mary thinks his death is her fault)

-Borrowed from the library