Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Shannon Whitney Messenger decided it was time to give middle grade stories the attention they deserve, and "Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays" was born. I couldn't resist being a part of such brilliance. 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
Invisible Inkling
by Emily Jenkins
Expected publication: April 26th 2011 by Balzer + Bray
Marketing Blurb:
The thing about Hank’s new friend Inkling is, he’s invisible.
No, not imaginary. Inkling is an invisible bandapat, a creature native only to Peruvian Woods of Mystery. (Or maybe it is the Ukrainian glaciers. Inkling hardly ever gets his stories straight.)
Now Inkling has found his way to Brooklyn and into Hank’s laundry basket in his quest for delicious squash—a mainstay in the bandapat diet. But Hank has bigger problems than helping Inkling fend off maniac doggies and search for yummy pumpkins.
Bruno Gillicut is a lunch-stealing, dirtbug caveperson and he’s got to be stopped.
And who better to help stand up to a bully than an invisible friend?
This was an adorable story! My favorite thing about it was the voice: Hank's voice, Inkling's voice, everyone's voice. It was full of perfect middle grade humor and personality. I think the blurb gives a wonderful peek at the humor to come.
I truly enjoyed this one and can't imagine a middle grade reader immune to its charms. This one's a winner, folks!
eBook from HarperCollins through Net Galley. Thanks HarperCollins!
Happy Monday!
Sounds fabulous. And what MGer doesn't like a story with humor?? Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis semms great, Loved it.
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
Sounds terrific - another one for my wishlist! :)
ReplyDeleteI despise lunch-stealing dirtbugs! lol
ReplyDeleteSorry my O's failed at taking at least two of three from Texas to help your A's out. :o(
Love the sound of this one! Now that I've firmly decided my WIP is MG not a chapter book or long pb I need to get my hands on as many good MGs as poss. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThat blurb cracked me up! I'm hooked. Now I wanna know how Inkling helps fight the bully.
ReplyDeleteMy Blog
Bandapat! This sounds charming! I'll put it on the TBR - thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this one! It's in my galleys to read line up...so many wonderful MGs coming out!
ReplyDeleteI want a bandapat!!
ReplyDeleteAwwwwww this is so cute!!!! How lovely!!
Thanks for the review and info! Take care
x
It takes such particular skill to write a good middle grade book. On one hand you need to tell a great story. On the other, you have to get to the point.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so cute. I can't wait until my daughter is a little older so we can read books like this together.
ReplyDeleteThis looks awesome. (Although, from the looks of their Spring catalogue, I think I would love everything that comes out of Balzer and Bray.) And I think my son, who had imaginary and invisible friends for a while, could probably relate! I will definitely look for this when it comes out!
ReplyDeleteawesome book review.
ReplyDeleteOooh, another great book to tell my kids about. :D
ReplyDeleteSounds charming!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a cute book. I can think of a couple of youngsters that I could give this to for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with humor. Sounds fun.
ReplyDeleteI love humorous mg's! Thanks for the book rec!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds awesome! I love reading great MG books with my son. Thanks for the rec! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the title!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun book. And I hadn't heard of this. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBff, youze know how I feel about humor. It's the ONLY way to go. :-)
ReplyDeletePutting this on my list.
Finished my twitter and fb shout outs about the POSSESSION ARC.
Hey there!!! Thanks so much for stopping by. I am loving your blog. Books are a passion of mine, well really an addiction, but passion sounds better haha
ReplyDeletehi miss shannon! for sure i like stories that could get me laughing. and who couldnt wanna have a pet bandapat. how cool is that!
ReplyDelete...hugs from lenny
This sounds adorable. I bet my son would like it - he's 8 and a big reader.
ReplyDeleteAn invisible friend helping tackle a bully sounds like a fresh idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links, Shannon. I always appreciate your middle grade Mondays. We're always looking for good books in our house, and you've become quite the valuable resource!
ReplyDeleteLooks so cute--and I love stories about invisible friends!
ReplyDeletesf
This sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, Shannon! I'll have to check this one out. I love Harry Bliss's illustrations for Doreen Cronin's Diary of a Worm ect. picture books.
ReplyDeleteHumor always goes over well with MG readers. Sounds like a cute story.
ReplyDelete