Great Middle Grade Reads discussion

I know it seems a bit early to be thinking about what we'll be reading in February, especially since it's not even January yet. But, I promise, there's a method to the madness. While I can't speak for everyone, I do know that there were a few months this past year when I had a hard time finding the selected book to read, and there was one month when I ended up purchasing the book because I really wanted to read it but the waitlist through my library was too long for me to get the book in time.

So, to try and counter that from happening to others, I thought a good way to give people more time to either find the book for purchase or get a copy from their local library - especially in the case of waitlists - would be to select the BOTM read a month early. And that's why we are here today!

So what will our theme be for February? I'm glad you asked! One of the things I love is reading books set in real places around the world, as it gives me the opportunity to experience that setting and its people when I probably won't ever be able to travel there myself. Looking back at previous BOTM topics, I noticed that the group has read books set on several different continents. The one that was missed (aside from Antarctica, which is too cold a place for me to want to travel to lol) was Africa.

So, let's have your suggestions for books that are set in Africa! It can be a historical book, an alternate history, a futuristic novel, a fairytale retelling, or something else entirely - so long as it's set in Africa! Bonus points if the author is also African!

Since we are in the middle of the holiday season and many of you are likely busy with preparation and family time, I will keep the nomination period open through the end of the month, after which we will vote on a winner from the nominations.

I'd like to nominate Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Listening for Lions (starts out in Africa and then moves to England and ends up again in Africa).

Available on Open Library

I nominate Children of the Quicksands by Efua Traore. It’s set in Nigeria. Just wondering, will this book qualify for the letter Q in our A-Z challenge?

Justine wrote: "I nominate Children of the Quicksands by Efua Traore. It’s set in Nigeria. Just wondering, will this book qualify for the letter Q in our A-Z challenge?"

Justine,
It does qualify for the letter Q. For letters like Q and Z, which can be more difficult to find, as long as one of the words in the title begins with that letter, you can use it.

I just realised the book was only published in 2021, so it won’t qualify. I’ll nominate instead Long Walk to Water and The Boy who Harnessed the Wind

Journey to Jo'burg: A South African Story

This 1986 novel was actually (but not surprisingly) banned in South Africa (during Apartheid), as was basically everything written by Beverley Naidoo, since she was a staunch fighter against Apartheid as a student in South Africa, was arrested, imprisoned, exiled to the UK and wrote children's stories about South Africa and against Apartheid (not own voices strictly speaking, as Beverley Naidoo is Caucasian but still in my opinion from an African perspective).

Available on Open Library, and I also found a copy at my local library

Not sure if the novel for which Beverley Naidoo won the 2000 Carnegie Medal, The Other Side of Truth qualifies, as only the beginning is in Africa and most of the story actually takes place in England (and deals with Nigerian refugees). But this is an excellent novel and frankly I do think The Other Side of Truth fits, as the plight of refugees in a country totally unfamiliar to them and how much culture shock and homesickness there can be has been wonderfully and realistically shown by Naidoo (and that in particular the young main character longing for Nigeria is seen as something normal and as understandable).

Available on Open Library

I would like to second A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story

Happy New Year's Eve to everyone! If anyone else has any nominations for books they'd like us to read in February, please post those by 11:59PM EST today.

Jennifer wrote: "Happy New Year's Eve to everyone! If anyone else has any nominations for books they'd like us to read in February, please post those by 11:59PM EST today."

Considering that many are visiting family etc. it might be wise to keep the nominations open until January 6th or so?

I'm nominating The White Giraffe by Lauren St John, which was one of the first modern MG books I read. I was really impressed.

I can't seem to find what we are reading for May. Someone please help? Is there a pinned post I am missing? Also does the book get updated on the main page?