Tinker Bell Ears

We went to Disneyland yesterday, a perk of living 45 minutes away from Toon Town. It was hot. Boy, was it hot! I seriously could not stop sweating all day. It was like someone connected a hose to my ear that forced water to bubble from my forehead. Blondie had a blast though, and that's all that counts (the price you pay to see your kid's face light up). She blushed at princesses and cried a little on Pirates of the Caribbean (that was my idea; no nightmares... yet). But overall, she was a Storm Trooper and didn't let the heat affect her. 

One of the highlights was eating lunch in the exclusive Club 33, a restaurant with a secret entrance close to the Pirates ride. I happen to know a member to the club, so she kindly made a reservation for us there. The restaurant is located in Walt Disney's old offices. The food is incredible (crab legs, lobster, shrimp, steak), the service even better (waiters did not mind our unruly kids), and of course there is air conditioning (ahhhh). If you've ever been to an amusement park on a steaming day, you know how refreshing cool air must feel. 

In all, a great day. And we came away with only buying a pair of Tinkerbell Mouse Ears that were fifteen bucks. Not bad, considering Blondie didn't even beg for them.

____________________________________

For the upcoming SCBWI-LA Master Class (taught by Linda Sue Park), I've been asked to list five or six of my favorite middle grade books that I've read within the last so many years. Here's what I chose:

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, by Gary Schmidt

Keeping Score, by Linda Sue Park (yes, I'm kissing up; but I'm also a baseball nut)

The Graveyard Book, by Neil Gaiman

The Wednesday Wars, by Gary Schmidt

Waiting for Normal, by Leslie Connor

As you can see, I read a lot of realistic fiction because that's what I write. I know, I need to branch out. 

Which middle grade books would you choose?