Children's Books discussion

Although it is just the beginning of May, I want to set up the theme for June already so that interested participants can take their time looking for the books I have listed. The theme for June will be middle grade novels with a summer focus and I will list six that are on my to read list and seem to fit the bill and four books I might consider rereading (and because many libraries are still closed because of the pandemic, like mine is and it looks like it will stay closed for the foreseeable future, my list of books is coming from my Kindle and participating readers are also encouraged to read and review their own summer themed middle grade novels).

And for now, I am only planning a one month read but yes, if by the end of June, libraries are still closed for many, I will likely consider expanding this theme until the end of July or perhaps even beyond if the thread is very active.

TO READ BOOKS

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

There's a Bat in Bunk Five

Breakout

Swallows and Amazons

The Moon by Night

Summer of the Gypsy Moths

POSSIBLE REREADS

Jane of Lantern Hill

Be Prepared

Anna on the Farm

Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea

I thought that the six to read books I had suggested would have a true feeling for summer as a season to them, but from the three I have read thus far, two of them (while definitely giving a bit of a feel for summer) also have not really all that much been to my tastes for various and necessary reasons, and really not a true or a total celebration of summer either, but summer seemingly just being simply something that is there, something that is present as a time of the year but not all that special and not really as such an integral part of the storyline all that much either (both books take place in the summer but that is about it).

Summer of the Gypsy Moths

I guess I am getting more than a trifle impatient with current, with contemporary middle grade novels that are so not to my reading tastes that I cannot even be bothered to consider finishing reading them, as yes indeed, Sara Pennypacker's 2012 Summer of the Gypsy Moths has most definitely been yet another "could not finish" reading attempt for me.

And while the entire premise of unfit mothers and their children then being taken care of by distant relatives was already rather bothering me upon starting with Summer of the Gypsy Moths, as in my humble opinion, there do seem to be just too many current middle grade novels on the market which continuously have the former as their main or as one of their major themes (and in Summer of the Gypsy Moths, this certainly has also not been presented by Sara Pennypacker in an even remotely interesting and novel enough fashion), what finally decided me with regard to abandoning Summer of the Gypsy Moths has actually NOT been the frustratingly too standardly mundane premise of Stella being raised by her great aunt Louise because Stella's mother is clearly too immature and unfit as a parent, but rather the entire and to and for me majorly improbable scenario of Louise's death and how Stella and Angel somehow and even mostly successfully manage to keep this a secret from everyone.

For while Louise dying and Stella and Angel not really knowing what to do is of course not something inherently improbable, I certainly have found that as an adult reader I could simply not accept and believe that two youngish girls would be able to hide the reality of Louise's death from everyone, that no one grew suspicious and that no one seemingly even asked questions. And indeed, even my inner child was having major issues suspending my totally annoyed and piqued sense of disbelief (so yes, I quickly and without any feelings of guilt whatsoever decided to cut my proverbial reading losses and to abandon Summer of the Gypsy Moths, to consider this novel as a too strange and pretty unrealistic and as such also urelatable combination of being on the one hand too standardly predicable plot-wise but on the other hand much too improbable with the actual storyline at hand to be in any manner sufficiently and bearably believable).

Breakout

You know, if I had known before downloading Kate Messner's Breakout that the entire story basically just consists of multiple letters, announcements, post it notes, text messages and the like, I probably would not have even bothered (because generally, if there happens to be too much of this in a given novel, I do tend to find that majorly distracting, and since Breakout is basically ONLY this, is ONLY very short letters, text messages, inserted poetry etc., yes indeed, I have found my reading experience for the most part rather massively frustrating and annoying).

And indeed, the featured letters and text messages of Breakout, they do not really in my opinion give me as a reader enough of a portrait of any of the featured characters (and it also has taken me quite a while to be able to even distinguish Nora from Lizzie and vice versa). Also and honestly, every time I am getting a trifle closer to actually getting to know Lizzie, Nora, Elidee or their families more lastingly, another letter, recorded conversation, text or "news article" is being presented and inserted, often totally shifting focus and yes, far far too regularly actually pushing me right out of the narrative with frustrated groaning (and really, neither Elidee's poems nor Nora's brother Owen's comic book inclusions have really felt as though they are even part of the actual storyline of Breakout, have been interesting enough in and of themselves, but have to and for me generally also felt totally tacked on and distancing).

Furthermore, the oh so very much important themes in Breakout regarding buried (but rapidly coming to the surface after the prisoners have escaped) racial tensions in Wolf Creek (and really in many smaller American towns that often tend to consider themselves to be colour blind and not affected by the problems and issues of larger metropolises such as New York City) and that there is a disproportionate percentage of African American prisoners compared to Caucasian ones, in my opinion, there is so much trivial information featured in especially the letters and text messages (as well as in the announcements, the poetry inclusions and in particular in Owen's comic book artwork) that while the racial issues and tensions are of course present in Breakout, they also kind of seem of often get lost in the shuffle so to speak, they become second position and sometimes even third or fourth position instead of being what they should be, namely front and centre.

And thus, while I certainly have not found Breakout thematically inappropriate in any manner and I do find that Kate Messner raises many important questions to be considered and to be discussed, the way that Breakout has been conceptualised, the way that the story of the Wolf Creek prison break is depicted (with mostly, as already mentioned, multiple short letters and other bits and pieces of written correspondence and imagined phone conversations), this just has not at all worked for me and is the main reason why Breakout is but a two star and generally really disappointing personal reading experience (and well, the only thing that has actually saved Breakout from being a one star ranking for me is that I do find it brave of Kate Messner to even approach racial tensions in small town America and in American prisons as a theme for a middle grade novel so openly and without making excuses and indeed, that the suggestions for further reading on the final pages Breakout are certainly and most heartily much appreciated).

And the third book of the list I have read so far (and sorry, I actually forgot that we had already read The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy in the Fiction Club a couple of years ago, and I will post my review and my musings in both threads therefore), well, I certainly do think that The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy is much more of a specific summer tale, with summer vacation pursuits and scenarios, but I still do not really consider it to be really and truly a celebration of summer in all of its many forms but just a sweet family tale that I liked but also did not totally love.

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy

While the general premise and set-up of Jeanne Birdsall's The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy certainly does have a delightfully old-fashioned feel to it, the anticipated all-encompassing enjoyment that I had fondly expected (and that the glowing reviews of The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by very many of my Goodreads friends also seemingly were predicting) has, I am sorry to say, never really fully materialised or me. For indeed, although The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy has generally been a pleasant and engaging enough reading romp for me with much that has made me smile with reading joy and appreciation, there are sadly also two main issues with Jeanne Birdsall's text, with the content of the author's printed words which have rather majorly bothered and frustrated me. And yes, these scenarios definitely have negatively affected my reading pleasure and in fact to the extent that I cannot really consider more than a relatively low and even kind of grumbling three stars for The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy.

Firstly, the entire family dynamics of the Penderwicks are in my humble opinion generally much too permissive (and yes, especially how lax the father tends to often be, this really does cause me to shake my head at times). Because really, throughout The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy, there are rather a few instances of the four sisters acting out and doing things that are either potentially dangerous or problematically rude and indeed sometimes even a bit deliberately destructive. However, for the majority of these presented peccadilloes and even when the father might attempt to be critical, everything is usually simply justified, everything is kind of explained away and considered at best to not be all that significant anyhow (in particular when the girls repeatedly mess up Mrs. Tifton's gardens, which should at least in my opinion have resulted in some consequences and the girls not continuously repeating this, not to mention that even with regard to their family dog, proper training and having Hound not continuously behave badly seems to be something that the Penderwicks really do not even want to consider).

Even more of a potential issues for me though and secondly, albeit that Mrs. Tifton and Dexter Dupree are in The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy total (and also to and for my reading tastes rather much too stereotypical) villains and simply and utterly horrid, the casual narrational acceptance and lack of consequences for Mrs. Tifton's neglected and henpecked son Jeffrey running away and thereby of course totally freaking out and worrying his mother, this really does tend to make me feel more than a bit uncomfortable. For honestly, while I can of course readily understand why Jeffrey wants to run away, should Jeanne Birdsall have depicted this act of potentially dangerous defiance in as positive a manner as she does and should especially Mr. Penderwick not immediately have contacted Mrs. Tifton when Jeffrey shows up unannounced at the cottage and in the middle of the night?

Therefore, while much of The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy has certainly been a delightful way for me to spend a few reading hours, the above mentioned personal reading issues with Jeanne Birdsall's narrative, they most definitely did make me majorly annoyed at times and also rather uncomfortable. And in particular the constant lack of parental guidance and the absence of adequate consequences for bad and unacceptable behaviour (and yes, even if this behaviour might rather be a bit justified on a deep and philosophical level), this has definitely rendered The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy not as magical a general reading experience for me as I had wanted and expected, still mostly sufficiently enjoyable, of course, but not nearly enough so for me to truly wax too uninhibitedly positively and with praise about The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy.

So now, before going on with the other three books on my to-read list, with There's a Bat in Bunk Five, with Swallows and Amazons and with The Moon by Night, I will therefore reread two novels that I for one do really and strongly think show summer as a season to be totally and utterly celebrated, Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea (about a family vacation and just sweet, and really not with any major conflicts either, which I do happen to find kind of nice) and Jane of Lantern Hill (one of my favourite L.M. Montgomery novels and where the times when Jane visits Prince Edward Island in the summer to stay with her father totally glorify that special season and its loveliness and how it then glowingly contrasts to the dreary autumn and winter days which Jane must endure at her grandmother's shabby and oppressive Toronto mansion before she can once again visit her father during a wonderful Prince Edward Island summer).

I recently read The Moon by Night, or actually, listened to it. I had read it years ago, so this was a second time for this book, almost all of which I had forgotten over the decades. Anyway, I enjoyed this story of the Austin family's journey from the east to the west and back again, and their adventures at the various national parks which they visited on the way. Vicky gets her first experiences with dating, and the adult reader (not sure about the teen reader) can see that this guy might be taking some advantage of the naive Vicky (although there is no sex). I especially loved the talk between Vicky and her uncle about why God allows evil in the world. I loved his answer, basically that God does not act as a puppeteer, forcing people to behave this way or that, but allowing individuals to make choices, whether for good or evil. But people need to realize that there are consequences for evil choices. Loved the story and the characters. I also loved that L'Engle did not write Vicky as wiser than her 14 years, and adeptly depicted her naivete.

Beverly wrote: "I recently read The Moon by Night, or actually, listened to it. I had read it years ago, so this was a second time for this book, almost all of which I had forgotten over the decades...."

I am looking forward to rereading The Moon by Night. Read it the first time as a teenager in the early 80s and am interested if I will find Zachary as annoying now as I did then.

Manybooks wrote: "and am interested if I will find Zachary as annoying now as I did then..."

I thought he was quite annoying!

Beverly wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "and am interested if I will find Zachary as annoying now as I did then..."

I thought he was quite annoying!"

I really hated him when I read the book as a teenager and also that Vicky found him so interesting and intriguing (and I also do not much like that Zachary shows up as a villain in other L'Engle novels).

So for me, Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea is just a totally feel good summer vacation story, almost a bit too good to be true (as I kind of have felt the simply oh so wonderful sibling relationship between the two sisters is a perhaps a trifle too saccharine but yes, it has definitely been wonderful to read a story without huge issues, where the text really is just a lovely summer tale about a family vacation).

In many ways and although nothing much ever really happens, Lynne Rae Perkins' Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea is a perfectly lovely little story of a family's (the Treffreys, father, mother and two young daughters) weeklong oceanside and beachside holiday (with no real conflicts and problematic issues emerging, just delightfully presented and depicted episodes of the family's vacation time fun, mostly on the beach of course, but they also visit a wildlife centre where one of the sisters, Alix, actually gets to release a rehabilitated Peregrine Falcone back into the wild).

However, and as much as I have indeed enjoyed Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea, I did and continue to feel that Lynne Rae Perkins' writing style has the unfortunate tendency to feel somewhat distancing a times, in so far that while I was reading Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea (and even considering my appreciation and sweet enjoyment of the family's week long ocean-themed holiday), I definitely and yes sadly sometimes have felt more like an interested but dispassionate observer, analyst or newspaper reporter looking in than actually being emotionally part of and involved in and with Alix and Jools and their family's depicted vacation experiences (but of course, upon reflection, that feeling of distancing might also very well stem from the fact that my own relationship with both my siblings and my parents has never really been all that close both emotionally and physically, and that therefore, especially Alix's gymnastics moves like her cartwheels, handsprings and such have almost felt a trifle annoying to and for me, simply because I have actually never learned how to do a cartwheel and that my lack of coordination has always been a huge barrier between me and the rest of my family, with especially my siblings and my father always being both annoyed at and even much embarrassed by my lack of balance and the fact that I was often very awkward and indeed also slowed the family down when we went skiing or hiking).

And I guess that if truth be told, part of my mild annoyance with regard to Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea and Lynne Rae Perkins' presented narrative (with her text) is simply and frustratingly that I have read this novel with not only appreciative eyes but also with very much personal envy and more than a bit of sadness. For the Treffrey family is so very delightfully functional, so massively supportive of one another in every way and so into enjoying their vacation with absolutely no strings attached, with no criticisms and snarky comments, that for one I have found Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea almost a bit too good to be true and that for two, well, I have also found this story almost too painfully positive, as Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea certainly has truly reminded me of how much of a black sheep I have always been in and with my family and that my parents and my siblings were never all that understanding and certainly, during vacation times (which usually involved active and sport-filled holidays, basically what my parents and my brother and sister desired but which often were at best difficult for me) that I was constantly being confronted by and with my lack of coordination (and indeed often blamed for supposedly being reticent, lazy and even that somehow I was trying to actively sabotage the family, that I really should know how to ski and ride a pony gracefully, and that my lack of coordination was somehow all and only my fault and easily overcome, and when I read about how loving, how supportive and with ample words of praise the mother and father of Sisters of the Salty Sea are towards their two daughters and how close and for the most part delightfully positive Alix's and Jools' relationship towards each other is, I do have to admit that this almost makes me cry and feel rather majorly jealous and envious).

Manybooks wrote: "So for me, Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea is just a totally feel good summer vacation story, almost a bit too good to be true (as I kind of have felt the simply oh so wonderful sib..."

It's too bad you didn't think to blame your parents for the recessive "clumsy" genes they passed on to you... (iow, it's their fault)

Beverly wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "So for me, Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea is just a totally feel good summer vacation story, almost a bit too good to be true (as I kind of have felt the simply o..."

I really should have, but that would have caused a real fiasco. The one time I tried ...

So yes, rereading Jane of Lantern Hill and primarily focussing of that which in the text celebrates summer on PEI (for the times that Jane is visiting her father in the summer) is certainly turning out to be delightful and wonderfully evocative. It is both joyous and also (knowing how homesick Lucy Maud Montgomery always was for PEI) kind of bittersweet, as the beauty of Montgomery's descriptions and how glowingly she describes Jane Stuart as enjoying her summer (keeping house for her father, gardening, swimming, playing with neighbouring children and all in bare feet) also beneath the surface, between the lines so to speak, shows an almost painful yearning by the author to be back in PEI and not just for the summer but perhaps permanently (but yes, even at end of the story, Jane and her reunited parents will not be in PEI all year, they will be staying in Toronto in the fall and winter, for the father’s new and permanent job as a newspaper editor but will be in PEI for most of the spring and all of the summer).

I made my stack. Rereading the Penderwicks from the library.
Also can clean off space on my shelves with:

Katy
Fool's Gold
Sun & Spoon (reread; might not be able to part with book)
Swimmer
The Trouble with Tuck

I love seasonal reads so I'll try to participate. I've read Penderwicks and Jane before. I've tried "Swallows and Amazons" in the past but I could not get into it, though I know it is beloved by many. I might have to try that again for my boys in about a year or so, though. I might have a fresh perspective ;-)

Anna on the Farm sounds like one my oldest might enjoy. And maybe even Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea. Sounds like my cup of tea, anyway.

I didn't appreciate Swallows & Amazons either.

A random very short book from my library is Summer Fun by Carolyn Haywood. Yes, the same author who wrote the little story books that were so popular back in my parents' time collected short stories (chapters?) in 1986 into this volume. I was not impressed. They feel dated, are rather moralistic, and there are references to "Indians" and a bit about Christopher Columbus that praises him. Even worse, they're just not interesting, imo.

Cheryl wrote: "I didn't appreciate Swallows & Amazons either.

A random very short book from my library is Summer Fun by Carolyn Haywood. Yes, the same author who wrote the little sto..."

One reason I added Swallows and Amazons is because I have never managed to get into the book and hoping a group read might be different, but we will see.

Kathryn wrote: "I love seasonal reads so I'll try to participate. I've read Penderwicks and Jane before. I've tried "Swallows and Amazons" in the past but I could not get into it, though I know it is beloved by ma..."

I highly recommend Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea and Anna on the Farm but even more the companion book Anna All Year Round.

Cheryl wrote: "I didn't appreciate Swallows & Amazons either.

A random very short book from my library is Summer Fun by Carolyn Haywood. Yes, the same author who wrote the little sto..."

Too bad Haywood's book was a strike out. We have loved some of the books in her Betsy series and Eddie series. I'll link to Betsy's Busy Summer though I think it's more a child's book than middle grade so I'm not sure it's applicable to this list. I actually found the Betsy books surprisingly inclusive (for the time period... but I can't think of any other children's book I've read from the early 40s that features white children and black children playing together in their neighborhood?) But, I agree, some are definitely better written than others and I do recall one chapter about an "Indian" tee pee panorama at school that was problematic.

Gundula and Cheryl, so interesting that neither of you could get into "Swallows and Amazons" either!

Manybooks wrote: "I highly recommend Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea and both Anna on the Farm but even more the companion book Anna All Year Round."

Thank you!

Kathryn wrote: "Gundula and Cheryl, so interesting that neither of you could get into "Swallows and Amazons" either!"

I am going to try again, just because I am stubborn and the entire series is considered such a classic.

Manybooks wrote: "I am going to try again, just because I am stubborn and the entire series is considered such a classic. "

I hope you'll find it rewarding! I have no motivation right now but I will probably try it as a family read aloud in a few years in case it connects with my boys.

Kathryn wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "I am going to try again, just because I am stubborn and the entire series is considered such a classic. "

I hope you'll find it rewarding! I have no motivation right now but I wi..."

It is still a bit low on my list and not top priority, especially since both Breakout and Summer of the Gypsy Moths have been total let-downs, so I am kind of looking at present for a story I will actually enjoy.

I'm not sure if this list is specifically for middle grade summer novels but here are a few of the summer-themed novels I have read and enjoyed, though they aren't MG:

Betsy's Busy Summer (children's)

Penny (children's)

Gone-Away Lake (children's)

While Mrs. Coverlet Was Away (children's)

Blueberry Summer (vintage YA)

Seventeenth Summer (vintage YA)

Kati in Italy (vintage YA)

The book I've just finished, Float, is perfect for this theme, 12 year old boys at summer camp -- smack dab in the MG category -- but I am not sure I would recommend it. It actually has a very high overall rating on GR but I personally had too many issues with the potty humor, and what I felt was objectification of girls, reckless hijinks and insensitive pranks.

Thank you for the warning about Float, Kathryn. I can tolerate a bit of potty humour and the like, as long as it is not too exaggerated and gratuitous, but from your review, Float does sound kind of horrible. Sure hope that There's a Bat in Bunk Five will not be too much like that (since it is also the sequel to one of my personal favourite Middle Grade novels, The Cat Ate My Gymsuit), but I will also not necessarily be holding my breath either.

One of my favourite summertime reads (although it also made me cry and feel for the protagonists) has been Betsy Bryars' Newbery Award winning 1974 The Summer of the Swans, although in retrospect and while I did first read this in German translation in 1975 (and when I was nine years old), the main narrator is a teenager and the topics presented are perhaps a bit more suitable for teenagers.

Manybooks wrote: "Thank you for the warning about Float, Kathryn. I can tolerate a bit of potty humour and the like, as long as it is not too exaggerated and gratuitous, but from your review, Float does sound kind o..."

Admittedly the potty humor was a bit more witty than most. I do think Martin is a decent author. I have a friend who really liked the book. I think it's a case where I'm not at all the target audience (I kind of expected something different based on the cover blurb and the author's other books I've read) and maybe had my Mom Hat on more tightly than I perhaps should have in order to just enjoy it as a fun summer read. I don't have my review finished yet but here's one that reflects most of my thoughts:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Kathryn wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Thank you for the warning about Float, Kathryn. I can tolerate a bit of potty humour and the like, as long as it is not too exaggerated and gratuitous, but from your review, Float..."

This feels a bit like the problems I have had with Be Prepared, and the only reason the book was still three stars for me is that it is clearly based on the author's own experiences at her "Russian" camp, but yes, that certainly has not made the story any more enjoyable.

Be Prepared

While I cannot say that I have all that much enjoyed Vera Brosgol's illustrations (as I guess that the mostly green, white and black colours she is using are just not my aesthetic thing so to speak), the general plot lines of Be Prepared have been both engaging but nevertheless also rather sadly and frustratingly, uncomfortably nostalgic in a cringeworthy (and "I do not really want to remember" kind of way).

For while I thankfully never did experience the kind of mostly horrible summer camps of Vera Brosgol's teenaged years (and according to her author's note, she has consolidated two separate summer camp experiences in Be Prepared), her feelings of being the odd person out, of being at best only mildly tolerated and often actually being not only ignored but at times rather bullied sure do ring more than enough reminiscing alarm bells for me. And while much of Be Prepared does indeed seem a bit overly exaggerated at times, for the most part, the episodes depicted and described are what I would call an expanded type of reality, maybe with a trifle too much thrown in for shock and awe value, but let us be honest here, the thematics and contents of Be Prepared, even if containing too much of the proverbial "good thing" at times are indeed and sadly also and often part and parcel of how especially teenaged girls tend to act and react to one another (although quite frankly, I for one could have done without the visual of the soiled with blood undergarment on the flagpole, as I do think that this could have and should have been rendered and even in a graphic novel without such an overt and perhaps even sans any kind of illustration, as it really did and does disgust me and even kind of give me the creeps).

All in all though, I have indeed for the most part found Be Prepared both relatable and entertaining enough (especially when Vera recounts how it feels good when others are being singled out, how she is honest about her feelings that this has taken some of the pressure off of her, as indeed, when I was being bullied at school, I did even if more than contritely and guiltily silently cheer a bit when the arch-bullies tormenting me suddenly decided to choose another victim, both leaving me alone for a time and granting me some necessary breathing space).

However, since I have (as mentioned above) not really found the illustrations and especially their colour schemes all that visually enchanting and stimulating and do also have a few issues with parts of the presented narrative (see above), with Vera Brosgol's themes, contents and words, two and a half stars is what from a personal reading pleasure point of departure Be Prepared represents for me, but rounded up to a rather grudging three stars. For I have indeed still somewhat enjoyed in a painful and frustrating manner reading about and viewing a girl who is in many ways my mirror teenaged image, except that I certainly was not lucky enough to have the artistic talents of Vera and was actually in many ways even more awkward than her as a child and young teenager, in some ways closer to the poor boy who keeps literally stepping in it and is bullied by the whole camp and seemingly simply because head honcho Alexei does and obviously demands imitation (or at least that is how this sure seems to and for me).

I believe MG is generally considered a little lower and/or more inclusive than you seem to be thinking, Kathryn. It's not just books for those kids in "Middle School," but more for those in-between picture-books and teens, as far as I've been both using and seeing the term. In other words, Gone-Away Lake and Penny and most of the Newbery books we've read over the years are MG.

I hope our host is using the term in the more inclusive sense, anyway. :)

Cheryl wrote: "I believe MG is generally considered a little lower and/or more inclusive than you seem to be thinking, Kathryn. It's not just books for those kids in "Middle School," but more for those in-between..."

I think I am but it is sometimes hard to know where MG stops and YA begins as the border is often pretty porous.

Manybooks wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "I believe MG is generally considered a little lower and/or more inclusive than you seem to be thinking, Kathryn. It's not just books for those kids in "Middle School," but more for t..."

Well, I wasn't thinking MG is specifically for middle school age readers, since I know that they can also be for upper elementary age children, but there is such a broad spectrum in MG. So, I find the boarder between "children's" books and "young middle grade" somewhat porous, also. Especially since most children's "chapter books" span ages 7-10 as that also overlaps with the "lower middle grade" audiences. You could go by length or age of protagonist or complexity of plot... but then you've got the older (classic/vintage) books that are longer and more complex language but with young protagonists and those I mentioned above were written before "Middle Grade Books" were a classification so, hmm... good point. I guess I always thought of something like Charlotte's Web as a "children's novel" even though by today's standards it would be classified as MG. I was never to bothered/focused on the classifications for myself but now as a parent I tend to pay more attention when it's a book with which I am not already familiar.

(https://chapterbookchat.wordpress.com...)

In any case, thanks for the clarification and I'm glad the books I mentioned are suitable for this thread :-)

Manybooks wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Thank you for the warning about Float, Kathryn. I can tolerate a bit of potty humour and the like, as long as it is not too exaggerated and gratuitous, but from yo..."

Yes, that does not sound like it would be my cup of tea, either!

My mom liked Be Prepared. I didn't read it before she mailed it off to my cousin's daughter.

Middle Grades is for ages 9-12. Old enough to read independently and read books sometimes without pictures. In Barnes & Noble they classify the books a little differently than libraries so the younger end of MG books are in one section and the upper end in another section. I've seen only a bit of overlap between MG and YA and that's usually the length of the level of violence/scary stuff like Tamora Pierce's Emelan (Circle) Books. They're intended for a younger audience than her Tortall series, at least the first quartet. They get more mature as they go along. I wouldn't classify the Circle books as middle grades though because of the violence but some kids can handle it, especially if they've read Harry Potter.

Thimble Summer
The Stars of Summer (sequel to All Four Stars which I liked better)
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
Then There Were Five
Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill

I'm hoping to get to Swallows and Amazons, The Moon by Night, and Jane of Lantern Hill. Be Prepared looks fun and I have read The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy when it first came out -- and didn't like it much, though details have faded.

My own favorite summer book is The Magic Summer by Noel Streatfeild and a day with Aunt Dymphna might do me wonders in this fraught time.

Karen wrote: "
My own favorite summer book is The Magic Summer by Noel Streatfeild and a day with Aunt Dymphna might do me wonders in this fraught time."

I may have read that.

There was a Disney movie from the 60s I really liked to watch on home video called Summer Magic. Wikipedia says it's based on Mother Carey's Chickens.

I love Noel Streatfeild and The Magic Summer has been on my TBR for years though I could not find a copy in my previous district and used copies are pricey. In my current district we can get ILL for free so I will try that though I'm not sure it's up and running yet.

Mother Carey's Chickens is a delight, though I'm not sure it stood out to me as being particularly summer-themed. You're correct that the Disney movie is (loosely) based upon the Wiggins book, not the Streatfeild one.

I'm loving the suggestions!

Also I found The Summer I Saved the World . . . in 65 Days in my local library and it's delightful. A 13 yo girl about to start high school does 65 acts of kindness in her neighborhood and helps to heal families and friendships and the whole cul-de-sac. Not too simplistic to be unbelievable. I would read more about Nina and consider more by this author.

Cheryl wrote: "I'm loving the suggestions!

Also I found The Summer I Saved the World . . . in 65 Days in my local library and it's delightful. A 13 yo girl about to start high school does 65 acts..."

Yes, a lot of titles to check out. So many look good.

Cheryl wrote: "I'm loving the suggestions!

Also I found The Summer I Saved the World . . . in 65 Days in my local library and it's delightful. A 13 yo girl about to start high school does 65 acts..."

Oh, that does sound good! I really need to read about some acts of kindness right now. Will see if my library has this.

Manybooks wrote: "I highly recommend Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea and Anna on the Farm but even more the companion book Anna All Year Round. ."

So, having now read your review of "Anna on the Farm" I think I will wait to share it with my son and read the "Anna All Year Round" first. For one, since it's the first book in the series. For another, it sounds as if the Farm one has quite a bit of boy vs. girl animosity and bickering and that's just not something I am really wanting to influence him with right now.

For myself, I'm looking forward to Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea to read with the group. It may not be until the end of the month, though, as it's not on the shelf at my local branch and the ILL services are starting up but slowly. I will place a hold for it as soon as I can, though.

Kathryn wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "I highly recommend Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea and Anna on the Farm but even more the companion book Anna All Year Round. ."

So, having now read your review of "Anna on the F..."

Yes, the constant boy versus girl in Anna on the Farm does get annoying, and in Anna All Year Round, Anna’s best friend is in fact a boy.

Manybooks wrote: "Yes, the constant boy versus girl in Anna on the Farm does get annoying, and in Anna All Year Round, Anna’s best friend is in fact a boy.."

That's great. I know the boys vs. girls is a "thing" with a lot of kids, but my best friend when I was a kid was a boy and my son is friends with the girl next door.

@Kathryn -- I believe it was called The Growing Summer when published in the UK. I'm glad to have a copy.

Kathryn wrote: "Manybooks wrote: "Yes, the constant boy versus girl in Anna on the Farm does get annoying, and in Anna All Year Round, Anna’s best friend is in fact a boy.."

That's great. I know the boys vs. girl..."

I think you will really like Anna All Year Round. I totally loved how Anna taught herself to understand German so she could eavesdrop on her mother and her aunts gossiping (and talking about her).

Yes, this is my second attempt to enjoy The Penderwicks. Young me would have loved it, even while tsk'ing at all the mischief. Adult me just can't stop being a parent and focusing on the problematic aspects.

Cheryl wrote: "Yes, this is my second attempt to enjoy The Penderwicks. Young me would have loved it, even while tsk'ing at all the mischief. Adult me just can't stop being a parent and focusing on the problemati..."

I guess my main issue with the novel has been the lack of responsible parenting.

Cheryl wrote: "Yes, this is my second attempt to enjoy The Penderwicks. Young me would have loved it, even while tsk'ing at all the mischief. Adult me just can't stop being a parent and focusing on the problemati..."

I read this when I was younger (and adult, but pre-children) and even then I found myself struggling with some of the parenting. I can't imagine what I would think of it now! I do remember thoroughly enjoying the book. What was the "mischief" here? I am forgetting. What I remember was challenging was that it's at once rather "old-fashioned" with the children being very much outside a lot of the time, free to roam around the woods on their own, etc. (and I did love the celebration of nature, not relying on electronics, family togetherness, etc.) and yet it is a modern setting and I think that would maybe be problematic for children today who are not able to have those opportunities or that kind of independence safely. I don't remember having a lot of issues with the first book (I don't see any noted in my glowing review) but I know for sure by the second book I was really troubled (the one where the girls investigate the "suspicious character" in the neighborhood...) I still remember really enjoying the books overall, though by the fourth one my enthusiasm was fading and I haven't felt compelled to read the fifth one based on the reviews I've read.

Kathryn wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "Yes, this is my second attempt to enjoy The Penderwicks. Young me would have loved it, even while tsk'ing at all the mischief. Adult me just can't stop being a parent and focusing on..."

I just read The Penderwicks recently, and I do have issues with the fact that the father really just lets his oldest daughter Rosalind handle most of the parenting and that even when there are instances him being critical, it is often explained away and at times even justified. Yes, I know Mrs. Tifton is a pain (and also a bit too much of a stereotypical unsympathetic mother for my reading tastes) but in my opinion she also does not deserve to have her precious meticulously maintained gardens repeatedly trashed by the sisters, and when Jeffery runs away and turns up at the Penderwicks in the middle of the night, the responsible thing to do would have been to at least let Mrs. Tifton know that her son is safe.

And I while know that many readers seem to think that Hound is a delightfully depicted family pet, I for one have found the lack of good behaviour, the lack of training majorly annoying (as well as the fact that none of the Penderwicks seem to have issues with this). Also, considering that the Penderwicks never even bothered to check with Mrs. Tifton to see if it was alright for them to bring along the family dog, to check if Arundel, if the to rent cottage was pet friendly, that they just brought Hound and assumed the latter is in my opinion quite annoying and naively presumptive.

Manybooks wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "Yes, this is my second attempt to enjoy The Penderwicks. Young me would have loved it, even while tsk'ing at all the mischief. Adult me just can't stop being a parent..."

Ah, okay, thank you for the refresher. Yes, that is too bad about the lack of respect or thoughtfulness shown in those instances. I do find that troubling when people just allow children or dogs to do whatever they want to do and it's dismissed without any amends being made. Especially as a mom to boys, that "boys will be boys" mentality as if it just condones all sort of behavior that I do not find appropriate in all settings. Or, gee, my dog is so cute, how could you not want it to run wild at the park and almost knock over your toddler? Surely children make mistakes, they are impetuous, they don't always see the repercussions... but that is where responsible parenting comes into play. When the adults involved fail to to anything... that's troublesome.