Must Have Middle Grade Reads

Fantastic Middle Grade Reads posts are coming back. I've been a slacker and haven't been highlighting some of our favorite MG reviews we've shared on Mundie Kids. This last week I reviewed two MUST HAVE books, John Stephens The Emerald Atlas and M.P. Kozlowsky's Juniper Berry. I highly recommend picking both of these books up and adding them to any tween, MG readers Summer Reads list.

By John Stephens

Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers/Random House Kids

Released on April 5th, 2011

Source- ARC/book from publisher to review

5 stars

John Stephens' aptly-titled new fantasy trilogy begins auspiciously with a nimble, fast-paced tale of three siblings. Kate, Michael, and Emma have suffered through ten years of odious orphanage "care"; now they have slipped into the care of the eccentric, disturbingly mysterious Dr. Pym. While exploring their new home, the children discover a magical green book. With that discovery, a decade of tedium dissolves into cascades of dangerous time travel adventures and struggles with a beautiful witch and decidedly less attractive zombielike Screechers. High early reader marks for strong characterization and battle scenes (quoted from Goodreads).

A superb book that readers of all ages will enjoy. There's adventure, time travel, magic, wizards, dwarves and plenty of monsters that will keep fans of fantasy and adventure glued to the pages.

I love it when I sit down to read a book and I find myself immersed into it's world. That's what it was like reading The Emerald Atlas. This book has the perfect mix of everything middle grade readers will love, from it's memorable characters, to the heart pounding adventure, the battles, the laugh out loud moments, and the moving moments that the three main characters, siblings Kate, Michael and Emma share.

You can read the rest of my review here.

By M.P. Kozlowsky

Illustrated by Erwin Madrid

Published by Walden Pond Press

Ages 10 & up

Source- ARC from publisher for review/blog tour

4.5 stars

Juniper's parents have not been themselves lately. In fact, they have been cold, disinterested and cruel. And lonely Juniper Berry, and her equally beset friend, Giles, are determined to figure out why.

On a cold and rainy night Juniper follows her parents as they sneak out of the house and enter the woods. What she discovers is an underworld filled with contradictions: one that is terrifying and enticing, lorded over by a creature both sinister and seductive, who can sell you all the world's secrets in a simple red balloon. For the first time, Juniper and Giles have a choice to make. And it will be up to them to confront their own fears in order to save the ones who couldn't.

M.P. Kozlowsky's debut novel is a modern-day fairy tale of terror, temptation, and ways in which it is our choices that make us who we are (quoted from Goodreads).

Juniper Berry is a fabulous middle grade mixed with fantasy, mystery, twists and great characters. The story has a powerful message of being careful of one's true desires and what you wish for. Outback in Juniper's spacious backyard lies a tree which leads to a world controlled by an evil man who prays on the weak minded making their desires and dreams come true. Everything comes at a price and not everything is what it seems. "Be careful what you wish for".

You can read the rest of my review here and you can read my interview with M.P. Kozlowsky and enter to win a copy here.