A Tale Dark & Grimm is a modern fairy tale in the old Grimm Brothers style, meaning it is harsh and gross and the princesses are not the stars. It is a telling of Hansel and Gretel with an interesting twist. This is a winner for readers who love some guts, gore, and blood. Lots of blood. The story is pretty good once you wade through the gross factor. The narrator is interactive with the reader, giving advice and his/her opinion along the way. Young readers will need some vocabulary support but middle grade readers will have no trouble.
This is another middle grade, reluctant boy reader book. There is mystery and doodles, family, friends, and lessons learned. My Life as a Book is the start of a series with engaging characters and strong family connections. Honestly, I skipped the middle chapters and picked it up at the end and don't feel like I missed much. I have, but haven't read the next book, My Life as a Skateboard. If anyone wants it, let me know!
I almost put this one down, and I'm glad I didn't. Precious Bones is a historical fiction set in post WW2 Florida. It is a murder mystery with a good twist. The beginning was slow for me. I literally got bogged down in the swamp of description and slow-no action. Just as I was about ready to chunk it into the "ain't nobody got time for that" pile, I decided to go one more chapter. I am glad I finished it, but think this is not a good young or middle reader book unless a reader finds it interesting. The deep themes of family and friendship, effects of war, poverty, and trust will fly right over anyone but a mature reader. While the main characters are preteens, it doesn't strike me as one most preteens would enjoy.
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