Join the Two Lit Mamas as they disappear into their favorite Middle Grade series and forget about the dumpster fire that is 2020 for a while. The mamas talk Star Wars, supernatural powers and even exchange a recipe for Café de Olla, all while giving big props to genius authors who make parents cringe and kiddos cheer. So, go ahead, get lost in a neighborhood of make believe with the mamas. You might feel better – at least for 30 minutes.
Margie’s Faves
A New Hope: The Princess, the Scoundrel, and the Farm Boy by Alexandra Bracken, So You Want to Be a Jedi by Adam Gidwitz and Return of the Jedi, Beware The Power of the Dark Side by Tom Angleberger are three very different retellings of the original Star Wars movies from the 1970s and 80s. Though completely different in style, the three books fit together to tell the story from Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia’s meet cute (ewww, they’re brother and sister) to the defeat of their faaather.
The Genius Files is a series of five books by Dan Gutman following the McDonald twins, Coke and Pepsi, on a pop culture filled cross-country road trip. While their parents are enjoying the sights, the twins find themselves being hunted by a team of bad guys because Coke and Pepsi are no ordinary kids. The twins have been chosen for a secret government organization known as The Genius Files.
Heather’s Faves
War usually brings death and devastation but, for Ada, it might save her from abuse and misery. Set in the English countryside during WWII, The War That Saved My Life and The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, complete a coming of age story about a 10-year-old girl who learns to love life at a time when bombings and German spies are a normal part of living.
Watch out world, the Beatumont children are coming into their powers and they can’t control them. Will there be a new mountain range in Kansas or a great lake in the desert? Anything is possible in this three book fantasy adventure series by Ingrid Law which includes Savvy, Scumble and Switch. Each book follows a new family member on the wild ride of discovering his or her powers.
Pick 6: Great Shows Based on Great Books
- Matilda
- The House with a Clock in the Walls
- Anne with an E
- Holes
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid
- Series of Unfortunate Events
Show Reference Links:
VIA Character Strengths Survey
Café de Olla
40th Anniversary Star Wars article with Adam Gidwitz
Origamiyoda.com
Jedi Academy
Common Sense Media