Tag: found-family

A Single Shard

On By Linnea PsiakiLeave a comment

By Linda Sue Park

12th century Thailand. A small village. An orphaned boy willing to do anything to get food. And a potter who’s getting older.

Tree-ear has lived under a bridge for almost his entire life, scrounging for scraps and trying to survive with his friend. It doesn’t look like he’s ever going to be anything else besides a beggar, until an opportunity presents itself to him. He begins to help Min the potter with his work. At first, it is difficult and grueling. Tree-ear spends all day digging up clay or gathering firewood. The potter is harsh and unfriendly. But Tree-ear loves pottery, and he will stop at nothing to earn his master’s trust and learn to create masterpieces of his own.

Soon, Tree-ear must embark on a journey to deliver some of Min’s pottery. If he can succeed at this task, then he too may be able to become a potter and make beautiful pots.

Why should you read this book?

I didn’t know anything about pottery before I read this book. I didn’t think it was something I would want to learn about, but after I read this book, I was fascinated. It was very interesting to learn about how pottery is made and all the steps and processes, and it wasn’t boring or slow. The author does a really good job of bringing you into the story and all the characters and descriptions feel very real. It’s a really good story, and definitely a frequent reread.

Who should read this book?

If you are interested in history or pottery or Thailand, you should read this book. Even if you’re not, you should still try it – it may change your mind. I think I read this book in 5th or 6th grade. There are some parts that are sad or could be upsetting, but those parts are handled very well. It’s a very quick and easy read.

General Stats:

  • Genre: historical fiction
  • Standalone
  • Age: 6th grade and above
  • My rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The Mysterious Benedict Society

On By Linnea PsiakiLeave a comment

By Trenton Lee Stewart

Do you like solving puzzles? Do you like mysteries? Do you wish you were extraordinary? If so, then you will love this book.

Reynie Muldoon is no ordinary boy. In fact, he has already gone beyond what the orphanage can teach him and is now studying under a private tutor. So when he discovers an ad for a special test in the newspaper, of course he wants to take it (Why would he want to take more tests? Don’t ask me I hate taking standardized tests).

So Reynie takes the test. And then another one. And then another one (at least they seem more fun then the SAT). Finally, he meets up with the other kids who have passed, and their benefactor. They must embark on a secret mission that only they can succeed at. Though they may not know yet how important it is, their mission could determine more than their own futures.

Why should you read this book?

If you like word games or puzzles where the answer is hidden in plain sight, you will love this book. It keeps you on your toes, and it’s really hard to put down. The characters are really fun, and you genuinely want them to succeed. And this is one of those books where, in the end, all the pieces really come together. You’ll be excited to read the next one.

Who should read this book?

I have to admit, this is one of the books that still gives me goosebumps when I read it. It’s very suspenseful, and even when nothing bad happens, you still think that it will happen. Content note: most of the book takes place in a school where children are not treated wonderfully by adults. They aren’t being horribly mistreated, but this isn’t a happy place, and they’re under intense mental pressure. It can be a little frightening at times. I think this was a book that I stayed up all night reading because I was genuinely nervous about what was going to happen. I would say that 7th graders could read this book.

General Stats:

  • Genre: sci-fi/dystopian/mystery
  • Book 1 of 4
  • Age: 7th grade and above
  • My rating: ★★★★★

The Fog Diver

On By Linnea PsiakiLeave a comment

By Joel Ross

Have you ever read a book that disturbs you deeply, but you also want to come back to it over and over again? For me, that’s this book. I legitimately forgot that this book existed for several years and now I’m dying to read it again – it’s that good. The Fog Diver is the perfect mix of comforting found family moments, creepy lore, and dangerous missions. It’s the kind of book that will make you look behind even if you’re sitting in your own bed.

Hundreds of years into the future, the Earth has been cloaked with fog. Dangerous fog. Fog that can kill you. Because of this, humanity has moved to the highest mountain tops, where a hierarchical society has immerged, with wealth living at the top and the undesirables living closest to the fog. Crews on skyships scavenge the fog for anything of value, looking for a way out of the slums.

Chess, Hazel, Swedish, and Bea make up one of these crews. On the outside, they may appear normal, but Chess is hiding something and they are hiding Chess. From who, you might wonder. When the crew discovers a very valuable treasure, eyes higher up turn towards them, and some realize that Chess is more than just a fog diver – he might be the solution to their problems.

Why should you read this book?

This book has super solid worldbuilding and character building. It also leans really strongly into the found family trope, which I really liked. It has just the right amount of humor mixed with creepiness to make it an excellent book.

Who should read this book?

I would recommend this book to older middle schoolers (7th or 8th graders) as it does have some scary parts. In my recollection, the second book is scarier than the first one, but there are some creepy things about the book. If you’re easily upset or get nightmares, maybe don’t read this book. For me, I liked how the scary bits added to the book, but that’s totally my own opinion.

General Stats:

  • Genre: Sci-fi/Dystopian
  • Book 1 of 2
  • Age: 7th or 8th grade and above
  • My rating: ★★★★★