My Life in the Fish Tank Review

Zinny is a seventh grader whose life begins to fall apart when her brother Gabriel is in an accident at college. Gabriel is diagnosed bipolar and is sent to a residential treatment facility and the family struggles to keep it together. Zinny and her siblings are directed by their parents to not tell anyone about Gabriel’s hospitalization and struggles. Zinny’s friendships suffer because of secret keeping.

This story is so important for middle grade students because it deals with the stigma associated with mental illness and how difficult it is for families to cope. Our students need to be informed about these issues to gain empathy and understanding. I think Barbara Dee did an amazing job humanizing both Zinny and Gabriel and portraying their family’s predicament. I look forward to getting feedback from my students on this one.

4 Stars

The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez Review

This book was a pleasant surprise. I tend to enjoy mostly realistic fiction because that is what I grew up with. There are many realistic parts in this one, but there is also enough fantasy to attract my students who really prefer to stay away from stories based in the real world. Nestor is an army kid who has been all over the country as his father was sent from base to base. His mother and he move to a small town in Texas to join his Abuela while his father is deployed to Afghanistan.

Nestor does not even bother to unpack because he figures their stay New Haven will be short. He is rather jaded about moving around and developing friendships, after all he has had ten first days of school and he is only in the sixth grade. Despite his apprehension of making friends, he ends up becoming close with some classmates. There also are some mysterious happenings in the woods behind Abuela’s house and many pets from the town have gone missing. Most of the town is suspicious about Abuela’s involvement in the animal disappearances. Nestor also has a unique ability that he hides from everyone--he can talk to animals and they talk back! Without giving too much away, the animals and humans take on an evil witch.

This novel was fast paced and heartfelt. I have students that move often and have military parents, so they will be able to relate to Nestor and his life. Many of my kids will love the fantasy aspects of the story and who doesn’t love a battle with good versus evil? 

5 Stars

One Time Review

I was so excited to be able to review this ARC from Netgalley because Sharon Creech is one of my favorite middle grade authors. Unfortunately, this is probably my least favorite book I have ever read from her. It did not feel like the plot even developed until three quarters of the way through and even then there was not that much substance. Gina is an imaginative only child and when Antonio moves in next door and is in her same class you would think the story begins, but not much develops. When Antonio is not coming to school there is little information or plot development. My students will enjoy the short chapters, but other than that there is not much to appeal to them. I don’t even plan on buying this for my classroom; it was a miss.

2 Stars

Closer to Home Review

Cal is living with his aunt’s family because his mother died of cancer and his father is in and out of prison. This means being in the same classroom with his cousin, Hannah, and feeling as if he is intruding into their family. He also suffers from PTSD due to the time he lived with his father which means he sometimes has explosive outbursts.

Ellen Hopkins has written many young adult novels in verse as Close to Nowhere is. She is so talented at capturing her character’s voices and struggles. I am quite pleased that she has finally moved into the middle grade realm with this thoughtful story.

4 Stars