Welcome to Litsy!

“Life is a series of impossible problems to solve—impossible until you solve them.”

I would use this book in a 5th-grade classroom to explore themes of friendship and the grief of losing a loved one. It could also be great when learning about cause and effect.

This speculative fiction novel was published in 2019. It is about a boy who can open portals to other universes, and Gabi, his curious friend. Together, they explore friendship, grief, and imagination while trying not to destroy the universe with Sal‘s powers. This book asks the what-if question: What if we could open the door to another universe and bring back anything or anyone we wanted?

It's #middlegrademonday In celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, let's share our favorite middle grade books featuring Latine characters!

Sal & Gabi hits so many notes- Ghosts, action, science fiction, school troubles, grief, and hilarity all in one story!

Play ~ Tag ~ Share

One of my students recommended this book to me, and I decided to surprise her and read it before our last class of the school year. It's a fun little book, with both fart jokes and emotional sensitivity. I think I'll read the second in the series, too...and maybe re-read Marisha Pessl's Special Topics in Calamity Physics.

I really enjoyed this RR Presents. Set in Cuban-influenced Miami at a middle school for the artistically gifted, Sal (magician) is the new kid and trying to sort out his school and his place. He‘s also trying to work out and learn to control his ability to reach across the multiverse. So much more heart and family than I expected. The robots were unnecessary, I think, but it all worked. One for Latinx Heritage Month.

“Sometimes, when it‘s too hard, when it hurts too much, only silliness can save us.”

This book is making me laugh out loud, all over the place. The above passage was preceded by Sal waxing poetic on the uses of farts as humor and tension-breakers. Surprisingly eloquent.

3.5✨This book brought us to several different dimensions. Sal works to control his diabetes as well as a tear in the multiverse. I laughed out loud several times. There was some growing for our characters, some sad moments, and interesting concepts. Read for #roaringwolf for teleport.

So much fun! I loved Sal and Gabi and the audiobook is narrated brilliantly. I loved watching the friendship between Sal and Gabi develop, and I loved the secondary characters, as well. This is my pick for #booked2021 book by a Latinx author.

This book feels like a jab at the world being unfair and joking at death. The story was not a lot of action, but of fun and wonderful heart felt emotions. I was expecting more universe jumping and adventure, but not complaining the the constant reminder of how important it is to be a decent friendly person. Yasmany is so interesting, not just because he starts as the bully and flips around. Love the end play, a comedy of death #RiordanPresents

This is one of those moments when books make you fight back tears. Not because of death, but because of life. #RiordanPresents
“We just stood there and let the whole universe revolve around Igancio‘s fist and my pinkie finger.”

A dead chicken in a locker as a magic prank to get back at a bully doesn‘t sound like much. Although when it becomes apparent that Sal had actually grabbed the dead chicken from another dimension, which now leaves a giant hole between dimensions, thing gets a little crazy. I‘m loving both of them, but Gabi is phenomenal. Love her so so much #RiordanPresents

June was a much slower month, especially compared to April & May. There are a couple of books that I started in June and then bailed on that are not represented here.

Here's hoping I'll read more in July!

#bookreport #readinglog #2020 #librarybooks #litsyloveslibraries

I love when authors make a point to include gender-neutral bathrooms in their stories!

This one was fantastic! Utterly charming and unputdownable. Sal's inner monologue had me in stitches throughout the entire novel. I loved his dynamic with the people around him. Carlos Hernandez has an amazing voice and it shines here!

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

#middlegrade #librarybook #readNOW

😂🤣😂

#CalledOut #me

@Johanna414 I got my book back. Thanks ladies. It has been a fun round.

I‘m getting caught up on like a week‘s worth of posts, as I‘ve gotten a little behind... please, bear with me

@LibrarianRyan Sal & Gabi is on its way back to you - thanks for picking this one! #lmpbc @IndoorDame @merelybookish

Hmmm....I now realize the winter clothing I recently purchased exactly matches the cover of this book. I guess it had such an impact on me it's affecting my subconscious now. 😃

“Whenever I felt nervous, pockets always boosted my confidence. Because I could fill them with tricks.“

Yes! *This* is why I always say women's clothing needs more pockets!

Speaking of covers...having a serious #covercrush on this one...it‘s exactly the bright and happy thing I need to combat this snowy day!

I don‘t know what to say about this other than I loved it. I loved it SO MUCH! @LibrarianRyan it was a great choice, even if it was your second choice... 🤣🤣🤣
I‘ll get it in the mail to you in the next couple days. #lmpbc @merelybookish @IndoorDame

Both kids and I got struck with a nasty stomach bug so I haven‘t picked up a book in days. I‘m working today, despite really wanting to be home in bed, so I‘m going to sneak in a few chapters and hopefully finish this before the end of the month. I‘m loving it, but never seem to have an extended time to read... #lmpbc @LibrarianRyan @merelybookish @IndoorDame

Forgot to pause my holds at the library and now I have a bunch of definitively non #screamathon books I need to squeeze in somehow... #readingoverload

Husband is watching the Bills game, kids are napping - I get to relax with my current #crochet project and my last #LMPBC book for this round.

Finished our group M #lmpbc book over the weekend and I‘ll be shipping it out today. This was a great pick! Really vivid, like-able characters, and fun in a slightly zany way. (also great supplementary material 👍)

A great morning for #bookmail 😊 I woke up to find my #lmpbc book waiting for me with supplemental material and an awesome bookmark 🔖 thank you @LibrarianRyan 💜 next to my brand new copy of The Testament!

Taking a break from #witreadathon to finish my August #LMPBC book. And whoa! Things just took an unexpected turn! 😯
(Cool Batmark courtesy of @LibrarianRyan)
@Johanna414 @IndoorDame

Crazy day at work today, but still manage a 30 min walk with the hubby 😁
Books: 2/20
#teamnamastepositive
#bfcr3 #bfc #bookfitnesschallenge @wanderinglynn @Meaw_catlady @BeckyB @Airykah13 @BlameJennyJane @ness @Peddler410 @Econaghan @bookandcat @Lucy_Anywhere

Mail out. Mail in! 🤸
Cool turquoise envelope, exciting new book, and supplemental materials! @LibrarianRyan, your #lmpbc game is on point! Excited to dig in!
@IndoorDame @Johanna414

4.5 🌟
This book had me laughing out loud. I will not say much more since it is the pick for #LMPBC #GroupM.

I need book 2 sooner rather thank later. Full review on GR and LT

#BBRC #MGME
#mountTBR
#NancyDrewChallenge #SmallChild
#KillYourTBR

My favorite book of the entire Readathon is probably Dal and Gabi. It had me laughing out loud so many times. It may be a MG book but anyone would find this fun. I can‘t not wait for book 2 to be published.

#24in48 #favoritecgallenge.

I love Middle grade. Duh right. Pictured are the MGs I‘ve read in print for this challenge.

Books that made me a life long fan
- wayside school books
- anything Avi (nothing but the Truth and True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle are my faves. )
- all the SFF I could get my hands on like The Dark is rising, Prydian Chronicles (the black cauldron), Diana Wynn Jones, etc.

#24in48 #mgchallenge

My first book for #24in48 is complete. And I loved it. I‘ll be mailing it out for LMPBC #groupM next week after I write my into spoiler, and print a few science nerd things off.

Now taking a break to look at the new challenge and get showered and dressed.

And so it begins

@24in48 #24in48

I think I‘m gonna like this book.

This was such a fun book - I completely lost track of the plot when it was nearing the end but it doesn't matter, not one bit, it was /hilarious/. And strange. And magical. And good.

"Ten out of ten would eat cheesybugs again"

I love everything about this book, but especially how ridiculously funny it is.

Siouxsie is enjoying Sal and Gabi Break the Universe SO MUCH that if you take this book from her, she'll murder you. Don't test her. Seriously, this middle grade novel is a delight to read and the characters are fantastic!

What happens when you aren‘t paying attention to what is already in your cart and click on “pay now.”

Great first couple of chapters!

Ugh, Tuesday morning fail. I left the book I‘m reading at home. Fortunately, I work in a place where this is a problem that‘s easily solved. So, for today‘s quiet moments reading, the tagged book. The books published in the Rick Riordan series, those I‘ve read at least, have all been really good so I‘m anticipating another great MG read.

Easily one of the funniest middle grade books I‘ve read!