some substacks I adore~and~a "hodgepodge" of excellent reads

MBH no. 24

Happy Monday,

I’ve been so inundated with emails over the past few weeks that even opening my inbox is overwhelming. This is mostly my fault. Companies easily sucker me into joining their mailing lists for a discount code…I make the purchase, then forget to unsubscribe, and then November rolls around (is it me or is it getting earlier each year?) and I’m slammed with promotional emails. Some are useful and allow me to buy things I’ve had my eye on, but most make me feel like I’m not buying enough, not donating enough, not DOING enough, and that I am perpetually behind.

However!

Substack newsletters brighten up my inbox (all year, but especially this time of year) so I wanted to share just a few of my favorite subscriptions. As you’ll see, they’re all different, but all are creative, thoughtful, FUNNY, and inspiring—perfect for an overwhelming season.

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Can We Read? by Sarah Miller (Sarah is an expert on children’s books, raising readers, and building a culture of reading in your home.)

Is My Kid the Asshole? by Melinda Wenner Moyer (If you’re a parent, this is a must-read. Melinda is an investigative science journalist who digs into the research behind trendy parenting posts and claims and generally helps parents sift through the nonsense. She’s also unbelievably funny.)

Lit with Amy Makechnie by Amy Makechnie (Amy is a children’s book author who shares book recommendations, advice for writers, and other musings.)

Tea Notes by Erin Boyle (a thoughtful newsletter about making sustainable choices, slowing down, and “seeking delight wherever you can find it”—I especially love her ‘week in objects’ posts.)

There are several more, but this is just to get you started. 🙂 I would love to hear some of your favorites!

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I read a lot more than I write, so here’s a hodgepodge of just some of the children’s books I read and loved this year but didn’t get around to recommending. A second batch of hodgepodge coming soon…

Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis, by Susan Hood with Greg Dawson (2022)

Just ahead by the side of the road,  she spotted barbed wire rolled up  on its side  next to two old peasant women  who were watching the procession. Zhanna realized she could jump  into the center of the rolled wires  and pretend to be one of the onlookers, caught in the wire.

At that moment,  Dmitri pulled off his heavy winter coat and put it on Zhanna’s shoulders.  He whispered, “I don’t care what you do. Just live.”

This stunning novel in verse is the true story of how two young Ukrainian Jewish piano prodigies survived the Holocaust while hiding in plain sight. One of the most powerful survivor stories I have ever read—I couldn’t sleep after finishing it, and know that Zhanna and her sister Frina’s story will stay with me. A compelling, important book for older middle grade readers and adults alike.

Recommended for ages 10 (or maybe even 11) +

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Absolutely Almost, by Lisa Graff (2014)

I don’t know why I’m always screwing up at everything, even when I try so hard, all the time, not to. I’d do better if I could, I really would. But I don’t know how. There are a lot of things I don’t know.

I heard about this book from my 9-year-old after her teacher read it aloud to the third grade class. She loved it and thought I would too—and as usual, she was right!

Fifth grader Albie isn’t good at spelling, he isn’t good at math, and he isn’t particularly good at sports. Instead, he’s almost smart enough to calculate the correct change, he’s almost one of the cool kids, and he’s almost good enough for his dad to notice him. With the help of his new babysitter, Albie learns about kindness, friendship, and loving himself—exactly as he is.

Recommended for ages 8-11

The Unteachables, by Gordon Korman (2019)

“Let me tell you about spirit.’” The teacher comes alive, making eye contact with each of us as he speaks. “No one can command you to have spirit—not principals, governors, presidents, or even kings. There’s no spirit switch in your brain that can be flipped on or off. Spirit isn’t a week you can put on your calendar. It doesn’t come from posters, or streamers, or rallies, or funny hat days. And it definitely doesn’t come from making an ungodly racket with a cheap plastic instrument of torture that was invented purely for disturbing the peace!”

In The Unteachables, Mr. Kermit is a disillusioned, bitter teacher who is counting the days until early retirement. However, the superintendent, who holds a decades-long grudge, wants to force him out early. So at the beginning of his last school year, Mr. Kermit is assigned the Unteachables, a group of students isolated from the rest of the school community.

First-person narration alternates between Mr. Kermit, each of the “unteachable” students, and a few other key adults, encouraging readers to consider all sides of the story. In some books, multiple POVs can be confusing and just too much, but it works well here.

Award-winning author Gordon Korman is excellent at crafting engaging stories that resonate with middle grade readers. The Unteachables has the perfect blend of humor and warmth, with plenty of action to move the plot along. This book was a big hit with my 11-year-old.

Recommended for ages 10-12

The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, Three Magical Children and their Holy Dog, by Adam Gidwitz (2016)

“Because God does not work like poof! God works through people. Like you. It’s a strange way to run the world. Yes, even to me it is mysterious. Full of wonders—and endlessly maddening.”

France, 1242. Travelers from across the country meet to share stories of three children: William, a half-Sarcacen oblate; Jeanne, a peasant girl who has prophetic visions; and Jacob, a Jewish boy who has fled his burning village. Along with a recently resurrected greyhound, these three children escape persecution while attempting to stop a mass burning of holy texts.

The Inquisitor’s Tale is a mix of historical fiction, fact, and fantasy, with an engaging plot and memorable, believable, nuanced characters.

The illustrations (or “illuminations”) on almost every page add an extra layer of depth and meaning:

This book may not be as widely appealing as something written by Gordon Korman, for example, but kids who love this special, unique story really love it.

Funny, weird, and thought-provoking, The Inquisitor’s Tale is one of the best books we read this year.

Recommended for ages 9-12

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If you like The Magic Book House, I’d be grateful if you shared it with a friend.

✨Wishing you hours and hours of reading magic✨

Katie

P.S. As you all know by now, I am a Bookshop.org affiliate. This impactful organization donates all profits to local bookstores (more on that here). If you purchase through one of my links or by visiting my storefront, I earn a teeny tiny commission, which (one day 😂) will support my work on this newsletter.