Ah, middle school romance. That's the heart of the story behind Jake Gerhardt's humorous new middle grade rom-com, Me & Miranda Mullaly. The fates of three 8th grade boys converge in biology class one day, as each falls desperately in love with the same girl. There's Sam, the class clown; Duke, the intellectual; and Chollie,... Continue Reading →
A powerful story about finding your inner strength, speaking up, and being heard, Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate is a soaring triumph of middle grade literature. In her first novel since winning the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience. Jackson and his family have fallen on hard... Continue Reading →
An endearing and quirky story about love and identity, Confessions of an Imaginary Friend by Michelle Cuevas will charm readers with the story of Jacques, an imaginary friend who doesn't know he's imaginary! Jacques Papier has the sneaking suspicion that everyone except his sister Fleur hates him. Teachers ignore him when his hand is raised... Continue Reading →
Easily one of the best middle grade books I've read in ages, The Vanishing Island by Barry Wolverton promises to become an instant classic for readers young and old alike. Does the Vanishing Island really exist? And if so, what treasure—or terrible secret—was hidden by its disappearance? It’s 1599, the Age of Discovery in Europe.... Continue Reading →
A dazzling tale of courage, friendship, and love, A Curious Tale of the In-Between by Lauren DeStefano is a wondrous and beautifully-written story about facing our darkest tragedies. Pram Bellamy is special—she can talk to ghosts. She doesn’t have too many friends amongst the living, but that’s all right. She has her books, she has... Continue Reading →
A delightful and charming new take on Gulliver's Travels, Lilliput by Sam Gayton proves you can be brave at any size. Inspired by Gulliver's Travels, Lilliput is an exhilarating adventure filled with cunning escape plans, evil clock makers, and very talkative parrots. Join Lily as she travels through 18th century London over rooftops, down chimneys,... Continue Reading →
A creeptastic story filled with heart, Ghostlight by Sonia Gensler is as much about facing our inner demons, as it is about facing ghosts. Avery is looking forward to another summer at Grandma’s farm, at least until her brother says he’s too old for “Kingdom,” the imaginary world they’d spent years creating. Lucky for her,... Continue Reading →
A story about what courage really means, Survival Strategies of the Almost Brave by Jen White is the heartfelt story of two sisters facing tragedy upon tragedy -- and the strength they must find to persist in the face of overwhelming odds. After their mother's recent death, twelve-year-old Liberty and her eight-year-old sister, Billie, are... Continue Reading →
A fantasy adventure filled with heart and humor, The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson introduces a charming cast of characters and sets the stage for many more hijinks to come. The world is not a fair place, and Colm Candorly knows it. While his parents and eight sisters seem content living on a lowly cobbler's... Continue Reading →
Kristy, Mary Anne, Claudia and Stacey may have had their fair share of drama -- but I'm guessing the original members of the Baby-Sitter's Club never had to deal with intergalactic toddlers. Enter Gabby Duran, baby-sitter to the stars -- and now, to alien kiddos in Gabby Duran & the Unsittables by Elise Allen and Daryle... Continue Reading →
Novel Novice 