An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo

An Elephant in the Garden is a junior fiction novel by Michael Morpurgo. A story within a story, Lizzie tells her nurse and her nurse's son, Karl, about her experiences in Dresden, Germany during World War 2. Inspired by the true story of an elephant rescued from a zoo and living in the zookeeper's garden, An Elephant in the Garden is a beautiful book.

Sex: None. Lizzie is 16 years old and mentions that she thinks she's in love with a RAF pilot. There is a romantic story line, but it's not the main focus and it's very innocent.

Language: Two mild curse words used by soldiers.

Drug/Alcohol Use: None.

Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Lizzie's family lives in Dresden when it's bombed. The zoo plans to shoot all of the animals considered dangerous if a bombing occurs. Lizzie's family spends most of the book trying to hide from Russian soldiers and worrying if her father is alive.

Final Note: What a wonderful book! It reminded me a lot of "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry, which was my favorite book in the 5th grade. I love how this story is set during World War 2 and is told from a German perspective. I think it's important to see the humanity in people who were considered "enemies" during the war.

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The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell

Purchase this book on Amazon here! The Wizards of Once is the latest middle grade novel by Cressida Cowell, the author of the How to Train Your Dragon series. Wizards and warriors have always been taught to hate each other. The wizards stay in the forbidden Badwoods and the warriors live in their iron castle. But when Xar, a wizard, and Wish, the warrior queen's daughter, meet each other in the woods, they find that they must work together to fight the one thing everyone is afraid of: witches. Sex: None. Language: None. Xar uses his own cursing. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are a few suspenseful scenes and battles, but nothing too over the top. Final Note: This book was cute, but it wasn't my favorite. It would be a good stepping stone for younger readers who are showing an interest in things like Harry Potter , but who aren't quite old or mature enough for that particular series.

The Ethan I Was Before by Ali Standish

The Ethan I Was Before is a middle grade fiction novel by Ali Standish. Ethan and Kacey were the best of friends. But when a terrible accident rips them apart, Ethan and his family pick up and move from Boston to a small town in Georgia. Now Ethan must figure out what life looks like moving forward. He meets Coralee and is enthralled by her marvelous stories. Can the two of them share secrets and give each other the friendship they both long for? Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are several suspenseful scenes. Death is a big part of the story line as well. Final Note: I loved this book! This is Ali Standish's first novel and she hit it out of the park. It was hauntingly beautiful. My heart ached for Ethan. I think readers grades 6-8 would really like this one.

The Elite and The One by Kiera Cass (The Selection Series)

The Elite and The One are YA fiction novels by Kiera Cass. Books two and three in the Selection Series, The Elite and The One continue the story of America and her fight for Prince Maxon's heart. Sex: There are no explicit scenes, but there are a few moments of intimacy between characters in both books. Language: Mild. Drug/Alcohol Use: Mild. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Several deaths over the course of the two books. The rebels often attack and those scenes are suspenseful. Final Note: I'm still really enjoying this series! I have a couple of books left to finish, but so far I've been pleased. These books are definitely for older teenagers, but it shows the romantic aspects without being too terribly steamy or detailed. The story line is very intriguing as well.

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