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Patricia Bailey Locked account

patriciabailey@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years, 1 month ago

MG Writer. Bookworm. Imaginary dog owner. Author of THE TRAGICALLY TRUE ADVENTURES OF KIT DONOVAN. Blogs at From the Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors.

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Twelve-year-old Jessie is in for a long summer at her aunt and uncle s house. …

Review of 'Rules of the Ruff' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Such a fun book! Smart and funny in all the best ways - with a character who doesn't always do the right thing, but is so easy to root for you can't help but going along for the ride (or, in this case, the walk). Rules of the Ruff is a realistic look at how sometimes good intentions can lead you astray and how even the worst people may be better than you think.

Jane Yolen: The transfigured hart (1975, Crowell) 5 stars

A boy and a girl become convinced that the white deer they discover in the …

Review of 'The transfigured hart' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

An enchanting tale of a boy, a girl, and a wild woodland creature. This beautifully written tale begs to be read aloud. The language is magical and the storytelling is captivating.

Yolen's short tale of friendship, magic and the beauty of believing is a must read.

Twelve-year-old Jessie is in for a long summer at her aunt and uncle s house. …

Review of 'Rules of the Ruff' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Such a fun book! Smart and funny in all the best ways - with a character who doesn't always do the right thing, but is so easy to root for you can't help but going along for the ride (or, in this case, the walk). Rules of the Ruff is a realistic look at how sometimes good intentions can lead you astray and how even the worst people may be better than you think.

Middle schooler Natalie's year-long assignment to answer a question using the scientific process leads to …

Review of 'The science of breakable things' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Heartwarming and funny. Keller tackles a tough topic with a perfect mix of humor and empathy. Great characters and a touch of science make this a must read!

After getting in trouble in the eighth grade, five students are assigned by a judge …

Review of 'The reckless club' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A great read. A fun mix of characters, a great plot, and a contemporary nod to a popular 80’s movie make this an interesting and quick read. I laughed out loud more than once and came to root for each member of The Reckless Club in turn. Kids will find lots to identify with here, and teachers and parents will find lots of material for discussion.

When budding artist Sargent Singer discovers that the paintings in his father s gallery are …

Review of 'The frame-up' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

One of my favorite reads this year. Wendy McLeod MacKnight blends humor, mystery, heart, and art in this fun and intriguing middle grade novel. Great characters abound - both inside and outside of the paintings. And MacKnight keeps the mystery tight and the plot moving while mixing in just the right amount of relationship/family problems. Clever. Innovative. Great writing. And a fun read. This one is timeless.

Cindy Baldwin: Where the watermelons grow (2018, HarperCollins Publishers) 5 stars

When twelve-year-old Della Kelly finds her mother furiously digging black seeds from a watermelon in …

Review of 'Where the watermelons grow' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Cindy Baldwin pulls you right into this story with gorgeous, lyrical prose and a main character that you like from the very first page. The setting is beautifully drawn, the family dynamic is touching and believable, and small town friendships are rendered true to life. The story will break your heart and fill you with hope - sometimes at the same time.

This is a beautifully written novel that explores a hard and sad topic with heart, grace, and truth.

A must for children and adults alike.

After fainting during a school assembly, Stanley uses his time in a safe room to …

Review of 'Stanley will probably be fine' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A truly wonderful story. Stanley is an easy to root for character whose challenges, worries, and fears are complex and believable. Middle grade friendships, family upsets, real life threats, and comic books combine to help Stanley (and his readers) discover the hero that’s been hidden inside all along.

Alli must risk everything to save her new family from a rogue organization that is …

Review of 'The shadow thieves' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A perfect sequel to the wonderful Rules for Thieves. Alli is still tough and sarcastic. Beck's still dragging her into trouble. And the world of thieves now includes even more danger and a nice dose of intrigue. Ott takes the best parts of her original fantasy world and mixes in some family dynamics and some great moral questions for Allie to ponder as she tries to sort out if who she was is still who she is and if she can remain loyal to everyone she loves - even when they're on opposite sides of the law.

Fun characters, a thrilling plot, and fantastic world building make this a must for young readers.