Category Archives: Middle Grades

The Wish

The Wish by Gail Carson Levine Wilma is experiencing the utter misery that comes with being unpopular in middle school. Before she meets the old lady on the train, she’s had a few opportunities to make friends, but nothing has … Continue reading

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The Cricket in Times Square

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden In a subway station in Times Square, there is a newsstand owned by the Bellini family.  They do not sell many papers and the young son, Mario, must work late at night … Continue reading

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More All-of-a-Kind Family

More All-Of-A-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor It is nothing short of tragic that the All-of-a-Kind Family series is out of print.  I have the whole set, carefully guarded since childhood, but it is just so sad that they are so … Continue reading

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All-of-a-Kind Family

All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor It’s almost harder to write about books that you treasure, and this one would quite certainly make my short list of best chapter books ever.  Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, Taylor’s book is based … Continue reading

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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg Claudia is a planner and when she decides to run away from home, she not only hand picks which sibling is lucky enough to accompany her, but … Continue reading

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When I Was Your Age, Volume Two

When I Was Your Age, Volume Two: Original Stories About Growing Up Discovering that there was a second volume of these stories by authors was a real treat.  I’d enjoyed When I Was Your Age so much that I was … Continue reading

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Homesick

Homesick by Jean Fritz Jean Fritz is the queen of historical biography (Can’t You Make Them Behave, King George?, What’s the Big Idea, Ben Franklin? and so many more) but her most personal effort is Homesick which tells of her … Continue reading

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When I Was Your Age

When I Was Your Age, Volume One: Original Stories About Growing Up In what can only be considered a stroke of brilliance, 10 authors were sent a letter asking for a story about their childhood.  This compilation is the result. … Continue reading

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Knots in My Yo-Yo String

Knots in My Yo-Yo String by Jerry Spinelli Reading Knots in My Yo-Yo String is a bit like being caught with an uncle at a family reunion and listening to him reminisce about parts of his childhood in a wandering … Continue reading

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George Washington’s Socks

George Washington’s Socks (Time Travel Adventures) by Elvira Woodruff Matt and his friends are excited about a campout for the Adventure Club they’ve founded.  Even having Matt’s 7 year-old sister Katie with them doesn’t dampen their spirits.  A night hike … Continue reading

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