SIXTEEN middle-grade books stood out to me last year! When I looked at my list, I did a quick count of how many books I read in all. I lost count at sixty! Of course, that includes picture books and chapter books that make for quicker reads. Here's my list, beginning with the books I gave five stars and then moving to those with 4.5. Willodeen What can one say about Katherine Applegate's writing that hasn't been said before? Willodeen is a stunning book, richly textured and beautifully detailed. It's a work of fantasy that brilliantly touches upon ideas and themes that are relevant to our very real world. Through hummingbears and screechers, she shows us what havoc we're wreaking on the world around us. Book review Gossamer Gossamer by Lois Lowry is another gorgeous book. I often find myself thinking that I … [Read more...]
Doubles: Peace Pulao/The Forbidden Snacks Society
After Flipped, which you can read both ways, HarperCollins brings you Doubles--two stories written by two authors, based on one theme--food. Quite apart from the joy of the format, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the stories!Peace PulaoPeace Pulao by Vibha Batra is set in the fictitious city of Pasinabad. It tells an age-old story of rivalry, enmity and secrets--but with a twist at the end. In Vibha's signature colourful style, Peace Pulao sparkles with similes, most of which are about food. With the two young protagonists, we meet a range of characters who are larger than life, from Inspector Chulbul to the don Badke Bhaiya. High drama, humour and food come together to make this story a pacy read. The mystery is wholly satisfying, but I couldn't help wondering - what next?And this was something I felt about The Forbidden Snacks Society too!The Forbidden Snacks … [Read more...]