Welcome to Litsy!

This is another great historical fiction by Jennifer Nielsen. Set in Poland throughout WWII, it follows Lidia from the initial German invasion through the final days of the German occupation. It‘s a harrowing story of those who joined the Polish resistance. I‘ve read stories of the Jews in the Warsaw ghetto, but this was a broader story of resistance throughout the city.

#audiobook #MiddleGrade #WWII #TRS2025

A visit to the library yesterday means choosing a new middle grade book to start with breakfast today. I‘m picking up Fowl Play first.

#BookAndBreakfast #MiddleGrade

I don't agree that this story is a story about comfort and healing or that it is an optimistic book... I'd say it was a book about a children experiencing big, difficult emotions, facing violence, death and loss. There is darkness, and sacrifice, and tears. There is also magical creatures and friendship, ecological message, but it doesn't save the story.

What happens when vengefulness begets exposure to the vilest depths of human nature?

This was a gut-punch of a #YA book! Harrowing, shockingly violent account of the worst atrocities committed by humans against each other. We follow 11 year-old Kofi‘s life in his Asante village (now Ghana) during 1860. A violent but mutual competition between Upper and Lower Kwanta leads to unspeakable horrors when something goes terribly wrong. Great audio! 4⭐️s

#ARichLife Sweater one of my favorite bands , Barednaked Ladies with Hand-me-down Sweater @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

“I didn‘t scream when Daddy fell from the ladder.”

#firstlinefridays

@ShyBookOwl

Marlene's mom says she has bad hair and has it straightened at the salon every Sunday, but Marlene hates the salon and just wants to wear her hair natural. This was a lovely book exploring self-confidence, hair care, family, identity, and Black Dominican joy. The illustrations are lovely and do such a good job of conveying emotion. The author also takes care in handling mom's hesitance toward natural hair. #BIPOC #Comics

So-so read for me... So I won't read the rest of the series.
While there is a lot of creativity, I wasn't much taken by the plot or by the universe created...

I‘m excited to collaborate with @Karisimo to bring back weekly #MiddleGradeMonday posts! We‘ve got some prompts planned, but we would also love to hear what kind of #MiddleGrade books you would like to share or for which you would appreciate some recommendations. Let us know your ideas in the comments.

We've got lots of ideas, but would love to hear yours too! The more the merrier! @daisey #middlegrademonday