You'll want to read Freak the Mighty before reading this review. Max struggles with life after "Freak the Mighty." Kevin's death has left him floundering with no purpose. Then he meets Worm, a girl lost in her own world of books. When he realizes Worm is a damsel in distress, he becomes "Max the Mighty" and tries to save her. However, now people are out to find him. Can he help Worm get to her father without being arrested? Max the Mighty is a great story to continue on the legacy of Freak the Mighty. However, I still love the first book more. It's such a sweet story with great characters, allusions to King Arthur, and a plot that leaves you turning the pages at the end. This story also has some interesting characters (one drives a bus). At the end, I was still turning the pages. The last few chapters, I kept hoping everyone would pull through, but you'll have to read the rest of the story to see. If you like Freak the Mighty, you should try this book out.
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Parvana never thought her father would go to jail. But the Taliban has changed so much in Afghanistan. Women can no longer go outside without a male relative to escort them. Parvana's brother is too little to go outside. Without Father, her family has no way to make money to provide for them. Then they came up with a plan. What if Parvana pretends to be a boy? One of my professors read this to me twenty years ago, and at first, I wasn't interested. Then by the end of the second chapter, I was hooked. The characters pull at your heart, and the plot picks up quickly as Parvana tries to survive from day to day. The brutality of the Taliban make you appreciate what we have in the United States. The Breadwinner is a hard book to read, but one that helps you see into a unfamiliar world, one we need to see. I had also forgotten the book leaves you hanging in many areas, and there are a few sequels for this book. She's not quite sure why her dad brought her and her brother, Simon, to North Korea. Mia was adopted from South Korea. However, her father wants her and Simon to come with him on a trip to North Korea where he will talk about food distribution for the people of North Korea. When her father sneaks out of their hotel room late at night, she knows something is up. But she never expected him to arrested the next day. What happens now that she and Simon are alone in a communist country? The beginning held my attention with dad sneaking off on a secret meeting. Then the story slowed for me because Simon and Mia had very little interaction. There is a reason for that, and they get to it finally. Then the story picks up as they near the Chinese border. The little side chapters are also sometimes interesting and sometimes confusing. They are from the Korean people that Simon and Mia come into contact with and what is happening from their perspective, but sometimes you have to go back to see where they fit in. I appreciated this story over all, and the ending is well worth the read. There is some cussing in the story, but it is more PG. Omar has moved to a new school and neighborhood, and he wants to fit in. However, he knows that his family stands out because they are Muslim. Their neighbor, Mrs. Rogers, talks about them and does not seem very friendly. In Omar's class, Daniel also doesn't like him and picks on him. At least Omar has his new friend, Charles, but can Omar stay out of trouble when he seems to be drawn to it? Planet Omar was originally released as The Muslims. Omar shares a lot about his religion in a way that is easy to understand. The story is written in a way that Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans can appreciate with drawings interspersed throughout the text. It's an easy read, and I was able to finish it quickly. I appreciated the message of accepting others that are different from you and being willing to look past those who at first misjudge you. Viji and Rukku...always together. Viji loves her sister and her Amma (mother). She doesn't understand what Amma continues to stay with Appa even after he continues to abuse her. When Appa breaks Amma's arm and then hits her and Rukku, Viji knows it is time to leave, to find a place where she and her sister will be safe. I decided to join the Global Read Aloud this year, and there are two options for middle grades, Front Desk and The Bridge Home. I chose to read the shorter one first, and this is the one that stole my heart. The love the two sisters share is so sweet, and the way they include the two homeless boys in their new family makes you smile and cry at different times. This is a look at a different culture that many of my students are unfamiliar with. It's a culture I find myself unfamiliar with as well. To appreciate those whose life is so different than can open your heart and make you that much kinder. At least, that is my hope for my students as we finish this book together. Miles is in trouble at school. He left the classroom without permission to use the restroom. But he didn't really need to use the restroom. His problems are much bigger than that. His spidey senses are tingling, and it happens every time he enters Mr. Chamberlain's classroom. Miles Morales is Spider-Man. I was expecting this to be more about Miles becoming Spider-Man. However, he spends more time in the classroom than being Spider-Man. Some of the scenes were exciting, but I saw where Reynolds was going long before the reveal. If you like the Miles Morales from Marvel Comics or the movie, Into the Spider-Verse, you will probably enjoy this as well. I'm sure I missed a lot because I was not as familiar with his character, and I needed more backstory. For a fan though, this will probably be an easy and engaging read. Because of language and politics, this is in the YA section of my classroom library. Cameron is a gamer extraordinaire. His social interaction comes almost completely online as they team up for one game after another. The couch has an imprint of his seat from hours upon hours of gaming. His time as a serious player comes to a screeching halt when he forgets to take the meal out of the oven, and his house is set on fire. Hilarious from beginning to end. Korman has you rolling with laughter from the beginning. From one crazy story to the next, you will be following the characters as they try to get what they want from a club that really doesn't exist. If you have enjoyed any of Gordon Korman's books, you should definitely check this one out. There is also a sequel that recently came out called Level 13. Tommy has always looked up to his dad. His dad taught him how to play football, and he always looks to the sideline to see if his dad is there to cheer him on. When his dad doesn't come, Tommy knows why. His dad is a firefighter, and though he is proud of his dad, he can't help worrying that one day his dad won't come home. Then the worst happens. Tommy wonders how he will ever measure up to his dad's legacy as he becomes the man of the house. Lupica does a nice job of blending in football with the real struggles of a teenager who is facing loss. I can't imagine losing a parent so early in life. There is a real weight on Tommy's shoulder that is palpable in this book, but he realizes he can't do this on his own. I know I like to think of myself as independent, but none of us can handle life by ourselves. This story brings that to life. When Chase wakes up in the hospital, he doesn't remember much of anything. He doesn't remember that he fell off the roof. He doesn't remember who his friends or family are. He doesn't even remember his name. As he relearns who he is, he understands that most people have a strong reaction when they encounter him. Who was he? Can he be that person again, or should he even try? I love Gordon Korman and the way he develops these characters. Many authors try the different perspectives in their writing, but Korman pulls it off well. You can tell who is talking by what they say, and you almost don't need the chapter title to let you know. This book is not only full of humor but has a message for those who want to "restart" their lives. You can change. It is possible. Ian never thought he would have to go to reform school. After developing a good sense of how to stay out of sight and out of mind for the general school population and particularly bullies, he somehow finds himself blamed along with others for a serious prank against a new student. When he is sent to reform school, Ian has no idea how to handle the dance class, service projects, or an even larger number of bullies. Maybe he can get help from Thomas Edison (the late inventor with whom he occasionally speaks to in his head) or his new friends at reform school. This book was confusing at the beginning. With first-person point of view, Weinberger drops you in Ian's brain and hopes you can swim. The conversations with Thomas Edison were pretty strange, and it was hard at first to keep up with the characters. However, once you get into the book, it's a nice, light-hearted read, similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. |
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June 2021
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