I will admit wholeheartedly that I am way behind on my book reviews, so I have chosen to group certain books together so that I can get my reviews out quicker. One would think that I would be better about sitting down and doing my reviews as soon as I finish a book, but alas, here we are, Reader. So, in this post, I will be talking about four different books that are all within the middle-grade to young-adult age range. I am going to be honest: these reviews will not be as in-depth as usual since it has been a while since I finished them. I suppose I should just dive in, so let me begin.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Published by Pan Macmillan on January 26, 2017
Genres: Fiction / Classics, Juvenile Fiction / Classics, Juvenile Fiction / Family / General, Juvenile Fiction / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes, Juvenile Fiction / Science & Nature / General
Pages: 288
Format: Paperback
Source: Thrift Store
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a magical tale of transformation that has enchanted both children and adults since its publication in 1911.
Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library, a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold-foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This beautiful edition of The Secret Garden features an afterword by publisher Anna South.
When Mary Lennox is orphaned she is sent from her home in India to live with her uncle at Misselthwaite Manor on the Yorkshire Moors. She arrives as a sour-faced, sickly and ill-tempered little girl, bewildered by her surroundings and desperately lonely. One day she discovers a way in to a secret abandoned garden and, with the help of local lad Dickon and her poorly cousin Colin, they set about restoring the garden.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I thrifted this book a long time ago but never got around to reading it, which is a shame because I loved this story. I loved it the way that I love Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, and Little House On The Prairie. The Secret Garden is a children’s classic and one I recently read for a book club that I am a part of. I will say, though, that it is a book of its time; there is racism and classism in the story, so please be aware of that if you are interested in picking it up. As I have said, it is a book of its time. The story is about a newly orphaned little girl who is extremely spoiled and goes to live with her uncle. We watch this little girl as she adjusts to life in another country, makes friends for the first time, and learns what it means to be truly happy and loved. I found it to be a cozy read and one that I will revisit.
Trigger Warnings:
- Mentions of Death of a Spouse
- Parental Death
- Classism
- Racism
- Child Sickness
- Pandemic
The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien Published by Simon and Schuster on October 1, 2024
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Horror, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Pages: 320
Format: eBook
Source: Amazon
Perfect for fans of Doll Bones and Hocus Pocus, this “beautifully creepy” (Kirkus Reviews), highly illustrated middle grade novel follows a girl who hopes to fix her outcast status through a game in the haunted woods, only to discover that some legends shouldn’t be played with.
Everyone knows Fall Hollow is haunted. It has been ever since Abigail Snook went into the woods many years ago, never to be seen again. Since then, it’s tradition for the sixth graders at Beckett Elementary to play the Bellwoods Game on Halloween night. Three kids are chosen to go into the woods. Whoever rings the bell there wins the game and saves the town for another year, but if Abigail’s ghost captures the players first, the spirit is let loose to wreak havoc on Fall Hollow—or so the story goes.
Now that it’s Bailee’s year to play, she can finally find out what really happens. And legend has it the game’s winner gets a wish. Maybe, just maybe, if Bailee wins, she can go back to the way things used to be before her grandma got sick and everyone at school started hating her. But when the night begins, everything the kids thought they knew about the game—and each other—is challenged. One thing’s for sure: something sinister is at play…waiting for them all in the woods.
The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien
I picked this one up recently to read for a readathon that I took part in, and I enjoyed it. I found it an easy read, but then again, it is a middle-grade book. I have a feeling that children would really enjoy this story. It is about a group of sixth graders who get chosen to participate in a game every Halloween night in hopes of beating an evil being so that it does not cause problems in the town throughout the year. The story touches on bullying, excluding, and childhood friendships and how they can change in the blink of an eye. If you are a fan of ghosts, games, spookiness, and friendships found in unlikely places, then this might be a book for you.
Trigger Warnings:
- Bullying
- Child Death
- Excluding People
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell Published by First Second on August 27, 2019
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Diversity & Multicultural, Young Adult Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Romance, Young Adult Fiction / Romance / Multicultural & Interracial
Pages: 224
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
This format is designed to be read on color devices and cannot be read on black-and-white e-readers.
In Pumpkinheads, beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell and Eisner Award–winning artist Faith Erin Hicks have teamed up to create this tender and hilarious story about two irresistible teens discovering what it means to leave behind a place—and a person—with no regrets.Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.
Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.
But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.
Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .
What if their last shift was an adventure?
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
I have been hearing about this book for years at this point and decided that this Autumn would be when I pick it up. I was first introduced to this book through the Lauren And The Books YouTube Channel because she and her husband, David, both read it and enjoyed it. I can say that I am glad I read it in October because the illustrations were beautiful. If you love Autumn Colors, then this is definitely a graphic novel for you. In this story, we follow two teenagers who work at their local pumpkin patch. They both love their jobs and met at the patch years prior when they both started working there. They are now in their senior year of high school and will be heading off to college next fall, so this is their last season of working at the patch. This graphic novel takes place in just one day, and it follows these two characters as they go on a little quest to find someone, a crush. It was a cute book that I enjoyed reading. I may venture back to it next Autumn Season. It really was just a wholesome read, which, in my opinion, is good for all ages.
Pages and Co. : Tilly and the Bookwanderers (Pages and Co. , Book 1) by Anna James Series: Pages & Co. #1
Published by HarperCollins Publishers Limited on September 1, 2018
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Books & Libraries, Juvenile Fiction / Family / Parents, Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic, Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories, Juvenile Nonfiction / Health & Daily Living / Physical Impairments
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Source: Bookstore
A captivating, curl-up-on-the-sofa debut about the magic of books and the power of the imagination.
Since her mother's disappearance, eleven-year-old Tilly has found comfort in stories at Pages & Co., her grandparents' bookshop. But when her favourite characters, Anne of Green Gables and Alice from Wonderland, appear in the shop, Tilly's adventures become very real. Not only can she follow Anne and Alice into their thrilling worlds, she discovers she can bookwander into any story she chooses.
Tilly's new ability could even help her solve the mystery of what happened to her mother all those years ago. But danger may be lurking on the very next page...
Pages and Co: Tilly And The Book Wanderers by Anna James
I was introduced to this book years ago through YouTube. At this point, I am not sure whose channel I saw it on, but I decided to buy it as soon as it became available. I am not sure why I waited so long to read this one, but I loved it. This book was so magical. Can you imagine going into your favorite books and becoming friends with your favorite characters? That would be such a dream come true. I loved that she was able to visit with Alice and Anne; both are characters that I love as well. I really enjoyed Tilly’s adventures in this story and the friend she makes in her everyday life. I thought the mystery of what happened to her mother was good as well, and of course, I loved that it took place in a bookstore. If you are looking for a story that I imagine is every book lover’s dream, then definitely pick this one up. I know I am excited to continue on in this series. This book I believe could be fun for most everyone. It really was such a great story.
Trigger Warnings:
- Mother’s Disappearance, Abandonment, or Death (the grandparents are not really sure what happened to their daughter (Tilly’s Mum))