The Free State of Jax by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Read: July 2025
Rating: 4.5 stars
Format: ebook

I am a huge fan of Jennifer A. Nielsen, she writes incredible historical fiction for middle grade and YA readers. When I saw The Free State of Jax pop up in an upcoming Nielsen book, I had to read it. And I'm so glad I did!

The Free State of Jax is new territory for Nielsen, as she usually focuses on YA books, and this is geared toward younger readers - I recommend this for fourth grade and up. In fact, if this book was around when I taught fourth grade, it would have been the read-aloud for the government unit I taught.

See, Jax (also known as Jack from his crazy cousins, the Grimmitz's, whom he does NOT want to live with) has decided, that since he is no longer able to live with his grandmother (who has Alzheimers) and is being forced to live with the Grimmitz's, he is going to leave and declare his own country. Interestingly, he stakes his country's claim in the middle of Mr. O'Keefe's pond. Who's Mr. O'Keefe, you ask? Oh, just the recluse of a neighbor who has been accused of murdering his brother. (Aren't you glad you asked?!)

Unlike Nielsen's historical fiction, that vividly paints pictures of pivotal moments in history, the Free State of Jax sucks readers into his world, where he clings to his ever-evolving knowledge of some treaty that meas Jax can declare himself president of his micronation, along with a bunch of other legal garbldy-gook, empowers Jax to stand up for himself against his cousins, who sound like a pretty rotten bunch to live with.

What makes this story so endearing is the way the community comes together to support Jax in his quest for independence. While Jax is set on doing this alone, he realizes, thanks to some local kids from his school, that sometimes asking for help is actually harder than accepting help. And everyone deserves help.

Among the twists and turns of the founding of the Free State of Jax, readers will learn a lot about government, a bunch about teamwork, and oodles about learning to trust again. Mr. O'Keefe, the murderer, becomes a surprise ally for Jax as he battles (quite literally) with his cousins on his fight for freedom. 

I think readers will really enjoy this adventure with Jax, Mr. O'Keefe, Alicia and her mom, Officer Pressman and his wife, and even Aunt Helga and Uncle Clive and the whole Grimmitz crew. Each character adds a little something to this special story, where readers will find themselves eagerly devouring each chapter, while wishing the story never ends!

The Lemonade War: Graphic Novel Version

Read: May 2025
Rating: 4 stars
Format: ebook

With graphic novels reaching new heights in classrooms, it's no surprise that Jacqueline Davis' Lemonade War is now a graphic novel. This story is a fantastic one, with so many connections to content areas for teachers. I used to read it aloud during an economics unit with third graders. Now, as a graphic novel, it will reach even more readers, hooking them into the series. I do hope that this is just the first graphic novel of the series!

The illustrations do a fantastic job conveying both Jessie and Evan's emotions as they navigate the last days of summer vacation. Evan's summer is ruined (his words) by the news that his little sister is skipping a grade, and due to class sizes, she'll be in his class come fall. This sets off a storm of frustration, leading to the actions in which the story is titled. Both Evan and Jessie learn some hard lessons along the way, and ultimately find themselves more ready for a new school year than they could have imagined!

Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate

Read: June 2025
Rating: 5 stars

Format: ebook

In reading Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate, my heart warmed in a way a that no book done in ages. Though this book was written for a younger audience and middle grade readers, the story is one that will touch all ages. From the charming illustrations to the cozy title, I was drawn into Pocket Bear, and once I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down.When the story begins, we meet Z-cat, a not-so-thieving Robin Hood of cats. Z is also the narrator of this incredible story. She takes us on her adventures as she finds toys for Second Chances, the project created by Elizaveta and her daughter, Dasha, two transplants from the Ukrainian war with their own sad history. The fact that these two take in lost and battered toys with the sole goal of giving them a second chance being loved and at life is a heartwarming story that will appeal to all ages.

Running the show, at least from behind the scenes is Pocket Bear who was found in the house that now rented by Elizaveta and Dasha. Learning about Pocket Bear sent me down a delightful rabbit hole on the whole history of these bears that were often handcrafted by loved ones before sending their soldier off to war. Pocket bears were designed with their eyes a little higher on their head so when a soldier looked down into their pocket, they’d see this sweet little bear gazing up at them.

As the story unfold, we learn about the whole routine- from the moment Z brings a toy into the house to the Deep Freeze, Spa Day, and Probationary period - as Dasha and her mom work to find each lost item a new home. There is so much to say about this incredibly sweet and engaging story, another winner by Katherine Applegate, that you are going to want to add this book to every bookshelf you meet!