For ages I really loved reading adult books- not the 50 Shades of Grey kind, just the ones you find in the Adult Fiction section of the library.

Then I went through a Young Adult phase- Hunger Games, Twilight and the like.

Now, I seem to be reading lots and lots of middle grade fiction. To avoid worrying about what this has to say about my development, I instead focus on how many great books there are in this category.

My latest read was The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine. This book tells the story of the year after the Little Rock Nine integrated the Little Rock schools. In 1958, the high schools of Little Rock shut their doors to avoid integration. This fact alone would have made this story a fascinating read. I, for one, had no idea this had happened. But the book, full of historical detail, also tells the heart wrenching story of a friendship between two girls, one white and one black.

Whether you are a historical fiction fan or a reader drawn to tales of relationship, this is a book that you will not want to miss.

And in case you need extra motivation, The Lions of Little Rock is mentioned by Betsy Bird of Fuse #8 Production fame in her Newbery/Caldecott 2013:Mid-Year Prediction Post. Perhaps, if you read and love Lions, you will feel ‘in the know’ next winter. And that is always fun…