MMGM: Five Fabulous Books for Kids and Tweens Set in Italy

 

Are you excited for the Milan Olympics? We are quite the Italian fans at my house. My older son taught himself some Italian via Duolingo while we were homeschooling. It is a place on our list to travel to someday. My great-grandfather was from Bari, Italy, so I have a family connection as well. And the great art, the food! 

This month, I decided to take a virtual trip to Italy—through books, of course.

If you love learning about math:

 

Blockhead: The Life of Fibonacci by Joseph D'Agnese, Illustrated by John O'Brien

This is a picture book, but I think the content would work well in an upper elementary classroom or homeschool to introduce Fibonacci’s numbers in a fun way. Kids will relate to the fact that Fibonacci was called a Blockhead (not unlike Charlie Brown). I loved using books like this when we were homeschooling to make math more fun, but it’d definitely work well in the classroom too.

If you love learning about Leonardo DaVinci, Milan’s famous inventor/painter:

Leonardo’s Horse by Jean Fritz

You could read all of Jean Fritz books in chronological order for a wonderful overview of history (ask me how I know!). But this book is more centered on art and Leonardo’s obsession with creating a horse sculpture. I didn’t know the story, and I really enjoyed learning about how many setbacks he encountered. And there is a modern happy ending to this tale. 

If you Are interested in Italy during World War II:

For younger readers:

Bartali’s Bicycle: Italy’s Secret Hero by Megan Holt and illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

I am late to the game in praising this book.  I saw it recommended by other MMGM bloggers back when it came out. If you’ve missed this one, do not wait to get it. It follows a cyclist who won the Tour de France and when World War II helped get Jews in Italy to safety.  My favorite part, Bartoli was know for saying: 

“Good is something you do, not something you talk about.”

Just a Girl by Lia Levi with pictures by Jess Mason, translated by Sylvia Notini

This book! The voice is so childlike and innocent and yet Lia goes through so much as Italy changes with the rise and fall of Mussolini (unfortunately the fall doesn’t bring immediate relief). She often stopped to explain in short essays how things would turn out (so readers won’t worry). This juxtaposition of the sweet voice and the few parts of her life that were somewhat normal (putting on plays, squabbling with other children) made this so powerful. Even better, this is a translation from the Italian.

And if you'd love to vicariously travel to Venice:  

 

Rosa by Starlight by Hilary McKay

This was such a fun, whimsical read. I thought it was very Roald Dahl in tone with the orphan living with the unimaginative and cruel aunt and uncle. It’s all handled very light-heartedly, but if have a sensitive reader, you might want to preread. However, what I loved was the magical cat Balthazar, which just is the name of my teddy bear growing up. And Balthazar has a special computer where he can order food! This is magical realism, but also a heartfelt story about a girl learning to find true friends. What's not to love about magical cats in Italy?

 

Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 🦴🦴🦴

I liked Leonardo’s House. But where are the dogs in books about  Italy? I thought they liked their dogs…ah well. But Stella! You know, I’m not a fan of cats, but I want my own computer for ordering food. My mouth is watering! Just think as much…bacon…cheese…turkey sandwiches…Chick Fil’A Sauce…. Can I get one too?
 

Will you be watching the Winter Olympics? What is your favorite winter sport? And, of course, do you have any favorite books about Italy? Or if you've been there, what is your favorite Italian city?

 

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

 

 

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MMGM: Four Cozy Winter Books for Tweens

Are you looking for some cozy winter readings for reading aloud or independent reading? I love nothing more than cozying up with a warm beverage (usually Earl Grey tea, but sometimes hot cocoa), a warm blanket, and watching the snow (or rain here in Oregon) fall.

Today I’m featuring a few winter themed titles we’ve enjoyed recently. Some are older classics and some new. 

 

If You Loved, Call of the Wild, Try Dog Driven by Terry Lynn Johnson

 

 

What sets apart this sled dog story is that the main character, McKenna, is also trying to hide that she’s losing her vision due to Stargardt disease. Bringing the mail by sled means help and recognition for her sister, who has the same disease, but more progressed, but it will also test McKenna’s bravery and lack of vision. She is joined by some side characters—I particularly liked Guy, who had a blind lead dog and a great sense of fun. But the focus on family and McKenna needing to learn to trust others and not try to do it all alone made this book stand out for me. I love a character-driven novel, but this also had a ton of action and dogs, of course!

If You Loved Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, Try Snow Treasure

 

A classic. Written in 1942, but based on a true event that happened in 1940, this book reflects the times it was written in as there tended to be more focus on the adults (at least at first) and more “telling” than in contemporary novels. However, the story really picks up at the mid-point. Norwegian kids must hide gold bullion on their sleds in order to take it to a waiting boat. Peter is the nephew of the man who will take the gold to America where it will be used to buy weapons for the resistance. There is a lot of excitement, and I absolutely loved how the kids were able to sneak past the Germans just because no one suspected kids.

Note: There is also a 1967 movie of the book. It added a romantic storyline, which wasn’t really needed, and some other changes to the plot that just didn’t sit right with me. Just stick with the book.

 

If You Loved Wind in the Willows, Try The Willows in Winter by William Horwood

 

 

This is a sequel, written by another author, of the Wind in the Willows novel. The author, William Horwood, said that he came up with the idea because he didn’t think Toad would continue to behave. 😊 In this story, Mole goes out in the snow only to get lost and the rest of the animal friends try to find them—and of course, in Toadian style—an airplane is involved. I thought Horwood did such a wonderful job of capturing the language and feel of the classic book (although if you love fast-paced action, this book may not be for you.) Except for a weird spiritual experience by a couple of the animals (maybe preread so that you can discuss with children), I really enjoyed this one.

There is also a movie, a cartoon version, on Youtube, which I haven’t watched yet. 

If You Loved The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis, Try I Lived Through a Windchill Advisory by Annika Klanderud

 

 

Full disclosure: Annika Klanderud is a dear friend of mine. Her debut released last November. As she said in an interview, "I wanted to write a book where being black was normal." In this novel, Ray tries to win friends through an elaborate pizza and frappucino scheme, but along the way, he discovers that the people he thought were "perfect" might not be so perfect after all, and true friends come in unexpectedly places. I really enjoyed this heartfelt take on discerning true friends, finding your people, and what it means to fit in.

 

 

Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

Is it no surprise that I loooved Dog Driven? If only my owners would let me pull a sled—and get around snow more often. Oh, well. I will stick to my walks in the park.

 

I want to hear from you!

 

Have you read any good winter books lately? Are you a cozy up with a warm blanket or read in a hammock kind of reader? 

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

 

 

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MMGM: The Genuis Under the Table by Eugene Yelchin

 

I enjoyed reading Breaking Stalin’s Nose and using it as a read aloud and history lesson with my kids when I homeschooled them. So when I saw that Eugene Yelchin wrote an autobiography for kids I had to read it. If you don’t know, I lived for a semester in the Crimea in the 1990s. It always puzzled me how so many of my Russian friends  looked back on life under communism with nostalgia. But perhaps we all cling to what we know best.

Breaking Stalin’s Nose captured that worldview so well: the realistic way that after living under such a repressive regime, people either absorbed the propaganda or quietly subverted it.

This is a story of a family who did the second.

Synopsis of The Genuis Under the Table*

With a masterful mix of comic timing and disarming poignancy, Newbery Honoree Eugene Yelchin offers a memoir of growing up in Cold War Russia.

Drama, family secrets, and a KGB spy in his own kitchen! How will Yevgeny ever fulfill his parents’ dream that he become a national hero when he doesn’t even have his own room? He’s not a star athlete or a legendary ballet dancer. In the tiny apartment he shares with his Baryshnikov-obsessed mother, poetry-loving father, continually outraged grandmother, and safely talented brother, all Yevgeny has is his little pencil, the underside of a massive table, and the doodles that could change everything. With equal amounts charm and solemnity, award-winning author and artist Eugene Yelchin recounts in hilarious detail his childhood in Cold War Russia as a young boy desperate to understand his place in his family. (from Amazon)

 

 

My Take 

 

 

This book tells the story of what it was like being Jewish in 1970s Russia. Sometimes people have the impression that communism was thawing by then, but that is not true. Yegeny’s family won’t even tell him what happened to his grandfather, who presumably dissented.

 
A few highlights:

 
1.    Even though this book is heavy with the hardships of living under communism, it offers hope. Yegeny’s quest to find his own talent, rivalry with his brother, and insecurities about his parents’ approval will be relatable to kids no matter where they live.

 
2.    Characters are memorable and brought to life in Yelchin’s sharp and funny drawings. 

Yelchin's drawing of his brother ice skating behind a truck. Oy!

  
3.    Although the book shows bleakness and despair, Yelchin lightens the darkness of the time with sharp descriptions and humor.

 
4.    Grandma provided a nice counterpoint and an encourager for Yelchin.

 
5.    I enjoyed the side story about Michel Barishnikov! 

What I loved about this book is that I hope by reading it, North American middle-grade readers will not only get a glimpse of a vastly different culture but also see how communism affects an entire culture. Even though it’d been four years since communism fell, when I was in the Crimea, the fear of being singled out lived on. Every time I hear people say that communism is a beautiful dream, I flinch. 

Yelchin also has a graphic novel sequel to Genuis, I Wish I Didn't Have to Tell You This.* This was a moving read, but a little bit darker in tone. Definitely YA.

 

 Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)

Max, the Reading Dog

 

 

 

 🦴🦴

No dogs in this one! But my mom said when she was in the Crimea, she attended a dog birthday party! How I would’ve loved to have been there!

Your Turn: 

Have you read any good nonfiction lately?

Check out other fabulous middle grades at Always in the Middle!  

 

 

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All Creatures Great and Small Shows People Still Love Quiet Stories

All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 from pbs.org

(This is an edited and updated version of a post originally published on 2/24/25.) 

The news about what children's books are most popular right now is a little discouraging. I love to write and read quiet, contemporary novels, but according to some in the publishing community, no one is buying those stories.

Horror, even for kids, is "having a moment" right now, perhaps due to its popularity in movies. Some say that scary stories are popular because they are a safe way for kids to deal with their fears and anxiety. But these types of stories tend to make kids more, rather than less, anxious. 

But there is another option. One that won’t give kids more things to be afraid of.

All Creatures Great and Small

My family loves All Creatures Great and Small. Season six starts this weekend, which must mean someone else (maybe lots of someones) likes it too.

Interestingly, nothing of significance happens in the show. The stakes are low. Usually there’s a problem with an animal or personal relationship that is resolved by the end of the episode. James and Helen—a married couple on the show—get along and work as a team. It's a given that no important characters will die.

 

                                         All Creatures Great and Small Season 6 Preview from pbs.org

Glimmers of Goodness 

Last year, I was inspired by a post on Facebook by Karen Andreola, author of the novel, Michael’s Gentle Wife and nonfiction books about homeschooling.

She talked about having a glimmer of sunshine in your stories instead of filling it with things that might trigger your reader.

If you do add those glimmers of goodness, she says, you might have to write outside the norm.
It seems every writing book I’ve read says, “Make it darker, darker, darker.” That’s what makes people turn the page. It’s like watching a car accident on repeat.

Is that the only thing that makes people turn the page?

I’m not saying that all books or stories need to be quiet, because I also enjoy fantasy and mysteries. But if you are a reader who likes quiet, everyday stories, remember that there is a long legacy of popular books in this genre, especially for children and teens. And hopefully, there will still be people who write them.

Books that people come back to again and again. Because they feel like friends.

Here are a few of my favorite quiet reads, both old and new:

Anything by Kate diCamillo, but especially The Three Rancheros Series

Anne of Green Gables (of course!)

Nancy Cavanaugh's books

Maud Lovelace (Although I love her Betsy, Tacy series, Emily of Deep Valley is my favorite.)

The Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall

The Vanderbeekers series by Karina Van Glaser

Wonderland by Barbara O'Connor

 

Your Turn:

Are you drawn to more quiet stories or action-packed or does it depend on your mood? What types of books would you like to see more of? Do you have any quiet books you love? I'm always looking for new gems!

 

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ISWG: Let’s Talk Writing Goals for 2026 (A Low-Stress Approach)

    

Goals and resolutions. You either love them or hate them. I’ve always fallen in the latter camp. In fact, it’s been a while since I’ve set any goals. Why make a goal if you’re going to just fail? At least that’s how it often felt.

But goals don’t have to be dreary. I recently watched a video recently about  “auditing” what’s working and what’s not in your life and considering what writing/publishing tasks you enjoyed and what you didn't. Bethany Atazadeh, YA Fantasy Writer:

 

Looking Back: 2025 Reflections

What went well in 2025?

My biggest win from 2025 is that I finished my edits on my middle-grade contemporary. I just sent it out to beta readers. After working on this book for over three years and rewriting it from scratch, this feels huge! Not to mention that this is the first novel length manuscript I've completed in nine years.

Writing this book sometimes felt like a never-ending home repair project.

Photo by Theme Photos on Unsplash

What didn't work? 

For most of the year, non-writing things seeped into my writing time. This became a vicious cycle of not prioritizing my writing time and resenting or blaming other things when I didn't make much progress.

 

What changed in 2025?

 

1. I started treating writing like a job. I committed to writing at least two hours a day most days. Now that is only possible for me because of a flexible schedule. When I drafted this book, I squeezed time in before work and typed it on the weekends. 

But committing to a certain time of day as my writing time helped me to push through the hard parts. Learning to say no to things that steal my mental energy was also key. Thinking time is just as important as time at the computer.

The number one reason books don't get finished is this: Writers say yes to other things.  --Heather Sellers, Chapter After Chapter*

 

 2. I gave myself a deadline.  Asking betas before I needed them gave me a date for finishing my manuscript. It's so easy with writing or other creative projects to just put things off, because no one cares as much as you do about your creative project. The biggest difference this year was treating creativity and writing as a good use of my time.

Looking Forward: 2026 Goals

 

1. Revising and Revisiting Old Projects

Revise a previous manuscript that has good bones but needs some work. After a fantastic brainstorming session with my husband and new research, I’m cautiously optimistic about reshaping an old story into a new and improved one. Maybe I've finally grown enough as a writer to do it justice. Do you ever revisit old projects, or are you planning on trying something completely new?

Photo by Julie Molliver on Unsplash

2. Developing Consistency

Continue to write most days consistently, but give myself grace when I don't. While it's important to write consistently, we go through seasons when it's not possible. Sometimes, we put in less work at different stages. (Drafting is less intense for me than editing.). How do you stay consistent?

3. Learning New Things

In 2025, I started exploring new social media platforms and learning more about marketing. Surprisingly, I’ve enjoyed it, especially playing around with Canva and Instagram. I want to keep learning and growing in this area. What's something new you're trying this year?

Personal Growth Goals: Finding Balance

Being more focused has a downside. It's easy to get lost in the flow of a project and not take breaks or recharge. So, I’m aiming to keep exercising regularly,  pursuing my creative passions like watercolors, and setting time limits on social media. And of course, reading a ton as always!

Photo by Haley Phelps on Unsplash

 

Do you have any personal goals for 2026? How are you making time for rest and rejuvenation this year? 

I want to hear from you!

What went well for you this past year? And what are you hoping to carry (or leave behind) as you move into the next one?

Let me know in the comments!

If you'd like to read more ISWG posts or sign up, please go HERE. You won't be disappointed.  

 

 

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