New Kids and Underdogs by Margaret Finnegan

 

Fifth grader Robyn has already been the new kid in school five times because of her mom's job as a biology professor, and now San Luis Obispo will be number six. But this time will be different. This time Robyn is determined not to stick out as the new kid and she's even created a list of 10 Rules for New Kids for blending in and avoiding the judgey kids. All she has to do is stick to the list. Luckily, Robyn has her two faithful and inseparable dogs, anxious Sundae and nearly blind and deaf Fudge, her supportive dad, even if he does live in Toronto, and of course, her mom.  

One thing her mom is firm about is doing extracurricular activities. So when Robyn sees a dog agility class in the park, she is sure that is what she wants to do with three-year-old Sundae and Fudge. But the woman running the class says no, they wouldn't be able to do the agility course. Then, on her first day of school, Robyn meets Lulu and Marshan who seem friendly enough to even warn her not to associate with Alejandra, who's "radioactive" and cruelty nicknamed the Grape because she wears purple every day, but she also skipped fourth grade and is a whiz at math. Later, Robyn runs into the boy who had been helping the woman in the park on the handball court, whose name is Nestor, and his cousin Jonathan. And just like that a deal is struck - Nestor, grandson of the woman in the park, Mrs. Zazueta, will provide agility training on the sly in his grandmother's backyard if Robyn brings snacks and Alejandra provides math tutoring for the three of them. What could possibly go wrong?

It turns out that Fudge and Sundae really can't to agility training, but Nestor comes up with the idea of doing ability training instead, and it really works out well for the two dogs. Before long, they are joined by William, a friend of Alejandra, and his dog. But Robyn is so set on following her Rules that she keeps telling herself that the ability training is just a business arrangement and Nestor, Jonathan, Alejandra, and now William are not really friends, enabling her to keep her distance.

On the other hand, Robyn continues to hang out with Lulu and Marshan, despite feeling uncomfortable with some of the judgey things they say. Both girls seem to get off on other people's difficulties, shortcomings and disabilities, including Sundae and Fudge, constantly remarking on their sad lives (and I kept wondering why Robyn couldn't see them for who they are). 

Nestor's ability class grows bigger, and the dogs doing it seem to be thriving until one day his grandmother catches the class in action. And she was angry. Will that be the end of ability training? 

I've never been the new kid in school, but I have a friend who was almost as often as Robyn. It can't be easy to make friends and have to leave them a year later. This new move may be permanent for Robyn and her mother, which would be nice, but Robyn is still very defensive about making friends. I thought that her difficulties were realistically portrayed, though, and she was lucky to have a babysitter who understood what was going on with her. Still, Finnegan shows all they ways Robyn's Rules didn't work. 

The problem with Robyn's Rules is that it means all her relationships with other kids is always superficial, and she never gets to see what's below their surface, what the other kids are really like or what their story is. And they never get to see the real Robyn. 

As much as I liked New Kids & Underdogs, I wish it had been a little bit shorter. I thought Robyn's dilemma went on too long and she began to get annoying. I realize she was defensive and didn't want to experience the kinds of fails she had in previous schools, but her refusal to not give in to what she wanted was just too drawn out, especially given who Lulu and Marshan are. But I would still recommend this novel. It's a fast read and does come to a satisfying conclusion, with a valuable lesson for anyone, whether they are new kids or not.   

“A thoughtful story about learning to look beneath the surface and be a better friend.” —Kirkus

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Meet the Author:

Margaret Finnegan is the author of We Could Be Heroes and Susie B. Won’t Back Down, both Junior Library Guild Selections. Her other works have appeared in FamilyFun Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Salon, and other publications. She lives in South Pasadena, California, where she enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, and baking really good chocolate cakes. To learn more, and to download free discussion guides, visit MargaretFinnegan.com.

Twitter: @FinneganBegin

Instagram: @finneganbegin

Just like the kids in New Kids & Underdogs, you can ability train your dog! Check out the fun tips here!

Thank you to Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for providing a review copy of New Kids & Underdogs.

Instagram: @blue_slip_media

Facebook: Blue Slip Media

You can see all of this week's wonderful MMGM books thanks to Greg at Always in the Middle

Blog Tour: The Tiltersmith by Amy Herrick

Welcome to The Tiltersmith Blog Tour!

Follow along as we celebrate the release of The Tiltersmith with behind-the-scenes looks from author Amy Herrick, plus 10 chances to win a copy!

Deleted Scene - Two Chapter Twos
by Amy Herrick

As I’ve confessed in previous blogs, the initial draft of The Tiltersmith was way too long for its own good. There was so much work I ended up cutting and some of it was really hard to let go of. In any case, I always save my old drafts. Below are two opening excerpts from Chapter Two of The Tiltersmith. Can you guess which one is from an early draft and which one is from the final draft? 

 

 

Scroll down to see the answer!

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Number 2 is from the final draft. 

 

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About the Book

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Myths and monsters collide with climate chaos in a thrilling fantasy adventure.
 
Spring has arrived in Brooklyn, New York, but winter refuses to let go. Sleet, snow, and even a tornado batter the city. Mr. Ross, the science teacher, believes climate change is the cause, but classmates Edward, Feenix, Danton, and Brigit suspect older, magical forces are at work. When a peculiar character calling himself Superintendent Tiltersmith appears with a keen interest in the foursome, their suspicions are confirmed, and they’re swept up in a battle of wits and courage.

The friends must protect a set of mysterious tools belonging to the Lady of Spring. If they can free her from her underground prison, winter will end. But if the Tiltersmith steals the tools, he will keep the Lady in his power and upset the balance of nature forever.

Perfect for readers of Madeleine L’Engle and Susan Cooper, The Tiltersmith returns to the world of Amy Herrick’s acclaimed Time Fetch in a timely, exciting stand-alone adventure.

Praise:

"Herrick combines vivid descriptions of climate events, school-set science lessons, and weather-related stories from various cultures around the globe . . . resonates with current events and fits tonally alongside children’s fantasy classics."
—Publishers Weekly

“Vacillating between scientific reasoning and lore from worldwide cultures, the descriptions of beautiful legends of seasons and the sobering study of climate change are so rich.”
—Kirkus Reviews

"Despite the contemporary setting, a diversified cast, and topical themes, events take on ritualistic elements that readers up on their Greek mythology will recognize. American fans of Susan Cooper’s The Dark Is Rising sequence will find themselves on familiar footing, albeit a bit closer to home."
—Booklist

“The author proves to have a keen eye for developing wonderfully dastardly villains. Tiltersmith is a fantastic bad guy who oozes disarming charm while also being deeply unsettling … cleverly handled … a compelling tale.”
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books  

“It’s a great combination of the mystical and the scientific! A bit of gentle romance shouldn’t deter younger readers . . . The writing style is craftily literary, with warm incisive forays into each character’s inner life.”
—Youth Services Book Review   

 

About the Author

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Amy Herrick grew up in Queens, New York, and attended SUNY Binghamton and the University of Iowa. She lives in Brooklyn, where she has raised two sons, taught pre-K and grade school, written books, and kept company with her husband and numerous pets. A retired teacher, she loves traveling, learning Spanish, and above all reducing her carbon footprint.

 

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GIVEAWAY

• Ten (10) winners will receive a hardcover of The Tiltersmith
• US/Canada only
• Ends 11/6 at 11:59pm ET
• Enter via the Rafflecopter below
• Visit the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!

 

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Blog Tour Schedule:

October 17th — Mama Likes This
October 18th — A Dream Within a Dream
October 19th — Always in the Middle
October 20th — BookHounds
October 21st — Mrs. Book Dragon

October 24th — Good Choice Reading
October 25th — Mom Read It
October 26th — YA Books Central
October 27th — Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
October 28th — Randomly Reading

🎃 The Most Haunted House in America by Jarrett Dapier, illustrated by Lee Gatlin 🎃

The Most Haunted House in America by Jarrett Dapier,

illustrated by Lee Gatlin

Abrams BFYR, 2022, 32 pages

One night in October, an invitation arrived underground inviting the Skeleton Drummers to the White House for an Halloween celebration. And what a fun place to be invited to. Not only is it the president's home, "[b]ut there's one more thing you might not know./ The White House is HAUNTED from top to toe!" A little bit scared, but nevertheless undaunted, the Skeleton Drummers head to the nation's capital and the North Lawn of the President's home.

There, kids dressed up as "wizards and witches and robots and more/ line up the drive and step up to the door." President Obama and First Lady Michelle give out treats to everyone accompanied by the haunting sounds of the Skeleton Drummers. 

Then, when all the treats have been handed out, the President and First Lady invite the Skeleton Drummers into the White House where "...inside the doors, something's not right./ A chill in the air and a prickle of fright/ grab hold of our band. Our sticks start to shake/ our bones start to shudder, then rattle and quake!" Room by room, the drummers encounter all kinds of ghosts and spirits, some historical figures who are still roaming the halls and haunting the rooms of the White House. And what a rollicking Halloween those spirits are having.  

But when they stumble on the Terror Ball, where the living and the dead are partying together, maybe it is time for the Skeleton Drummers to make a hasty exit from the White House out onto the Mall. But ultimately, as they leave at dawn to go back underground, all they can only say "Thank you, First Lady - this night was the BEST!

This is a fun story, told completely in rhyme, and based on a real Halloween celebration in 2009 at the White House during the Obamas' first year living there, when they invited the author to drum along with others drummers while 2,500 kids and their grownups trick or treated there. And, of course, it it believed that the White House is indeed haunted, so together these two things made for a fun Halloween story. 

I loved the pencil, ink, and digital illustrations, done in a bright palette of seasonal colors. And though there are lots of what could be scary beings, both dead and living, throughout none of them are done so that they are too frightening for kids. I would recommend this book for kids over 6 years, and you might find yourself having to explain who the Obamas are. 

There is some back matter consisting of books and online resources where you can find more information about the nation's haunted White House. 

The Most Haunted House in America is a lighthearted picture book perfect for the Halloween season.

📚Four New Favorite Halloween Picture Books 🎃🧙🏼‍♀️👻

 

It's almost Halloween and here are some new picture books to help your young readers get into the holiday spirit.

Happy Owl-Oween! by Laura Gehl,

illustrated by Lydia Nichols

Abrams Appleseed, 2022, 24 pages

"Pumpkins to pick./ Ghost pops to lick./ Neighbors to trick!/ Happy Owl-oween!" It's almost Halloween and the little owlets are getting ready for the big day. Told in short rhyming couplets, the owlet are busy doing all the usual Halloween traditions. There are pumpkins to carve and candy apples to make as they sip warm cups of cider, then it is time to make costumes. What will they be? One owlet makes a witch costume, one chooses to be a vampire, a third owlet is Frankenstein, and the fourth is a superhero. Then it is off for an evening of trick or treating, following by sorting and sharing their candy with each other and finally to bed, tired but happy. This is such a sweet story for young readers like mine who are really just beginning to appreciate Halloween and who don't really know the traditions of the season. Plus these cute owlets with their sweet faces will captivate kids without being scary. The rhyme never falters and the illustrations are bold and colorful. Plus there is some back matter that explains all about the roots of Halloween and how we celebrate it nowadays. My young readers really loved this book. We read it enough times they had most of the words committed to memory.  

The Crayons Trick or Treat by Drew Daywalt,

illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Philomel Books/PRH, 2022, 28 pages

The Crayons are back and this year they are trying their hand at trick or treating on Halloween. Dressed in their color coordinated costumes - orange pumpkin, green witch, purple vampire, white ghost, black bat, grey fox and peach is just naked- there's just one problem. Though they can wait to fill their bags with candy, none of them have ever trick or treated before. What do they say after they after they knock on the door? Orange tries first saying: "Give us your candy, lady." That doesn't work, so green tries Merry Christmas with the same result as Orange - a door slam. After a few more failed attempts to get some candy, the Crayons, lead by Purple, practice saying "Trick or Treat" before knocking the next door. Will the fifth try be the charm? Young kids are often afraid of some to the traditional Halloween creatures, but this will take the scare right out of them. And it is a story that will definitely make young readers laugh even as they see the old adage "if at first you don't succeed, try try again" at work, a good lesson for youngsters. Jeffers's illustrations, done in a Halloween palette, are cartoonish and in keeping with Daywalt's other Crayon books, which fans will no doubt recognize. I read this to my young readers, many about to experience their first Halloween, and they loved it. 

Ada Twist, Scientist: Ghost Busted

written and illustrated by Gabrielle Meyer

Abrams BFYR. 2022, 32 pages  

Ada Twist has become a very popular STEM icon and the scientific method. This story is not a Halloween tale per se, but is a good ghost story. Ada and her friend Rosie are have a sleepover at their friend Iggy's house. When Ada suggests they play ping-pong, Iggy tells they that they can't. The ping-pong table is in the cellar, which is haunted, and he won't go down. The lights flicker and there's a scary ghostly voice that says "Howler's Hungry!" every once in a while. Naturally, Ada suggests they investigate using the scientific method seeking to answer the question; Is the basement haunted? It is interesting to see how they go about doing their research to form a hypothesis and test it out with experiments. I really liked the way they did everything step by step but in the end they learned that sometimes if you don't look at the whole picture, but only pieces of evidence, you can draw false conclusions. I liked this boldly illustrated book for two main reasons. First, the method that the kids use is explained very well, and a great introduction to the scientific method. Second, these diverse friends show how to work together to accomplish their goal. Group work is something introduced in elementary school and Ada, Rosie and Iggy are great roles models. And Iggy's dad was there and supportive, but left the kids alone do their thing until he was needed. Even if kids aren't into STEM, there is plenty for them to enjoy in the picture book that is also part of the Ada Twist, Scientist series on Netflix.   

A Costume for Charly by C.K. Malone,

illustrated by Alejandra Barajas

Beaming Books, 2022, 40 pages

Halloween has always been problematic for Charly. They can never decide what to be that reflects who they are 100%. Digging through the box of old costumes, nothing seems to work. Going as an astronaut hides too much, a clown costume isn't even funny, and being a monster in a masked covers up who they are. Red Riding Hood is a good costume, but too girl, which Dracula is also good but too boy. Then, Charly gets a brilliant idea. They cut and snipe away at both the Red Riding Hood and Dracula costumes until they create the perfect costume that uniquely says Charly 100%. This year, Trick or Treating in a costume that is both boy and girl will be the best feeling in the world for Charly as he presents their authentic self. This is a well-written story that really says so much about gender identity and being true to oneself. And I think the reactions of the other neighborhood kids is pretty true to life - some kids thought his costume wacky, other didn't get it, but some thought it was wonderful. The brightly colored illustrations really compliment the text. Charly's quest for the perfect costume is no different than what most kids go through when it comes to choosing a Halloween costume, the only difference is that Charly presents as bigender making this a good book for starting discussions about gender identity with youngsters. Back matter includes some information about what identifying as bigender means as well as resources about the LGBTQIA+ community.

🎃The Girl in White by Lindsay Currie

 

What's better than a sinister middle grade ghost story to get the Halloween season off to a good start? And who better than Lindsay Currie to come up with the perfect spine tingler. Mallory Denton, 12, wasn't terribly happy when her parents decided to move from Chicago to Eastport, Massachusetts to open their dream restaurant, The Hill. It even comes with a ready made legend about a casket bursting through the wall from the graveyard next door one stormy October night. In fact, all of Eastport has haunting legends and curses and that's how it makes its tourist money.

And although Mallory and her best friend Emmie don't believe in the legends or curses, Mallory is having the same disturbing dream night after night centered around an old woman. Legend has it that Sweet Molly's brother Liam was killed in a storm one October night and Molly has been haunting the seaport ever since. Now, it is October, a time when the town capitalizes on  the anniversary of the Liam's death. So, when Mallory sees the same lady from her nightmares by the harbor one evening on her way home during an October  storm, she begins to doubt her own disbelief. Is she being haunted by Liam's sister Sweet Molly?

But when Mallory gets home to finally get some much needed sleep, she is surprised when, six hours later, her mother calls from the restaurant to see if she is OK. It seems that Mallory was seen digging in the sand near the harbor. Yet, Mallory has no recollection of going back to there. Could she have walked in her sleep? There is sand and water all over the house and even under her fingernails. Then, Mallory learns she isn't the only one haunted by the same woman. Next door neighbor Joshua, a classmate she hasn't ever really spoken to, tells her the same thing has been happening to him, including the sleepwalking. Together with Emmie and Joshua, Mallory decides it's time to get to the bottom of things. 

As the anniversary celebration draws near, complete with parade, Mallory's other friend Brianne is chosen to play the part of Molly. When Bri appears to be possessed by the spirit of Molly and goes after Mallory, she, Joshua and Emmie decide to include Bri in their investigations. So far, they have two theories - first, that Mallory and Joshua are being targeted because they are the only two kids not born in Eastport, and second, that Molly is getting more agitated as the anniversary of her brother's death comes closer.  And to make matters even worse, Joshua is chosen to play Liam for the anniversary. It's beginning to look like a recipe for disaster. But, can disaster be avoided and peace made with Molly's ghost? 

This was not the kind of ghost story I expected, which was kind of fun and kind of creepy at the same time, by which I mean that the ending was somewhat of a surprise, just not your usual ghostly fare. And that was part of what made this novel so good. Well, that plus the great descriptions of Eastport, and the haunting of Mallory and Joshua. So perfect for this time of year or anytime readers are interested in a story guaranteed to raise the short hairs on their neck. 

Currie, an experienced author in this genre, has created a town that on the surface appears almost comical in their obsession with legends and ghosts, but Mallory's haunting takes it out of the realm of droll and puts it into an almost believable paranormal realm. But the droll is needed, for example, the names Mallory's dad gives the food on his restaurant menus, like his Sunny-Side Up Skull eggs, to relieve some of the haunting tension. 

The Girl in White is a chilling story that is perfect for middle grade readers looking for some October frights. 

And if you have ever visited Salem, Massachusetts in October, than you can believe that a town can become as obsessed as Eastport is portrayed with its haunted legends. 

Thank you to Heather Moore at Sourcebooks Kids for providing me with a review copy of The Girl in White. 

You can see all of this week's wonderful MMGM books thanks to Greg at Always in the Middle

On a Gold-Blooming Day: Finding Fall Treasures by Buffy Silverman

 

On a Gold-Blooming Day: Finding Fall Treasures

by Buffy Silverman

Millbrook Press/Lerner, 2022, 32 pages

Autumn is the season that always tricks me and I always fall for it. It's such a beautiful season, the colors are glorious and I just love the smell of fall in the air. I always forget that winter is close behind autumn and winter is not a favorite. So what I love about this book is that now I enjoy autumn anytime I want, at least in words and pictures (although, if the trees in NYC ever change color, I'm taking my young readers leaf peeping and maybe I'll stick a few in this book for the smell of it). What makes this book so special?

Spectacular photographs are paired with clever short noun-verb rhyming phrases that perfectly capture nature celebrating autumn:

The book is actually divided into sections representing all the different fall treasure to be found. On a gold-blooming day focuses on snakes, insects and seeds: "snakes glide/ Spiders hide/ Crickets chirp/ Butterflies slurp."

On a nut-crunching day, readers explore the forest with its busy animals and where "Mushrooms pop./ Acorns drop./ Fawns graze./ Sumacs blaze." 

Fish, amphibians, birds, otters and muskrats are the main focus of the next section that begins with the words "On a frog-leaping,/ log-sleeping,/ goose-honking day..." And finally, "On an apple-picking, / seed-sticking,/ autumn-colored day..." a family of four is seen in an apple orchard, while

and of course, who could resist the call of a leaf pile: 

Aside from the jolly rhyme and the wonderful full color photographs that perfectly compliment each other, there is also informative back matter called What treasures will you find in fall? and that gives explanations and suggestions for each one of the noun-verb rhymes: 

as well as a list of book for Further Reading and a Glossary of words that may be unfamiliar to young readers.

I loved that energetic rhyme of this book. And it is the perfect format for young kids to really get into. I love sharing poetry with my young readers and it always pleases me to see how receptive they are to it. They loved this book and we spend a lot of time exploring the photographs and taking about each one. Then we tried making up two word noun-verb combinations to see if we could come up with a few more ideas to welcome autumn. 

On a Gold-Blooming Day is definitely a book that we will keep on our library shelf so we can return to it again and again.