MMGM on Tuesday - Liesl & Po

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Liesel & Po
by Lauren Oliver

Goodreads Blurb:

Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the Other Side. Both Liesl and Po are lonely, but together they are less alone.

That same night, an alchemist's apprentice, Will, bungles an important delivery. He accidentally switches a box containing the most powerful magic in the world with one containing something decidedly less remarkable

Will's mistake has tremendous consequences for Liesl and Po, and it draws the three of them together on an extraordinary journey.

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver comes a luminous and magnificent novel that glows with rare magic, ghostly wonders, and a true friendship that lights even the darkest of places.

I was in love with this book by the time I finished reading Lauren's note to readers at the very beginning. That's right--BEFORE I had even read page one! It's no secret that I struggled with the endings of both Before I Fall and Delirium (although I LOVED Delirium) but this book is a whole different flavor.

Liesl is so utterly loveable; I adore her. And Po is . . . wow. And Will? I love him. My heart ached for him at first. The characters in this story feel like they could just walk off the page and into your heart forever. 

The writing is just as wonderful as the characters. Her world building is powerful, but it felt effortless. Her descriptions and dialogue flow like water. Some of my favorite lines are almost like afterthoughts or asides in their simplicity, yet they are incredible and powerful and musical--deep thoughts at their best. 

Happy Monday!

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - Bone

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

  

Bone (graphic novel series)

by Jeff Smith

 Goodreads Blurb:

After being run out of Boneville, the three Bone cousins, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone, are separated and lost in a vast uncharted desert.
One by one, they find their way into a deep, forested valley filled with wonderful and terrifying creatures...
Humor, mystery, and adventure are spun together in this action-packed, side-splitting saga. Everyone who has ever left home for the first time only to find that the world outside is strange and overwhelming will love Bone.

These books are a huge hit with almost all readers ages 7 and up. My daughter LOVES them. My high school students dove for them when I brought a few to class (I had to make a sign-up sheet). They're surprisingly popular, and I love it that they are such kid friendly graphic novels. I believe much of the appeal is in the odd but fun illustrations and humor. The reviews on Goodreads are very positive, too.

 Happy Monday!