middle grade fiction – Cannonball Read 17

Unraveling the mystery of Rachel Riley

What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski

November 16, 2024 by KRussell 3 Comments

Claire Swinarski’s “What Happened to Rachel Riley?” is an interesting & engaging middle-grade novel that delves into the complexities of middle school friendships, social dynamics, and the power of truth. The story follows Anna Hunt, a new student at East Middle School, as she becomes intrigued by the mysterious transformation of Rachel Riley, once one of the most popular girls in school, into a social outcast. Anna, a budding podcaster, sees an opportunity to investigate Rachel’s situation, create a compelling narrative and, maybe, win herself […]

A Fun Adventure From Childhood

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken

October 8, 2023 by Kit Moonstar Leave a Comment

When Sylvia comes to live with her cousin Bonnie at Willoughby Chase, she’s quickly swept up in her cousin’s shenanigans and adventures. When Bonnie’s parents leave on a sea voyage almost immediately after Sylvia’s arrival, the girls’ governess quickly takes over the manor, firing the servants and dropping the two girls off at a “school” that is more workhouse than school. It’s up to the two girls to some how escape and make it to London in order to try and contact Bonnie’s parents and […]

“With the three of us working together…we’ll find Bessie for sure!”

The Bawk-Ness Monster by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter

July 6, 2023 by GentleRain Leave a Comment

CBR15Bingo: Queer Lives (one character is trans) I pre-ordered this after enjoying Dungeon Critters so much and I’m glad I did, as The Bawk-Ness Monster was also just up my alley. This book follows Penny and her friends Luc and K on their quest to find the Bawk-Ness Monster, Bessie, before Penny has to move away. She remembers the cryptid saving her when she fell in the lake previously and nearly drowned, and now she wants to find it and thank it before she has […]

Magical Reads That I Come Back To Again and Again

The Magicians of Caprona by Diana Wynne Jones

Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones

June 27, 2023 by GentleRain Leave a Comment

I think I’ve already extolled the virtues of this series at length here before, so I’ll just say that this is one of my favorites of all time and I am completely biased in favor of these books. I am a lifelong Chrestomanci fan and re-read a couple of these about once a year. This year I took on The Magicians of Caprona and Witch Week, which I was less obsessed with as a kid so I don’t remember the plots quite as well, which […]

Bird families and our own

A Bird Will Soar by Alison Green Myers

June 4, 2023 by cosbrarian Leave a Comment

Axel is fascinated with an eagle family nesting in the woods behind his house. He loves all birds and everything about them, but checking in daily on the eaglet (eaglets?) and their parents is particularly meaningful. When a tornado decimates Axel’s neighborhood and injures one of the eaglets, his world is rocked. Under the capable hands of the local wildlife rehabilitation vet, Axel hopes the bird will heal. And in the meantime, his own broken family attempts to piece their home and their lives back […]

“Don’t be an enemy to you. Love you. Be your friend.”

Enemies by Svetlana Chmakova

October 16, 2022 by GentleRain Leave a Comment

CBR14Bingo: Font (I always really like Chmakova’s handwritten font.) Enemies is the fourth in Svetlana Chmakova’s Berrybrook Middle School series, which I love. I’ve been waiting a few years for the most recent installment and this lived up to my hopes. Felicity lives in the shadow of her little sister Letty, who is always winning science fairs and getting recognition for her academic achievement. In the beginning of the book, Letty teases Felicity that she never finishes anything, and so Felicity sets out to win […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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