Gregor the Overlander

By: Suzanne Collins

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 326

Published: 2005

Told In: Third Person

 “Movie” Rating: G

Compare to:

Midnight for Charlie Bone, Jenny Nimmo

Into the Wild, Erin Hunter

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, Robert O’Brien

In a nutshell:

After Gregor and his sister fall into the Underland, he is determined to get them home. But when it’s revealed that his missing father is held captive by the Rats, Gregor agrees to play a role in a prophecy that may be about him.

What you may enjoy:

This is a great book for young boys. Gregor is a good role model and the book is packed with action and excitement. It has good morals and lessons without having an agenda.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The giant rats, spiders, and cockroaches in the story are somewhat disturbing. The story itself is cliché―nothing new. The book builds and builds and then ends just as it’s getting started.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Giant bats injured and bleeding; giant rats stabbed and killed; girl slaps boy; woman dies from injuries; giant rat stabbed; bugs killed and eaten by giant spider twice (slightly graphic); giant cockroach head torn off; piranhas eat giant rats; rat slices open a boys arm; giant rats throat ripped out; giant spider cut in half; rat hoard falls off a cliff.  

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Wonder

By: R.J. Palacio

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 316

Published: 2012

Told In: First Person

 “Movie” Rating: G

Compare to:

Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli

Counting by 7s, Holly Goldberg Sloan

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet, Erin Dionne

In a nutshell:

Starting middle school is hard enough for most but especially for August who was born with face deforming gene and has never attended school before. But being around other kids may be just what he―and the other students―need.

What you may enjoy:

Beautifully written with lovable characters. This is a happy, hopeful story. It moves along quickly and gives the perspective of several characters. The writing is so smooth that reading just 10 pages turns into 50. For a light, sweet book there is a lot of depth.

What you may NOT enjoy:

The purposeful typos and errors in some characters’ perspectives is distracting. The overarching moral that all problems can be solved by being nice bothers some readers. And structures of the plot are set up a little too perfectly.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Mentioned that a woman died of a heart attack; boy punched in the mouth; dog dies

Sex and Nudity:

Boy and girl kiss (twice)

Language and Profanity:

God (9 times)

Drugs and Alcohol

Teenage smoking 

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A Night Divided

By: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Genre: Juvenile Historical Fiction

Pages: 317

Published: 2015

Told in: First Person

Compare to:

I Pledge Allegiance, Chris Lynch

Stones in Water, Donna Jo Napoli

Number the Stars, Lois Lowry

In a nutshell:

When the Berlin wall goes up Gerta’s family is separated. Four years later she sees her father on the west side of the wall telling her to dig her way out. But will Gerta and her brother be able to dig to safety without being caught?

What you may enjoy:

This is a great look for kids at how the Berlin Wall affected people. The story is moving, especially the relationships in the family. It’s a pleasant read that will also expand your basic understanding of the Berlin Wall.

What you may NOT enjoy:

This book only touches on the history of the time, not fully expanding on the fear that was felt. Descriptions were often vague, making the story difficult to visualize. The end drags on a little more than necessary.

Warnings:

Violence and Disturbing Images:

Woman jumps from a window and dies; boy shot in the back; boy tortured (mentioned); people killed for trying to escape; man hurt, bleeding from head; girl held forcibly; man lays dead; boy shot in the leg; man shot in the chest and killed (pool of blood mentioned).

Sex and Nudity:

None

Language and Profanity:

None

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