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Wintry books for cold vacation days

By on December 24, 2021   /   Articles  

I grew up in the Northeast United States and although I’ve lived in sunny California for over twenty years now, I still associate the winter months with cold and snow. When school let out for winter break, I relished the long days with limited sunlight because it meant most of my time could be spent tucked away with a good book. I still prize a day with no commitments where I can just read read read above almost all else.

To celebrate this season of frosty weather, even if in some places it is still bright and sunny, around up of related middle grade novels for reading late into the night.

 

Winterfrost, by Michelle Houts

An ordinary Danish Christmas turns extraordinary when a family overlooks an important folkloric tradition.

Christmas has come, and with it a sparkling white winterfrost over the countryside. But twelve-year-old Bettina’s parents have been called away unexpectedly, leaving her in charge of the house, the farm, and baby Pia. In all the confusion, Bettina’s family neglects to set out the traditional bowl of Christmas rice pudding for the tiny nisse who are rumored to look after the family and their livestock. No one besides her grandfather ever believed the nisse were real, so what harm could there be in forgetting this silly custom? But when baby Pia disappears during a nap, the magic of the nisse makes itself known. To find her sister and set things right, Bettina must venture into the miniature world of these usually helpful, but sometimes mischievous folk. A delightful winter adventure for lovers of the legendary and miraculous.

 

Prisoner of Ice and Snow, by Ruth Lauren

When thirteen-year-old Valor is sent to jail, she couldn’t be happier. Demidova’s prison for criminal children is exactly where she wants to be. Valor’s twin sister, Sasha, is serving a life sentence for stealing from the royal family, and Valor is going to help her escape . . . from the inside.

Never mind that no one has escaped the prison in centuries. Valor has a master plan and resources most people could only dream about. But she didn’t count on having to outsmart both the guards and her fellow prisoners. If Valor’s plan is to succeed, she’ll need to make some unlikely allies. And if the plan fails, she and Sasha could end up with fates worse than prison.

This exciting middle-grade debut effortlessly melds an unforgettable protagonist, a breathless plot, and stunning world-building–and is impossible to put down.

 

The Contest (Everest series #1), by Gordon Korman

A thrilling adventure trilogy about a number of kids competing to be the youngest person to ever reach the top of Mt. Everest

Four kids. One mountain.

They come from all across America to be the youngest kid ever to climb Everest. But only one will reach the top first. The competition is fierce. The preparation is intense. The challenge is breathtaking. When the final four reach the higher peaks, disaster strikes-and all that separates the living from the dead is chance, bravery, and action.

 

 

Breadcrumbs, by Anne Ursu

The winner of numerous awards and recipient of four starred reviews, Anne Ursu’s Breadcrumbs is a stunning and heartbreaking story of growing up, wrapped in a modern-day fairy tale.

Once upon a time, Hazel and Jack were best friends. But that was before he stopped talking to her and disappeared into a forest with a mysterious woman made of ice. Now it’s up to Hazel to go in after him. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” Breadcrumbs is a stunningly original fairy tale of modern-day America, a dazzling ode to the power of fantasy, and a heartbreaking meditation on how growing up is as much a choice as it is something that happens to us.

In Breadcrumbs, Anne Ursu tells, in her one-of-a-kind voice, a story that brings together fifty years of children’s literature in a tale as modern as it is timeless. Hazel’s journey to come to terms with her evolving friendship with Jack will deeply resonate with young readers.

 

Blizzard: Colorado, 1886, by Kathleen Duey and Karen Bale

A raging snow storm creates the coldest kind of danger for two kids in this riveting tale of historical fiction, part of the Survivor series.

Haydn Sinclair hates absolutely everything about his aunt and uncle’s primitive Rocky Mountain ranch. He’d much rather be in a great city than stuck on the countryside.

Haydn’s cousin Maggie hates the thought of having her rich and spoiled cousin visiting for four long months. She’d be happier if he wasn’t around.

When Maggie’s father is injured and she and Haydn are left alone, they argue, and Haydn sets off on foot for the train station miles away. The next day Maggie learns that Haydn never made it to town, and she must search for him despite the blizzard that is raging outside. But even if she can find him, will they be able to survive freezing nights, vicious winds, and the constant threat of snow slides?

 

 

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MUF Reads Banned Books

By on December 17, 2021   /   Articles, books  

“There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches.”
~ Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

If you’re someone who reads our blog, chances are you are aware of the barrage of book bans, book challenges, and, yes, even threats of book burnings in the US these past several months.

The list of books being challenged is long, and the challenges have little to do with the actual educational value of the books in question. The challenges are all about preventing children from having access to and the freedom to choose books that center a range of perspectives and, more often than not, the perspectives of characters who have been underrepresented in libraries and classrooms for far too long. These challenges focus on books kids desperately need to better understand themselves, their peers, and the world they live in. (See Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s Windows and Mirrors and Sliding Glass Doors for more information about this idea).

Because that’s what books do. They let us see ourselves. They let us see that we’re not alone in our struggles, our confusion, and even our joys. And, they let us see outside of ourselves into a wider world. They let us explore different perspectives, try on different points of view, and develop empathy.

I remember finding such a book in my local library when I was 10. Even though the book was about a 15 year-old girl, the heart of the book –  the character’s fears, worries, grief, and guilt – mirrored by own, and reading it made me feel less alone and less broken in the year after my father’s death. The book was Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume – a book that has been banned for sexual content and language in school districts across the country. I’m forever grateful that no one deemed that book “too adult” or “inappropriate” for ten-year-old me. They couldn’t possibly have known how much I needed to travel with Davey that year and to read the words “We’re going to be all right,” at the book’s end.

As I look through the recent list of banned and challenged books, I don’t just see books, I see the faces of the students I have handed these books to, students I have had long and engaged conversations with about characters and settings and plot and life. I see students who read more, felt more, and thought more simply because they were given the choice to read a book that spoke to something they have experienced, or recognized, or wondered about.

I asked the other members of the blog to share some of the banned and challenged books they love. The list is varied – and not nearly long enough, but here are some of MUF’s favorite banned middle grade titles:

See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Are You There God It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D Taylor

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh

New Kid by Jerry Craft

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis

Melissa (Previously titled George) by Alex Gino

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

Captain Underpants and the Sensational Saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot by Dav Pilkney

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds

Even the inspiration of this blog – From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler by EL Konigsburg – has been banned.

This list is merely a tiny glimpse of the books being pulled off of school and library shelves.  There are far too many more.  The American Library Association has lists of Frequently Challenged Books on their website. It’s worth checking out.

If, like me, you are looking for ways to take action, check out the resources at:

The National Coalition Against Censorship

Texas Library Association

#FReadom Fighters

American Library Association

National Council of Teachers of English

Lots of people smarter than I am have written their thoughts on the subject as well. Check out Kate Messner’s post for an Open Letter that educators and librarians can share.

And, read this statement signed by authors, educators, librarians, booksellers,  publishers, concerned citizens and organizations standing up for students and their First Amendment rights.

 

Please, comment below with your favorite banned/challenged book as well as any resources you’d like to share.

And remember, books are powerful. No one would want to ban them if they weren’t.

 

 

 

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MUF’s Favorite Middle-Grade Reads of 2021

By on December 13, 2021   /   Articles, Book Lists  

To wrap up 2021, I asked the rest of the contributors at MUF what they enjoyed reading the most this year, whether they found a new title or rediscovered a favorite middle-grade book from years past. Here’s what they said:

THE GREAT WIDE SEA

“My un-put-downable middle-grade read this year was THE GREAT WIDE SEA by M.H. Herlong. It’s a suspenseful and heart-wrenching tale of family, loss, and adventure at sea. The love between brothers in mourning is especially heartfelt and adds a rich emotional layer. A story of family bonds and endurance. Definitely on my list of books to re-read!”
—Donna Galanti

“I [also] loved 365 Days to Alaska by Cathy Carr all the way through! I was hooked from the very start with Rigel fully embracing her Alaskan wilderness life and then to follow her challenges within suburban life. Carr does a wonderful job of showing us Rigel’s new suburban world through her eyes with a wild Alaska perspective. This is a poignant story about loss, friendship, and about being true to yourself–especially when it’s all you’ve got to hold onto, or at least you think you do! I felt deeply for Rigel especially when we see her so alone in this strange new world and her only friend is a crow. You can always count on nature to be there for you, and the friendship between Rigel and crow is written with emotional depth. A bittersweet tale about coming of age–with all it encompasses: self-awareness, transformation, disappointment, sadness, and new beginnings. Highly recommended!”
—Donna Galanti 

“As a huge fan of Chris Baron’s debut middle-grade novel in verse, ALL OF ME, I came to Baron’s sophomore MG with high expectations. I was not disappointed. THE MAGICAL IMPERFECT stars Etan, a lovable, big-hearted pre-Bar Mitzvah boy, who develops selective mutism after his mom leaves the family home for treatment of her depression. A magnificent, multilayered story of familial love, unexpected friendship, and the power of healing through love and self-acceptance, this of gem of a novel will delight the most finicky of middle-grade readers.”
—Melissa Roske 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Chad Lucas’s THANKS A LOT, UNIVERSE. It’s the perfect blend of funny and serious, taking on some big questions about identity and family with a deft touch.”
—Heather Murphy Capps  

“My favorite middle-grade read of this year was CLASS ACT by Jerry Craft, the sequel to Craft’s wonderful NEW KID. This time the story focuses on NEW KID protagonist Jordan’s friend Drew, another student at Riverdale Academy Day School. Craft’s graphic novels are smart and funny and he really gets all the challenges of middle school and fitting in, and I’ve yet to meet a kid who doesn’t fall for his work.”
—Andrea Pyros
“Nation by Terry Pratchett is culture-clashing historical fiction that showcases Pratchett’s trademark humor and thought-provoking insights.” —Greg R. Fishbone
“The Strange Worlds Travel Agency by L. D. Lapinski is a delightful new series full of magic and whimsical world building. It was so clever and fun!”
—Lisa Schmid  
“A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan. This delightful book explores cross cultural friendship, mental health, and identity. I just loved both Elizabeth and Sara’s voices in and the yummy recipes they share with each other as they bond during cooking class and discover that both their mothers are applying for American citizenship.”
—Heather Murphy Capps 
“My pick would be The Lost Language by Claudia Mills. This is a beautiful, funny and moving verse novel about a sixth grader’s quest to save a dying language as well as a dying friendship.”
—Hillary Homzie 

“We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly—‘I think’ I read this in early 2021, it was definitely over one of the lockdowns as I can see myself sneak-reading it at the kitchen table in spurts between popping from kid to kid homeschooling. Set in 1986, I love how it creates a certain kind of pregnant atmosphere, a melancholy and quiet drama in small miseries, and the clever use of the lead up to the Challenger explosion as both a narrative device to create urgency, as well as a thematic backdrop to the Nelson family each isolated and orbiting each other. And yet when the disastrous day finally arrives the characters find a way to leave the reader with hope.”

—Meira Maierovitz Drazin

 

“I know for sure I read this in 2021 because I just finished it: In the Shadow of Heroes by Nicholas Bowling. Also historical fiction but this one not in my lifetime and instead an adventure set during the Roman Empire—where an erudite young slave must find his master and Jason’s golden fleece before the Caesar Nero claims it, and eternal rule, for himself. Sweeping across Athens, Rome and the isle of Brittania, with smells and sounds that make you feel like you are there (and made me wonder if the author was also a master in time-travel to make it feel so authentic—maybe he really was there and faithfully recorded what it was like?) I wouldn’t have said that I would be so taken by a book for lovers of Latin, Greek mythology, adventure and mystery but I loved it and can’t recommend it enough.”
—Meira Maierovitz Drazin
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