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Roll with It by Jamie Sumner (2019)

1/31/2022

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Roll With It by Jamie Sumner
By Piranha T.
 
Ellie isn’t looking forward to starting her new school. It’s not because she begrudges the move; her grandfather has Alzheimer’s, and he needs more help than just Ellie’s grandma. And she’s always liked staying in her grandparents’ trailer, even with the squirrels running across the roof every morning.

No, it’s because she knows the kids at her new school won’t see Ellie for who she is. They won’t see a feisty, ambitious kid who knows that someday, she’ll be a famous cook like the ones she admires on TV. They just see the wheelchair. And then they look away.

But then Ellie starts to make friends, for the first time ever. And she discovers the town’s annual pie competition—a perfect chance to prove her baking skills. Maybe this town isn’t so bad after all. And maybe—just maybe—they’ll be able to stay.

​Roll with It is a fun book which talks about disabilities, but only as one facet of this quirky story with a fabulous set of characters. I love Ellie’s determination and dreams, and she, like the supporting characters, is full of quirks which makes her feel like someone I could know—and who I’d definitely want to become friends with. I highly recommend Roll with It to readers ages nine and up.

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Fairest by Gail Carson Levine (2006)

1/24/2022

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Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
​By Piranha T. 

Two qualities are revered above all others in Ayortha: beauty and a strong singing voice. And though Aza has a voice befitting royalty--and has learned the trick of throwing it so that it seems as though her songs are coming from anywhere she likes--physical beauty has never been one of her attributes, as she is reminded seemingly every day, when she's cruelly shunned by visitors to her family's inn. 

When Aza is invited to a royal wedding, she thinks of it as an honor which will soon pass. Instead, she is pulled into the role of Lady in Waiting to the new queen, who has a plan for Aza's skills. The queen feels her singing voice will not live up to society's expectations, and so she commands Aza to be her voice for her--to project her voice so that it seems as though the queen herself is singing. 

Aza doesn't like the deception, but the queen leaves her no choice. Reluctantly, Aza does as she asks--but not all is as it seems. And if Aza can't unravel the web of deceptions and magic in Ayortha's capital soon, it will cost her her life. 

A fairy-tale of a story threaded with elements of 'Sleeping Beauty', Fairest is a fantasy full of snatches of Aza's songs. I liked Aza and the conflicts, both external and internal, of her and the other characters, which made the story feel authentic. I particularly enjoyed how Gail Carson Levine brings in the stringent and unfair beauty ideals of fairy tales in a story reminiscent of 'Sleeping Beauty', one of the worst offenders on this particular topic. Fairest is set in the same world as Ella Enchanted, but despite overlap in places and a few characters, they remain wholly independent of one another, and you can easily read Fairest without any prior knowledge of Ella Enchanted. I recommend Fairest to readers ages ten and up looking for an interesting, absorbing fairy tale retelling. 

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Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee (2019)

1/17/2022

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Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
By Piranha T.

When things start getting weird at school for twelve-year-old Mila, she repeats what her best friends have told her: it’s not weird. It was just a hug, after all, a birthday hug, but didn’t it last a little too long to be comfortable? But it doesn’t end there. There are more hugs, more strange comments, boys standing a little too close to her, until Mila can’t dismiss it anymore. She can’t even call it ‘flirting’, like her best friend Zara. The same group of boys continues to bother her in a way which isn’t bullying, isn’t teasing, but then, what’s she supposed to call it? She knows she can’t tell her mom, not when she’s having so much trouble at work. And how can she explain it to anyone else when it feels so weird, so personal?

But then Mila begins taking karate lessons, and they help her realize that she’s not defenseless. More than that, maybe she can figure out how to confront the boys, and make herself heard.

Maybe He Just Likes You is a thought-provoking novel which explores sexual harassment, friendship, and reality. Barbara Dee tackles harder topics in this book in a way which is both realistic and accessible, which makes it particularly pertinent. All the characters in this feel extraordinarily well-rounded, especially Mila’s friends; she honestly has one of the most natural friend circles I’ve seen in middle-grade, who don’t always stand by her even when she’s struggling but remain relatable and strong. I highly recommend Maybe He Just Likes You to readers ages ten and up, whether you’re looking for a thought-provoking read or just a realistic fiction novel which feels indisputably true.

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Books of the Year - The Box and the Dragonfly by Ted Sanders

1/10/2022

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Our final Book of the Year from 2021 is The Box and the Dragonfly by Ted Sanders, a clever, quirky fantasy novel full of the unexpected and the unusual! 

What it’s about: Twelve-year-old Horace F. Andrews is a very logical person. So when he sees a sign with his name on it through a bus window on the way home from school, he decides to investigate. And the results are most certainly not logical. Instead, he finds himself pulled into an ancient war over Tan’ji, objects with magical powers, and discovers his own Tan'ji, an extraordinary box he immediately feels a bond with. Charged with uncovering the abilities of the box on his own, he becomes entangled in a complex conflict that will stretch the limits of time, magic, science—and fight to save this improbable, illogical, extraordinary side of the world which he never knew existed. 

Why we chose it: The Box and the Dragonfly is a fast-paced, clever, and highly amusing fantasy that kept me engrossed from start to finish. Horace is a smart, determined, appealing protagonist, supporting character Chloe is irritable and hilarious, and the rest of the cast is quirky and fresh. As I was writing the above book description, I was struck by how many of the elements of The Box and the Dragonfly aren't uncommon in fantasy (scientifically inclined protagonist, ancient struggle, magical objects), yet the way Sanders uses them is genuinely fresh and unique, and one particular aspect of the generally excellent plot is truly original and different from anything I've ever read before! Quirky characters and clever twists, plus a brilliant plot unfolding in multiple times (read it and you'll see what I mean!) make this book an absolute standout. 
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Books of the Year - Bad Best Friend by Rachel Vail

1/8/2022

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Our final realistic fiction Book of the Year for 2021 is Bad Best Friend by Rachel Vail, an authentic, nuanced story with an extraordinarily real cast of characters! 

What it’s about: Eighth grader Nicki Ames has been best friends with Ava for five whole years, so when their gym teacher tells everyone to pair up with their best friend, Nicki knows who she’ll be next to. Only Ava doesn’t choose her. She chooses one of the popular girls instead. 
          Nicki isn’t sure if she’s been abandoned in front of her whole class, or if she’s just reading too much into a simple action. But as the weeks drag by and Ava barely talks to Nicki, she has to ask herself: if Ava is being a bad best friend, does that mean Nicki should just wait for her to come around? Or is this her opportunity to strike out on her own? 

Why we chose it: Over the years, I’ve probably read hundreds of realistic fiction novels. Some I’ve loved. Some I’ve hated. Out of all of those, there are only a small number which really spoke to me and felt as though they accurately portrayed the lives of middle schoolers today—and among those, Bad Best Friend is a standout. Blending sensitive, accurate portrayals of tweens, conflicts, and families with a full cast of characters, each with an astonishing amount of nuance, this book feels as though it gives voice to the complexities, uncertainties, and messiness of middle school without ever being forced, preachy, or simply inaccurate. This is a book which I feel should be widely read, because it gives voice to some of the most universal feelings of tweens which are rarely explored in novels in a way that considers the layers and confusion of these events in the most authentic way possible. 
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Books of the Year - The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim

1/7/2022

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Our second fantasy favorite is The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim, a book full of magic and surprises starring two awesome sisters! 
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What it’s about: Riley Oh has always wanted to have magic. Her sister, Hattie, does, just like everyone else in their community of Korean-American witch clans hidden out in the middle of LA. But Riley is nonmagical. And though her adoptive family is awesome—particularly Hattie, who's Riley's age and the best sister ever—the rest of the Gifted community definitely doesn't think she belongs. 
          Riley and Hattie are determined to perform a spell which would allow them to share Hattie’s magic between them—only it turns out the cost of the spell might be Hattie’s life. Riley’s last hope to save her sister is a bargain with an immortal who demands she brings her the Godrealm’s last fallen star, and fast. But as Riley begins to uncover secrets which were never intended to be revealed, she has to decide what it really means to belong—and what she's willing to give up to fit in. 

Why we chose it: The Last Fallen Star blends myth with the modern day in a story full of action, adventure, and awesomeness. I loved Riley and Hattie’s relationship—the strength of the love between them is palpable throughout, and this combined with their interactions and humor makes them one of my favorite pairs of sisters in books. The world is complex and interestingly layered over our own, and the supporting characters are all unique, interesting and fun. Perhaps the most standout part of this book is the plot—every time I thought I knew just a little where it was going I was wrong, and a constant flow of action, surprises, and laughs made this book speed by until I couldn't believe I'd reached the end. 
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Books of the Year - The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

1/6/2022

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Our third book of the year is The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman, a heartwrenching, beautiful story of survival and sisterhood! 

What it’s about: When eleven-year-old Viji runs away from home with her twelve-year-old sister, Rukku, she hopes to find a better life in the city—But she quickly learns that the reality of surviving on the streets seems grim, to say the least. However, the sisters are saved  Arul and Muthi, two boys who are also homeless, and are introduced to a new world, one of struggling to find food, and gathering trash to sell from Himalayas of garbage, yes, but also of sleeping on an old bridge above a glittering river at night, not being ordered around by anyone, and forming a bond which quickly becomes unbreakable. With every day she lives on the streets, Viji feels her dreams of being a teacher, and of ever finding a better life, drifting farther and farther from reach. But with Rukku, Arul, and Muthi by her side, life's obstacles seem more like adventures than problems, and she and Rukku are the happiest they've ever been—until everything they've worked so hard to build begins to come apart. 

Why we chose it: The Bridge Home is rich with compassion, hope, and humanity. The irresistible characters aren't deeply complex, yet are filled with life and energy and motion; Viji is strong, determined, and fiercely loyal, and Rukku is incredibly lovable, kind, and far more talented than most people bother to find out. I was struck by how despite frequently facing dire circumstances, the protagonists still manage to have fun and be silly, ordinary kids. Their moments of triumph and true happiness make their heartbreaking ones even more wrenching (I cried quite a bit!), and the story gives a glimpse into the lives of millions of children whose stories aren't often told. A piercing, beautiful story of survival, loss, friendship and sisterhood. 
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Books of the Year - The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove

1/5/2022

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2021 Books of the Year: The Glass Sentence by S E Grove
Our next 2021 favorite is The Glass Sentence by S. E. Grove, which blends mapmaking, time, and mystery in an incredible, engrossing historical fantasy novel! 

What it's about: A hundred years ago, the Great Disruption shattered time itself, hurling countries and continents into ages far disparate from the areas around them, from the ancient past to many centuries in the future. Sophia Tims has grown up in 1890s Boston under the care of her uncle Shadrack, one of the area’s best cartographers--an occupation both harder and more important than ever with the latticework of different ages that is the world. But when Shadrack is kidnapped, Sophia leaves home to find him, with only a mysterious glass map to guide her. A glass map with far more power than she ever could have imagined… Read our full review here! 

Why we chose it: The Glass Sentence pulled me into its world of unique, complex ages from the first page. The historical settings Sophia travels through crackle with evocative details and bring you instantly into her unique and mysterious world. I found myself constantly surprised by new turns the story took and the layers of secrets, discoveries, and twists. The characters were all strikingly different, and entirely real; I found myself particularly drawn to the fascinating villain, who is one of my favorites not only from this year, but of all time. The Glass Sentence weaves everything I love most in fantasy together into an imaginative and compelling narrative. 
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Books of the Year - Starfish by Lisa Fipps

1/4/2022

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Our first 2021 Book of the Year is a realistic fiction novel full of compassion and warmth: Starfish by Lisa Fipps! 

What it's about: Ever since she was five years old, Ellie's biggest focus has been on not standing out to avoid giving the people who torment her about her weight any more reason to target her. And with her best friend moving away, her parents arguing constantly, and her mom pushing for weight loss surgery if the latest diet she's found doesn't work, Ellie's even more determined to stick to the list of Fat Girl Rules she's created to help her blend in. But as she begins sixth grade, not everything goes according to plan. A cheerful, guitar-playing new girl moves in next door. Her parents bring Ellie to a therapist who she hates at first, but who turns out to be unexpectedly perspective and understanding—and quirky. And Ellie begins to realize that maybe, just maybe, she doesn't need to be fixed or changed at all to be worthy of respect and love.

Why we chose it: Ellie is a deeply compelling character—amusing, caring, and increasingly brave—and it's a joy to watch her progression throughout the book as she learns to take up space, stand up to her bullies, and love herself. Bullying has become a common theme in middle grade books—and the cruelty of some characters makes parts of the book hard to read—but the nuance Fipps brings to her exploration of the topic, and especially the challenge of finding a way to stand up to your detractors while not becoming a bully yourself, set Starfish apart. The story is written in compelling free verse, making it a fast, engaging read that mirrors Ellie's love of poetry. Overall, an honest, unflinching, and warm story about loving yourself, and standing up to your detractors without acting like them. 
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Announcing the 2021 Books of the Year!

1/3/2022

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Announcing the 2021 Books of the Year!
We're thrilled to announce our favorite books from the last year of reviews! But first, as we reflected on our favorite books we read in 2021, we wanted to make sure we highlighted some of the features we've added or expanded over the past year, in addition to the middle-grade reviews on our main blog: 

Booklists: We've added new favorites to our Audiobooks and Book Group lists (including some great young adult books for older discussions)! Plus, we posted a list of 10 Great Summer Reads in August where we highlighted some of our favorite books set in the summer. 

Author Interviews: What a list! We've had the honor of interviewing eleven more of our favorite authors this past year--Angie Sage, J. A. White, Alexandra Ott, Rosaria Munda, Stuart Gibbs, Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Celine Kiernan, Padma Venkatraman, Karah Sutton, Sarah McGuire, and Graci Kim. Check out our interviews to hear more about their books--and even learn what books they loved as kids...

For Older Readers: We've added even more reviews to our young adult (ages 12+) page this year. If you're looking for awesome books outside of middle-grade, be sure to check it out. 

Last but not least, we've posted our first Sequel Reviews this year--the newest installments of series which keep up their excellence throughout. So far, we've highlighted Midnight Train, Out of Time, The Artifact Hunters and Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch--be sure to keep your eyes out for more sequel reviews (posted on Thursdays on our main page) in the coming weeks! 

And now...on to the Books of the Year! 

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    Book Reviews By & For Kids

    Everyone knows that Rapunzel spent her early years locked up in a tower. We’d like to think she read plenty of books to while away the time, and that she’d appreciate our own favorites.

    Founded in 2014, our reviews focus on great books for middle grade (MG) readers. Beginning in 2018, we began adding selected Young Adult (YA) books as well, but only if we really love them and think Rapunzel Reads followers will too. Favorite picture books have their own page.


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    Young Adult Reviews! 

    We're now featuring reviews for YA (ages 12+) books alongside our middle-grade reviews on our main page! (If you're not sure if a book is young adult, check the age range--if it's 12, 13, or 14+, it's YA.)

    ​Looking for more YA recommendations? Until 2022, we had a separate For Older Readers page, where we highlighted over two dozen awesome YA books. Check it out here! 


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