middle grade – Book Dust Magic

My Spookathon TBR #Spookathon #Readathon #Reading #BookTube

Hi guys!

So, after my failure in Contemporary-a-thon I decided to give myself another chance and I will be participating in Spookathon, a readathon hosted by booktuber Lala from BooksandLala, that takes place from October 14-20th.

I already knew I wanted to participate in one readathon during October, but I couldn’t find one that wasn’t too specific with challenges, and since I don’t have lots of books with ghosts, werewolfs or vampires, Spookathon really stood out to me, because of simplicity of it’s challenges.

There are 5 challenges and I chose one book for each, in hope I’ll finish at least three of them (but I feel like I could finish all 5).

Here are my picks for the challenges:

Read a thriller:

Read a book with red on the cover:

Read a book with a spooky word in the title: (Wicked is my spooky word)

Read a book with a spooky setting: (since there are vampires I assume there will be spooky setting as well!)

Read something you wouldn’t normally read: (I’m counting this because I haven’t read the popular prequel).

That is it!
Wish me luck! Let’s hope this time the readathon will be a success!

Tell me do you take part in Spookathon?
If you have TBR, feel free to leave your links so I can visit you!

Funny, spooky and moral: The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Jean Horwitz (Book Review) #Halloween #MiddleGrade #Paranormal

GIFTED / Today I want to talk about paranormal middle grade novel that I have read recently. It is perfect pick for October, when we prepare for the Halloween.
The Dark Lord Clementine was published today (October 1st 2019) by Algonquin Young Readers and it has 336 pages.
I have received a Netgalley invitation to read and review this book, and I willingly accepted it.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / The new face of big evil is a little . . . small.

Dastardly deeds aren’t exactly the first things that come to mind when one hears the name “Clementine,” but as the sole heir of the infamous Dark Lord Elithor, twelve-year-old Clementine Morcerous has been groomed since birth to be the best (worst?) Evil Overlord she can be. But everything changes the day her father is cursed by a mysterious rival.

Now, Clementine must not only search for a way to break the curse, but also take on the full responsibilities of the Dark Lord. But when it’s time for her to perform dastardly deeds against the townspeople—including her brand-new friends—she begins to question her father’s code of good and evil. What if the Dark Lord Clementine doesn’t want to be a dark lord after all?

Review:

When I got an invitation to read and review The Dark Lord Clementine I was pretty happy because it sounded like a funny, paranormal middle grade book.
This turned out to be a perfect novel to open Halloween season with, because it has magical and spooky elements, but it is still pretty light and funny. A perfect middle grade in that genre, if you ask me!

The Dark Lord Clementine follows the story of a cursed Dark Lord’s daughter who would do anything to cure her father.
Clementine is only 12 years old, but in my opinion she is representation of a strong female, and could be a great role model to girls all over the world.
Even though her fate is to be The Dark Lord one day and to scare people from her village, she learned to think critically and question events around her, and she cares about people who are close to her and would risk her own life if it matters to save them.
I also like how her hair changed color while she was sleeping.

The moral of the story was on top, and with all the side characters who gave the light to this dark and spooky tale, this book talked about friendship that is more important than roles that society expects from us.

The writing style is similar to the one fairy tales were written in. There are lots of descriptions, equal dose of shows and tells, but very little dialogue.
In all honesty, it is the part of the book I couldn’t click with.
I just wasn’t a fan of this type of storytelling, and even though the more I read the more I got used to it, it still never settled with me.

Overall, I think The Dark Lord Clementine is a great book for the younger audience, and it would be a perfect pick to read during Halloween season.
It has good moral of the story, amazing heroine and I highly recommend it to middle graders.

Middle Grade with beautiful setting: A Swirl of Ocean by Melissa Sarno (Book Review) @PRHGlobal #partner #BookReview #MiddleGrade

GIFTED / Today I bring you my review for the middle grade novel I have read lately: A Swirl of Ocean. I liked the atmosphere in this book so much!
I want to thank the team from Penguin Random House Global for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).
The book was released on August 6th 2019 and it has 224 pages.

About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / A girl discovers that the ocean is holding secrets she never could have imagined.

Twelve-year-old Summer loves the ocean. The smell, the immensity, the feeling she gets when she dives beneath the surface. She has lived in Barnes Bluff Bay since she was two years old, when Lindy found her on the beach. It’s been the two of them ever since. But now, ten years later, Summer feels uncertainty about her place with Lindy and starts to wonder about where she came from. One night, Summer goes for a swim and gets caught in a riptide, swallowing mouthfuls of seawater. And that night, she dreams of a girl. A girl her age living in the same town, but not in the same time. Summer’s not persuaded that this girl is real, but something about her feels familiar.

Summer dreams again and again about this girl, Tink, and becomes convinced that she is connected to her past. As she sees Tink struggle with her sister growing away from her and her friends starting to pair off, Summer must come to terms with her own evolving home life and discover how the bonds that make us family can help heal the wounds of the past.

Review:

When I first saw the cover for this middle grade novel, few months ago, I was swept away. I mean, just look at this gorgeousness! Who wouldn’t want to have something so beautiful in his hands?
When it comes to cover design, this book (or should I say author) really hit the jackpot!

The story itself was good, although if I’m being honest, not much happened in it.
I liked the atmosphere and setting the most, and the way the writer put an ocean as part of the story was so brilliantly done, that it felt like the ocean was the character itself.
It does play big part in this sort of coming of age story with magical realism elements.

I loved to read about Summer and Lindy‘s relationship and how their dynamic was shaken after Lindy’s boyfriend came around.

Also, Summer’s friendship with her best friend was so much fun to follow.

The story is written in first person following Summer’s POV, but there are also parts written in third person that talk about Summer’s dreams, featuring a girl named Tink who is somehow connected to Summer.

I have to admit that while I enjoyed following Summer, I simply didn’t care about Tink.
I knew Tink’s story was important but somehow I just couldn’t make myself care enough.

In the end, when it all connected and magical realism played it’s part, I realized that I wasn’t connected to the story enough to be thrilled, which is a shame.

Still, I think many readers will enjoy this book and I feel like it’s a perfect pick for late summer nights.

10 backlists to read this Spring (2019) #SpringCleaning #Spring #BookLovers #BookBloggers

The Spring is here, and you know what that means?
Spring cleaning!

In other words, it is time for me to clear my tbr and read some books that have been there for some time now.
All of these titles will be read and reviewed here on Book Dust Magic, so this list will also give you a sight of what you can expect in the next three months (but don’t worry, there will be plenty of other titles reviewed too).

Without further ado, here is my…

Spring 2019 back titles reading list:

Late Summer in the Vineyard by Jo Thomas

Late Summer in the Vineyard Jo Thomas book cover

Jo Thomas is my favorite author at the moment, so I want to read all of her books this Spring. Originally I wanted to read them before 2018 was over (I have three of her books on my unread shelf) but I decided to wait until spring, since her books are filled with sunshine and happiness. Late Summer in the Vineyard was published in 2016.

One Thousand Stars and You by Isabelle Broom

One Thousand Stars and You Isabelle Broom book cover

Isabelle Broom is also one of my favourite authors, and I am also behind with her titles. One Thousand Stars and You takes place in Sri Lanka, and I can’t wait to read Broom’s descriptions of that magical place, she is well known about her ability to take readers on trip with her characters. One Thousand Stars and You was published in 2018.

The Little Teashop of Lost and Found by Trisha Ashley

The Little Teashop of Lost and Found by Trisha Ashley book cover

I have this book on my bookshelf for a while now. As you probably already know, I was in a huge blogging slump that lasted from Spring 2017 to Summer 2018, and this book was victim along with some other titles.
This Spring I plan to make it all up, take this novel on a journey with me, and I will tell you all about it in my special blog post. The Little Teashop of Lost and Found was published in 2017.

Orange Blossom Days by Patricia Scanlan

Orange Blossom Days Patricia Scanlan book cover hardback

This is another victim that suffered because of my blogging slump. Orange Blossom Days screams with sunshine, summer and sea, and I am finally ready to dive myself into this story.
I can’t wait to spread the love with all of you after I finish this story. This book was published in 2017.

I heart Forever by Lindsey Kelk

This wouldn’t be a proper reading list if it didn’t feature one of Lindsey Kelk’s titles, right? I mean, every time I make a list of books to read, there’s always at least one of books written by her. Even though she one of my favorite authors, I am always behind… And it’s kind of embarrassing that I still haven’t read I heart Forever, since this is my all time favorite chick lit series… Well, now when I heart Hawaii is coming out, I am ready to read Forever, and because I have two copies of this book, there will also be a giveaway, so make sure to keep up with Book Dust Magic!
I heart Forever was published in 2017.

Last Letter Home by Rachel Hore

Last Letter Home sounds like a perfect book to read when I’ll be visiting my parents in my child home (surrounded by my cats). I love it when stories take place in two different times that together make one whole.
I plan to read this novel pretty soon, and tell you all about it. It was published in 2018.

Listen to Your Heart by Kasie West

In case you didn’t know, Kasie West is my favourite ya author. I love how her books always bright up my mood, and I could read and reread the over and over and over.
However, I am still behind with some of her titles, so I plan to catch up with all of them (there’s only three on my list of her unread books). Out of all of her titles on my tbr list, Listen to Your Heard appeals to me the most. It was published in 2018.

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Elantris Brandon Sanderson book cover UK edition

It’s been awhile since I finished Sanderson’s Mistborn series, and in all honesty, I am craving some good adult fantasy. My friend who recommended me Mistborn in the first place borrowed me his copy of Elantris, and I’ll be reading it very, very soon. I was sure this was a standalone, but Goodreads says it’s the first in the series, so now I’m confused. Whatever it is, I am ready to figure out. Elantris was published in 2011.

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

This series is on so many bloggers’ favourite lists, and I am ready to feature it on my list too! As I already stated, I crave for a good fantasy, and as I’ve been told, this book is beautifully written. There’s nothing I like more then a book with beautiful sentences to underline and quote. Strange the Dreamer was first published in 2017.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Nevermoor The Trials of Morrigan Crow Jessica Townsend book cover UK edition

Have you ever felt like a book was calling you? I know it sounds strange, but for the last few months, I feel like Nevermoor is calling me, and I am finally ready to pick it up and see why do I have that strong feeling that this books features something I need in my life.
I don’t read middle grade often, but every time I do, I fall in love with the genre, and promise myself I will read it more often. This is the only book on this list that I haven’t purchased yet, but I will buy it very soon.
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow was published in 2018.

That is it!
What books do you plan to read this Spring?
Tell me all about it in comments. 🙂

Funny, educational and doggy: Rules of the Ruff by Heidi Lang (Book Review) #MiddleGrade #BookReview #Comedy #RulesOfTheRuff #Dogs

Title: Rules of the Ruff

Author: Heidi Lang

Publisher: Amulet Books

Date: August 14th, 2018

Pages: 249

Format: Physical ARC

Source: from Publisher for a review

Review:

Not much can surprise me these days, but the fact that it took more then 6 months for this book to arrive at my doorstep since the day it was sent, left me in shock.
I was sure I was ghosted by the publisher, since I know so many bloggers want to review books, and there is always limited number of proofs. When I opened my mail I was so happy to see Rules of the Ruff, because I really, really wanted to read this middle grade novel.

The story follows Jessie who is spending her summer at her aunt, with her cousin Ann who pretty much ignores her since she started to hang out with her new bestie Loralee.
In order to make the best of her summer, Jessie figures she could walk dogs with Wes, an older guy who walks dogs professionally.
After some negotiating they come to terms that Jessie will help Wes walk the dogs, but she has to learn all the Rules of the Ruff, which will help her to understand dogs like she is a part of the pack.

Rules of the Ruff is filled with entertainment, but also with lots of knowledge about dogs.
I think it is not only perfect choice for children and adults who like to read funny books, but it is perfect manual for everyone who’s thinking about getting a dog.

Readers will along with Jessie learn so much about what an obligation, but also pleasure, owning a dog can be, and what it takes to take care of hounds properly.

The novel is written in third person, following Jessie’s POV.

The writing style is easy to read, but at the same time it is very entertaining and quality.

I think it is important to mention that the author herself is a dog walker, so every advice this book contains is first hand.

The book talks not only human-dogs relationship, but also explores human relationships, touches subjects like rivalry, behaviour, early love interests, and gives many lessons about life and one’s relationship with others.

I highly recommend this book to middle graders, but also to everyone who likes reading about dogs and children.
If you’re looking for a book that will keep you entertained all day, Rules of the Ruff is the one for you!

Movie Monday: A Monster Calls #MovieReview #MovieMonday #Movie #AMonsterCalls

Movie Monday is a feature here on my blog, in which I’m rambling about movies I’ve watched lately.

This week I watched the saddest movie ever, and that is all I’ll say.

A Monster Calls

A Monster Calls is a well-known novel by Patrick Ness. It is a middle grade novel that talks about the boy who’s mother is sick, and the way he deals with her sickness, with the possibility of losing her.
I haven’t read the book, even though I always wanted to.

This week I had a chance to watch the movie, and even though I planned to read the book before, I decided I would give a movie a try anyway.

I watched it alone, and I am so glad I did, because the whole time while watching it, I was a mess. This movie destroyed me with it’s sadness and I was crying the whole time.
I watched many sad movies in my lifetime, but I have never ever cried so much, as I did when watching A Monster Calls.
I also have a need to stress out that I am not a big crier.

The story is not only sad, but also very beautiful. I can’t compare the book and the movie since I haven’t read the book, but I can tell you that the movie is very well done. I liked not only story, but the picture and the effects too.

It has 7,5 points on IMDb site, and it’s for a reason.

I’m not going to tell you too much about it, because I think it’s the best to go into it without much expectations, but I will tell you that this movie is not pure drama, but has fantasy elements too (the monster our main character created to deal with his mother’s sickness) and some parts are also animated (stories that the monster tells).

The cast is well known which surprised me. Felicity Jones plays the mother, Sigourney Weaver grandmother, and Liam Neeson gives his voice to a monster.

I think A Monster Calls is one of those movies/stories which after you finish you feel like you gained something out of it, like you are wiser then you were before.

I would highly, highly recommend it.

Book Review: The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes #BookReview #TheStormRunner #Mythology #MiddleGrade

Title: The Storm Runner

Author: J.C. Cervantes

Series: The Storm Runner (#1)

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents, Dysney Hyperion

Date: September 18th, 2018

Pages: 448

Format: Hardback

Source: from Publisher for a review

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He’d much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno — for his one good leg. What Zane doesn’t know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy.

A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he’s destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in — unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father. To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can’t even walk well without a cane?

Feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants are just some of the pleasures that await in this fresh and funny take on Maya mythology, as rich and delicious as a mug of authentic hot chocolate.

Review:

I was never Miss-Know-It-All when it comes to mythology.
I barely know basics about Greek mythology, know even less about Scandinavian one, and when it comes to Maya, before I came across this book, I had no idea it even exists.

Here is what come books for, to make us learn, end even though I can’t say that I am an expert in Maya mythology after finishing The Storm Runner, I can say that I know at least little about it.

The Storm Runner is a middle grade fantasy book that follows a 13 years old boy Zane. Along with Zane, readers can discover gods, creatures and legends that are part of Maya mythology.

This is own voices novel because the author’s origin, and it also represents diversity because our main character is Hispanic, and he is also disabled person (one of his legs is smaller then the other one).

The story is written in first person, from Zane’s POV.

I loved following Zane through the story, he was really interesting and had good sense of humour. I even laughed out loud couple of times, despite this not being a comedy.

Discovering ancient Maya gods and legends was exciting, even though the names (as they are so much different from my native language) often made me confused, and I would forget who was who in a very short time.
However, because the author did a good job in bringing us a story, it was easy to keep up.

The characters of the book were fascinating and I can see them being someone’s favorite characters. I surely liked them, especially Zane.

I can also easily imagine The Storm Runner being turned into movie or tv show.

I’ve read some reviews for this novels that compare it to Percy Jackson saying it is very similar to it. Since I haven’t read that series yet, I can’t tell you if that is the case, but I can tell you that the atmosphere in the book did remind me of the second Percy Jackson movie (and I love those movies, in case you didn’t know (and yes, I know it’s an unpopular opinion)).

I would recommend this book to fans of middle grade and young adult fantasy, but also to everyone who’d like to read a story that talks about Maya mythology.
Since this is a middle grade book, it will be easy to follow to everyone who know nothing about it.

Book Review: The Girl with More Than One Heart by Laura Geringer Bass

Title: The Girl with More Than One Heart

Author: Laura Geringer Bass

Publisher: Amulet Books, ABRAMS

Date: April 17th, 2018

Pages: 288

Format: Physical ARC

Source: from Publisher for a review

Synopsis (from Goodreads): There are times we all feel we need more than one heart to get through. When Briana’s father dies, she imagines she has a new heart growing inside her. It speaks to her in her Dad’s voice. Some of its commands are mysterious.

Find Her! it says. Be Your Own!

How can Briana “be her own” when her grieving mother needs her to take care of her demanding little brother all the time? When all her grandpa can do is tell stories instead of being the “rock” she needs? When her not-so-normal home life leaves no time to pursue her dream of writing for the school literary magazine? When the first blush of a new romance threatens to be nipped in the bud? Forced by the loss of her favorite parent to see all that was once familiar with new eyes, Briana draws on her own imagination, originality, and tender loving heart to discover a surprising path through the storm.

Review:

Once I read the premise for The Girl with More Than One Heart I had a feeling it would be emotionally difficult, but I knew I want to read it.

My feeling was right. There was so many things that our main character Brianna had to go through: losing her beloved father, having a mom that suffers from depression, taking care of her brother who has autism and also losing her best friends in the process. My heart was wrenching for her because no 13 year old should go through what she went trough, but that was the reality of the story: life is sometimes unfair.

After Brianna’s father died, she felt another heart growing in her belly. It whispered her with her dad’s voice and sang to her songs her dad used to sing.
I love how the reader can experience that aspect of the story in two different ways: One, like magical realism, and other, like a metaphor Brianna created in her head to help her dealing with everything she went through.

This book made me sad most of the time, but it also made me angry at Brianna’s mom, because I couldn’t help, I was blaming her for Brianna’s misfortune.
If only she made more effort and thought about her children more, Brianna’s life would be so much easier.

As I understood, this book came to existence after the writer wrote her memoir after her own’s father death, who helped her a lot with her own son who is on the spectrum.
So in a way, writing this book was also some sort of therapy for Laura Geringer Bass.

The Girl with More then One Heart is a middle grade novel, but I think it could be read and loved by older readers too.
In all honesty, I even thought it was a bit too hard for younger readers, but I guess it was just my unintentional ignorance. It sometimes happens to me, I think something would be too much for children, when in reality, they are much stronger and can understand so many things so well.

The book is written in first person with simple writing style that reads pretty fast.

Even though I enjoyed reading this novel very much, I have to admit that I wasn’t invested the whole time and some parts I found a bit boring. That’s why I couldn’t give it higher rating.

But still, I would recommend this book to all generations, because it is a wonderful story that is hard to forget.

Book Review: If the Magic Fits by Susan Maupin Schmid

if-the-magic-fits

Title: If the Magic Fits

Series: 100 Dresses #1

Author: Susan Maupin Schmid

Publisher: Random House Children’s

Date: October 25th, 2016

Pages: 304

Format: eARC

Source: from Publisher for a review

Synopsis (from Goodreads): Inside an enchanted castle, there’s a closet—a closet with one hundred dresses that nobody ever wears. Dresses like those need a good trying-on, and Darling Dimple is just the girl to do it. When she tries on Dress Number Eleven, something unbelievable happens. She transforms into the castle’s Head Scrubber! It turns out that each dress can disguise her as someone else. And Darling is about to have an adventure that calls for a disguise or two…or a hundred.

vrpca

Review:

Do you still remember fairytales you enjoyed when you were young?
If you loved listening about enchanted castles and beautiful princesses, there’s a great chance you will love this story.

If the Magic Fits is a brand new fairytale, and it has everything a good fairytale should have: magic, dragons, friendly mouse, beautiful gawns that come to life at times, magical bird, princess, prince and a strong protagonist.

The only thing that this story does not have are witches.
BUT, you know that word that rhymes with the word witch, the one that describes someone’s personality?
Yeah, that one!
I’ll just say those kind of characters weren’t missing.

I wish I could go back in time and give the young myself this book so she could observe every single page of it.
I am sure 10 years old Irena would be in love with this story and it’s world.

The story follows 10 years old Darling who, at the very beginning of the story got a new job. She is in charge for ironning Princess’s clothes. While living and working in castle, she discoveres the beauty of magic that is presencing in the castle.
In the wardrobe full with old (or outdated) dresses, she decides it wouldn’t hurt if she tries one.
What she didn’t expect was that the dress will disguise her, give her a whole new look.
Looking as someone else, Darling starts an adventure as a spy who’s mission is to save Princess from people who want to use her position and harm the kingdom.

Ever since I heard about 100 Dresses series (back in March) I wanted to read it.
If you didn’t know, I am a huge fan of Flunked (Fairy Tale Reform School series) and the first book that pops up as a recommendation for it’s fans is – you guessed it – If the Magic Fits.
So I would lie if I told you my expectations weren’t high.
They were.
As a matter of fact, they were high as enchanted Empire State Building that yet has to be built in Enchantasia.

At first, I found it hard to get into the story. It took me around 40 pages until I started reading it at my normal reading speed.
I blame the fact that this book was written in the style that is similar to the writing style fairytales are written, and as English is not my native language, it took a while until I got used to it.
It also contents words that are not typical for every day life so that had some part too.

Darling was very likeable and admiration worth main character. She is strong, smart and a loyal friend.
The only thing that I could critise is how she acted too mature for 10 years old girl at times.
However, when you take in the picture the fact that she is an orphan since the day she was born, and all she ever did in her life was work, work, work, her acting mature and whise has some logic.

The story itself was very entertining.
I wouldn’t mind to see an animated movie based on this book some day (fingers crossed I will)!

This book is the first in the series, but the story it followed is completed, so it could be read as standalone.

I assume that the next book will follow Darling on some other adventure. Judging by If the Magic Fits, I imagine the next book will be a lot of fun and I can’t wait to read it.

Although this book would probably be a good read to readers of all age, I think that who will enjoy it the most are girls in age from 9 to 14.