Bloomsbury Publishing

Meesah Makes Friends works and speaks effortlessly

I was teaching at school and there was a gap in the schedule. It’s a ten-minute period where the kids finished the lesson, the student transfer didn’t happen on time, or the class simply needed redirection. Regardless, I had to find a book to read to some wily kindergarten kids ASAP. I love the book series from Tom Percival, A Big Bright Feelings Book. These are oversized illustrated books that make the most of their size and color. Meesha Makes Friends was just the length and theme that I needed for the read-along for many reasons.

Meesha Makes Friends with young readers very quickly

The Fallen Hero, a sequel that delivers for middle school readers

I didn’t read The Dragon Warrior. I started reading it, but got jammed up with life, birthdays, work, and then suddenly (one year later…) The Fallen Hero came out. Our ten-year-old read The Dragon Warrior and said that I should read it, but I was too busy planning his birthday, going over his schoolwork, teaching, or otherwise adulting. The Fallen Hero picks up shortly after the events in The Dragon Warrior, and just like that book, our now 11-year-old highly recommends this book.

The Fallen Hero goes deeper into the fun end of Chinese mythology pool

Chirp, middle grade life & mystery, with a side dose of serious

Chirp is from author Kate Messner. She’s someone who your middle school student knows, who is probably chastising you for not buying this book or getting it from the library yet. For us, Chirp is a great representation of why middle school audiences love Messner’s books. They look at the life of an early teenager from a fun angle, but also address some of the serious things that might be going on in their life.

Crickets, growing up, friends and confronting the uncomfortable