Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

Belly Up
Stuart Gibbs
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2010
Genre: Middle Grade, Adventure, Animals, Mystery
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Teddy Fitzroy lives in a giant amusement park zoo, FunJungle, with his gorilla researcher mom and wildlife photographer dad.  After spending the early years of his life in the Congo with his parents, Teddy is pretty comfortable around animals and knows a lot more than the average adult, let alone other twelve-year olds.  So when FunJungle's mascot, a cranky old hippopotamus named Henry suddenly dies, Teddy suspects foul play.  With the help of the zoo's owner's daughter, Summer McCraken, he is determined to figure out what is going on--even though none of the adults believe him.

Teddy Fitzroy is a bit of a prankster and gets in trouble A LOT at the park.  He's the only kid there (except for guests) and many of the adults look down at him as an annoying kid.  This could be explained by the pranks he plays on keeper, guards, and guests, but his jokes are just that.  They would never hurt any of the animals or people.  He would never do that.  He truly does care about the animals and most of his pranks are in response to the rude and ridiculous actions perpetrated by the guests as they throw things into animals' enclosure or bang on the glass to entice the animals.  He's really just standing up for them.

Teddy is also very knowledgeable about animals.  After spending most of his life (he's only 12) in the Congo with his parents, he's seen a lot of animals in the wild.  He understands more about them than most adults do, like the keepers and researchers on staff at FunJungle.  So when Henry dies, he just wants to know what's up because he's seen plenty of dead animals before, but never seen an autopsy.  Teddy is curious.  However what he learns, leads him on a chase for Henry the hippo's real killer.

This story is full of adventure and fun.  Kids will laugh at the antics Teddy gets into and root for him as he dodges the not so intelligent adults.  There are a few minor curse words in this, but nothing I would be concerned about for middle school kids, grades 6+.  Teddy have a crush on a girl, but it's all very innocent.

I definitely recommend this book to readers.  Kids who enjoy Carl Hiassen will probably jump into Belly Up.  And, there are at least two more books in this series about Teddy and his adventures at FunJungle.

Summer Reading for Middle Schoolers 2016

Last year I posted a series about Summer Reading for Middle Schoolers.  Over four or five days I posted suggestions for fun summer reads.  If you missed it or just want to look at some of the suggestions from last year, you can find the first post here.  

This year I added a few that I've read over the school year.  I won't be posting about any of the ones I included last year, some of which are still on my 2016 Summer Reading Suggestions I give my students at the end of the school year.  

As a 6th grade Language Arts teacher, I am always trying to give my students new suggestions on really good books to read. Please keep in mind that I attempt to keep the list as clean as possible and I also try to stay away from really popular titles in hopes that you might discover little diamonds waiting for you!

The False Prince (Ascendance Trilogy) by Jennifer Nielsen—Fantasy

Sage has grown up an orphan, making his way by stealing what he needs.  One day a rich man buys him from the home he’s in, along with two other boys who look oddly like him.  Only when they arrive do they learn that they are look-alikes for the assumed dead prince and this man is training them to become his replacement.  Whoever can assume the role of Prince Jaron the best will be taken to the palace to rule.  The ones who can’t, won’t live to tell the tale.  Funny and full of adventure. Fast-paced and enjoyable.  All three books are enjoyable, but the first one is the best.

A Curious Tale of the In-Between by Lauren DeStefano—Fantasy

Pram can talk to ghosts, but she’s learned not to allow her aunts in on this knowledge.  When it’s decided that home-schooling won’t be enough for her anymore, she’s sent to school where she makes her first living friend.  It isn’t long before she’s helping Clarence in his search to speak one more time to his mother who just died.  In their search, Clarence and Pram encounter an evil force who realizes Pram’s power is something it could use and now Pram and Clarence are in danger, but are unaware of what lies ahead.

Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty—Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Serafina has spent her life in the cellar rooms beneath the Vanderbilt mansion, hidden by her father from the world.  At night she prowls the grounds and explores the mansion, until one night she witnesses a little girl being captured by a man in a cloak.  She just disappears before Serafina’s eyes and now the man is after her.  For the first time she meets someone else, Braeden Vanderbilt, the owners’ nephew, and he helps her in the search for the man in the cloak as more and more children go missing.

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley—Fantasy

If you have a Harry Potter fan, they’ll want to read this one.  Micah’s grandfather is dying and his great Aunt has come to stay, making Micah’s life difficult and limiting his time with his grandfather before the inevitable.  But Micah knows there is another way, that Circus Mirandus could change it all.  After hearing his grandfather’s stories of the magical circus, Micah on a search to find it in hopes that it will save his grandfather, and keep Micah from the awful fate of living with his great Aunt.

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin—Realistic Fiction

After Suzy’s friend dies in a tragic drowning accident, she decides that she will not speak until she has a reason for the event.  It comes to her attention that jellyfish could have been the cause her friend’s death and she begins researching and looking for answers.  Told in both present time when Suzy is struggling to come to terms with such a great loss, and in flashbacks through the arc of her friendship, it is truly a heartbreaking story as Suzy tries to understand why something like this could happen.

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland—Nonfiction, Memoir

Misty Copeland takes us through her life, beginning with the frequent moves during her young childhood, to living in a hotel with her family, discovering dance, finding a place for herself in the dance world, and her rise to soloist with the American Ballet Theater.  Just this past summer, Copeland was named a principal with the American Ballet Theater and she is the first female African American principal dancer for the ABT.  Her story is inspirational for both dancers and non dancers.

Don't forget to head back to last year's post for other books that I hope every child reads at some point before they become an adult.  

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Review: I Am Malala--Young Reader's Edition

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World,  Young Reader's Edition

by Malala Yousafzai

Little Brown and Company

Source: purchased

Rating: ****

“One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world.”

Reading Malala Yousafzai’s memoir reminded me of how lucky I truly am.  Sometimes I forget everything that I have because, even as an adult, I’m focused on what I don’t have.  Then I read something like this and it hits me--how much I have in this world.  All the freedoms and abilities and love.  I want to gather everyone I love up and squeeze them tight, thanking them for all that I have.

Malala reminds me of the strength and perseverance young people have and the greatness that our kids can accomplish, if given the chance.  Malala’s father gave her the chance and tools to do everything she could and wanted to do.  Her mother stepped back and allowed her daughter, her precious daughter, to do what she needed to do because “Falsehood has to die.”  She knew her daughter could make a difference in this world.  I loved how Malala focused so much on her family and how they were dealing the threats and the terror, just as she focused on herself.  She looked at her younger brother and saw how they were affected by the fighting and terrorism of the Taliban.

I knew Malala’s story before I read this, but I was still moved by it, crying at parts because it was just so sad, and at other parts where it was just so beautiful, everything she had accomplished.  I do wish I had also purchased the regular edition, but my intention is to share it with my sixth graders and let them see how much they can do to change this world and make into a better place.  Still, I would have loved to read to the full scope of her writing.  

Things I want my students to take away from this when they read it:

• Stand up and fight for what you believe in, but fight with your words.
• Value your education because that’s the most valuable gift you can have.
• Never give up.

I definitely recommend this, especially if you have a child in 5th-8th grades.  There are so many ideas that you can discuss with them if you read it together.  It would be a great book for a book study or book club for middle school students as well.  Definitely a book that should be in your TBR list, if you haven’t already read it!

Top Ten Tuesday: Middle School Books

TOP TEN       Middle School Books

Okay, let me start off by reminding you that I am a Middle School Teacher. I teach 6th grade and for the most part I tried to stay away from books that I know are traditionally taught during middle school in many areas, but I couldn’t resist and some are on the list and I’ve included the others at the end, just as a reference.

I also attempted (and somewhat failed) at keeping away from super popular titles. It was hard, though, and there were important books I thought belonged here!

Now I realize that parents have different ideas of what is appropriate and what is inappropriate for their kids based on their child's maturity level. So if there anything "questionable" (sex, language, content) I've tried to note that. Then you can make your own decision based on your values and your child's maturity level. .

1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio Okay, so I’m already breaking a couple of rules here. Wonder is not only a book I teach, but it’s pretty popular. It’s such an important book, though! Here’s the synopsis: August Pullman was born with facial differences and has never been to school before. Now he is going to start middle school, in a real school. August learns about himself and about friendship as he deals with bullies and making his way through middle school. Told through different perspectives (7 if I remember correctly), Wonder shows kids what it’s like to be different and what it means to “Choose Kind.” I’ve taught this for two years now and my students LOVE it. It’s how we start out our year and the overarching rule for our classroom: Choose Kind--Always. Please read it if you haven’t. It’s incredibly important for adults to read as well.
2. Counting by 7’s by Holly Goldberg Sloan This is another story about a student who is different. She’s obsessed with nature, diagnosing diseases, and counting by 7’s. Beautiful novel! Check out my review of it!
3. One Came Home by Amy Timberlake This one is a little darker, and you may want to read it for yourself, but there isn’t anything in appropriate. Georgie is a great character with a lot of confidence and knowledge, who is determined to figure out the mystery behind her sister’s death. Check out my review of it.
4. After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick Bring your kleenex. You’ll figure that out after the first few pages when you find out that Jeffrey is in remission, his brother has gone off to Africa to drum, and he’s into a this new girl. Please remember, this is told from a teenage boy’s perspective and sometimes he talks about what all teenage boys think about, but there isn’t anything that happens. A lot of thinking about girls, but typical of teenage boy thought.
5. As Easy as Falling off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins I loved this book! When Ry gets off a train that stops for minor repairs, he doesn’t make it back on and is lost in the middle of nowhere. He finds his way to a small town and from there, on an adventure back home. This was great, with interesting characters that keep surprising you with their quirkiness. It’s touching and adventurous at the same time. Great book for boys! 
6. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli A new girl moves into town and she’s completely different from anyone Leo has ever met. He’s taken with this girl he’s met who calls herself Stargirl. But not many people like her and Leo has some choices to make.
7. So B. It by Sarah Weeks Another great book! For as long as Heidi can remember, her mom has mentally disabled and they’ve lived in an apartment attached to Bernadette’s. Bernadette takes care of them, but she doesn’t know where they came from either and Heidi is ready to find out. She decides to take a journey to find out who her mother is and where they came from. I would suggest this for kids slightly older than 6th grade, depending on maturity level. I don’t want to give too much away, so if you’re concerned, let me know and I’ll give you some more information.
8. Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel Ben has always been an only child, but then his mom and dad bring home a chimp. His father is a behavioral scientist and wants to raise the chimp as a member of their family, and Ben must also take part in this experiment by treating him like a brother. I found the interactions of Ben and the chimp interesting and compelling. The questions raised in this novel are great discussions with your kids as they start to form their own ideas about the world and what is right and wrong. Also, since it’s loosely based on real life experiments of this kind, you can find nonfiction accounts and articles about the same topic.
9. Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko So many of my students have read this series and enjoyed it. Al Capone Does My Shirts is the first in the trilogy and it definitely gives you a reason to read on. Moose Flannagan’s father gets a new job as a guard on Alcatraz and so they move onto the island, where all the guards live with their families. Moose’ sister needs to attend a special school, but until they can get her in, Moose is in charge of keeping an eye on her...while living on an island with criminals. No biggie. Funny, moving, mysterious. This is also a great boy book!
10. Three Time Lucky by Sheila Turnage I started this, not quite sure if I was going to like it, but it turned out great! The characters in this book are so GREAT!!!! You’ll love them. Check out the review here!

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt *older readers
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen *I teach this, which is pretty common for 6th grade
The Giver Lois Lowry * often taught in school
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (all of them) * Seems obvious to me!
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank* A must! Many schools read this in 8th grade. In our state, they study the Holocaust in 8th and this is an obvious choice during this time.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner * Great series, interesting for boys

What are your ideas? Do you think I missed any important titles?