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I've seen this one all over booktube. Hopefully, I'll get to it soon. @Karisimo #middlegradeMonday

I was reminded of this book when reading The Museum of Words . I didn‘t know we had a copy. I mentioned it and it appeared from the depths of my partners study. The joy of this book for me are the illustrations. A story in themselves without the words. Not a childhood memory for me but I think it might be for lots of people as it was for Georgia Blain.

🦎Iambic Pentameter: relates to Shakespeare - Family Family, Laurie Frankel
🦎Grammatica: multiple authors - True Love Experiment, Christina Lauren
🦎Dobby: prominent animal character - The Eyes & the Impossible, Dave Eggers
🦎Expecto Patronum: happily ever after - With Love, from Cold World, Alicia Thompson
🦎Greenhouse: character with plant name - Slip, Marika McCoola & Aatmaja Pandya
🦎Polyjuice Potion: impersonator - The Appeal, Janice Hallett

If this isn‘t the most gorgeous book inside and out that I‘ve ever read, I don‘t know WHAT is! Full of heart and humor, this story told from a dog‘s perspective is one that will stay with you forever. As a teacher, I instinctively imagined how I would read this aloud to a group of kids, because it would be so perfect for any mid-upper elementary classroom. A perfect blend of realistic and fantastical.

This 2024 Newbery-award-winner tells the story of a dog who is friends with bison, a seagull, and other creatures in an island park. I‘ve recently read two others from the POV of an animal (Pax and Open Throat), but I loved how this one leaned heavy on a buddy comedy vibe, working in a heist and a deep, abiding friendship between the animals. I liked it much more than I thought I would and the audio, performed by Ethan Hawk) was such fun.

One on the most beautiful stories I have read in ages! They say this a book for 8-12 year olds but I disagree this book is written for everyone. Hopeful, kind, courageous, it‘s a wonderful reminder of joy. 🥰

I loved returning to these characters. Peter is broken from the heartbreak of the last book and Pax has established his own family. Seeing how those two can help each other with healing and growth was beautiful.

“Memories were so treacherous. Always lurking under the surface, ready to bushwhack you with a blade to the heat when you weren‘t careful.”

Another fantastic #auldlangspine title from @Karisimo

This is a middle grade novel that felt like a modern classic. It‘s about Johannes, a dog who lives in the park by the sea. He is the Eyes, sees everything going on and reports to the ancient bison who then decide what to do about it. There are also other animals in the park who are his assistants and friends, who each have their own well fleshed out personalities I found delightful. 👇🏻

I love my middle grade dystopian stories but surprisingly an animal story came out on top this year!