Tag: middle-grade

Categories
Reviews

Book Review: Monster Calls

This book was heart-rending in all the right ways. A Monster Calls is from the perspective of Conor, a young boy whose mother is sick. This book was tragic, but we knew what we were getting into from page one, or so we thought.

The fantasy-like stories are juxtaposed against the hard realities until we start to realize that the fantasy stories are just as dark as the issues that Conor confronts daily. Although he’s still a young child, he must learn to deal with very hard things at a young age and the monster is a wonderful personification of his terrifying, and sometimes violent, emotions.

Although it’s dark, it feels similar to Bridge to Terabithia in the way fantasies come crashing down around the main characters.

Advertisement
Categories
Reviews

Reading Review: Ice and Snow

I just finished reading a middle-grade book called Prisoner of Ice and Snow. It had me from page one. Honestly, I loved the female cast and the diverse characters. It was short, sweet, and to the point. The setting was unique, the world-building wasn’t tossed up all at once, and it had genuinely high stakes that keep you reading chapter after chapter. Ruth Lauren did a great job with this one. I particularly loved the ending which will keep you on the edge of your seat.

We start and end in the snow, but with the blood-boiling main character, Valor, things don’t cool down from start to finish. Although the warden who keeps the prison is frosty, she heats up as Valor continues to push her as well. The contrasts are fantastic and simple in all the best of ways.

There are strong themes of friendship and family which are both key themes in middle grade fiction. Also, can I just say, the name Valor? Yes. Please. I love literal names like this one and the fact that this names was the opening line of the book sets the tone and lets the reader know what the book will be discussing.

Again, a great read and I recommend to adults and middle grade readers alike.