middle grade Archives - Page 329 of 365

February 9, 2017

Rock ‘n’ Roll Rebel

Rock ‘n’ Roll Rebel
by Ginger Rue (Author)

Booktalk: Thirteen-year-old Tig Ripley has plenty of good reasons for starting an all-girl rock band. Never mind she doesn’t play an instrument–she’ll figure that out. Fronting a band is sure to propel her out of the background and into the spotlight at her middle school. So after a few weeks’ worth of drumming lessons under her belt, she starts assembling her band. With her cousin Kyra agreeing to play bass, soon Tig has her piano-playing friend Olivia down for the keyboard. And then she convinces tough girl Robbie Chan to sign on as lead guitarist. With a cool name–Pandora’s Box–all the band needs now is a killer lead singer. How hard can that be? But when Kyra invites obnoxious diva Haley Thornton to join the band, Tig realizes snagging a lead singer–the right lead singer–is not going to be easy. Everyone says the drummer is the heartbeat of a band–does Tig have what it takes to lead Pandora’s Box?

Snippet: Tig blushed. She saw Haley make a face at Regan and Regan rolled her eyes.

“Look, I said I’d sing in your little band, not take you on as a project,” Haley said.

Kyra laughed. Laughed!

Get a backbone, Tig thought. “Nobody needs you to take on any projects. Really,” Tig said.

Regan cut in. “Good thing,” Regan said. “Because all Haley’s singing in your band means is that Haley likes to sing. Not that y’all are suddenly besties.”

February 7, 2017

Squirrel Meets World

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World
by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale (Authors)

Booktalk: Fourteen-year-old Doreen Green moved from sunny California to the suburbs of New Jersey. She must start at a new school, make new friends, and continue to hide her tail. Yep, Doreen has the powers of . . . a squirrel! After failing at several attempts to find her new BFF, Doreen feels lonely and trapped, liked a caged animal. Then one day Doreen uses her extraordinary powers to stop a group of troublemakers from causing mischief in the neighborhood, and her whole life changes. Everyone at school is talking about it! Doreen contemplates becoming a full-fledged Super Hero. And thus, Squirrel Girl is born! She saves cats from trees, keeps the sidewalks clean, and dissuades vandalism. All is well until a real-life Super Villain steps out of the shadows and declares Squirrel Girl his archenemy. Can Doreen balance being a teenager and a Super Hero? Or will she go . . . NUTS?

Snippet: In the distance, Squirrel Girl could hear sirens.

“Um . . k, bye!” she said. She leaped from the car to the treetop and from there onto a roof. Tippy-Toe was a streak of gray beside her. As they jumped to another roof and out of sight, Squirrel Girl could hear cheering behind her. And a low chant that began to rise. It sounded like “Squirgle, Squirgle. . .”

On second thought, they were probably chanting, “Squirrel Girl, Squirrel Girl,” but “Squirgle” was nice too.