Wilderlore: The Accidental Apprentice

 Barclay Thorne is an apprentice to a mushroom farmer ahe he is happy to be there.  One day while out looking for specific mushrooms he ends up entering the Wilderwood Forest, which is a no-no.  In that forest is magic or Lore.  He encounters a girl, Viola, who is trying to capture a beast to make it hers, but it ends up "marking" Barclay.  Because magic is forbidden in his town, he ends up running away to find out how to remove the mark. Viola helps him get to a Lore town in the middle of the Wilderwood and once there in order to remove his mark he must participate in a competition to find a Loremaker to be an apprentice to.  

Reminiscent of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, this is a fantasy book that has a slow start, but definitely has some fast paced action in parts.   

The Seventh Raven by David Elliott

 Disclaimer:  I listened to the audiobook.

Written in verse this book tells the story of  a family of 7 boys.  All named Jack except the 7th is Robyn.  The dad's name is Jack as well and he would like a daughter.  Mom, Jane, also wants a daughter, and their wish comes true, but on the day of her birth, she is dying and the dad wishes to trade all his boys for one girl and the 7 boys turn into ravens.  As the daughter grows she realizes something is being kept from her, and once she realizes she had 7 brothers she goes on a journey to find them.

The cover is AMAZING, but this is one of the weirdest books I have ever read/ listened to.  It's not long at all, but I kept hoping it would get better. The narrators were great and there were several, but the story is just to out there and doesn't even come close to making sense in parts.  Also the ending leaves much to be desired.  It's just not a clean ending.

Pity Party by Kathleen Lane

Told in different stories and perspectives, this book gives us glimpses into what we all go through and that is hard times, not fitting in, struggling with anxiety or depression, wishing things were different than they are, finding your place in the world, or just generally growing pains.  

At first I didn't like the book at all, but the more I've thought about it I can see that it will have it's place, especially in middle school where everyone feels like they are the only one who has ever felt this way.  I think it would be great for a book club as long as people are willing to talk. 

The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

 Told in three voices:  Rifka (1942), and Valentina and Oksana (1986). Valentina and Oksana are school peers and have woken up to an explosion at Chernobyl.  Both of their fathers work there and they live in the same building, however Oksana doesn't care for Valentina.  Oksana's dad calls Valentina's family dirty Jews.  As Oksana discovers her father has died, she and her mother prepare to evacuate the city, but her mother has been contaminated by radiation.  Valentina's father is in the hospital, and she and her mother are also evacuating.  They offer for Oksana to come with them, and she does.  Valentina's mother has to send them on alone to her mother.  Valentina has never met her grandmother.  As Oksana and Valentina begin to get to know one another, they become close friends.  

Interspersed within their story is the story of Rifka, a Jew, who is running away from the Germans and tells of her story of surviving WWII.  

I really enjoyed this story not only for the WWII aspect, but the history of Chernobyl.  It is rare to have a middle grade novel written about that bit of history.  I think this will be a popular book for many.

Thanks a Lot, Universe by Chad Lucas

 Told in two voices, Brian and Ezra.  Brian keeps to himself, and Ezra is popular.  Brian's dad leaves the family and his mother tries to commit suicide.  Brian and his younger brother are placed in foster care, which they run away from.  Ezra realizes he has a crush on Brian and is worried about him.  Ezra contacts Brian and helps him and  his brother get to safety with a teacher of theirs.  As Ezra deals with his feelings and coming out, Brian is dealing with his family and trying to figure out what will happen to him and his brother.  

The characters are deep and real.  This is not a glossed over book and I enjoyed seeing the thoughts and interactions.