AWKWARD

Author:  Svetlana Chmakova

Genre:  YA Graphic Novel, Awkward #3

Published:  2017

Personal Rating:  3.5/5 (good)

Format:  Book

Yearly Count:  52


From Goodreads:

Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don't get noticed by the mean kids.

Cardinal rule #2 for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them.

On her first day at her new school, Penelope--Peppi--Torres reminds herself of these basics. But when she trips into a quiet boy in the hall, Jaime Thompson, she's already broken the first rule, and the mean kids start calling her the "nerder girlfriend." How does she handle this crisis? By shoving poor Jaime and running away!

Falling back on rule two and surrounding herself with new friends in the art club, Peppi still can't help feeling ashamed about the way she treated Jaime. Things are already awkward enough between the two, but to make matters worse, he's a member of her own club's archrivals--the science club! And when the two clubs go to war, Peppi realizes that sometimes you have to break the rules to survive middle school!

This first in the trilogy (read them backwards) is not my favorite, but still worthy of a good rating.  The hardcopy of this book had terrific drawings like the others, but it had less color - making it different from the other two.  Not sure what happened there.  Like the others, lessons to be learned in a fun way.

I'm not sure if they all have them in it or not, but raccoons abound!  :)

Thoughts of Joy

WHEN YOU REACH ME

Author:  Rebecca Stead

Genre:  Middle Grade Fiction, Standalone

Published:  2009

Personal Rating:  2/5 (not enjoyable)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/

Cynthia Holloway

Yearly Count:  59

This book encompasses sixth graders, a mystery, friendships and home life.

This did not entertain me for a minute, but there was nothing in particular that struck me as horrible either.  I just did not enjoy or care anything about it.

Thoughts of Joy

  

THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN

Author:  Katherine Applegate  

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy, Standalone 

Published:  2012

Personal Rating:  2/5 (not enjoyable)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Adam Grupper

Yearly Count:  55

Ivan, the gorilla, makes a promise to a fellow elephant friend.  And promises are forever.

Not my thing.  I don't like personification, and ALL the animals talk in this one.  UGH.

It makes me like Crenshaw even more.  Crenshaw does talk, but not a lot, and of course, we know that he's just in the little boy's imagination.

Thoughts of Joy

CRENSHAW

Author:  Katherine Applegate  

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy, Standalone 

Published:  2015

Personal Rating:  3.5/5 (good)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Kirby Heyborne

Yearly Count:  54

Jackson has an imaginary friend named Crenshaw.  Crenshaw is a very large cat.

This seriously is a great book for 3rd - 5th grade.  Personally, I would have liked to have "seen" much, much more of Crenshaw.  Loved his character.  A bit more activity would have made me happier, too.  However, I'm not the target, sooooo ... .  Lots and lots to talk about with the kiddos though - making for a great classroom book or child at home.  The narrator Kirby Heyborne was perfect!

Thoughts of Joy