middle grade Archives - Page 242 of 373

Stella and the Timekeepers
by M. Shawn Petersen (Author)

Booktalk: Stella Merriss has never felt like she belonged anywhere–her family was always on the run. During a daring escape her parents suddenly disappear into stormy, shark-infested waters. Alone and unsure of her future, she learns the truth: that she’s actually half angel, half mermaid. Stella has no choice but to join an elite angel apprenticeship program where–despite having to hide her dual nature–she finally feels as though she has found a home.

But villainous forces are gathering to strike against Stella’s newfound home and attack the three Timekeepers who spin and weave the fateful Thread of Life. Evil Lord Sylvain and his army will stop at nothing to corrupt the Laws of the Universe and bend them toward his own vile agenda. A child of land, sea, and sky is the only obstacle standing in his way.

In this epic battle between good and evil, Stella and her friends must defend against the armies of Lord Sylvain or see the realms of land, sea, and sky plunged into chaos.

Snippet: As she swung the oar, she felt the weight of her father’s bracelet thumping against her leg. She reached into the jacket pocket, grabbed it, and slipped it on to be sure she didn’t lose it. No sooner had it touched her skin than an electric current surged up her arm, and she found herself enfolded in a globe of light. As the globe glowed brighter, it seemed to generate and energetic barrier that the sharks ricocheted off of.

“What the . . . ? She panted, collapsing to her knees and peering at her wounded arm. It was clotting, the blood slowing to a seep, but she was acutely aware of how much the limb was throbbing. The boat was sprinkled with debris from the aggressive sharks leaping and nearly overturning the dinghy. She grabbed a long length of seaweed and managed to bandage the wounds–a folk remedy her mother had shown her when she was young.

Extraordinary Birds
by Sandy Stark-Mcginnis (Author)

Booktalk: December believes she is a bird. The scar on her back is where her wings will sprout, and one day soon, she will soar away. It will not matter that she has no permanent home. Her destiny is in the sky.

But then she’s placed with foster mom Eleanor, a kind woman who volunteers at an animal rescue and has secrets of her own. December begins to see that her story could end a different way — but could she ever be happy down on the ground?

Snippet: What he really means by permanent is being adopted, but even if that’s what happens to me, getting adopted, it won’t matter. Once my wings unfold, I’m flying away.

Adrian orders a single scoop of vanilla with no toppings. “I won’t give up until we find a good home for you. You’re not alone, December.”

It’s part of his job to convince me that things aren’t as bad as I think they are, or that everything’s going to be okay. He’s good at it. No matter how many foster homes I’ve been in, he tries to make me believe that the next one will be better.