Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

What are you reading this month?

I read The Treasure Island for a BOTM. It was actually a reread but it was like reading it for the first time. I enjoyed it tremendously.

I'm reading Avi's The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail. It is about a snail and an ant taking a journey to search for adventures. It almost has a zen-like kind of wisdom and is pretty amusing at points.

I'm still reading The One and Only Ivan. Also some other things but they aren't middle grade, at least not at this moment.

I read *and LOVED* Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald. It's a cross between DaVinci Code and From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler. It follows this quirky girl living in NYC who uncovers a painting she suspects might be a Raphael that went missing during World War II when the Nazi's were pillaging art collections. Perfect mix of great writing and good plotting!

The Ability by M.M. Vaughn, loved the story and now I am waiting patiently (sort of!) for the next one in the series.

The best book I've read so far in Aug. has been Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior. It's aimed at adults, of course, but I think motivated kids age 10+ could appreciate it. Lucidly written scientific (experimental & observational) comparisons of the inner lives of mammals & birds, vs people on the autistic spectrum, vs 'normal' people.

Probably esp. helpful if you have pets, are raising domestic animals, or know someone w/ ASD.

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "The best book I've read so far in Aug. has been Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior. It's aimed at adults, of course, but I think motivated ..."

Hi Cheryl. I myself have high-functioning autism. The book sounds interesting, but they don't actually think people with ASD are like animals do they?

Maranda, I haven't read the book, but it is written by Temple Grandin, who is herself autistic and has found that it has given her a sort of understanding of animals that seems to elude the rest of us.

Rebecca wrote: "Maranda, I haven't read the book, but it is written by Temple Grandin, who is herself autistic and has found that it has given her a sort of understanding of animals that seems to elude the rest of..."

Ok, I get what you mean. Yes, it does seem like many of us on the spectrum have a special kind of relationship with animals.

Right, Rebecca. It's more like, Grandin can empathize with animals, not because she's 'lesser,' but rather because animals are much *more* than we give them credit for. And animals and people with ASD do have a lot more capabilities than so-called 'normal' people can see, just because we don't know *how* to recognize those capabilities and talents. More's the pity; what a loss.

Yeah, if I could be neurotypical (non-autistic) I don't believe I would choose to be. I like who I am and the talents I have (which some of the talents I do think come from having a brain "wired differently"). I do feel for kids with autism that can't communicate much at all though. I know that has to be extremely frustrating.

On this topic, I also read this month Mockingbird, because someone somewhere in this group suggested it. It's a really moving story, and gives some insight into the way at least one girl with Asperger's thinks (my son has a better grip on how people and the world work than she does, but I saw some themes, for sure! Especially regarding a tendency to take things literally and difficulty in reading people's faces to know when they are joking or what).

Rebecca wrote: "On this topic, I also read this month Mockingbird, because someone somewhere in this group suggested it. It's a really moving story, and gives some insight into the way at least one ..."

I loved Mockingbird! It was the first "autism-fiction" I ever read. :)

I did recently finish , but it wasn't very good.

I loved "Mockingbird". It was like reading about my own childhood in many ways.

I read so many great MG books this summer! But I think What the Moon Said (love the cover) The Castle Behind Thorns (just finished it) and Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures were my three favorites!

I re-read The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman recently. Not sure if it's exactly MG, more perhaps YA, but it's one of my favourites.

Maranda wrote: "I loved "Mockingbird". It was like reading about my own childhood in many ways."

I have this book on my shelf, and I've been wanting to read it! So glad you've joined the group, Maranda, you add a lot to our discussions.

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier. It was just so, so funny!!!

Reading a middle grade book right now called A Mango-Shaped Space about a girl that has synesthesia (where your senses mingle and you see colors when you hear sounds, see colors and textures when reading letters & numbers, etc.) It has been interesting so far and written well so it keeps you interested.

M.G. wrote: "Maranda wrote: "I loved "Mockingbird". It was like reading about my own childhood in many ways."

I have this book on my shelf, and I've been wanting to read it! So glad you've joined the group, Ma..."

Thanks! It is fun here. Definitely right up my alley :)

I reread a classic, A Little Princess and I still love the story. Just finished Flush which was my first exposure to Carl Hiaasen. I am going to strongly recommend it for a few friends who have children that are interested in environmental issues. It's a fun read as well.

Maranda, I love Wendy Mass. Mango... is probably her most serious book, but even her silliest give the reader something to think about.

The Middle Grade book I read that stood out for me was, "Two weeks with the Queen." Touching story about a boy determined to get the Queen to send the best Dr. to Australia to save his brother from terminal cancer, and instead he meets the other kind of "queen" who has a partner in the final stages of AIDs. A really good book