Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

From Wilbur the pig (SOME pig) to the daring Despereaux, animal characters have been a staple of middle grade fiction. What are your favorite Middle Grade books featuring animal characters? Nominate a book that you would like to read and discuss in August!

Please limit nominations to stories with a copyright of 2012 or earlier. Books that have been out for a couple years are more widely available for borrowing--we don't want anyone to have to buy a book to participate. Thanks!

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins.
I don't usually like talking animals, but this series actually made me love bats and cockroaches :)

The Cricket in Times Square
by George Selden,

Sherrie wrote: "Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins.
I don't usually like talking animals, but this series actually made me love bats and cockroaches :)"

Great choice Sherrie! Gregor was actually our very first pick for BOTM, you can find our discussion in the archives : )

One of my very favorite books from elementary school was Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. It breaks every contemporary rule for writing children's fiction -- including a main character who is a middle-aged parent mouse. But somehow it works.

Ah, well, I guess I need to go back and look at all the books that have been discussed before I make my suggestion :)

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford. I loved this several times as a kid, and it's collecting dust on my shelf until I read it one more time before (sadly) parting with it. The thing is, it's based on a true story - so it's actually about animals, not about people in animal form, which is a whole different kind of story.

The other choices so far are great, too.

I loved Socks by Beverly Cleary when I was a child. A Dog's Life by Ann M. Martin is also a wonderful book.

"When you reach me" by Rebecca Stead is my book of the month.

Owen wrote: ""When you reach me" by Rebecca Stead is my book of the month."

Hi Owen, I apologize for not explaining better in the beginning post so newer members understand the thread -- The Book of the Month Thread is where everyone suggests a book that we will all read and discuss next month -- we ask for everyone to nominate suggestions for books of a certain description, and then we vote. This month we're nominating books that have animal characters. Hope you join in the fun : )

Brian Jacques leaps to mind. The books are longer, though--barely MG. But I do love them :)

Hank the Cowdog :D

I agree with Rebecca--how about Redwall?

Hmm. I have to admit, I've had it in the back of my mind to read Redwall one of these days.

The Quest Begins.

Raevyn wrote: "The Quest Begins."

Oh, yeah, I'd forgotten about Erin Hunter. My guys loved the Warriors series. More anthropomorphic animals.

"Redwall".

My middle grade boys adore Redwall-- they first read them in the 4th and 5th grade; my younger son re-reads them all the time. The voice reminds me a little of Jemima Pett's indomitable Princelings!

The month is getting away from me and I'm afraid I should already have our poll up -- I've been out of pocket a lot this week, so I apologize. I'll keep the poll up through next Sunday. Happy voting!