Let's Talk About Books
Ice skating. Hockey. Skiing. Grab a cozy chair and a warm drink, then settle in for some good old-fashioned winter sports competition. You don't have to be a winter athlete to thoroughly enjoy the hilarity and/or drama you'll find among these winter picks. Sometimes the competition is more than you bargained for, but just as… Continue reading Books About Winter Sports
These women athletes have two things in common. Talent and drive. In order to be the best, they gave up everything to devote 100% time and effort to develop their skills. No matter what sport you love, there's a book on this list for you. Surfing. Baseball. Gymnastics. Soccer. Basketball. Tennis. Be inspired by these… Continue reading Women in Sports
There's no doubt that team sports take top billing in real life viewership, but when it comes to books, individual sports have equal footing. Some of the best characters and plots can be found in books about golfing, gymnastics, swimming and running. Gold Medal Summer by Donna Freitas Joey is an elite gymnast who wants… Continue reading MG Books About Summer Sports
Professional soccer has been slow to catch on in the U.S., but it's finally attracting an impressive following, especially with women. It's been a mainstream youth sport for the last couple of decades, so naturally kids look for it in the books they read. Boys' Soccer Booked by Kwame Alexander Nick loves soccer and hates… Continue reading Middle Grade Soccer Stories
Is summer camp all it's cracked up to be? Depends on who you ask. These books will give you a glimpse into the trials and tribulations of camp. Crazy camp directors. Cabin raids. Dances. Friends. Enemies. Goats. And a whole lot of problem solving. Camp Average by Craig Battle Mack is back at camp for… Continue reading Books About Summer Camp
Opening Day. The National Anthem. Throwing out the first pitch. Peanuts and Cracker Jacks. These books capture the spirit of the American pastime. From dedicated sports authors Mike Lupica, Tim Green, and John Feinstein to those branching out into new territory, every book on this list is a winner. Mascot by Antony John Noah is… Continue reading Middle Grade Baseball Stories
It isn't hard to figure out why we hold sports in such high regard. We love winners, but especially when they beat the odds. For many athletes, sports are the key to a better life, but getting there isn't easy. It takes hard work and rare talent. These stories are stories of inspiration. Read them… Continue reading Middle Grade Sports Nonfiction
These are my picks for the BEST books of 2018. A must for every middle grade library. If only there were more awards to go around. Front Desk by Kelly Yang (Historical) When Mia's father loses his restaurant job, they move to manage a motel. At first it seems like a dream job, but the… Continue reading Best MG Books of 2018
These books tackle the challenge of getting past the death of a friend. The topic has become prevalent in middle grade realistic fiction, so finding nine well-written books was an easy task. My personal favorites are 2018 releases and certain to be Newbery contenders: The Truth As Told By Mason Buttle and Denis Ever After.… Continue reading Middle Grades Books About Grief
With the outstanding writing going on in sports fiction, you don't have to be a guy or play sports to love some of these books. Trust me. Some of these have edge of your seat action. Any Mike Lupica, Tim Green or John Feinstein book is a crowd pleaser. For younger fans, check out the… Continue reading Middle Grade Football Stories
Kids who like sports books need look no further than Mike Lupica. He writes stories about basketball, football and baseball. He has several series that cover all three sports. They are Game Changers, Comeback Kids, and Home Team. This list covers a variety of different writing styles for different ages and are sure to satisfy… Continue reading Middle Grade Basketball Stories
Stories in verse are great for understanding complex historical events and encouraging the reluctant reader. These selections are some of my favorites from authors who have already established themselves as exceptional writers. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse Told from the perspective of a young girl who recounts the frequent struggles against the dust… Continue reading Middle Grade Stories in Verse
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