Title: The Dogs of Winter
Author: Bobbie Pyron
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication Date: Oct 2012
Classification: Middle Grade Novel

Summary from Goodreads:

A small boy, a cruel city, and the incredible dogs who save him.

Based on a true story!

When Ivan’s mother disappears, he’s abandoned on the streets of Moscow, with little chance to make it through the harsh winter. But help comes in an unexpected form: Ivan is adopted by a pack of dogs, and the dogs quickly become more than just his street companions: They become his family. Soon Ivan, who used to love reading fairytales, is practically living in one, as he and his pack roam the city and countryside, using their wits to find food and shelter, dodging danger, begging for coins. But Ivan can’t stay hidden from the world of people forever. When help is finally offered to him, will he be able to accept it? Will he even want to?

A heart-pounding tale of survival and a moving look at what makes us human.

My Thoughts:

Near the end of last year I told myself that I wanted to start reading more middle grade books. I have kept my eyes open for the very best in the genre and when I was contacted about this book I jumped at the chance to read it. It sounded like a younger version of Between Shades of Grey. It is actually funny since the author of Between Shades of Grey has a blurb on the back of the book.

This story grabbed me from the beginning because I wanted to see how Ivan loses his home and ends up on the streets. I will say the way he ended up on the streets nearly broke my heart. He loses his mother and the mother’s strange boyfriend basically removes him from the only home he has ever known to give him away. Watching Ivan in the very beginning of the book I certainly wondered how on Earth he was going to survive, he was only 5 years old! He did find a gang of kids to help him find his place and I thought it was touching how Ivan didn’t want to be like them, he clung to his old life. However, the streets will harden any child and Ivan had to start learning the sacrifices he would make in order to survive during Russia’s bitter winter.

Ivan will grip your heart throughout the course of the book and not let go. I found myself turning the pages faster and faster as the story went on because I needed to see Ivan leave the gang of kids to go live with a pack of dogs. I found myself fascinated as Ivan slowly started to lose humanity because he saw how harsh the world was and he just wanted to retreat to a place where he could be with the dogs who loved and cared for him. The bond between the dogs and Ivan was something I didn’t suspect. However, the biggest part of the book that I loved was the fact that Ivan really lost touch with the world. He was such a smart little boy but he had changed over the course of the book. He started to accept that he would never see his mother again and that he was on his own and that a pack of dogs were the only family members he had. It was amazing to watch Ivan throughout the whole book. The ending left me in happy tears and it was a story well worth reading.

Overall, when I first started this book I will admit that I was a little scared of where it would go. The book seemed to be pretty dark for a middle grade read. I was a bit confused how all of these dark pieces could fit in a middle grade read. I would honestly suggest this one for older kids who can handle such a dark subject matter. While it was dark it was an awesome read that I encourage many to read, it will break your heart, leave you speechless, and make you happy you read it.

About the Author:

My life took many twists and turns before I finally realized that dream at age nine, and became a published author. First, I went to college and got degrees in psychology and anthropology. For a time, I was a singer in a rock and roll band. Then I went back to college and got a degree to work as a librarian. I’ve worked as a librarian now for over twenty-five years. Finally, six years ago, I sat down and wrote my first novel. I didn’t stop this time at page thirty-two, even though I still found writing to be hard. But I couldn’t not write, so I kept going. In October of 2009 that book was published!

Sponsored By:

The Unwanteds

Title: The Unwanteds

Author: Lisa McMann

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Publication Date: Aug 30, 2011

Classification: YA Novel

Challenge: Outdo Yourself

Summary from Barnes and Noble:

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths.

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret–behind the mirage of the “death farm” there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it’s a wondrous transformation.

But it’s a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron’s bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

My Thoughts:

I have wanted to read this book ever since I heard Lisa McMann read the first pages of the book. Long before the book was even finished she read the first few pages at a signing she was doing in AZ. I fell in love just with those first few pages and knew I had to get my hands on a copy of this book. Luckily for me I wasn’t at all disappointed with my first middle grade read.

This story starts off in a dystopian world where kids are sorted at age 13, some are Wanted, Necessary and Unwanted. It just so happens that Alex is an Unwanted for several infractions he made while living in Quill, most of which have to do with his use of art. You see in the Quill creativity is not a valued skill, they only are looking for the smart people to go into government, the strong to be an army and the ones who are neither but haven’t had an infraction get to stay and do the dirt work jobs in the city. If you have had two or more infractions you have to be sent out of Quill to the death farm to await your death. However, the death farm doesn’t exsist, in it’s place is a wonderful world called Artime, here children get to express their feelings and creativity away from the single minded minions in the Quill who only want order.

The story’s focus is mostly on Artime and how it is so vastly different than the Quill. Each child gets to learn their own art specialty, whether it be music, painting, or acting. Along the way the children also learn how to use magic, they can use their special abilities in art to help them with their magical powers and in a way they are learning defense. They need to know how to defend themselves just incase the high priestess of Quill were ever to find out that her Unwanteds are not dead, but very much alive and enjoying life in Artime. While Alex is happy to be in Artime with all of his friends he can never stop thinking about his brother, which can lead to very serious trouble not only for himself but for the fate of Artime.

Overall I really enjoyed this story. I know people hate it when books get compared with other books but in this case I feel that this story was a mix of Harry Potter and a dystopian world. There are many ways in which Artime is like Hogwarts and the children are about the same age as those in Hogwarts would be. At many times this middle grade novel read more like a young adult novel because of the strong themes of war, violence and death. Other than the small similarities with Hogwarts I did enjoy the story and now I can’t wait to read Lisa’s other books. I suggest you give this middle grade tale a chance because Lisa really has created not only a great world but she sends out a strong message to her readers. Overall this story gets 4.5 hearts from me.