Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe
I'm seriously always so grateful for the generosity of the amazing authors out there--many of whom I meet through twitter. Many of them are constantly doing giveaways specifically for educators who are looking to get books in the hands of kids and grow their classroom libraries.
That is how I came to have five copies of Jo Watson Hackl's middle grade novel Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe. I was able to read a copy and keep it for my classroom library. I book talked it for the students in my two seventh-grade English classes and then had those who were interested in owning their own copy put their names in a drawing. I raffled off the other four copies of the book to some lucky students! And every single copy is signed by Hackl personally!
Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe is the story of a teenage girl named Cricket. Her entire life, people have said her mom is crazy because she tells stories about a secret room that comes to life. When Cricket's dad dies and her mom leaves, Cricket is desperate to find that room in the hope that it will bring her mom back. The only clue she has is a coin that comes from a ghost town in the woods. Using some stolen supplies and her daddy's survival guide, Cricket runs away from her aunt to find the secret room. Will she find it in time and will it be enough to make her mom stay?
I think that this is a great middle grade story--perfect for those around the age of my 7th graders. Cricket struggles with a difficult home life, the loss of her father, understanding her relationship with her mother, surviving on her own in the woods, and finding the answers to puzzles. Many of these things are topics that my students connect to and experience in their own life.
I also loved the characters and the setting for this novel. I lived in the south for a few years of my teenage life and always loved it--especially the Southern accents. As I read the book from Cricket's perspective (and who doesn't love the name Cricket), I could just hear her voice and picture this young girl from a small Southern town. Many of the characters just fit perfectly into the setting.
Jo Watson Hackl grew up near a ghost town (just like Cricket) in Mississippi. She spent her childhood enjoying the outdoors and beginning her writing journey. She absolutely loves nature and founded www.outdoorosity.org and did a lot of research for her novel. She took outdoor survival classes and learned all sorts of skills so that she could write about it! How cool is that?
I always feel drawn to these amazing books by such talented authors and I find that I can see the effort and writing process that went into every single one. I think that's why I rate most books so highly. I can always figure out just what type of person, what student of mine, needs this book. So I recommend this book to those who love middle grade, Southern settings, puzzles and mysteries, and survival stories! You can purchase a copy here!
That is how I came to have five copies of Jo Watson Hackl's middle grade novel Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe. I was able to read a copy and keep it for my classroom library. I book talked it for the students in my two seventh-grade English classes and then had those who were interested in owning their own copy put their names in a drawing. I raffled off the other four copies of the book to some lucky students! And every single copy is signed by Hackl personally!
I think that this is a great middle grade story--perfect for those around the age of my 7th graders. Cricket struggles with a difficult home life, the loss of her father, understanding her relationship with her mother, surviving on her own in the woods, and finding the answers to puzzles. Many of these things are topics that my students connect to and experience in their own life.
I also loved the characters and the setting for this novel. I lived in the south for a few years of my teenage life and always loved it--especially the Southern accents. As I read the book from Cricket's perspective (and who doesn't love the name Cricket), I could just hear her voice and picture this young girl from a small Southern town. Many of the characters just fit perfectly into the setting.
Jo Watson Hackl grew up near a ghost town (just like Cricket) in Mississippi. She spent her childhood enjoying the outdoors and beginning her writing journey. She absolutely loves nature and founded www.outdoorosity.org and did a lot of research for her novel. She took outdoor survival classes and learned all sorts of skills so that she could write about it! How cool is that?
I always feel drawn to these amazing books by such talented authors and I find that I can see the effort and writing process that went into every single one. I think that's why I rate most books so highly. I can always figure out just what type of person, what student of mine, needs this book. So I recommend this book to those who love middle grade, Southern settings, puzzles and mysteries, and survival stories! You can purchase a copy here!
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