4 Novels for Summer TBR Pile

When I was a kid, I loved the carefree days of summer when I could spend time reading a great book every day. Here are some entertaining, recent releases that I recommend for kids 8+.

The Curse of the Ten Broken Toes—MG

Teacher Matt Eicheldinger’s debut middle-grade novel, Matt Sprouts and The Curse of the Ten Broken Toes, released in March. His novel about sixth grader Matt Sprouts has laugh-out-loud moments, which makes it a book I automatically like. Who doesn’t need more laughs in their day? Matt E. also illustrated the novel and claims parts of it are autobiographical.

Readers get dropped into Matt’s world through his POV. You see his enthusiasm over practicing his karate kicks. You experience his sassy moments and walk with him through his fears. I believe Matt E. did an excellent job portraying the life of a poor sixth grader cursed with breaking all of his toes. The question of when will the next toe break and how lends to the tension.

His description of the substitute teacher is original too. He weaves all the different points of the story nicely.

Sometimes Matt’s attitude gets out of joint. He faces pressures with a friendship problem and a girl who wants him to be her boyfriend. Poor Matt gets into some perplexing problems kids his age face.

Others tease him or don’t want to associate with him because they think he is cursed. At first, he doesn’t believe in this curse, but as the story unfolds, it seems like it must be true. Even the toy eight ball declares him cursed.

Matt figures out that no matter how many curveballs life throws at him, he still needs to do the right thing, protect others, and face his problems head on. All good reminders for people of all ages.

I think middle-grade readers will relate to Matt Sprouts and The Curse of the Ten Broken Toes. The story ends with a teaser, so I expect we’ll be reading another book by Matt Eicheldinger soon!

The Stars in April—YA

Peggy Wirgau’s young adult novel, The Stars in April, is based on the true story of Titanic survivor Ruth Becker. It begins at a train station in India as Ruth leaves her father and her friend, Sajni, and all she has ever known to travel to Michigan seeking medical help for her sick brother. Her father, a missionary, remains in India until a replacement can be found for him at the orphanage.

We experience the journey through 12-year-old Ruth. She’s angry with her mother and impatient with her little sister, Marion, and baby brother, Richard. She’s missing out on her opportunity to play her violin in an orchestra performance. She’s frustrated that she gets no say in this major disruption and change in her life.

As the journey continues, she meets many interesting people including some circus performers. She slowly emerges from her palatable grief over moving. She travels by train and by ship to England where they board the Titanic. Readers watch her transformation as she discovers the joys of helping others.

Ruth and her new friends sometimes disobey rules, but the lessons learned play into the courage she will need later. Ruth tests her mother in a few rebellious scenes, but soon, she catches a glimpse of what her mother is suffering through as well. Her empathy illustrates her growth.

The chapters of the sinking Titanic and her separation from her loved ones gets emotional, so make sure you have some tissues while reading.

Ruth charts the stars each night as a way to feel connected with her father. One of the book’s extras is information about the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere. Photos and a bibliography and resources add much to the story.

I found it interesting to learn about Ruth’s life after her surviving the sinking of the Titanic and to see photos of her family and others from the story.

This is a moving historical story that readers of all ages will enjoy, though the target audience is 12-18. I recommend it for the history lovers and readers in your life.

Ophelia Starcluck and the Rebel Prince—MG

In Ophelia Starcluck and the Rebel Prince by Kristen Gwen, Ophelia and her friend Finn head to BAST, the Bird Academy of Science and Technology, and begin testing for the AP (advanced placement) classes.

Because Ophelia comes from the famous Starcluck family, she puts undue stress on herself. This and her fear of BOPs, Birds of Prey, scramble her reasoning, and she finds herself in danger of getting expelled from BAST. While she tries to foil the plans of a rather deranged Chester P. Chickadee and his confused troops, her troubles worsen. Not only does Ophelia need to determine what is true and what is a lie, but she must humble herself to ask for help. Will she get help before Chester hurts someone and she loses all her friends?

This is a wonderful story, sprinkled with humor kids will chuckle at, about teamwork, real friends, and not rushing headlong into a plan without checking the facts.

Ophelia is a chicken with good intentions that young readers will relate to and root for. I love this chicken!

Ruthless—YA

In Ruthless by Candice Pedraza Yamnitz, an Agata Sea Novella, Cottia’s next assignment as an assassin lands her in a contest to become betrothed to the prince.  This complicates her plan to escape an evil whyzer,

Because Cottia fails to kill a target, the man who owns her bargains with her. For her freedom, she must not fail this assignment. He holds her best friend as collateral. But some power greater than her magical gifting is at work preventing her from completing her assignment.

How will Cottia escape to freedom and save her best friend and the prince who has taken a fancy to her?

Ruthless examines the themes of using our gifts for good and changing our choices by changing our allegiances. 

This well-written, fantasy novella leads into another novel that readers will want to pick up so that they may know the end of the story. I was hoping for the story to continue so I could learn about how they get together. I know they marry eventually since I read Unbetrothed. Ruthless is about the mother of Princess Beatriz in the novel, Unbetrothed.

I hope you and your children will check out these wonderful novels, perfect for a summer read!

Cover Photo by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash.