Trees, sticky notes, and nosebleeds.

I had a really good blog post swirling about in my mind yesterday, but I didn’t write it. For some reason the ideas just aren’t mature enough to go out into the world. And maybe they never will.

Instead, I’m passing on some good word-of-mouth middle recommendations.

I experienced so much emotion last weekend over a middle grade book I was reading, crying on and off, that I gave myself a nosebleed. Seriously. I have trouble in the winter with them anyway.

A few years ago, I watched this author sign with her agent. I read her query on Chuck Sambino’s site and agreed, that indeed, the query was fantastically written. Even though it wasn’t high action or super commercial, I could tell the writer knew how to write. I’ve wanted to read the book ever since.

Last weekend, I finally got my chance to read SWAY by Amber McCree Turner. Amazing. Loved it.

But I wasn’t done with the tears. That same weekend, I also read THE GREAT UNEXPECTED by Sharon Creech. It’s her newest book and she’s speaking at NESCBWI this spring, so I figured I should read one of her books. Really liked it. I shed more tears but not as many.

But I still wasn’t done.

My son has read this one book at least 8 times in the past year. He continually signs it out and reads it. I saw it as a Diary of a Wimpy Kid type book and never bothered to read it. Clearly, it was for boys.

Out of curiosity, I read it. Loved it. Maybe because my expectations were low? I don’t know why. But I cried again in the whole last part of the book. Such a talented writer.

Who would think that a book called MILO: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silberberg was really a book adults would love in disguise? Obviously, kids love it too. I don’t want to give anything away, but this book is about a lot more than sticky notes and brain freeze.

Have you read any of these books?

 

 

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14 Responses to Trees, sticky notes, and nosebleeds.

  1. Natalie Aguirre January 24, 2013 at 12:00 pm #

    I haven’t read any of these books. But you’re making me think I need to. Thanks for spotlighting them.

    • Laura January 25, 2013 at 1:31 am #

      Lately, I’ve been on a middle grade kick after being burnt out on them. 🙂

  2. Alex J. Cavanaugh January 24, 2013 at 12:28 pm #

    Now that is a serious reaction to a book!

    • Laura January 25, 2013 at 1:32 am #

      No kidding. But it’s winter too….

  3. Ansha Kotyk January 24, 2013 at 1:01 pm #

    I have SWAY on my kindle and I’m reading Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech. But I’m thinking I need to get my hands on a copy of MILO!! 🙂

    • Laura January 25, 2013 at 1:32 am #

      You’ll like Sway! 🙂

  4. Karen Strong January 24, 2013 at 2:06 pm #

    I really need to start back reading some good MG books. Now that my god-daughter is getting older, we can read these together. I love Sharon Creech books.

    • Laura January 25, 2013 at 1:33 am #

      I can’t believe it was the first one I’d read! I think I might’ve read some of her verse novels though.

  5. Marisa January 24, 2013 at 3:35 pm #

    Ohhhh, I haven’t read any of these, but they sound wonderful!! My kiddo is just getting into middle grades and I couldn’t be happier!!!

  6. Traci Kenworth January 25, 2013 at 10:27 am #

    Thanks for the Milo recommendation!! I will pass it along to my son. It is difficult to find books he might enjoy but this sounds like it has great possibilities!!

  7. Michael DiGesu January 25, 2013 at 4:38 pm #

    I remember when Amber signed with Sway as well … I must get this book.

    The other’s look terrific too, I definitely want to check out MILO.

    Thanks for the reviews, Laura.

  8. Jennifer Hoffine January 25, 2013 at 6:53 pm #

    Cried so much you got a nosebleed…that does sound like a good recommendation:)

    I’ve read Sharon Creech’s Walking Two Moons (?). Can’t remember the title for sure, but I liked it. I should try to fit in more MG.

  9. Marcia January 26, 2013 at 2:56 am #

    I haven’t read these, but I’m ready for some good recommendations, so I’m going to put them in my TBR pile. Thanks for spotlighting them.

    I sympathize with your nosebleeds. My husband, son, and daughter all get them. Some kind of an inherited tendency from my MIL.

  10. Margo Berendsen January 26, 2013 at 4:27 pm #

    I’ve been neglecting MG books too much lately, then I picked up Wonder and suddenly remembered why I love them so much (which reminds me, I have your Crazy Kings book still to read too. yum).

    These books sound wonderful and tempt to get on a serious MG spree. Hopefully not toooo much of a crying spree.

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