Must Have Middle Grade Reads

Welcome to this week's edition of Must Have Middle Grade Reads, a weekly feature here on Mundie Moms where I spotlight last week's middle grade books I reviewed on Mundie Kids. This week's Must Have Middle Grade reads are:

By: Mary Pope Osborne

Published by: Random House Kids

Released on: January 12th, 2010

5 stars: We Loved It

Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Series: book #43 in The Magic Tree House Series

Jack and Annie are on their third mission to find (and inspire!) creative people to bring happiness to others through the arts (Mozart and Louis Armstrong so far). Set in Ireland, Jack and Annie meet an Irish girl and go on a magical adventure that changes the girl’s life—she grows up to be Lady Gregory, who helped bring back the Irish legends, started a theater, and helped the Irish people regain both their heritage and their pride -quoted from Goodreads

I absolutely love how educational and inspirational this series is for my kids and young readers. Mary does an amazing job with not only taking kids on a history lesson in this story by taking them back in time to the mid 1800's in Ireland, she also teaches readers about this Irish lore, and introduces them to a real historical figure, Lady Gregory. I for one was fascinated about the lore of Irish fairies, known as Shee in this story, and the role they played in Jack and Annie's quest to help young Lady Gregory.

You can read the rest of my review here.

By: Natalie Babbitt

Published by: Scholastic Inc

Released on: March 1st, 2012

3 stars: It's A Good Read

Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The new novel by Natalie Babbitt, author of Tuck EverlastingJoe Casimir needed help with the choice he had to make. But how do you choose the person who will help you choose? Mr. Boulderwall, the millionaire, knew exactly what he wanted Joe to choose. And millionaires are experts at making choices. Well, aren't they? But Vinnie, the number-two man down at Sope Electric, didn't much approve of millionaires. He said to Joe, "Listen, kid, all of 'em act like they're the only ones with a ticket to the show!" But he didn't have any real advice to offer. Joe's Gran didn't either, as it turned out, and neither did Aunt Myra. The good advice was there, though. Right across the street. Just waiting right across the street. There are a lot of good things just waiting. You'll see.

Set in the early 1960's, this story follows that of young Joe Casimir, a twelve old boy who's been raised by his grandmother following the tragic death of his parents as an infant. After an accident that lands his grandmother in the hospital, Joe is sent to spend the summer with his "Aunt" Myra. During his stay with her he not only learns what family, love and friendships is all about, but what it means to hold onto your dream. The Moon Over High Street is a story that tackles the theme about money, the working class, rich vs poor, family, friendship and love.

You can read the rest of my review here.

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In Celebration of my Middle Grade March Madness on Mundie Kids I'm also giving away an ARC of Brandon Mull's Beyonders 2: Seeds of Rebellion here

Curious about what MG books are being released this month? Here's a list of some of this month's releases that will be featured on Mundie Kids.

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I'm celebrating Middle Grade March Madness on Mundie Kids! Through out the entire month of March I'll be featuring a variety of MG reads via reviews, interviews and giveaways.

Middle Grade Monday:

Don't miss my Marvelous Middle Grade Monday meme on Mundie Kids, a weekly meme hosted by author Shannon Messenger's. You can check out this week's Mundie Kids feature here