March 2022 Recap
middle grade march was a success! + writing/library update
Hi Friends,
Well, we’re halfway through April, but I still thought I would send an end-of-month summary regarding to my reading, writing, and librarying for March. :)
Reading
Middle Grade March was a super-fun reading challenge as always! I read four middle grade books in March (including Caddie Woodlawn), plus 2 more that I finished in early April.
Here are the ones I haven’t shared about yet here, with some of my favorite elements. And yes, they’re all 5-star reads in my book. I think maybe I just really know how to pick MG books for myself these days— mystery and adventure, whether it’s fantasy, contemporary, or historical seem to be some of my favorite MG elements.
STAND UP, YUMI CHUNG! by Jessica Kim // 5 ⭐️s // funny! endearing characters, themes of navigating two cultures & finding your true self, loved the ending!
FORBIDDEN CITY (City Spies, book 3) by James Ponti // 5 ⭐️s // found family, world travel, kid spy hijinx, adventure! (need I say more?)
PONY by R.J. Palacio // 5 ⭐️s // the less I say the better, just read it. ;) ok but I did share why I loved it and a fave quote in my review…
YOURS TRULY (Pumpkin Falls Mystery, book 2) by Heather Vogel Frederick // 5 ⭐️s // Stars Hollow-esque setting & town characters, big family dynamics, historical discovery, first crushes, friendship & adventure (series recommended by my daughter)
MIDNIGHT IN THE PIAZZA by Tiffany Parks // 5 ⭐️s // expat girl in Rome, history, mystery, & adventure, new friendship (also recommended by my daughter)
To see everything I read in March (with complete reviews!) and what I’m currently reading, head to my StoryGraph profile.
Writing & Querying
I’m up to almost twenty queries for my latest YA and hope to get some more sent out over our spring break.
As for my current project (middle grade contemporary fantasy), I’m making good progress finally after a long slow season. I feel like I’m finally starting to really get to know my characters and the magic system. I’m over a third of the way through and recently got some wonderfully helpful feedback so I’m already looking forward to revisions after I finish this draft.
Library
My two classes this semester couldn’t be more different. One is nitty-gritty, with tons of technical info that I’ve been stuffing into my brain (it’s very interesting, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a LOT) and trying to keep up with.
The other is fun and easy for me because it appeals to my passions more— it’s my children & youth services class. Recently we had to do a project on a literary activity for children. I chose “booktalks” and if you’re curious what a booktalk is (also called a book commercial sometimes, like in my kids’ class), and if you’d like to be introduced to a darling & bookish MG book, you can see my project here in video form.
A couple of weeks ago, I officially became a volunteer at my library! So far I’ve been sorting and shelving books, and while that may sound boring, I find it a delightful way to spend an hour, often with an audiobook keeping me company.
I’d love your input: in-between monthly updates, is there anything specific you’d like to see me share about? If so, just hit reply or leave a comment and let me know. :)
xo,
Nicole
All books linked in this post are from Bookshop.org. I keep all my faves in my Bookshop.org shop and when you shop from my links/shop, you support both me and independent bookstores. It’s a win-win, so thank you!