middle grade Archives - Page 136 of 369

Tales of Fearless Girls: Forgotten Stories from Around the World
by Isabel Otter (Adapter) and Ana Sender (Illustrator)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: Throughout history, stories were passed down through the oral tradition. And often, the female characters in these stories were viewed as weak, vain, jealous, or just plain boring! This middle grade anthology of 20 forgotten fairy tales features stories of strong girls from different cultures around the world. Every tale features a female heroine who approaches life with humor, wit, cunning, and bravery.

Snippet:
“THE COCONUT SHELL”
A story from Fiji

In times gone by, a little girl named Kumaku lived on the island of Rotuma, Fiji. She had long black hair, dark as a raven, and liked to place a bright flower behind one ear. Kumaku had a mischievous streak, and when she laughed, it was impossible not to join in with her.

Secrets of the Last Merfolk
by Lindsay Littleson (Author)
@ Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound

Booktalk: In a small coastal town, Finn is enduring a winter vacation with his annoying new stepmother, wishing things could go back to how they were, while Sage is enjoying her new home, wishing things would stay as they are.

Finn has seen mysterious swimmers in the sea late at night. Then, from the clifftop, first Sage, then Finn, hears an eerie song. Could the local legend of merfolk living amid the waves actually be true? When the new friends meet the magical sea-people, they are amazed and impressed, but the merfolk are hiding a secret. The two human children must put aside their own problems and help in the battle against the young merfolk’s ancient underwater enemy before the last of their kind are lost forever.

Snippet: “We’re going to have a fabulous time in a beautiful cosy cottage!” she trilled. “Imagine toasting marshmallows in front of a roaring fire. It’s going to be perfect.”

Finn opened his mouth to remind her that he was twelve, not four, but caught his father’s warning glance in the car mirror. He flushed, remembering the scene last month. Dad’s voice had been firm, and his eyes sad. “Finn, I love you to bits. But I’m really disappointed in your behaviour. You need to stop begins rude to Lizzy. It’s upsetting her very much. She’s so keen that you two get on. And she’s my wife, Finn. I’ll not have her insulted in her own home.”