The Book Search

 Middle grade speculative fiction is SO MUCH FUN.  The characters are always interesting, the problems are often rooted in social issues, which those middle graders are just beginning to notice, and the fantastical situations that authors put these characters in is just a blast.  Here are two new ones that I really enjoyed. The first one is called the Princess Protection Program and it's written by Alex London.  He's written several other books and this is a link to his website .  I thought the title was intriguing and I wasn't wrong!  The story starts with a prince who is about to kiss Sleeping Beauty, except that Alex brings up some of the details that other authors might have missed.  Like, if this prince has been out scouring the countryside for the princess, is he really going to smell all that great?  When was the last time he bathed?  Or shaved?  Or even brushed his teeth?  And if you've been asleep for 100 years, are you rea...

 Need some great new middle grade books with relatable characters?  Wait till you hear about these! The first one is called Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston.  I've loved Sherri Winston's writing since I first discovered her when she wrote a column for the Sun Sentinel.  She has such a terrific voice in her writing and her latest story is no exception.  Shark Teeth is about a 12 year old named Sharkita.  She is the primary caregiver for her 5 year old sister, Lily and her 8 year old brother Lamar, who has fetal alcohol syndrome.  She's the primary caregiver because her mom is unreliable as a parent.  Kita loves Lily and Lamar and would do anything to protect them.  But awhile back, things were pretty terrible.  Their mom disappeared for 9 days and Lamar had a giant melt down and knocked Kita out.  Kita called 911 to get some help and all three kids ended up in different foster homes and their mom wound up in jail.  Kita is determin...