Quick reading with a mystery that will work for lots of our middle school readers. The parkour elements are something that I think might appeal, but the characters are the main draw. I appreciate that they have flaws and the relationships will definitely be a draw during booktalking.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

I really enjoyed this book, and think it will be a great addition to my classroom library. The plot is a fast-paced mystery that keeps readers (both middle-grade targeted audience and their approaching middle-age teachers alike!) engaged in the story. Loved the NYC setting, as well as an Indian-American and a bi-racial character. I work in an inner-city school, so diverse characters are always appreciated! Overall, a great middle-grades read.

From the publisher:

"Finding Mighty is a mystery that explores the nature of art and the unbreakable bonds of family."

And this is just the type of book my grade sevens this year are looking for! Well written and delivers the promise of the premise in a heartfelt story I am excited to share.

Previous books that I have read which feature graffiti have talked only about artists and activists, people using graffiti to spread a strong message. They almost entirely dismiss the typical tagger, those who look to put their names in bold places. Chari takls about moth: those trying to say something and those who are out to deface. She acknowledges that you can't have one without the other. At heart though, this isn't about tagging or even parkour. It's really about family secrets and discovering true strength. Its an interseting exploration, though not my first choice for the average reader.

I liked this fast paced mystery told by two different kids with very different world views. One is Peter, who lives with his single mom (his dad died) and his older brother Randall. Randall has been tagging walls with graffiti and Peter has been coming along (when he can) but Randall is being mysterious and then one day disappears. Myla lives with her parents and her younger brother, Cheetah, Myla's dad is a teacher at her middle school. Their stories cross when Peter moves into the house next door to Myla's. There is a very nice mystery involving diamonds, murder, and gangs. It's hard to know who to trust and that's part of what makes the story so terrific. There's also a really great part of the story that features parkour, which I think the kids will really like. The kids are going to like this one a lot.

Why DNF? Overall the bit that I did read was okay but I was not engaged into the story.

Liked: Has an Indian main character, mentions micro-aggressions that happens to Indians in a middle grade novel

FINDING MIGHTY
BY SHEELA CHARI

ABRAMS KIDS







AMULET BOOKS

MIDDLE GRADE, CHILDREN’S FICTION

PUB DATE 30 MAY 2017

Archive Date 30 Apr 2017I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Finding Mighty through the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review which is as follows:

The story revolves around Twelve year old’s Myla and Peter and Peter’s brother Randall. The beginning of that Summer Peter and Randall’s Mom bought them a pair of Air Jordan’s.

One day Myra’s necklace goes missing, is there a connection to the missing necklace and Peter’s missing brother.

Randall leaves clues for his brothers but those clues lead into a world of Grafitti, tags and even gangs.

Will Peter find out what happened to Randall? Find out in Finding Mighty.

Five out of five stars.

Happy Reading.