MMGM: Jasmine Green series, by Helen Peters

If your eyes are burning in your head from the sheer quantity of anxiety-producing news you see online, there's a simple solution: read a book. In fact, read a lot of books.

I decided a couple weeks ago that, for the sake of my mental health, I needed to cut myself off from my phone and internet as much as humanly possible. And it worked; for the past two weeks, I've spent no more than 15 minutes a day online, excluding a few "Zoom" conferencing calls or watching a recorded Mass. I've spent no more than 15 minutes per week on social media (just a tiny taste of IG and Goodreads). My husband tells me whatever news I need to know, but since he's not trying to get me to just click on the next fear mongering article, I'm just fine with that.

Lowered anxiety levels were no surprise to me. What I did find surprising was how much my already-low internet consumption had effected my ability to read deeply. Because as soon as internet use became non-existent, my reading focus shot up to levels I haven't seen in years. I read Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca in a day and a half--along with still homeschooling my kids, taking care of a newborn, getting outside, and even cooking an occasional meal. (I'm very grateful to my friends, husband, and tween girls for taking care of most of the meals in my first two weeks postpartum!) Since then, I've been flying through my to-read list, and so enjoying falling deeply into good stories.

So here's a challenge for you: turn off your phone for one hour and pick up a copy (perhaps a digital copy, unless your local bookstore is open for delivery or pick-up) of this lovely early reader, recently released in the U.S.: Jasmine Green Rescues: A Piglet Called Truffle. You'll be able to finish the whole story in an hour, easily. (If you're like me, you'll want to pick up the next book in the series, A Duckling Called Button before the day is through.) Just see if you don't feel better about life in general when that hour is over.

Jasmine Green is also a perfect series to give to your new readers (my 8yo is definitely getting a title or two in her Easter basket). Imagine a modern day James Herriot, still set in this English countryside but featuring an intrepid and realistic young girl as the main character. Jasmine's mother is a vet and her father a farmer, and Jasmine's dream is to start an animal rescue center. As she rescues a runt piglet and an orphaned duck egg in the first two titles, she's well on her way to fulfilling that dream.

Besides the surprisingly detailed and interesting descriptions of basic veterinary care, what gives this series the ring of truth is the wonderfully realistic and nuanced family that Jasmine is a part of. Her parents aren't perfect--but they love and support her. She and her brother fight, even disastrously, but they apologize and forgive each other. I do wish the older sister had been given that same verisimilitude, but perhaps she'll be more developed in later books in the series.

I'd be remiss if I don't mention the sweet illustrations by Ellie Snowdon, which more than do their part to contribute to the overall enjoyment of these stories.

Normally I provide links to Amazon--but, friends, your local bookstores really need your support these days. Take it from the wife of a small business owner--times have never been harder in our lifetimes for owners of small businesses. So please, please, consider buying these books or others from your local, independent bookstore. The images above link to Indiebound.com, where you can order online from the bookstore closest to you! Many indie bookstores are offering free delivery or even same day curbside pickup. If you order through my affiliate links, I will get a small commission from each sale--but, truly, I'd just be really happy if you support a local business instead of Amazon today!

For more Marvelous Middle Grade Monday recommendations from some amazing bloggers, visit Greg's blog. And many thanks, Netgalley, for providing digital copies of these books to review!