RED, WHITE AND WHOLE by Rajani LaRocca

 

Why read this book? 

The way the words are put together in this verse novel is so beautiful! If you like stories that make you feel a lot of emotion (and maybe learn a few things along the way), you’d enjoy this one. The main character in this story feels torn between the different sides of her life, and it made me think of different people in my own life who have moved from far away places to live in a completely different cultural environment. 

The emotions and challenges Reha faced when her mother developed cancer made me sad at times and I even cried, remembering my own mom. The words: “I have one life. That’s all any of us gets” especially resonated with me. I also enjoyed all the 80’s references, especially to the show Family Ties, which I watched when I was a kid.

Because this is a verse novel, reading the words goes fairly quickly (especially when you don’t want to put it down!). But I found this novel also encouraged me to think and reflect as I was reading. This is a book I’d definitely read again. In fact, I wanted to read it again right after I finished it!

Additional Resources: 

Visit Rajani LaRocca at her website and find a link to the novel's playlist

As a Book of the Month selection for the Anti-Defamation League, you can find their wonderful resource with activities related to the book themes, key words, discussion questions and extension activities.  For example, a literacy activity to choose one of the main characters in the book and create diary entries showing the character’s perspective. They also provide resources such as 6 Ways to Be an Ally 

Check out this interesting interview with Rajani LaRocca over at Reading Middle Grade.  https://readingmiddlegrade.com/rajani-larocca-red-white-whole-interview/

Colby Sharp has a wonderful conversation with Rajana LaRocca where she talks about how her personal experiences inspired her novel, how she got interested in writing and what she hopes for her novel.

Summary from the publisher:

Reha feels torn between two worlds: school, where she’s the only Indian American student, and home, with her family’s traditions and holidays. But Reha’s parents don’t understand why she’s conflicted—they only notice when Reha doesn’t meet their strict expectations. Reha feels disconnected from her mother, or Amma. Although their names are linked—Reha means “star” and Punam means “moon”—they are a universe apart.

Then Reha finds out that her Amma is sick. Really sick.

Reha, who dreams of becoming a doctor even though she can’t stomach the sight of blood, is determined to make her Amma well again. She’ll be the perfect daughter, if it means saving her Amma’s life.

Red, White and Whole by Rajani LaRocca was published by Quill Tree Books in 2021.

For more wonderful middle grade books, check out Marvelous Middle Grade Monday over at Greg Pattridge's blog.

VIOLETS ARE BLUE by Barbara Dee – a story about coping with a parent’s addiction

Why you want to read this book…

Barbara Dee always creates realistic and emotionally satisfying stories so I was super excited to read this latest novel. What an absorbing dive into a character with lots of personality and challenges! I love how Wren explored a different side of her personality when she moved to a new town to start over – including changing her name. It’s super interesting to follow her story as she struggles with friendships, her relationship with her parents and even how to act with a boy that likes her when she just wants to be friends. 

This book was definitely never boring! Wren has to deal with some really difficult things, like the weird way her mom is acting. One of the really cool things about this story is Wren’s unique interest in special effects makeup, which leads her to doing the makeup for the witch in a school production of Wicked. A great contemporary MG novel that’s definitely worth reading, especially if you like reading about family and friendship issues.

 

Here’s the summary from the publisher…  

 Twelve-year-old Wren loves makeup—special effect makeup, to be exact. When she is experimenting with new looks, Wren can create a different version of herself. A girl who isn’t in a sort-of-best friendship with someone who seems like she hates her. A girl whose parents aren’t divorced and doesn’t have to learn to like her new stepmom.

So, when Wren and her mom move to a new town for a fresh start, she is cautiously optimistic. And things seem to fall into place when Wren meets potential friends and gets selected as the makeup artist for her school’s upcoming production of Wicked.

Only, Wren’s mom isn’t doing so well. She’s taking a lot of naps, starts snapping at Wren for no reason, and always seems to be sick. And what’s worse, Wren keeps getting hints that things aren’t going well at her new job at the hospital, where her mom is a nurse. And after an opening night disaster leads to a heartbreaking discovery, Wren realizes that her mother has a serious problem—a problem that can’t be wiped away or covered up.

After all the progress she’s made, can Wren start over again with her devastating new normal? And will she ever be able to heal the broken trust with her mom?

Violets Are Blue by Barbara Dee is published by Simon & Schuster and comes out on September 21, 2021. I read a review copy provided by the publisher.

Teaching resources:   A recent interview with Barbara Dee about some of her books, including Maybe He Just Likes Me from Fairfax County Schools

TORNADO BRAIN by Cat Patrick

I'm very behind on my reviews, but I've been enjoying some wonderful middle grade books as well as picture books. Now that I'm on my spring break, I'm hoping to catch up a little because I do have a great list of books that need to be shared!

Why you want to read this book…

All the characters in this story felt so real! Their dialogue, actions and situations were all realistic and individual -- no exaggerated stereotypes here. Since the main character, Frankie, noticed things that others did not, she was able to put together clues to help solve the mystery of what happened to one of her friends.  But the main reason why I enjoyed this story so much was the heartbreak and the difficult emotional journey of navigating friendships.

The author carefully included unique details to show what Frankie experienced, which helped me to stay very absorbed in the story. As a writer, I was interested to study how she used flashbacks to develop the story. I also liked the tornado facts sprinkled into the story!

I think I'll remember this story long after reading it. It made me think about how an event or situation can seem different depending on your perspective. I definitely learned something from diving a little deeper into a way of thinking that is different from my own.

 

 Here’s the summary from the publisher:

Things never seem to go as easily for thirteen-year-old Frankie as they do for her sister, Tess. Unlike Tess, Frankie is neurodivergent. In her case, that means she can’t stand to be touched, loud noises bother her, she’s easily distracted, she hates changes in her routine, and she has to go see a therapist while other kids get to hang out at the beach. It also means Frankie has trouble making friends. She did have one–Colette–but they’re not friends anymore. It’s complicated.

Then, just weeks before the end of seventh grade, Colette unexpectedly shows up at Frankie’s door. The next morning, Colette vanishes. Now, after losing Colette yet again, Frankie’s convinced that her former best friend left clues behind that only she can decipher, so she persuades her reluctant sister to help her unravel the mystery of Colette’s disappearance before it’s too late.

Tornado Brain by Cat Patrick was published by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2020. I read an e-book from my local public library.

 

If you’re looking for another thought-provoking, or maybe funny, middle grade book to read, check out Marvelous Middle Grade Monday on Greg Pattridge's blog.