Book Review Books Children MIDDLE GRADE (Ages 8-12) SEASONAL / HOLIDAY FICTION

“Santa’s Secret Keeper” by Joan M. Kop

How does Santa keep up with his Naughty and Nice lists? In Santa’s Secret Keeper: Operation BUZZ OFF by Joan M. Kop we find out that he hires bugs as secret spies to monitor what every boy and girl is doing year-round in order to tell if they will get Christmas presents or not. Santa has plenty to do year-round and needs the help of bugs from every bug species to prepare for his Christmas Eve mission of delivering toys around the world. But as the bugs are helping Santa, something goes terribly wrong on their mission, and 17 agents are captured by rogue children. Are Santa and the other agents able to rescue the 17 captive agents in time to save Christmas?

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Book Review Books Children MIDDLE GRADE (Ages 8-12) SPORTS & RECREATION

“Salty Pretzels” by Larry Holmes

Salty Pretzels: Don’t Forget by Larry Holmes is a middle-grade sports narrative that follows Jake, a freestyle skier turned coach and the kids he is trying to turn into a team. The story is set during the 90’s freestyle skiing boom. Holmes’ narrative follows eight freestyle skiers, focusing on the inter-personal relationships of the team and Jake, with the added action of the different competitions, injuries, and rivalries across New England and Utah over the course of a winter. Jake, who is a former Olympic hopeful, must find new meaning through the ways he inspires and cares for his team of eight skiers, each with their own personalities and struggles.

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Book Review Books Children MIDDLE GRADE (Ages 8-12) SEASONAL / HOLIDAY FICTION

“Evie’s Evangelical Easter” by Jesenia Harbin Martinez

While it’s only September, and people are preparing for cooler weather and possibly the next big holiday, it’s never too early to get your mind and heart prepared for the spring, and more specifically, for Easter. Evie’s Evangelical Easter by Jesenia Harbin Martinezis a must-read (or listen) for young ones, including those young at heart, during the Easter season, and honestly, year-round. It combines the true meaning of Easter through an imaginative retelling with the common activity of hide-and-seek with Easter eggs.

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