Keeper of the Lost Cities (Books 1-6) by Shannon Messenger

Recommended for fans of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings

With over 2,000 books in my classroom library, I consider myself to stay pretty current on middle grade titles.  I am always on social media and in book stores looking for books to add to my collection and/or books with specific students in mind.  I read a minimum of five books a week.  I KNOW BOOKS!  With that being said, I am not sure how this series was not known to me until a few months ago.

While conferring with one of my students, he asked me if I had ever read Keeper of the Lost Cities.  I told him that I had never read or even heard of it.  He assured me that it is a GREAT book, we finished our conference, and I continued on with my day.  Later in the afternoon on the same day, a former student who is now in middle school stopped by to visit me.  During our conversation, she mentioned a series that she was reading that she thought I would really enjoy.  Can you guess what that series was???  Keeper of the Lost Cities!  With it being mentioned to me two times in the same day, I knew I had to read it.  I immediately ordered the first book, read it, and ordered the rest of the series.

Now that I have finished the first six books, I feel compelled to tell everyone I know about this series (including our school librarian who had also not heard of it).  Shannon Messenger has created a world of elves, goblins, trolls, and almost every other magical creature of which you can think.  With a plot that dips, curves, loops, and never fails to surprise, readers are taken on an adventure of epic proportions.  The cast of  characters is large; however, they are all written with depth, humor, and courage. 

The only complaint I have is that Ms. Messenger seems to end each book with a cliffhanger that is literally a CLIFFHANGER.  Some of us can't deal with that kind of stress!

The Song from Somewhere Else by A.F. Harrold

I don't do scary or creepy--my students know this about me, so they know a book must be amazing for me to step into that world.  I read The Imaginary by A.F. Harrold last year.  I described it as what would happen if Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate and The Nest by Kenneth Oppel had a baby. As much as it completely creeped me out, it also pulled me into a world of magic, mystery, and terror.  The Song from Somewhere Else did the exact same thing for me.

Frank is used to being bullied by the group of neighborhood boys, but it can only make matters worse when the school weirdo, Nick, rescues her from them.  This rescue leads to a friendship unlike anything Frank and Nick have experienced.  While visiting Nick's house, Frank uncovers magical secrets that Nick has never shared with anyone.  Secrets that, while wondrous, are also very dangerous.  When the secrets get out, the tables are reversed, and it is up to Frank to figure out how to help save Nick, his family, and possibly the world.

While A.F. Harrold is an amazing storyteller, the illustrations by Levi Pinfold definitely play a huge role in setting the tone for this story.  One of A.F. Harrold's strengths is partnering with illustrators who truly understand his stories, as apparent in both The Imaginary and The Song from Somewhere Else.

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

I read and fell in love with The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley when it was first released.  It was one of those books that I pushed upon everyone.  I wasn't really sure how I felt about a sequel--the first one was so...perfect.  Could a sequel truly live up to the original story???  I answer with a resounding, "YES!"  

In The War I Finally Won, Ada's clubfoot has been fixed, but her troubles are not quite over.

She struggles with the idea of no longer being "damaged" as her mother always told her she was.  Due to circumstances that I will not reveal here, Ada and her brother end up staying with Susan as they move into a cottage owned by Lady Thorton.  Soon the cottage is full of characters, including a Jewish girl from Germany.  As the war affects the characters more and more, tensions rise and lines are drawn.  Ada must decide where she stands and what she will stand for through all of the conflicts.

I think one reason I love the character of Ada so much is that she doesn't always say or do the right thing.  She actually isn't always completely likable, but she is always growing and learning.What more can any of us do in life?

The blurb on the inside front cover of the book states that this book "...completes Ada's journey of family, faith, and identity..." I disagree completely.  Ada's journey continues in each of us, each day in every way.

Time to push this one...

The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange

Disclaimer:  I always feel the need to put a disclaimer on any reviews of books from Chicken House.  I am slightly obsessed with this publisher and have been known to go to the bookstore just to look for their logo on the spines of books.  I have also contacted the company in order to beg my way into being a part of the company.  It is my opinion that Chicken House has some of the most creative books being published.  One can only imagine my excitement when this book was recently available at the Scholastic book fair in my school.

Now to the important part:

Quotable Quotes:

"Grief is just amputated love."

"She is tossed by the waves but she does not sink."

In The Secret of Nightingale Wood, Henrietta's family loses its way when tragedy strikes. Henry's mother is ill, her father is working out of the country, and Henry is left to figure out her way on our own.  Motivated by her love of fairy tales, she emparts upon an adventure where she uncovers hidden secrets that could cost her family everything or could save them all.  Through her adventures, she has to deal with doctors who, quite typical of the time period, are ready to treat both Henry and her mother for female neurosis.

Through her beautiful storytelling, Lucy Strange has created a world where grief, sadness, and loss threaten to tear lives apart.  Only through patience, bravery, and belief will this family survive.

I literally could not put this book down and stayed up most of the night reading it.  When I turned the final page, the characters stayed with me as I wondered what would happen to them next.  Lucy Strange has created a story of resilience that will be enjoyed by many AND a character to whom I aspire to be when I grow up.

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Quotable Quotes

"Making others feel safe is a fine way to spend your days."

"...reminded me there is beauty in stillness and grace in acceptance."

"It is a great gift indeed to love who you are."

"...friendship doesn't have to be hard.  That sometimes we let the world make it hard"
"But everyone needs hope."

Having lived for over two hundred years, Red, the oak tree, is as much a part of his neighborhood as any human who has resided there. When a new family moves into the neighborhood, not everyone is accepting of their arrival, but can Red use his wisdom and experience to make a difference?  Can he help others without sacrificing himself?  Told with humor, sensitivity, and beauty, this is a feel good tale that needs to be shared.

As a fourth grade teacher, I have watched many students fall in love with Katherine Applegates' The One and Only Ivan.  It tends to resonate deeply with them, touching something in them, making them feel something that was previously untouched by a book.  With wishtree, Ms. Applegate has succeeded in creating those same experiences for her reader.  While it only took me a little more than an hour to read this beautiful story, it will stay with me for much longer than that.  I can't wait to share this with my students.

Congratulations, Katherine Applegate.  What a lovely story!

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Recommended for anyone who enjoys Wonder by R.J. Palacio, enjoys reading about those who overcome obstacles and persevere through tough times, feels that they are different and have a difficult time fitting in with their peers

Look out, Readers!  There's a new hero in town, and her name is Aven.  Seriously, I am in love with this character.  Aven, who was born without arms, has always attended the same school, so all of her peers know and understand her and the way she gets through her daily life.  When her unemployed father takes a job managing an amusement park in Arizona, Aven must attend a new school where she is met with curious stares and some not so accepting peers.

As Aven gets settled into her new surroundings, she befriends Connor who has Tourette's Syndrome and Zion who hides from his peers due to his weight problem.  With Aven's optimistic outlook and great sense of humor, these three become a perfect team.  Along the way, they uncover a mystery that involves tarantulas, a locked desk, and a turquoise necklace.  The unraveling of the mystery touched my heart and made me sob like a baby.

Told with humor, optimism, and empathy, this story is one of those that creates windows for many and mirrors for those who really need to know that they are not alone.

Dusti Bowling--You should be extremely proud of what you have accomplished here!  I already have a list of students waiting for me to turn the story over to them.  I can't wait to put it into their hands and hearts.

Lemons by Melissa Savage

Recommended for those who enjoy reading about adventure, family, and friendship

I had not heard of this book when I saw it in the children's section of Barnes & Noble; however, I was immediately drawn in by the cover.  I am so glad that I decided to purchase it.

When Lemonade Liberty Witt's mother passes away, she finds herself removed from everyone and everything she has ever known.  Placed with a grandfather she didn't even know existed, Lem tries to find her way and her place.  Along the way, she becomes friends with Tobin Sky, the CEO of Bigfoot Detectives Inc. This friendship will lead Lem to discover many things about herself, her life, and those around her.

What a wonderful story of friendship, love, and loss Melissa Savage has created!  I laughed out loud, I cried tears of sorrow, and I fell in love with these characters.  I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us!

On a side note:  I have quite a list of fourth graders waiting to read this!