MMGM on Tuesday

 

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO 

ELANA J's POSSESSION 

TODAY!!!

  *******************

I've been down with a horrible case of strep throat and was pretty much non-functional the past few days. I even missed my daughter's birthday party on Sunday. *sniff, sniff* MMGM posts are too important to miss, though, so here it is--a day late.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday  

On Tuesday!

Shannon Whitney Messenger decided it was time to give middle grade stories the attention they deserve, and "Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays" was born.

Eleven
by Lauren Myracle

Goodreads Blurb:

Starting with her birthday in March, every chapter brings a new month and a new event in Winnie's life. From surviving her teenage sister's grumpy mood swings in April to dealing with prissy new rival Gail Grayson in September, there's a calendar full of the ups and downs of being eleven years old. Especially hard for Winnie is the growing distance between herself and her best friend, Amanda, as both girls grow into different social circles. The big and little moments of Winnie's year are captured with honesty and warmth, and her sharp observations and infectious enthusiasm make for hilarious storytelling. Eleven-year-olds of all ages will discover themselves in this winning young heroine on the brink of adolescence.

My favorite thing about this and other Lauren Myracle series is the voice. This woman has mastered the art of elementary girls and their voices: the excitement, angst, worry, jealousy, grouchiness, and love of girls! If you are a writer who is struggling with young girl voices, Lauren Myracle is the writer to emulate.
 

The storylines of this series are always fun and totally real. I saw this quote in a review on Goodreads by a girl who read it when she was ten, " I think this book is one of my favorite books that I've read. Since I was almost eleven when I read this book it told me a lot about how life was going to be like, and guess what, it was right!" How cool is that?  
 

Lauren is referred to as the Judy Blume of this generation, and I think it's a valid comparison. 

 

*** Others who can be counted on for a great MMGM review each week: ***

• Joanne Fritz @ My Brain on Books 
• Ben Langhinrchs @ My Comfy Chair
• Sherrie Petersen @ Write About Now  
• Brooke Favero @ Somewhere in the Middle
• Myrna Foster @ Night Writer   
• Ally Beecher @ Kid Lit Frenzy
• Barbara Watson @ Novel and Nouveau
• Deb Marshall @ Just Deb!
• Anita Laydon Miller's Middle Grade Blog