#middlegradenovel

[thebookishaustin]

ARC Review: Dragon Pearl

Image from Rick Riordan Presents website

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

Release: January 15, 2019

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents/Disney Hyperion

*I received an ARC of this title through a friend (who acquired a copy at an ALA conference).*

I picked this book up because I fell, exactly like publishers hoped I would, for the stamped logo of “Rick Riordan Presents” on the cover. On a basic level this means the novel is published by a small branch of Disney-Hyperion publishing that includes Rick Riordan’s endorsement. The novels are typically middle grade and focus on fantasy that’s centered around folklore, myths, and legends. If you want a more in-depth look into this publishing branch, then click here. Now onto the book!

Dragon Pearl is advertised as a middle grade space opera based on Korean folklore. The main character, thirteen year old Min, is a Fox. She has the ability to shapeshift/glamour herself into other people or objects and can use her magic to Charm those around her for a limited time. Upon Min’s family being notified her brother has gone missing, she sets out to explore other planets to find him. Along the way she meets pirates, steals ships, and learns more about her Fox ancestry (and others such as Tigers and Goblins).

Overall, I was thoroughly intrigued by the Korean influences Lee included building this world. The norms set up with the planetary governments and the culture within the worlds were fascinating. Lee also established realistic prejudices among the groups that added provoking elements and conflict as Min discovers hatred toward Foxes first hand. You see this come up again and again as Min is learning more about her abilities and life outside her little town. I think Lee has enough set up to expand this world building even further, though. I want a bit more on that front.

I enjoyed this book, I really did. However, I have two qualms. First, I felt the novel was a bit slow paced for a space opera (until you get to the last third of the book). Maybe I’m just used to more action in adult novels. My second qualm was with our protagonist. She’s interesting, but I felt she was too adult for a 13 year old. Yes, I know it’s fantasy and she can shape shift and Charm people, but I felt many of her capabilities just popped up so conveniently without any realistic underpinning for their origins (like her uncanny ability to fly a spaceship).  

I’m giving Dragon Pearl 3 out of 5 Awesome Austin Points. It was an enjoyable foray into Korean folklore and culture. Of course it seemed a bit young to me (I am an adult reading a middle grade novel), but I think children will enjoy it. They’ll also probably have an easier time suspending disbelief about our protagonist’s abilities. :) This book comes out this week so get out there and find a copy on Tuesday!

[donnasagercowan]

#persist #dream #believe⠀ ⠀ It’s Friday— we made it! Woohoo!⠀ ⠀ What relaxing thing do you have planned to recharge for next week?⠀ ⠀ #writing #writerslife #mglit #chapterbook #middlegradenovel #childrensbook #childrensauthor #kidlitauthor #kidbooks #chaseyourdream #believeinyou #dreambig #lovewritingmg #mgwriter #mgwriters #mgauthor #withthecourageofamouse #thesuperheroschoolseries #relax #recharge #selfcare #bethechange #loveyourselftoday (at Citrus Heights, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoACyO4FDxu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xwysonw0kezo

[brian-c-anderson]

📖📖Book review--> This was one of those books that kept showing up on my Goodreads and Instagram streams. That’s a sign, right? So I got it and read it. Glad I did. Absolutely fun, chilling story. The setting was perfect, at least for me. I grew up in New England, surrounded by creepy woods and tons of creepy legends. So this book may or may not make you want to visit Vermont. The principal character, Ollie, was a delight and you can’t help but feel for her. The secondary characters are interesting, but Ollie carries the show. Now while some elements in the book are cliched (which is not always a bad thing in horror stories), the story structure makes it feel fresh and you won’t get bored. What also helps is Arden doesn’t soften any punches with the evil in the book, and she manages a “Something Wicked this Way Comes” vibe throughout. The mood is stellar all the way through. There’s also a story within a story, deftly handled, that adds a layer of credibility and foreshadowing that doesn’t smack you in the face and makes what’s coming obvious. Sorry I’m not including specifics, but I don’t want to ruin any surprises. Except one: There’s a sneak peek of book two at the end. . . . #bookstagram #bookstagramfeatures #bookstagramers #midlit #readingaddict #readingcorner #reads #library #reader #middlegrade #mglit #bookreader #middlegradefiction #middlegradereads #middlegradelit #middlegradebook #middlegradenovel #middlegrademonday #middlegradereaders #middlegradeseries #middlegradebooksuggestions https://www.instagram.com/p/CHGxqXQgNRV/?igshid=11zuj997r5sb7

[mariannem]

Have you read the THE CAMELOT CODE: THE ONCE AND FUTURE GEEK yet?  Kirkus calls it "A wholesome, modern twist on the classic legend that could provide a gateway for newer readers and fun for the gaming set."

[penelopecat]

A new Star Wars book always has my attention. So does a new book by @georgemannauthor. So a new Star Wars book by George Mann, a follow-up to the excellent Myths & Legends story collection? That went right to the top of my reading list. I loved this collection of age-appropriate yet still creepy tales, and the illustrations were gorgeous. Exactly what I needed to read this week. #thismakesmehappy #books #2020reading #starwars #starwarsbooks #sciencefiction #middlegradenovels #middlegradebooks #starwarsdarklegrnds #georgemann https://www.instagram.com/p/CDUX4IbhIta/?igshid=ksmkhqgxoz0x

[month9books]

“Caden lined up with the Nobodies outside” is the first sentence in the middle grade science fiction novel Metl: The ANGEL Weapon by Scott Wilson ( @ScottDoesStuff ).

What is your favorite opening line in a novel?

Scott’s favorite opening lines are:

"Hello. I am Ivan. I am a gorilla. It's not as easy as it looks.” —The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate ( @kaaauthor )

"One dark season, Grandible became certain that there was something living in his domain within the cheese tunnels.” —A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge ( @FrancesHardinge ) 

"History has failed us, but no matter.” —Pachinko by Min Jin Lee ( @minjinlee11 )

Want to find out who Nobodies are? To read the rest of Metl: The ANGEL Weapon, grab a copy at Amazon, B&N, or Indiebound.

[shesmilesinyellow]

Please give this young adult novel a "thumbs-up" by going to this FREE book. If you are able to leave a positive review, I would greatly appreciate it!

[books4yourkids]

From: A CRACK IN THE SEA by H.M. Bouwman, illustrations by Yuko Shimizu. @yukoart @penguinkids @putnambooks #acrackinthesea #middlegradenovel #kidsbookstagram #bookstagram #hmbouwman #blackandwhite #blackandwhiteart #kraken #seastories #books4yourkids

[mcbooksters-blog]

June is #BlackMusicMonth

Check out some of these awesome #MiddleGradeNovels!

[ziyuechen]

Worked on a book cover last year for the middle grade novel, Suzie Q. Fights Back written by Jane Cutler and it was released today. The story is set in 1940s where prejudice against the different races took place. A ten-year-old child, Susan who has befriended the daughter of her apartment building's janitor who is black, takes a courageous stand by bending the rules. A good read for young readers ages 8 - 12. Thank you, AD Kerry Martin.

[booksteacupandreviews]

Many thanks to @prhinternational for e-copy via NetGalley. Turtle in Paradise: The Graphic Novel by Jennifer L. Holm, Savanna @jenniferlholm Ganucheau Publication Date : June 29th 2021 Publisher : Random House Graphic Pages : 256 Genre : Historical Fiction / Middle Grade / Graphic Novel Ratings : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review : was heart warming and fun historical fiction graphic novel that revolved around Turtle who was sent to Key West to live with her aunt where she found treasure and much more. The story was about family, secrets, adventure, coming out of shell, love and friendship. Writing was easy to follow along with illustrations. It was told from Turtle’s POV. Her monologues in box separating the dialogues and conversations were fun to read. Illustrations were beautiful. I loved colour palate and art. Turtle was amazing 11 years old kid.It was great to see how slowly she came out of the shell she created around her and started enjoying her time in Key West, and how her thoughts changed by the end. Diaper gang was fun to read. Turtle’s cousins ran this gang with their friends. Setting of Key West and timeline of 1935 during great depression and time of Shirley Temple was well presented. Overall, Turtle in Paradise was lovely, heart warming, and entertaining graphic novel with amazing characters and setting. If you enjoy stories set in Key West, great depression timeline, kids and their pranks and adventure, I highly recommend this. QOTD: What are your thought on novel turned into a graphic novel? Do you like them? If so which is you favourite? Which of your favourite book you would love to see turned into graphic novel? #TurtleinParadise #JenniferLHolm #SavannaGanucheau #PenguinRandomHouse #RandomHouseGraphics #HistoricalFictiom #MiddleGrade #Illustrated #Middlegraderead #middlegradenovel #Fictionread #novelturnedingraphics #bookreview #NetGalley #bookishlife #bookaesthetic #BooksTeacupandReviews #Indianbookstagram #bookstagrammers #IndianBookBlogger #bookrec #getlit #momwhoreads #bookblog #bookstagramfeature #newrelease #ipreview via @preview.app (at Ahmedabad, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ02florpLM/?utm_medium=tumblr

[brian-c-anderson]

Been looking forward to this one: #Repost @ggdmarplot (@get_repost) ・・・ Wow! I can’t believe Dwarf Story is officially out!! Great Grandad and I are so thrilled to bring this magical world to yours! You can now buy, review, share and dive into the fantastical journey of Arty, Emma, the Elves, Spriggans, Pixies and dragons! Available everywhere, now!! Enjoy!! . . #DwarfStoty #LaunchDay #Books #BookLaunch #NewBooks #Bookstagram #BookLaunched #bookstagrammer #middlegradebooks #Middlegrade #middlegradenovels https://www.instagram.com/p/CCGlyURB9zk/?igshid=10khwpezy8fch

[penelopecat]

I finally read The Legends of Luke Skywalker because it was last weeks’s Star Wars Show Book Club’s selection, but I had planned on getting to it eventually. Beautifully written by @kyliu99, it’s a collection of linked stories showing how the regular folk of the galaxy view (or think they view) Luke Skywalker. Heartwarming, hilarious, and though-provoking, and each accompanied by an illustration by JG Jones, this was a quick read—it’s aimed at middle-grade readers—but highly enjoyable. I had started Liu’s Grace of Kings, but set it aside because I had too many other, shorter books on my to-read list calling for my attention, and I wasn’t in the mood for a long book at that moment. I definitely plan on returning to it, especially after being reminded what a great writer he is with this book. #thismakesmehappy #books #2020reading #starwars #legendsoflukeskywalker #starwarsbooks #kenliu #sciencefiction #middlegradenovels #middlegradebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CCbNvdABiqT/?igshid=86j2qy6lph4a

[donnasagercowan]

#persist #dream #believe⠀ ⠀ Yes. Do this! ⠀ ⠀ #writing #writerslife #mglit #chapterbook #middlegradenovel #childrensbook #childrensauthor #kidlitauthor #kidbooks #chaseyourdream #believeinyou #dreambig #lovewritingmg #mgwriter #mgwriters #mgauthor #withthecourageofamouse #thesuperheroschoolseries #rest #restoretheroar #dontquit (at Citrus Heights, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnrM4MmHDp-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=eih47u95upey

[donnasagercowan]

#persist #dream #believe⠀ ⠀ And, I’m still here.⠀ ⠀ Living, loving, and learning are journeys we should never want to end.❤️⠀ ⠀ I’m fluent in failure. Are you?⠀ ⠀ #writing #writerslife #mglit #chapterbook #middlegradenovel #childrensbook #childrensauthor #kidlitauthor #kidbooks #chaseyourdream #believeinyou #dreambig #lovewritingmg #mgwriter #mgwriters #mgauthor #withthecourageofamouse #thesuperheroschoolseries #failfluent #thejourney (at Citrus Heights, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnoeinbnBDT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=uh3lhyynk831

[donnasagercowan]

#persist #dream #believe⠀ ⠀ Man, oh man, is this my song.⠀ ⠀ Last week I went out on that proverbial ledge and booked my first podcast #readingwithyourkids podcast @jedliemagic. Since then, I’ve had an opportunity to have my book featured on a website, booked a school visit, and received offers for #betareaders and #bookreviews BEFORE I even asked!⠀ ⠀ I am stunned.⠀ I love when things happen without my help!⠀ ⠀ Go do that scary thing. it may turn out to be the most amazing adventure ever.💥⠀ ⠀ #writing #writerslife #mglit #chapterbook #middlegradenovel #childrensbook #childrensauthor #kidlitauthor #kidbooks #chaseyourdream #believeinyou #dreambig #lovewritingmg #mgwriter #mgwriters #mgauthor #withthecourageofamouse #thesuperheroschoolseries #doitscared #trynewthings #livetheadventure #believeitcan (at Wheatland, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnhDenLHEeb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p2s6zu4ldmig