Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

What sad news about Terry Pratchett. I'll always remember Nation . Never knew that the lyrics to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star could tickle me so much.

Pratchett was truly a genius, and if most of his work is not suitable for children, he did write some that way, and it is all worth reading!

works for 8th and up, as does '.

My boys started reading his books in Jr. High or early HS, and enjoy him a lot. They seem untroubled by the innuendos.

The loss of Terry Pratchett has hit me pretty hard. An author I have followed since his early books, I consider a master of his craft and one of the true greats. His work was not only humourous and fun, but also deeply insightful. He was a brilliant satirist. Most of the Discworld novels are for adults, though not all. Like, as Christine pointed out, the 'Hat full of Sky' sequence, among others. He also wrote 'Only you can Save Mankind', 'Johnny and the Bomb', his gnome sequence of books beginning with 'Truckers' and many more specifically for children.

It would be a fitting tribute to Terry to chose one of his books as book of the month.

Stephen wrote: "The loss of Terry Pratchett has hit me pretty hard. An author I have followed since his early books, I consider a master of his craft and one of the true greats. His work was not only humourous and..."

So sorry to hear about Terry Pratchett! I've only read a couple of his books, but enjoyed his humor. I think that's a great idea, Stephen. We could do this a couple of different ways -- either choose a Pratchett book to discuss in the Specific discussions thread, or you could suggest a handful of books and create our BOTM poll at the end of the month. I'm personally not familiar enough with the Pratchett books to know which ones would be a good fit for middle grade. Let me know what you'd like to do.

M.G. wrote: "Stephen wrote: "The loss of Terry Pratchett has hit me pretty hard. An author I have followed since his early books, I consider a master of his craft and one of the true greats. His work was not on..."

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you M.G. :-(

I can see we're too late to pick a Pratchett for this coming month's (April) book of the month, but I'd quite happily put together a suitable list for next month (May). If that's OK with you?

I would love to participate.

Pratchett wrote two series aimed at children. The Johnny Maxwell series starting with Only You Can Save Mankind which is suitable for kids from about 9 years old. This one was nominated for the Smarties prize. It's a very good series for boys. Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book owes a lot to the final book in this series - Johnny and the Dead in terms of the actual graveyard setting.

He also wrote the Bromeliad trilogy which is aimed at younger children. I'd say from about 8 years. Truckers, Diggers and Wings make up the series.

Within the overall Discworld series, The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents is suitable for children and won the Carnegie prize. And then there is the Tiffany Aching series which was also aimed at younger readers (but I'd say 12-14 year olds would probably start appreciating it).

Carolien wrote: "Pratchett wrote two series aimed at children. The Johnny Maxwell series starting with Only You Can Save Mankind which is suitable for kids from about 9 years old. This one was nominate..."

Hi Carolien... you've hit on the same books I was going to recommend. :-) Namely: 'Truckers', 'Only You Can Save Mankind', 'Johnny and the Bomb', 'Johnny and the Dead', and 'The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents'. (I also love the Tiffany Aching series, but would leave it aside as it's kind of between the top end of Middle Grade and YA.) Certainly, I think we can get a book of the month out of Terry's books.

I haven't read the Bromeliad trilogy. I'm waiting for my daughters to be slightly older and then I'll read it with them.

I'd happily read any of the others.

Carolien wrote: "I haven't read the Bromeliad trilogy. I'm waiting for my daughters to be slightly older and then I'll read it with them.

I'd happily read any of the others."

'Truckers' is great fun. You've got a treat in store. No pun intended. (Sorry, you'll have to read the book to get the joke! :-)

I am looking forward to it!

Have you seen the project to keep Pratchett's name "alive" on the Internet?

Carolien wrote: "I am looking forward to it!

Have you seen the project to keep Pratchett's name "alive" on the Internet?"

No... tell me more.

I'm assuming you read Going Postal...

http://www.theguardian.com/books/shor...

Carolien wrote: "I'm assuming you read Going Postal...

http://www.theguardian.com/books/shor..."

Yes... I've taken a look at the Guardian article. Great idea. I'm sure Terry would be tickled by it.

Stephen wrote: "M.G. wrote: "Stephen wrote: "The loss of Terry Pratchett has hit me pretty hard. An author I have followed since his early books, I consider a master of his craft and one of the true greats. His wo..."

Done! I'll put up the list at the end of the month. Looking forward to it! I've read the The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, but I've always wanted to read more of Pratchett.

M.G. wrote: "Stephen wrote: "M.G. wrote: "Stephen wrote: "The loss of Terry Pratchett has hit me pretty hard. An author I have followed since his early books, I consider a master of his craft and one of the tru..."

Great!