mglit | Page 6 of 7 | Daddy Mojo

Blades of Freedom, a smart mglit graphic novel that entertains

In speaking with our elementary school library one of their biggest desires is for kids to read more non-fiction books. For those older elementary students, as well as, anyone who appreciates smart books that educate through humor and real events the Hazardous Tales series must be on your list. Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales is an ongoing graphic novel series on Amulet Books that cover a variety of people, events, or things. They’re also some of the best, not to mention educational series of books that have the potential to engage young readers on real-life happenings. Blades of Freedom is the tenth book in the series and it brings the elements that fans enjoyed from earlier books, but also digs deeper into history and unknown nuggets.

An educational… and fun non-fiction graphic novel? yup.

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

The Beast and the Bethany is pitch-perfect for ages 9 and up

The Beast and the Bethany is a wonderful book. ‘Wonderful’ isn’t a word that I used often to describe books, but in this case, it’s 100% appropriate. Sometimes we use ‘good’ to describe books, but that adjective can be subjective. What’s good for you, might not be good for me, or vice versa. Whereas ‘wonderful’ implies that it’s something that can be enjoyed by everyone at any time. The Beast and the Bethany is that sort of middle-school book. It’ll leave you smiling throughout, tickle your imagination in ways that the classic stories do and it has enough of a mean streak to intrigue those who normally wouldn’t touch it.

This is a new classic that will enthrall ages 9 and up

They Threw Us Away blazes a must-read trail of action and friendship

The title and image on the cover of They Threw Us Away immediately activates the dark places that your imagination can wander. It inspires curiosity, thoughts of friendship, and an unknown hint of what could be malevolence or something more apocalyptic. We see four teddy bears, each with a distinct personality. One is protective, a pink one is dancing, one looks quite aloof, and one who’s a bit of a wildcard. On the back we see a quote from the first chapter of the book that ominously states, “Is anyone there? I think….I’m lost”. Forget any preconceptions you have about They Threw Us Away. This book could easily be more inspired by any number of characters, depending on what you identify with the most. However,in reality, it’s an original story that crackles like very few books you’ll read this year.

This is one of the best books of the year for mglit

The Queen Bee and Me happily flies to its own beat

What’s the only currency that’s priceless one year and worthless the next? If you guessed the Venezuelan Bolivar you’re wrong. It’s popularity. To some teens popularity is the only thing that matters one year, until they get to the next year and realize that it’s all a John Hughes movie. The Queen Bee and Me by Gillian McDunn is a book that upper elementary through lower high school readers will take to like a Carpenter bee to the wood on my back porch.

Great, mGLIT on friendship, yourself and bees

A Game of Fox & Squirrels, dances between fantasy and drama

At first glance A Game of Fox & Squirrels could look like a story that’s akin to Jumanji. There is a board game, some fanciful, talking animals and a couple of pre-teen and teen girls. All of these elements exist, but the crux of A Game of Fox & Squirrels is rooted in drama. As long as middle school readers are looking for a well written book that’s steeped in allegory, with the very real topic of abuse, then they’ll enjoy it.

Between fantasy, growing up and acceptance

The Great Upending aims high, but is a Mcguffin too far

Whenever a middle grade book is published that might be a bit melodramatic or have a character who’s dealing with an illness or physical condition it’s compared to Wonder. I really need to read that book. We read one recently that was compared to that and found it quite uplifting. The Great Upending has been compared to that book and there are certainly lots of story threads in the book to make it an interesting read. We’re not going to list any spoilers about the book, it’s better for readers if they know fewer details about that.

Middle grade melodrama, with a dash of realism

Stella Diaz Never Gives Up, relatable, can-do fun for ages 9-13

Stella Diaz Never Gives Up is the second book in the series by Angela Dominguez. Stella Diaz Has Something to Say and if it’s anything like this one then it’s the type of book series that gravitates to upper elementary through middle school kids like rain to a just-washed car. In reality, this is a book that will attract more girls than boy readers, but those lads that give the book a chance will find it a fun read.

Message reading, without the guilt that’s great for ages 9 and up