MISS PICKEL'S PICKS

  I haven’t updated my blog in so long - I’ve been in a little of a reading slump and very much in a writing slump. But I’ve read a few really good books lately and I want to talk about them! The first one is Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet. The title and the cover drew my attention right away - of course I love the pink cover! The book is based on the classic novel Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. My mother was a librarian and she really wanted me to read Little Women when I was young, but I wouldn’t. I didn’t like sad books (I still don’t) and as soon as I heard that one of the sisters, Beth, dies at the end I refused to read it. In Little Women Beth dies from an illness, but in this modern retelling she is murdered. I love mystery/thrillers and I also love retellings, so I figured this would be the perfect book for me. And it was! The story grabbed my attention right from the start. It’s told in alternating chapters by the four March sisters: Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy. Their father ...

   These are such great books! I read the first book in James Ponti's City Spies series, about a group of teens   who work for MI6 and travel the world on secret missions, and I thought it was great! I'm excited to continue that series, but in the meantime I decided to start on the Sherlock Society series and after the first two books I think I like this series even more! Ms Fair and I heard Ponti speak at a library conference while he was writing the first book; he lives in Florida and he was excited to write a series based in his home state.  This series is set in and around Miami and by the end of the first book I totally wanted to move there! The series follows Alex Sherlock, who starts the Sherlock Society with his sister Zoe and his friends Lina and Yadi. Because the four of them are only in middle school they need someone to drive them around, so Alex and Zoe enlist their grandfather to be part of the team. He is a retired reporter and he has a whole storage u...

  I just finished  The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry and I absolutely loved it!  The book starts when the seven students at St. Etheldreda’s School For Young Ladies are having their weekly Sunday dinner with their headmistress and her brother. During the main course Mrs. Plackett and Mr. Godding suddenly drop dead and the girls quickly realize that they have been poisoned.  The girls are a family and they do not want to be sent home. So they  decide to bury the body in the garden and pretend everything is totally normal. They find out pretty quickly, though, that is much easier said than done! The whole book reminded me so much of Gordon Korman’s Slacker . Just like Cam in Slacker had to invent a fake club and keep up a huge act to stay out of trouble, these seven girls have to use all their wits to run the school in secret. Between dodging nosy neighbors and keeping their "scandalous" secret safe, the chaos never stops. If you want...

This was the perfect mystery for me to read on a winter night: even though it's the ideal summer read, packed with long, hot days and secrets simmering under the sun, it was the perfect escape for me from the cold. Kaylani is spending the summer in the wealthy, historic community of Martha’s Vineyard. She’s been learning about the law to help her father, who is in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. She really wants to stay in Brooklyn to help her dad, but her parents want her to have a fun summer, so they send her to stay with family friends on Cape Cod. It isn’t a fun summer for Kaylani, though, because she’s stuck living with two snobby girls who don’t want anything to do with her.  While Kaylani is adjusting to life in this wealthy vacation community, a popular teen is found dead under suspicious circumstances and she can’t help digging deeper into what really happened. Her investigation takes her beneath the polished surface of Martha’s Vineyard, uncovering secrets, surprisin...

  I absolutely love funny books and I think my favorite comedy writer is Gordon Korman. Every time I read one of his novels I end up laughing out loud at almost every page. My favorite Gordon Korman book has been Restart , which is about a bully who gets amnesia and can’t figure out why he was so mean to people. Ms Fair ordered a few of Korman’s books for us this fall and the first one I picked up is Slacker . I can be very lazy, so I figured this would be the perfect book for me! The other thing that drew me in was the cover image of a beaver reclining with a game controller and a bowl of Doritos. The book more than lived up to its cover; Slacker is now my favorite Gordon Korman book! Slacker follows Cam, who thinks he has perfected the art of slacking. He does just well enough in school that he can slide under the radar and he can focus on what’s really important: playing his video game with his friends. But when the fire department ends up on his doorstep because he ignored his ...

  I always avoided playing Scrabble when I was a kid because I never wanted to think that much when I was playing a game! Recently, though, I’ve started playing again and I’m actually enjoying it—I feel like it’s really good exercise for my brain. So I was so excited when I saw Queen of the Tiles , since it’s a mystery set at a Scrabble tournament. The book totally grabbed me right from the first page. Every chapter starts with a word, the number of points it’s worth in Scrabble, and its definition. It’s so cool because the chapter word always connects to what happens in that section; for example, Chapter One’s word is prolegomenon , which means an introduction. Most of them are words I’d never seen before, and even though I probably won’t remember any of them the next time I play, it was still so fun to learn them as I read! Queen of the Tiles follows Najwa, whose best friend—and reigning Scrabble queen—Trina, died suddenly at last year’s tournament. Najwa has spent the year sin...

I read   The Doomsday Detectives by Cindy Jenson-Elliott because I wanted to try some nonfiction books this November, and it turned out to be such an interesting read. The book explains how scientists have tried to solve one of the biggest mysteries in Earth’s history: what really happened to the dinosaurs. It follows a father-son science team, Luis and Walter Alvarez, as they study rocks, fossils, and strange clues that help them uncover the now-famous asteroid impact theory. It’s written in a way that makes huge scientific ideas easy to understand and fun to follow. My favorite part was seeing how scientists’ ideas changed over time as new tools and technology developed. It really shows that science is about more than just facts — it’s a process of asking questions, making mistakes, and uncovering new evidence. I also loved learning about the Alvarez team and how their partnership helped them solve this giant mystery. If you like real-life science, mysteries, or stories ab...

  I could not wait to read this book because I loved the last book I read by Jodi Meadows, Bye Forever, I Guess . This book was even better! This was the perfect cozy read for November - I curled up with a cup of hot chocolate and flew right through it! First of all, this has to be one of my favorite covers of all time. I need to look the illustrator up to see if she’s worked on any graphic novels! I also loved the storyline and seeing how Virginia, the main character, grows throughout the novel. At the beginning of the book Virginia is part of the popular clique even though she feels like she has to hide parts of herself to stay in it, like the fact that she adores volunteering at the library and has a crush on Grayson Jennings, who is deemed uncool by Mary Heather, the Queen Bee of the group. When the other girls start teasing Virginia about Grayson in their group chat she says some mean things about him to deflect from the fact that she actually likes him. Then she has a falling...

What if the most legendary kid at school suddenly disappeared...and no one knew where he went? Ms Fair recommended The Next Great Paulie Fink to me and I'm so glad she did - it's become one of my favorite books! It's about Caitlyn, who transfers to this tiny, unusual middle school where all anyone can talk about is a former student named Paulie Fink. He was a total legend - someone says he once hosted a secret game show in the hallway and someone else says he trained a goat to do tricks. Now that Paulie's gone, the class decides to hold a reality show style competition to find his replacement. Caitlyn is chosen to be the judge and she starts interviewing students and teachers to figure out what made Paulie so unforgettable. But everyone has a different version of who Paulie was and Caitlyn starts to realize just how unique every person truly is. This book is hilarious, full of great characters, and has a lot of heart. It reminded me of some of my favorite Gordon Korman ...

  The popular clique at Claflin Academy made a pact that they would each apply to a different Ivy League school. On early decision day Olivia, the main character, is surprised to learn that Emma secretly applied to Harvard, which was supposed to be reserved for Avery, the Queen Bee of the group. The next day Emma is found dead and Olivia, who had also secretly applied to Harvard, starts to investigate her death. Making things more complicated, Olivia and Emma both get into Harvard, but Avery doesn't. This is my favorite genre blend - a mystery/thriller set at a boarding school with a Gossip Girls/Mean Girls vibe. This book has it all: a protagonist worth rooting for, a mystery filled with red herrings, and a super fast pace. I highly recommend it!

The Legacies by Jessica Goodman is glitzy, twisty, and totally addictive—I loved it! Ms. Fair told me to drop everything and read this next because it had all the things I love in a book, and she was absolutely right. It opens with a murder at a fancy NYC private school’s ultra-exclusive ball and then flashes back to the days leading up to the ball and switches between three girls—Bernie, Isobel, and Tori—who are all invited to join the elite Legacy Club. Bernie and Isobel come from money, but Tori’s a scholarship kid, and her invite throws everyone off, including Tori. I expected the characters to be kind of stereotypical, but I was pleasantly surprised—the main characters are a lot more layered than they first seem. I flew through this fast-paced mystery and enjoyed every second of it!  

  This is the second book in my "One Book from Every Shelf" Challenge! This is the perfect beach read—whether you're on vacation or just wish you were. Set on Nantucket, The Sound blends mystery, romance, and a dash of danger as British teen Ren tries to escape her past and ends up in the middle of a murder investigation. I loved the supporting characters, especially the hilarious little girl Ren nannies. The book is fast-paced and full of fun Britishisms. It’s a great pick for summer or the middle of winter when you need a dose of sun!

F rom the very first page, Clap When You Land completely pulled me in with its stunning verse and deeply human characters. Elizabeth Acevedo’s writing is so lyrical and emotionally layered that I often found myself reading certain lines twice—once because the poetry is so beautiful and then again to make sure I didn't miss anything important in the plot. I couldn’t step away from this story. I had to read it almost in one sitting because I was so emotionally invested—I needed to know that Camino and Yahaira would be okay. The emotional pull of their journeys, both individually and together, is incredibly powerful. My favorite character was Tía Solana, Camino's aunt. She’s a midwife and healer in their Dominican community, and she radiates grace and quiet resilience. Her care for Camino and her selfless support of those around her made her one of the most grounding and memorable presences in the book. She’s the kind of character who quietly holds everything—and everyone—togethe...

I'm starting a challenge for myself this school year to help me expand my reading. I'm choosing a book from each of the fiction shelves that I haven't read before, starting with the letter A. I want to spotlight some older titles and to challenge myself a little by trying genres that I don't usually read. I'll choose some because I've heard good things about them, people have recommended them to me, or they fit with the season or my reading challenge for the month. My goal is to read at least two "Reading the Shelves" books a month. I'm starting with Elizabeth Acevedo's Clap When You Land . This is a recommendation from Ms Flanders. It's a novel in verse and I figured it would be a good opportunity to read poetry. I ended up loving it so much that I think it's one of my favorite books! So I think the challenge is paying off already!

  If you love Freaky Friday this book is for you! This is a funny, fast-paced story about Ellie and her scientist Grandpa, who turns himself into a kid and has to attend her middle school. This book was laugh out loud funny; I thought Grandpa Melvin was hilarious, especially the way he complains about "kids these days" while being one himself! I really liked the family dynamics between Ellie, her mom, and her grandfather; they bicker sometimes, but they truly care about each other. This book is the perfect mix of humor, science, and heart and I definitely recommend it!

  This book was so good! It's told from the perspective of four teens: twins Addison and Mason, their cousin Natalia, and their soon to be stepbrother Theo. They are all gathered in a luxury resort in Cancun to celebrate the engagement of Addison and Mason's mom to Theo's dad. Addison, Mason, and Natalia used to be really close until The Incident three years ago. Since then they have barely talked and they all arrive in Cancun harboring their own secrets. Theo feels like the ultimate outsider, trying to navigate this new family as the relatives are avoiding each other. The book is told in alternating chapters from the four main characters' points of view and as the reader you slowly learn about their family dynamics and the secrets everyone is keeping. I loved the multiple viewpoints and the way the story unfolded; I felt like the pacing was perfect! I also enjoyed the supporting characters, especially Natalia's little sister Mia. The beach setting was also great an...

This book kept me up super late turning pages! When Tom gets sent to stay with his mysterious Uncle Harvey, he expects a boring trip—but instead, he ends up traveling to Peru on a wild hunt for hidden treasure. With dangerous criminals on their tail and ancient secrets to uncover, Tom and his uncle must work together using their wits, bravery, and a little luck to survive. What makes this book even more interesting is how it weaves in bits of British history, especially about a Sir Francis Drake, who was a pirate. The story connects the past with the present as Tom and Uncle Harvey follow clues that date back hundreds of years. Packed with danger, mystery, and a fast-paced plot, Island of Thieves is perfect for readers who love treasure hunts and thrilling escapes.

Ingrid is quiet, cautious, and not always sure where she fits in. But when life pushes her to re-examine her friendships and lean into new opportunities, she discovers that true connection comes from surrounding yourself with people who genuinely care about you. With heart, humor, and even a dash of social media fun (from Ingrid  and  her grandmother!), this story celebrates the courage it takes to find your voice. I was so excited to read this one because Jodi Meadows is one of the three authors behind the  Lady Janies  series, which are super fun retellings of famous historical figures. I really connected with Ingrid - she reminds of myself in middle school. I liked watching her slowly overcome her shyness and appreciate her true friends. My favorite part of the book is that Ingrid’s grandmother has a knitting channel on YouTube. It kind of inspired me to maybe start a vlog this winter!

              HERE IS MY VIDEO REVIEW! (It's a little rough because I didn't memorize my talk!) Winterhouse puzzles and codes Word Ladders

FIC MBA This is a fast paced action packed adventure, based on African and African American folklore. Tristan Strong is a 7th grader in Chicago. He’s having a rough time; his best friend, Eddie, has died, and he just lost a boxing match, disappointing his father and grandfather. Eddie’s parents decide it would be good for him to spend some time at his grandparents’ farm to clear his head. Tristan plans to spend some time reading Eddie’s journal, which contains stories based on the tales Tristan’s Nana told as they were growing up. The trip proves to be far from relaxing for Tristan, though. On his first night the farm Tristan wakes up to find that Eddie’s journal is glowing and a doll named Gum Baby swipes it from his nightstand. Tristan runs after Gum Baby and suddenly realizes that he’s punched a hole into another world, the land of Alke. In Alke he meets folk heroes John Henry and Brer Fox and learns that he, with help from the journal, can help save the people of Alke from the...