Anne of Avonlea (Anne of Green Gables #2) by L. M. Montgomery
5 STARS (Synopsis on Story Graph) Middle Grade Classic
Personal Review: I read this aloud to the kids right after we read Anne of Green Gables and we loved it even more than the first! There is something lovely about Anne growing up and finding solutions to the problems that she faces rather than throwing tantrums like she did as a younger girl. All of the new characters are such great additions to the story, too!
Content Warnings: some bullying/teasing, animal death
Growing Up with a Bucket Full of Happiness: Three Rules for a Happier Life by Carol McCloud
4 STARS (Synopsis on StoryGraph) Middle Grade Nonfiction, Self-Help
Personal Review: I read this book aloud to my kids (8, 6, and 4) and they really latched on to the language. Using the image of the bucket was very clever and the words “bucket” and “dipping” and “filling” have been used in our house for weeks!
My only complaint is that the moral system presented is based only on how people feel, not on a stronger foundation such as the Word of God. But we were able to talk about that since I read it aloud. And I have never read anything this good on emotions for kids so having to add in my own faith element was not a reason for me to not read it to them.
This book teaches kids to take responsibility for their own emotions and helps them to implement healthy boundaries with those around them.
Content Warnings: bullying (but it also addresses how to deal with it appropriately)
Winterhouse (Winterhouse #1) by Ben Guterson
3.5 STARS (Synopsis on StoryGraph) Middle Grade Realistic Fantasy
Personal Review: There were things I really enjoyed about this book. I loved Elizabeth's love for puzzles and books and her friendship with Freddy. I really enjoyed Norbridge's character - mysterious, confusing sometimes, overprotective, fatherly towards the kids. I also liked the nuances of good vs. wrong happening inside of Elizabeth. The evil tempts her and she makes a lot of mistakes but ultimately chooses the good. That was a depth I really appreciated.
I didn't like how spooky some of it got. I don’t mind magic and ghosts in the right context, but there is a scene in the book that would scare my kids enough that they would not want to read the book. The Heimses were a couple that were also pretty creepy and manipulative. I would not recommend this for Middle Grade because of the creepiness but young adults would likely be just fine and I would be fine with my 12+ year-olds reading this.
Content Warnings: ghosts, near-death experiences, magic, memories of death of parents, unhealthy relationships with guardians/parents (but other examples of healthy familial relationships)
Amelia Bedelia Means Business (Amelia Bedelia Chapter Books #1) by Herman Parish
5 STARS (Synopsis on StoryGraph) Kid Lit Humor
Personal Review: What a delightful read! Amelia Bedelia is doing the best she can. She has a great relationship with her parents and the other adults in the story cheer her on while providing strong boundaries and loving consequences. I love that even amidst all of Amelia’s mistakes, she finds something that she is good at and is encouraged to capitalize on her talent! I occasionally laughed out loud and smiled the rest of the time. Recommended for ages 5+.
Content Warnings: mild bullying, a scene of being chased by (friendly) dogs
Did Not Finish
I did get about 40% through this book when my anxiety was triggered and I had to stop. The Seeds of Change by Lauraine Snelling has such a fun story but I knew once I saw the tropes that I may have to give up at some point. Keep reading if you want to know what triggered me.
**Spoiler** The main character, Lark, is taking her sisters on the run because she upset a couple of men in her hometown. My anxiety ramped up when they received a letter from one of the men that he was heading west to find them and repay her for humiliating him. This was shortly followed by a sick woman going into early labor and I just couldn’t read more because death during childbirth is a HUGE trigger for me. I don’t know if she lived or died and I can’t read it. **End Spoiler**
Have you or your kids read any of these books? What did you think?