Middle school | Page 6 of 6

Neurocomic, a graphic novel on the brain for middle school and up

The other day in the podcast and over on Youtube I mentioned that I read a graphic novel and had no idea of how to accurately describe its content. It’s not that it was bad or poorly presented; it’s just that the subject matter was high level and required a second reading. Having said that, even after reading Neurocomic twice I’m still unable to tell you the details from memory, despite the fact that I enjoyed reading it both times. That is also quite ironic or appropriate, given the fact that Neurocomic is about the brain, memories, and how they’re made, or in my case, forgotten.

Neurocomic has the seemingly impossible task of making a graphic novel on the brain approachable and entertaining and nails it to the cerebellum, in a good way.

A graphic novel that makes the brain understandable? Yup.

Spy School Project X, marks the spot on go-to, mglit

Mglit is an abbreviation for middle-grade fiction. However, there are many instances where an mglit book can also be perfect for upper-elementary school readers. It’s kind of like the colloquial definition of art, it varies and can depend on who is viewing it. By any definition, Spy School is one of the go-to, must-read book series for the aforementioned groups. Spy School Project X is the tenth book in that series and, while it does show signs of maturity, it doesn’t show signs of decreasing quality or tired characters.

Spy School Project X is the tenth book in this fabulous mglit series, yet is as spry, fast and fun as it started. They are go-to books for ages eight and up.

To change, evolve and still maintain excellence-this does that

Spineless, animal and intrigue-based mglit for ages 8-12

Steampunk is another person’s Gilded Age, albeit with possibly more action, intrigue, and impossibly complex wooden machines. Spineless has a certain steampunk vibe about it, but when the rubber hits the road it’s more late 1800s, which is when that popular aforementioned show takes place. However, this is about the mglit book that we recently read. It’s called Spineless and is a case where the cover sucks you in, and the story manages to keep you there. This is a book that patient, middle-grade mystery with periods of adventure.

Spineless is an mglit book that I wanted to enjoy more than I did. It’s aimed at ages 11-14 for those readers who like intrigue with an animal hook and a side of Scooby-esque hijinks.

Protest!, a book that’s not as divisive as you think, but is too broad

Protest! How People Have Come Together to Change the World takes a wide-angle look at protests over the course of history. It’s by Alice & Emily Haworth-Booth and it’s not as divisive as it could be, but is also not a reference book on what to do if things aren’t going your way or you’re being legitimately repressed. In short, if you’ve protested about more than one topic over the past 25 years then this book will be speaking to the choir, if not, it’ll provide an interesting overview on how discourse started.

Protest! is a middle school book on change through the ages that preaches to the choir and paints too broadly.

Protests, protests, reinforce what you already think here