Summer of the Gypsy Moths

                                                                           
Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker (Author of the Clementine Series)

Published by Balzer + Bray

2012

Ages 8-12

Shelf: Middle Grade 

Opening Line:  "The earth spins at a thousand miles an hour."

Favorite Quotes: 

"I like to imagine the ties between us as strands of spider silk:  practically invisible, maybe, but strong as steel."

"I stayed cool.  Those icebergs, floating silent and steady, ignoring the fierce storms raging around them."

"Being an iceberg takes a lot of effort."

"Your heart is like every other muscle Stella, you have to stretch it out when it cramps up."

Blurb:  It is the start of another summer season on Cape Cod.   At a glance, Stella appears to be your typical eleven-year old, who enjoys reading on the beach.  No one would ever suspect the secret Stella is hiding.  Stella has been living here with her great-aunt Louise, ever since her mom decided to go out and "find herself."   Although Stella fantasizes her mom will soon return to the Cape, she enjoys living with Louise, and really appreciates the routines that Louise has put into place.  The only potential glitch in her plan:  Angel.  Angel is the foster child Louise has taken in.  Stella and Louise are like oil and water, and hardly ever speak to one another.  But when tragedy strikes, Stella and Angel must rely on each other.   Will Stella and Angel discover a common thread between them?

Within its pages:
Connections. Throughout the story, Stella likens herself to an iceberg - standing still and firm in the fierce storms around her.  A fairly accurate metaphor for her life.  Although Stella's situation is obviously extreme, she teaches us about courage, as well as  how to cope with loss, changing expectations, and the tricky and rewarding process of making and keeping connections.

The heart of this novel lies in the friendship that grows between Stella, the planner, and Angel, the free spirit.  There is an unspoken bond that develops between these two young girls that's heart-warming and endearing.  Pennypacker teaches us that sometimes hope lies in the most unexpected places, and that the deep connections we form with others can be life-changing. 

Shelf  it!

Summer of the Gypsy Moths surprised us in the most delicious way! The simplicity and heart in this story was very captivating.  At first, we found the premise a bit disturbing and seemingly unrealistic.  We definitely had mixed feelings in the beginning (You will too).  Despite this, the resilience of the characters, as well as the blossoming friendship, was strong enough that we just couldn't abandon the book.  We were pleasantly surprised by its poignancy, humor, beauty and, most of all, with the way its story gripped our hearts and still hasn’t let go.  The element of suspense kept us on the edge of our seats as well.  Just go "Shelf It" and read it while listening to some Fado music (Angel sings it throughout the book) and find out just what we're talking about!

Counting by 7s

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Published by Penguin Group

2013

Age 10 and Up

Shelf: Middle Grade 

Opening Line:  "A genius shoots at something no one else can see, and hits it."

Favorite Quotes: 

"My mouth is open and I'm suddenly some kind of fish out of water.  You can't see the hook, but it must be in my cheek."

"I don't want to know how you did it.  I want to believe that you're magic."

 

Blurb:

Willow is a twelve-year old genius who certainly doesn't fit in with the crowd.  She is obsessed with plants, medical conditions, and the number seven. Her safe haven is to be in the public library, surrounded by books, where she finds comfort and solace.  She has only conected with her adoptive parents and after they're killed in an accident, Willow must search for a surrogate family. Will Willow Chance find where she belongs?
 

Within its pages:
Willow Chance......You had us at page one!  Willow's strong voice echoes throughout all the pages in this book.  Her knack for accurately analyzing and depicting each scenario and character is both astonishing and refreshing.    Willow's determination, tenacity, and intelligence will astound and inspire you.  She is clearly wise beyond her years, as evident in some of the following lines:

"It had been my experience that rewarding and heart-breaking often go hand in hand."

"What we expect rarely occurs; what we don't expect is what happens.'

"I can't risk heading in what feels like the wrong direction."

"I'll be ready.  I'm not sure for what exactly. But maybe that's what being ready really means."

"A second can feel like forever if what follows is heart-break."

"She' s always the toughest person in the room, but with me leaving her armor cracks."

"Balance is critical in the natural world."

Shelf  it! (Counting by 7 reasons to shelf this book)

1.  Willow Chance.  Enough said!

2.  Willow will encourage you to think bigger! You will immediately be smitten with this twelve-year old genius, and then proceed to fall head over heels with the supporting characters.  The author has written such a touching and poignat book. She has created a cast of ordinary, everyday folk:  a fiesty teenager and her cranky brother, a nail salon owner, a taxi driver, an oddball counselor...And turned them into everyday heroes.

3.  Willow is the prototypical underdog in this book.  She is misunderstood and an outsider. You will find yourself rooting for her the entire book. 

4.  In times of despair and sorrow, this novel reminds us that hope can manifest and grow in unexpected places, and that miracles really do happen. 

5.  The prevalent themes of unconventional family, loss, grief, and belonging, combined with a strong-female character make it a book that begs to be shared. 

6.  Counting by 7s is a heart-warming story that promises to leave the characters lingering in your mind long after you turn the final page.  Don't be surprised if you can't put it down.  It's really that good!

7.  Willow Chance (In Case we didn't already mention it). 

 

Three Times Lucky

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage

Published by Penguin Group

2012

Age 10 and Up

Shelf: Middle Grade 

Opening Line: "Trouble cruised into Tupelo Landing at exactly seven minutes past noon on Wednesday, the third of June, flashing a gold badge and driving a Chevy Impala the color of dirt."

Favorite Quotes: 

"When you feel lost, let the stars sing you to sleep.  You'll always wake up new."

-"It's common knowledge."
-"There's nothing common about knowledge."

Blurb:
Trouble was the last thing on Mo LoBeau's mind.  These were the lazy days of summer filled with the sweet sounds of tree frogs and crickets in Tupelo Landing, North Carolina.  For this rising sixth grader and aspiring detective, serving crepes and peanut butter entrees at the café seemed idyllic.  But when Tupelo Landing becomes a murder and kidnapping scene, Mo's natural detective skills are put to work. 

Within its pages:
Three Times Lucky's magic lies in its narrator.  Mo's southern charm and cadence flow effortlessly through the pages. Mo's voice and use of poetic language makes this a perfect book for lessons in the use of similes, metaphors and personification:

"Miss Lana's voice is the color of sunlight in maple syrup."
"My anti-invitation hanging in the air like eau the skunk." 
"The frost in her voice nipping my ears."
"Her quiet laugh sounded the way she looks without her make-up."
"Spinning wheels and flying gravel chewed up the end of my sentence, spitting it across the parking lot like a fighter spitting teeth."
"Uneasiness ran its fingertips across my shoulders"
"Her silence stretched like old elastic about to give."

It's Mo's power as a narrator that made Three Times Lucky such an enjoyable read.  You find yourself re-reading her descriptions, sometimes laughing out-loud and other times marveling at her wit and ability to find the right word at just the right moment.  


Shelf  it!
If you're searching for a good mystery book, with a strong female character, filled with small-town charm, this book belongs on your shelf. Enter Moses (Mo) LoBeau, a spunky and upbeat character, who has a sensational sense of humor, tons of grit, and an absolutely charming sidekick, her best friend Dale.  You have to admire her strength, determination, and perseverance.  And sometimes having a little luck helps too!    

On a journey, to find her upstream mother, Mo helps us realize that sometimes what we need is directly in front of us. That not all families look the same or come about in the expected ways.  The bonds and relationships we form with others are sometimes immeasurable. The characters and relationships in this book will resonate with you long after you read the last page.  For those of us who have longed for a new Scout Finch, we have found her in Mo.  

The action and suspense are totally gripping.   As the leader of the Desperado Detective Agency, Mo really gets to put her detective skills to good use.  Will Mo and Dale be able to solve this mystery before it's too late?

Three Times Lucky is sure to be a page turner, and one you won't soon forget.  And believe us when  we say, it's even better the second time around.